MomForFrozenAddicts
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2014
- Messages
- 719
Thank your all for making my trip a success. My family and I had a great time at Disneyland last week. The parks were quite crowded with long waits in the afternoon. (#ThanksShanghai) We were still able to accomplish all we wanted with all the tips and pointer I learned from this board. Now, I would like to share a few things I learned from the trip:
1. It’s a lot of walking!!
Although the parks are smaller than its counterpart in WDW, but the layout of the park require longer walk. In MK in WDW, you would pick a land to start and tour in clockwise/counterclockwise. In DL, you have to pass New Orleans Square to Critter Country, Fantasyland to ToonTown. If you have FPs for the Mountains, it’s a lot of walking between each Mountains. Also, it can get very congested in the entry of New Orleans Square and Tomorrowland. It’s quicker to walk to HyperSpace Mountain by Matterhorn than walk pass the crowd by Astor Orbitor. (I know the question has been ask many times before, but still WHY?? Such a horrible spot) The same for Pirates of the Caribbean, faster to walk from Adventureland than New Orleans Square. So, the parks together may be smaller than MK but good walking shoe and moleskin still a must.
2. It was great to take an afternoon swimming break, but the bag check line can be very very long.
On our third day at the parks, we decided to take a break before our 5pm ADR at Blue Bayou. The bag check had been relatively quick for the past 3 mornings (Tue, Wed & Fri), so we were very surprise at the long line. (The line was as long on morning of Dapper Day Sunday) I took us ½ hr to get pass the front gate, another 10 mins to walk to the restaurant with the crowds. Then, I learned #3
3. No penalty for ADR late/no show
I called the Dining line when I realized the line was not moving as quickly as I wanted for the bag check. It was 10 mins before our 5pm ADR. I was told that the ADR will be hold for 20 mins so not to worry. Well, I was 5 mins past the holding period so I was huffing and puffing when I got to the greeter. He was very nice. He said DL don’t charge for no show and would honor the ADR at anytime. (Wow, totally forgot about that in the WDW Golden Days) A day later, I also learned the penalty part is across the park but not sure about holding the ADR. The CM at Ariel’s Grotto was very strict with ADR check in. Only will check in at exactly 15 mins early. We were turn away at 18.
4. Character Interaction is amazing especially at Meet & Greet locations. Character Handlers are your best guide.
The roaming characters were fun to catch, but sort of hard to stop them for pictures and autographs. My family really enjoy the characters at the scheduled spots like Princess Fantasy Faire (inside & outside), Pixie Hallow, StarWars and Frozen. They spent time talking to each group and made it very special. The characters at the dining locations were very similar to the one in WDW. Hi, sign, photo then hug goodbye. We had character meals at Goofy’s Kitchen, the Plaza Inn and Ariel’s Grotto. There were many characters at the Plaza Inn. Rotations could get a bit confusing. The character handlers were very helpful. The rotation is 90 mins. If you don’t get to meet a character after 90mins or you want to leave earlier, just let them know. Either they will bring the character to your table or he/she will bring your party to the character.
5. Catch a PhotoPass Photographer for some personalized photo ops
Unlike the location/focus limitations of WDW PhotoPass Photographers, there are many “roaming” photographers who are happy to take photos wherever you want in the area. We got some pretty great shots from those photographers. I especially thankful to Photographer Kristen from Wisconsin. She is very friendly, has great interaction and very good at her skills. She took some picture for us in front of the castle and told us about the roaming photographers. We were lucky to “catch” her at Hollywoodland the next day. My girls got some really nice photos from her.
Disneyland is truly a great place to visit. It combines the old school charm of Disney with new cool shows and attractions. Carsland is just as realistic as everyone has been talking about. Paint the Night is my #1 parade now, with Flights of Fantasy a close second. I don't know why I still mouthed "OMG" after Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, even with all the warnings. I wish there is still a ToonTown at MK. Again, I like to thank everyone for their help.
1. It’s a lot of walking!!
Although the parks are smaller than its counterpart in WDW, but the layout of the park require longer walk. In MK in WDW, you would pick a land to start and tour in clockwise/counterclockwise. In DL, you have to pass New Orleans Square to Critter Country, Fantasyland to ToonTown. If you have FPs for the Mountains, it’s a lot of walking between each Mountains. Also, it can get very congested in the entry of New Orleans Square and Tomorrowland. It’s quicker to walk to HyperSpace Mountain by Matterhorn than walk pass the crowd by Astor Orbitor. (I know the question has been ask many times before, but still WHY?? Such a horrible spot) The same for Pirates of the Caribbean, faster to walk from Adventureland than New Orleans Square. So, the parks together may be smaller than MK but good walking shoe and moleskin still a must.
2. It was great to take an afternoon swimming break, but the bag check line can be very very long.
On our third day at the parks, we decided to take a break before our 5pm ADR at Blue Bayou. The bag check had been relatively quick for the past 3 mornings (Tue, Wed & Fri), so we were very surprise at the long line. (The line was as long on morning of Dapper Day Sunday) I took us ½ hr to get pass the front gate, another 10 mins to walk to the restaurant with the crowds. Then, I learned #3
3. No penalty for ADR late/no show
I called the Dining line when I realized the line was not moving as quickly as I wanted for the bag check. It was 10 mins before our 5pm ADR. I was told that the ADR will be hold for 20 mins so not to worry. Well, I was 5 mins past the holding period so I was huffing and puffing when I got to the greeter. He was very nice. He said DL don’t charge for no show and would honor the ADR at anytime. (Wow, totally forgot about that in the WDW Golden Days) A day later, I also learned the penalty part is across the park but not sure about holding the ADR. The CM at Ariel’s Grotto was very strict with ADR check in. Only will check in at exactly 15 mins early. We were turn away at 18.
4. Character Interaction is amazing especially at Meet & Greet locations. Character Handlers are your best guide.
The roaming characters were fun to catch, but sort of hard to stop them for pictures and autographs. My family really enjoy the characters at the scheduled spots like Princess Fantasy Faire (inside & outside), Pixie Hallow, StarWars and Frozen. They spent time talking to each group and made it very special. The characters at the dining locations were very similar to the one in WDW. Hi, sign, photo then hug goodbye. We had character meals at Goofy’s Kitchen, the Plaza Inn and Ariel’s Grotto. There were many characters at the Plaza Inn. Rotations could get a bit confusing. The character handlers were very helpful. The rotation is 90 mins. If you don’t get to meet a character after 90mins or you want to leave earlier, just let them know. Either they will bring the character to your table or he/she will bring your party to the character.
5. Catch a PhotoPass Photographer for some personalized photo ops
Unlike the location/focus limitations of WDW PhotoPass Photographers, there are many “roaming” photographers who are happy to take photos wherever you want in the area. We got some pretty great shots from those photographers. I especially thankful to Photographer Kristen from Wisconsin. She is very friendly, has great interaction and very good at her skills. She took some picture for us in front of the castle and told us about the roaming photographers. We were lucky to “catch” her at Hollywoodland the next day. My girls got some really nice photos from her.
Disneyland is truly a great place to visit. It combines the old school charm of Disney with new cool shows and attractions. Carsland is just as realistic as everyone has been talking about. Paint the Night is my #1 parade now, with Flights of Fantasy a close second. I don't know why I still mouthed "OMG" after Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, even with all the warnings. I wish there is still a ToonTown at MK. Again, I like to thank everyone for their help.
