New A Lutz: Updates on AP stats, DCA media days and parking

[Disney Dreams]

Wow, I knew the 17th was going to be crazy in the parks itself, but it never occurred to me that there might be gridlock around the resort. That's the park day I'm just planning on taking everything in, riding the Matterhorn, and then focusing on Carsland during the MM on the 18th.

We won't have a car, but will be taking Amtrak in from San Diego that morning and taking a cab over to the VGC ... wonder if there's any way to avoid a ridiculous cab fare/waiting in traffic for an hour?

Regarding the gridlock - absolutely. On very busy days, Micky and Friends parking garage has been known to back up ONTO the freeway. It causes issues on the freeway and the surrounding streets.

As for your taxi ride, if he takes back streets, you should be okay and depending upon your time of arrival and when the craziness begins (the great unknown) you could be okay. If it were me, I might see if there is a flat-rate shuttle I could take. I think SuperShuttle picks up at Amtrak -- but not sure on this. Just a thought for you.

- Dreams

 

[DISHoppy]

I'm sorry my Why?? was so vague.
I was wondering why Al wants us to pay attention to the fp return times for RSR? Does he think they will be cracking down on this ride for crowd control? Does he think the whole park will start cracking down? Was he just trying to follow official protocol? Or, did he just have a senior moment?

I was going to mention that there were many possible whys to your Why? Yes, I saw that I wondered that, too. Dunno, and I wouldn't put it past them. Heck, they're even referring to early admission as EMH now. <== as in REALLY confused now.

-Kevin

 

[Argento]

They were supposed to, but the previous DLR regime cancelled plans to build a new parking garage.

Most likely because at the time the economy was seriously damaged with little on the horizon that pointed to any kind of recovery.

 

[fctiger]

I was going to mention that there were many possible whys to your Why? Yes, I saw that I wondered that, too. Dunno, and I wouldn't put it past them. Heck, they're even referring to early admission as EMH now. <== as in REALLY confused now.

-Kevin

Believe me, if they were reinforcing FP time, then Al wouldve simply SAID IT and given a long paragraph about it to boot. As someone else said, he was simply saying if you want to catch RSR at night then grab a FP during those times. Yes, you can still use your FP after the return time, but believe it or not MOST people dont even know that. Its just people like us who really do!

As for the parking situation, yeah thats really bad, but not surprising. Of course I COULD go into a rant that its sad America doesnt invest in the infrastructure and public transportation like so many countries worldwide. These parks would cut down the parking TREMENDOUSLY if there was public rail to get people to and from the parks in an efficient and organized manner. I taken the trains in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong that litterally drops you off at the entrance of the Disney resorts and in America is the ONLY place for Disney parks where you still have to haul in your car as the ONLY option to get to these parks basically. But I digress!

Anyway I know why Al spent a great amount of time discussing the AP situation since it is big news obviously but I wouldve liked to heard more about CL and BVS! I love the BVS newspapers though and it sounds like 13th-15th is going to be a rollicking party for the press and VIPS. Wow, I cant WAIT until next month!!!!!!!!!

 

[ValpoCory]

I think he was just saying that you (as in collective "you") should try and get a FP with an afternoon/evening return time on RSR because it's better at night. I really don't see anything in that statement with a FP enforcement undertone.

How can one "try" to get an evening time on a FP ticket? Can you request a certain time be printed on one?

 

[tinkermomma]

Most likely because at the time the economy was seriously damaged with little on the horizon that pointed to any kind of recovery.

Maybe that's the reason for the steep ticket increases... They need to build more parking

 

[tinkermomma]

As for the parking situation, yeah thats really bad, but not surprising. Of course I COULD go into a rant that its sad America doesnt invest in the infrastructure and public transportation like so many countries worldwide. These parks would cut down the parking TREMENDOUSLY if there was public rail to get people to and from the parks in an efficient and organized manner. I taken the trains in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong that litterally drops you off at the entrance of the Disney resorts and in America is the ONLY place for Disney parks where you still have to haul in your car as the ONLY option to get to these parks basically. But I digress!

Anyway I know why Al spent a great amount of time discussing the AP situation since it is big news obviously but I wouldve liked to heard more about CL and BVS! I love the BVS newspapers though and it sounds like 13th-15th is going to be a rollicking party for the press and VIPS. Wow, I cant WAIT until next month!!!!!!!!!

Totally agree on the public transportation issue (personally I really enjoy taking the train there but it could be way more steamilined IMO)

Ditto about newspapers. I can't wait to see that. Also big : on the CMs using iPads to make reservations. Great idea!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Regarding the gridlock - absolutely. On very busy days, Micky and Friends parking garage has been known to back up ONTO the freeway. It causes issues on the freeway and the surrounding streets.

As for your taxi ride, if he takes back streets, you should be okay and depending upon your time of arrival and when the craziness begins (the great unknown) you could be okay. If it were me, I might see if there is a flat-rate shuttle I could take. I think SuperShuttle picks up at Amtrak -- but not sure on this. Just a thought for you.

- Dreams

I took Amtrak to Anaheim from the north last Friday and then took ART to Disneyland. My train arrived at 1:08, ART #15 arrived on schedule at 1:20 and I was at Disneyland at 1:30.

I then walked with my luggage through the Esplanade, with a security guard as an escort becuase my bags were not searched. The price is $3 for one trip for an adult. Because I was travelling alone, this made more sense to me than paying $15+ for a taxi.

ART may not be faster but at least it's a flat fare; you are not stuck in traffic going nowhere while your fare continues to climb! -- Suzanne

 

[pixiewings71]

How can one "try" to get an evening time on a FP ticket? Can you request a certain time be printed on one?

No, but the return times are posted so you would know what the time is prior to getting your FP.

 

[fctiger]

How can one "try" to get an evening time on a FP ticket? Can you request a certain time be printed on one?

No, you just got to time it basically! But I imagine with RSR, that wont be hard at all as they will FLY the first few weeks/months anyway! So if you are not there at opening to get a FP chances are it will be an evening one anyway...assuming they will still have them.

And like others said you can STILL use the FP anytime after return time no problem! So its not an issue for now until Disney enforces it. That said, I do know some CMs frown upon it if you are REALLY past your return time. A few hours is common, but some people come back 8+ hours later and I know thats frustrating for some, but its still perfectly ok to do it!

 

[DISHoppy]

No, you just got to time it basically! But I imagine with RSR, that wont be hard at all as they will FLY the first few weeks/months anyway! So if you are not there at opening to get a FP chances are it will be an evening one anyway...assuming they will still have them.

Once everyone catches on where they are located.

-Kevin

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

The official schedule for the media days was released today. Here are some highlights.

6/13
6:00pm Red Carpet Arrivals
8:20pm Cars Land Grand Opening Ceremony

6/14 (DCA closed)
Performances off and on all day: Pixar Play Parade, Five & Dime, Red Car News Boys, Maestro Goofy Conducts the Fountains (Melody Time??).
Premiere of Mad T Party in the evening.
Updated World of Color.

6/15
8:00am Grand Reopening of Disney California Adventure

 

[fctiger]

The official schedule for the media days was released today. Here are some highlights.

6/13
6:00pm Red Carpet Arrivals
8:20pm Cars Land Grand Opening Ceremony

6/14 (DCA closed)
Performances off and on all day: Pixar Play Parade, Five & Dime, Red Car News Boys, Maestro Goofy Conducts the Fountains (Melody Time??).
Premiere of Mad T Party in the evening.
Updated World of Color.

6/15
8:00am Grand Reopening of Disney California Adventure

Wow cool!! But thats interesting there was suppose to be another show on the 13th. I wonder if it got cancelled? Lots of changes happening so not surprised if it did. BTW, where did you get this list?

 

[taaren]

Regarding the gridlock - absolutely. On very busy days, Micky and Friends parking garage has been known to back up ONTO the freeway. It causes issues on the freeway and the surrounding streets.

As for your taxi ride, if he takes back streets, you should be okay and depending upon your time of arrival and when the craziness begins (the great unknown) you could be okay. If it were me, I might see if there is a flat-rate shuttle I could take. I think SuperShuttle picks up at Amtrak -- but not sure on this. Just a thought for you.

- Dreams

I took Amtrak to Anaheim from the north last Friday and then took ART to Disneyland. My train arrived at 1:08, ART #15 arrived on schedule at 1:20 and I was at Disneyland at 1:30.

I then walked with my luggage through the Esplanade, with a security guard as an escort becuase my bags were not searched. The price is $3 for one trip for an adult. Because I was travelling alone, this made more sense to me than paying $15+ for a taxi.

ART may not be faster but at least it's a flat fare; you are not stuck in traffic going nowhere while your fare continues to climb! -- Suzanne

Thanks Dreams and Suzanne. I was contemplating seeing if I could hitch a ride on one of the CM buses but then couldn't figure out how to walk through the esplanade with luggage (and DS5!).

I think with the 3 pieces of luggage we'll have (if I'm lucky - this is the middle part of a month long trip), ART probably won't be a way to go, but Supershuttle is definitely something I'll keep in mind! I made a tentative car rental reservation in case DH is able to come since he doesn't mind driving in SoCal and will be flying out of SD so that might work, and if he doesn't come and its just me and DS5 I'll take Amtrak and a shuttle. I think the train I plan on taking gets in around 10:15 since that's the one that allows people to take luggage ... hopefully most AP's will be trying to get there by 8a?

 

[jlmarr]

The 17th should be a crazy day for traffic. I see that the Angels are playing a home game at 12:30 and the boy band One Direction will be at the Honda Center that night, and those are the two places Al Lutz said the CM's would be directed to park instead of the regular CM lots.

 

[2boysmom1998]

He mentioned that the 17th and 24th are going to be packed. I wonder what the crowds will be like on the 15th and 16th in relation to the 17th. Any speculations?

I'm planning on going to DL the 20th and 25th. What will the traffic be like then I wonder. We couldn't get a hotel near Disneyland this time so, we will have to park. Reading about the expected crowds is pretty scary.

 

[fctiger]

I'm planning on going to DL the 20th and 25th. What will the traffic be like then I wonder. We couldn't get a hotel near Disneyland this time so, we will have to park. Reading about the expected crowds is pretty scary.

The honest answer, the ONLY answer really is to hope for the best, but plan for the worse! Thats really the only thing that can be said at this point IF you are going the first few weeks of opening! I have a feeling every day in June and probably July the park will be slammed! Sure some days will be better than others, but its going to be b-u-s-y regardless!

I think the days you are going MIGHT be a little better since they are on a weekday vs the weekend, but yeah it will still be crazy!

The one good thing is you got about 10 days after opening to see how bad it is base on the reports and can plan accordingly.

But honestly, this is for anyone who plans to go anytime in June after the 15th: Go EARLY, grab as many FPs as you can, prioritize what you really want to do the most before you go and keep a positive attitude! Thats really the best, most sensible advice anytime you go to these parks and they are packed to the gills!

Oh and wear comfortable walking shoes!