Southern California and Disneyland Adventure

[Steven G]

You have to be a D23 member, which is a yearly price. It is not open to anyone who is not a gold member.
But otherwise, as a member, if you can get a spot in the tour, it's free. In the past, the tickets went really quick, I assume it's same now, if they are offering it.

 

[Steven G]

Edit, this seems to be the only "tour" they are offering right now, and it's sold out. It doesn't look like a standard tour, since it's halloween event.
https://d23.com/d23-event/d23-halloween-spell-ebration-at-the-walt-disney-studios/

Edit of edit, here is the most recent Studio tour, held in September, this included Walt's office suite:
https://d23.com/d23-event/the-official-walt-disney-studios-tour-presented-by-d23-8/

 

[PennyBianca]

For people who have been on this adventure recently, is fireworks and World of Color viewing still included? We just got our adventure handbook, and it no longer mentions it.

 

[jimmymc]

For people who have been on this adventure recently, is fireworks and World of Color viewing still included? We just got our adventure handbook, and it no longer mentions it.

We were scheduled for both, plus the fireworks viewing also included a parade. This can vary based on the schedule.

 

[Duck In Blue]

For people who have been on this adventure recently, is fireworks and World of Color viewing still included? We just got our adventure handbook, and it no longer mentions it.

On the October 2nd Adventure we had both, our handbook didn't mention them either. As the PP said, I think they vary it according to what is being shown on the particular day.

 

[woodleygrrl]

If you are on the fence about doing this trip, get off. It was the best vacation we have ever been on as a family. Do it.

 

[JAM9842]

If you are on the fence about doing this trip, get off. It was the best vacation we have ever been on as a family. Do it.

This makes me so happy! We are doing it in August and cannot wait!!!

 

[Doingitagain]

Now that Disneyland has Magic Bands, are they made available for ABD travelers, either as part of the trip or at a discounted price?

 

[woodleygrrl]

Now that Disneyland has Magic Bands, are they made available for ABD travelers, either as part of the trip or at a discounted price?

no

 

[irlapes]

Hi all:

We are about to book our first ABD trip. We will be travelling (me, DH and DS5) from Spain and it will be our first time in Disneyland California. My main motivation are the Studios, Archives and Imagineering (it is a lifelong dream to be where my favorite movies were done and where Walt Disney once was) At some point I thought about taking the trip on my own, but DS5 wouldn't forgive me if he finds out I went to Cars Land without him.

I hope that those of you that have recently returned from your ABD trip can help me with some doubts.
After the Tom O'Shanter lunch, it is said that the afternoon is on your own, as the Griffith merry go round is still closed confused we were considering going to Griffith observatory. Is this something feasible?

We have been to Disneyland Paris and we have already ridden the classical attractions but we would also like to make sure we can enjoy the parks as much as possible. I have read that the activities during park days end by 11am and there are plenty of hours to enjoy and explore the parks on you own. Do you think we should book an extra 1 or 2 nights? As we are staying at the Grand Californian, the cost of extra nights is something to consider but it is unlikely that we would travel again to Disneyland California, as we have Disneyland Paris so close to us. Based on your experience, what do you reccomend?

Thanks a lot in advance for your answers.
Regards

 

[jimmymc]

Hi all:

We are about to book our first ABD trip. We will be travelling (me, DH and DS5) from Spain and it will be our first time in Disneyland California. My main motivation are the Studios, Archives and Imagineering (it is a lifelong dream to be where my favorite movies were done and where Walt Disney once was) At some point I thought about taking the trip on my own, but DS5 wouldn't forgive me if he finds out I went to Cars Land without him.

I hope that those of you that have recently returned from your ABD trip can help me with some doubts.
After the Tom O'Shanter lunch, it is said that the afternoon is on your own, as the Griffith merry go round is still closed confused we were considering going to Griffith observatory. Is this something feasible?

We have been to Disneyland Paris and we have already ridden the classical attractions but we would also like to make sure we can enjoy the parks as much as possible. I have read that the activities during park days end by 11am and there are plenty of hours to enjoy and explore the parks on you own. Do you think we should book an extra 1 or 2 nights? As we are staying at the Grand Californian, the cost of extra nights is something to consider but it is unlikely that we would travel again to Disneyland California, as we have Disneyland Paris so close to us. Based on your experience, what do you reccomend?

Thanks a lot in advance for your answers.
Regards

After the Tam O'Shanter, we ended up going to the Academy Museum as a group. If the Merry Go round and Walt's Train Barn are open then I believe you would do that instead, but the Merry Go Round has always been limited availability. On our trip, the train barn was having some construction work done, but I believe they normally open it up for every tour. After the museum, we got ice cream at the Ghirardelli right across the street from the hotel in Hollywood. If you want to see the observatory, I would recommend going early the day your trip starts. Your welcome dinner isn't until 5 or 5:30 pm.

The park days usually finish at 11 am but then you'll meet up for another activity at night, like a group dinner or reserved show viewing. I would definitely book 1 extra night, since your ticket works on the last day and the only planned activity is a group breakfast. Then you can leave the day after your tour ends.

 

[OKW Lover]

If the Merry Go round is open then I believe you would do that instead, but the Merry Go Round has always been limited availability

Is the merry go round back in operation? I understand the owner died a year or two ago.

 

[jimmymc]

Is the merry go round back in operation? I understand the owner died a year or two ago.

I don't know if it's opened since. Also I was thinking of Walt's Train Barn that they usually visit. It was having roof work done the second day of our trip, which is why we did the museum instead.

 

[irlapes]

I don't know if it's opened since. Also I was thinking of Walt's Train Barn that they usually visit. It was having roof work done the second day of our trip, which is why we did the museum instead.

As far as i have found out, the merry-go-round opened again in 2021 but was closed once more for refurbishment/renovation. Hopefully it will reopen again soon. I'd like to see the place where Walt came up with the idea of Disneyland

 

[jimmymc]

As far as i have found out, the merry-go-round opened again in 2021 but was closed once more for refurbishment/renovation. Hopefully it will reopen again soon. I'd like to see the place where Walt came up with the idea of Disneyland

The Merry Go Round and Train Barn should definitely be the 2nd day's afternoon activities. These are much more important to Walt fans than anything else in Hollywood not already included.

 

[irlapes]

The Merry Go Round and Train Barn should definitely be the 2nd day's afternoon activities. These are much more important to Walt fans than anything else in Hollywood not already included.

It is a shame because 10 years ago I travelled to Los Angeles for my honeymoon, I regret so much for not doing anything Disney-related. We stayed at a hotel just beside LOEWEs and we were so close to the merry-go-round and Tam O'shanter.... if I only knew and investigated further... At that time I had my Disney-adult side hidden/forgotten. On the contrary, we attended to The Big Bang theory taping at Warner Bros Studios, which was a blast!

 

[Marthasor]

Hi all:

We are about to book our first ABD trip. We will be travelling (me, DH and DS5) from Spain and it will be our first time in Disneyland California. My main motivation are the Studios, Archives and Imagineering (it is a lifelong dream to be where my favorite movies were done and where Walt Disney once was) At some point I thought about taking the trip on my own, but DS5 wouldn't forgive me if he finds out I went to Cars Land without him.

I hope that those of you that have recently returned from your ABD trip can help me with some doubts.
After the Tom O'Shanter lunch, it is said that the afternoon is on your own, as the Griffith merry go round is still closed confused we were considering going to Griffith observatory. Is this something feasible?

We have been to Disneyland Paris and we have already ridden the classical attractions but we would also like to make sure we can enjoy the parks as much as possible. I have read that the activities during park days end by 11am and there are plenty of hours to enjoy and explore the parks on you own. Do you think we should book an extra 1 or 2 nights? As we are staying at the Grand Californian, the cost of extra nights is something to consider but it is unlikely that we would travel again to Disneyland California, as we have Disneyland Paris so close to us. Based on your experience, what do you reccomend?

Thanks a lot in advance for your answers.
Regards

Like PP, I would recommend going to Griffith Observatory on the first day of your ABD as you don't have your welcome dinner until later in the evening. That would give you a chance to see the observatory and see a show in the planetarium - go as early as you can as it gets crowded. You will get back to the hotel too late on your first day to get over to Griffith Park to really enjoy it. On our ABD in August, we drove by the carousel (we had stopped by on our own as well to get a closer look). We went, on our own, at a time it was supposed to be open and it wasn't - I just wouldn't count on this being a part of your tour. After Tam O'Shanter, we did have a special surprise in Griffith Park which I won't give away in case you don't want spoilers - and then you go to Ghiradelli's for ice cream.

I would definitely recommend at least one post-night, if not two, especially if you think you will never be back to Disneyland CA. To save some money, you could consider transferring to Disneyland Hotel for your post-nights.

 

[irlapes]

Like PP, I would recommend going to Griffith Observatory on the first day of your ABD as you don't have your welcome dinner until later in the evening. That would give you a chance to see the observatory and see a show in the planetarium - go as early as you can as it gets crowded. You will get back to the hotel too late on your first day to get over to Griffith Park to really enjoy it. On our ABD in August, we drove by the carousel (we had stopped by on our own as well to get a closer look). We went, on our own, at a time it was supposed to be open and it wasn't - I just wouldn't count on this being a part of your tour. After Tam O'Shanter, we did have a special surprise in Griffith Park which I won't give away in case you don't want spoilers - and then you go to Ghiradelli's for ice cream.

I would definitely recommend at least one post-night, if not two, especially if you think you will never be back to Disneyland CA. To save some money, you could consider transferring to Disneyland Hotel for your post-nights.

Thank you for your answers, however we will arrive too late on sunday so we will go directly to dinner (5-5:30pm) and I just checked that the observatory is closed on Mondays so... better luck next time.

Whan about COVID regulations and restrictions? My son will be 5 by the time of the trip but he's not yet vaccinated. After what happened with Pfizer, do you think vaccination would be a must for him?

 

[Marthasor]

Thank you for your answers, however we will arrive too late on sunday so we will go directly to dinner (5-5:30pm) and I just checked that the observatory is closed on Mondays so... better luck next time.

Whan about COVID regulations and restrictions? My son will be 5 by the time of the trip but he's not yet vaccinated. After what happened with Pfizer, do you think vaccination would be a must for him?

These are the ABD rules regarding vaccination: https://www.adventuresbydisney.com/important-updates/

Currently, they require all guests to be fully vaccinated prior to going on an ABD.

 

[woodleygrrl]

The carousel in Griffith Park is not currently operating. The person that ran it and owned it recently passed and they don't have the money to keep it running. They are doing some fund raising right now according to our guides.