Leaving in 11 days (YAY!!) Need advice

[KAYELIZ]

This is only our second visit to Disneyland and I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help me with:

We arrive at SNA at 6:30 PM - what's the best way to get from there to the Sheraton Park Hotel, shuttle or taxi?

What's the best way to get from the Sheraton to the parks, shuttle or walk (any shortcuts?)

We'll be visiting the parks on Oct. 7 & 8 and I found out recently that Gay Days are that weekend. I know that weekends are more crowded than weekdays but I'm wondering - has anyone been there for Gay Days and how crowded are the parks? Any advice as to the best time of day to go would be appreciated (our plan is to get there for opening, take a break in the afternoon and go back in the early evening).

This one's a little off the topic of Disney but we're planning on going to the taping of the Price is Right on Monday and we'd like to hear from anyone who's been and how early do you have to get there the morning of the taping? We read a trip report and the OP said that they arrived at 4:45 AM They're taping 2 shows that day but we can only go to the early one because we have a flight later in the day. Has anyone here gone to the taping, arrived later and still been able to get a seat?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[dizzyami]

I can only answer the question regarding gay days...I had looked up this site a while back - it looks like the 7th is focused on DL and the 8th is focused on DCA, there is also a schedule - I know if I was going to be there that time I would follow the schedule, and be out of the way.

http://www.gaydaysanaheim.com/html/schedule.html


All attendees are to wear red - so you may want to avoid red...

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Really?? Gay days?? We are getting there on the 7th as well. Not that I have a problem with gay days or anything I just wasn't expeciting it to be any sort of organized "day". It will probably be more crowded

 

[KAYELIZ]

I can only answer the question regarding gay days...I had looked up this site a while back - it looks like the 7th is focused on DL and the 8th is focused on DCA, there is also a schedule - I know if I was going to be there that time I would follow the schedule, and be out of the way.

http://www.gaydaysanaheim.com/html/schedule.html


All attendees are to wear red - so you may want to avoid red...

Thanks for the schedule, Dizzyami I think we'll definitely try to do DCA on the 7th and DL on the 8th.

 

[Rella Bella]

We arrive at SNA at 6:30 PM - what's the best way to get from there to the Sheraton Park Hotel, shuttle or taxi?

What's the best way to get from the Sheraton to the parks, shuttle or walk (any shortcuts?)

We flew into LAX so I can't help with the airport question but we did stay at the Sheraton Park and it is very easy to walk or take the shuttle.

The walk is a nice wide sidewalk... technically 1 1/2 blocks... but it was really about a 10 - 15 minute walk. The shuttle stop is right out the front door (to your right as you leave the hotel). It is $3.00 per day whether you go one way or RT. The ride home is about 5 minutes but they take a differnt route going to the park so it's about 8 minutes. It didn't stop at any other hotels going or coming back.

You're gonna have a great trip!

 

[KAYELIZ]

We flew into LAX so I can't help with the airport question but we did stay at the Sheraton Park and it is very easy to walk or take the shuttle.

The walk is a nice wide sidewalk... technically 1 1/2 blocks... but it was really about a 10 - 15 minute walk. The shuttle stop is right out the front door (to your right as you leave the hotel). It is $3.00 per day whether you go one way or RT. The ride home is about 5 minutes but they take a differnt route going to the park so it's about 8 minutes. It didn't stop at any other hotels going or coming back.

You're gonna have a great trip!

Thanks Rella Bella, maybe we'll take the shuttle and save our feet for the parks. How did you like the Sheraton Park? The last time we stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim and we liked it but decided to change this time because this hotel seemed like it was just updated.

 

[eduk8r26]

I think the CHOC Walk is the 8th, also. It actually happens before the parks open, but it's supposed to be 12,000 people walking through both parks, and I bet many of them will come back later that day. So sounds like it may be quite crowded, plus it's a 3-day weekend for many because of Columbus Day on Monday.

 

[mystic_path]

My friend went last year during Gay days, and she said the park is much more crowded then usual, so be prepared for that.

 

[Rella Bella]

Thanks Rella Bella, maybe we'll take the shuttle and save our feet for the parks. How did you like the Sheraton Park? The last time we stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim and we liked it but decided to change this time because this hotel seemed like it was just updated.

We loved the Sheraton Park! I would stay there again in a heart beat. We loved it for the two of us, but I think I will choose it when we bring DS too. It did seem to be recently refurbished. We had a Deluxe King, a very generous sized room and everything seemed to be brand new. The furniture was beautiful, large desk w/chair, recliner, small balcony had a 2 chairs & a table. The dressing area was upscale; bathroom was a little small but not bad. We found it quiet and relaxing. We also ejoyed having the on site restaurant "Molly's" for breakfast. (The other restaurant was only so-so.)

We used the shuttle, to come home each evening and both ways our last day. The walk isn’t far, but since there is plenty of walking to do, it is nice to save your feet. The shuttle was great, very reliable and quite fast. The tickets are sold in a small dispenser in the boarding area at the hotel, for $3 pp per day.

Be aware that the Shuttle will not sit at the hotel at all. If no one is in the boarding area it just rolls on through… of course they are back in 20 minutes, but I wouldn’t wait in the lobby until it arrives and expect to catch it. It does sit at the DL gate for about 5 minutes. The “C” shuttle is the one that goes to the Sheraton Park.We were able to board there once without a ticket (you can pay cash, but when we tried to pay the driver just waved us on and told us to be sure and have ticket the next day).

FWIW, we paid $119.00 (peak season) for our room through Starwood by phone… a better rate than Starwood online or any of the on-line travel sites offered. (Of course that doesn’t include the Anaheim room tax or the hotel’s parking fee.)

You're gonna have a magical time!

 

[KAYELIZ]

I think the CHOC Walk is the 8th, also. It actually happens before the parks open, but it's supposed to be 12,000 people walking through both parks, and I bet many of them will come back later that day. So sounds like it may be quite crowded, plus it's a 3-day weekend for many because of Columbus Day on Monday.

I hadn't heard about that one Sounds like we're going to have lots of company !!! Thanks for the warning!!!!

 

[KAYELIZ]

My friend went last year during Gay days, and she said the park is much more crowded then usual, so be prepared for that.

Thanks for the reply I guess we'll get there early and try to collect as many fastpasses as possible

 

[KAYELIZ]

We loved the Sheraton Park! I would stay there again in a heart beat. We loved it for the two of us, but I think I will choose it when we bring DS too. It did seem to be recently refurbished. We had a Deluxe King, a very generous sized room and everything seemed to be brand new. The furniture was beautiful, large desk w/chair, recliner, small balcony had a 2 chairs & a table. The dressing area was upscale; bathroom was a little small but not bad. We found it quiet and relaxing. We also ejoyed having the on site restaurant "Molly's" for breakfast. (The other restaurant was only so-so.)

We used the shuttle, to come home each evening and both ways our last day. The walk isn’t far, but since there is plenty of walking to do, it is nice to save your feet. The shuttle was great, very reliable and quite fast. The tickets are sold in a small dispenser in the boarding area at the hotel, for $3 pp per day.

Be aware that the Shuttle will not sit at the hotel at all. If no one is in the boarding area it just rolls on through… of course they are back in 20 minutes, but I wouldn’t wait in the lobby until it arrives and expect to catch it. It does sit at the DL gate for about 5 minutes. The “C” shuttle is the one that goes to the Sheraton Park.We were able to board there once without a ticket (you can pay cash, but when we tried to pay the driver just waved us on and told us to be sure and have ticket the next day).

FWIW, we paid $119.00 (peak season) for our room through Starwood by phone… a better rate than Starwood online or any of the on-line travel sites offered. (Of course that doesn’t include the Anaheim room tax or the hotel’s parking fee.)

You're gonna have a magical time!

Thanks Rella, the hotel sounds great!! I'm so happy to have a beautiful hotel to go back to when the crush of the crowds at the parks get to be too much !!! I'm going to request a balcony room but I'm not sure whether to ask for the Disney view or pool view.The shuttle sounds like the best option, especially because it doesn't stop at any other hotels. 10 more days!!!

 

[Rella Bella]

Thanks Rella, the hotel sounds great!! I'm so happy to have a beautiful hotel to go back to when the crush of the crowds at the parks get to be too much !!! I'm going to request a balcony room but I'm not sure whether to ask for the Disney view or pool view.The shuttle sounds like the best option, especially because it doesn't stop at any other hotels. 10 more days!!!

We had the pool view. The pool was beautiful... but beyond that Anaheim didn't have much to offer. We looked out on the Disney side it was nice, but not so different unless you want to watch the fireworks. Personally I'd much rather watch them from the inside the parks. We were on the 5th floor and had zero pool noise... don't know if you'd hear it on a lower floor or not.

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[thmar]

Just wanted to wish you a safe and happy trip!!

 

[KAYELIZ]

Just wanted to wish you a safe and happy trip!!

Thanks, thmar !!!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Dang it, any other organized events we should know about for that weekend?

 

[KAYELIZ]

We had the pool view. The pool was beautiful... but beyond that Anaheim didn't have much to offer. We looked out on the Disney side it was nice, but not so different unless you want to watch the fireworks. Personally I'd much rather watch them from the inside the parks. We were on the 5th floor and had zero pool noise... don't know if you'd hear it on a lower floor or not.

Have a wonderful time!!

Hi Rella We're really torn about which view to ask for because the night we arrive, it'll be too late to go to the parks so we thought it would be nice to kick off our weekend by sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine and watching the fireworks. After that first night though, we'll probably be at the parks for the fireworks and at that point we'd love to have a pool view. Oh well, I have a feeling that the hotel may be very crowded that weekend and with having to check in so late, we'll probably have to take whatever they have left at that point. It doesn't matter though because we'll have a great time either way.

 

[KAYELIZ]

Dang it, any other organized events we should know about for that weekend?

Exactly !!!!! I finally come to terms with the fact that it's going to be crowded that weekend and they throw in another 12,000 people

 

[Rella Bella]

Hi Rella We're really torn about which view to ask for because the night we arrive, it'll be too late to go to the parks so we thought it would be nice to kick off our weekend by sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine and watching the fireworks. After that first night though, we'll probably be at the parks for the fireworks and at that point we'd love to have a pool view. Oh well, I have a feeling that the hotel may be very crowded that weekend and with having to check in so late, we'll probably have to take whatever they have left at that point. It doesn't matter though because we'll have a great time either way.

Ohhh, "sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine and watching the fireworks" sounds wonderful!! Hope you get it! On the pool side you might not have fireworks, but the wine and the company will be just as good!
You're gonna have a magical trip!

 

[KAYELIZ]

Ohhh, "sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine and watching the fireworks" sounds wonderful!! Hope you get it! On the pool side you might not have fireworks, but the wine and the company will be just as good!
You're gonna have a magical trip!

Thanks, Rella !! Only 9 more days and we'll be there !!