Starting to feel stressed.

[blackjackdelta]

I haven't personally stayed at PPH, but people on these boards love it - so much that we're staying there next month! And we have friends who return to that hotel every year.

Last year we flew into LAX because the flights were significantly cheaper and it was easy for us. We took the DLE, which I know some people hate, but we like - it starts the adventure for the kids and is stress free for me, and although I know it IS longer than SNA, it honestly didn't feel like it. We got from LAX to the front desk in an hour.

One of our favorite meals our last trip was Goofy's Kitchen. We had the best character interaction we've ever had at ANY character meal. Alice had a tea party on the floor with my kids! If the characters aren't coming around, make sure to say something.

What I'm trying to say, is I think you'll have a great time. I understand the stress you're under trying to make it perfect for everybody, as I'm the planner when we go, but they'll follow your lead. You're happy & satisfied, so are they! Enjoy your trip!

What would you consider significant savings between LAX and SNA. SNA so much closer after you land, savings $$ vs time. Apples to apples.
Thanks,

Jack

 

[lk2500]

What would you consider significant savings between LAX and SNA. SNA so much closer after you land, savings $$ vs time. Apples to apples.
Thanks,

Jack

I know you directed the question to the OP, but I can usually save $600+ for a family of 4 flying into LAX on Virgin America IF they have a sale. They have fares out of Seattle for $79 one way quite often. Plus I love Virgin America, have had nothing but good experiences with them.

With no sale and a savings of less than $300ish I personally would probably look into flying into SNA.

 

[krispin41]

Loved the times I have stayed at PPH, and they have spoiled me for other hotels in the area. I would not hesitate to stay there again. (I still want to try the other Disney hotels though.)

And I have flown into LAX and it is easy to get around. I prefer SNA, but if the cost is right I wouldn't hesitate to fly into LAX.

You will have fun!! Just remember you are at Disneyland!!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

What would you consider significant savings between LAX and SNA. SNA so much closer after you land, savings $$ vs time. Apples to apples. Thanks, Jack

The flights I looked at last time were $50 cheaper to fly into LAX. Individually that isn't a lot, but since we're a family of 6 on our own, and often go with my parents adding another 2, it adds up. There have been times were the price difference wasn't enough to justify it, but recently has been.

ETA: Last year, I had enough in travel vouchers (bumped from a flight earlier in the year) to cover 8 RT tickets into LAX without being out of pocket anything. Adding $400 OOP seemed silly just to fly into SNA.

 

[mnrose]

We went to Disney in March and stayed at PPH. It was GREAT (and the problems we did have had NOTHING to do with the hotel). Immaculately clean. Comfortable beds. VERY quiet (we never heard any noise from adjacent rooms). Plenty of space for our family. Great location. What's not to like?!?! We had two evening meals in the hotel (can't speak to breakfast), and I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were. Not cheap, of course, but on par with what you would see in a "nicer" place in SoCal. Food was fine. Service was a little spotty, but they tried hard and were friendly.

We flew in and out of LAX because tickets were over $150 cheaper than SNA (and since we are 4 people, that's $600....not insignificant!). Maybe it was the times we were on the road (we had a rental car) but I wasn't stressed at all by traffic. It was very manageable, and not that far. We were staying (after Disney) in South Orange County (Coto de Caza) and it took less than 65 minutes to get to the airport. It would easily be 30 minutes closer from Disney. It's just an airport and it's logically laid out, with easy access to rental cars via shuttle, if that's what you are doing.

 

[pixiepowers]

I always stress before my trips too. Then I remember that I am going to my happy place. I have found that if you offer a friendly smile and are kind to those around you, the magic just follows. Have a wonderful time!

 

[Aust]

PPH hotel is really good in my opinion - spacious bright rooms, comfy beds, and when you go through GCH, closer to the parks than DLH. And I think the best part of GCH is the lobby, and staying at PPH I still got to see it every day!

We always have flown into LAX (coming from Australia we have no choice) and not counting customs which is a nightmare, it has only ever taken us about 45 minutes to get to DLR on the DLR Express. So no big hassle.

And Goofy's KItchen - we've eaten there a couple of times and always seen plenty of characters. No drama there.

It's difficult not to second guess yourself, especially when there's so much information and opinion online now. Try to ignore what others say and know you'll have a great time!

 

[hootey]

You are worried they might not like something?
I have had vacations and business trips RUINED because of friends, family, and coworkers complaining about something not being exactly the way they wanted it. I do not tolerate such conduct anymore. My solution now? When they start complaining, I simply tell them to FIX IT or SHUT UP or GO HOME! It is quite simple. It is amazing how fast the griping stops.
Before you leave on the trip, simply tell everyone to leave the "Gripes" at home. You are going to DL to have FUN. If someone has a problem on the trip, bring it up at an appropriate time and we will discuss it and find a solution."Adapt and overcome people, life is too short and high blood pressure medicine costs too much".

 

[Tonya E]

You are worried they might not like something? I have had vacations and business trips RUINED because of friends, family, and coworkers complaining about something not being exactly the way they wanted it. I do not tolerate such conduct anymore. My solution now? When they start complaining, I simply tell them to FIX IT or SHUT UP or GO HOME! It is quite simple. It is amazing how fast the griping stops. Before you leave on the trip, simply tell everyone to leave the "Gripes" at home. You are going to DL to have FUN. If someone has a problem on the trip, bring it up at an appropriate time and we will discuss it and find a solution."Adapt and overcome people, life is too short and high blood pressure medicine costs too much".

I like you!!

I think this time will be fine but one just never knows how crazy people can get on vacation. All of the comments have put me at ease.

 

[hootey]

I like you!!

I think this time will be fine but one just never knows how crazy people can get on vacation. All of the comments have put me at ease.

Thanks for the compliment. It is amazing how "friends or family" can ruin the best trips! I have had numerous trips completely ruined by family/friends as stated above. I refuse to travel with several family members and a couple other people. They expect everything to be done their way and everything that can or might go wrong is my fault. Traveling as well as associations of all kinds are give and take. What time and where to do anything/everything is a group effort. You have to work with people to get things accomplished.
I have had the pleasure in my life of working around some great political and business leaders. When it comes to planning anything, usually the first words spoken by them in a "Planning Meetings" is "What do you think?". They ask for opinions from everyone involved and then make decisions about when, where, who, etc. That is how most of them got to be so successful. It is amazing how much you can learn by simply watching people and seeing how they do things.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Am starting to stress over the choices I have made for our DL trip 4 weeks from today. I have only been one other time. We are staying at PPH and I keep reading negative reviews. We are doing Goofy's Kitchen and now reading people are only seeing 2 characters because it is super busy. We went with the cheaper flight to LAX and now I wish I would have picked SNA. UGHHH.....someone tell me my choices are fine. We are going with 2 other couples so there will be 8 adults and 2 kids. All the choices we pretty much left to me.

If you are worried about Goofys Kitchen - maybe switch to Surfs Up with Mickey? We just did it a few days ago on a Saturday morning and had like 6 characters. GREAT interaction too

 

[hootey]

Switching to "Surfs Up" could be easier for your group as well. For starters, "Surfs UP" is in the PPH where your group is staying. Secondly, Mickey and Minnie are both there and everyone likes Mickey n Minnie.
Go have F U N