Just back-Observations, etc.

[Simba's Mom]

Used Super Shuttle-no problems. Stayed at Howard Johnson's-they have skylight-type things in the rooms so that yu have full daylight at 6:30 am. But that's my only complaint there-staff was super nice! When will Disney build a walkway over the main road so that pedestrians don't have to cross. Yes, there's a crosswalk with lights, but sooner or later, there's going to be an accident. The parks-busy, hot. I can't stress enough-GO EARLY! Long lines develop so soon-everything you want to ride, go before 11:00, 9:15 if it's a biggie, like the Matterhorn. Eat lunch right at 11:00, preferably at the Hungry Bear resturaunt. So nice to sit on the first level by the water. And they do have the best rest rooms-big and clean. And no lines there! The ones by Rancho del Zocola always had lines. And if you go in the next 3 weeks, see the show at the castle at 4:00, Club Buzz at 5:00, or the Flag Retreat at 6:00. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

 

[b4u2love]

How long did it take you to arrive at your hotel via Super Shuttle?

 

[Simba's Mom]

The drive was 45 minutes-traffic was very heavy, maybe because of rush hour. From the time the plane landed to che k in was 1 hour, 20 minutes. Fifteen minutes to find and get to the place at the airport (I've never been to LAX), 15 minutes to get a shuttle (filled it at that one spot, at least), then the 45 minute drive, five minutes in there somewhere.

 

[b4u2love]

Thanks. That's not bad at all. That's who I am thinking of taking in Aug. I've never been to LAX either.

 

[disneysteve]

We leave on 8/6. I'm getting concerned about the crowds we'll encounter. We are used to going to WDW in the off season and never waiting more than 10 minutes for anything. Sounds like we need to prepare ourselves for some serious waiting at Disneyland.

The skylight thing at Howard Johnsons would drive me nuts. I hate when the curtains in a hotel don't cover the windows well and the light comes in. I would definitely be writing a letter to the company about that. I can't believe they have a window like that that you can't cover somehow. Glad we aren't booked there - we're staying at the Fairfield Inn.

 

[HydroGuy]

We leave on 8/6. I'm getting concerned about the crowds we'll encounter. We are used to going to WDW in the off season and never waiting more than 10 minutes for anything. Sounds like we need to prepare ourselves for some serious waiting at Disneyland.

You may want to check out RideMax (www.ridemax.com). We are using it for our trip next week. It can help schedule your itinerary to minimize waiting in line.

 

[lotsofboys]

We leave on 8/6. I'm getting concerned about the crowds we'll encounter. We are used to going to WDW in the off season and never waiting more than 10 minutes for anything. Sounds like we need to prepare ourselves for some serious waiting at Disneyland.

We have annual passes and rarely go in the summer because of the crowds. We have been on occassion and the wait times for major attractions like Splash Mountain or Indianna Jones have been as high as 180 minutes! Make sure you use the fast passes and get a new one as soon as the time on the bottom of the ticket says you can, you don't have to wait until you've actually been the ride.

 

[damo]

How busy is it at 7 am? Since we are coming from the east, our we will be functioning three hours ahead and should have no problem doing the early entry the first day.

 

[lotsofboys]

It will still be very busy as the attractions available during early entry are mostly Fantasyland and a couple others, not the ones I mentioned. See this thread for a more detailed discussion about early entry and be sure to use the fastpass system:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=864793&page=1&pp=15

 

[Mom2Joce]

How long will they actually be playing there? We're headed back in Oct and we'd LOVE to see them again