Well after a very long wait, our first family vacation finally came and is now over. We were in California from Sat 5/19- Thur 5/24.
Sat 5/19 we flew out on Southwest to John Wayne airport. The flight was seamless. We had pre bought tickets for the Disneyland Resort Express shuttle for $9 on getawaytoday.com. We went and waited for the bus, which didnt take long to arrive. It was different than what I had read and expected though. I had thought based on what I read on here that it stopped at the DLH, then you got on different/smaller type shuttles to the other hotels. However it did keep going to each hotel. We were staying at the FFI, which happened to be the last stop. It took us over 1 ½ hrs from the time we left the airport to the time we got to the hotel. Seemed a little long to us, especially because we were really close to the hotel (didnt know it at the time) 2-3 other times during the shuttles trips to the other hotels. We were about 2 hours early for the Hotels check in time, but they had a room ready a few minutes after we arrived. We got a nice room, nothing fancy, 1 queen bed with a pull out sofa. Worked perfect for DH, DS (5yr) and I. It was clean and nicely decorated. It also had a small safe which we wanted but were not expecting since it didnt mention it on the website. We had reservations for Medieval times that evening. Part way there, I realized I forgot the print out ticket at the hotel. The cab driver said they should be able to just go off of our name, unfortunately they couldnt so we had to go back. Luckily it was only about a 10 minute drive each way. The cab driver was very nice and charged us much less than it would have been. The show was wonderful, DS LOVED it. When we returned to the hotel, we put DS to bed. We were able to see the fireworks from the balcony outside our room, so DH and I were standing there with the door propped open while DS slept. DS started screaming, we went in to find that he had gotten sick all over his bed
. DH called the front desk and they sent someone right away to take away the dirty bedding and put on new bedding. She even left us plenty of extras, which was a good thing. It was a long night.
Sun 5/20-Due to being up most of the night, we did not get a very early start like we planned. We spent the morning relaxing and doing laundry. The hotel had a tiny mini mart in it that I was able to get laundry soap and DS some fruit. By late morning DS was feeling way better and was getting very antsy. We decided it was time to hit the parks to see what happens. We started by getting giant corn dogs we have been waiting for since our last trip 7 years ago. We had no real plan as far as rides, and didnt really want one. So we just went on the ones with the shortest lines to start with. DH and DS did the rocket ship ride (dont know what its called)in tomorrow land. Then we went through the castle and did the carrousel, then went up to Small world. I know kind of all over the place, but whatever. We then went and watched Mickeys soundsational Parade. That was really cool, except when 2 people squeezed in and the lady decided she wanted to stretch her legs out and sat on my foot
. She didnt even move when I was practically kicking her to get off me. By that point DS was tired and not feeling well so we went and took a nap. We came back later that evening and did a few more things. We watched the Magic, memories and You thing. It was pretty, but kind of boring. We left a couple minutes before it ended to avoid the mob. Went on Dumbo and by the time that was over the Fireworks were about to start. We had a great view of them as well as Tink and Dumbo flying from behind the castle area. Since we were right there and I had heard Peter Pan is always busy, we decided to stay and go on that after the fireworks. It worked out very well. We then wandered around to do more stuff. We ended up in the area where Fantasmic takes place which was about to start, so we watched that. We got a pretty good view. We were outside a restaurant, I want to say either the Golden Horse Shoe, or Stage Door Café, then moved closer and a CM let us in the roped area where there was plenty of room. Seeing that Pirates was right behind us, we left about a minute before it was over to beat the crowds. We ended up staying in the park until almost close (midnight).
Mon 5/21 was just our relaxing day. We slept in, went swimming, shopped at DTD and then had dinner and watched a movie in our room.
Tue 5/22- DSs 5th b-day. We had plans to get up early for our magic morning. However DH was not feeling well. He eventually told me to take DS and he would meet up later for the character breakfast. So we went, met Mickey first thing on the way into the park, and went on the buzz light year ride and met the white rabbit from Alice in wonderland . Since we got a late start thats about all we had time for before we had to go to breakfast. The early entry didnt really seem to make much of a difference as far as crowds go. Seemed a little lighter, but not a whole lot. We had The Surfin Breakfast with Mickey at the PCH Grill. It was nice. Good selection of food and tasted decent. We got to meet Mickey, Minnie, Stitch, Daisy and Pluto. They all came around to our table and took pictures with us. After we ate the waiters brought DS a little Mickey shaped b-day cake with a candle and sang to him. We then went back to the parks for a few hours, before taking a break in the afternoon. Had dinner at the Rainforest Café (a must for us), and back to the parks for the rest of the evening.
Wed 5/23- I wasnt feeling well, so DH and DS went on without me for a little bit in the morning and I joined shortly after. Spent most of the day at the parks with a couple hour break mid-day.
Thur 5/24- Got up early for our flight home. We ended up getting a cab. I didnt trust using the Disneyland resort express since it took so long on the first trip. We probably could have done it just fine, but I didnt want to risk missing our plane.
Over all it was a pretty good trip. We did not get to do everything, but enough. We even did a couple of DSs favorites multiple times. I think 3 days in the parks was plenty for us. DS was tall enough to go on all except Indy and Screamin. Also DS didnt want to do Splash Mt, so we skipped that. I think he was afraid after doing Thunder mt, and GRR. He didnt like those (our faves), so he didnt want to do another one of our favorites. Lol. Apparently he isnt a thrill seeker, and thats ok. We didnt do much in DCA since there was much more in DL we wanted to do, and not much in DCA. We only did GRR, Ariel, Mickeys wheel of fun, and Bugs life show, which was really cute. DS kept trying to grab the butterfly. DH and I had seen the Aladdin show, and didnt think DS would sit through it, so we skipped it. We also didnt want to wait to watch WOC. Since I have only been 1 other time, 7 years ago mid march, and it was practically dead, I cant say if it was busy. To ME compared to last time it was super busy. We didnt have to wait very long in lines. Most were 10-15 mins., but I think part of that is because we didnt go to ones with long lines and some of the busier ones (peter pan, pirates) we got lucky with being close to them and getting in while everyone else was busy. We didnt even use any fast passes. Although the waits werent very long, it was pretty warm for us. We have decided for any future trips we will go even more off season. It may have shorter hours and a couple attractions may be down, but it would be less money, less people, and not as hot.
Sat 5/19 we flew out on Southwest to John Wayne airport. The flight was seamless. We had pre bought tickets for the Disneyland Resort Express shuttle for $9 on getawaytoday.com. We went and waited for the bus, which didnt take long to arrive. It was different than what I had read and expected though. I had thought based on what I read on here that it stopped at the DLH, then you got on different/smaller type shuttles to the other hotels. However it did keep going to each hotel. We were staying at the FFI, which happened to be the last stop. It took us over 1 ½ hrs from the time we left the airport to the time we got to the hotel. Seemed a little long to us, especially because we were really close to the hotel (didnt know it at the time) 2-3 other times during the shuttles trips to the other hotels. We were about 2 hours early for the Hotels check in time, but they had a room ready a few minutes after we arrived. We got a nice room, nothing fancy, 1 queen bed with a pull out sofa. Worked perfect for DH, DS (5yr) and I. It was clean and nicely decorated. It also had a small safe which we wanted but were not expecting since it didnt mention it on the website. We had reservations for Medieval times that evening. Part way there, I realized I forgot the print out ticket at the hotel. The cab driver said they should be able to just go off of our name, unfortunately they couldnt so we had to go back. Luckily it was only about a 10 minute drive each way. The cab driver was very nice and charged us much less than it would have been. The show was wonderful, DS LOVED it. When we returned to the hotel, we put DS to bed. We were able to see the fireworks from the balcony outside our room, so DH and I were standing there with the door propped open while DS slept. DS started screaming, we went in to find that he had gotten sick all over his bed
. DH called the front desk and they sent someone right away to take away the dirty bedding and put on new bedding. She even left us plenty of extras, which was a good thing. It was a long night.Sun 5/20-Due to being up most of the night, we did not get a very early start like we planned. We spent the morning relaxing and doing laundry. The hotel had a tiny mini mart in it that I was able to get laundry soap and DS some fruit. By late morning DS was feeling way better and was getting very antsy. We decided it was time to hit the parks to see what happens. We started by getting giant corn dogs we have been waiting for since our last trip 7 years ago. We had no real plan as far as rides, and didnt really want one. So we just went on the ones with the shortest lines to start with. DH and DS did the rocket ship ride (dont know what its called)in tomorrow land. Then we went through the castle and did the carrousel, then went up to Small world. I know kind of all over the place, but whatever. We then went and watched Mickeys soundsational Parade. That was really cool, except when 2 people squeezed in and the lady decided she wanted to stretch her legs out and sat on my foot
. She didnt even move when I was practically kicking her to get off me. By that point DS was tired and not feeling well so we went and took a nap. We came back later that evening and did a few more things. We watched the Magic, memories and You thing. It was pretty, but kind of boring. We left a couple minutes before it ended to avoid the mob. Went on Dumbo and by the time that was over the Fireworks were about to start. We had a great view of them as well as Tink and Dumbo flying from behind the castle area. Since we were right there and I had heard Peter Pan is always busy, we decided to stay and go on that after the fireworks. It worked out very well. We then wandered around to do more stuff. We ended up in the area where Fantasmic takes place which was about to start, so we watched that. We got a pretty good view. We were outside a restaurant, I want to say either the Golden Horse Shoe, or Stage Door Café, then moved closer and a CM let us in the roped area where there was plenty of room. Seeing that Pirates was right behind us, we left about a minute before it was over to beat the crowds. We ended up staying in the park until almost close (midnight).Mon 5/21 was just our relaxing day. We slept in, went swimming, shopped at DTD and then had dinner and watched a movie in our room.
Tue 5/22- DSs 5th b-day. We had plans to get up early for our magic morning. However DH was not feeling well. He eventually told me to take DS and he would meet up later for the character breakfast. So we went, met Mickey first thing on the way into the park, and went on the buzz light year ride and met the white rabbit from Alice in wonderland . Since we got a late start thats about all we had time for before we had to go to breakfast. The early entry didnt really seem to make much of a difference as far as crowds go. Seemed a little lighter, but not a whole lot. We had The Surfin Breakfast with Mickey at the PCH Grill. It was nice. Good selection of food and tasted decent. We got to meet Mickey, Minnie, Stitch, Daisy and Pluto. They all came around to our table and took pictures with us. After we ate the waiters brought DS a little Mickey shaped b-day cake with a candle and sang to him. We then went back to the parks for a few hours, before taking a break in the afternoon. Had dinner at the Rainforest Café (a must for us), and back to the parks for the rest of the evening.
Wed 5/23- I wasnt feeling well, so DH and DS went on without me for a little bit in the morning and I joined shortly after. Spent most of the day at the parks with a couple hour break mid-day.
Thur 5/24- Got up early for our flight home. We ended up getting a cab. I didnt trust using the Disneyland resort express since it took so long on the first trip. We probably could have done it just fine, but I didnt want to risk missing our plane.
Over all it was a pretty good trip. We did not get to do everything, but enough. We even did a couple of DSs favorites multiple times. I think 3 days in the parks was plenty for us. DS was tall enough to go on all except Indy and Screamin. Also DS didnt want to do Splash Mt, so we skipped that. I think he was afraid after doing Thunder mt, and GRR. He didnt like those (our faves), so he didnt want to do another one of our favorites. Lol. Apparently he isnt a thrill seeker, and thats ok. We didnt do much in DCA since there was much more in DL we wanted to do, and not much in DCA. We only did GRR, Ariel, Mickeys wheel of fun, and Bugs life show, which was really cute. DS kept trying to grab the butterfly. DH and I had seen the Aladdin show, and didnt think DS would sit through it, so we skipped it. We also didnt want to wait to watch WOC. Since I have only been 1 other time, 7 years ago mid march, and it was practically dead, I cant say if it was busy. To ME compared to last time it was super busy. We didnt have to wait very long in lines. Most were 10-15 mins., but I think part of that is because we didnt go to ones with long lines and some of the busier ones (peter pan, pirates) we got lucky with being close to them and getting in while everyone else was busy. We didnt even use any fast passes. Although the waits werent very long, it was pretty warm for us. We have decided for any future trips we will go even more off season. It may have shorter hours and a couple attractions may be down, but it would be less money, less people, and not as hot.
