Official DL July 2015 thread

[Congo Queen]

I learned that 5 days is the max for tickets-I had no clue!!! So now I need 3 days of stuff to fill in the area. I'll take any suggestions!! Preferably nothing more than a half hour or so drive (we need to rent a car now)

Here are a couple ideas. There is a movie theater in Downtown Disney so you could take one day to hang out at your hotel pool and see a movie (they are playing Inside Out and Jurassic World now) and shop at DD. Not sure when your travel dates are but if you like baseball and the Angels are playing a home game you could watch a game at Angel's Stadium. There is also the beach - many nice ones to choose from in Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar or even Laguna but that is a bit farther. There is also the Orange County Museum of Art which is a really nice museum located next to Fashion Island in Newport Beach which is an upscale outdoor mall. The museum is about to open two shows - one on contemporary artists from China and one on Robert Rauschenberg.

 

[disneycat321]

I learned that 5 days is the max for tickets-I had no clue!!! So now I need 3 days of stuff to fill in the area. I'll take any suggestions!! Preferably nothing more than a half hour or so drive (we need to rent a car now)

Beaches! Newport and Huntington are close and they're both great. You could eat at Ruby's Diner at the end of the pier in Huntington Beach - great easy stroll out there and a beautiful lunch location. Good food, too! Irvine Spectrum is a nice outdoor shopping center if you're into that. They have a really nice movie theater, restaurants, and stores. I see you have a little one - I've heard Pretend City in Irvine is fun for little kids. There's also the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana - it's right down the 5 from Disneyland. It's big enough to have stuff to do and look at, but not so big as to be overwhelming. You could have dinner at Medieval Times in Buena Park - SUPER fun for the whole family. If you like fairs, you'll be there during the Orange County Fair (July 17- August 16), which is about 25 minutes away down the 5 and the 55. I'm not a huge fair person, but I do like that one! It's cleaner and nicer than most fairs I've been to.

Just some ideas. I lived in Orange County for close to 10 years.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

Are their choices for the lanyards?

 

[lorijohnhill]

No. You get at WDTC blue lanyard and a Disneyland pin.

ETA: there is no choice for pin either.

 

[alicat8]

Thank you for the tips! Movies and baseball games are probably out (for me anyway-my husband is planning on seeing a game) because of the 3 year old. Don't think she's ready yet. I've been thinking about doing a beach day, and malls, fairs, museums are always good. You guys are awesome!

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

I hear that Knott's Berry Farm is very close (might even be a city bus there) and if you buy your tickets online, very reasonable. From what I understand, they have a great Snoopy themed kids area.

 

[HappiestHaunt]

Two days to Trip time! Whohoooooo...So looking forward to the time off and time with my hubby and DD. DD is looking forward to having a first and likely last visit with Grandma at the park On 7/3. One more work day before the vacation starts. Who knew time moved backwards!

 

[elaine amj]

Please do let us know how your trip goes!!! The first of our July peeps

 

[lauritagoddess]

I hear that Knott's Berry Farm is very close (might even be a city bus there) and if you buy your tickets online, very reasonable. From what I understand, they have a great Snoopy themed kids area.

You can take the ART to Knotts. We've done this before, it's not a long trip and it's nice and easy to get to.

 

[alicat8]

Two days to Trip time! Whohoooooo...So looking forward to the time off and time with my hubby and DD. DD is looking forward to having a first and likely last visit with Grandma at the park On 7/3. One more work day before the vacation starts. Who knew time moved backwards!

Woooo have a great trip!! I can't believe how fast ours is coming up!

I think we'll be skipping Knott's. If it weren't backed RIGHT up to Disney, I'd think about it, but you just can't follow Disney with a non-Disney park. (Well, I can't ) I can't remember if I've said it already, but we decided to rent a car for our last 3 days. So we'll have a little more freedom to play it by ear and see what we're up to. Less than 4 weeks!

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

We leave the day after tomorrow but won't be in the parks until Monday!

 

[elaine amj]

Woooo have a great trip!! I can't believe how fast ours is coming up!

I think we'll be skipping Knott's. If it weren't backed RIGHT up to Disney, I'd think about it, but you just can't follow Disney with a non-Disney park. (Well, I can't ) I can't remember if I've said it already, but we decided to rent a car for our last 3 days. So we'll have a little more freedom to play it by ear and see what we're up to. Less than 4 weeks!

Good plan to rent a car. I found a good deal on Costco for Avis...worth checking out?

 

[alicat8]

Good plan to rent a car. I found a good deal on Costco for Avis...worth checking out?

Actually there were good deals everywhere...most were about $40 a day, which is about a hundred less a day than our northern Cali rentals!! We're not Costco members, but I may see what BJs has

 

[Thundergod]

Is there enough water in California to take showers?

 

[flightBOS]

Just finished planning my first trip for the family...very excited! July 18-24 (a bit last minute), staying at DLH. Let me know how your stays and the crowds are!

 

[alicat8]

I've been a little nervous about how busy the nighttime shows are going to be, so I've been googling some tips. There are some good ones in the comments here:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...night-parade-and-disneyland-foreverfireworks/

And some good ones here-they say people are reserving spots as early as 5 pm!! Yikes!!
https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/best-viewing-paint-night-parade-disneyland/
http://dlrprepschool.com/all-about-parades-at-disneyland/

Main tips:
Get there early
Watch in front of Small World (and stay to see the fireworks)
Bring a blanket to hold your spot and take turns watching it

 

[Congo Queen]

It is July 1st!!!! Only a matter of days now until I am basking in the glories of Dland:

• Seeing the Matterhorn from the I5 freeway on arrival
• Tiki Room garden then singing my head off like the birdies sing
• Talking skull asks me if I am "seeking adventure and salty old pirates"
• Mark Twain whistles its arrival at the dock
• Carousel calliope music
• Paper lanterns glowing over the teacups at night
• Pressing down the gas pedal so my daughter can steer her Autopia hot rod
• Sitting upstairs on the Main Street omnibus
• TSMM hand cramp at end of ride
• Husband inevitably the most drenched on GRR
• Manhattan w two cherries at the CCT lounge
• Dancing w my kids to Sha Boom Life Could Be a Dream at the Carsland neon lighting
• Sinking bar stool at Trader Sam's

 

[HappiestHaunt]

We are super excited and are hoping to make Peter Pans flight the first stop tomorrow morning! It is hard to believe it is here! Lots of firsts for us this trip: first time staying so close, first time eating at Steakhouse 55, Visiting Trader Sam's, a first BB visit for the hubby and DD, and a first visit with Grandma at the parks. No matter what, it is going to be an incredible trip and one of many memories. After all, the worst day at the parks is better than a normal day outside it!

 

[alicat8]

I know we have a lot of DL pros on here, but for the DW vets, here's a list of things you can FP at DL and DCA. I haven't been in 8 (9???!) years, and I always forget that you can't FP Peter Pan!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29092-c3632/Anaheim:California:Disneyland.Fastpass.Tips.html

 

[HappiestHaunt]

So far the first day has been great! Wrapped up the first half with Grizzly rapids rides (in the heat and humidity this is fantastic!). Took a hotel break with Cold Stone and Pool time. Heading back to the parks for evening fun (fireworks and paint the night). We plan on doing the second show and just try to watch the fireworks.