Just Home & Going Back & Review

[Mom2Joce]

We're back, I haven't finished writing my review and Dh has to go down South (we're in the Sac area) so we're taking a few days and heading back to the parks Yahoooo!! That's one sweet Dh

Here is a quick review of the trip or tips that might help with yours. If you have ANY questions at all PLEASE feel free to post away:

HOTEL:
We stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn & Mini Suites (for the 3rd time) and lucked up on a Park View Room (never even asked for one)! We came in a day early and they accommodated us so nicely by getting us into a room where we wouldn't have to move the following day! I also asked for a crib upon arrival and before we even got up to our room with our luggage (mind you it was like 11pm) the crib was up there and ready to go! I wasn't sure how the whole crib thing was going to go but it was in GREAT shape, safe, and clean!! Customer service was THE BEST I've had there! Parking is TERRIBLE but not something I care that much about even if I have to move the car closer a little later in our trip...but that's just me and there's really nothing they can do...there is LIMITED space...can't make space where there isn't any! I used the washer and dryer around dinner time Wed. evening while dd swam and then soaked my feet in the hot tub while waiting for the clothes to wash/dry. Both machines were empty, ran super well & fast. The jets in the hot tub massaged my feet and I was ready to head back to the park in full force later that night

RIDES & RIDEMAX:
I did buy RideMax and although I printed out several time options for each day I never followed it ONCE...hehehehe!! And that's ok I understood the concept and what rides needed fast passes and the best time to get them...that DID help and I maximized our riding with just those tips We rode and did everything we wanted to and MORE or more than once anyway!

CROWDS:
The crowds were big in my opinion but when making my way around the parks or waiting in lines all paths were easy to navigate and rides at about 30 mintues

FOOD:
I just can't believe that in THREE days I didn't eat a since burger or hotdog. The food at the resturants have come SO very far and there are so many healthy choices!! I was SOOOO pleased, had more energy throughout the day, felt better about my 6 year old having an ice cream later in the day since she'd had fruit and veggies at each meal, and was just super pleased with food

NEMO:
We chose to ride Nemo on a NON-EARLY ENTRY DAY. We got to the security check point at 6:50am (Harbor side) and were about 3 families back. At 7:15they let us in and we all made a mad dash for the front gates. Everyone made lines at EVERY gate but about 5 minutes later a cast member started yelling out that they were only opening the EVEN numbered gates. At 7:50 they opened the gates and started taking our tickets. Again, everyone made a mad dash but we were again stopped at the end of Main Street. I sea of people started to form and I was getting worried. I understand that they don't want to let us in until 8am...but all I could see was kids getting tramplled. And guess what happened?? Yep, kids were being dragged, flip flops were falling off and it was just a mess...not very Disney like?? We again all ran to the right around the hub (we were being directed by cast members the whole way) then dashed between Ariel's Grotto and the Castle, then around the Matterhorn (at the front of the Matterhorn) where the line/cue began! Many people dashed through Tomorrowland and then had to pass us all by that were in the cue only to follow the line backwards...I really felt for them After all that we only waited 30 minutes from the time we entered the cue and moved quickly through the line.
Was it totally crazy?? YES!!
Was it worth it NOT to stand in the continuously 3-4 hour long line? YES!!
The ride was very cute...nothing like I expected and I'm so glad we did that!

DREAMED:
On our first day in the park we made our way to the hat store where DD wanted to get a hat. When I was paying she was given the 2 pixie pins. One for her and one to give to another little girl that was in the park, following the Disney rules, etc. It took us 2 days for DD to find the right little girl, but she did
Other than that we never saw the "dream team" I wasn't really looking for them as I'm the type who just takes what ever happens as "meant to be" but really I never saw them. ALTHOUGH I know they were out and about bec I saw the fast pass lanyards EVERYWHERE!!
Even saw a couple give theirs to someone else since they had to leave that day...that was very sweet and a "pay it forward" dream!

Again, if you have ANY questions at all...PLEASE feel free to post away! We are heading back next week and I can't wait! We didn't get a chance to do the Pirate's Lair or Fantasmic so we'll tackle those then

 

[Master Mason]

I too just got back from a couple of days, Sunday and Monday. Rode everthing we wanted to except for Nemo, I had no desire to get up early enough on monday to do the mad rush, or to wait in the lines. The shortest line we saw as 1:15 and that was immedeately following the fireworks.

I ate at the Blue Bayou for the first time in my life, food and service were excelent, a little spendy, but well worth it for the experience once.

 

[Mom2Joce]

wow, 1:15 for Nemo and that's at 10 "something"...yuck! I wonder how it is at night?? Might sneak in after the kids and hubby are in bed and see if I can ride it with a minimal wait? Who knows? I'm crazy like that! hehehe!
Glad you had a great trip...nothing like a little Disney magic to start off the summer

 

[CanadianPaco]

bump.

 

[justapixel]

Hey, I'm in Sac too.

I would really love to do Finding Nemo but I'll be down there July 24/25. I get an hour early at Fantasyland and also Toon Town.....do you think if I ran over there after the hour I could have a reasonable wait? Do they let you leave Fantasyland early?

Nemo has no fastpass, correct?

 

[disneyscootergal]

That's correct (no fp).

 

[Mom2Joce]

Hey neighbor I have heard of people using their hour during Early Entry for just going to Nemo and waiting in line until it opens...in that case after your hour at Fantasyland is up the line would be long...how long I have NO idea?? Maybe someone will post on here their experienced with this. But regardless it wouldn't hurt to check/walk by and see what time is posted at the end of the line

On the 25th that you are there (a Wed.) there is NO Early Entry. If you get to the securty check by 7am...then to the front gate and line up until 7:50am...then into the park and straight to Nemo your wait will more than likely be 40 minutes or less. Just make sure that you follow and listen the cast members that are directing the way/making the path.

If you have any more questions PLEASE do not hesitate to ask...and as others have posted...there is NO fastpass for this ride!!

 

[justapixel]

On the 25th that you are there (a Wed.) there is NO Early Entry. If you get to the securty check by 7am...then to the front gate and line up until 7:50am...then into the park and straight to Nemo your wait will more than likely be 40 minutes or less. Just make sure that you follow and listen the cast members that are directing the way/making the path.

Thanks Neighbor! (Maybe we actually are....I work in a school in the Arden Arcade area, PM me if we are close.)

I appreciate the tip on the no early entry day. Sounds like a plan to me.

 

[Mom2Joce]

I'm actually in Folsom...but know several teachers...do you know the last names Malone or Marshall?

 

[justapixel]

I'm actually in Folsom...but know several teachers...do you know the last names Malone or Marshall?

Not ringing a bell. I work in a middle school. I know a few teachers in my district, but not all....

 

[Mom2Joce]

Gotcha...there are a TON of schools out there between San Juan and Sac City...both of those friends are elementary teachers out that way.

Middle school is quite the challenge...my dad taught 6th for some time several years ago (down in So Cal) and I still remember how challenging it was for him!

So are you guys driving? Hey, I can hear the Folsom Rodeo fireworks going off right now...hehehehe!!

 

[michelle1]

I am staying at the BWPP for the first time in Sept so I have a couple questions about the hotel...are the rooms and bathrooms kept fairly clean? How far is it to walk to some restaurants outside of DL from the hotel? Anything you can tell me will be helpful!

 

[justapixel]

Gotcha...there are a TON of schools out there between San Juan and Sac City...both of those friends are elementary teachers out that way.

Middle school is quite the challenge...my dad taught 6th for some time several years ago (down in So Cal) and I still remember how challenging it was for him!

So are you guys driving? Hey, I can hear the Folsom Rodeo fireworks going off right now...hehehehe!!

I have an aquaintence who has a daughter named Joci, so I thought it was maybe you.

We are flying...My nephew is getting married down in San Diego and so we decided to make a vacation out of it - do the zoo, and then head up to Disneyland. July would never have been my choice as a time to go to Disneyland, but that's when we are down there.

I love middle school kids. They certainly are a challenge when they are your own (as I well know) but they are fun when you just get to talk to them. I love their budding minds.

Anyway, back to Disney - didn't meant to take this off-topic.

 

[Mom2Joce]

That will be a fun trip. For our trip 2 weeks ago we flew down for a graduation and added on Disneyland My daughters name is Jocelyn...just made it shorter for the nickname! Have a great trip

 

[Mom2Joce]

Not a problem. It is the closest hotel to the parks...when you walk from your room to Harbor Blvd. the cross walk is RIGHT THERE. You cross and keep going and you're at the security check point! VERY CLOSE!

I have stayed at this hotel 4 times and heading back next week. It is NOT a 4 star hotel but is a clean place to lay your head at the end of a busy day! Actually, we even come back around dinner time for a break...a swim...a rest.

The bathrooms are very clean but on the small side. The suites have a nice sized vanity outside the bathroom but the regular rooms do not.
There is a coffee maker in the bathroom on the counter or on the vanity, a blow dryer, bar of soap and shampoo.

Every room has a mini fridge that really keeps cool, a microwave, round table, two chairs, desk and mirror, Armoir with TV and 3 nice sized drawers below. There is "counter space" above the microwave and fridge and above the tv where I put hats and other supplies to keep things organized. There is a small closet with hangers and 1 or 2 suitcase benches.
My most recent trip we just had the regular room (2 doubles) and needed a crib (which they provided for free) which fit easily and still there was enough room for everything else.

Parking is NOT easy or fun but there is such limited space. All I do is... upon arrival have someone with the car park right outside the lobby and wait until I've checked us in and gotten the key...then we drive to the nearest elevator, grab a caddy and start unloading the car (again, just with someone staying with the vehicle as it will be double parked). Once all is unloaded then the driver drives around until they find a parking space. Crazy I know but it's the easiest way.
If a vehicle is not an issue then all the better

As for close resturants. There is a Capt. Kids (just your average American food) RIGHT NEXT DOOR!! To the right a few doors down is IHOP and Denny's to the left a little further but still within easy walking distance is Millie's, McDonald's and Mimi's Cafe. All a little higher priced than usual but not bad.

If you have any other further questions I can help you with please don't hesitate to ask

 

[michelle1]

Not a problem. It is the closest hotel to the parks...when you walk from your room to Harbor Blvd. the cross walk is RIGHT THERE. You cross and keep going and you're at the security check point! VERY CLOSE!

I have stayed at this hotel 4 times and heading back next week. It is NOT a 4 star hotel but is a clean place to lay your head at the end of a busy day! Actually, we even come back around dinner time for a break...a swim...a rest.

The bathrooms are very clean but on the small side. The suites have a nice sized vanity outside the bathroom but the regular rooms do not.
There is a coffee maker in the bathroom on the counter or on the vanity, a blow dryer, bar of soap and shampoo.

Every room has a mini fridge that really keeps cool, a microwave, round table, two chairs, desk and mirror, Armoir with TV and 3 nice sized drawers below. There is "counter space" above the microwave and fridge and above the tv where I put hats and other supplies to keep things organized. There is a small closet with hangers and 1 or 2 suitcase benches.
My most recent trip we just had the regular room (2 doubles) and needed a crib (which they provided for free) which fit easily and still there was enough room for everything else.

Parking is NOT easy or fun but there is such limited space. All I do is... upon arrival have someone with the car park right outside the lobby and wait until I've checked us in and gotten the key...then we drive to the nearest elevator, grab a caddy and start unloading the car (again, just with someone staying with the vehicle as it will be double parked). Once all is unloaded then the driver drives around until they find a parking space. Crazy I know but it's the easiest way.
If a vehicle is not an issue then all the better

As for close resturants. There is a Capt. Kids (just your average American food) RIGHT NEXT DOOR!! To the right a few doors down is IHOP and Denny's to the left a little further but still within easy walking distance is Millie's, McDonald's and Mimi's Cafe. All a little higher priced than usual but not bad.

If you have any other further questions I can help you with please don't hesitate to ask

Thank you for the info! It will be just my DD and myself with no car so the location sounds perfect and room size doesn't matter. I am very excited about our first trip to DL!

 

[Mom2Joce]

You guys will have a BLAST together...I did the same thing last year with my DD and I felt very safe and comfortable at BWPPI

 

[mattmommy]

Does anybody have a map of DL they can scan, write on the path for us to take? I haven't been to DL in about 10 years and am a WDW vet. I know my navigation skills are rusty in DL paths.

 

[mattmommy]

Does anybody have a map of DL they can scan, write on the path for us to take? I haven't been to DL in about 10 years and am a WDW vet. I know my navigation skills are rusty in DL paths.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Oh shoot! I KNEW someone was going to ask after I got home. Rats!! I hope that someone will be able to help out here! I'm going next week and I'm going to pick up a ton of them and mail them out to anyone who wants one Or scan...either way Are you going before next week?