Please answer/confirm a couple ???'s

[marciemi]

Just trying to make sure of a couple things I can't get a definite answer on (or think I know the answer but it's not the one I want!) We will be at DL/DCA during the time Feb 20-28.

1. No fantasmic for sure? I can't find this at all at the official site telling me it's down, but it's not on any schedules.

2. I know WDW now went back to early entry (magic time now). DL/DCA don't have this yet again, right?

3. Most other sites I've checked (disneyrefurbs, etc.) say Splash will be back up between Feb 21 and 24. But the official site lists it as down during our entire visit. Should I not count on it, even maybe?

4. Is there a chance Space Mountain will be down or is that just a rumor?

5. Does it really take 90min-2hrs to get from LAX to DL like Birnbaums says? We're coming in really late for us (9pm on a Wed CA time which will seem like midnight to us). I'm hoping it's not really that long!

6. Is there an upper height/age limit on the Bug area in DCA. My kids are 7-10, but the older 2 are above 54 inches. Should we skip this area?

7. Will it be too cold for water rides (probably) at that time of year - especially Grizzly Run? If not, can you remove shoes before going on the ride? Keep in mind we're from Michigan and last time we went to WDW we went to Blizzard Beach on a 52 degree day and they closed it on us because it was too cold!

Thanks for any help! I'll post more when I think of another batch of questions!

 

[IandGsmom]

Ok I can answer a couple questions:
#1 I doubt Fantasmic will be running. Not only does it usually run summer to late fall but they are draining the Rivers of America where it happens.
#2 No early entry unless they change that in 2003 but have not heard anything about that to make me think they will.
#3 If Disney says it will be down then go with the assumption it will be closed. That way if its open it will be a treat but if not you will not be very disappointed.
#7 when we where there in mid Dec this year it rained one day and there was people on the ride so I guess it doesn't matter.

 

[LuvTigger]

I can't answer all your questions, but just wanted to say that it's NEVER taken us 2 hours to get to DL from LAX. I don't think it's even taken an hour. I think it's more like 45 minutes, or less, especially for that time of night. Unless there's an accident or something, it shouldn't take that long (as long as you don't get lost, like we did our first time there! We circled the airport for 30 minutes before we realized we were lost!).

 

[Bob O]

We just recently drove form LAX to a hotel right outside of DL and it took us approx. 30 minutes, but we had no traffic problems at all and arrived on a Saturday (late morning).
When we were at DL they had no early entry.

 

[roymccoy]

Traffic going from LAX to DL is all over the board. It's all up to when you're coming. Weekends...no problem. Weekdays....problem. If you happened to be in one of about three rush hours (Morning, lunch and 5pm) you very could well be 2 hours to DL. Try to avoid these times and check the radio for traffic reports. KFWB News 98 and KNX 1070 are two good radio stations for local traffic. They both give traffic info about every 6-10 minutes. Th 405 freeway and the 5 freeway are very suceptible to construction, congestion and accidents. If any of these things happen on your drive to DL, bring a good book...it's going to be a long wait.

Welcome to LA

Roy

 

[TheLionKing]

Wednesday at 9 PM should not be a problem with the "standard" rush hour traffic.

You can get really soaked on Grizzly River Run... as in "soaked to the underwear" soaked. I don't know if you can take off your shoes, but I usually keep them up against the center holder to keep them dry.

The weather can bequite variable especially in an El Nino year. Wet periods can last 2 weeks with rain nearly every other day. Right now, we are going into a dry period. I would recommend checking the forecast a week before to see what "mode" the weather is in.

I would go with the officail Disneyland site, but ride availability can change.

 

[ADisneyPrincess]

Originally posted by marciemi
7. Will it be too cold for water rides (probably) at that time of year - especially Grizzly Run? If not, can you remove shoes before going on the ride? Keep in mind we're from Michigan and last time we went to WDW we went to Blizzard Beach on a 52 degree day and they closed it on us because it was too cold!

I rode on Grizzly Run last January and got soaked to the skin. I don't think one bit of me was dry. However, I had planned for getting wet and was prepared. We brought extra clothes (shorts) and put them in lockers when we arrived. We waited until we were almost ready to leave (late afternoon, still warm) before changing into our shorts and riding Grizzly. There are free lockers next to the ride where you can store your extra clothes. The only thing I would have done differently is to bring water socks or sandles that can get wet to wear while riding. I had on my sneakers and they were soaked, didn't dry at all before I went home (I had an extra pair with me).

If you go in the afternoon before the sun starts to set it will probably be warm while you're on the ride. You'll definately want dry clothes to change into if you plan on staying at the park after riding. Once the sun starts to go down it can get very chilly.

 

[WDW2002]

1. No fantasmic for sure? I can't find this at all at the official site telling me it's down, but it's not on any schedules. - if its not on the schedule, it is not likely to be showing. They are also doing MAJOR refurb to Tom Sawyers Island and the Rivers of America, so that would mean NO Fantasmic

2. I know WDW now went back to early entry (magic time now). DL/DCA don't have this yet again, right? - As far as I know, no EE/EMH at DL. Park opening at Disneyland is "supposedly" one hour earlier for all guests. But no one has answered "one hour earlier then what?"

3. Most other sites I've checked (disneyrefurbs, etc.) say Splash will be back up between Feb 21 and 24. But the official site lists it as down during our entire visit. Should I not count on it, even maybe? - Go by what the "official" site says and hope for the best.

4. Is there a chance Space Mountain will be down or is that just a rumor? - there is always a chance that a ride will go down, but generally if the official site doesn't list something as under refurbishment then it should be open (barring unplanned breakdown.)

5. Does it really take 90min-2hrs to get from LAX to DL like Birnbaums says? We're coming in really late for us (9pm on a Wed CA time which will seem like midnight to us). I'm hoping it's not really that long! - it all depends on traffic, at the time of night you will be there, you should be okay, but I would plan on at least 1 hour.

6. Is there an upper height/age limit on the Bug area in DCA. My kids are 7-10, but the older 2 are above 54 inches. Should we skip this area? sorry don't know

7. Will it be too cold for water rides (probably) at that time of year - especially Grizzly Run? If not, can you remove shoes before going on the ride? Not sure about shoes but they do provide FREE lockers right by the entrance for things such as jackets, cameras etc.

 

[el_tigre]

5) FWIW, I live about 5 minutes south of LAX and it's about 32 miles from my door to Disneyland. It hardly ever takes me longer than 40 minutes. While you can never be sure of traffic on L.A. freeways, it shouldn't take you much longer than that at 9 p.m. on a Wednesday night.

7) It probably will be a little chilly for Grizzly Rapids, but you can never tell with California weather. But if you can handle Blizzard Beach at 52 degrees, you'll be comfortable. I'd say the average temperature is in the high 60's for that time of year, but it seems there's always at least one week in the winter where it will hit in the 90's. In fact, we're expecting 80 degree weather this week. I love Southern California.

 

[Sonya in Boise]

Originally posted by marciemi
Just trying to make sure of a couple things I can't get a definite answer on (or think I know the answer but it's not the one I want!) We will be at DL/DCA during the time Feb 20-28.

1. No fantasmic for sure? I can't find this at all at the official site telling me it's down, but it's not on any schedules. No F!, the river is down until spring/early summer

2. I know WDW now went back to early entry (magic time now). DL/DCA don't have this yet again, right? No EE.

3. Most other sites I've checked (disneyrefurbs, etc.) say Splash will be back up between Feb 21 and 24. But the official site lists it as down during our entire visit. Should I not count on it, even maybe? Personally, I would never trust the official site. It changes and doesn't change. Never count on anything being running. You just never know.

4. Is there a chance Space Mountain will be down or is that just a rumor? From what I have read, space will go down after Labor day for a very long rehab. But should be ok until then, but if something is a safety hazzard they will shut it down. Again, never get you heart set on riding any one ride.

5. Does it really take 90min-2hrs to get from LAX to DL like Birnbaums says? We're coming in really late for us (9pm on a Wed CA time which will seem like midnight to us). I'm hoping it's not really that long! No Idea on this. We are going in March and taking Airport Bus and I hope it doesn't take that long.

6. Is there an upper height/age limit on the Bug area in DCA. My kids are 7-10, but the older 2 are above 54 inches. Should we skip this area? Adults can ride all the rides in the area, so your kids can too, but they may not enjoy the rides. The are very short in duration and not very fast. Every kid is different though. Walk thru and check it out at least. The theming is wonderful.

7. Will it be too cold for water rides (probably) at that time of year - especially Grizzly Run? If not, can you remove shoes before going on the ride? Keep in mind we're from Michigan and last time we went to WDW we went to Blizzard Beach on a 52 degree day and they closed it on us because it was too cold!
GRR is a very fun ride if you ride w/ the right people or if you are the right people. Take some cheap ponchos from target/wal mart they are 6.95each in the park. If you for get them, there is a mini mart across the walkway at Harbor that sells them for 1.96. We laughed so hard on that ride because our ride companions were hysterical.

 

[marciemi]

Thanks everyone for all the input! I guess we'll plan for the worst (Space/Splash possibly being down, long ride from airport) & hope for the best! I think we'll bring a change a clothes & try GRR if we get any warm days because we were bummed we missed it at AK 2 years ago. We only spent about 3 hours in the park & it was COLD that day. But my kids love similar rides at Kings' Island/Cedar Point (have rode it 8 times in a row before) so I hope we can try it. Thanks again - I'll post a new thread with some new questions soon!