Disneyland conversations?

[NC Belle]

*How long of a trip will it be to go from the DL resort area to La Brea Tar pits (car/public transportation)? Does this area has fame for sticky situations? Anything new that popped up in the past couple of years?

*Have you done the hand/footprints stuff in front of the Grueman's Chinese Theatre this year? Which ones are close to your hand/feet sizing?

*Have you ever sang "Hurray for Hollywood" in Hollywood?

*What is the best way to go to the Griffith Park Observatory?

*What Disney movies show some footage from Griffith Park?

*Where do you hang ten?

*Where do you like to shoot the most pictures?

*What makes the upcoming 2009 opening of Madame Tussauds so unique?

 

[NC Belle]

Back to ask some DL related stuff:

* What will a DL CM do if you decide to quit rowing during the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes ride? Ya think one will have to walk the plank after returning?

*What brand of pickle is sold at Critter Country Food Cart ?

*Have you heard people do the Tarzan pounding/call noises at the Treehouse?

*Have you seen the backside of water? Has your child steer you wrong? Okay, who does Jungle cruise better--- WDW or DL?

*What 5 places you wish to go dine with Kevin/John?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

When do they start the HM overlay? August or September?

It usually goes down sometime after Labor Day and it takes them about 3-4 weeks to get things ready. It is definitely open in October. Dates Depend on when they take it down.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Guess what? Moon pies do exist out here! Last summer we went to that HUGE sporting and outdoor store that just opened up down there. I forget the name, but it is BIG. Anyway, they had Moon Pies there! I only knew about them because a mom in my pre-k class ordered them and brought them in for the kids and I got to try one. So we got several different flavors to try. I assume they are still there, but I haven't checked lately.

Woohoo! Yay Moon Pies! They are tasty treats! Thanks Pink - glad someone else from the DL gang popped onto this thread!!!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Belle - you are amazing with your questions!!!!

*How long of a trip will it be to go from the DL resort area to La Brea Tar pits (car/public transportation)? Does this area has fame for sticky situations? Anything new that popped up in the past couple of years?

*Have you done the hand/footprints stuff in front of the Grueman's Chinese Theatre this year? Which ones are close to your hand/feet sizing?

*Have you ever sang "Hurray for Hollywood" in Hollywood?

It takes about an hour to get to the La Brea Tarpits, since most of it is city driving once you get off the 5 and the 101 freeway (easiest to get off at Hollywood and go south). You can easily combine this with trips to The Grove/LA Farmers Market complex (American Girl store), the Petersen Auto Museum, or LACMA (LA County Museum of Art). Even a movie at the Disney's El Capitan in Hollywood would be a nice way to cap off the evening - to also see the footprints at Mann's (used to be called Graumann's) Chinese - right across the street from it (or see a movie there, too). That's in the Hollywood and Highland/Kodak Theater (Oscars) complex. (I've never stuck my feet in them! Funny, huh?)

They are always discovering new things at the tar pits and tar "bubbles" up out of new crevices every day. I think one of the fun things is to see where they have new yellow tape sections each time we go. There are always a couple pits under excavation. A couple have permanent buildings over them.

No - never sang it. Call me not daring enough, but there are enough crazy people in Hollywood that I wouldn't want to call attention to myself there!

*What is the best way to go to the Griffith Park Observatory?

*What Disney movies show some footage from Griffith Park?

*Where do you hang ten?

*Where do you like to shoot the most pictures?

*What makes the upcoming 2009 opening of Madame Tussauds so unique?

For the observatory - take the 5 to Griffith Park (He Man - Masters of the Universe was filmed at the observatory, so was Bowfinger, and a couple episodes of the original 90210). Follow the signs up the hill. It's actually on the Hollywood side, but makes a nice addition to a Sunday trip to see Walt's Barn - 3rd Sunday of the month... or even a trip to the LA Zoo or the Autry Museum (named after Gene) of Western History. They also have a Corousel donated by Walt himself - right near the Travel Town Train Museum. It';s also fairly close to Mullholland Drive, so there are a couple nice outlooks to take in the vistas.

I cannot "hang ten" unless it's $10 bills at the mall.... Others may have to take that one.... PinkBudgie?

Photographs are where I find them - some of the best ones aren't "pose here". Therefore, for me - anyplace makes a good souvenier photo. That being said - take some photos from the Observatory on a clear day - gives you a true feel of how big and dense Los Angeles really is. It's crazy and overwhelming. One of the first things I did when I moved here.

I do know they are completely revamping Tussads and heard something about them selling off many older figures. Wow - that's a big deal. (Really - would you ever think they would do that and not simply store them? - The economy must be affecting them...) I'll have to look into this more.

I'll get your next email after I get to work....

 

[mommyceratops]

If you go out to DL how many days should you plan?? Could it be long weekend?

 

[stitchlover]

Nancy...

We are planning a trip to Disneyland for the summer of 2010. We visited for the first time in June 2008 and fell in love. A trip this summer just was not in the cards for us.

Anyway...this trip we plan to stay at the Disneyland Hotel and will probably plan 5 full days on site. Do you think 5 days is too much time to do the 2 parks? Do you think we will get bored? We only had 3 full days this past trip and it just didn't feel like enough. Just wondering if we should plan to do something other than Disney while there or if you think 5 days is just enough time?

Also you always hear that the DLR parks are busier on the weekends because the locals are in the parks. I'm tenatively planning to fly in on a Sunday, spend Monday-Friday in the park, and fly home on Saturday. Do you think that is the best planning for park days?

One last one, in '08 we flew in to LAX but I'm seriously considering the John Wayne Airport. What do you think?
Look forward to hearing back from you.

 

[daneenm]

If you go out to DL how many days should you plan?? Could it be long weekend?

I'll weigh in with my opinion...

Yes, it is doable in a long weekend, but, depending how crowded it is, you might not get to do everything. I personally like a 4-5 day stay when possible so we get park time, rest time, pool time, etc. That is just how we prefer to vacation at DLR.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Nancy...

We are planning a trip to Disneyland for the summer of 2010. We visited for the first time in June 2008 and fell in love. A trip this summer just was not in the cards for us.

Anyway...this trip we plan to stay at the Disneyland Hotel and will probably plan 5 full days on site. Do you think 5 days is too much time to do the 2 parks? Do you think we will get bored? We only had 3 full days this past trip and it just didn't feel like enough. Just wondering if we should plan to do something other than Disney while there or if you think 5 days is just enough time?

Also you always hear that the DLR parks are busier on the weekends because the locals are in the parks. I'm tenatively planning to fly in on a Sunday, spend Monday-Friday in the park, and fly home on Saturday. Do you think that is the best planning for park days?

One last one, in '08 we flew in to LAX but I'm seriously considering the John Wayne Airport. What do you think?
Look forward to hearing back from you.

I think 5 days is great - you can really go to a Disney park and relax with that much time!!! When was the last time you could say that about WDW?

Monday through Friday is the ideal scenario. Plus, by leaving on Saturday, you get the whole "weekend/Friday night date hubbub" that gives DTD another cool vibe. You get plenty of time in the parks to repeat favorite experiences, take a tour, lounge about the hotels, swim, play with the boats at the DLH, tour the GCH, do Magic Mornings (morning EMHs), have some leisurely meals, and really relax. You'll get to take in all the things most people run past and really feel like a local at the end! If you wanted to do something besides Disney, there's plenty of time to do that, too.

John Wayne is closer but more LAX is cheaper and has more flights. That one is really your call. Disneyland Express goes to both!!!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Okay Belle, you have me at a loss with some of these..... Daneen, Pink - help!!!

Back to ask some DL related stuff:

* What will a DL CM do if you decide to quit rowing during the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes ride? Ya think one will have to walk the plank after returning?

I think they will give you a lot of grief and encourage others in the canoe to do the same. It's been a while since we've done this, but as I recall, when all of you are paddling, it's not that strenuous.

:*What brand of pickle is sold at Critter Country Food Cart ?

Oh lordy - does Disney ever share what brand of anything they use if it doesn't come from a sponsor???? Add that to the next research trip.

:*Have you heard people do the Tarzan pounding/call noises at the Treehouse?

No, but we haven't been over there when lots of teens were around, either.
My husband is not the "Tarzan yell" kind of guy.

:*Have you seen the backside of water? Has your child steer you wrong? Okay, who does Jungle cruise better--- WDW or DL?

That is so my favorite phrase in all of DL! WDW is longer. Otherwise - the same. I must admit, our queue is cooler, though, with it's 2 stories.

:*What 5 places you wish to go dine with Kevin/John?

That's a tough one. I think I'd like to do the Napa with them, Ariel's Grotto definitely, Catal, Trattoria, and Roy's Hawaiian in Garden Walk. if I could include non-park - the Italian place in the Orange County Performing Arts Center is owned by Chef Michael Rossi and Pastry Chef Dave Rossi, who both used to be at the Napa.

 

[NC Belle]

Its okay about the pickle branding. I was just curious to see if it was a fresh pickle like Claussen/refrigerated case type or is it a shelf stable type.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Woohoo! Yay Moon Pies! They are tasty treats! Thanks Pink - glad someone else from the DL gang popped onto this thread!!!

Well, I may not know about tar pits or pickles, but I know about Moon Pies! I have my priorities straight.

 

[auroralark]

Perfect thread! I actually have a Disneyland question!

DH and I are planning this epic trip to CA in Dec./Jan. We've never been. We only have about 2 days allocated for Disneyland (I know, I know...) and 2 days for LA... Considering traffic and all, do you think it would be better to stay at DL for two days and then move on and get a hotel in LA? I get the feeling yes. Also, is there a way to take a one way trip to LA from Anaheim? (We'd rather not rent a car...)

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Auroralark - I think you have the right idea. It really isn't effective to base yourself in DL, if you plan to be up in the city and spend all your time there - you lose valuable time in the commute.

Depending on where you decide your base of operations will be, you can get around on a one-way.

If you choose Hollywood and Highland (the Renaissance there is VERY nice), Universal, or anywhere in the vicinity, you can take the subway to Union Station and then take the train to Anaheim. From there you can take the ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) to DL. Or the oposite direction. Gray Line also offers a "shuttle bus" trip from Anaheim to Universal (they run the DL Express Bus).

Other locations may have other options. You can get to Union Station from Pasadena, Burbank, and other Valley locations.

Keep Em Coming! We could keep this thread going for weeks!

 

[NC Belle]

Keep Em Coming! We could keep this thread going for weeks!

Are you sure...oh the questions, ideas, challenges...

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I know - isn't it juicy?

Come on - we could hit 4 pages by tomorrow!!!

 

[NC Belle]

I'm trying to decide what should be my first DL/DCA rides for our first trip that has no date yet.

 

[rtobe]

What about the good neighbor hotels? I usually stay at a Holiday Inn that is literally behind Mickey and Friends parking structure but am open to other ideas.

Has anyone eaten at Catal recently? I was there two years ago, it was wonderful but you never know.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

What a personal question!

So I ask you... Thrill, Charm, Wow, or unique?

 

[rtobe]

What a personal question!

So I ask you... Thrill, Charm, Wow, or unique?

Re good neighbor hotels - in all seriousness, I found the Holiday Inn by accident one time when I was booking a stay. I don't know much about the other options. I was thinking what good neighbor hotels are walking distance to DLR? Don't know about thrill for hotel -- I try to avoid it with hotel stays usually (except Hollywood Tower Hotel). So, how about Wow or Charm for 20?