Just back...

[Snurk71]

Just back from 5/9 - 5/13 trip. Here are some quick thoughts. I'll try to answer any questions too.

DLH - completely booked. We had a room in Sierra, facing the pool, by an elevator. So the room wasn't as spacious as the room we had in Sierra in Nov. The themed pool was good, but pretty busy. Both quiet pools were down.

Food - ate at ESPN, RFC, HOB, Goofy's brunch, Zocalo, Plaza Inn breakfast, and maybe another place or two. Finally tried a dole whip - not impressed. However, were extremely impressed with the omelets at Plaza Inn, Volcano at RFC, and triple chocolate brownie from Marcelines in DTD.

Parks - unexpectedly crowded. Seemed like locals were flooding the parks with the buy one day get one free promo that was ending 5/14 or 5/15. Even Tuesday was busy at DL. Seemed like the rides were broken down more often than I recall during our Nov trip and more than at WDW. The unlimited fastpass option proved to be very valuable with as busy as things were.

One other note that might draw some ire of people, but a lot of WDW veterans look for information about DL here. Where WDW seems to only give out special assistance passes with notes from at least 10 doctors, DL seems to give them out to whoever asks. I couldn't believe the number of SAP groups. DW was in City Hall to make a call one day and every other person that came in asked for a SAP - and most got it just with asking. Please, no flames. Just sharing a difference between DL and WDW that some may be interested in.

 

[NancyIL]

Welcome back! I was there May 9-11, and I agree about the crowded parks, especially California Adventure. My theory is that everyone from southern CA who already used their ticket for Disneyland admission decided to go to California Adventure last weekend! I'm glad the weather was wonderful.

 

[ebutte]

We have those ESPN 10 things per/person for games is it worth having lunch there? We ahve those unlimited fast passes did you go first thing in AM to each ride an collect for the day or how did you do it? How cool or warm was it? Thanks a bunch.

 

[Snurk71]

I think ESPN is worth a trip - especially a lunch. Their sandwiches aren't bad. We didn't use our free $10 cards though. But they do have a number of virtual games (especially different racing games) to play with.

I did make the circuit for the FPs while DW and DD hit Fantasyland first thing in the morning. I would collect Indy, Haunted Mansion, Splash, and Pooh and be back at Fantasyland in under 10 minutes easy. I'm a pretty fast walker though.

Weather was varied. It would be a little cool first thing in the morning and then again at night when the sun went down (jeans and jackets for us). But it was warm enough a few of the days in the 1:00 - 3:00 hours to semi-comfortably swim (I'm kind of a wuss for swimming in cooler temps).

 

[Mr D]

Were you there when there was the simulated sarin gas attack drill at the parks? I just heard Cynthia Harris was in charge of an emergency action drill with a simulated scenario of 1,600 people dead and 600 wounded on 5/8. Just wondering cause it wasn't in the mainstream news.

 

[Mer]

Hi,
Question: I haven't been to Disneyland in about 17 years. We just returned from WDW. We are thinking about going to DLand. Did you see the Grand Californian Hotel. Do you think this a good place to stay. Also, how many days to you think to see both parks. Thanks.

 

[Snurk71]

Mr D - we didn't arrive until 5/9. So I think we missed the terror exercise. Or if there was one while we were there, we didn't notice it.

Mer - we have been through the Grand Californian. The descriptions of it being a cross between Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian is fairly accurate. A lot of the theming seems lodge-based. But I think the hotel is a little more deluxe than WL.

We chose DLH because it is the original, the rooms are bigger, and the theming is more Disney-based than the other hotels. An added bonus is DLH less expensive too.

 

[Snurk71]

Mer - I forgot to respond about the time for both parks. I think the time will largely be dependent on your party and when you go.

We've noticed our touring speed has been greatly reduced with the addition of our 2 1/2 y.o. daughter. Sometimes she isn't ready at the crack of dawn for the park opening, she likes to break in the afternoon to swim, likes to ride the Pooh ride 20 times during a stay, likes playing in the Pooh Corner store a lot.

And timing of the crowds may make a difference too. We also went to DL in November, and the crowds on weekdays was nonexistent - especially in DCA (even the big attractions were practically walk on). This past visit, the parks were quite a bit more crowded and things took a little longer.

A lot of people use a general rule of 1 day for DCA and 2 for DL. But more enthusiastic Disney visitors recommend 4 or 5 days to cover both parks well - taking in all of the rides and attractions and hitting your favorties a second or third time. We have found 5 days to be just about right for us in DL.