November Check In 2010

[DisneyMomma81]

Soooooo exited Just booked our PS's for our trip. I also asked for park hours for the duration of our trip since they weren't posted. Our dates in the park are the 23-26 ( that's the day before Thanksgiving, day of, and day after). For all three days the hours are 8am-12am for Disneyland park and 10am-10am for California Adventure park. There will be 2 showing of WOC all three days. I didn't ask about fantasmic because it didn't pertain to our dinning. Morning magic on Thanksgiving day.

We booked a Plaza Inn breakfast on the 24th @ 8:30. that will give us time to get pictures with Donold Duck if he is out that morning. We've been every year for the last 7 years durning different seasons and we always miss him. We also booked an Ariels Grotto WOC dinner, 1st show. In case you were wondering, if you have a little ones under 3, you won't need a pass for WOC.

It is so much fun to get those reservations made! Congratulations! Did they let you make ressies for Thanksgiving Day? I am going to be very annoyed if they did because I was told I had to wait until Monday. Thanks for the update on the hours. I can plug that into my info!

I was just told the same thing.... Should've been able to reserve meals through Fri. 11/26.....

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I was just told the same thing.... Should've been able to reserve meals through Fri. 11/26.....

Thanksgiving at the hotel was the only meal they said I had to wait for Monday to book. I didn't even ask about it, they made sure to mention that before I requested any of meals. I don't think i'm going to book anymeals for that day anyway. I've heard conflicting reports about crowd levels and I think it would be safer to play that day by ear. Even if that means ordering Tony romas.

 

[mariezp]

Good morning November travelers! Nothing big and new to report today. Just waiting to get through on the Disney line to make my Thanksgiving Day plans. Just wondering if anyone else is having trouble with the Disney phone line. I called too early and it was fine but now that it is after they open I am getting just one long crazy ring. Anyone else? Guess I will just keep trying and peruse the Dis while I wait.

We only have 43 days to go!!!!

 

[Queenbillabong]

A sister trip! How fun! And it will be even more special to show her around the park for her first time. I would hope the park hours should be coming out next week. Seems like some of the character meals at least would open before 10:00. Or, maybe Carnation Cafe? I wish I could help more but we never eat breakfast in the park.

Looking at the two weeks before we go, the park hours listed are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., so shorter hours (which is fine). We'll probably end up going to WW Snacks or something like that, which is fine. It was strange, even La Brea Bakery had nothing until 10:00 a.m., same with Carnation Cafe on MM mornings (Tues/Thurs) as well. I'm sure we'll find something good for brekkie We did book Ariel's WOC for Weds (Nov 17), so we're excited about that. I'm crossing my fingers about the Holiday Tour (hopefully it's not just weekends).

We only have 43 days to go!!!!

 

[billwendy]

Hi Everyone - where can I find the Parade/Fireworks/WOC info for Nov???? Do you think we will need anything special (picnic/meal) to be able to see WOC during the week the week before thanksgiving?

 

[mariezp]

Well, I kept dialing and finally made it through on the phone lines. I ended up waiting on hold for 30 minutes. It's times like that when I really despise tiny rinky dink modern phones! I really could have used one of those old bulky headsets with the shoulder rest! I suppose if I was really up to date I would just have an ear piece. Anyway.... I did get my reservation made for Thanksgiving evening at Blue Bayou per DS's request. It will be our last meal in the park so I think that will be a good ending for our trip. He also requested Plaza Inn for our Thanksgiving Day lunch so looks like we will be fighting the crowd for our midday meal or venturing out of the park if my impatient bunch decides to give up. Ether way we will be at Disneyland Thanksgiving Day and I won't have to cook!

Looking at the two weeks before we go, the park hours listed are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., so shorter hours (which is fine). We'll probably end up going to WW Snacks or something like that, which is fine. It was strange, even La Brea Bakery had nothing until 10:00 a.m., same with Carnation Cafe on MM mornings (Tues/Thurs) as well. I'm sure we'll find something good for brekkie We did book Ariel's WOC for Weds (Nov 17), so we're excited about that. I'm crossing my fingers about the Holiday Tour (hopefully it's not just weekends).

Shorter hours sounds bad to some folks but I know we are always satisfied by the time 8:00 rolls around. A full day in the park, even until 8:00, can be pretty tiring. If the crowds cooperate and are low as they should be in the "off season" then you can actually get a lot more done in a shorter amount of time so it generally works out well anyway. It also gives you more time to rest up for the next big day!
I am pretty sure you will be able to find something for breakfast too. You may just not end up with a big sit down meal. WOC here we all come!!! I hope it is amazing! I'm not sure about the days they do the tour. We took ours on a Sunday. I would think that since they only have them for a limited amount of time and a limited number of people they would do as many as possible. Here's hoping!

Hi Everyone - where can I find the Parade/Fireworks/WOC info for Nov???? Do you think we will need anything special (picnic/meal) to be able to see WOC during the week the week before thanksgiving?

Right now the Disney calendar is still only showing up to the 10th. Hopefully, they will update soon. We just have to keep checking. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendar/#monthly
Personally, I'm not taking any chances with WOC. I booked us one of the dining packages rather than take a chance with the fastpasses. They no doubt will be pretty busy during that week.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Currently on hold for Disney Dining ~ after one really long ring I got through ~ I've been holding for 17 minutes now!

Ok ~ I'm done *for now* we have Storyteller's on Thanksgiving day at 5pm *but now that DS is 10 and Disney considers him an adult *yes he does eat like one - he out eats me, but still it's a lot of $$$ so maybe our Turkey Day big meal will be at Mimi's *do they take reservations?? ETA ~ yes they do starting 10/1 you can make reservations for a Thanksgiving meal at the Harbor Blvd Mimi's* *we are staying at HoJo* we'd stop by for lunch on our way back for our afternoon nap, heck maybe we'll get it to go *Thanksgiving day will be an early one for us we'll use our MM - this will also be my 1st time driving to DLR *I'm not worried ~ I drove to Seattle a couple years ago and I've driven to the bottom of UT *I live near the top* twice this year* we'll leave Wed. after I have worked 6 hours! I plan to come in at 6am *I usually start my day at 9am - so we'll get to HoJo's late Wed. nite.

I also got BB @ 11:30 on Friday the 26th - and that's it for now - this needs to be a cheap trip. Maybe we'll do the WOC picnic - it worked out well for DD and I in July.

I'm excited about having a car ~ we can bring food with us/stop by a grocery store!

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

We will be arriving at the DLR the morning of Nov 11th and leaving the evening of Nov 15th. Our room reservations are at the GCH. We have reservations for the Carnation Cafe on Thursday, Nov 11th at 5:10pm and also the Blue Bayou on Saturday, Nov 13th at 1:20pm.

I have started a PTR/TR, which can be found here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=38380940#post38380940

Let the countdown begin!

 

[Jrsy Boy]

I am sure glad you ordered well enough in advance to get it all straightened out before you were already supposed to be on your trip. I do realize mistakes happen but it is so much nicer when everything goes smoothly.

So am I! I have our confirmation now so I am breathing a sigh of relief. It is a bit different from our trip last year, though. Then, we had a voucher for each hopper that we could take right to the turnstile to exchange for the actual hopper. This time, we have one "confirmation" for all three hoppers that we have to take to a ticket window, but I'm expecting to do that sometime on Saturday since we don't hit the parks until Sunday. Wonder if that means we'll get a plastic hopper instead of a paper one...

 

[FlameGirl]

Making dining ressies always makes our trip seem real...just got off the phone with Disney Dining and made our PS for Naples on Nov 25 and RFC on Nov 26th. I hope the rest of the PS phone calls I have to make over the next week or so go a little better - I was in hold for about 10 minutes. Must be busy! Anyway....yay! It's getting closer!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I changed our Ariel's Grotto/WOC dinner time from 6:40 to 5:40. I read that WOC line up starts at 7 and we needed time for potty runs, snack grabbing, and stroller parking.

I also found out that F! will be showing everynight, two showings, during Thanksgiving week.

 

[billwendy]

I changed our Ariel's Grotto/WOC dinner time from 6:40 to 5:40. I read that WOC line up starts at 7 and we needed time for potty runs, snack grabbing, and stroller parking.

I also found out that F! will be showing everynight, two showings, during Thanksgiving week.

Do you think the week before Thanksgiving I'd need a ressie at one of the restaurants to see WOC???

 

[RedRosePrincess]

I just got off of the phone with in-house reservations with HOJO because I was looking to upgrade from our standard room to a Disney premium room but they said they were all sold out. Maybe them being sold out is an indication that it will be busy during Veterans Day weekend (my stay is Nov. 10-13). Now I'm thinking of changing hotels completely.

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

Making dining ressies always makes our trip seem real...just got off the phone with Disney Dining and made our PS for Naples on Nov 25 and RFC on Nov 26th. I hope the rest of the PS phone calls I have to make over the next week or so go a little better - I was in hold for about 10 minutes. Must be busy! Anyway....yay! It's getting closer!

I also called to make PS today for the Carnation Cafe and was on hold for over 25mins! The CM mentioned that they had issues with the phones earlier in the day and once the lines were back up it was chaos. I have always wanted to try Naples, but with 4 adults and 2 children who think they are adults it is difficult getting everyone to settle on one place. Maybe one of these days I will just book it and tell them tough noogies!

 

[FlameGirl]

I also called to make PS today for the Carnation Cafe and was on hold for over 25mins! The CM mentioned that they had issues with the phones earlier in the day and once the lines were back up it was chaos. I have always wanted to try Naples, but with 4 adults and 2 children who think they are adults it is difficult getting everyone to settle on one place. Maybe one of these days I will just book it and tell them tough noogies!

We really like Naples and it has become our "first night tradition". We LOVE the balloon guys that come around and always make sure we have cash for a big tip for them.

 

[Aussie Princess]

I just got off of the phone with in-house reservations with HOJO because I was looking to upgrade from our standard room to a Disney premium room but they said they were all sold out. Maybe them being sold out is an indication that it will be busy during Veterans Day weekend (my stay is Nov. 10-13). Now I'm thinking of changing hotels completely.

Wow thats a bad sign lucky i booked 2 mths ago before they announced the Holiday dates...

now im worried we are spending both the Saturday and Sunday in the parks i dont mind the crowds but will have to be smart at the MM on the Saturday...

 

[DisneyParkFan]

Yeah, I got through today and was able to make reservations for A Disney Family Thansgiving buffet in the grandballroom of the Disneyland Hotel. Also made A World of Color premium seating dinner package at Wine Country Trattoria on Saturday during my stay. I read somewhere here that the Holiday Time at Disneyland tour was only on the weekends. Is this true? I was hoping to also do this on Friday during my vacation. Anyone been during Thanksgiving weekend before and know if this is true?
Thanks!

 

[scrappychar]

I was just at the Disneyland site trying to find a schedule, I am trying to plan my days, I thought it was up there, but it doesn't appear to be. Any idea when it will be posted?

Char

 

[goofycathy]

33 days!!!

 

[Think I'm Tink]

We loved the Panama Canal cruise that we did. It went from Long Beach, Ca to Miami, FL. We are looking at doing another one in Dec. 2011 form FL to Ca.

It is our second best. Alaska is our first pick for cruises.

That's really good to know! We've never cruised before but ever since I was a little girl and didn't even know you could take a vacation cruise through the Panama Canal, I wanted to. I thought that only things like freight ships could go through it. Now I'm livin' the dream! And we're adding Disneyland before we leave because it's been 11 years since we were there last - took the kids and it was only Disneyland Park at that time. California Adventure was still under construction! I can't wait to get back there!