**** Official 2014 AUGUST - Disneyland thread ****

[CoachTI]

Will be there August 4-7 for the first part of my honeymoon (Aulani 2nd part). First visit. Any suggestions on any "magical" activities for honeymooners?

 

[peterpanandwendy]

Hi fellow August travelers!

We are coming from August 11-15, with our dd (1) and DS (3). We are coming from Vancouver BC and this will be our little ones's first times. The last time we were there was 4 years ago, so we haven't seen new CA yet. I'm so excited!

We are staying at the hojo, and have dinner reservations for big thunder ranch on Tuesday, and blue bayou on Wednesday. We want to do an early breakfast at GK one morning too.

We went for our honeymoon, and it was amazing! Tell the city hall it is your honeymoon a and they will give you buttons to wear that get you a whole bunch of extra fun stuff, like possibly free desserts in the park

We are # 2 on the list. I have my set budget, with all my cash allocated I to envelopes/day... But if I see something special, than that is what Visa is for

 

[Aladora]

Will be there August 4-7 for the first part of my honeymoon (Aulani 2nd part). First visit. Any suggestions on any "magical" activities for honeymooners?

Welcome DH and I went to DL for our honeymoon and we are heading back for our 15th anniversary!

Hi fellow August travelers! We are coming from August 11-15, with our dd (1) and DS (3). We are coming from Vancouver BC and this will be our little ones's first times. The last time we were there was 4 years ago, so we haven't seen new CA yet. I'm so excited! We are staying at the hojo, and have dinner reservations for big thunder ranch on Tuesday, and blue bayou on Wednesday. We want to do an early breakfast at GK one morning too. We went for our honeymoon, and it was amazing! Tell the city hall it is your honeymoon a and they will give you buttons to wear that get you a whole bunch of extra fun stuff, like possibly free desserts in the park We are # 2 on the list. I have my set budget, with all my cash allocated I to envelopes/day... But if I see something special, than that is what Visa is for

Hello and welcome! It seems as though the Canadians and specifically British Columbians are taking over the park this August!

 

[tiffjoy]

I'm getting really excited! I just made all our dining reservations over the past few days. I don't make that many, but I'm excited for the ones we are going to do.

Steakhouse 55 for dinner our arrival day, Storytellers for lunch for my DD4's birthday lunch, and Surf's Up character breakfast for our departure day. I also made DD4's BBB reservation for our first day in the park as she said she won't possibly be able to think about anything else until we do that. I'm so very proud of her- she has saved all the money to do the Castle Package! It's been a great lesson in patience and saving for her, and I think it will be really exciting for her to experience the payoff of all that (as well as understand how much money it really is!).

Only one more reservation to go- the Discover the Magic tour for the birthday, and I have to wait until 30 days out for that.

It's getting close, everyone!

 

[dec2009mama]

My son will be 4 years and 8 months for our august trip – I am wondering if he would like the Discover the Magic tour??

We have been to DL numerous times with him – think this will be his 7th trip with us and reading the write up on this it may be something different to do for our aug trip

We have a trip palned in dec for this 5th b-day but then I’d like to do the "Holiday Time at Disneyland" Tour and I dont want two tours in one trip.

Thoughts on DTM tour for a 4 year old?

 

[tiffjoy]

My son will be 4 years and 8 months for our august trip – I am wondering if he would like the Discover the Magic tour??

We have been to DL numerous times with him – think this will be his 7th trip with us and reading the write up on this it may be something different to do for our aug trip

We have a trip palned in dec for this 5th b-day but then I’d like to do the "Holiday Time at Disneyland" Tour and I dont want two tours in one trip.

Thoughts on DTM tour for a 4 year old?

We haven't done it, but we are going to with our 2 1/2 and just turning 5 DDs. I've read reviews and it seems perfect for kids. The only thing I read was there is a lot of walking, but DH is fine carrying when needed and we will have a stroller.

I'm really excited about it! It sounds like a blast!

 

[dec2009mama]

We haven't done it, but we are going to with our 2 1/2 and just turning 5 DDs. I've read reviews and it seems perfect for kids. The only thing I read was there is a lot of walking, but DH is fine carrying when needed and we will have a stroller.

I'm really excited about it! It sounds like a blast!

We will have a stroller too -- its eaiser to throw DS in the stroller when in DL than dragging him thru the crowds
For this type of tour he may walk most of it but we will have the stroller with us as well.......

Hmmmm.....something for me to discuss with hubby -- esp cause we are AP holders and do get a discount

 

[Rubygoose]

My son will be 4 years and 8 months for our august trip – I am wondering if he would like the Discover the Magic tour??

We have been to DL numerous times with him – think this will be his 7th trip with us and reading the write up on this it may be something different to do for our aug trip

We have a trip palned in dec for this 5th b-day but then I’d like to do the "Holiday Time at Disneyland" Tour and I dont want two tours in one trip.

Thoughts on DTM tour for a 4 year old?

We did this tour last summer. It was fantastic! They only offer it on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. We picked Sunday because it was DD's 6th birthday (and this was part of her birthday celebration.) The parks were really busy, so it was great doing this tour because we got to go through the exit to ride Pirates, Jungle Cruise and Buzz. It was a lot of walking, and DS3.5 got pretty tired by the end of it. We didn't bring our stroller on the tour, and they let us park it in the tour gardens. We did have one parent in our group with a stroller, but I think her son walked most of the time and she found it to be a bit of a nuisance. We also had a lady in an ECV in our group, and she normally stayed at the back of the group with the 2nd tour guide. You end up visiting each Land in Disneyland over 2.5 hours, so it is a lot of ground to cover, but the tour guides make it really fun. You can read about the tour in my July trip report (I think it's on page 4) but don't read it if you want to be surprised by the "treasure hunt" because I give away where all of the treasure chests are hidden!

 

[wakica]

Hi guys! I just booked what I consider to be a last minute trip since I usually plan WDW trips a year in advance for myself and my 9yo. We're going Aug 1st-6th. I have a non-dis question, and I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but has anyone done one of the Hollywood/Warner Bros Studio tours from Anaheim and if so who did you use and how was it? There are so many places offering them but I see mixed reviews online for most of them. Considering the cost it makes me leery without hearing from someone directly that used a company that they liked. TIA

I will add your info on to our first page. I agree, it would be last minute for me too. We always know what our next trip is and start planning about a year in advance too.

I can't tell you about any tours - our first time in California! I hope someone can though.

Will be there August 4-7 for the first part of my honeymoon (Aulani 2nd part). First visit. Any suggestions on any "magical" activities for honeymooners?

and congrats on your upcoming wedding!!! When is the big day?

Hi fellow August travelers!

We are coming from August 11-15, with our dd (1) and DS (3). We are coming from Vancouver BC and this will be our little ones's first times. The last time we were there was 4 years ago, so we haven't seen new CA yet. I'm so excited!

We are staying at the hojo, and have dinner reservations for big thunder ranch on Tuesday, and blue bayou on Wednesday. We want to do an early breakfast at GK one morning too.

You will feel right at home here! There are lots of us Canadians in the August group - especially from BC it seems.
I will add your info to the front page

I'm getting really excited! I just made all our dining reservations over the past few days. I don't make that many, but I'm excited for the ones we are going to do.

Steakhouse 55 for dinner our arrival day, Storytellers for lunch for my DD4's birthday lunch, and Surf's Up character breakfast for our departure day. I also made DD4's BBB reservation for our first day in the park as she said she won't possibly be able to think about anything else until we do that. I'm so very proud of her- she has saved all the money to do the Castle Package! It's been a great lesson in patience and saving for her, and I think it will be really exciting for her to experience the payoff of all that (as well as understand how much money it really is!).

It's getting close, everyone!

I know!!!! It's SSOOOO exciting! We have our DL accomodations, 6 Flags accomodations, San Francisco accomodations all taken care of. Now just to work on Bodie, San Simeon, and Huntington Beach area! The more places I book the more excited I get!!!! lol

 

[dec2009mama]

I can make my dining reservations soon and I am really on the fence about Big Thunder BBQ

My 4 year old will eat close to nothing there but DH and I would love to have some BBQ -- is there any consideration for young kids that won't eat the BBQ -- I will buy a desert which he could eat since I am paying for that on its own but to pay $14+ for DS who won't touch a thing I can't justify....

anyone had similar experiences?

 

[Mimi2Cam]

My husband and I are traveling with our 5 year old grandson Aug 18-24. We've booked Hojo's and though I've second guessed it a thousand times already, that's where we'll probably end up. (I would be curious if anyone prefers Candy Cane, btw.

Anyway, I fall into the category of budgeting (but on the higher side) and as I am able to find deals, I add the savings to fun things, like souvenirs or special treats. And I have money taken out of my paychecks all year to use for our vacations. i am definitely a planner.

 

[Aladora]

61 days until we arrive in DL!

I am getting antsy to start making dining reservations!

 

[tiffjoy]

I can make my dining reservations soon and I am really on the fence about Big Thunder BBQ My 4 year old will eat close to nothing there but DH and I would love to have some BBQ -- is there any consideration for young kids that won't eat the BBQ -- I will buy a desert which he could eat since I am paying for that on its own but to pay $14+ for DS who won't touch a thing I can't justify.... anyone had similar experiences?

We haven't gone yet for this very reason. My DDs are not big meat eaters. DD2 won't touch meat still, and DD4 eats sausage and a small amount of chicken but not enough for the BBQ to be worth it. They would likely eat their weight in beans, but it's a lot to pay for that for DD4, and I feel they would be hungry afterwards. (they are not at all picky eaters, they just are not big meat eaters.)

For now, I skip it and figure we will do it in the future.

I do know they will do veggie skewers, which has made me reconsider (and still decide against). If your DS would eat that, it might work out.

 

[tiffjoy]

I know!!!! It's SSOOOO exciting! We have our DL accomodations, 6 Flags accomodations, San Francisco accomodations all taken care of. Now just to work on Bodie, San Simeon, and Huntington Beach area! The more places I book the more excited I get!!!! lol

You have such a fun vacation planned!

If you need any San Francisco tips, let me know!

 

[wakica]

You have such a fun vacation planned!

If you need any San Francisco tips, let me know!

I DOOO - I'm not sure which Ho Ho bus tour to book. They all have mixed ratings

 

[tiffjoy]

I DOOO - I'm not sure which Ho Ho bus tour to book. They all have mixed ratings

You HAD to ask me a question I can't answer!

We have never done a bus tour. I'm just not a fan of them in general, and we have never felt the need to do one here as we can go to each place individually.

I will say I have never heard overwhelmingly good things about any particular company, so I think no matter what you pick, there will likely be both good and bad things.

I don't recall how long you are in the city, but there is also the option of a multi-day MUNI pass (the public transit system inside the city). If there were particular places you wanted to go, you could use that to get to them rather than the bus tour. I looked over the itinerary, and there's nothing you couldn't do on your own with MUNI.

What attractions are you particularily interested in?

 

[hyperminimalism]

So I was worried about being able to get the time off to come down to DL as I work two jobs. It makes things difficult to coordinate, but yesterday I checked the schedule and I got it off! I figured that would be the case, but you never know working retail. I could've gotten my request declined. Either way, now I know I have the week off and my other job is aware that I'll be gone, too, so we're just one more step closer to making things happen. We just have to book the hotel and buy the tickets!

 

[wakica]

Just realized that while I was subscribed to this thread, I think the only posts I have made were the ones from the other day that started with my response to nervous first timer.

We're a party of 8 (5 adults, 3 boys), first time to DL but WDW vets. Splitting our stay between DLH and VGC in mid August (no need to post details on first page, thanks). Our non-park days will be spent on a beach/whale watching tour (Anaheim Tours) and a pool day with Pirate's Dinner Adventure (hoping for an August groupon for that)!

Well we are glad you came out of lurking

My husband and I are traveling with our 5 year old grandson Aug 18-24. We've booked Hojo's and though I've second guessed it a thousand times already, that's where we'll probably end up. (I would be curious if anyone prefers Candy Cane, btw.

Anyway, I fall into the category of budgeting (but on the higher side) and as I am able to find deals, I add the savings to fun things, like souvenirs or special treats. And I have money taken out of my paychecks all year to use for our vacations. i am definitely a planner.

I have heard that people do love Candy Cane but I've heard HoJos has an AMAZING water park so I think you chose well.

61 days until we arrive in DL!

I am getting antsy to start making dining reservations!

You can book now!!! GOO!!!! lol

You HAD to ask me a question I can't answer!

LOL, ok I'll try again! We are staying about a 15 min walk from Fishermans Wharf - on Lombard (about 4 blocks down from the crooked part of it) Is it a safe area to be walking around do you know? We have a HoHo bus stop about a block away and then 4 blocks uphill we can catch the trolly as well so we won't have to do too much walking but just wondered how safe it is around there in case we decide to walk to the wharf.

also we thought about muni but I really don't want to put thought into which bus to catch and where. That's why the HoHo appealed to me. We got a hotel near one of the stops so we can just hop on it and know it will stop at all the attractions we want and its' SUPPOSED to go every 20ish minutes so we don't need to bother with a time schedule much either. Between that and the trolly car we can get to anywhere we want. I just hope the HoHo can stay close to the 20 min intervals. I don't really care about the commentary on the bus - it's mostly transportation for us.

So I was worried about being able to get the time off to come down to DL as I work two jobs. It makes things difficult to coordinate, but yesterday I checked the schedule and I got it off! I figured that would be the case, but you never know working retail. I could've gotten my request declined. Either way, now I know I have the week off and my other job is aware that I'll be gone, too, so we're just one more step closer to making things happen. We just have to book the hotel and buy the tickets!

YAY!!! So glad it worked out well for you! You can only enjoy trip planning so much until you know FOR SURE that you have the time!

 

[wakica]

I'm getting really excited! I just made all our dining reservations over the past few days. I don't make that many, but I'm excited for the ones we are going to do.

Steakhouse 55 for dinner our arrival day, Storytellers for lunch for my DD4's birthday lunch, and Surf's Up character breakfast for our departure day. I also made DD4's BBB reservation for our first day in the park as she said she won't possibly be able to think about anything else until we do that. I'm so very proud of her- she has saved all the money to do the Castle Package! It's been a great lesson in patience and saving for her, and I think it will be really exciting for her to experience the payoff of all that (as well as understand how much money it really is!).

Only one more reservation to go- the Discover the Magic tour for the birthday, and I have to wait until 30 days out for that.

It's getting close, everyone!

If you'd like to confirm the dates of these with you I can put it into the list on the first page. If not - that's ok, no reply necessary

 

[wakica]

We have 67 people in our little August group!!!!

and what an AWESOME group you all are

plus I'm sure there are some lurkers out there too so hello to all our lurkers Please be sure if your lurking to feel free to pop in and out of the conversation whenever you want to! Don't feel you have to get your information added to the first page if you tell us about yourself either. Just a simple mention that I don't need to add your info each time you post info will work. We still want your conversation and totally get that not everyone is comfortable giving out all the details of their trips.