*** The Official 2014 - DLR -July Thread ***(We All Have Been There & Back Home)

[Dismamx2]

Thanks Tina, I will keep you updated. To bad a group of us needing to visit the beach are not at DLR during the same week. We could rent a large SUV and have a Dis-Outing. Also thought about renting while at the beach...Still looking

Yeah that would've been cool
it's years since I've been on one of those lol

I seem to be going around in circles trying to plan this trip

 

[djmeredith]

Oh, no no no. Too funny. I just meant all of the July and August birthday-ers
But, I do feel safer now knowing y'all will be there at the same time!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

LOL! I didn't even think of the birthday/zodiac Leos.

 

[djmeredith]

We've booked flights so it's official now - well, it will be once we've told the kids - we'll be at Disney 7-9 July. Coming from New Zealand, with my husband and two kids (6 and 8.5).

It'll be the kids' third visit but they were 1 and 4, and 2.5 and 5, on their last visits so it'll be all that much more fun now that they're a little older. The youngest doesn't remember his previous two visits at all - we were in CA for family weddings both times and Disneyland was an add-on.

Very much looking forward to it but wary of how manically busy it is going to be. We didn't have any flexibility with our dates unfortunately because we need to work around our kids' school vacation dates (July is a two week break in NZ).

Wow, you're making quite a journey! I was curious and looked up how long it was and Google Maps says it's about a 14 hour flight. I fully understand your concerns about how busy it might be because I went to WDW last year July 4th week. You may already know, but that is pretty much the busiest week of summer here. I was panicked thinking it would be so miserably crowded that we wouldn't be able to do much at all. However, I planned our park days according to the crowd predictor apps, prepared myself mentally for the crowds, and we ended up having a great time! So, don't worry, it will be fine as long as you go into the trip prepared.

 

[SpacecadetNZ]

Wow, you're making quite a journey! I was curious and looked up how long it was and Google Maps says it's about a 14 hour flight.

Yep! It's a long way - a one hour connecting flight for us to Auckland, then a 12 hour flight Auckland to LAX. But coming from New Zealand, in our remote corner of the Pacific, we are pretty accustomed to having to travel long distances to go anywhere beyond neighbouring Australia and some of the Pacific Islands. Fortunately my kids are good travellers.

Can I be a complete dunce and ask what the Crowd Predictor apps are that you are referring to? The last time we went to Disneyland was four years ago and honestly, it's amazing how much has changed in that time; not just at DLR itself but the sheer number of websites, blogs, apps etc... Mind boggling.

 

[RHMH]

To All - Every Sunday I will post a question of the week. So let's start with this one.

When you arrive at Disney, what is the first thing you and your family do together that has turned into a (Disney Family Tradition)?

OK - I will start.. We always have to visit DTD and go out to eat...

 

[jacobsmommy]

At Disney World we have a tradition of eating at Crystal Palace on our first day. At Disneyland on arrival day we usually do DTD and eat at Goofy's Kitchen. We've done that the last three times.

 

[Nintfamily]

We've only taken the kids once, but they have made it clear that the first thing they want to do when we go again is Pirates of the Caribbean. But, they think we aren't going until 2015...he he he little do they know we are going THIS summer! I am telling them on the way to the airport!

 

[Dismamx2]

Ride Big Thunder Mountain

 

[rickenmartin78]

Thanks Tina, I will keep you updated. To bad a group of us needing to visit the beach are not at DLR during the same week. We could rent a large SUV and have a Dis-Outing. Also thought about renting while at the beach...Still looking I did rent a car for our Hollywood Trip 74.00 and some change for a convertible (Alamo) don't know if I should just keep it another day for the beach...Don't know anything about the hot weather in Anaheim, but if it is anything like WDW - we should be ok...

My DD is wanting a convertible. Exactly what make and model did you get?

 

[rickenmartin78]

To All - Every Sunday I will post a question of the week. So let's start with this one. When you arrive at Disney, what is the first thing you and your family do together that has turned into a (Disney Family Tradition)? OK - I will start.. We always have to visit DTD and go out to eat...

Magic Kingdom, Main St USA. Can't beat it.

 

[RHMH]

My DD is wanting a convertible. Exactly what make and model did you get?

The reservation states Mustang Convertible or comparable. Hoping for Mustang but may end up with VW convertible.

 

[SpacecadetNZ]

Magic Kingdom, Main St USA. Can't beat it.

I'm with you We've only been twice before with the kids and they've been pretty young (1.5 and 3.5 in 2009, 2.5 and 4.5 in 2010) but Main Street is the first place we go to - to absorb the Disneyness

We revealed the trip plans to our kids yesterday - by making them fill in a Mad Lib I'd made. They were shocked into silence. That almost never happens!

 

[djmeredith]

Yep! It's a long way - a one hour connecting flight for us to Auckland, then a 12 hour flight Auckland to LAX. But coming from New Zealand, in our remote corner of the Pacific, we are pretty accustomed to having to travel long distances to go anywhere beyond neighbouring Australia and some of the Pacific Islands. Fortunately my kids are good travellers. Can I be a complete dunce and ask what the Crowd Predictor apps are that you are referring to? The last time we went to Disneyland was four years ago and honestly, it's amazing how much has changed in that time; not just at DLR itself but the sheer number of websites, blogs, apps etc... Mind boggling.

You're not a dunce at all for asking! I was referring to the websites/mobile phone apps that predict the crowd levels for the parks on a given day. Some are free and some require a paid subscription. The one I used for WDW was Touring Plans which is not free. However, I'm not sure how accurate the crowd predictors are for DL. I think I remember reading somewhere on here that they are less reliable for DL. Haven't had time to research that yet.

 

[Chrisfilm]

I just read that the Matterhorn is going to be down all summer for refurb. I am so bummed about this because this is our first and probably only trip to DL. I know I should be thankful that most of the other refurbs will be completed by July, but this really stinks for us. I know we will still have a great time so I need to focus on the positive and "let it go"!!

Ugh. This is terrible news.

 

[RHMH]

Ugh. This is terrible news.

Good Morning Chrisfilm

Will you be joining our July Disneyland group? Glad to have you on board when you get your plans in place.

 

[Chrisfilm]

Hmm, I don't think I follow. There's a group to join? I thought people were just talking about what to expect in July. We don't have day-to-day plans like some folks do. Here's all I really know:

July 26 - fly in; spend afternoon in DTD
July 27-31 - 5 day park-hopper; I think we're playing it by ear
August 1 - fly out; be sad

Trip includes myself, wife, and 2 boys, and my parents, brothers, and sis-in-laws. We're staying at the GCH for the first time and are all very excited about it. Should be a great trip!

 

[Chrisfilm]

Actually, looks like my mom has already been here as greewe. Lulz.

EDIT: So is Matterhorn really supposed to be down?

 

[luulu1999]

Actually, looks like my mom has already been here as greewe. Lulz.

EDIT: So is Matterhorn really supposed to be down?

From all that I have seen it is

 

[SpacecadetNZ]

Oh no to Matterhorn being out of action! That's disappointing. And Finding Nemo is undergoing major works and is out too, is that right? I've already pre-warned my kids about that one.

Just booked our hotel after MUCH researching. The Candy Cane Inn. I got so utterly bamboozled with options. I hope I've made the right decision. Would love to have booked one of the Disney hotels but unfortunately the NZ$-US$ exchange rate is not fabulous and I'm sure I can think of lots of things to spend that extra $$ on

Can I ask another possibly dumb question? Those of you who have specified on page 1 where you will be dining, are those tentative plans? Reservations don't open til 60 days prior, is that right or am I totally missing something important?

 

[crystal1313]

^We LOVE the CCI! As long as you don't go into it expecting a DLR hotel, I think you will love it. This is a "motel" style property but it is gorgeous! The rooms have a tiki feel to them and were exceptionally clean. We stayed on the bottom floor near the pool and I was thrilled with how quiet the room was. It was great! The breakfast has tons of different options too. And it's a quick walk up to the main gates. Plus it's really close to a 7-11 convenience store which is nice! We had the standard room so no microwave but the fridge was really helpful. And we really liked that there was an in room safe too. Free parking and breakfast is a nice perk too!