Just Back, Any Questions?

[justmestace]

We just spent a week in the parks, wondering if anyone had any questions I could help with...........

 

[senecabeach]

Yes...Yes........

I just returned from my anual visit to WDW and stayed in my DVC @ the BC for the first time........awesome!!

What airport should I fly into...Orange, Ontario, LA ??

I am visiting DL for the 1st time in July for the Disneyana convention @ the Crown Plaza Resort Hotel...and most importantly travelling alone.

Doing my homework on where to stay, especially walking back @ night. The CPRH charges $7. daily charge for shuttle to DL and no breakfast. Think Im leaning toward the Marriott Residence Inn"s. Your thoughts??

I see PS's for some shows..i.e. Snow White musical. Can you tell me whats that? Are PS's as important in DL as WDW and are there any other PS's you would recommend??

Is the California Adventure a rides only park?? Im not one for the tot or rollercoasters.....

Thanks soooooooo much !!

Feel free to PM me with any other info you think I would need to know...

 

[iceskatejen]

I can answer a few of your questions.

DCA is mostly rides, but some of them are not to be missed. Soarin' Over California is a wonderful and very gentle ride. Grizzly River is the best rapids ride I've ever been on. There's also the wonderful Aladdin show.

I'd fly into OC airport--the closest to DL and probably easiest drive. Ontario would be my second choice. I'd avoid LAX if at all possible, though on my next WDW trip I'll probably fly through there because it's the only airport with nonstop flights to Orlando from So Cal. As airports go I really like Ontario because it's small, rarely crowded and easy to navigate.

 

[iceskatejen]

I can answer a few of your questions.

DCA is mostly rides, but some of them are not to be missed. Soarin' Over California is a wonderful and very gentle ride. Grizzly River is the best rapids ride I've ever been on. There's also the wonderful Aladdin show.

I'd fly into OC airport--the closest to DL and probably easiest drive. Ontario would be my second choice. I'd avoid LAX if at all possible, though on my next WDW trip I'll probably fly through there because it's the only airport with nonstop flights to Orlando from So Cal. As airports go I really like Ontario because it's small, rarely crowded and easy to navigate.

 

[scanmom]

DO NOT MISS IT!!!!! Even if you are not a thrill rider, be sure to do soarin;. It is NOT a thrill ride....we had a hard time convincing my mother of this, but she absolutley ADORED the ride!!! Also...be sure to see the Aladdin show at CA. It is SUPER.... we saw it 3x while at the parks in March. Get there about 30-40 minutes early to get a good seat. I liked the lower two sections best. If you are in the balcony you see everything a little too well....you can actually see how some of the stunts, etc are done, and it takes away from the show IMO. It is a spectcular show that I am sure you will love! We are in the minority that actually LIKE DCA. I think it is a really nice park that will be great after it has a little time to grow. Check out the redwood challenge trail...even adults can have alot of fun there...do the swings..I am 37 years old and had a blast!!! Have a great trip!

 

[justmestace]

I never fly into LAX anymore, I absolutely hate it. We always fly into Orange County (SNA). So much easier, and a nice clean airport.
Being that our kids are older, we like California Adventure. The Napa Valley Wine area is nice, great restaurant. And Soarin' is our all-around favorite. I love that the streets are wider, it's less crowded, not as many strollers (no offense, anyone), and I love the 60's Beach Boys-type music that's piped in. There's also Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Snow White is the new show DL is doing back by Toon Town. We only saw parts of it, and I've heard it's really good, but geared towards kids.
For a party of one, I don't think PS's are nearly as important as they are at WDW, unless you want to eat at Blue Bayou (inside Pirates)...that's a definite PS. Or if you want the balcony dessert buffet seating (in Walt's apartment, now the Disney Gallery) for Fantasmic. You can call Disney Dining for either one of those.
You will want to check out Small World (since it's so different than WDW) , the Matterhorn, the Indiana Jones Ride and all of New Orleans Square. Way different than what WDW has. Andalso Tom Sawyer Island.
Don't be disappointed by how much smaller the castle is. Walt wanted it that way so that the Matterhorn would tower over it, as a mountain should.
I'll have to get my AAA book out to see the location of the Mariott. You will probabaly not ever be walking alone, there are lots of people coming and going all the time, and I have always felt safe. I'll get my book out and let you know about the hotels tomorrow.
Stacey

 

[justmestace]

I forgot to mention, I know a young couple who live in Barnegat. They were with us for my daughter's wedding on the Disney Cruise Line last September.

 

[Firefly777]

Don't be disappointed by how much smaller the castle is. Walt wanted it that way so that the Matterhorn would tower over it, as a mountain should.

I don't want to start a debate, but the Matterhorn was built after the castle, so I don't know how true that is. I thought it was because he wanted the castle to be more welcoming, instead of being ominous.

 

[justmestace]

Castle/Matterhorn....that's probably quite true, the welcoming thing....some castles can look more scary to small kids, I guess. I just had been told for years about the Matterhorn & the height thing. Maybe he knew they were going to build the Matterhorn, and was planning ahead?? Could be a little of both.

 

[justmestace]

I don't find the Mariott Residence Inn in my AAA book, but there's the Anaheim Mariott Hotel, which is by the convention center.
Our friends just stayed there a month ago, and they loved it. The website is www.mariottanaheim.com
Also close to the convention center, but listed as a motor inn, is The Anabella. It looks prettier than it sounds. Their website is www.anabellahotel.com and AAA gives it 3 stars.

If you need to be near the convention center, you're pretty limited, and you'll still need to use their shuttles. It appears that the Mariott and the Anabella have free shuttle service.

Sorry I'm not much help in the hotel area...we've only stayed off-property once, and that was at the Desert Inn & Suites across from the Maingate. It was awful!

I'll be happy to look some more in my AAA book if you'd like. Or you could try a search online of "Anaheim California Hotels" and might come up with something.

 

[invaderzim]

I know at WDW there are certain days of the week to stay away from certain parks (like don't go to MK on a Saturday). Are there any days like that at DL that you should avoid because of a higher volume of people? We're going next August.

Thanks.

 

[iceskatejen]

If you can find a list of Deluxe AP blockout days I'd avoid the days they're allowed in. So Cal APs are blocked out all summer long, so they aren't an issue. Typically weekends and Mondays are the most crowded days. Tuesday through Thursday are the quietest.

 

[justmestace]

We'll go into the MK on Saturday early a.m., but then leave & head for CA.
On Sundays, we never go near the MK, until late in the evening, if at all. We always reserve our Sundays for California Adventure.
Mondays can be crowded too, at least until about 2:00 or so, when the people who are leaving that day have taken their "one last visit" to the parks.

 

[senecabeach]

A sincere word of "THANKS" to all of you who have been so generous and most helpful in making my 1st visit to DL a memorable one.

So far:
I have redeemed some Marriott points and will be staying in the R.I. on Harbor...free. Yipee!!
Its close to the disneyana convention @ the Crown Plaza Resort Hotel and has a free hot breakfast and comp. shuttle svc. to the parks.
I have ordered my PHP's and from your suggestions...looking forward to see @ do the DCA.
Still doing my homework on what PS's are available..... the Fantasmic PS is dessert only??..not dinner..right? Other suggestions?
Guess Ill check out the airfare now....
Maybe a car would be a good idea for a few days to see the area...

Oh...so much to do...so little time...

Again..THANK YOU ALL !!!!!!!

 

[justmestace]

Senecabeach.........Free room! That's great!
Fantasmic balcony seating is dessert....but they do have cheeses, crackers, and fruit kabobs. We had a late lunch, and then waited for the dessert buffet. Be sure when you make your reservation you say "Balcony seating". You will pick up you tickets the morning of the show at Guest Services outside Disneyland Park.
Remember to take advantage of the "Single Rider" lines. Go to the Fast Pass entrance at the rides, and tell them you are a single rider. You'll get to go ahead of the line.

Will keep checking in case you have more questions.

Have fun!

Stacey

P.S. I just found out that I'm going to WDW by myself in 64 days. Now I know how you feel....a little nervous, but determined to have a great time!

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

Originally posted by justmestace
Remember to take advantage of the "Single Rider" lines. Go to the Fast Pass entrance at the rides, and tell them you are a single rider. You'll get to go ahead of the line.

Just curious...can you do this for ALL the fast pass rides?

Also, is Big Thunder Mountain open yet?

TIA!

 

[Firefly777]

I don't think every FP ride has it. I do know that Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, and Soarin' Over California have it.

And yes, Thunder Mountain has reopened.

 

[almostGoofy]

Originally posted by Firefly777
I don't want to start a debate, but the Matterhorn was built after the castle, so I don't know how true that is. I thought it was because he wanted the castle to be more welcoming, instead of being ominous.

According to the cast member interviewed on the Travel Channel's special on Disneyland, the castle is smaller so as not to be larger than the Matterhorn. I do think the Matterhorn was planned but since the schedule for the opening day was so tight, they probably planned to build it later. I recall hearing or reading stories about how paint was still drying while people were entering the park on opening day. Or was it the asphalt? I'll have to check out David Koenig's book at the library again to find out.