First time at Disneyland since 1995! Only 2 days (and Labor Day weekend, yikes!)

[thaskett]

Hello! Newbie here to the boards... this is my very first post!

I'm not a newbie to the Disney parks, but I'm not the most experienced of guests, either (see signature). The last time I went to Disneyland was in 1995 (I know much has changed since then!). I've also been to WDW -- just one time, but more recently. That was in February, 2009 (it was a great trip until I wound up in Celebration Health hospital with pneumonia... but that's for another thread. )

Now I'm just several weeks away from my long-awaited return to Disneyland!!! I'm going with my husband; we're staying at the Best Western Stovall's Inn. At some point, I'd love to stay in a resort hotel, but we didn't quite have the budget for it this time around. At least Stovall's Inn has some nostalgic value (not only was it the first "Disney trip" hotel I ever stayed in -- it was the first hotel I ever stayed in! Or is it a motel? Whatever... same difference. ) And it was a pretty good deal, price-wise!

I'm wondering... has anybody stayed in this hotel recently? Any ideas on what I should expect? I know we walked to DL from there when I was a kid, but I seem to remember it being a bit of a trek. I now have some mobility issues, which might affect things... although even a 10-15 minute walk wouldn't be impossible (depending on my fatigue level, how hot it is, etc. -- more on this below). But if anybody can fill me in on the walk, or if it's worth it to take a shuttle instead, I'd very much appreciate it!

I'm also VERY curious as to how busy the parks are during Labor Day weekend, which is when we'll be there. I'm guessing it will be insanely busy! We'll actually be there on Friday and Saturday, 8/31 and 9/1. Will the Friday at least be relatively calm?

Also, I'm not planning to ride most of the roller coasters or thrill rides; I'm just not a roller coaster or thrill ride person. (My husband is undecided; we know he has the "Single Rider" line option for some of those rides if he wants to go on them after all!) Since I/we will be skipping those rides, do you think we'll have time to see everything else in both parks over 2 days?

Finally, I've read some threads about a certain subject -- and this seems like it might be a bit of a controversial topic. But I'm curious about the... guest assistance pass. I'm well aware that it's not a FastPass so that isn't a concern. I used it at WDW for the last part of my 2009 trip (I didn't think to ask for one until Day 4, when the at-the-time undiagnosed pneumonia was really dragging me down) and all of the cast members were great about it; it came in very handy that trip! But I've read about some problems at Disneyland, particularly with people abusing it... and with the result being that cast members who issue the GA passes (perhaps with good reason) will sometimes give people who genuinely need them the "third degree", etc. Or will tell people to "rent a wheelchair." I was actually getting pretty freaked out about this the more I read about it, although I'm hoping it will be a non-issue.

For the record, I have Stage 4 cancer, which is stable right now -- but treatment has caused several side effects -- mostly fatigue-related, but I also have a low immune system (see "pneumonia" reference above ), problems with arthritis in my knees, the metastatic spot on my spine makes it difficult to stand in place for more than 10-15 minutes at a time, etc. AND I'm one of those people who is not "obviously" impaired, so...
Anyway, if anyone can shed some light on this, I'd very much appreciate that, too.

Thanks for reading!!!


PS. Sorry for the awkward thread title.... I tried to edit it to "2 Days in the Parks" but couldn't find where to edit "thread title", if that's even possible.

 

[millerette]

Enjoy your trip! I would recommend a wheelchair or a scooter. Don't feel bad aout it either. You shouldc enjoy your trip and not worry about what others think. Put your health first. My mom had a problem with her siatic nerve and rented a scooter at WDW and it allowed her to keep up with us. It doesn't matter if your health issue is apparent or not. As far as the passes go for disabilities I really don't know how it works but the CMs will be kind to explain it to you. :0)

 

[skiingfast]

2 days will probably not be enough, but you will be able to get a lot done. It's not going to be insane busy at all but will be busy. Lots of kids start school by then so they don't all make trips out of thier three day weekend since they just had the whole Summer off. Friday will be nice in the morning, ok in the afternoon but busy in the evening as locals arrive after work.

The BW Stovall, is a motel with exterior doors and walkways. It will be about a 15 minute walk to the gates. Cross Disneyland Dr., or West St as it's called next to the motel, at the corner light or the next one up. Follow the sidewalk into the Grand Californian Hotel and go in the front doors. Make a left around the check in desk and go strait north and out into Downtown Disney. This will save about 5 minutes of walking.

You may be able to go to DCA through the hotel in the late morning and afternoon, you do this by going right after the desk and along the back of the lobby, and back outside along the pool then a quick right at the end of the walkway and left through a tunnel. This special entrance is primarily for disney resort guests and may have restrictions on if you can use it to enter, but exiting DCA from here will be fine. Because of the recent opening of Cars Land it's my guess that you won't be allowed to use it in the morning but maybe in the afternoon and later. I would check with the CMs at the turnstyles here to get the details and when and who. It puts you into the park near Grizzly River Rapids and can often save 4 or 5 minutes of walking.

As far as rollercoasters, you may want to try California Screaming. It looks big and imposing with that loop, but is fairly fast and smooth. Here is the list of single rider lines if you need it. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/list/#/single-rider-line

I would suggest your rent a ECV from Dekert's or Scooter Village. They can be delivered to your hotel. This way you will have it to take to and from the parks. You could use Anaheim Resort Transit to get to and from the parks but it may take longer than walking. My advice is don't try to tough it out if it's going to cause you to be too tired to finish your day. You could get a GAC at City Hall in Disneyland or the Chamber of Commerce in DCA. You may want to let the CM know you don't want to give up so quickly and that why you haven't opted for an ECV.

Sure you can rent a wheel chair instead of an ECV but this may mean your husband has to push you for many miles.

 

[TotalDreamer]

For the special assistance pass:

A. Bring a doctors note - and make sure that it expresses that you are not able to stand still for long periods of time + any other limitations you may have. If you happen to have a handicap placard bring that too.

B. Bring the pass you got at WDW if you still have it.
My mom get's a GA pass for various knee and back problems (she's not able to stand in one place for too long either) and she just keeps hers to show guest services so they make sure they give her the exact same stamps next time.

It actually took my mom a few trips and talking to a manager before they gave her the proper stamps she needed and a nice CM explained how to make the process much smoother.

My mom is not obviously impaired either so I know how that goes, but I find that if you have all the proper stamps CMs are nicer - we very rarely have a problem now. Some stamps make it debatable about whether or not you can go through the regular line, there's one that makes it clear that it isn't. The thing is guest services is hesitant to give just anybody that stamp because of abuse: doctors notes and handicap placards make the process easier.

A lot of people suggest scooters which are a good idea, but if you don't want to be in one you don't want to be in one (my mom doesn't either). If guest services mentions them you can just explain like my mom does that you'd rather not get in a wheelchair if you don't absolutely have to, which is understandable. At the same time don't be embarrassed to get one if you do want/need one

 

[kim3339]

Just a heads up for that weekend ~ it's the 1/2 marathon weekend. They have the 5k Saturday morning, so there probably won't be a MM. But the crowds aren't crazy even though it's a 3day weekend. Friday is a little lighter than Saturday. But the waits aren't crazy like at holiday time.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

If you use an ECV, you don't need a GA pass--the ECV is the pass.

In your post, you say a 10-15 minute walk wouldn't be "impossible." When you add a 10-15 minute walk onto the tons of walking you will do in the park, it may be very difficult, especially by the end of the second day.

I have a pretty stubbon mom who has Parkinson's Disease. On a daily basis, she's very active, and her symptoms don't bother her too much. She uses a cane and pops Aleve for stiffness, but those are pretty much her only concessions. When it came to our DLR trip in October, she was not too excited about renting an ECV, but decided it would probably be a big help, as the amount of walking at DL is much more than she is used to at home. She rented from Deckert, and ended up loving it. She would often just park the thing and walk through the regular lines if they weren't too long, rather than use the HC entrance. It seemed like a good middle ground for her. She still felt independent and able-bodied for most of the day, but when she needed it, it was there. And she was SO happy to ride that thing back to the motel at night--and we were only at the BWPPI!

Just some thoughts! I know you'll have a great time.

 

[thaskett]

Thanks for these replies!

Hmmm... about a GA pass vs. a scooter/wheelchair. Without delving too much into my "issues" -- the thought of using a wheelchair makes me extremely uncomfortable (no disrespect intented at all to anybody who uses a wheelchair; I'm not sure how to explain other than that, for somebody in my situation, the possibility exists that I might someday have to rely on one -- and it will probably mean that I'm... well, not doing very well. When/if that time comes, of course I'll do what I need to, but I don't exactly want to "practice" at DL. If that makes sense. Again, I hope this doesn't offend anyone and apologize if it does!) Actually, it's not the thought of riding a chair that makes me uncomfortable so much as the thought of a CM suggesting that I do -- and me having to explain to him/her why I'd prefer not to.

(Now, a scooter on the other hand, sounds like it could be fun... although I still have a hard time picturing myself riding it. Is that something I could rent at the park if I decide I need it? Is it expensive?)

A couple more things I should add -- walking is usually (oddly enough) a bit easier than standing. And, finally, my energy level, etc. is often affected by weather (warm weather = good!) and really varies on a day-to-day basis. Some days I can barely walk three blocks; other days, I've been known to walk around New York City (and Seattle, and other large, "hilly" cities) with no trouble.

So -- with all of that said, I'm thinking I might avoid the GA card (knowing that it's available if I need it; I just don't want to go through a "third degree" and it sounds like that is indeed the case; thanks a lot, people who abused those cards!) and just pace myself. (However, I'm almost as -- if not more -- concerned about "catching" something, just cuz of what happened at WDW. But not concerned enough to not travel! Just, if you're there those days and see someone putting on hand sanitizer every 2 seconds, now you know why. )

Again, it would be great to know if the scooters are available to rent last-minute (which I'd prefer to having to asking for one in advance, in case I don't use it). Luckily, my DH and I aren't going with the mindset of "we NEED to do everything." Of course, we want to do as much as possible... but we're also both looking forward to the "low key" things like Main Street, and just soaking in the Disney atmosphere!

skiingfast, thanks for the info on the motel!! Thanks, too, for the tip on California Screamin'; I refuse to ride on anything that turns me upside down.... but I'll pass on the info to my husband; it might sway him in the direction of riding it.

(That reminds me -- one roller coaster I did very much enjoy the last time I went -- when I was 16 -- was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I wouldn't mind riding it again, however, I'm mildly concerned because I technically have back issues now... can anyone remind me how "jerky" it is? If it helps, when I went to WDW in '09, the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom was about as jerky as I could handle... if BTMR is more so, I might have to sit it out. )


Finally, I don't know why I thought Labor Day Weekend would be insanely busy, but I'm relieved to know that won't necessarily be the case!