Kadorto
Saving the galaxy one star system at a time
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2001
- Messages
- 375
We returned last night after a grueling 14 hours of travel. I'm pretty tired but thought I would share some of my thoughts.
First, We stayed in the Disneyland Hotel..but first considered staying in the grand californian. We decided on the DH thinking it would be better for our two DS (18months and 4yoa). After visiting the park I would choose the grand californian if we we ever to return. Its closer to the parks and seemed to be a much nicer resort. We enjoyed the DH but I think it would have been well worth the extra bucks to stay at the GC.
The monorail service seemed slow and after the first day we started skipping it and just walked.
Sat and Sun (dec 7&8) the crowds were heavy but managable. Monday and tuesday light crowds during the day but busy at night. On the weekend and evenings it seemed like everyone was AP's but us. A LOT of locals.
WE learned that the same courtesy and rules that apply at WDW do not apply in DL. Its kinda hard to believe that DL is the original
Also do not expect cast members to help even the slightest bit with guest with small childern in strollers. I had one CM speak harshly to me about using a elevator at one of the monrail staions. I guess it was supposed to be handicaped use only. When I told him that if they had put a sign on the elevator we would not have used it. The CM responded that they could not put a handicap use only sign on it because that would be discriminating. I'm not really sure what he meant by that...When I asked another CM to open a gate for me so I could wheel the stroller through he told that he could not as it was Disney policy not to assist guests with strollers. Not the same policy in WDW where the CM's were very helpful.
Although the Blue Bayou comes highly recommeded I wish we would have skipped it. Had a PS for 445..did not get a table till 6p. The food was OK..atmosphere was nice..service was not very good.
If you have made any PS arrangements get a confirmation number and take it with you. According to a CM the resie system hasa been acting up and several resturaunts did not have our resie. Lucky I had our cpnfirmation #'s otherwise we would have been out of luck.
Even if you've seen Fantasmic in MGM don't miss the one at DL. I think its much better. The 1030 show was not crowded at all sunday night.
The haunted mansion and small world are decked out for X-mas and have long lines.
With our resort package we had unlimted fast pass. Whoever came up with that idea should be in the Disney hall of fame somewhere. We were able to really enjoy our day instead of standing around waiting in lines with two excited kids. Without it we would not have been able to do 1/2 of what we did.
I hope this was a bit of help to anyone visting in the near future. I'll be happy to answer any questions.
First, We stayed in the Disneyland Hotel..but first considered staying in the grand californian. We decided on the DH thinking it would be better for our two DS (18months and 4yoa). After visiting the park I would choose the grand californian if we we ever to return. Its closer to the parks and seemed to be a much nicer resort. We enjoyed the DH but I think it would have been well worth the extra bucks to stay at the GC.
The monorail service seemed slow and after the first day we started skipping it and just walked.
Sat and Sun (dec 7&8) the crowds were heavy but managable. Monday and tuesday light crowds during the day but busy at night. On the weekend and evenings it seemed like everyone was AP's but us. A LOT of locals.
WE learned that the same courtesy and rules that apply at WDW do not apply in DL. Its kinda hard to believe that DL is the original
Also do not expect cast members to help even the slightest bit with guest with small childern in strollers. I had one CM speak harshly to me about using a elevator at one of the monrail staions. I guess it was supposed to be handicaped use only. When I told him that if they had put a sign on the elevator we would not have used it. The CM responded that they could not put a handicap use only sign on it because that would be discriminating. I'm not really sure what he meant by that...When I asked another CM to open a gate for me so I could wheel the stroller through he told that he could not as it was Disney policy not to assist guests with strollers. Not the same policy in WDW where the CM's were very helpful.
Although the Blue Bayou comes highly recommeded I wish we would have skipped it. Had a PS for 445..did not get a table till 6p. The food was OK..atmosphere was nice..service was not very good.
If you have made any PS arrangements get a confirmation number and take it with you. According to a CM the resie system hasa been acting up and several resturaunts did not have our resie. Lucky I had our cpnfirmation #'s otherwise we would have been out of luck.
Even if you've seen Fantasmic in MGM don't miss the one at DL. I think its much better. The 1030 show was not crowded at all sunday night.
The haunted mansion and small world are decked out for X-mas and have long lines.
With our resort package we had unlimted fast pass. Whoever came up with that idea should be in the Disney hall of fame somewhere. We were able to really enjoy our day instead of standing around waiting in lines with two excited kids. Without it we would not have been able to do 1/2 of what we did.
I hope this was a bit of help to anyone visting in the near future. I'll be happy to answer any questions.
Sorry to hear about your expierence at DL. I've only ever been to DL and loved it. I'm going to WDW for the first time in 13 years(last time I was there it was for a band trip and we only had 1/2 a day). I'll let you know if I WDW is better. 
Here, if that gate had slipped and had hit your kid in the stroller, Disney would probably be held liable for an injury. I'm in retail management and we have to be careful with the garment hooks. Those are the ones to reach garments high up. Why? If a customer grabs one and somehow gets injured, we're liable. ugh!
