OK,
Just back from our trip 4/19~4/22.
Actually flight arrived at 12:44am and I only had 4.5hrs of sleep before coming to work...
Anyways,
Stayed at Fairfield Inn room 547 facing the pool.
Good: Clean, 10min walk from the pool area to DL entrance (we're moderate walkers and timed it including the stop light), close to Mimi's, fridge in room, late checkout (we were allowed to check out at 1:30pm instead of the usual 11am).
Not so good: Room amenities is kinda sparse (soap and shampoo), loud noises from the pool (this is not the hotel's fault but if you're not a sound sleeper it'll be a problem), close to DL so fireworks is pretty loud too.
4/19 thursday (DL)
EE - walked up to the entrance at 7:05am. We're the second batch of people walking through the door. Followed the EE itinerary and was able to ride all the ones we want and then some. Matterhorn was down for about half an hour or so but no big deal.
Crowd was very manageable, thanks to everyone's suggestions.
Weather was a little cool but great.
Wait time for most rides below 15mins. Except for Indy and Space Mountain.
4/20 Friday (DL)
Cold, rainy and cold...
Got ponchos and tried to brave the weather.
After lunch we decided to head back to the room and rest because we were all wet and tired and cold.
Came back in the night to see the fireworks. Thank goodness the rain has stopped. Sat on the bench in the hub area before 8pm for the 9:25 fireworks.
That was great.
Crowds again is manageable, busy but manageable.
Wait time for most rides below 15-20mins. Except for Indy and Space Mountain.
4/21 Saturday - HOLEY COW!!! Day
DL
DBF had been muttering for a couple days on how much I'm making us run around and now he knows why.
The park was PACKED!!!!
I have never seen a line such as pirates. It went under the bridge, outside and then back under before going over and inside. It's CRAZY!!!
2hr wait for Space Mountain.
60min for Indy.
Hoofed it out of DL to hit DCA and the crowd is much better. Busy but not as crazy as DL.
We didn't do the paradise pier part of the park.
Lunch time everywhere's busy.
We meant to catch the Parade at DCA but collapsed and slept all the way through to morning instead...
4/22 Sunday
6:15am at DL entrance.
The lines are already long. But we went it and everything felt kinda empty (After yesterday's experience).
Rode Indy and got the dream lanyard and pins as we exited so that was nice.
Did several more rides and still everything was decent wait time (this is at 9-ish)
Switched over to DCA again and no biggie again.
We are liking this crowd level...
But unfortunately we have to leave.
Tips and other observations:
1. Mimi's - whoever suggested that was right on. It was great. The bread basket (carrot raisin bread) was AWESOME!!! I had to get some back to the hotel for bfast the next day. After eating in the park, the prices are so much better here. We shared a plate of burgers, fries and soup with the final bill of $15 (including tip and bread basket). Can't beat that...
2. Mini mart by Tropicana hotel. If you're a water drinker like me, get yourself a gallon water there. I think it's $3.50/gallon so much better than $2.75/20oz in the park. Just keep refilling your bottle in the morning.
3. Sunscreen!!!! We didn't have any sun and still I got sunburned... darn skin...
4. Read and follow as much as possible the EE and FP rules by everyone on this board... it'll save you time and keep your sanity (unless it's on a Saturday ... phew... that was crazy)...
5. Disneyland express picks up way over 3hrs before your flight (ours was 3hr and 45mins). So make sure to plan your bfast/lunch/dinner accordingly.
6. Bring a sweater... you never know what the weather is going to be like.
7. Don't hit DTD after park closing or you'll never get out. Try to buy what you need in the morning when the store is so empty.
8. If you need Pirate Disney Dollars be persistent. I checked DTD twice and found both of them the second time around.
Anyways, if anyone has any questions let me know!
And thanks again for your help!
Just back from our trip 4/19~4/22.
Actually flight arrived at 12:44am and I only had 4.5hrs of sleep before coming to work...
Anyways,
Stayed at Fairfield Inn room 547 facing the pool.
Good: Clean, 10min walk from the pool area to DL entrance (we're moderate walkers and timed it including the stop light), close to Mimi's, fridge in room, late checkout (we were allowed to check out at 1:30pm instead of the usual 11am).
Not so good: Room amenities is kinda sparse (soap and shampoo), loud noises from the pool (this is not the hotel's fault but if you're not a sound sleeper it'll be a problem), close to DL so fireworks is pretty loud too.
4/19 thursday (DL)
EE - walked up to the entrance at 7:05am. We're the second batch of people walking through the door. Followed the EE itinerary and was able to ride all the ones we want and then some. Matterhorn was down for about half an hour or so but no big deal.
Crowd was very manageable, thanks to everyone's suggestions.
Weather was a little cool but great.
Wait time for most rides below 15mins. Except for Indy and Space Mountain.
4/20 Friday (DL)
Cold, rainy and cold...
Got ponchos and tried to brave the weather.
After lunch we decided to head back to the room and rest because we were all wet and tired and cold.
Came back in the night to see the fireworks. Thank goodness the rain has stopped. Sat on the bench in the hub area before 8pm for the 9:25 fireworks.
That was great.
Crowds again is manageable, busy but manageable.
Wait time for most rides below 15-20mins. Except for Indy and Space Mountain.
4/21 Saturday - HOLEY COW!!! Day
DL
DBF had been muttering for a couple days on how much I'm making us run around and now he knows why.
The park was PACKED!!!!
I have never seen a line such as pirates. It went under the bridge, outside and then back under before going over and inside. It's CRAZY!!!
2hr wait for Space Mountain.
60min for Indy.
Hoofed it out of DL to hit DCA and the crowd is much better. Busy but not as crazy as DL.
We didn't do the paradise pier part of the park.
Lunch time everywhere's busy.
We meant to catch the Parade at DCA but collapsed and slept all the way through to morning instead...
4/22 Sunday
6:15am at DL entrance.
The lines are already long. But we went it and everything felt kinda empty (After yesterday's experience).
Rode Indy and got the dream lanyard and pins as we exited so that was nice.
Did several more rides and still everything was decent wait time (this is at 9-ish)
Switched over to DCA again and no biggie again.
We are liking this crowd level...
But unfortunately we have to leave.
Tips and other observations:
1. Mimi's - whoever suggested that was right on. It was great. The bread basket (carrot raisin bread) was AWESOME!!! I had to get some back to the hotel for bfast the next day. After eating in the park, the prices are so much better here. We shared a plate of burgers, fries and soup with the final bill of $15 (including tip and bread basket). Can't beat that...
2. Mini mart by Tropicana hotel. If you're a water drinker like me, get yourself a gallon water there. I think it's $3.50/gallon so much better than $2.75/20oz in the park. Just keep refilling your bottle in the morning.
3. Sunscreen!!!! We didn't have any sun and still I got sunburned... darn skin...
4. Read and follow as much as possible the EE and FP rules by everyone on this board... it'll save you time and keep your sanity (unless it's on a Saturday ... phew... that was crazy)...
5. Disneyland express picks up way over 3hrs before your flight (ours was 3hr and 45mins). So make sure to plan your bfast/lunch/dinner accordingly.
6. Bring a sweater... you never know what the weather is going to be like.
7. Don't hit DTD after park closing or you'll never get out. Try to buy what you need in the morning when the store is so empty.
8. If you need Pirate Disney Dollars be persistent. I checked DTD twice and found both of them the second time around.
Anyways, if anyone has any questions let me know!
And thanks again for your help!
(Were you following the advice given by hydroguy, ami & others?) Our experience at EE also was great.
