JANUARY 2017!! **CHECK IN!!

[MaskedRose86]

Over the weekend we came across some crazy low fares to fly from Denver into LAX so we are doing an unplanned trip. Arriving to our hotel between 9-10am on Thurs Jan 26th and will do 3 days at the park. Saturday might be just an early morning to 1-2pm if it is busy at the park. We tentatively have planned to stay at the Castle Inn. We stayed at PVI 2 years ago and my husband didn't really like it. We planned to stay at the new Homewood last Nov for a 4 day trip but got relocated the an Embassy Suites 2 1/2 miles away since the opening was delayed. It was a PAIN to have to drive in every day and didn't get to take advantage of early mornings or rope drop like we would have liked to thanks to the garage.

Totally excited since my twin girls will be 5 and really don't feel the pressure I did last year in planning. Mostly just going to enjoy ourselves and not kill ourselves to see it all. It will probably be our last trip to DL for awhile since we plan to save for the next 2-3 years to take them to DisneyWorld.

 

[Satye1]

Over the weekend we came across some crazy low fares to fly from Denver into LAX so we are doing an unplanned trip. Arriving to our hotel between 9-10am on Thurs Jan 26th and will do 3 days at the park. Saturday might be just an early morning to 1-2pm if it is busy at the park. We tentatively have planned to stay at the Castle Inn. We stayed at PVI 2 years ago and my husband didn't really like it. We planned to stay at the new Homewood last Nov for a 4 day trip but got relocated the an Embassy Suites 2 1/2 miles away since the opening was delayed. It was a PAIN to have to drive in every day and didn't get to take advantage of early mornings or rope drop like we would have liked to thanks to the garage.

Totally excited since my twin girls will be 5 and really don't feel the pressure I did last year in planning. Mostly just going to enjoy ourselves and not kill ourselves to see it all. It will probably be our last trip to DL for awhile since we plan to save for the next 2-3 years to take them to DisneyWorld.

Welcome to the thread! My husband has said that very same thing for years...yet we continue to choose Disneyland vs WDW Due to closeness of parks rides and not having to over plan...too much planning (as far as our daily schedule) takes away from it being a vacation. WDW seams daunting with young kids to me.

 

[smithfamilyof7]

Irvine is a bit away...have you looked at new Homewood Suites near disney...I'm showing they have availability during your dates (not sure about the employee thing).

Not sure if you have reason to choose Irvine, but if I were to stay that far away I would choose to stay near Huntington Beach (similar distance as Irvine) and enjoy beach & Disney. There is a Hilton property there too Hilton Waterfront Resort 21100
Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648-5307. Just options for you.

Thank you! We did look at the Homewood Convention Center but it's not available at the employee rate. I looked up the Huntington Beach hotel and it looks super nice! Though not available at the employee rate either. They're really limited on availability when you're looking at dates that "close." It's unfortunate but it's a trade off for a super cheap room. We did find a room at the Embassy Suites Brea North Orange Co. It's still not close but it's not as far as Irvine. I'm keeping an eye out so if I find something closer, I can grab it. ;-)

 

[Satye1]

Thank you! We did look at the Homewood Convention Center but it's not available at the employee rate. I looked up the Huntington Beach hotel and it looks super nice! Though not available at the employee rate either. They're really limited on availability when you're looking at dates that "close." It's unfortunate but it's a trade off for a super cheap room. We did find a room at the Embassy Suites Brea North Orange Co. It's still not close but it's not as far as Irvine. I'm keeping an eye out so if I find something closer, I can grab it. ;-)

That's awesome! And great you are able to save in this way! Totally worth it

I am so looking forward to our trip, little nervous about time of year (with flying) as I keep reading we may have record snow fall, but I'm in need of a much needed break

 

[Satye1]

Not sure how many of our JAN Disers read Mouse Plant, but thought I would share as there is some good info for families for beginning of Jan in latest update.

https://www.mouseplanet.com/11587/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_October_2430_2016

 

[audrey2580]

We will be at The Grand 1/5-1/7

 

[PoohBearFriends]

Just booked our trip:

January 26-30th. Staying at Paradise Pier Hotel. Semester break for my senior and sophomore. May be the last year we can do this trip. The kids are growing up so fast!

 

[smithfamilyof7]

Has anyone seen news on which rides will be down during January? I know ToT will be down before we go, which is a bummer. Anything else for sure yet?

Also, I'd love to hear what everyone's favorite sit-down restaurant is, either in DL or CA?? We have a big family so eating at restaurants in the park is really expensive, we'll probably just do it once. The hard part is choosing which one!

 

[Syndrome]

Has anyone seen news on which rides will be down during January? I know ToT will be down before we go, which is a bummer. Anything else for sure yet?

I think this is the question everyone in the January crew is wondering about. January is typically a time for some refurbs due to lower crowds , plus they have the minor refurbs to remove the holiday overlays which can take a few days after about a week into January on a staggered basis .
So its a wait , cross fingers, wait some more and hope nothing big will be shut down !

There is a minor rumor that POTC is in need of a refurb, and that it may take place in January . I REALLY hope this rumor goes away fast !

 

[PoohBearFriends]

Haunted Mansion will be down to remove overlay for about 10 days. Starting Jan 9th.

Then Smallworld will be closed starting Jan 23. Usually for a few weeks.

When you check the Maps on the Disneyland website and click on the individual attractions you can see the refurbishment dates:

 

[PoohBearFriends]

I've read there will be a big convention that brings extra 100,000 to area while we are there. Always hard to pick time when slower time but thought I'd share with other Jan Disers going week of Jan 20-22

https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2017

We were there over NAMM weekend a few years ago. There were people at night with the name tags but they were mostly at the convention center during the day.

 

[Syndrome]

Haunted Mansion will be down to remove overlay for about 10 days. Starting Jan 9th.

Then Smallworld will be closed starting Jan 23. Usually for a few weeks.

LOL, thanks for the reminder . Now I remember why we decided on Jan 21 - 28 for our DL trip !

BTW, Jingle Cruise (Jungle Cruise) will also be going down Jan 9th for removal of the holiday overlay .

 

[Satye1]

LOL, thanks for the reminder . Now I remember why we decided on Jan 21 - 28 for our DL trip !

BTW, Jingle Cruise (Jungle Cruise) will also be going down Jan 9th for removal of the holiday overlay .

How long does it take to remove the Jungle Cruise Holiday stuff?

 

[Satye1]

Just booked our trip:

January 26-30th. Staying at Paradise Pier Hotel. Semester break for my senior and sophomore. May be the last year we can do this trip. The kids are growing up so fast!

PoohBearFriends, I think you were on our Feb thread in Feb 2015

 

[PoohBearFriends]

PoohBearFriends, I think you were on our Feb thread in Feb 2015

Thanks,
Yes we were a crossover last 2 years Jan/February trips. We have had some amazing trips. Extra Magic at Disney makes every trip different.

 

[fsmikesell17]

Steph here! Lost my last log in so have to start as a Newbie! Anyway we will be visiting Dec. 30th - Jan. 2nd. Best Western Plus Inn. This is one of my daughters and her BFF's Christmas gifts. Its been crazy trying to keep it a secret from her.

 

[Satye1]

We were there over NAMM weekend a few years ago. There were people at night with the name tags but they were mostly at the convention center during the day.

That's my hope that parks not extra crowded. I seem to have a knack for picking weeks the big events going on. Accidentally chose Dapper days last trip.

 

[Satye1]

Steph here! Lost my last log in so have to start as a Newbie! Anyway we will be visiting Dec. 30th - Jan. 2nd. Best Western Plus Inn. This is one of my daughters and her BFF's Christmas gifts. Its been crazy trying to keep it a secret from her.

What a wonderful surprise! My kids already know-they are super excited as I am not good at surprises at all! Really had not planned on JAN at all until 2 weeks ago, Doctor that I work for announced time off & I jumped all over it.

 

[Redarrow5150]

This week got my airfare nailed down. Just hoping to get an email from the Ellen Show by next week letting us know we got tix.

 

[Syndrome]

How long does it take to remove the Jungle Cruise Holiday stuff?

Hmmm, I dont know really , but I noticed on the DL website that Jingle Cruise will be ending January 8th .
My guess is about a week or so , give or take , before it returns to Jungle Cruise .


I also thought we picked the perfect week for lower crowds and lowest chance of any headliners being closed for refurb due to seasonal overlay removal (Jan 21-28) .
Was caught off guard .................... NAAM convention ! Not overly worried about it though , other than evenings may be more crowded at the parks with conventioneers .