lugnut33
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2008
- Messages
- 7,456
Well, last Monday we (me, DD12 & DD9) flew out of Milwaukee on Southwest for a 5 night stay at the Carousel Inn right across the street from Disneyland.
Had a layover in Vegas for 2 hours from which I took away $95 extra bucks. Southwest got us to John Wayne Airport on time. No complaints with Southwest, they do a good job.
Used the Disneyland Express, which I'm not that thrilled with. I think next time I'd just take a cab since it only costs a bit more for 3 people to take the cab. Problem was the bus was full (good for the bus company) and had to make many many stops to drop everybody off at their hotel. It took over an hour to get from the airport to our hotel, which I think is normally about a half hour by cab. Our return trip on the bus was just as slow, but when you're going home you don't care.
Checked into the Carousel around 3 pm and our room was not ready, but was told they upgraded us to a suite for free. That was nice. We also got our $25 Quizonos gift card because the pool was not open due to renovation. Right now, the Carousel is about half way done on their renovations. The whole front half of the hotel is being refurbed.... and it needed it from what I could tell. I had no problem with the hotel and the staff was very friendly. We spent little time at the hotel, so since the bed were very comfy the hotel gets a thumbs up. I will say this though, my daughter really disliked the construction workers who were staring at her.
There's nothing like being about a 3 minute walk from the park entrance at Disneyland. So convenient, so much easier than WDW.
First thing we did was go and buy some Dole Whip and take in a Tiki Room show. There was a pretty long line for the Dole Whip, and the birds performed to an 80% capacity show. I really thought that the park was busy.
However, after the show we walked by Indy and the wait was only 20 minutes, which actually ended up being only about 10. Pirates was practically a walkon, as was Haunted Mansion. Space Mountain ended up being a 10 minute wait. We didn't actually run into the line of people until we were inside the boarding area.
We were pretty shocked. Eventhough it can feel crowded while walking at the Magic Kingdom, the wait times on the rides were minimal. And it was that way all week. Most we ever waited was 30 minutes for Toy Story Mania. Heck, on Saturday when the park opened at 8 a.m., we got there at 7:40 and were right near the front of the line to enter. Between 8-10:30 we rode the following 11 rides: SM, Nemo, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Alice, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, Indy, Pirates, and HM. In Unofficial Guide terms I would say the crowds were a 1 or 2. Only Friday night did things get busy, but we had collected plenty of fast passes that morning.
And at DCA, everything was pretty much a walkon, including California Screaming, which is a really great coaster. My girls loved it. Oh, by the way, the little icecream stand in the Paradise Pier area has the best softserve icecream ever. I mean EVER!!
For breakfast we generally just grabbed a donut or croissant and some juice from the free continental breakfast at the Carousel. That would tie us over until we had a big lunch. One morning we did a character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. I know that gets some pretty low marks, but we actually liked it. we went at 10:30 for a late breakfast early lunch thing and there were very few people there. We met: Tigger, Pooh, Eeyore, Captain Hook, Minnie and Max. The food wasn't bad either, but then again how can you screwup breakfast food?
We ate lunches and dinners inside and outside the parks. I'd say we averaged around $80 per day for the three of us in our food/snacks/drinks bill. I'm sure we could have done better, but I just wanted to keep it simple. I enjoyed not carrying a backpack full of stuff into the parks. Matter of fact, many times we went with nothing at because if we needed something the hotel was always close.
One of our favorite places ended up being the Diamond Horseshoe Review. We say Bill Hill and the Hillbillies play. They put on a great show. Definitely put it on your list of must see attractions.
I don't know how DCA can replace the the Aladdin show? It is so hilarious and the crowd was totally into it. Toy Story better really be good because I'm going to miss the Jeanie.
Ohhhh, my daughters loved Captain EO. I enjoyed seeing it also, but wow is it corny and cheesy all wrapped up in one. I know this, if I ever get to assemble a space troop, I am not inviting Hooter, that dude is worthless.
If you have any questions please fire away.
Had a layover in Vegas for 2 hours from which I took away $95 extra bucks. Southwest got us to John Wayne Airport on time. No complaints with Southwest, they do a good job.
Used the Disneyland Express, which I'm not that thrilled with. I think next time I'd just take a cab since it only costs a bit more for 3 people to take the cab. Problem was the bus was full (good for the bus company) and had to make many many stops to drop everybody off at their hotel. It took over an hour to get from the airport to our hotel, which I think is normally about a half hour by cab. Our return trip on the bus was just as slow, but when you're going home you don't care.
Checked into the Carousel around 3 pm and our room was not ready, but was told they upgraded us to a suite for free. That was nice. We also got our $25 Quizonos gift card because the pool was not open due to renovation. Right now, the Carousel is about half way done on their renovations. The whole front half of the hotel is being refurbed.... and it needed it from what I could tell. I had no problem with the hotel and the staff was very friendly. We spent little time at the hotel, so since the bed were very comfy the hotel gets a thumbs up. I will say this though, my daughter really disliked the construction workers who were staring at her.
There's nothing like being about a 3 minute walk from the park entrance at Disneyland. So convenient, so much easier than WDW.
First thing we did was go and buy some Dole Whip and take in a Tiki Room show. There was a pretty long line for the Dole Whip, and the birds performed to an 80% capacity show. I really thought that the park was busy.
However, after the show we walked by Indy and the wait was only 20 minutes, which actually ended up being only about 10. Pirates was practically a walkon, as was Haunted Mansion. Space Mountain ended up being a 10 minute wait. We didn't actually run into the line of people until we were inside the boarding area.
We were pretty shocked. Eventhough it can feel crowded while walking at the Magic Kingdom, the wait times on the rides were minimal. And it was that way all week. Most we ever waited was 30 minutes for Toy Story Mania. Heck, on Saturday when the park opened at 8 a.m., we got there at 7:40 and were right near the front of the line to enter. Between 8-10:30 we rode the following 11 rides: SM, Nemo, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Alice, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, Indy, Pirates, and HM. In Unofficial Guide terms I would say the crowds were a 1 or 2. Only Friday night did things get busy, but we had collected plenty of fast passes that morning.
And at DCA, everything was pretty much a walkon, including California Screaming, which is a really great coaster. My girls loved it. Oh, by the way, the little icecream stand in the Paradise Pier area has the best softserve icecream ever. I mean EVER!!
For breakfast we generally just grabbed a donut or croissant and some juice from the free continental breakfast at the Carousel. That would tie us over until we had a big lunch. One morning we did a character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. I know that gets some pretty low marks, but we actually liked it. we went at 10:30 for a late breakfast early lunch thing and there were very few people there. We met: Tigger, Pooh, Eeyore, Captain Hook, Minnie and Max. The food wasn't bad either, but then again how can you screwup breakfast food?
We ate lunches and dinners inside and outside the parks. I'd say we averaged around $80 per day for the three of us in our food/snacks/drinks bill. I'm sure we could have done better, but I just wanted to keep it simple. I enjoyed not carrying a backpack full of stuff into the parks. Matter of fact, many times we went with nothing at because if we needed something the hotel was always close.
One of our favorite places ended up being the Diamond Horseshoe Review. We say Bill Hill and the Hillbillies play. They put on a great show. Definitely put it on your list of must see attractions.
I don't know how DCA can replace the the Aladdin show? It is so hilarious and the crowd was totally into it. Toy Story better really be good because I'm going to miss the Jeanie.
Ohhhh, my daughters loved Captain EO. I enjoyed seeing it also, but wow is it corny and cheesy all wrapped up in one. I know this, if I ever get to assemble a space troop, I am not inviting Hooter, that dude is worthless.
If you have any questions please fire away.
I think I may need to check out the Aladdin show... just not sure if a toddler will sit through that. Oh and is it fact that they'll be replacing it with Toy Story? She'd definitely sit through that!
