Back from five days in the parks (8/14-8/19) - thoughts

[Vexorg]

Just got home from five days in the parks (plus an extra "chill out" day in the middle) with a couple of friends, and I'm currently in the obligatory crashing-back-to-reality phase of the whole process. I'm actually surprised how much we got done on this trip, but it was not without its challenges. Here's a few quick thoughts (I might add some more later):

-Since I was traveling with a couple of friends who love coming up with silly ideas for ride photos I decided to spring for the Photopass Plus so we could actually keep all of them instead of just taking pictures of the screen like we usually do. We didn't end up putting hundreds of photos on it like I hear some people do, but I think we hit all the highlights pretty well. I'd definitely do it again when traveling with this group. The one bummer on this was that they lost the photo (it just never showed up) for the only time we were all able to ride RSR together.

-The parks were crowded, but for the most part manageable. Thanks to a strategy of collecting FPs early and sending a runner (usually me) to get FPs later on, I don't think we had to wait in any excessively long lines.

-The single rider line on the Matterhorn is a huge time-saver. Since riding together on Matterhorn doesn't matter anywhere near as much as it does on other rides, if you're in a small group of 2 or 3 that doesn't include any kids, the single-rider line is definitely the way to go on this one.

-Biggest challenge of the trip? Dealing with the heat. Every day we were there was somewhere in the high 80s to mid 90s during the day. Especially in the afternoons, it had a pretty significant effect on energy levels. We didn't have a hotel near the parks to go back to for breaks (we were staying at a private condo roughly 25 miles away) so we ended up going back to the car to take 1-hour breaks/naps in the afternoon. Since we weren't running on a lot of sleep most days (when one of my friends had a flight delayed several hours I ended up needing to make a 50-mile drive to LAX to pick them up at 1am then drive back, then we had to be up at 6 to get to the parks in time to get RSR FPs) this was probably one of the better ideas we had. Although having access to the condo saved us a bunch of money over what we'd spend on a hotel room, the distance definitely complicates the logistics a bit. I suspect we'd continue to use the condo for as long as we have it available, but I'm not sure I'd be able to convince my friends to go in July or August again.

-The main thing I need to improve on for the next trip (probably next September) is putting together a better strategy for the evening shows, especially the fireworks.

-For quite a while, I've felt that three days seems to be just about right for a Disneyland trip (at least if you live within reasonable distance of the parks) and after doing a five-day trip, I still believe this is true. Naturally, your mileage may vary on this one.

Ultimately there were things that went well and other things that didn't go well, but overall it was a pretty good trip. I went into this not expecting to buy another AP when my current one expires in a few weeks (especially with the huge price increase on the Premium AP,) but I think I managed to inadvertently convince my friends to get deluxe APs on their next trip, which means I'll probably break down and just get another AP the next time I head over. I'd have to say that between all of us we probably saved at least $50 on AP discounts alone on this trip, and when you add parking and blackouts to that I've easily covered the extra cost of the premium AP over the Deluxe twice over.

 

[quantumottle]

<snip>-Biggest challenge of the trip? Dealing with the heat. </snip>

I know, right? I was absolutely shocked at the heat the last week or so, apparently so are the residents of Anaheim. I'm from Texas, but this heat was ridiculous! I tried to NOT let it ruin our trip, and it didn't, but it sure made this the least magical trip we've had - at least for me.

Guess that means I'll have to plan another trip, IN DECEMBER!!!

 

[LovintheLodge]

Yeah...what was with that heat!?! Seems it came when my family arrived in CA (Aug 8th) and left when we left (8/17)...haha! I didn't expect it especially when checking the weather periodically prior to our trip. It came close to our summer WDW trips, maybe just as hot on a couple of days (though the humidity was lower).

Kerry

 

[Vexorg]

Interestingly enough, I think it was actually warmer in Seattle during the time I was down at Disneyland than it was in Anaheim, but either way, it was pretty dang warm. Normally I would prefer to go in September myself, but this trip was planned to get in before the SoCal AP blackouts ended and to get in before my AP (bought on a September trip last year) expired. Given the circumstances, I don't think I'd be able to convince my friends to do August again, but aside from the temperature I actually found it was a lot more manageable than I expected it to be.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

A suggestion for beating the heat...go to the Animation building for a break... dark, cool, usually not too crowded. The cinema on Main Street is another good place.

We did lunch at a hotel resort each day. Whitewater or Tagarooa were great cool places to hang out...have a good meal and free refills.

 

[Vexorg]

A suggestion for beating the heat...go to the Animation building for a break... dark, cool, usually not too crowded. The cinema on Main Street is another good place.

We did lunch at a hotel resort each day. Whitewater or Tagarooa were great cool places to hang out...have a good meal and free refills.

We actually did spend a fair bit of time at the Animation Building cooling down... The couches (which seem to be a recent addition) are also a nice touch. On the DL side, Golden Horseshoe seems to be another good one.

 

[kristie73]

-The main thing I need to improve on for the next trip (probably next September) is putting together a better strategy for the evening shows, especially the fireworks.

What would you do different for the evening shows and fireworks as far as strategy?

 

[Moodyzblu]

What would you do different for the evening shows and fireworks as far as strategy?

I was about to ask this too !

 

[Vexorg]

The main problem we had with the evening shows was that we didn't have a clear plan for them, and ended up having to wing it, and by the time they actually rolled around people were too tired to want to do them. Ultimately we ended up watching the fireworks from a spot next to Carthay Circle Theater that I found on the last trip (great view, no crowds, plus you can get there fairly easily after the early WoC show) but never saw them from inside the park (we could have, but it was too crowded to get a good view.) On another day, we ended up using RSR FPs later in the evening intending to catch the fireworks afterward, but ended missing the fireworks while on the ride. Ultimately, I think on an extended Summer visit like this one the best strategy would be to do one show a day, and allow plenty of time to get there. Unfortunately, sometimes in practice that doesn't work so well.

 

[HydroGuy]

The main problem we had with the evening shows was that we didn't have a clear plan for them, and ended up having to wing it, and by the time they actually rolled around people were too tired to want to do them. Ultimately we ended up watching the fireworks from a spot next to Carthay Circle Theater that I found on the last trip (great view, no crowds, plus you can get there fairly easily after the early WoC show) but never saw them from inside the park (we could have, but it was too crowded to get a good view.) On another day, we ended up using RSR FPs later in the evening intending to catch the fireworks afterward, but ended missing the fireworks while on the ride. Ultimately, I think on an extended Summer visit like this one the best strategy would be to do one show a day, and allow plenty of time to get there. Unfortunately, sometimes in practice that doesn't work so well.

I know you had the far away condo arrangement, but in general an afternoon break and swim and/or nap just makes the evenings so much better - when you are staying close enough. And it is easier to plan for and be alert for the evening entertainment. I know when we do a full day with no break, the evening just does not seem as fun or magical. The tiredness just drags you down a bit.

 

[Vexorg]

I know you had the far away condo arrangement, but in general an afternoon break and swim and/or nap just makes the evenings so much better - when you are staying close enough. And it is easier to plan for and be alert for the evening entertainment. I know when we do a full day with no break, the evening just does not seem as fun or magical. The tiredness just drags you down a bit.

On one hand, having a hotel near the parks (as I usually do on solo trips) would be nice so I couild go back for an actual honest-to-goodness nap, as I found that trying to nap in the car didn't work very well (I've always been a picky sleeper, so it ends up being more of a rest break). On the other hand, not having to pay for a hotel saved us hundreds of dollars on the trip, albeit at a significant cost of convenience (particularly when I was driving from Laguna Hills to LAX and back at Midnight with a 6am wake-up time, although we can thank Southwest and their multiple flight delays for that one.) Normally an hour or so rest break would be plenty to get us through the evening, but again, I think the heat took a lot more out of us than I'd normally expect on my more customary May or September trips.

One of these days I think I'm just going to break down and spring for the GCH for a night or two (although I'd probably try to rent DVC points to do it), but we were trying to be a bit on the frugal side with this trip, so that wasn't really in the cards. I did splurge on a couple of things (the biggest ones being a character sketch and a limited edition print from Off the Page and a lunch at Cafe Orleans) but overall we were trying not to spend too much money. We had intended to pack lunches into the park most days, but ended up buying most of our meals anyway. My friends are both fairly light eaters and ended up mostly ordering kids meals, finding that to be just about the perfect amount of food for them. For that matter, even I thought that some of the regular CS meals I ordered were bordering on too much food, particularly the one I had at Flo's V8 Cafe.) We mostly brought in our own snacks though, as I usually end up doing.

 

[HydroGuy]

On one hand, having a hotel near the parks (as I usually do on solo trips) would be nice so I couild go back for an actual honest-to-goodness nap, as I found that trying to nap in the car didn't work very well (I've always been a picky sleeper, so it ends up being more of a rest break). On the other hand, not having to pay for a hotel saved us hundreds of dollars on the trip, albeit at a significant cost of convenience (particularly when I was driving from Laguna Hills to LAX and back at Midnight with a 6am wake-up time, although we can thank Southwest and their multiple flight delays for that one.) Normally an hour or so rest break would be plenty to get us through the evening, but again, I think the heat took a lot more out of us than I'd normally expect on my more customary May or September trips.

One of these days I think I'm just going to break down and spring for the GCH for a night or two (although I'd probably try to rent DVC points to do it), but we were trying to be a bit on the frugal side with this trip, so that wasn't really in the cards. I did splurge on a couple of things (the biggest ones being a character sketch and a limited edition print from Off the Page and a lunch at Cafe Orleans) but overall we were trying not to spend too much money. We had intended to pack lunches into the park most days, but ended up buying most of our meals anyway. My friends are both fairly light eaters and ended up mostly ordering kids meals, finding that to be just about the perfect amount of food for them. For that matter, even I thought that some of the regular CS meals I ordered were bordering on too much food, particularly the one I had at Flo's V8 Cafe.) We mostly brought in our own snacks though, as I usually end up doing.

I understand you had your own condo situation so I was really posting for other's sake to just point out it is easier to see the evening shows when you stay closer and get some rest that day. Glad you had a good trip and were able to be efficient with money.

 

[Jiminy_78]

You mentioned that you had someone run ahead and get fast passes for the day. Does this mean that Disneyland is not enforcing the return times the way that WDW is? Are they also requiring you to return during the one hour stated on the FP? Just trying to figure out our touring strategy for our upcoming trip. Thanks!

 

[Vexorg]

You mentioned that you had someone run ahead and get fast passes for the day. Does this mean that Disneyland is not enforcing the return times the way that WDW is? Are they also requiring you to return during the one hour stated on the FP? Just trying to figure out our touring strategy for our upcoming trip. Thanks!

Strict enforcement of FP windows at WDW is a relatively recent change, and one that hasn't been enacted at Disneyland at this time.