Mini Review : Thoughts, Feelings, Advice

[McNs]

Where are you staying in Yosemite?

We have booked a cabin at Curry Village for two nights, late September. We had to switch our Big Sur drive and Yosemite to get lodging in the valley floor, but it worked out only an extra 50 miles (trip is SF-Monterey-Cambria-Yosemite-LA-DL-Santa Monica). A couple of big boring driving days but hopefully not too bad.

We have booked the tram tour of the valley, I know you can see it all without the tour but thought it would be a good chance to get some history and information. We will miss Yosemite Falls, not sure what the other falls will be like by late September. Tossing up between visiting Tuolumne Grove for sequoias or Glacier Point for the views, I think doing both is going to be pushing it. And hadn't thought of the rafting... Apart from Disneyland, Yosemite is the bit I am m ost looking forward to.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I recommend 17 mile drive in Monterey! We have to do that any time we are there. We love it!

 

[Gisele]

I recommend 17 mile drive in Monterey! We have to do that any time we are there. We love it!

If you see Clint, take a picture to share with the less fortunate here. Lol.... No really man! I am probably the only person in California that hasn't met him yet!

 

[ejdmomma]

Thanks for posting! Loved the photos! My hubby and I are doing DLR and San Diego for our anniversary on the fall. Still trying to decide on hotels. Leaning towards staying in La Jolla for a couple of nights and a couple of nights downtown near the zoo.

 

[elaine amj]

Ok Fairfield Inn is the best we've stayed at on Harbor. We've done BWPPI and Hojo as well. It's not the worlds best but you can't beat the location, the price, and having a pizza hut express on the third floor and a McDonalds right outside for a quick bite.

People were lining up 5 hours for the Paint the Night Parade and the Fireworks start immediately after. The parade starts at 8:50pm and by the time the parade has finished its route you have about 5-7 min to position yourself on the street before they start.

Glad to hear the rave review for FFI! I am staying there for 7 nights in July

A little worried about parade/fireworks strategy. I was even thinking of not worrying about the first parade and watching Fireworks and then 2nd Parade...but the timing of it all sounds crazy. I really want to watch fireworks from the Hub. With 8:50pm first parade, 9:30pm Fireworks, and 11pm 2nd parade, I don't even know what to do. I am there in mid-July (over July 17) so crowds will be nuts.

My thoughts now are to get a spot at the Hub (not on the parade side) at 7pm, hold it until fireworks and then move over for 2nd parade (if that is even possible). On another night, we might skip the fireworks and get into position about 10pm to watch the 11pm parade from near the Train Station.

 

[lvdis]

Glad to hear you and your wife enjoyed the swing dancing! The Royal Swing Ball is a hidden gem at DL. We try to go as often as we can. There are some really special folks there in the Disney swing dance community (and it really is a community!). If you ever plan another trip, please post something here. The dancers would love to welcome you.

About S55, we've noticed a drop in the quality of food and service as well. It's not bad, but it isn't great like it used to be. Let Disney know about your experience and how it wasn't as good as previous visits. Something isn't right there and needs to be addressed.

Where is the swing dancing located? Is it only on Saturday nights? It sounds like fun!

 

[GatorChris]

I guess I'm pretty spoiled. My house is a 90 minute drive to Yosemite gates on the 120. Disneyland is great, and we couldn't go a year without, but we'd be even more down if we couldn't go to Yosemite twice a year. It's close enough where we just drive up in the morning and head back in the evening. I'm actually surprised that the waterfalls were even going this late into June with the lack of snow we've had. For those planning a late summer/early fall trip, prepare for the waterfalls to be dry, as they are every year that time whether drought or tons of snow.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the report Mike! Glad you had a great time. I was kind of dreading the new WOC and am glad to hear you liked it.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Where is the swing dancing located? Is it only on Saturday nights? It sounds like fun!

The Royal Swing Ball takes place every Saturday, unless the schedule says otherwise, from 7pm-11pm. There is a different band each week. Sometimes there is swing dancing for special events, like the recent 24 hour party to kick off the 60th celebrations. People swing dance at Tomorrowland Terrace, too, usually to Scot Bruce and Hard Day's Night. You can find swing dancers at DCA at Paradise Gardens when the Ellis Island Boys are playing and sometimes on Route 66 and at Flo's in Carsland. And there is swing dancing to the rockabilly bands in DtD at the stage by ESPN Zone.

 

[I'm mikey]

Wonderful trip report Mike, as always, your pictures are beautiful.

 

[Disney127]

Thanks for the trip report and beautiful photos, glad that you had a good time

 

[DharmaLou]

So glad you posted photos, I always enjoy looking at yours!

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I just got back from a 3 day trip to Yosemite, just as gorgeous as ever! We stayed at Wawona Campground one night so that we could be close to the Mariposa Grove (it will be closed for two years beginning July 6, so we wanted to be sure to check it out), then the next day stopped at Glacier Point on our way to the valley, where we camped at Lower Pines Campground. Lots of hiking, lots of photos, lots of fun.

I love Disneyland, but nothing beats the "epicness" of Yosemite for me.

Tossing up between visiting Tuolumne Grove for sequoias or Glacier Point for the views, I think doing both is going to be pushing it. And hadn't thought of the rafting... Apart from Disneyland, Yosemite is the bit I am m ost looking forward to.

I would recommend you go with Glacier Point! I have been several times but it still amazes me anew each time. My partner and I agreed that it was definitely the best part of the trip.

 

[Luckymommatoo]

Can I ask what company you used for rafting? We are going in July, also staying in Tenaya (I knew the drive would be long, but we just couldn't find accomodations that would work for us inside the park). We have zip lining booked for the day we drive back to L.A., but would love to fit rafting in our trip as well!

And let's see, to keep this on topic of DL -- great to hear about the swing dancing! I had no idea, and we'd love to see it. Thanks.

 

[KCmike]

Can I ask what company you used for rafting? We are going in July, also staying in Tenaya (I knew the drive would be long, but we just couldn't find accomodations that would work for us inside the park). We have zip lining booked for the day we drive back to L.A., but would love to fit rafting in our trip as well!

And let's see, to keep this on topic of DL -- great to hear about the swing dancing! I had no idea, and we'd love to see it. Thanks.

At the bus stop I think it was 13a you can rent a raft and they give you a life jacket and paddles. The cost is $31 per person and you can get four in a boat. It took us a little over an hour and half to do the journey (I think its 3 miles) but you can do it as fast or slow as you want. You can also stop along the river where there is beach access to relax and stop. We encountered several in the river wading and swimming because of the low volume of water that California has had and the run off hasn't been very much but it was plenty deep enough for rafting. It was a major highlight of the trip!

 

[KCmike]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. I've got a few more that I posted to my flickr site on Yosemite so I thought I would share them with you as this thread seems to be well received.


Tunnel View by Mike Day, on Flickr



Yosemite Falls by Mike Day, on Flickr

 

[mom2rtk]

Mike, that top photo is stunning! Well worth any hassle you had to go through to get it!

 

[KCmike]

No, I will be there for 5 days in the park in Sept. It will be a year in Nov since I was there.
I haven't seen you here in awhile either, but you we're traveling.

Excited for your pictures as always.

--Lori

I hope by the weekend to start sifting through the Disneyland portion of my images. Now that you say Sept. I kind of remember that you like to go for Dapper Days, right? Those hotel prices are sure attractive for those times. I have to say that I walked around the DLH and GCH while on the trip and missed staying on site even though I've only done it once at each of those as all the rest have been outside the parks...(Fairfield, HOJO, BWPPI). I always enjoy your photos as well so I will stay tuned!

 

[kylie71]

Those are Amazing images Mike! Feels like I am there!
Thank You for your comments, I appreciate your opinion with my photography. You are GOOD!

--Lori

 

[KCmike]

Glad to hear you and your wife enjoyed the swing dancing! The Royal Swing Ball is a hidden gem at DL. We try to go as often as we can. There are some really special folks there in the Disney swing dance community (and it really is a community!). If you ever plan another trip, please post something here. The dancers would love to welcome you.

About S55, we've noticed a drop in the quality of food and service as well. It's not bad, but it isn't great like it used to be. Let Disney know about your experience and how it wasn't as good as previous visits. Something isn't right there and needs to be addressed.

My wife was thinking there must be a community of dancers that all go to the same studio or something. We've seen them do several routines as groups and even though I'm a 12 week beginner in my dance lessons I had a feeling as well. They seemed tight knit. It was really a pleasure to see young and old alike at all different skill levels just enjoying the big band sounds and each other. My wife lost several pounds and she really wanted to start dance lessons as one of her rewards for getting to a certain point. I made good on it and we haven't looked back. We have found a time and space where we can enjoy each others company outside of the children. The drive to and from and the 50 minutes we get with the instructor has been priceless. I highly recommend it. Plus even though I consider myself sort of young we are old souls at heart who enjoy Sinatra, Como, Ellington, Armstrong to name just a few.