remfam5
LOVE PINK
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2005
- Messages
- 331
My opinions will be in RED!
Well, we were there right before Thanksgiving- Nov. 20-25. LOVED going this time of year!! We arrived the Thursday before Thanksgiving... I would recommend getting there the Wed. before Thanksgiving and leaving by Monday-- it started to get VERY busy on Sunday!
We had not been to DL in 11 years and back then it was with a one year old... so it was a totally different experience!
We arrived around noon into John Wayne airport and arrived at HOJO around 1:30 after a lunch stop and groceries.
Would highly recommend this airport! Easy access to DL, nice "smaller" airport.
Would also recommend HOJO! We were in Bldg. 1 - floor 4 - DL "view" (which is pretty obscured by the huge trees!). My only complaint is that it could be a little bit closer to the park-- my aching knees hurt so badly after walking back after a long day of play! Other than that... the new beds were incredibly comfortable and although it was a bit chilly to swim (the kids DID swim a couple times!) the hot tub felt so great at night!!
We were in DL
by 2:30!!
We had 5 day passes. Were at opening early every day! Had a plan, but didn't go TOO commando! Stayed for the fireworks one night, but were pretty much back to the hotel and in the hot tub by 9:30pm every night.
I'm glad we had the flexibility of the 5 day passes for our "first" time, however next time we'll do 4-day. We did stick "loosely" to the plan from Ridemax.
THUR. Nov. 20: DL was basically EMPTY! we stuck to Tomorrowland and Adventureland and walked on to almost every ride!! We watched Fantasmic Really liked this show!!
Ate at Bengal BBQ ... YUMMY!! highly recommend!
Fri. Nov. 21: My son & I were the first people on POTC.... a pretty scary ride when you are all by yourselves with NO ONE on the boats in front of you or behind you!!
Had breakfast at Carnation Cafe at 11:20am- YUMMY!! Best breakfast we had all trip! Loved the quaintness of this restaurant. This was a GREAT time to eat... it fit the bill for Brunch!
Stood in line to meet Tink & friends. It was about 45 minutes-- totally worth it!!
We went to ToonTown at night - GREAT time to go... an hour or so before it closes-- it was EMPTY!
Saw the FIREWORKS!!-- DO NOT MISS THESE!!! HOWEVER..... it was the first night of the season for the Christmas fireworks and EVERY Californian was there to witness the magic! Really... it seemed as if ALL the locals were there!! But, it was SO worth every push and shove! Truly brought tears to my eyes!
Sat. Nov. 22: Arrived early and got some great photos with the "CALIFORNIA" letters. We went straight to the TOT entrance and were quickly picked to be the FIRST family to ride it! Very Exciting!
The park was EMPTY, we rode everything (multiple times)
Since our kids are older, we learned that the Single rider line for Toy Story is SOOOO the way to go! We did this 4 times and 3 of those, we were paired together anyway!
The pizza place (forgot the name??) was not that great.
My husband and daughter liked the HUGE corndogs.
The Pixar Parade was really CUTE!! I love all those characters and movies!
The kids enjoyed the HSM 3 concert. It was OK for me.
We ate dinner at the mexican restaurant in DL, it was pretty good.
Sun. Nov. 23: Magic Morning is SO worth getting up early for! We were able to ride all the MM rides before 9:30am, when the park started to get really busy!
(Don't flame me)... Small World was really cute all dressed for the holidays-- but not exactly one of our favorite rides! Our boat kept stopping and that music was like nails being drilled into our heads!
We left the parks and drove to PF Changs (one of our favs!) for a late lunch. It was nice having a rental car, so that we could go eat at a "non-park" restaurant!
Went back and watched the parade! Really enjoyed the holiday touches! The park was PACKED!!
Mon. Nov. 24: We slept in and arrived to DL at 9am. The girls stood in line to meet the princesses-- SO worth the hour long wait!! We love our princesses!!
The boys went to Toon Town and Matterhorn.
DL was VERY crowded so we went to DCA around 11am.
Rode Screamin' 3 times! This is definitely our Family Favorite!!
Went on Toy Story 3 times! Thanks Single Rider Line! Another favorite of ours!
Had Chimichangas for lunch-- YUMMY!!
Had dinner at Whitewater snacks-- I know this is a favorite place on the "Dis", but we didn't particularly care for it and thought the prices weren't any cheaper than in the parks!??
A very Pleasant, Unexpected surprise this night was that after eating at Whitewater Snacks, we went into the Grand Californian and sat by the fire and had drinks (alcoholic for the adults and non for the kids!) About 20 minutes later a man came into the little alcove with his guitar and harmonica and sang songs for about 1/2 hour! It was a chilly night and this was SO nice to "chill" by the fire with music! Plus... the lobby was absolutely gorgeous all decorated for Christmas! Definitely a great alternative for a mid-day (or evening) break without having to go back to your hotel! Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to be staying there as a guest!!
Our Favorite rides and attractions:
at Disneyland:
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones
Matterhorn
Thunder Mountain
Space Mtn.
Peter Pan
seeing the princesses
seeing Tinkerbell
riding the horseless carriage down Main street
riding the train all the way around the park
riding the monorail
going over to Tom Sawyer's Island
riding the Steamboat
Son getting picked for the Star Wars show-- a T-shirt,a sign and jumping up & down REALLY do work!
Carnation Cafe
Fantasmic!
The FIREWORKS!!
at California Adventure:
Screamin'
Toy Story
Soarin'
TOT
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
It's tough to be a bug
Animation - do not miss this!
Pixar parade
Relaxing at Grand Californian
Well.... that about sums it up!
After we left Disney, we drove to San Diego and spent 4 wonderful days there too! Nov. 25-28.
Highlights: Dine with Shamu (on Thanksgiving day) was an EXCELLENT buffet!!
Sea World was EMPTY on Thanksgiving, much busier the day after-- but not unbearable!!
Touring the USS Midway aircraft carrier was very COOL! Especially going way up to the top where the captain sits!
Staying at Paradise Point Resort was great!! The pools, the beach, $6 cab ride to SeaWorld!
Any questions... I would be happy to answer!
Well, we were there right before Thanksgiving- Nov. 20-25. LOVED going this time of year!! We arrived the Thursday before Thanksgiving... I would recommend getting there the Wed. before Thanksgiving and leaving by Monday-- it started to get VERY busy on Sunday!
We had not been to DL in 11 years and back then it was with a one year old... so it was a totally different experience!
We arrived around noon into John Wayne airport and arrived at HOJO around 1:30 after a lunch stop and groceries.
Would highly recommend this airport! Easy access to DL, nice "smaller" airport.
Would also recommend HOJO! We were in Bldg. 1 - floor 4 - DL "view" (which is pretty obscured by the huge trees!). My only complaint is that it could be a little bit closer to the park-- my aching knees hurt so badly after walking back after a long day of play! Other than that... the new beds were incredibly comfortable and although it was a bit chilly to swim (the kids DID swim a couple times!) the hot tub felt so great at night!!
We were in DL
by 2:30!!We had 5 day passes. Were at opening early every day! Had a plan, but didn't go TOO commando! Stayed for the fireworks one night, but were pretty much back to the hotel and in the hot tub by 9:30pm every night.
I'm glad we had the flexibility of the 5 day passes for our "first" time, however next time we'll do 4-day. We did stick "loosely" to the plan from Ridemax.
THUR. Nov. 20: DL was basically EMPTY! we stuck to Tomorrowland and Adventureland and walked on to almost every ride!! We watched Fantasmic Really liked this show!!
Ate at Bengal BBQ ... YUMMY!! highly recommend!
Fri. Nov. 21: My son & I were the first people on POTC.... a pretty scary ride when you are all by yourselves with NO ONE on the boats in front of you or behind you!!
Had breakfast at Carnation Cafe at 11:20am- YUMMY!! Best breakfast we had all trip! Loved the quaintness of this restaurant. This was a GREAT time to eat... it fit the bill for Brunch!
Stood in line to meet Tink & friends. It was about 45 minutes-- totally worth it!!
We went to ToonTown at night - GREAT time to go... an hour or so before it closes-- it was EMPTY!
Saw the FIREWORKS!!-- DO NOT MISS THESE!!!
HOWEVER..... it was the first night of the season for the Christmas fireworks and EVERY Californian was there to witness the magic! Really... it seemed as if ALL the locals were there!! But, it was SO worth every push and shove! Truly brought tears to my eyes!Sat. Nov. 22: Arrived early and got some great photos with the "CALIFORNIA" letters. We went straight to the TOT entrance and were quickly picked to be the FIRST family to ride it! Very Exciting!
The park was EMPTY, we rode everything (multiple times)
Since our kids are older, we learned that the Single rider line for Toy Story is SOOOO the way to go! We did this 4 times and 3 of those, we were paired together anyway!
The pizza place (forgot the name??) was not that great.
My husband and daughter liked the HUGE corndogs.
The Pixar Parade was really CUTE!! I love all those characters and movies!
The kids enjoyed the HSM 3 concert. It was OK for me.
We ate dinner at the mexican restaurant in DL, it was pretty good.
Sun. Nov. 23: Magic Morning is SO worth getting up early for! We were able to ride all the MM rides before 9:30am, when the park started to get really busy!
(Don't flame me)... Small World was really cute all dressed for the holidays-- but not exactly one of our favorite rides! Our boat kept stopping and that music was like nails being drilled into our heads!
We left the parks and drove to PF Changs (one of our favs!) for a late lunch. It was nice having a rental car, so that we could go eat at a "non-park" restaurant!
Went back and watched the parade! Really enjoyed the holiday touches! The park was PACKED!!
Mon. Nov. 24: We slept in and arrived to DL at 9am. The girls stood in line to meet the princesses-- SO worth the hour long wait!! We love our princesses!!
The boys went to Toon Town and Matterhorn.
DL was VERY crowded so we went to DCA around 11am.
Rode Screamin' 3 times! This is definitely our Family Favorite!!
Went on Toy Story 3 times! Thanks Single Rider Line! Another favorite of ours!
Had Chimichangas for lunch-- YUMMY!!
Had dinner at Whitewater snacks-- I know this is a favorite place on the "Dis", but we didn't particularly care for it and thought the prices weren't any cheaper than in the parks!??
A very Pleasant, Unexpected surprise this night was that after eating at Whitewater Snacks, we went into the Grand Californian and sat by the fire and had drinks (alcoholic for the adults and non for the kids!) About 20 minutes later a man came into the little alcove with his guitar and harmonica and sang songs for about 1/2 hour! It was a chilly night and this was SO nice to "chill" by the fire with music! Plus... the lobby was absolutely gorgeous all decorated for Christmas! Definitely a great alternative for a mid-day (or evening) break without having to go back to your hotel! Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to be staying there as a guest!!
Our Favorite rides and attractions:
at Disneyland:
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones
Matterhorn
Thunder Mountain
Space Mtn.
Peter Pan
seeing the princesses
seeing Tinkerbell
riding the horseless carriage down Main street
riding the train all the way around the park
riding the monorail
going over to Tom Sawyer's Island
riding the Steamboat
Son getting picked for the Star Wars show-- a T-shirt,a sign and jumping up & down REALLY do work!
Carnation Cafe
Fantasmic!
The FIREWORKS!!
at California Adventure:
Screamin'
Toy Story
Soarin'
TOT
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
It's tough to be a bug
Animation - do not miss this!
Pixar parade
Relaxing at Grand Californian
Well.... that about sums it up!
After we left Disney, we drove to San Diego and spent 4 wonderful days there too! Nov. 25-28.
Highlights: Dine with Shamu (on Thanksgiving day) was an EXCELLENT buffet!!
Sea World was EMPTY on Thanksgiving, much busier the day after-- but not unbearable!!
Touring the USS Midway aircraft carrier was very COOL! Especially going way up to the top where the captain sits!
Staying at Paradise Point Resort was great!! The pools, the beach, $6 cab ride to SeaWorld!
Any questions... I would be happy to answer!
Last trip, DD9 and I were able to ride 3 times while the rest of our group (younger kids who wanted to ride with their mom, etc.) were in line. Score!
