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

[mikedoyleblogger]

We did DL yesturday .....got tons done as we arrived at 7. You must, must get there early....we never would have got all that done otherwise. Came back to our room to have a mid-day nap and were back at the park for our 5 pm reservations at Cafe Orleans. We did fireworks and second Fantasmic. Today it's raining and we are sitting in our room wondering if we should go or not.

YES!!! Rain reduces lines and crowds. If you're hardy enough to go, you'll get lots done today, too!

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Five days exactly from this moment we should be landing at LAX! I packed last night--and that's late packing for me, I'm usually done by now. My life's goal is to always have a carry-on ready-packed for Anaheim. Ryan will fold and roll his clothes closer to Friday--but I'll still pack for him, too. Other than that second round of packing, CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[carriep]

4 more days and I'll be on the road to Disney. Can not wait!

 

[Aladora]

It is getting REALLY REALLY REALLY hard not to tell DS about the trip!!! Only two more weeks until we tell him and 2 weeks 1 day until we head to Seattle.

I've probably written about this earlier in the thread but how to get to Seattle is the last thing that I need to decide for the trip.

I'm still debating between the two ferries, either the Coho from Victoria to Port Angeles and then driving to Seattle or the BC Ferry from Victoria to Tsawwassen and then driving across the border to Seattle.

Both ferries take approximately 90 minutes but Port Angeles is a 2 1/4 hr drive to Seattle (using our hotel as a destination via Google maps) where Tsawwassen is a 2 1/2 hour drive.

Coho ferry requires us to get to the terminal 90 minutes before the sailing but the terminal is only 10 minutes from our house. BC ferry requires us to get to the terminal 15 minutes before the sailing if I make a reservation but the terminal is 35 minutes away from our house.

We clear customs here in Victoria if we go on the Coho which is why we have to get to the ferry so early but it is a known amount of time. Yhe border crossing if we go via the BC Ferry is an x-factor, the crossing could be fairly quick or if there is traffic, it could take an hour or more.

The cost for the Coho is $99.25 including reservation but it is in US$. The BC Ferry is $107.60 but that is in Canadian$.

I am leaning towards the Coho because the timings are all known quantities.

I might lose my mind over this.

 

[whoever]

Just realized I'll be there next Thursday... coming up fast...

 

[Rubygoose]

It is getting REALLY REALLY REALLY hard not to tell DS about the trip!!! Only two more weeks until we tell him and 2 weeks 1 day until we head to Seattle.

I've probably written about this earlier in the thread but how to get to Seattle is the last thing that I need to decide for the trip.

I'm still debating between the two ferries, either the Coho from Victoria to Port Angeles and then driving to Seattle or the BC Ferry from Victoria to Tsawwassen and then driving across the border to Seattle.

Both ferries take approximately 90 minutes but Port Angeles is a 2 1/4 hr drive to Seattle (using our hotel as a destination via Google maps) where Tsawwassen is a 2 1/2 hour drive.

Coho ferry requires us to get to the terminal 90 minutes before the sailing but the terminal is only 10 minutes from our house. BC ferry requires us to get to the terminal 15 minutes before the sailing if I make a reservation but the terminal is 35 minutes away from our house.

We clear customs here in Victoria if we go on the Coho which is why we have to get to the ferry so early but it is a known amount of time. Yhe border crossing if we go via the BC Ferry is an x-factor, the crossing could be fairly quick or if there is traffic, it could take an hour or more.

The cost for the Coho is $99.25 including reservation but it is in US$. The BC Ferry is $107.60 but that is in Canadian$.

I am leaning towards the Coho because the timings are all known quantities.

I might lose my mind over this.

Are you staying overnight in Seattle or are you flying that same day? If you're staying overnight, then take BC Ferries because it's a much nicer boat and there's more to do at the terminal. There is absolutely nothing to do at the Coho terminal but sit in your car, and you can't leave and walk around the causeway once you've already checked in. But if you're flying that same day, then do the Coho because you never know how long you'll get stuck at the Peace Arch crossing - could be 20 minutes or could be 3 hours!

 

[Karenann*]

Jumping in here on the August bunch!!! Myself DS24 DS17 and DS turning 16. Our dates are Aug 16-22 and we are staying at the Tropicana. Travelling out of SeaTac so we will head over there Monday night and stay the night before leaving the next morning early for SNA.

The 16th is my son's golden birthday-16 on the 16th (did not really plan that one!) so we will have a nice birthday dinner for him in DTDisney somewhere.

It will be just me and the 3 boys-the smallest family group we have ever had. Last trip was 2012 after CarsLand opened and we are really looking forward to a return trip to Radiator Springs!

Sooo...2 weeks from Tuesday!!!

 

[tiffjoy]

It's a getting ready weekend for us!!!! We did errands yesterday and are cleaning today (I can't stand coming home to a messy house after a vacation). I'll start packing this evening.

I'm crossing fingers for nice weather next week! Hope everyone who is there now is enjoying it! I saw it was raining today, but that should keep crowds low, so it can be viewed as a plus.

 

[wakica]

I'm going this month too! Meeting up with my Mom and her husband there for the Dumbo Double, we'll be there from the 28-3. So excited to get back out to Cali! The only bummer is that HM is getting the holiday refurb a couple days before I get there, I actually considered changing my flight and adding a couple days to my hotel reservation just so I could see it again!

I can see why you be dissapoined to miss HM. We are lucky that it's open our FIRSTday in the parks!!! So of course that's the park we will be in that day!

We leave two weeks from today to begin our drive!! We've had a few changes this week. My DH is actually not going on this trip. So we are getting APs for my boys and I and going back with him in October.

awe, bummer that DH can't make it. Youll still have a super magical time though

Whew I missed a lot on this board this past week. I've been at a wonderful family reunion and celebrating my aunts birthday. Got home yesterday afternoon, and we're leaving tomorrow morning for LA!! Last night I started to get sick though, and went to the doctor and got some meds, I'm not letting anything stop this trip! I figure I'll rent a wheelchair if I'm getting too winded, but I'm determined to enjoy our 4 days in the parks! I'm spending this evening packing and resting as much as I can, and editing my touring plans just a bit. I plan on a lot less running around back and forth and trying to go in order a bit more. We'll see how this works out.

I hope your feeling better already! My dd came home from a week of camp feeling sick good news is she has a week to get over it and then she's pretty much guaranteed a healthy trip... bad news is it could pass on to us!! Time to be extra vigilant with cleaning and taking vitamins!!!

Please add me to the group.

I will be traveling from Montana with my Hubby, DS(11), DD(8) for our second trip to Disneyland Aug 23-Aug 29. A last minute trip we started planning about 2 weeks ago.

We were booked at the Tropicana for all 5 nights, but pulled the trigger today for a huge splurge and will be staying at the GCH the last 4 nights of the trip. (just could not afford to spend a Sat night there, but got a fair deal on the Sun-Thurs)

We will be hitting some museums in LA on arrival and departure day and will have 4 day hopper tickets.

We still talk about our first trip, Halloween 2012 all the time. I couldn't have imagined how magical a Disney trip could be

This board has been AMAZING and really has added to the pleasure of trip planning

I will add you to the list. it IS so magical isn't it?!?!?!

We did DL yesturday .....got tons done as we arrived at 7. You must, must get there early....we never would have got all that done otherwise. Came back to our room to have a mid-day nap and were back at the park for our 5 pm reservations at Cafe Orleans. We did fireworks and second Fantasmic. Today it's raining and we are sitting in our room wondering if we should go or not.

Thanks for the update!!! Keep it up! and I would have TOTALLY gone in the rain

It is getting REALLY REALLY REALLY hard not to tell DS about the trip!!! Only two more weeks until we tell him and 2 weeks 1 day until we head to Seattle.

You've done so good this long I know you can make it a bit longer

Jumping in here on the August bunch!!! Myself DS24 DS17 and DS turning 16. Our dates are Aug 16-22 and we are staying at the Tropicana. Travelling out of SeaTac so we will head over there Monday night and stay the night before leaving the next morning early for SNA.

The 16th is my son's golden birthday-16 on the 16th (did not really plan that one!) so we will have a nice birthday dinner for him in DTDisney somewhere.

It will be just me and the 3 boys-the smallest family group we have ever had. Last trip was 2012 after CarsLand opened and we are really looking forward to a return trip to Radiator Springs!

Sooo...2 weeks from Tuesday!!!

I will add you to the list. We will just miss you! Checking in on the 23rd - I have a 16 year old too

It's a getting ready weekend for us!!!! We did errands yesterday and are cleaning today (I can't stand coming home to a messy house after a vacation). I'll start packing this evening.

I'm crossing fingers for nice weather next week! Hope everyone who is there now is enjoying it! I saw it was raining today, but that should keep crowds low, so it can be viewed as a plus.

It will be a getting ready WEEK for us! yikes SO MUCH TO DO!!!! We have to do back to school shopping, eye appointments, meeting with my boss, all my daughters laundry she brought home from camp, pack up, and get the house in tip top shape bc the inlaws are coming to stay here to dog and house sit while we are gone. Oh and host a supper 2 nights before we leave because all the parents need good bye time so instead of having to take 2 evenings out of our time to visit with them at their places I just invited them all here to get it over with in one day.

 

[wakica]

Question Of The Week!



Tell us a story about something that you, your child, or someone you know has an odd fear of (or a legitimate fear of) from a Disney park

 

[wakica]

Question Of The Week!



Tell us a story about something that you, your child, or someone you know has an odd fear of (or a legitimate fear of) from a Disney park

ME - Soarin - I'm not sure WHY but this ride made me nauseaus so i won't go on it again! I don't get sick on ANY rides so I'm not sure why this ride made me nauseaus

DD16 - Bugs Life show. We took her to see this when she was 5 and she got terrified by the puff of air by the legs! And seeing a big spider. lol. I guess it scarred her because til this day she refuses to go back into that show.

- Haunted Mansion. She will go on it for us but she says it's scary. LOL. Apparently the ride stopped for us a few times in the same spot and it's the MOST terrifying spot we could have been stuck at. LOL.

 

[Rubygoose]

Question Of The Week!



Tell us a story about something that you, your child, or someone you know has an odd fear of (or a legitimate fear of) from a Disney park

I have a legitimate fear (well... I wouldn't say fear, but more like anxiety) of Toon Town. In 2012 DD tripped over the dumbell outside of Goofy's gym and cracked her chin on the pavement. We had to take her to the ER to get stitches.

 

[Aladora]

Question Of The Week! Tell us a story about something that you, your child, or someone you know has an odd fear of (or a legitimate fear of) from a Disney park

I refuse to go on splash mountain. I hate hate hate flume rides.

DS does not like the stretching room at HM.

DH does not enjoy heights and while he has gone on ToT, he and DS have only gone once. It's a bit of a shame, that is one of my favourites!

 

[DHSbutcher]

Well were in the parks today! Our plane landed at 10:15 and we entered disneyland at 12:45. Were super impressed with our hotel, Hyatt regency Orange County. The room is beautiful and were on the 16th floor. It's a 15 minute shuttle ride to and from DL down harbor blvd, which isn't too bad. We decided to try rancho del zocalo for the first time when we got inside the park. It was great. We had originally planned on cafe Orleans but wanted a quicker meal instead. I had the chicken tacos and they were great, even a bit spicy, something you can never find in wdw. We've already had our Mickey beignets too, and just got off pirates! Excited for our next 4 days in the parks ahead!

 

[gerilyne]

Question Of The Week!



Tell us a story about something that you, your child, or someone you know has an odd fear of (or a legitimate fear of) from a Disney park

For me it is Mickey's Fun Wheel- can't bring myself to go on it. Not sure why that is, I use to love ferris wheels when I was a kid. I'll go on any roller coaster, any thrill ride, but that one, no way!

 

[modegard]

Question Of The Week!



Tell us a story about something that you, your child, or someone you know has an odd fear of (or a legitimate fear of) from a Disney park

My only fear in a crowded place like DL is that I will not bite my tongue when someone cuts in line or is rude to someone in my family. We have been bowled over by strollers and scooters, people bud in line and think their time is more valuable than ours, you know how it is. Waiting for a parade or fireworks, standing in a long line for a ride or food, someone always has to bud or have ten family members come join them and physically push to make room for themselves. I am a rule follower at heart and if we are all not together, we do not bud to join the rest of the family. Not even for a bathroom break in a long line ride. If someone has to go, well they miss that ride, they don't bud back in. I have tried to teach the kids to be respectful of people around them, and it has been a challenge when the people around them are not of the same attitude.

The happiest place on earth makes for many hot and grumpy people.

 

[wakica]

I have a legitimate fear (well... I wouldn't say fear, but more like anxiety) of Toon Town. In 2012 DD tripped over the dumbell outside of Goofy's gym and cracked her chin on the pavement. We had to take her to the ER to get stitches.

I heard that story!!! yikes!! STAY AWAY from the DUMBELL!!!!!

I refuse to go on splash mountain. I hate hate hate flume rides.

DS does not like the stretching room at HM.

DH does not enjoy heights and while he has gone on ToT, he and DS have only gone once. It's a bit of a shame, that is one of my favourites!

oh no, Splash is my happy place!!! but ya the stretching room can be a bit creepy for sure!

Well were in the parks today! Our plane landed at 10:15 and we entered disneyland at 12:45. Were super impressed with our hotel, Hyatt regency Orange County. The room is beautiful and were on the 16th floor. It's a 15 minute shuttle ride to and from DL down harbor blvd, which isn't too bad. We decided to try rancho del zocalo for the first time when we got inside the park. It was great. We had originally planned on cafe Orleans but wanted a quicker meal instead. I had the chicken tacos and they were great, even a bit spicy, something you can never find in wdw. We've already had our Mickey beignets too, and just got off pirates! Excited for our next 4 days in the parks ahead!

wow! That was good timing!!!! Tell us more

For me it is Mickey's Fun Wheel- can't bring myself to go on it. Not sure why that is, I use to love ferris wheels when I was a kid. I'll go on any roller coaster, any thrill ride, but that one, no way!

It IS quite tall though isn't it??? I'm going to go on it and I'm ok on those high up ferris wheels unless someone with me thinks it's funny to start rocking it or something

My only fear in a crowded place like DL is that I will not bite my tongue when someone cuts in line or is rude to someone in my family. We have been bowled over by strollers and scooters, people bud in line and think their time is more valuable than ours, you know how it is. Waiting for a parade or fireworks, standing in a long line for a ride or food, someone always has to bud or have ten family members come join them and physically push to make room for themselves. I am a rule follower at heart and if we are all not together, we do not bud to join the rest of the family. Not even for a bathroom break in a long line ride. If someone has to go, well they miss that ride, they don't bud back in. I have tried to teach the kids to be respectful of people around them, and it has been a challenge when the people around them are not of the same attitude.

The happiest place on earth makes for many hot and grumpy people.

that is definitely frustrating. We have not really encountered it as a problem at WDW so I'm really hoping we don't come across it at DL either. I'm like you - a REAL rule follower so we stick together too - I guess it's easier when it's just the 3 of us though hey? compared to your what... 5?

 

[sdchickie]

Waiting for a parade or fireworks, standing in a long line for a ride or food, someone always has to bud or have ten family members come join them and physically push to make room for themselves.

I'm feel the same way, if you want to be in the front row for a parade or show then you AND your family should show up early to claim your spot. At one of the shows in EPCOT I had a guy actually sit in my lap because he and his wife decided to show up 2 min before the show started and try and squeeze in up front. Let me say I had a hard time keeping it polite when I asked him to get off of me!

 

[hyperminimalism]

Question Of The Week!



Tell us a story about something that you, your child, or someone you know has an odd fear of (or a legitimate fear of) from a Disney park

My legit fear would be roller coasters, so BTMRR, Space Mountain, California Screamin'. I've been on all of them before, but I haven't been on BTMRR since before the refurb. I just have a fear that something horrible will happen and I'll die on a ride. I'm a little less inclined to go on the faster ones, so CS is one I probably won't go on this time around. We'll see how I feel about SM and BTMRR.

 

[Aladora]

My only fear in a crowded place like DL is that I will not bite my tongue when someone cuts in line or is rude to someone in my family. We have been bowled over by strollers and scooters, people bud in line and think their time is more valuable than ours, you know how it is.

I have had a few occasions where I have bitten my tongue and one particular one where I did not.

DS is autistic and we have used the GAC in the past and now use the DAS. For anyone who does not know how it was dealt with in the past, it used to be that with a GAC, we would go to a cm at the entrance of the line, showed them the card and we were directed to either the FP line or if there was no fp then we went in via the exit. At TSMM, we went up a small ramp and waited for a cm to let us in and usually there were at least 5 or 6 other families in line.

So, this one time we were waiting and there were maybe 4 families in front of us and a couple more behind us when a large man tried to push past everyone, dragging 2 kids with him. I refused to let him go past and directed him back to the cm. He waved his hand in my face along with a GAC and insisted I let him pass. I told him that he had to go back and talk to the cm and then wait at the back of the line. He waved the card in my face again and shouted "You HAVE to let me pass, *I* have a special pass!" He actually tried to push past me but I would not let him.

I calmly pulled my son's GAC out of my backpack and said "everyone here has one of your 'special passes' so please get yourself back to the end of the line before I call over a CM."

DH told me afterwards that he was going to jump in but decided that letting me deal with it since I clearly had my back up was a wiser choice!

I hate rudeness and try to respond in a polite bit firm manner.