Weber Prof
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2022
- Messages
- 96
I found this site so helpful when preparing for our recent trip and wanted to pay forward if I could. The last time we went to Disneyland was in 1995. We are now grandparents and relied on chat boards, vloggers, and bloggers in preparing. We used a Disney Magical Vacation Planner.
There were 6 of us traveling. Two grandparents
, two parents, two children ages (2 and 5) 
.
Thanks to everyone who has shared information about their experiences. I would deem our trip an overall success in large part due to the information gained from this site.
There were 6 of us traveling. Two grandparents
, two parents, two children ages (2 and 5) . Thanks to everyone who has shared information about their experiences. I would deem our trip an overall success in large part due to the information gained from this site.
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into John Wayne Airport (SNA) on Saturday, Sept 24. It was so close and convenient to Anaheim. I think I like SNA even better than LGB. SNA is my top choice if going to DLR. We took an Uber to the Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim/Garden Grove. Our children and grandchildren drove 
and we met us there. The hotel is undergoing renovations (precursor to our trip!). Half of the lobby is closed, the pool is closed, the snack/gift shop is closed, and some walkways are closed. The original plan was to arrive Sunday but we had the opportunity to meet up with family so came a day early. Garden Inn guests can purchase a bus pass to ride to DLR. They have a breakfast buffet or full breakfast menu. Parking is $25.00 per night I recall. We ate breakfast at around 8:30 am. It was mostly full in the dining area as many families were eating before heading to park at. We checked out of the hotel around 10 am.
would be in the lobby. We made sure to get pictures!
and chairs would be set up. We watched the DL fireworks from that spot Sunday night. The music is piped in from the park. The lounge chairs are comfortable and we noticed several families brought dinner to eat while watching.
and rode from the Queen Mary
(where he was married) to his favorite pizza
place. We were able to send pictures to his widow and all shared happy memories of him and visits at his house.
we would be parking for the trip. The only entrance into the hotel for now is in and out of the parking garage. You are stopped by a gate CM to enter the parking area. We didn't have to show our hotel reservation but others did to enter. If you are not parking but dropping off you also need to verify. To park you simply enter the parking structure. There is an unloading area right after you enter the garage. Usually CM are there to help with luggage. If you unload luggage you won't have to carry it (no elevators in garage I could see) or pull it with you. If you are being dropped off you enter the parking garage and then immediately exit to your left.
both rooms to premier view and gave us connecting rooms. That was very nice and I send a thank you via the app. When we reached our rooms the keys did not work for one of the rooms. We called the front desk on the room phone and they sent someone up with new keys. It still wouldn't work so someone else came and manually opened the door. Later someone came and replaced the whole doorknob/key lock contraption. Some of us left to scout out the entrance options for DCA in the morning and others stayed in the room. DTD was so crowded it was hard to even walk around! We went through security to see what that would be like in the morning. Security told us that hotel guests can use any entrance with their room key. Our room keys for PP were blue. I met someone at DLH whose room key was gold. Perhaps each hotel has a different color?
we took misters and fans for us and the stroller. Good plan!! It got up to 95 that day! We entered the park using the Main gates so we would be closer to Avengers Campus when park opened. Our plan for the day is attached. Black is what we planned. Red is changes that happened. We pretty much did everything and experienced everything we wanted. We thought it was an excellent day.
It was very crowded and we had four rides that broke down
so altered plans throughout the day.
but then went right to sleep
. Their parents stayed in the park but said they wished they would have come back. I was able to ice and cover my eyes. The short time by the beach on Sunday 
to take pictures really did a number on my eyes
.
and I preferred Hilton bed. Sofa and furniture were worn but clean. Room carpet was damp in places when we checked in like it had just been steam cleaned but was completely dry by Monday.
The PP slide is slow moving so teens and adults might not enjoy it but children and parents appreciate it. The hotel has life jackets for children of all sizes. They also have cold water handy and pool ducks for kids to play with. 
using the hotel QR code. Food was delivered hot and speedy. They forgot the rice and beans 
I count it as a win that our ROTR wait was less than 20 minutes. I don't know what kind of pixie dust 
from Hertz at the SNA airport location but when we got there they said they did not have a truck and there was not a single truck available in the entire Hertz system in the greater LA area. That seemed ludicrous to us.
We began searching online for a one way pickup truck rental from LA to our home state and nothing was showing. Finally walked to Alamo counter at the airport and were immediately given a truck to rent for less than Hertz. 
at PP and lunch at DTD. After lunch they gathered their luggage
from the bell desk and went to the beach again.
