Disneyland Thread - to discuss all things DL

[platypus67]

Hi there,

We leave in 3 weeks and I'm planning to get a 3 day pass to DL California when we actually get to Anaheim from DL itself. Are the lines huge in the mornings?? Am I best to get them online? I don't mind standing in line for about 15 mins (max.) on the day we get there, but anything longer, I think will be a little too much. thoughts?

I always purchase online via the Disney website. You shouldn't have to go to a ticket booth just present the ticket at the entry gate and you will get your park hopper ticket. The only time I had to exchange my voucher at a ticket booth was in 98 when I purchased a package through Qantas.

 

[ehsmum]

Anyone know if there are any rides at Disneyland or Universal Studios that require enclosed shoes? We are probably going to wear crocs as we've had issues with shoes and socks at theme parks before but I know at some theme parks here you have to have enclosed shoes on some rides. Will we miss out on anything if we wear crocs?

 

[lovintheland]

No you don't need closed in shoes. I wore thongs last year and I always see a large number wearing Crocs (especially Mickey ones LOL).

On our first trip I wore runners and by nighttime my feet were always throbbing, but they were good after a day in my trusty Havaianas

 

[aussietravellers]

Anyone know if there are any rides at Disneyland or Universal Studios that require enclosed shoes? We are probably going to wear crocs as we've had issues with shoes and socks at theme parks before but I know at some theme parks here you have to have enclosed shoes on some rides. Will we miss out on anything if we wear crocs?

I have worn crocs without a problem and also thongs. Comfort is the most important things and crocs are bliss on the feet with lots of walking.

 

[heidispidi]

A question about Universal Studios. Is it worth going? I've read that some of the rides are better than most at DLR, but is it worth me losing a whole day at DLR to spend a day at US? I have 7 nights in Anaheim, 1 of which I'll actually be in San Francisco. I'm looking at a 1/2 day tour of LA/Hollywood as my DD wants to see some movie star houses, so I want to minimise the time I spend away from DLR. TIA.

 

[ehsmum]

It's been many years since I've been to Universal Studios so I can't review what it's like now, but it's a must-do for us. I've always loved it there and am excited to take my kids.

Thanks for the posts about the crocs .

 

[queenie82]

A question about Universal Studios. Is it worth going? I've read that some of the rides are better than most at DLR, but is it worth me losing a whole day at DLR to spend a day at US? I have 7 nights in Anaheim, 1 of which I'll actually be in San Francisco. I'm looking at a 1/2 day tour of LA/Hollywood as my DD wants to see some movie star houses, so I want to minimise the time I spend away from DLR. TIA.

I don't think ANY ride at Universal is better than Disney
If you are really into movies etc it might be worth it to you because the LA one has a better 'backstage tour' than Orlando and the rides are movie themed but NONE of them are better than Disney.
I'd sooner do a day doing universal than the movie star 'homes' (aka front gates) but I would still not take a day at Universal over a day at Disney.

Adrenaline junkies like the Universal Orlando IOA because of the coasters and the Spiderman ride is good...but none of this is in LA.

 

[aussiegirls]

I absolutely do not think Universal is worth it at all. It's quite pricey to get into and to be honest, I don't think you get your money's worth. When we went last year we had a buy one day and get a 2nd day free at Universal. Well, the first day we went we didn't even stay the entire day and the kids didn't want to go back for the 2nd day (neither did I).

The only things that we really enjoyed there was the studio tour (it's good, but not worth the entire cost of entry into Universal) and the animal show. Was not a fan of any of the rides. Hated the Simpsons ride!!!!!

So personally I would not go there again. I would especially not replace a day at Disney with it. If the studio tour is important I have heard lots of good things about the Warner Bros tour in Hollywood, and it is a lot less expensive - we are going to do that one this time

xxx

 

[queenie82]

If the studio tour is important I have heard lots of good things about the Warner Bros tour in Hollywood, and it is a lot less expensive - we are going to do that one this time

xxx

 

[dollarmite]

Not Disneyland specific, but... We found out the hard way at LAX last year that not all Qantas Australia bound flights leave from the same terminal building. We were dropped at the wrong building.

I can't remember the exact division now, but Brisbane and one other city (Sydney? Melbourne?) leave from one terminal and other cities from the one next door. Luckliy it wasn't too far to walk but it was a pain with 8 suitcases (4 people), when one of the suitcases has a broken wheel.

Also, after loading each suitcase onto the weighing machine at check in we then had to manually drag each suitcase to a different area at least 4 minutes walk away (and there weren't any signs posted) of the airport to put them through the x-ray machine from which the baggage handlers then took over. Luckily the airport was deserted when we arrived as I can not even begin to imagine the chaos during normal/peak times, particularly as the x-ray area is cordoned off and is in an area about the size of my toilet.

Another 'qurk' of the airport - the Burger King at the Qantas departure lounge area doesn't serve child size meals, only adult ones.

 

[Kalice]

We went to Universal this trip, only because we had a SoCal pass. We had to hire a car to get there. I agree it was really not worth it. After being in DL everything seemed a bit lacking. There really isn't any theming. We loved the Simpsons Ride, and the other rides (waaaaayyyy down the bottom, never have I seen such long escalators and all in a row too, amazing) were great even though we got very wet. Citywalk was okay, but not worth a trip in itself. If you were in LA first perhaps it is worth a day as you don't have to travel too far, but travelling from Anaheim and in comparison to DL, nah don't bother. The highlight for the kids was getting photos with Homer and the Scooby Doo gang.

 

[dollarmite]

A question about Universal Studios. Is it worth going? I've read that some of the rides are better than most at DLR, but is it worth me losing a whole day at DLR to spend a day at US? I have 7 nights in Anaheim, 1 of which I'll actually be in San Francisco. I'm looking at a 1/2 day tour of LA/Hollywood as my DD wants to see some movie star houses, so I want to minimise the time I spend away from DLR. TIA.

I've always enjoyed going, and always try and go if possible.

A lot depends on the length of time it's open for and whether you have to meet a bus back to the hotel at a certain time. If you have your own, or flexible transport options, and the park is open past 5pm then one day should be enough.

Last time we were there (Nov 09) it shut at 5pm and we had to meet our bus at 5.15ish so we didn't have a chance to look in the shops on the outside, plus it was all a bit of a rush at the end. (Missing the bus meant a $100+ taxi ride back to Anaheim).

Ride wise there aren't that many really, but if you like Splash Mountain at DL then the Jurassic Park ride at US is definitely worth a go! (or 5 in a row...) The Simpsons simulator ride is also very good.

Just be aware that the character meet and greets aren't as well organised as they are at DL. In fact the US ones were basically a free for all during our last visit - very, very frustrating thanks to all the rude people pushing and shoving.

I'm not entirely sure but I think there's a half day trip to US that can be combined with the LA tour, but I'm not sure on pricing or whether it would be worth it cost wise.

 

[Aust]

Heidi, you can ask me about Universal face to face! We arrived about 10am I think, and the bus left at around 6.30pm - we were finished with all the rides and shows by about 4pm and spent a couple of hours in City Walk looking at the shops and having dinner. We went on pretty much all the rides (Simpsons was still being built then) and saw most of the shows.

The Mummy ride was great, and the others were good too, less rides than DL but I think it was worth it. Keep in mind though we had 6 1/2 days at DL where you will have only 4 1/2 if you go to Universal/LA. Also the Universal/LA combo tour will be a long, tiring day - the way the tours work, the bus picks you up in the morning from the hotel, then takes you to a bus depot, then you get on a different bus to go to the destination, then the same on the way back, so all that adds a couple of hours to the day. And if you go on the Monday you will be pretty tired for our planned early entry on Tuesday. Maybe you could stick with just an LA stars home tour?? Leave Universal for your next trip!!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

We really enjoyed Universal, I think alot of it had to do with it being our second day in the US and we were just so excited about everything. The Simpsons ride was hands down our favourite ride as a family, lots and lots of fun. We too got there at 9am opening and were all finished around 3.30-4pm. We then wandered to City Walk and shopped then had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe which the kids enjoyed. It was a wonderful day, however if I would lose a whole day at DL, I'd choose DL.

 

[heidispidi]

Thanks for all of your feedback re Universal. I don't think we'll go - it WILL take away from our time at DLR, and Aust, you're right - we can always go back!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

OMGoodness. How cool is this...

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6k2xdtU8Wc

 

[1rocky]

That is so cool.
I hope when i go in Jan i can also have a chat to Mickey.
The flip camcorder used is a great little camcorder. have to look into getting one.

 

[queenie82]

OMGoodness. How cool is this...

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6k2xdtU8Wc

Yeah it is pretty cool huh...

This is a great article about it with video and a video of the 'premiere' of this type of technology

Disney spokeswoman Heather Hust Rivera commented on the talking Mickey Mouse, telling me, “This was a test and a surprise experience for our guests. We hope to have more information available on the Blog tomorrow.” She is a writer for the official Disney Parks Blog, so it sounds like whether they had planned on it or not, Disney may be taking this opportunity to share more about it with the world tomorrow.

This level of interactivity has been an inevitable addition to the parks ever since Disney premiered their “Dream Along with Mickey” stage show at the Magic Kingdom, which first showed off the eye-blinking, mouth-moving technology (though no direct interaction with guests):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=78DhprGzkIA

For me I think this would be GREAT for Meet and Greets but I found the blinking REALLY irritating in the show. They were CONSTANTLY blinking
It just looked weird and detracted from the show. [and it was hard getting a photo with their eyes open!]
The mouth moving is great...but they have to perfect the blinking so it isn't every 2 seconds.

 

[Kalice]

That is so cool.
I hope when i go in Jan i can also have a chat to Mickey.
The flip camcorder used is a great little camcorder. have to look into getting one.

We purchased a flip during our last US trip. Love it, I always have it in my handbag. It's the same size as my mobile phone. It takes excellent video, screen is a little small but it is really a simple camcorder. It charges and downloads by just plugging it in to a usb port on your computer.

 

[1rocky]

thanks for the info Kalice. When you don't have your computer with you is the flip still easily charged. Is it better to wait and buy it in USA instead of Australia thanks