JANUARY 2017!! **CHECK IN!!

[Satye1]

We've never been to this hotel before but it looks great! I didn't know that you can get ART tickets discounted - I'll have to check that out! This will be our first time renting a car. I got a really great deal so it's about the same that we would pay for a shuttle for the 7 of us... but the parking fees at the hotels are pretty lame. :-(



Thanks for the info! We won't really be on a tight schedule so I'm ok with waiting a bit, if it means a less hassle than trying to fight traffic.

Hoping they run as good as past trips. We honestly never had to wait more than 10min (even though they say come every 20). Loved convenience of them, and saved a lot of tired legs. Met a lot of really friendly Disney goers too, met a family from same town as us once-all the way from Spokane, what are the odds?!

 

[Tasscrapper]

Well, I bit the bullet and booked airfare! Woot woot! Now I just need to decide on hotel and keep an eye out for car rental. Sounds like we might get lucky and get the original WOC. I would love that. Hubby and I will be there January 14-17, possibly staying at the Peacock Suites possibly bidding on something on hotwire. Not sure I'm brave enough for that.

 

[jediturtle]

Hi! We will be there Jan 9-13 for my daughter's golden 9th birthday! I have been watching the calendar and I know that Haunted Mansion (family favorite) and Jungle Cruise will be top priorities on the 9th as they will be down after that. What I didn't really expect is how completely empty the entertainment calendar is after the 9th. No fireworks, no parades (sad, but somewhat expected for the off season), very few shows. But the real killer for us is no Frozen show?! It has times on the 9th, but none the rest of the week. Anyone know if this is correct and how the off season usually works, or is there a chance they just haven't updated the calendar for some of these things yet?

Also, it looks like most dining reservations can be made, but absolutely nothing is available for Ariel's Grotto. I am assuming reservations just aren't live yet for that one restaurant since I can find times all through December right up to the 30th, but absolutely nothing in January. Am I right that they just aren't available yet, or is it possible that I missed them and they really are all booked up? Any idea when they might open up?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Satye1]

What I didn't really expect is how completely empty the entertainment calendar is after the 9th. No fireworks, no parades (sad, but somewhat expected for the off season), very few shows. But the real killer for us is no Frozen show?! It has times on the 9th, but none the rest of the week. Anyone know if this is correct and how the off season usually works, or is there a chance they just haven't updated the calendar for some of these things yet?

Also, it looks like most dining reservations can be made, but absolutely nothing is available for Ariel's Grotto. I am assuming reservations just aren't live yet for that one restaurant since I can find times all through December right up to the 30th, but absolutely nothing in January. Am I right that they just aren't available yet, or is it possible that I missed them and they really are all booked up? Any idea when they might open up?

Thanks!
Chris

I think restaurants just haven't released open times yet...as far as entertainment...I too am hoping they add to a very slim lineup right now. I think hopefully we will see fireworks on weekends. But biggest absence right now is no parade.

 

[dec2009mama]

Hi! We will be there Jan 9-13 for my daughter's golden 9th birthday! I have been watching the calendar and I know that Haunted Mansion (family favorite) and Jungle Cruise will be top priorities on the 9th as they will be down after that. What I didn't really expect is how completely empty the entertainment calendar is after the 9th. No fireworks, no parades (sad, but somewhat expected for the off season), very few shows. But the real killer for us is no Frozen show?! It has times on the 9th, but none the rest of the week. Anyone know if this is correct and how the off season usually works, or is there a chance they just haven't updated the calendar for some of these things yet?

Also, it looks like most dining reservations can be made, but absolutely nothing is available for Ariel's Grotto. I am assuming reservations just aren't live yet for that one restaurant since I can find times all through December right up to the 30th, but absolutely nothing in January. Am I right that they just aren't available yet, or is it possible that I missed them and they really are all booked up? Any idea when they might open up?

Thanks!
Chris

Not sure if you know this but the holiday season ends on Sunday Jan 8th, jingle cruise and haunted mansion are closed and on the refurbish list starting Monday Jan 9th

 

[kathy884]

DH is staying home, but DS (21) and I will be staying at the Camelot Inn and Suites January 10-13 (one of those good neighbor motels walking distance to the parks). We are WDW vets, but this is our first trip to Disneyland. We're starting off with some time in LA/Hollywood to do some things we are interested in there and ending up with two theme park days (January 11 and 12) -- We love Disney theme park and can't wait!

The Unofficial guide people are only predicting level 2/10 for crowds?? The only downside is that I hear that midweek at slow times they probably won't have any evening entertainment (fireworks, etc.) That's not a big deal to me, but DS I know would enjoy this if they would happen to have it.

Enjoy your trip everyone. Nice to hear we aren't the only ones to pick to go in January.

 

[Syndrome]

Looks like Fireworks are returning for weekends only in January starting Friday the 13th .

"Fantasy in the Sky" Fireworks Spectacular 2017 - The Skies above Disneyland Park , 9:30 p.m.

No parades listed as of yet , but at least some fireworks !

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/ca/calendar/daily/?day=20170113

 

[Satye1]

Thought I would share for anyone without car while there in Jan, to remember can get VONS delivery to hotel.

We used it last trip for snacks, bottled water-few gallons, laundry detergent etc. Was super handy. With promo codes we had free delivery off 50.00. Set up delivery to Hotel for day of arrival & plan to use again once we get closer.
https://m.retailmenot.com/view/vons.com

 

[MacMama0930]

I'm tentatively checking in for Jan 7th and 8th. I've made hotel reservations and made PTN dining reservations. I haven't discussed this trip with anyone yet, it would be a solo trip and my entire family is irritated with my solo trip plans. They just don't get it. Last month I tried a solo trip and my dad insisted on going, which ended up being awesome, don't get get me wrong, but I still long to experience a solo trip and I really want to see PTN for the first time. So fingers crossed that I get to do it!!

 

[jediturtle]

Not sure if you know this but the holiday season ends on Sunday Jan 8th, jingle cruise and haunted mansion are closed and on the refurbish list starting Monday Jan 9th

View attachment 208534

Oh...yup..thanks! I had my dates messed up in my post. We will actually be there starting the 8th and will be hitting HM and JC as much as possible that day knowing they will be closed after. My biggest question is do we have to try to cram Frozen into that day also, or will showtimes be added through the week? Does anyone know if in past years Aladdin was closed through the week in the off season?

Thanks!

 

[ButWhyIsTheRumGone]

We're going 1/27-1/31...got a great deal at BW Plus Stovall's. We were at BW Plus Mini Suites, but we opted for a longer walk & save some moolah.

It'll be to celebrate both our kids' birthdays, which are soon after we get back...so pre-birthday birthday celebrations DS will be 1, DD will be turning 7. Sooo excited. We're opting out of park hopper because of having a baby with us & not wanting to feel pressure to get our money's worth from it. Figured it'll allow a more relaxed trip. We've always gone in the summer so I'm stoked for cool weather!

 

[smithfamilyof7]

Hoping they run as good as past trips. We honestly never had to wait more than 10min (even though they say come every 20). Loved convenience of them, and saved a lot of tired legs. Met a lot of really friendly Disney goers too, met a family from same town as us once-all the way from Spokane, what are the odds?!

Do you know if the ART picks up directly from the hotel, or are they central stops where you'd have to walk to it? I might be missing it but I can't find a list of stops on their website.

 

[Andie_camp]

Hi All! I should have joined this back in September when I booked! My family (myself, husband and 8 year old daughter) will be in Disney Jan 24-29 2017!! Its my first time as well as my daughters! Im beyond excited! Any tips????

 

[Satye1]

Do you know if the ART picks up directly from the hotel, or are they central stops where you'd have to walk to it? I might be missing it but I can't find a list of stops on their website.

They have bus stops--some of which are at hotels. Just spoke with Embassy Suites Anaheim Orange and bus #14 ART picks up in front of hotel.

 

[Satye1]

Hi All! I should have joined this back in September when I booked! My family (myself, husband and 8 year old daughter) will be in Disney Jan 24-29 2017!! Its my first time as well as my daughters! Im beyond excited! Any tips????

Gosh some of my tips:
-pack roll of quarters /some pennies for quarter press.
-pack ponchos-light weight ready for rain. Pack water bottles & snacks-can take into park.
-Sign up for Patina bday reward if birthdays with 90 days of trip-save you 30.00.
-We also got Disney visas this trip and saved 400.00 on tickets. Purchase a few gift cards with promos-Christmas Ralph Brennan's has extra 20-30.00 right now and many others do too!
-we got gel insoles for tennis shoes last trip-saved a lot on tootsies & always bring ibuprophen

Most of all, have a great time relax and enjoy take it all in!

 

[EPHomie]

Hi! We're visiting Jan 17-18, 23-24 for my son's 3rd birthday! We live in Southern California, but this is our first trip. We'll be staying at home most nights, but will be staying at BW Stovall's for the first night so we don't have to deal with traffic before our character breakfast at Surf's Up.

 

[smithfamilyof7]

They have bus stops--some of which are at hotels. Just spoke with Embassy Suites Anaheim Orange and bus #14 ART picks up in front of hotel.

Awesome!!!

 

[Tasscrapper]

Hi All! I should have joined this back in September when I booked! My family (myself, husband and 8 year old daughter) will be in Disney Jan 24-29 2017!! Its my first time as well as my daughters! Im beyond excited! Any tips????

1. Counter service restaurants will give you free ice water! Stay hydrated.
2. Use sunblock on exposed skin if you tend to burn--even though it will be January, chapstick is your friend.
3. Take moleskin to help if you get blisters or get some BodyGlide (good for toes, heals and anywhere else that chafes) and skip the blisters altogether.
4. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the parks and where restaurants are. Check the menus online or on the Disneyland app so you will have an idea of places that have food your family will like.

 

[Littlebitofsunshine]

I'd love to hear how things go - I'm hoping to replicate your dates, but in a year (e.g., the last Sunday of holiday stuff to right before Star Wars race in 2018) - with my daughter. Okay, she'll be 20, so it's not quite the same, but it's the crowds, weather, general stuff I'm wondering about.

Hope you have a fantastic time!

Yes I will let you know. I've been there before and after the race in the past. Hopefully it'll be great weather and low crowds.

 

[T2Mum]

We are going with our 4 kids (9,6, 4 and 4) from Jan 4-6. We are coming all the way from Australia, so planning to try and get the most out of our three days.

Pack water bottles & snacks-can take into park.

I didn't realise that you can take snacks and water bottles into the park. Do they not do a check for outside food? Are there any rules?

Ideally we would take a packed lunch with us to eat while we wait in the Frozen queue...

PS I am pleased that they have finally added the dining reservations for early Jan.