Solo Trip Report June 2024 Updated Travel Home To Ireland Saturday June 29

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

You can read the first part of my trip report here Glendale Trip Report 2024

Wednesday 26 June

A friend met me at my hotel and we went over to Anaheim.

On the way we stopped at Portos Cuban Bakery and Cafe for lunch. We went first to the Buena Park location as its closer to Disneyland but when we got there , they were temporally closed due to a power outage. So we turned around and went to the Downey location instead. Everyone else had the same idea, as when we got there, they were slammed and we had to wait about 30 minutes to get served.

This was a new to me food place and I enjoyed the food. My friend has been many times, so she ordered the food, as I didnt know what to order. We got food to share, as she said there were things I should try and she took the left overs home to her husband.



Potato Balls, Ham Croquette, Plantain Chips, Meat Pie, Cuban Sandwich, Dulche de Leche Iced Latte



Tres Leches Cake Loaf, Parisian Cake Slice, Guava Strudel

After a great catchup with my friend it was time to head back to Anaheim and check in to my hotel. I stayed at Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites, which I have previously stayed at. Theres lots of reviews about this hotel / motel. Some people love it, some people don't. For me, I just need a safe place to stay, a shower and a bed, so the room and general amenities are not an issue for me. Its one of the closet places to the Disneyland pedestrian entrance, and after a full park day rope drop to late at night, have a short walk back to my room is my main priority.

I booked in November 2023 for a June 2024 stay
I booked A Deluxe Room for 1 person for 3 nights and paid $159 room rate.

As it was after 3pm I was able to go straight to my room. I said goodbye to my friend and checked in.

After a quick refresh I was ready to head across the street to Downtown Disney.

As it was after 4pm the security lines were not that busy and then I was back into the Esplanade, with the Disney music and all the Disney people. Theres nothing like that first walk abck on to Disney property in the sunshine and having that Disney atmosphere all around.

As always, first thing to o is into World of Disney and to check out all the merchandise.

I was going to get a coffee in Starbucks, but I decided instead to go to Black Tap Shake window and get a classic coffee shake.

Theres been a lot of changes to Downtown Disney since last year, its still a work in progress.

I walked all the way to the end and went out through the Downtown Disney Parking entrance. I wanted to go to Disneyland Hotel and went this way, as I had never been around the front of the hotel before.

My main plain was to go to the shop in Disneyland Hotel to get the Disneyland Hotel Bathrobe. The shop wasnt busy, so I was able to try on the the display ones and make sure I got the correct size. The cm's were very helpful. The bathrobe on its own is $99 plus tax and its $7 to get a name embroidered on. I decided to get the personalized name. The cms showed me a binder with samples of various fonts and colours. I choose which ones I wanted and then I wrote my name on the form, so that it was spelled correctly.

I paid and then gave me a receipt. They said it would be about an hour. It was about 7pm by now, so I decided to just have a wander around Disneyland Hotel while I waited.




I went into the lobby of Adventure Tower and then into Frontierland Tower. In Frontierland Tower they have a model of Big Thunder Mountain in the lobby.


I sat for a while in the Frontierland Lobby and then took a slow walk back to the shop in the main building.

On the way I passed by the new DVC Tower and pool area and it looked really nice



After collecting my bathrobe from the shop I decided it was time to head back to my hotel. I went back in to Downtown Disney through the new entrance and its so much nicer than the old entrance. It leads into the new grassy area by Din Tai Fung Chinese Restaurant. This area, after dark really comes alive. It was about 8.45pm and the area was hopping with lots of families enjoying the atmosphere. There was a Mariachi band playing and the theming was just so cool. I sat for a while when I realized the time, and then I started walking back through Downtown Disney just as the fireworks were starting.

Back at my hotel I got things ready for my first park day, making sure to charge my Magicband which I got last year.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Thursday 27 June

For the first time in years I got a two day hopper ticket. When I was doing the park reservations I decided to start both days in the Main Park. Like my previous visits I had pre bought Genie + for both days.

Overview
The day started at 7am when went to the free grab and go breakfast at Desert Inn and Springs. For some reason, it was very busy on this day, there was a queue out the door. I really didnt want to waste time for such basic food options. All I really wanted was coffee, so I decided to go down the street to Tropicana Hotel. They have a small convenience store and coffee shop. Its changed since I was there last, its now a self service coffee station. But the coffee is good and for $2.35 its far better than the free coffee and alot cheaper than going to Starbucks or in the parks.

Coffee in hand I was ready to start the park day. I was scanned in at 7.30am, using my MagicBand+ from last year. After scanning in, I sat on a bench in the hub,, with my coffee, just taking it all in.

Rides

1. Buzz Lightyear
2. Buzz Lightyear Genie +
3. Minnie and Mickey Runaway Train Genie +
4. Autopia Genie +
5. Pirates Genie +
6. Star Tours Genie +
7. Radiator Springs Racers Genie +
8. Web Slingers x 2 Single Rider
9. Toy Story Mania Genie +
10. Little Mermaid Genie +
11. Tow Maters

Entertainment / Other

1. Disneyland Train
2. Main Street Vehicle Fire Truck
3. Monorail
4. DCA Parade
5. Fireworks while leaving DCA
6. Sheeboom in Carsland

Food
Galactic Grill Breakfast Burrito


Ghirardelli White Chocolate Mocha


Award Wierners Asada Fries


Boardwalk Pizza Sadness Cheesecake and Pink Lemonade


Highs and Lows

• Tropicana coffee for rope drop is a must do for next trip
• Galactic Grill breakfast burrito is another winner.
• Afternoon break in Grand California Lobby was a really great idea. I bought Ghirardelli coffee and the Asada fries in the park first and then used the hotel park entrance. I found a chair and table in the lobby and just relaxed for about an hour. I had a look in the shop and explored a bit and found a model of The Fantasy ship. Getting out of the bright hotel sun and the noise of the park really makes a difference and I was refreshed and ready for the rest of the evening.
• I had the Peaches and Cream Beer with Vanilla Ice Cream Hard Float from Clarabelles in DCA at the end of the day. Im not usually a beer drinker but this sounded like it might be a bit different to normal beer. It wasnt. As you cant take alcohol drinks out of DCA, I sat on the benches at the entrance and watched the fireworks as I had the drink. The icecream was nice but I didnt finish it. Its not something I would get again.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Friday 28 June

Overview
The day started again at 7am when I went to the free grab and go breakfast at Desert Inn and Springs. This morning there were a lotless people. I took some pastries and a orange juice and then went again to the Tropicana coffee shop for coffee.

Coffee in hand I was ready to start the park day. I was again scanned in at 7.30am, using my MagicBand+ from last year. After scanning in, I went to the chairs outside Jolly Holiday Bakery to wait for park opening.

Rides

1. Pirates Standby
2. Jungle Cruise Standby
3. Indiana Jones Genie +
4. Millennium Falcon Standby
5. Millennium Falcon Single Rider
6. Big Thunder Genie+
7. Casey Jr Standby
8. Snow White Standby
9. Carousel Standby
10. Toy Story Mania Genie +
11. Web Slingers Single Rider
12. Buzz Lightyear Genie+
13. Star Tours Genie+
14. Pirates Genie+

Entertainment / Other
First Half of Magic Happens Parade
Second Half of Magic Happens Parade
Fantasmic First Show
Fireworks at Fantasmic Viewing Area

Food
Fantasmic Dining Package Lunch at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, Disneyland Park
Beef Carne Asada
Radish Slaw, Cilantro-lime Rice, Korean Potato Salad, Refried Beans,
Cortadillo (jam-filled pan dulce with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles
Fountain Drink



Alien Pizza Planet, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
Pizza slice and Alien Macarooooon
Salted Caramel Buttercream, with Chocolate Ganache and Chocolate Brownie Bites


Stage Door Cafe Disneyland Park Wild West Funnel Cake
Funnel Cake with Cream Cheese Filling, topped with Marionberry Preserve


Highs

• Tropicana coffee for rope drop is a must do for next trip
• I took a morning chill out break at the Harbour Gallery eating area, its a really good place for some quiet time.
• I lucked at Casey Jr and managed to get the end carriage with the shade
• I loved the new Fantsmic menu at Rancho del Zocalo. Very smooth process, they have a separate check in area inside the restaurant. My reservation was for 2.30pm and that seemed to be a good time, as there was very little other people there and I got served fast.
• Getting pizza and the macaroon to go from Pizza Planet to eat while waiting for Fantasmic was a good plan.
• Being early for the line up for Fantasmic and getting the place I wanted, at the water railings right beside the edge of Blue Bayou viewing area. Same view but way cheaper than the group of people beside me.
• Fantasmic on my last night is a great way to end the trip, in previous years I did Fantasmic on the first night.

Im not sure about the new Fantasmic, its still my favourite show but I did miss Murphy and Pirates.

Lows

• Standby for Millennium Falcon was a bust, it said 20 minutes, which is my limit but by the time I got to the pre show with Hondo it was over an hour since I had joined the queue.
• The cold brew coffee at Red Rose Tavern was not good this time. I must have good a newbie, as he filled the cup full with the coffee and almost forgot to put the creamer until I said it. There was way too much coffee and hardly any creamer, which is very different to the last time I had it.
• I park hopped back to the Main Park at the wrong time. I ended up getting caught up in the crowd being held back at the top of Main street at the hat shop, near the back stage entrance gate for the parade. But thats my fault, I chose the wrong side of the street.
• Funnel cake. I liked the topping and filling but didnt really like the funnel cake. It seemed a miss match as the filling and topping are sweet and the cake seemed to be just plain unsweetened crispy deep fried batter.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Saturday 29 June

All too soon its my going home day. I only had a week in California this time and it was too short.

I was awake just before 8am and went down to the breakfast area. I brought the food back to the room and had a nice relaxing morning.

By 11.am I was checking out and leaving my luggage in the luggage store.

Then it was over to Downtown Disney for a last few hours shopping and soaking up the atmosphere.

I was back at the hotel around 1pm and collecting my luggage from the luggage store.

This year I decided to try a different route to LAX.

I crossed the street back over to the Disneyland side of Harbour Boulevard and got the 460 Metro bus at 1.30pm. This cost $1.75 with my TAP card.

I arrived at Norwalk train station at 2.55pm and got the 3.00pm train. I used my TAP card again, and as I was transferring from bus to train , I was not charged another fare. There was an elevator but I didnt use it. I was able to haul my 50 pound 4 wheel spinner case and carry on bag down the stairs, from street level to the platform.

I got off at Aviation and LAX station at 3.30pm. This time I took the elevator from the platform down to street level.

The shuttle bus to LAX airport is clearly marked and there were a few other people waiting for the bus.

The bus arrived at 3.40pm and then it was direct to LAX. The bus drops off and picks up at the arrivals level of each terminal.

At 4.00pm I was in the check in queue for my airline in Tom Bradly International Terminal.

The journey from outside Disneyland to the International terminal at LAX was very smooth and efficiant. It cost me $1.75 and took about 3 hours. I am used to public transport, and used to hauling my luggage on and off busses and trains. I would do the journey again, but only in the daytime. As a solo female I wouldnt do the journey after dark.

By 5.00pm I was through TSA and it was time for some food.

I went to Panda Express and got Orange Chicken and Noodles.


The new international terminal at LAX is huge and is actually two building connected by an underground walkway. All the food and shopping and some of the departure gates are in the first building, when you get through TSA.

My airline uses departure gates in the second building, which is about a 20 minute walk from the main shopping concourse.

I decided to just go over to my gate area and have my food over there.

I was at my gate area at 6.15pm and they started boarding at 7.30pm.

When I bought my flight , I was able to choose my seat. My preferred seat wasnt available so I chose a seat in the centre section at the aisle. When I got on the plane I discovered that the two middle seats were empty, and there was just a person on the far aisle side.

As soon as the plane levelled off after take off and the seatbelt sign was switched off, I was able to use the empty seats and put my feet up.

About two hours into the flight, we were served the main meal. The food from America to Ireland always seems not as nice as the food from Ireland to America. A sits a night time flight, the lights are dimmed, so the photo has a blue tinge. Again I got the chicken option.



After the food, I turned on some music on the in flight entertainment system and managed to sleep for a few hours. The flight time is 10 hours with an 8 hour time change.

We left LAX at 8.15pm on Saturday 29 June and arrived in Dublin at 2.00pm on Sunday 30 June.

Arriving into Dublin, the weather was rainy and overcast, very different to LA weather.

Going through passport check is always very fast, as I am Irish. The larger queues are for the non EU passport check, as they have to talk to an agent.

In Ireland and in Europe generally, the bag reclaim area is part of the secure airside area. I found the carousel where my bag should be, but as usual my bag was one of the last to come through. Some people were getting a bit anxious, but according to the screen the last bag had not been delivered yet.

Once I got my bag, I walked out into the main Dublin Terminal 2 arrivals area and then to the taxi area to go home.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Final Thoughts

 

[StarlitNight05]

Joining along...I always love your trip reports!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

First Park Day Thursday 28 June Updated

 

[SnowWhite09]

Joining in - looking forward to reading your updates!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Updated second park day Friday 29 June

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Updated Disneyland to LAX and travel home to Ireland.

 

[ZerasPride]

I enjoyed reading your solo Disneyland adventures. You are a good storyteller. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

 

[WITN-E]

Great trip report! I am going solo for the first time and have been looking into the Fantasmic dining packages. You said you were glad you arrived early to the viewing area to get a good spot - how early before showtime did you arrive?

TIA and love your tips - will be heading for coffee at the Tropicana!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Great trip report! I am going solo for the first time and have been looking into the Fantasmic dining packages. You said you were glad you arrived early to the viewing area to get a good spot - how early before showtime did you arrive?

TIA and love your tips - will be heading for coffee at the Tropicana!

Thanks for reading
I was at the pre line up area at Harbour Galley around 7pm. At 7.45pm they moved us into the rope lines and then at 8pm they walked us into the viewing area.

Tropicana coffee is such a hidden hack, it feels kinda wrong to be walking in the opposite direction to everyone else but theres hardly anyone getting coffee there, so its worth it.