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

[Aladora]

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

I am not sure about Aussie meals but I can tell you that I find American meals really big compared to Canadian ones. The fried chicken at the Plaza Inn that I was talking about is a great example. DH and I get one order and share for lunch and neither of us feels hungry afterwards. The meal is an entire half chicken, big scoop of green beans (which I can't eat, they have bell peppers and I am allergic so I ask for them on a separate plate), a big scoop of mashed potatoes, a biscuit (not a cookie kind of biscuit, more like a scone) and gravy. I'm fairly sure that on our first trip when DS was 6 all three of us could have split it and walked away full!

DH loves to tell the story of when we went to Vegas for our 5th anniversary. By the time our last full day came around I was so tired of the big meals that I ordered a salad. Nothing fancy, just a garden salad. I had a hard time convincing the waitress that I didn't want anything with it, just a side salad. When the bowl came, it was big enough for an entire family to share! DH says the look on my face was priceless, that he was not sure if I was going to laugh or cry. I ate as much as I could and even after that, it barely looked as though I had touched it.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Most of us have stated that the closures won't ruin our trip. But it's still annoying.

 

[starjazz]

Most of us have stated that the closures won't ruin our trip. But it's still annoying.

I'm with ya. Its annoying.

 

[Larissa]

Generally speaking, the meals are huge compared to Canadian meals too, minnielovesmicky!

I made this list of food based on the website price list a few days ago, it may be helpful: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3363562

My 'must-do's for Disneyland Resort are:
Pirates of the Carribean
Small World
World of Colour (I think it's closed for most of February, unfortunately)
Radiator Spring's Racers
California Screaming
Soaring of California (also likely closed)
Toy Story Midway Mania.

If you are travelling with kids I would look into the midway games as you can get decent stuffed animals as prizes much more cheaply than in the stores and can guarantee a win if you get enough family members playing and play at a deader time so no one else joins you.

I see 'fried chicken' is on your hope to try list...personally I think that Disneyland fried chicken is disgusting. It's both too dry and too greasy at the same time. IMHO.

Here's a list of tips I made awhile back too, in case you are interested: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3362860

 

[shingle]

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!

I think everybody going off season expect more closures than peak season, but this many has come as a shock, so my advice is to by all mean`s still have a great time but not accept not having some sort of compensation, off season or not this time there are to many closures and that`s a fact, so do not listen to the you best travel at peak time comments and get after Disney for some sort of good will gesture.

 

[Aladora]

I think everybody going off season expect more closures than off season, but this many has come as a shock, so my advice is to by all mean`s still have a great time but not accept not having some sort of compensation, off season or not this time there are to many closures and that`s a fact, so do not listen to the you best travel at peak time comments and get after Disney for some sort of good will gesture.

I'm trying to figure out what you are saying here but I'm lost.

I wanted to see how many things are closed this trip so, like the weirdo I am, I made a list!

Part of the reason it looks like a TON of refurbs is that the Disneyland website lists each Railroad stop as a separate closure and they also lump the shops and restaurants in with the rides. So, in the interest of clarity, I have made an easy to read list. I did mention I am a bit nuts, right?

This is what is listed as being closed the week of Feb 8th which is the latest week showing on the calendar right now.

Rides:
Disneyland Railroad
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
Peter Pan's Flight
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Soarin' Over California
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Grizzly River Run
Luigi's Flying Tires (I hesitate to add this one since the ride is closed permanently and the new one is not opening until the end of the year so this is not really a refub and more a redo!)

So, 9 rides being refurbished and 1 being totally redone.

Shops:
The Briar Patch
Professor Barnaby Owl's Photographic Art Studio
Boardwalk Bazaar
Sideshow Shirts
Point Magu Tattoo
Enchanted Chamber
Le Bat en Rouge
Pooh Corner
La Mascarade d'Orleans
Fly 'n' Buy

Restaurants:
Hungry Bear Restaurant
Taste Pilots' Grill
Ariel's Grotto

Shows and other:
World of Color
Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar

 

[ClaraOswald]

So...anyone showing up on the 11th? And if so, do you want a free Pack n Play? If so, you can pick it up from me at the Desert Inn and Suites.

 

[Aladora]

So...anyone showing up on the 11th? And if so, do you want a free Pack n Play? If so, you can pick it up from me at the Desert Inn and Suites.

That is so nice of you to offer!

(I don't need it, but thought your offer was very nice!)

 

[shingle]

I'm trying to figure out what you are saying here but I'm lost.

I wanted to see how many things are closed this trip so, like the weirdo I am, I made a list!

Part of the reason it looks like a TON of refurbs is that the Disneyland website lists each Railroad stop as a separate closure and they also lump the shops and restaurants in with the rides. So, in the interest of clarity, I have made an easy to read list. I did mention I am a bit nuts, right?

This is what is listed as being closed the week of Feb 8th which is the latest week showing on the calendar right now.

Rides:
Disneyland Railroad
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
Peter Pan's Flight
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Soarin' Over California
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Grizzly River Run
Luigi's Flying Tires (I hesitate to add this one since the ride is closed permanently and the new one is not opening until the end of the year so this is not really a refub and more a redo!)

So, 9 rides being refurbished and 1 being totally redone.

Shops:
The Briar Patch
Professor Barnaby Owl's Photographic Art Studio
Boardwalk Bazaar
Sideshow Shirts
Point Magu Tattoo
Enchanted Chamber
Le Bat en Rouge
Pooh Corner
La Mascarade d'Orleans
Fly 'n' Buy

Restaurants:
Hungry Bear Restaurant
Taste Pilots' Grill
Ariel's Grotto

Shows and other:
World of Color
Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar

Lol i should have put in peak instead of off, anyway your list seems to be spot on, i wonder if there has ever been this amount of rides and attractions closed at the same time in the past.

 

[starjazz]

Lol i should have put in peak instead of off, anyway your list seems to be spot on, i wonder if there has ever been this amount of rides and attractions closed at the same time in the past.

There were stretches last year that were just as bad.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yeah, I think last year did have a lot. I don't know if I, personally, have been the parks with this many closures before though.

I have been when there were a lot of 'walls' up though. During our 2009 trip we made a joke of it and took photos next to a lot of them.

 

[GatorChris]

Lol i should have put in peak instead of off, anyway your list seems to be spot on, i wonder if there has ever been this amount of rides and attractions closed at the same time in the past.

I was wondering the same thing. Major attractions like Splash Mt, Soarin', Matterhorn, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Grizzly River, and on and on....all these down for months. With Splash down, I was hoping to finally do Grizzly.... and it's DOWN!!! Seriously, I get an AP for the first time and they shutter the park. I know rides have to be refurbished, but this list is ridiculous.

 

[Aladora]

Lol i should have put in peak instead of off, anyway your list seems to be spot on, i wonder if there has ever been this amount of rides and attractions closed at the same time in the past.

February 2014 had these listed:
Finding Nemo Subs
Sailing Ship Columbia
Splash Mountain
Small World
Railroad
Redwood Creek Trail
Mickey's Fun Wheel
BTMRR

Also, Fantasmic! was down for half of the month,the Tiki juice bar was closed and Aladdin was not showing from January 21st until Feb 20th.

So, 8 rides which is only 1 less than this year.

April 2014 had these:
Finding Nemo Subs
Small World
Alice in Wonderland
Indiana Jones
Pirates
King Arthur Carousel
Redwood Creek Trail
Little Mermaid
Grizzly River Run

Plus:
Plaza Inn
It's Tough to be a Bug

That's 9 rides, same as they are predicting for February 2015.

It really does seem like a lot, especially since they are closing a bunch of shops and restaurants located near rides that are being refurbed but when you look back, there have been times where the same number or even more rides have been closed.

 

[onceinalifetimedct]

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)

I'm flying the same route in Early February. I have to say, check your reservation (repeatedly). I was shocked the other day when I double checked my direct yeg to lax to find that it had been cancelled. I was not notified, they simply put my party on a flight to Dallas then back up to LA. Ummm, not exactly a route that makes sense. I was livid!! I phoned and they promptly moved us to another direct out of YEG leaving a little later in the day. So anyway, my advice is keep an eye on your online itinerary.

 

[aprincessatlast]

There were stretches last year that were just as bad.

It is not just the rides. The thought of a Castle covered in a tarp and a dry lake at world of color….well I am all for optimism but that is taking it a little far.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

I am not sure about Aussie meals but I can tell you that I find American meals really big compared to Canadian ones. The fried chicken at the Plaza Inn that I was talking about is a great example. DH and I get one order and share for lunch and neither of us feels hungry afterwards. The meal is an entire half chicken, big scoop of green beans (which I can't eat, they have bell peppers and I am allergic so I ask for them on a separate plate), a big scoop of mashed potatoes, a biscuit (not a cookie kind of biscuit, more like a scone) and gravy. I'm fairly sure that on our first trip when DS was 6 all three of us could have split it and walked away full!

DH loves to tell the story of when we went to Vegas for our 5th anniversary. By the time our last full day came around I was so tired of the big meals that I ordered a salad. Nothing fancy, just a garden salad. I had a hard time convincing the waitress that I didn't want anything with it, just a side salad. When the bowl came, it was big enough for an entire family to share! DH says the look on my face was priceless, that he was not sure if I was going to laugh or cry. I ate as much as I could and even after that, it barely looked as though I had touched it.

A HALF a chicken...for 1 person...My goodness, I only eat a leg or a wing...I thing we will definitely share, same with the salads

 

[AZMermaid]

Aladora-I like the way you grouped them like that. Much easier to read, thanks!!

We don't have any must eats, but our faves include:

Chicken Fusilii pasta at Pizza Port (me)
Mickey Pretzels
Chimichanga from place near Matterhorn (me)
Corn dog (DH)
Dole whip (me, hubby hates them, we hardly ever wait to get one)
Ice cream on Main St
Anything in a bread bowl from Pacific Wharf Cafe
Mickey waffles

We hope to try for the first time:
Flos (mixed reviews lately, but we'll see)
Storytellers breakfast
Jolly Holiday Cafe/ Matterhorn macaroon
Power Pack (kids, I think they'll love this for lunch)
Fruit from a fruit stand

 

[AZMermaid]

Clara- I'll be interested to hear how you like the Mint Julep. I thought it tasted like toothpaste!

 

[minneylovesmicky]

Generally speaking, the meals are huge compared to Canadian meals too, minnielovesmicky!

I made this list of food based on the website price list a few days ago, it may be helpful: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3363562

My 'must-do's for Disneyland Resort are:
Pirates of the Carribean
Small World
World of Colour (I think it's closed for most of February, unfortunately)
Radiator Spring's Racers
California Screaming
Soaring of California (also likely closed)
Toy Story Midway Mania.

If you are travelling with kids I would look into the midway games as you can get decent stuffed animals as prizes much more cheaply than in the stores and can guarantee a win if you get enough family members playing and play at a deader time so no one else joins you.

I see 'fried chicken' is on your hope to try list...personally I think that Disneyland fried chicken is disgusting. It's both too dry and too greasy at the same time. IMHO.

Here's a list of tips I made awhile back too, in case you are interested: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3362860

Thanks for those links, I will check them out, Rumour has it WOC and Sorin will both be down so a big disappointment there,

If the fried Chicken is like KFC then nope not on my list, But will try it to see, want to experience it all

 

[ClaraOswald]

Aladora-I like the way you grouped them like that. Much easier to read, thanks!!

We don't have any must eats, but our faves include:

Chicken Fusilii pasta at Pizza Port (me)
Mickey Pretzels
Chimichanga from place near Matterhorn (me)
Corn dog (DH)
Dole whip (me, hubby hates them, we hardly ever wait to get one)
Ice cream on Main St
Anything in a bread bowl from Pacific Wharf Cafe
Mickey waffles

We hope to try for the first time:
Flos (mixed reviews lately, but we'll see)
Storytellers breakfast
Jolly Holiday Cafe/ Matterhorn macaroon
Power Pack (kids, I think they'll love this for lunch)
Fruit from a fruit stand

My husband loves the Matterhorn macaroon. I want to try one this time, if I remember.

Clara- I'll be interested to hear how you like the Mint Julep. I thought it tasted like toothpaste!

I thought someone once said the mint julep bar is closed during the slow time so we'll see, I guess.

Thanks for those links, I will check them out, Rumour has it WOC and Sorin will both be down so a big disappointment there,

If the fried Chicken is like KFC then nope not on my list, But will try it to see, want to experience it all

It's not really a rumor at this point. World of Color and Soarin' are both going down for refurbishment according to the official website.

Friend chicken at Disneyland isn't anything out of the ordinary to me. Just regular fried chicken. Actually, that's kind of true for a lot of food in the parks. It's pretty basic stuff.