Just back

[Meriweather]

Had the greatest time!!
Weather was perfect for us....a little cool at night....and after riding Grizzly a few times But no rain.

Club 33 was fantastic!! We were delighted with it!!
Gorgeous, elegant, tasty, friendly.....everything!

No lines! We got on everything we wanted. Watched all the shows, the parades, the preview of the holiday fireworks.
Got in IASW on opening day.
Great to see the transition to holiday decorations.

The castle is beautiful....although a little too pink for my taste

That concludes my 3 trips this year.....I enjoyed them all. It will be several years before we get to go back

 

[tycopj]

Sounds like a wonderful time! Thanks for the update

 

[smdisneyfan]

We just returned from our 1st trip to DL! WOW!! I grew up going to WDW and that is where our first big family vacation was with our girls, so I wasn't sure how I'd feel about DL. I think I like it better. It is themed better, more characters, easier to get around, "Aladdin" was amazing, I could go on and on. The weather was perfect. The princess breakfast at the Plaza Inn was fantastic. My girls were speechless when Cinderella came and sat at our table! I can't wait to go back. Everything was perfect. We just got home a few hours ago, this board is my tiny link to DL!!!

 

[grinningghost]

Glad you had a nice trip Nancy. You have me looking forward to my trip even more now.

 

[ZZUB]

Sounds like you had a great time, but I need more details. We're going to Disneyland for the first time in a few weeks. I grew up going to WDW and really don't know what to expect. Your report has me really encouraged.

But what else can you tell us?

Where did you eat? Where did you stay? Do you have any advice to pass on?

 

[smdisneyfan]

zzub,

We stayed at Homewood Suites in Garden Grove (free w/points) and one night at the Holiday Inn on Harbor (2 blocks east of park). The HS had a great shuttle service and breakfast. It had an okay pool, but we were at the park all day anyway. We did not like the HI, nice pool and lobby but, the rooms seemed old and outdated. There was no shuttle or breakfast either. (we also stayed free w/ points.)
The parks were easy to manage and much better themed than WDW. The crowds were light when we were there so we didn't really have to wait for any rides. There are more characters around the parks too. The Aladdin show is a must see! There really wasn't a bad seat in the place, but get there at least 30 minutes early, people started lining up an hour before.

It was so easy going between the 2 parks. I think that is what made it so fun. In WDW you have to have a plan. In DL you just go and enjoy. You won't be disappointed!!!

 

[Hollyster2]

We just got back from Disneyland too! We left last Thursday the 4th and came home Sunday the 7th. We had PERFECT beautiful weather. Chilly evenings but nothing like we have seen in January! We had no lines really to speak of, and walked on everything Thursday afternoon-Friday Night. Saturday was a bit more crowded, but we still practically walked on every ride in Disneyland and had to get only one fast pass for Soarin over Ca. and that was just because my neice wanted to see how to get a fast pass. LOL We had no lines in CA adventure on Saturday either. We walked up to the Plaza Inn on Saturday for the princess breakfast at about 9 a.m. and no wait for that either. VERY nice, and my girls loved it! They "crowned" my son, daughter and neice with gold paper crowns. Gotta love that!
The castle was beautiful, and we were able to walk through it to get to Fantasy Land! It really sparkles in the sun, and was awesome to see during the fireworks! The snowfall was beautiful, and can I say AGAIN how perfect the weather was? We have been in the rain and the snowfall does NOT go as well.
One of the best trips I have ever taken!

 

[Meriweather]

We stayed at the Grand Califonian......I'm so spoiled. Not sure I can stay anywhere else now. Our view was DTD.

We did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour.....very good.
We ate at Club 33, Taste Pilot's Grill, Rainforest Cafe, Wetzel's Pretzels, Storyteller's Cafe, White Water Snacks (one of the best values!!), House of Blues, ESPNZone, Pacific Wharf (another great value for the salad bread bowls).

We saw the parades in both parks, all the 3-D movies, rode everything we wanted......most multiple times.
I did ToT 3 times in 35 minutes!!
Grizzly 6 times in a row and then changed clothes....that got a little cool
Went on the GC hotel tour....very interesting.
No waits for anything other than on Halloween.
We saw the preview of the Holiday fireworks before we left. Snow included
Saw the Christmas tree magically appear
Managed to sneak in the holiday version of IASW the day we left (first day it was open).

What else would you like to know?

 

[only1mouse]

Isn't the GCH just amazing. It's the only place we'll stay when we go from now on too. Just being right in the middle of everything makes the price worth it. I spent yesterday at the park and it was my first time seeing it decorated for the holidays. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I was there by myself, only went on IASW and then shopped the rest of the day. Unfortunately, my drive is about an 1 1/2 N of Anaheim and so I couldn't stay for the fireworks and make it back to my hotel at a decent hour. The tree is amazing and I think the castle is beautiful. I got some great pictures of it to take home and share with my friends.

 

[missmulan]

what an amazing report from all of you! we are annual passholders and live not too far from DL. after reading these posts, i realized that as a local, i do take the beauty of DL for granted and cannot fully appreciate what an out-of-towner appreciates. don't get me wrong, i LOVE DL but probably won't realize just how much until i move away. just think of a famous attraction in the town you grew up in. when you were living there you probably didn't think too much of it but when you move away, that's when you want to go home and appreciate it.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Specifically did you like the "DL only rides"

Indy
Casey Junior
Rail road with diorama
Matterhorn
Alice in Wonderland
Mr. Toad
Mr. lincoln
Our Autopia
HM Holiday
Soaring
Screaming
Golden dreams
Animation building lobby

 

[Meriweather]

Originally posted by Judy from Boise
Specifically did you like the "DL only rides"

Indy
Casey Junior
Rail road with diorama
Matterhorn
Alice in Wonderland
Mr. Toad
Mr. lincoln
Our Autopia
HM Holiday
Soaring
Screaming
Golden dreams
Animation building lobby

First you must know I am a native of CA
But northern, and moved to WA when I was in my early 20's.
My first trip to DL was in ....do I dare say 1957!!

So...I have riden them many times....well most.
Like Indy, but won't wait in a long line for it.
Took DH (and he is from San Jose) for his first ride on Casey
Railroad isn't too great......WDW's is so better in that. But it is still fun to see things.
Matterhorn is a favorite. Sorry it was closed.
Love Alice....and Mr. Toad.
Mr. Lincoln has changed a lot. Love the new sound effects. I remember as a youngster, seeing it for the first time. We were amazed when he stood up!! Used to get a ticket to see it in ever booklet
Don't do autopia at either place. Driving for real is scary enough for me.
HM holiday is worth seeing, but I like it the "real" way better.
Love Soarin'!!
Not much of a coaster fan, but I can handle Screamin'
Enjoyed Golden Dreams.
And love the animation....everything.

 

[Horizons16]

Oh my gosh I cant wait!
Im a little disapointed that Space Mountain will be closed. A little surprised too because it will be during Christmas. Oh well, at least i got that last time. This time it will be Matterhorn. I CANT WAIT ANY LONGER!

 

[iceskatejen]

Since they're taking all of the old track out, putting down new foundation, putting in brand-new, heavier track (same configuration as the old track), and adding new special effects, it shouldn't suprise you that Space Mountain isn't re-opened and won't be in time for Christmas. Plus it's been all over the place that it's not coming back until 2005--possibly not until Nov.