DisneyJamieCA
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
- Messages
- 8,054
We just got back from a surprise trip - to the kids & I (July 7-10). Here are some of my thoughts & observations - some are personal, others are more general park info.
* We have been traveling a lot recently and just got back from 8 days in Hawaii, plus 4th of July of weekend at my dad's. So while I had hoped for a Disneyland trip this year, I didn't have high hopes. Imagine my surprise when driving home from my dad's on the 4th, my husband tells me to make sure to get the laundry done because I have to repack - we're leaving for Disneyland on Wed! OMG!!! My husband has never really planned anything in his life. This trip was for our anniversary, which is actually this coming Sunday (12 years
), but with the 405 freeway closure, he smartly decided to move it up a week.
*The kids did not realize we were going to Disneyland until we took the exit! They thought we were going to Tahoe. This is the 5th time we've able to surprise them with a trip!
*2.5 years old is when they "get it", IMO. My son LOVED all the characters, was finally tall enough to go on the Matterhorn, Gadget's Go Coaster & Tuck n' Roll (the bumper cars). It was so much fun to watch him.
*Traveling with a young baby was easier than I thought (DD2 was 10 months for her first trip, DS was 9 months, DD3 is 4 months). I HIGHLY recommend using the child swap pass if possible. The lines weren't horrible, but between that & fastpasses we were able to get on everything with very little wait.
*Something has happened to DD1 over the course of the last 8 months, since our last trip., Then she was terrified of all thrill rides, except Big Thunder. This year, she tried everything...and while she didn't like Space Mountain, California Screamin' has become her new favorite. DD2 had just hit the height requirement for this ride as well & it is also her new favorite.
*A second huge surprise came when my parents & my grandmother stopped for an out of the way overnight on their way home from Vegas. We were only together for one afternoon/evening, but never in a million years did I think I would be there with my 87 grandmother & my own children. Talk about priceless!
*We stayed at the Hilton (HoJo didn't have rooms to fit us) and NEVER again. The hotel is fine, I guess, but the walk (especially with 4 kids is horrible) and the elevators take forever. The pool area also has a lot to be desired. We did walk to the Toy Story lot a few times (bad, I know) to take the bus in, but at night that wasn't an option since the line leaving the parks was really long.
Ok, onto some park ones
*Star Tours WAS open during MM. So a quick change of plans for us, as DH took the two older girls on, got the child swap pass & then when he got off, got fast passes for Space Mountain. After his first trip, we decided to head to Fantasyland (the line was up to 45 mins at that point) and then come back later in the day to use the child swap. Worked perfectly. We did get fastpasses for this every morning.
*The parks didn't feel overwhelming crowded. I don't know if it's because we utilized fast passes & child swap efficiently, so didn't have to wait in line much or if it really wasn't that bad.
*We were able to walk on Ariel about 15 minutes before CA Adventure closed. As we were coming off , we noticed a small roped off area in front, which I found was open seating for World of Color. We decided to stay and watch & all I can say is AMAZING! The view can be a bit blocked at times because the walk way is in front of you, but for us it was perfect. Our kids would have never waited patiently around for the fastpass areas that late at night, plus back there they could sit & still see most of it.
*Our last morning there, after starting in DIsneyland, we headed to CA Adventure for opening. We waited for rope drop over by Paradise Pier & hauled it to TSMM while DH got fast passes for California Sreamin'. By the time I parked the stroller & got all the kids out, we were there at the same time. This seems to be the best bet because this line gets long very fast!
*I know there is a lot of complaints about people with strollers and I'm sure there are some who are inconsiderate with them, but I do have to say this: if you are going to cut me off, jump in front of me or anything of the like, you WILL most likely get hit in the ankles. I never purposely do it (although I want to so many times), but I am pushing 50 lbs of kids in a double stroller. I simply can't stop that fast. Also, NEVER stop in the middle of a busy path to discuss your plans, look at the map,etc - the same applies re: the stroller.
It was a wonderful trip, made better by the fact that DH planned it - which means he is officially an convert! Added to that is my oldest now loving all rides & DS "getting it', which led to my DH discussing the next time we go! Yay!
* We have been traveling a lot recently and just got back from 8 days in Hawaii, plus 4th of July of weekend at my dad's. So while I had hoped for a Disneyland trip this year, I didn't have high hopes. Imagine my surprise when driving home from my dad's on the 4th, my husband tells me to make sure to get the laundry done because I have to repack - we're leaving for Disneyland on Wed! OMG!!! My husband has never really planned anything in his life. This trip was for our anniversary, which is actually this coming Sunday (12 years
), but with the 405 freeway closure, he smartly decided to move it up a week.*The kids did not realize we were going to Disneyland until we took the exit! They thought we were going to Tahoe. This is the 5th time we've able to surprise them with a trip!
*2.5 years old is when they "get it", IMO. My son LOVED all the characters, was finally tall enough to go on the Matterhorn, Gadget's Go Coaster & Tuck n' Roll (the bumper cars). It was so much fun to watch him.
*Traveling with a young baby was easier than I thought (DD2 was 10 months for her first trip, DS was 9 months, DD3 is 4 months). I HIGHLY recommend using the child swap pass if possible. The lines weren't horrible, but between that & fastpasses we were able to get on everything with very little wait.
*Something has happened to DD1 over the course of the last 8 months, since our last trip., Then she was terrified of all thrill rides, except Big Thunder. This year, she tried everything...and while she didn't like Space Mountain, California Screamin' has become her new favorite. DD2 had just hit the height requirement for this ride as well & it is also her new favorite.
*A second huge surprise came when my parents & my grandmother stopped for an out of the way overnight on their way home from Vegas. We were only together for one afternoon/evening, but never in a million years did I think I would be there with my 87 grandmother & my own children. Talk about priceless!
*We stayed at the Hilton (HoJo didn't have rooms to fit us) and NEVER again. The hotel is fine, I guess, but the walk (especially with 4 kids is horrible) and the elevators take forever. The pool area also has a lot to be desired. We did walk to the Toy Story lot a few times (bad, I know) to take the bus in, but at night that wasn't an option since the line leaving the parks was really long.
Ok, onto some park ones
*Star Tours WAS open during MM. So a quick change of plans for us, as DH took the two older girls on, got the child swap pass & then when he got off, got fast passes for Space Mountain. After his first trip, we decided to head to Fantasyland (the line was up to 45 mins at that point) and then come back later in the day to use the child swap. Worked perfectly. We did get fastpasses for this every morning.
*The parks didn't feel overwhelming crowded. I don't know if it's because we utilized fast passes & child swap efficiently, so didn't have to wait in line much or if it really wasn't that bad.
*We were able to walk on Ariel about 15 minutes before CA Adventure closed. As we were coming off , we noticed a small roped off area in front, which I found was open seating for World of Color. We decided to stay and watch & all I can say is AMAZING! The view can be a bit blocked at times because the walk way is in front of you, but for us it was perfect. Our kids would have never waited patiently around for the fastpass areas that late at night, plus back there they could sit & still see most of it.
*Our last morning there, after starting in DIsneyland, we headed to CA Adventure for opening. We waited for rope drop over by Paradise Pier & hauled it to TSMM while DH got fast passes for California Sreamin'. By the time I parked the stroller & got all the kids out, we were there at the same time. This seems to be the best bet because this line gets long very fast!
*I know there is a lot of complaints about people with strollers and I'm sure there are some who are inconsiderate with them, but I do have to say this: if you are going to cut me off, jump in front of me or anything of the like, you WILL most likely get hit in the ankles. I never purposely do it (although I want to so many times), but I am pushing 50 lbs of kids in a double stroller. I simply can't stop that fast. Also, NEVER stop in the middle of a busy path to discuss your plans, look at the map,etc - the same applies re: the stroller.
It was a wonderful trip, made better by the fact that DH planned it - which means he is officially an convert! Added to that is my oldest now loving all rides & DS "getting it', which led to my DH discussing the next time we go! Yay!
