*****Official February 2015 Thread! Come check in and chat!*****

[lalasmama]

I'm at 30 days!

I have my day-to-day basic plan all ready! My pre-trip planning/schedule so far:

Wednesday, Feb 4: Fly into LGB. This is my first time with Jet Blue, but I have heard great things. Non-stop flight, so I'll be landing around 3:45pm, I believe. For future reference, including taxes and fees and such, this was $160 round trip from PDX to LGB and back again. That's about $100 less than Southwest, and about $50 less than my "best price ever" which was right around $200RT on a commuter plane. Taxi to Park Vue Inn, where I will get checked in, unpacked, and maybe head over to DTD for some shopping. Likely a snacky dinner at Trader Sam's, along with a drink, and back to the hotel early for a good night's rest. Get some bottled waters and soda on the way back to the hotel, so that I'm not paying those outrageous prices in the parks!

Thursday, Feb 5: DL hours: 10a-8p. DCA hours: 10a-8p. Sleep in! Breakfast at the hotel, because it's such a late opening! Rope drop at DL, as this is my family's tradition. Lunch: Hot dog or maybe try something new like shish-kabobs from that place in Adventure land. Dinner: 5-cheese Ravioli at that Boardwalk Pasta (or whatever that place is called!). Must-do snacks: Dole Whips! They were closed when we were there last week! No "must do" rides, as I'll just head wherever the lines are shortest. Will stay until closing. Hoping to take some night-time pictures on a nearly-deserted Main Street, as BFF and I did on our trip last year. I'm learning how to enjoy my DD's camera, which is a HUGE step up over the one I bought hubby (both point-n-shoots, but DD's has so many settings, shutter speed options, special lens apps, etc).

Friday, Feb 6: DL: 9a-12a, DCA: 9a-10p. Sleep in! Breakfast at the hotel. Rope Drop, probably at DCA, though I'm not 100% sure, since that's the early entry day there. Lunch: Something new, unsure what yet! Thinking maybe something to go with those promme frites (or however it's spelled!) maybe. Dinner: DH surprised me with a ressie at Blue Bayou, so I'll be doing their surf-n-turf, I'm sure. Must-do snacks: No idea yet! Can the Fish-n-Chips at Golden Horseshoe Saloon be considered a snack? Probably not. Must-do rides: Anything I can get done in DCA in the early morning, or when crowds are low. Staying from open to closing. Will likely spend a fair amount of time just soaking in the atmosphere, as I did on my last solo trips.

Saturday, Feb 7: DL: 8a-12a, DCA: 8a-10p. Rope drop, again, likely at DL. Breakfast at the hotel, unless I sleep in too late, in which case, Starbucks will be acceptable! Lunch: hot dog. I love their hot dog buns! Dinner: No clue. Perhaps my 5-cheese Ravioli again, perhaps whatever strikes my fancy. Must-do snacks: Anything and everything! Must-do rides: Anything I haven't already ridden that not closed! Staying from open to close!

Sunday, Feb 8: Travel day back home. Plane takes off at 10a, so I'll be out of the hotel around 7:30a, and head back to the airport via taxi again. Good think I will have slept in the last several days!

Overall trip must-do list:
Ride every ride that isn't shut down.
Eat a new food and treat each day.
Find out how much I actually walk on my typical Disney day. (I tend to park-hop a lot, so I'm guessing I walk more than a lot of people).
Stop to watch the things I often overlook: the Flag Retreat, shows, etc.

Thankfully, anything I miss this trip will be able to generally be done at our next trip, as we're surprising DD with a trip in May.

Some questions that I haven't figured out yet:
Price of a taxi to/from LGB to Park Vue Inn? (I think I heard $40ish?)
Any idea if I can use my iphone for my JetBlue ticket? It says to scan the barcode at the kiosk, but doesn't say if it can be scanned from the phone.
Will it be easy to find where to grab a taxi at LGB?
On the return, will it be obvious where to check in again for the flight home? I assume so, but it's a new airline and a new airport for me!
Does LGB have dining options while I'm waiting for my departure?

Can't believe I'm down to 30 days now!

 

[jasy]

Off peak or not having nearly a third of the parks rides and attractions closed is not fair and not right right, and remember a lot of people have already bought tkts or booked there holiday before a lot of these closures were announced.

I'm not sure where you're getting a third from but if you go to Disneyland.com and they list 84 attractions and 9 are listed "under refurbishment", on the calendar for Feb. 15, that's hardly a third unless you have a list of attractions I'm not seeing. Granted it may be higher earlier in the month, I have no idea as my trip isn't until the end of Feb, but it's not anywhere near a third.

 

[jasy]

Trying to find a non disney thing to do on the Sat (28th Feb). We are not driving and my other half wants to go to the aquarium of the pacific in Long Beach. But the only tours are all April-October

is it possible to get there using public transport somehow?

I know you said you're not driving but it would likely be easier just to rent a car for the day. Am economy car, ladst time I checked was about $35/day at downtown Disney Alamo.

Otherwise you could take public transit, I don't have it off hand but if you look up Orange County or LA transit there's a trip planner and such, I've used it before.

 

[jasy]

I'm at 30 days!

I have my day-to-day basic plan all ready! My pre-trip planning/schedule so far:

Wednesday, Feb 4: Fly into LGB. This is my first time with Jet Blue, but I have heard great things. Non-stop flight, so I'll be landing around 3:45pm, I believe. For future reference, including taxes and fees and such, this was $160 round trip from PDX to LGB and back again. That's about $100 less than Southwest, and about $50 less than my "best price ever" which was right around $200RT on a commuter plane. Taxi to Park Vue Inn, where I will get checked in, unpacked, and maybe head over to DTD for some shopping. Likely a snacky dinner at Trader Sam's, along with a drink, and back to the hotel early for a good night's rest. Get some bottled waters and soda on the way back to the hotel, so that I'm not paying those outrageous prices in the parks!

Thursday, Feb 5: DL hours: 10a-8p. DCA hours: 10a-8p. Sleep in! Breakfast at the hotel, because it's such a late opening! Rope drop at DL, as this is my family's tradition. Lunch: Hot dog or maybe try something new like shish-kabobs from that place in Adventure land. Dinner: 5-cheese Ravioli at that Boardwalk Pasta (or whatever that place is called!). Must-do snacks: Dole Whips! They were closed when we were there last week! No "must do" rides, as I'll just head wherever the lines are shortest. Will stay until closing. Hoping to take some night-time pictures on a nearly-deserted Main Street, as BFF and I did on our trip last year. I'm learning how to enjoy my DD's camera, which is a HUGE step up over the one I bought hubby (both point-n-shoots, but DD's has so many settings, shutter speed options, special lens apps, etc).

Friday, Feb 6: DL: 9a-12a, DCA: 9a-10p. Sleep in! Breakfast at the hotel. Rope Drop, probably at DCA, though I'm not 100% sure, since that's the early entry day there. Lunch: Something new, unsure what yet! Thinking maybe something to go with those promme frites (or however it's spelled!) maybe. Dinner: DH surprised me with a ressie at Blue Bayou, so I'll be doing their surf-n-turf, I'm sure. Must-do snacks: No idea yet! Can the Fish-n-Chips at Golden Horseshoe Saloon be considered a snack? Probably not. Must-do rides: Anything I can get done in DCA in the early morning, or when crowds are low. Staying from open to closing. Will likely spend a fair amount of time just soaking in the atmosphere, as I did on my last solo trips.

Saturday, Feb 7: DL: 8a-12a, DCA: 8a-10p. Rope drop, again, likely at DL. Breakfast at the hotel, unless I sleep in too late, in which case, Starbucks will be acceptable! Lunch: hot dog. I love their hot dog buns! Dinner: No clue. Perhaps my 5-cheese Ravioli again, perhaps whatever strikes my fancy. Must-do snacks: Anything and everything! Must-do rides: Anything I haven't already ridden that not closed! Staying from open to close!

Sunday, Feb 8: Travel day back home. Plane takes off at 10a, so I'll be out of the hotel around 7:30a, and head back to the airport via taxi again. Good think I will have slept in the last several days!

Overall trip must-do list:
Ride every ride that isn't shut down.
Eat a new food and treat each day.
Find out how much I actually walk on my typical Disney day. (I tend to park-hop a lot, so I'm guessing I walk more than a lot of people).
Stop to watch the things I often overlook: the Flag Retreat, shows, etc.

Thankfully, anything I miss this trip will be able to generally be done at our next trip, as we're surprising DD with a trip in May.

Some questions that I haven't figured out yet:
Price of a taxi to/from LGB to Park Vue Inn? (I think I heard $40ish?)
Any idea if I can use my iphone for my JetBlue ticket? It says to scan the barcode at the kiosk, but doesn't say if it can be scanned from the phone.
Will it be easy to find where to grab a taxi at LGB?
On the return, will it be obvious where to check in again for the flight home? I assume so, but it's a new airline and a new airport for me!
Does LGB have dining options while I'm waiting for my departure?

Can't believe I'm down to 30 days now!

Awesome plan! I love that you've got it all mapped out. I've been trying not to... for my own solo trip, but the planner in me can't resist!
I hope you do a trip, report I'd love to read it!

p.s. Fish and chips at the Golden Hoseshoe can definitely count as a snack

 

[KalamityJane]

I'm not sure where you're getting a third from but if you go to Disneyland.com and they list 84 attractions and 9 are listed "under refurbishment", on the calendar for Feb. 15, that's hardly a third unless you have a list of attractions I'm not seeing. Granted it may be higher earlier in the month, I have no idea as my trip isn't until the end of Feb, but it's not anywhere near a third.

I'm counting 10+ rides not including all the restaurants and World of Color down for Feb 6. The list fills my phone screen twice.

 

[AZMermaid]

Great! Which side does it go down? Any access to the shops from that side?

I don't know actually. I don't think it is open often, only when needed. I want to say it's on the tommorrowland side and goes from the entrance area back to where first aid is. But, I could be totally wrong about that!

 

[AZMermaid]

We have a plan for our first full day, Sunday Feb 8.

Rope drop at DL (outside chance of doing 30 min of MM at DCA first)
Straight to Casey Jr, my son is a train nut and this line is brutal!
Dumbo
Carrousel- DH will investigate fantasy faire while we ride.

If FF is under 15 min, go there. If over 15 min, Storybookland.

Head to Toontown, if not opening time yet, ride Alice or Small World until opening

Toontown at opening (9AM)

I am thinking this order, but might need to ride Gadgets first. Thoughts?

Mickey
Minnie
Gadgets x2?
Any other TT character who are roaming

Probably close to lunchtime. If not, do small world, Storybookland, or Fantasy Faire, whatever we skipped.

I know Sunday is the busiest day of the week, so I'm hoping that is all doable before 11 or so.

 

[Aladora]

Well it took long enough, 58+ years, but I will be visiting Disneyland for the first time ever with my little girl, who is 5.5 and all about Elsa & Anna and the movie Frozen, in late February.

We arrive on February 26th and depart on March 2nd. I booked this January 2nd which for me is kinda last minute.

Staying at the Best Western Plus Raffles Inn & Suites, which looked pretty good from the reviews I have read thus far. If anyone has stayed here, I'd love to hear from them what they thought of the property.

I used my Air Miles to book this trip and got a direct flight from YEG to LAX on American Airlines (first time flying with AA so not sure what to expect) with my Air Miles and then stayed up until 5AM looking at hotels, ground transportation etc.

Still have to book our Disneyland Park tickets, but I think I found a pretty good deal on a site I believe called Kijubi.

So in less than 53 days, both my daughter and I will be in sunny, hopefully warm, California to visit Disneyland for the first time ever for both of us.

Welcome! I've added you to the first post and yay, another Canadian!

I'm not familiar with Kijubi but if their prices are in American $ then you might be able to get a better rate somewhere else. For our family of 3 (2A, 1C) the converted amount is $1023.00. Flightcentre, which is in Canadian is quoting $946.00, so you might want to shop around a bit. Right now, with our $ tanking, it really looks as though buying somewhere that charges Canadian dollars is our best bet. Even way.com is quoting at lower than the site you are looking at. Kijubi for our 3 tickets is $881.02 US$ and way.com is $835.00 US$.

I just read through some of the thread!

DH and I just planned a very last minute 1st anniversary trip (& 1st ever trip) to DISNEYLAND!! We are staying at the Grand Californian Feb 8-12 and then checking out LA / Hollywood / Huntington Beach Feb 12-15. SO EXCITED!! We booked airfare and Disneyland hotel so far. I'm kind of bummed about the Matterhorn and World of Color being closed and the possibility of not seeing the castle makes me sad but that just means we have to go again!

Welcome as well! We are going to be at the Grand Californian the exact same time as you, if you see a family of 3 with a 9 year old boy with all of us likely in some sort of Dr. Who shirt, that's us!

 

[StyledSugar]

Well, I'm glad others plan as much as me..........even though I say every trip, no matter where we go, I will not over plan But here I am, a month out and I grabbed my little vacation notebook aka vacation planner last week to plan our days.

That being said, I just have basics planned so far.

Feb 4 - arrive approx. 3:00 at hotel. I know the parks close at 8pm that day but we are still trying to decide if we are going to do a park day. I'm saying no, just check-in, get settled and then do DTD for awhile, have a nice dinner and go to bed early. Hubby and kids say..........PARK! They all feel it's well worth it to purchase a one day pass for 5 hours (plus an hour of shopping. Yes, they used that extra hour of shopping to try and convince me how worth it it's going to be ). We'll have one annual pass, so we'd just need to buy three park tickets. Just don't know if it's worth it....

Feb 5 - We are staying at GCH so we get DL extra magic hour. Other than that, nothing planned for that day.

Feb 6 - DCA extra magic hour. We will get there at opening and do DCA for much of the day. Planning on going back a little later in the afternoon for a rest (or nap lol) before heading over to DL for reservations at the BB aka "date night". We were planning on doing Fantasmic that night but not sure if we'll make it to the park to get fast passes. We will do it another night if we can't.

Feb 7 - DS 12th birthday! We will start out at DL during extra magic hour and then do Minnie & Friends breakfast. Spend the day in the park and then we have reservations at Big Thunder BBQ for dinner.

Feb 8 - Early entry to DCA. Nothing else planned.

Feb 9 - Non-park day. We are doing a character breakfast at Storytellers and then just relax most of the day.

Feb 10 - DL early entry. Nothing else planned but this is our last day in DL We will definitely close the park down that day, as we always do on our last day (and most of the other days lol). Probably hop over to DCA for awhile too.

Feb 11 - 14 - We head to Hollywood for a few days. Taking in a hockey game, TMZ tour and WB Studio Tour. Should be fun!

 

[lalasmama]

We have a plan for our first full day, Sunday Feb 8.

Rope drop at DL (outside chance of doing 30 min of MM at DCA first)
Straight to Casey Jr, my son is a train nut and this line is brutal!
Dumbo
Carrousel- DH will investigate fantasy faire while we ride.

If FF is under 15 min, go there. If over 15 min, Storybookland.

Head to Toontown, if not opening time yet, ride Alice or Small World until opening

Toontown at opening (9AM)

I am thinking this order, but might need to ride Gadgets first. Thoughts?

Mickey
Minnie
Gadgets x2?
Any other TT character who are roaming

Probably close to lunchtime. If not, do small world, Storybookland, or Fantasy Faire, whatever we skipped.

I know Sunday is the busiest day of the week, so I'm hoping that is all doable before 11 or so.

I'd go for Gadget's before Mickey and Minnie, as there's more entertainment while meeting M&M, but that line for Gadget's is a slow mover. BFF and I were the second group to meet Mickey, by being at the TT gates when they opened. Made that greet go much faster!

 

[mum2merida]

Wow don't check the thread for 2 days and I had a ton of posts to catch up on. I hear you all about the closures…We booked Mar last year on purpose in low season because the last one we did was spring break 2013 and it was also Easter and the crowds were CRAZY. So we knew that there would be a lot down but was not banking on so many of the biggies that my son and husband love. I had also just got up the courage to try Grizzly River Run so darn! We will all miss Peter Pan and Redwood Creek and WOC. Oh well…I can't wait anyways….also this is fuel for me to convince my hubby that we should be upgrading to AP and going again this year! My friend went last May and her list of closures was super huge too…including Pirates which would SUCK! Lots of Canucks in Feb it looks like…I count at least 3 of us escaping the Alberta winter.

If you overlap with us---and I am pretty sure that someone does….we will be family of 4 and my daughter (7by then) is a mini-Merida. So look for us!

 

[ClaraOswald]

I decided to start a pre-trip report over here if anyone is super bored and wants to read our rough plans so far.... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3365481

 

[mum2merida]

have seen some food comments…I am sad enough to have a Disney food bucket list. Looking to knock some off my list this trip as well as revisit old faves. Anyone else have food that is a must do…or a must try?

Must do:
Dole Whip (hopefully several times)
Churro
Mickey Pretzel
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
drinks at Trader Sams

Hope to try (eliminating seasonal and Hungry Bear)
- Baked Potato Soup
-Mickey Beignets
- Pommes Frittes
-Fried Chicken

 

[Aladora]

have seen some food comments…I am sad enough to have a Disney food bucket list. Looking to knock some off my list this trip as well as revisit old faves. Anyone else have food that is a must do…or a must try? Must do: Dole Whip (hopefully several times) Churro Mickey Pretzel Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese drinks at Trader Sams Hope to try (eliminating seasonal and Hungry Bear) - Baked Potato Soup -Mickey Beignets - Pommes Frittes -Fried Chicken

I love the fried chicken at Plaza Inn, it is a must do for us on every trip! I also try and get a pretzel since I love them so much. DH and DS enjoy the churro but I am not a big fan, tbh.

This trip is all about checking off a big item, dinner at the chef's counter at Napa Rose. DS is not mature enough to enjoy it and this is our first time in 7 trips that we are staying onsite so we are able to have him go to Pinocchio's Workshop while DH and I have dinner. Of course, our one big gigantic enormous bucket list meal item is Club 33 but since we don't know anyone who is a member, that one will likely stay unchecked.

 

[ClaraOswald]

There are many things I'd like to eat while we're there. I always have a long list but I rarely put a dent in it.

Bakery - Chocolate filled croissant. I hope they haven't changed these in the last 5 years.

Rancho del Zocalo - Either the half chicken or the chicken tacos. Or maybe we'll have to eat here twice.

Pizza Port - I always have to get the chicken fusili at least once. I ate this stuff so much when we were AP holders.

Snack cart stuff - Chili lime corn on the cob, fruit, veggies, churro, pretzel, garlic twist, chocolate twist.

Mint Julep - I've never had one and would like to try it. And maybe some beignets too.

Pacific Wharf - Breakfast...scrambled eggs in a bread bowl.

Paradise Garden Grill - chicken skewers and baklava.

Ghiradelli - I don't know what because it all looks amazing.

Jazz Kitchen - Salad and bread pudding

 

[minneylovesmicky]

have seen some food comments…I am sad enough to have a Disney food bucket list. Looking to knock some off my list this trip as well as revisit old faves. Anyone else have food that is a must do…or a must try?

Must do:
Dole Whip (hopefully several times)
Churro
Mickey Pretzel
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
drinks at Trader Sams

Hope to try (eliminating seasonal and Hungry Bear)
- Baked Potato Soup
-Mickey Beignets
- Pommes Frittes
-Fried Chicken

I have never been to Disneyland before, I have been told I MUST Most important of all try the Dole Whip...other than that, have no list, no idea, I have been told meals are huge compared to Aussie meals..But that is as far as my Food list/ideas go...

Have had Churros here in Australia, San Churro very yummy

If any one has any MUST DO's for us, feel free to suggest and if you ever come to Australia, I will return the favour

 

[shingle]

I'm not sure where you're getting a third from but if you go to Disneyland.com and they list 84 attractions and 9 are listed "under refurbishment", on the calendar for Feb. 15, that's hardly a third unless you have a list of attractions I'm not seeing. Granted it may be higher earlier in the month, I have no idea as my trip isn't until the end of Feb, but it's not anywhere near a third.

It`s a ridiculous amount of closures, and very annoying to see posts suggesting people to travel at peak times, which i think is based on ignorance to what there work commitments are as well as there and there money situation, also it now seems that Attraction tickets direct the UK biggest disney tickets supplier are going to look into what is going and are offering refunds due to the many complaints they are receiving about the amount of closures at the park in February, we have also received an email back from Disney to attend guest relations when we are there and will receive some sort of good will gesture.

 

[jasy]

It`s a ridiculous amount of closures, and very annoying to see posts suggesting people to travel at peak times, which i think is based on ignorance to what there work commitments are as well as there and there money situation, also it now seems that Attraction tickets direct the UK biggest disney tickets supplier are going to look into what is going and are offering refunds due to the many complaints they are receiving about the amount of closures at the park in February, we have also received an email back from Disney to attend guest relations when we are there and will receive some sort of good will gesture.

The suggestion that people travel at peak times if they want to avoid closures is anything but ignorance, it's a fact. Disney has all of their attractions open when they expect the most number of guests. If you want to experience everything you have to travel spring break, summer, or winter holiday (typically, there are always exceptions of course).

I understand that people have work and financial considerations, and they are typically taken into consideration when booking a trip. I don't live in California. I live in Alberta, Canada. I can't just pop down on a whim. I have to book time off work, arrange for child care, etc. I travel in February because it's freezing here. Yesterday our high was -30C. But I also know that choosing to travel in February there will be more attractions closed and the likelihood of experiencing rain is higher.

I understand that when you are planning a trip to Disneyland from overseas that it's probably very frustrating to plan your trip only to find out that your favourite attraction(s) are closed. It's disappointing.

I'm glad that you will be receiving some sort of compensation as you'd hoped.

Enjoy your trip, despite the closures there will still be plenty to do!

 

[starjazz]

I'll say this about the refurb discussion. We've gone the past three years during this time. Each of those years, everyone thought the list was unacceptably long. There were tons of people demanding discounts, thinking their trips would be ruined, lamenting the list. I was one of those - BTMRR was down in 2014, and that's our kids's fav, so it was a major bummer. Plus railroads, splash, soarin', IASW, and many others.

The deal is that it WON'T ruin your trip. I've always gone into these years concerned and worried, and I never even think of it when there. We ate at Rancho one evening last year, right by BTMRR, and they were testing it - our kids could hear it, and barely see it. I thought it was gonna be a big problem. But guess what, by the time I had them on Pirates, they forgot all about BTMRR. All was well.

All will BE well. There is SOOOOO much to do, and Disney does a good job of making you forget about the rides that are closed. You'll barely be able to see them (castle/matterhorn may be an exception, obviously).

If you're going in February because you had to, don't fret. You are LUCKY!!! Most people HAVE to go in summer or on school breaks because of their kids. They face 60 minute waits (or more) for all the big rides, and lines everywhere. Plus unbearable heat. This time of year is, imo, the best. I'll take closures over lines any day. Any day. Lines make me miserable - you miss so much while waiting, its hot, the kids are bored, etc.

Rejoice - its Disney, best time of year, and you're trip will be amazing. I guarantee it!

 

[TheChapman6]

I'll say this about the refurb discussion. We've gone the past three years during this time. Each of those years, everyone thought the list was unacceptably long. There were tons of people demanding discounts, thinking their trips would be ruined, lamenting the list. I was one of those - BTMRR was down in 2014, and that's our kids's fav, so it was a major bummer. Plus railroads, splash, soarin', IASW, and many others. The deal is that it WON'T ruin your trip. I've always gone into these years concerned and worried, and I never even think of it when there. We ate at Rancho one evening last year, right by BTMRR, and they were testing it - our kids could hear it, and barely see it. I thought it was gonna be a big problem. But guess what, by the time I had them on Pirates, they forgot all about BTMRR. All was well. All will BE well. There is SOOOOO much to do, and Disney does a good job of making you forget about the rides that are closed. You'll barely be able to see them (castle/matterhorn may be an exception, obviously). If you're going in February because you had to, don't fret. You are LUCKY!!! Most people HAVE to go in summer or on school breaks because of their kids. They face 60 minute waits (or more) for all the big rides, and lines everywhere. Plus unbearable heat. This time of year is, imo, the best. I'll take closures over lines any day. Any day. Lines make me miserable - you miss so much while waiting, its hot, the kids are bored, etc. Rejoice - its Disney, best time of year, and you're trip will be amazing. I guarantee it!

Yes! What she said, each trip planning thread I've been on people get all crazy about the refurbs but you will still have a magical Disney vacation I promise! You won't care once you get there and the lines will be so short you can do a ton!