Tons of Questions for Disneyland on Thanksgiving

[clymberz]

Hi,

We are planning a trip to Disney on T-day. I'd love your help!

First, it would be me, DW, our 4yo daughter, my mom and dad. My mom and dad are SoCal residents and my mom is 65+.

I looked into hotels that are walking distance. I found Paradise Pier Wed night and Thurs night for about $200/night - which includes the discount for seniors. I really like the idea of staying at one of the DL hotels because my mom gets tired really easy and could go back to the room to take a nap. Plus I love the early entrance. The problem is that it's expensive for both nights. Plus we'd have to all pile into one room. That would not make it very relaxing for us after a long drive from the Bay Area. I have the PP on a 24 hour hold and can reserve it w/ a credit card for a refundable reservation up to 5 days before the day of. Any suggestions for getting lower prices? I could call every single day to see if there are other cancellations. I saw that there is a $159/night socal rate for PP and 179/night DLH rate for socal - but all those blocks are sold out. Would AP holders get a better rate?

I've found HOJO for about $140/night. The other walking distance Harbor Blvd Hotels are about $140ish/night +. Unfortunately it looks like the Entertainment rate is blacked-out for those nights.

Are there other really cheap hotel rooms that are a short drive/short shuttle away? clean/modest/cheap are great

We will be driving from the Bay Area on Wed and ideally would like to head straight to anaheim. Technically, we could spend the night with my mom and dad n Northridge, but then we'd have to get up at 6am the next morning to cruise down to Anaheim on t-day.

Does anyone know what the traffic will be like on t-day?

My mom gets tired easily because she is diabetic and also has been recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure. It doesn't seem too bad since the doctor basically just said reduce her salt intake and I don't think they've given her any other medications. No Space Mountain for her, but I will need to plan on a wheel chair or something like that.

What are my options for wheelchairs or whatnot at the park? Do we have to rent them or reserve them? Are there any perks to having someone with a wheelchair? like fastpasses, tours, etc? Any suggestions for shows or things to do with my mom that will make her enjoy it at a slower pace and also give us a chance to go scout around then join back? (eg, watching more shows like Aladdin, Fantasmic, parades, etc)

To that point, any suggestions for low-salt foods in DL? (loaded question, i know, it will be a matter of degree, not absolutes)

Speaking of food, any suggestions for t-day dinner options on t-day in the park? Is Blue Bayou going to be any different than any other restaurant?

Any weather predictions


Any other ideas or suggestions? I'm sure I'll have more questions...

 

[gatorfreud]

Well I don't have much experience... but we are also going Thanksgiving- monday. We are driving from SF, and leaving SUPER early T-day... like 4am and hoping the kids fall back to sleep in the car. I would be interested to know too what people thought about traffic. I am afraid to leave Wed. night as I think the traffic will be bad.

PP is pretty far from DL gates... I think HoJo is closer, but that is still about a 10-15 min. walk. I would try for any of those ones further down on Harbor closer to the gate. If your mom can't walk a lot, you might want to stay somehwere that has easy shuttle access (I don't know where).

I bet you could rent a wheelchair (or ECV) from an offiste place so you could have it to get to and from the park.

Call and you can likely get reservations for some dinner in the park... I think they all basically serve the same Turkey dinner. I just called for mine a week or so ago and there seemed to be many options.

Kim

 

[clymberz]

bump

 

[clymberz]

We did some research on the least expensive hotels that are the most convenient.

I found the Super 8 in Anaheim on Katella at $46/night. It had decent/good reviews on tripadvisor. Anyone ever stayed there? How far is it to walk to the ART stop? Does it have it's own shuttle?

Otherwise, we're looking at the TownePlace Marriott over by the A's Stadium. With 25k Marriott points, it will cost $40 for 2 nights of studios. It's right on the train tracks and probably loud but the price can't be beat. the ART only runs every 60min I think so we'd need to drive from that hotel to DL.

What's the best driving route/parking lot?

thanks!

 

[Winks At Tink]

We did some research on the least expensive hotels that are the most convenient.

I found the Super 8 in Anaheim on Katella at $46/night. It had decent/good reviews on tripadvisor. Anyone ever stayed there? How far is it to walk to the ART stop? Does it have it's own shuttle?

Otherwise, we're looking at the TownePlace Marriott over by the A's Stadium. With 25k Marriott points, it will cost $40 for 2 nights of studios. It's right on the train tracks and probably loud but the price can't be beat. the ART only runs every 60min I think so we'd need to drive from that hotel to DL.

What's the best driving route/parking lot?

thanks!

on halloween we stayed at Super 8 Anaheim/Disneyland Drive and it was fine for 65 a night. 4 people I would stay there again..

 

[Vacation Dad]

I don’t want to throw in something to rain on your parade, but do expect large crowds on Thanksgiving day. We went on Thanksgiving Day about 5 years ago and it was amazingly busy. By about noon or so you just couldn’t move around the park. I remember that the standby time at noon for Splash Mt was 105 minutes. Trying to keep track of a large group, including a 4 year-old and a person in a wheelchair might be a bit of a challenge.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t go, just be ready for a busy day. Then again with the economy the way it is, you never know how busy the park will be then. Have fun.

 

[clymberz]

I really appreciate that feedback about it being busy on T-Day. Really good to know. It means I'm going to be that much more focused on getting there early and staying late!

Any tips for dealing with the crowds with someone in a wheel chair?

Actually, my mom will probably head back to take a nap at the hotel during the afternoon.

Hey, maybe this is a good excuse to just slow down and enjoy things at a slower pace. OR - an excuse to go to California Adventures!

 

[blutes]

Since your mother has some health issues I would rent an ECV from an outside source rather than relying on DL..DL equipment is first come-first serve. I have rented from OC Medical supply..they deliver to your hotel before you arrive and pick up equip after you leave..very reliable and then your mother has help getting to the park and can take the ECV to downtown Disney should you want to go there..They are also cheaper than DL
their number is 714 956-4690. Good Luck and hope you have a great time..

 

[Disney Dreams]

I really appreciate that feedback about it being busy on T-Day. Really good to know. It means I'm going to be that much more focused on getting there early and staying late!

Any tips for dealing with the crowds with someone in a wheel chair?

Actually, my mom will probably head back to take a nap at the hotel during the afternoon.

Hey, maybe this is a good excuse to just slow down and enjoy things at a slower pace. OR - an excuse to go to California Adventures!

It will be crowded. Just know that and go with the idea that you will go slow and wait in lines and enjoy each other's company through it all. I think part of the reason a crowded Disneyland makes people go crazy is they get impatient and just want to "go" but can't. Knowing it will be crowded and just going with the flow, helps make the days better.

One important comment on your post that I have quoted. IF the park reaches the point of "lock-out capacity," anyone who has left the Park will not be able to enter again. Therefore, if your mom goes back to the hotel in the afternoon and the park reaches the point of lockout, she will not be able to get back in. (There are a few levels of "capacity." The first allows for hand-stamped guests to re-enter. The last allows for no one to enter, even with a hand-stamp - except for on-property hotel guests, I think).

So..... before leaving the Park for a nap, I would ask CMs if they have any reason to believe the Park is close to capacity and look for warning signs stating such.

- Dreams

 

[JennCa]

The Super 8 on Katella is different than the one on Disneyland Drive. I just got back from a stay at the Katella location.

I have to say I was not thrilled, but for the price I'd do it again.

I used AAA and had a 2 bed, non smoking room for 46 a night. The surounding area is nice, the Gardenwalk restaurants are next door. It is about a 15 minute walk to the park, all sidewalks, we used a stroller so I really noticed.

Free parking and cheapo breakfast (2 cereals, watered down juice and white bread with margarine). The room was technically clean, no hairs or anything, but the carpet was disgusting and my daughter's feet looked horrible from walking around, also cheap thin towels/sheets. A much older hotel and although they remodeled some it still feels/looks older. Unless you stay at one of the newer hotels I think you will notice that anywhere.

I thought the customer service was fine and for the price I would consider it again.

Jenn

 

[Supermavs]

So we will be there on Thangsgiving as well...I never thought about the possibility of reaching capacity and getting locked out. ugh.

How do you find out about special meals for TG? As a large family group (24 in all ) we are planning a family meal on Wednesday, but I am still interested in knowing if DL or CA will have special things that day.

Becky

 

[clymberz]

Becky -

Call the Preferred Seating # (714) 781-3463 and they can give you the T-day menus, pricing and availability for reservations.

Ariels Grotto is $42 and mostly has outdoor seating. I reserved the last indoor 5:50pm but at these prices (plus cost of DCA admission) will most likely call back and release it.

Blue Bayou is only available at 9pm

Carnation Cafe is a little more traditional w/ Turkey breast type stuff $15 adult $6 kids. They have seating availability

Cafe Orleans is a turkey crepe with louisiana-flare sides. same price, there is seating availability.

I suggest calling now to reserve.