Need help from experienced Disneylanders

[doriemg]

Fanatic East Coast Disneyworlder seeks knowledgeable West Coast Disneylanders for information. Hi All, we’re East Coast people and have been to Disneyworld too many times to count. At the end of January my DSs have a 4 day weekend from school and we’re considering visiting Disneyland and DCA for the first time. Was wondering if any of you West Coast people might take pity and answer a few questions for me. We’d appreciate any help you can offer.

1. Approximately when does the Disneyland resort hotels begin accepting reservations for January 2010? We’ve always been able to make reservations for DisneyWorld over a year in advance so I was surprised when I called to make a reservation for GCH and was told they weren’t accepting yet for 2010.

2. My DH and both DSs love motion. The more you throw them upside down and turn them around the more they love it. Unfortunately I have motion sickness and can’t ride as much. My favorite rides are Pirates of the Carribbean and Haunted Mansion and it's been a long time dream to ride them at Disneyland. Does anyone know when they start deChristmasing the Haunted Mansion and how long it will be closed for? If there’s any chance that those 2 rides will be closed during our trip then the trip is off. We’ll be there January 29 – February 1.

3. What is the best mode of transportation from LAX to Disney? We’d prefer not to rent a car. There will be 4 of us.

Thanks in advance to everyone.

 

[disheadz]

1 and 2, I don't know. 3- Supershuttles can be reserved online for all the LA area airports. If it isn't too expensive fly into Orange County (SNA) instead. It is much closer to DL, and is much more pleasant to navigate.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

1) I think it's 6 months, maybe, but don't hold me to that. It's basically whenever they release the rates for a given period. They may still be analyzing the economy to see if they will release any special rates or incentives for that traditional downtime period.

2) It usually takes 4-6 weeks to restore the HM to it's original state after the Nightmare layover. I think you are going to miss that one. However, they are doing refurb to Pirates soon (there's another thread about that which I haven't read yet), so that should be up. There are so many other really cool "easygoing" rides and non-motion things like shows and such here at DL that I think you will be thrilled with the new additionas you'll find. I am amazed that when I counted the attractions up that had motion restrictions for pregnant women, that there were only 12 or so between two parks. That's really pretty good!

3) A lot of us will recommend the official Disneyland Express Bus - operated by Gray Line Tours over the shuttles. It is a luxury style tour bus that is cleaner and safer, and you can pre-pay and get a discount on their website. The buses add to the excitement, too, as they are overlaid with characters (like several of the WDW buses) - when it pulls up, the excitement starts. The extra bonus, too, is that the Disney hotels are the first drop off. Shuttle companies drop off in the order they feel like and they circle the airport to pick up their maximum passengers before leaving.
The only downside (and the upside of prepaying) is that there is one particularly bad bus company that might try to come by and convince you they are the shuttle (no characters on their bus), but will immediately leave you alone when you tell them you prepaid.

 

[DLR29]

Haunted Mansion Holiday usually starts being taken down after the first week of January and it takes 2-3 weeks. From years past, I'd say your dates are fine. Also, PotC is going under some refurb next month I think, which means it probably won't be down also next January.

 

[doriemg]

Thank you everyone. Your info was extremely helpful!!! If you ever need information about Disneyworld I'd be glad to share my East Coast knowledge with you. Thanks again.

 

[DLR29]

2) It usually takes 4-6 weeks to restore the HM to it's original state after the Nightmare layover. I think you are going to miss that one. However, they are doing refurb to Pirates soon (there's another thread about that which I haven't read yet), so that should be up. There are so many other really cool "easygoing" rides and non-motion things like shows and such here at DL that I think you will be thrilled with the new additionas you'll find. I am amazed that when I counted the attractions up that had motion restrictions for pregnant women, that there were only 12 or so between two parks. That's really pretty good.

This past year HM was down until early February, but in 08 and 07 it was up and running before February. (Source: Mouseplanet DLR updates)

 

[PrincessYessenia]

2. My DH and both DSs love motion. The more you throw them upside down and turn them around the more they love it. Unfortunately I have motion sickness and can’t ride as much. My favorite rides are Pirates of the Carribbean and Haunted Mansion and it's been a long time dream to ride them at Disneyland.

You should really try the transderm scope patches. I use them when I take Disney Cruises and they're for motion or sea sickness. They should take that motion sickness right away! Always works great for me!