And here we go! Annual trip to DL 2016!

[PunkPrincess]

Hey guys! This is my first post so go easy on me ok?

So I'm planning a lower budget trip to Anaheim this year since I lost my job and there are a mountain of questions I have.

First of all, Does anyone know what day the Haunted Mansion is set to go down for the NBC overlay? Last year I was lucky and it was only closed for one day. I plan these for late august because of the lower capacity compared to the heat of the summer days so sometimes I'm gonna have to coordinate this. Last year was literally my first time to the park ever (gone to WDW from...well birth....to 2000 but I prefer California now because there's more to do in the area)

Second of all, When is a good time to reserve a table at the Blue Bayou? Last time I reserved it REALLY early like two months ahead. But this time with money tight I'm not sure if we're going in august or September, Hopefully August but we're not 100 percent sure. It was a great time for me and my GF Ash it really felt like a romantic thing, in our new favorite place in the world.

Third off is Star Wars. I personally avoided all videos and spoilers for the star wars special thingies that they have this year, so....is it worth it?

Fourth we got Hotels. Last year we were quite happy with the Holiday Inn Anaheim Resort north of the Parking Garage, IT was a bit pricey though.....are they all like that? All hotels in that big square around the little Disney resort "Island" (like Ball rd S harbor Walnut etc) Also is it actually safe for two young women to walk to the resort each night from the park along walnut with a little sis? I mean I never heard anything about Anaheim being like anywhere near south central in terms of violence or crime but some of the houses look a bit run down and It made me afraid to like wear red or blue. I'm most likely paranoid though. I've just had bad experiences with unwanted advancements in my life.

And of course If I get there a half day early would you suggest I A: Go to Knott's Berry Farm B: Go to Santa Monica or C: Just kinda drive around go out to eat and sleep off the jetlag?

 

[siskaren]

Actually, this forum is for WDW. You'll want to head over to the DL forum to post your questions:

http://www.disboards.com/forums/disneyland-california.26/

 

[PunkPrincess]

Actually, this forum is for WDW. You'll want to head over to the DL forum to post your questions:

http://www.disboards.com/forums/disneyland-california.26/

Oh ok Thanks Musta misread

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...Second of all, When is a good time to reserve a table at the Blue Bayou? Last time I reserved it REALLY early like two months ahead. But this time with money tight I'm not sure if we're going in august or September, Hopefully August but we're not 100 percent sure. It was a great time for me and my GF Ash it really felt like a romantic thing, in our new favorite place in the world...

Fourth we got Hotels. Last year we were quite happy with the Holiday Inn Anaheim Resort north of the Parking Garage, IT was a bit pricey though.....are they all like that? All hotels in that big square around the little Disney resort "Island" (like Ball rd S harbor Walnut etc) Also is it actually safe for two young women to walk to the resort each night from the park along walnut with a little sis? I mean I never heard anything about Anaheim being like anywhere near south central in terms of violence or crime but some of the houses look a bit run down and It made me afraid to like wear red or blue. I'm most likely paranoid though. I've just had bad experiences with unwanted advancements in my life.

And of course If I get there a half day early would you suggest I A: Go to Knott's Berry Farm B: Go to Santa Monica or C: Just kinda drive around go out to eat and sleep off the jetlag?

Well, here goes! Since you will be able to cancel your reservations 24 hours ahead of time without any penalty, I would go ahead and make 2 reservations for BB and cancel the one you know you won't use. As long as you are pretty flexible about dining times, it usually isn't too hard to get a reservation there (major holidays excepted).

Hotels: try the Motel 6 (very good reviews and good pricing), both Super 8 hotels (one on Katella and one on Disneyland Dr.), Priceline, Expedia, etc. We walk back and forth to the parks all the time, even after midnight, and have never had a problem with safety issues. We usually stay about a 15-20 minute walk away and use Harbor, Katella, and Disneyland Dr. Yes, there are homeless people around and the occasional panhandler, but like I said, we've never had a safety problem at DLR.

If I arrived a half day early, I would shop in DtD and have a great dinner. Maybe a movie at the AMC if there happened to be something I wanted to see.

 

[azdisneylover]

I agree with theluckyrabbit with going to DTD and having dinner, do some shopping, even if it is just window shopping, catch a movie, even watch the fireworks. Check for discounts/coupons for places in DTD and enjoy yourself. Perhaps you can earn a few bucks on sites like swagbucks, mturk etc to get some extra cash for inside the parks. Check out the menus and the thread on the disboards about food to see pics of lots of great things to taste while sharing. This can cut your cost down a bit by sharing, plus, if you share, you can try more things and if you don't like something, it isn't a total loss if you got it just for you. Tomorrowland Terrace has good breakfast options. The fruit platter is always good. Hubby loves the breakfast burrito from there too. The kids (3 teenagers) will split a couple of the breakfast platters, along with some of the fruit from the fruit, yogurt, mini muffin platter and everyone is happy. The chicken salad from Mexican CS in DCA is huge! It is delicious, but the size is huge.

I hope you can have a great time. Wishing you the best in finding employment.

 

[PunkPrincess]

Well, here goes! Since you will be able to cancel your reservations 24 hours ahead of time without any penalty, I would go ahead and make 2 reservations for BB and cancel the one you know you won't use. As long as you are pretty flexible about dining times, it usually isn't too hard to get a reservation there (major holidays excepted).

Hotels: try the Motel 6 (very good reviews and good pricing), both Super 8 hotels (one on Katella and one on Disneyland Dr.), Priceline, Expedia, etc. We walk back and forth to the parks all the time, even after midnight, and have never had a problem with safety issues. We usually stay about a 15-20 minute walk away and use Harbor, Katella, and Disneyland Dr. Yes, there are homeless people around and the occasional panhandler, but like I said, we've never had a safety problem at DLR.

If I arrived a half day early, I would shop in DtD and have a great dinner. Maybe a movie at the AMC if there happened to be something I wanted to see.

Thanks!

Actually that's what we did last time, we saw Inside Out at AMC and had some drinks at that Tapa s place who's name escapes me at the moment, and then spent the night in World Of Disney where we bought the 60th anniversary doll.

There was another half day before switching hotels and we were like yeah......we don't want this to end soon, and we got an extra DL ticket just because!

Last year we did BB at about 4 or so I believe. That's a good idea I never thought about that probably cuz I thought you could only make one per time like only have one and then wait till it expires etc

That may be a bit of a walk but I'm not sure. Last trip I had a problem because my heel swelled and Each trek to the park was like a grand scaling of Everest well maybe not Everest...maybe just thunder mountain but still it was painful! But not as painful as driving from LAX!!! 45 minute trip in two hours! but still I was in my favorite state so all I had to do was look around and be like oh cool there really isn't any place that i'd RATHER be!

But I'm a tough girl I can handle the walk! so long as my ankles don't do that thing again.

I can handle panhandlers and homeless people, I'm from NYC after all but I can't handle people swarming me and hooting at me and acting like I'm some kinda stripper. Admit I do have a Mohawk and sometimes that makes people think I'm into weird things and want attention but I don't. I'm just always cautious in faraway areas even though I'm going to move to LA in a few years, I just think today girls gotta be careful is all. When I was in Philadelphia some guy actually kept following us and giving us random tourist facts before asking for money. It was quite awkward!

 

[GenGen22]

Many people walk to DL from their hotels and have no issues in the area. We have as well and feels really safe around there. As far as savng money on hotels I would check out getawaytoday.com they have 3rd and 4th night free deals as well as some hotels with free breakfast and shuttle. We like the shuttle after walking all day. We also like to relax at the pool the night we get in so that may be an idea after coming back from DTD.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Some hotels have private shuttles, like the Candy Cane Inn and the Majestic Garden hotel, while others are on an ART route, like the Motel 6. Even if you stay a little further south on Harbor, e.g. the Red Lion, Homewood Suites, Sheraton Park, etc., you can take the free shuttles from the Toy Story parking lot. That might help with the soreness and heel pain. Sadly, it won't help with traffic from LAX. Download the Waze app to help with that. You can choose between the quickest or the most direct route -- sometimes there is a big difference between those in L.A.

 

[PunkPrincess]

I agree with theluckyrabbit with going to DTD and having dinner, do some shopping, even if it is just window shopping, catch a movie, even watch the fireworks. Check for discounts/coupons for places in DTD and enjoy yourself. Perhaps you can earn a few bucks on sites like swagbucks, mturk etc to get some extra cash for inside the parks. Check out the menus and the thread on the disboards about food to see pics of lots of great things to taste while sharing. This can cut your cost down a bit by sharing, plus, if you share, you can try more things and if you don't like something, it isn't a total loss if you got it just for you. Tomorrowland Terrace has good breakfast options. The fruit platter is always good. Hubby loves the breakfast burrito from there too. The kids (3 teenagers) will split a couple of the breakfast platters, along with some of the fruit from the fruit, yogurt, mini muffin platter and everyone is happy. The chicken salad from Mexican CS in DCA is huge! It is delicious, but the size is huge.

I hope you can have a great time. Wishing you the best in finding employment.

THANKS!!

I've never heard of those sites ill check them out!

I Think I remember my favorite dinner places were BB in DL and that Cochina place in DCA. They had some REALLY good Mexican food, the kind you just don't get up in NY. It was literally so good I couldn't believe it!

Oh I meant to ask is there anything special being served at Award Wieners this year? I remember last year it was all Inside Out stuff like Joydogs and Fear the drink etc. (no disgust for obvious reasons who wants to eat a "Disgusting" hot dog!) I was wondering if maybe they'd have Dory stuff or Star Wars or something.

I can't remember where we usually ate breakfast The Jolly Holiday was good with their bread bowl tomato basil

I haven't been to Tl Terrace yet for breakfast only for a snack of some fruits when my heels bloated Almost lost my wallet there! Good place to be stranded but without money that's no fun

 

[PunkPrincess]

Some hotels have private shuttles, like the Candy Cane Inn and the Majestic Garden hotel, while others are on an ART route, like the Motel 6. Even if you stay a little further south on Harbor, e.g. the Red Lion, Homewood Suites, Sheraton Park, etc., you can take the free shuttles from the Toy Story parking lot. That might help with the soreness and heel pain. Sadly, it won't help with traffic from LAX. Download the Waze app to help with that. You can choose between the quickest or the most direct route -- sometimes there is a big difference between those in L.A.

Yes the ART was convenient though our driver was really rude! She was like yelling at people for requesting stops even though there was a button for it. Strange because everyone else I met in Cali is so nice compared to people in NY who if you go near them they look at you like you're scum, and if you talk to them they give you a "this girl is crazy" look! But that's prob just that one driver, the girl in the morning was nice she was younger and had nice braids and I complimented her and talked a bit. I'm rambling again sorry lol.

I thought the heel pain was due to high heels but I had only worn high heels going out to DTD for our little date there. It may have been from the plane ride or because I forgot to take my thyroid meds. one day. I'm not certain. I was told I consumed too much salt, most likely because of the fries pizza popcorn and pickles I got. Oh and Pretzels those little buggers are addicting (do churros have salt?)

Yeah the problem is gonna be traffic from LAX but I'll bring a mix cd for the rental car

 

[PunkPrincess]

In addition I'm planning to do DL Universal and SFMM (I can get in free cuz I have a SF great Adventure season pass) so I'm curious as to which to do first. The problem is that If I do Disney first then nothing can truly follow it up

If I do it last its worse when I have to leave. Maybe the middle but both of the other parks are north of it! ugh decisions decisions!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If your heels really start hurting again this trip, don't hesitate to stop by First Aid in either park. The CMs there are RNs and they are super friendly and helpful.

 

[PunkPrincess]

Many people walk to DL from their hotels and have no issues in the area. We have as well and feels really safe around there. As far as savng money on hotels I would check out getawaytoday.com they have 3rd and 4th night free deals as well as some hotels with free breakfast and shuttle. We like the shuttle after walking all day. We also like to relax at the pool the night we get in so that may be an idea after coming back from DTD.

That sounds nice! I'm planning on AT LEAST being there for five days at the lowest so that would work out. What about extra magic hours?

 

[GenGen22]

That sounds nice! I'm planning on AT LEAST being there for five days at the lowest so that would work out. What about extra magic hours?

You can get a ear

That sounds nice! I'm planning on AT LEAST being there for five days at the lowest so that would work out. What about extra magic hours?

You get one early entry day with a 3 day ph so, you would at least get that.

 

[azdisneylover]

If you haven't booked your room yet, it wouldn't hurt to check out different sites, like Costco, AAA, if you are in a credit union, etc. Costco has a package where you get a few goodies (lanyard, Disney pin, one premium character meal for each person in party which can be used elsewhere, like Carnation Café, so you can dine there and use one premium meal coupon to pay the bill for both of you instead of using both for a character meal, a coupon for discounts at places in DTD, etc. ) Getawaytoday will price match.

 

[Astylla]

Getawaytoday is offering 3 or more day Parkhopper tickets for adults for kids prices - saves about $24 bucks so it can help and they have good offers