Countdown to Disneyland

[barbaraann]

I have finally booked my latest vacation to Disneyland. I am really excited.

I will be arriving in Anaheim on January 26, 2011, and staying for a week. I will be staying at the Howard Johnson Hotel for the very first time. I have stayed at Candy Cane Inn, and the Hilton Anaheim in the past.

I am about to purchase my park ticket. Too bad the passes stop at 6 days online, because if a 7 day was available, that's what I would be buying. I am seriously thinking of an upgrade to an Annual Pass, but I have time to make that decision between now and my arrival.

I have flown into Santa Ana airport and I chose that option again. I chose the familiar airport rather than the one farther away despite the small additional amount of money.

Now, all I do is enjoy the planning. I notice a small amount of information has started to appear on the January calendar.

When I was on the phone waiting to make my hotel reservation, a recorded message was playing about the amenities of the hotel. A continental breakfast was mentioned. I thought this was not available at this hotel. Was this message in accurate? Perhaps, I heard wrong.

 

[MinnieMama09]

Very fun! We went right at that time the beginning of this year and LOVED it...the crowds were the best we've seen...walked on or had a 10 min. wait on most rides (even Indiana Jones was only 15 min.). It was a little chilly, but wonderful!

We are planning our first stay at HoJo's (in December) too...have heard good things! I don't think there is a continental breakfast there, I've never heard of one there (and have researched plenty), unless something has changed, you may have heard wrong. There's a Mimi's right there though, with great food and prices from what I've heard.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[barbaraann]

Perhaps the information that I heard what due to the fact that I called a Main Reservation number that handles all the Howard Johnson hotels. Maybe I should have called the HoJo on Harbor Blvd direct.

I was just wondering, since I have read many threads on the HoJo, and there was never any mention of a Continental Breakfast. They did mention the restaurant next door though. Actually, I did eat there on my last trip to Disneyland, and their breakfast was yummy. That was December of 08. I haven't been to Disneyland is two years, so I have some catching up to do.

 

[MinnieMama09]

Perhaps the information that I heard what due to the fact that I called a Main Reservation number that handles all the Howard Johnson hotels. Maybe I should have called the HoJo on Harbor Blvd direct.

I was just wondering, since I have read many threads on the HoJo, and there was never any mention of a Continental Breakfast. They did mention the restaurant next door though. Actually, I did eat there on my last trip to Disneyland, and their breakfast was yummy. That was December of 08. I haven't been to Disneyland is two years, so I have some catching up to do.

That makes sense, it very well could have been a general line. I've been reading all the HoJO threads too, since we've never been. We're very excited for our upcoming trip...one more month!

 

[barbaraann]

My trip is 71 days away. I did order my tickets yesterday, as well as my ART Pass. I am surprised that they don't offer a 7 day pass. I did a 5 day one plus a 3 day one. I actually will be there 6 full days, and 2 partial days, which are travel days.

I am having fun reading and familiarizing myself with things. I guess when my vacation is just 2 month away, more information will start to appear on the calendar. I'm not sure about special dining at this point in time.

I am also curious as to how much night time entertainment will be showing, and how long the parks will be open at night.

I enjoyed looking at the Howard Johnson videos that were on their website.

Planning is so much fun. I am excited to see that the Deluxe Queen Rooms seem to be in a more quiet building.

 

[MinnieMama09]

My trip is 71 days away. I did order my tickets yesterday, as well as my ART Pass. I am surprised that they don't offer a 7 day pass. I did a 5 day one plus a 3 day one. I actually will be there 6 full days, and 2 partial days, which are travel days.

I am having fun reading and familiarizing myself with things. I guess when my vacation is just 2 month away, more information will start to appear on the calendar. I'm not sure about special dining at this point in time.

I am also curious as to how much night time entertainment will be showing, and how long the parks will be open at night.

I enjoyed looking at the Howard Johnson videos that were on their website.

Planning is so much fun. I am excited to see that the Deluxe Queen Rooms seem to be in a more quiet building.

When we were there at that time the beginning of this year, the hours were definitely shorter...10-8pm during weekdays, but I can't remember about weekend hours. And if I'm remembering correctly, nighttime entertainment was mostly offered on weekends, not during the week. But, again, I don't remember what all was offered, I'm sure other DISers can help with that.

We're also staying in the Deluxe queen rooms next month...looking forward to it, and trying to do as much planning as I can too!

 

[Brady's Mom]

My trip is 71 days away. I did order my tickets yesterday, as well as my ART Pass. I am surprised that they don't offer a 7 day pass. I did a 5 day one plus a 3 day one. I actually will be there 6 full days, and 2 partial days, which are travel days.

I am having fun reading and familiarizing myself with things. I guess when my vacation is just 2 month away, more information will start to appear on the calendar. I'm not sure about special dining at this point in time.

I am also curious as to how much night time entertainment will be showing, and how long the parks will be open at night.

I enjoyed looking at the Howard Johnson videos that were on their website.

Planning is so much fun. I am excited to see that the Deluxe Queen Rooms seem to be in a more quiet building.

You probably won't need the ART pass from HoJo. We stay there frequently and have never used ART. It is about 8 minutes walking from Bldg. 2 to the security entrance. If you could get a refund on that you might consider it. I would only get/use ART from HoJo if I had someone in my party who had some considerable disabilities.

There is NO continental breakfast served at the HoJo on Harbor. There is a microwave and fridge in the room, though. We do go to Mimi's which is in the parking lot across the street and we love their breakfast. Otherwise we just eat in our room. We bring breakfasty stuff when we stay there.

I would seriously consider an AP if you plan on going to DLR again w/in the year. The AP is good for 366 days. So, since you are going the end of January, if you planned to go again in January of 2012 an AP would definitely be worth it.

Hours will be short, but lines should also be very short. We love off season at DLR. We also love the shorter hours. Plan on the hours being 10-8 pm at DL - I don't know what the hours might be at DCA with WOC now, but they would "normally" have been 10-6. Usually Friday and Saturdays are 8 am to 11 or 12 pm. Those are usually the days that fireworks and parades are shown off season. Oh yeah, and Sundays, too.

Have a fun time planning and reading all the threads, it can really help with planning and knowing what to expect!

 

[Funball]

Trip Planners!!!​

I got maps!! I got Christmas maps and some Halloween, if you need a map of DLR please PM me!! ​

Thanks Funball!!
​

Link to my map thread, post one has another link of the Christmas map photos!​

MAP THREAD. GO HERE FOR CHRISTMAS MAPS!!​

 

[barbaraann]

I got the ART pass more for going back to the hotel at night than for getting there in the morning. I am one of those people who loves to stay until closing, and it's nice to know that there will be a bus available. I can get pretty tired. I am 63 years old, and in pretty good health, but I'll keep those passes, and I am sure that I'll put them to good use.

The AP option for me will definitely be decided come January due to personal financial matters at home. We are really strapped for cash, so depending on what kind of tax refund we might get come January, that will help me decide if I can afford another trip.

This trip is being financed by a cash windfall that I was lucky enough to come into.

I have actually eaten at Mimi's cafe. I took the walk down there back in 2008, when I stayed at the Candy Cane Inn. I enjoyed a yummy breakfast there, and then I walked to Disneyland. I am an early riser, especially on vacation.

 

[barbaraann]

Today I got my ART passes in the mail They also included an ART map/brochure in the envelope. I studied the map, and I am very glad that I purchased the pass for all of my 8 days in Anaheim. I see that besides going back and forth to Disneyland from the HoJo, I could also take the ART to the Garden Walk. There may be one day that I don't go to Disneyland, so the ART gives me a few other options for enjoyable activities.

It is 68 days until my trip.

 

[barbaraann]

The Disneyland website is finally showing hours, and other information for the earlier days of my trip. I see that the park is opening a little bit later than what I am used to. However, that means that I can have a leisurely breakfast before entering the park.

World of Color is shown as running each night, and the Disneyland Fireworks, and Fantasmic are on the weekends only.

My vacation is just 54 days a way.