Update:Holy Cow! I'm going to Disneyland!

[Chicago526]

Update: We got back yesterday and had a great time! Thanks to everyone for their driving tips, we took 10 to 57 and it worked out fine. We got to DLR at about 10 AM on Tuesday and got a full day in at DL, including lunch at BB (which was wonderful!). The holiday overlays for POTC, HH, and IASW were great, as were the Xmas decorations that we saw. Crowds were light, the longest wait we had was for Nemo (understandable) which was about 30 minutes, we walked on or had a 5-10 minute wait for just about everything else, we didn't even bother with Fastpass. In fact, the weather and crowds were so perfect that, finances permitted, we may go again this same time next year for a longer stay.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone on the DIS!!!

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Original Post:

In less than 2 days!

DH and I are currently in Phoenix visiting my father, and this morning DH happened to ask my dad how long the drive to LA was. Dad answered about 5-6 hours. I jokeingly said "Hey, we could take a day trip to DL!" DH got this huge goofy grin on his face and said "Let's do it!"

So I hoped online, booked 2 nights at the BW Park Place Inn, bought park tickets to pick up for Will Call, and I just now looked up driving directions. We'd already rented the car for our stay in Phoenix, dad has a cooler we can borrow so we can eat some meals in our room (and have snacks for the road trip) and we'll leave at about 4 AM on Tuesday morning!

I've never had a Disney trip with such short notice! I've got nothing planned other than looking up what time Fantasmic runs and getting the phone number to make a couple of restaurant reservations (no trip is complete without a meal at Blue Bayou and Yamabuki's). Dad isn't coming with us, he's "Disney'd out" (is there such a thing? ) but we'll still have plenty of time to visit tonight, tomorrow, and a few days after we get back from DL before we head back to Chicago.

Anyway, wish us luck for this last minute trip!

BTW, I checked rates at the Disney hotels and they were astronomical!!! $500 for DLH, $340 for GCH and $250 for PPH. What gives? T-day is next week, not this week, I wasn't expecting a deal but I've paid less for rooms at Deluxe hotels at WDW.

 

[cjsmom5]

Keep in mind that veterans day is Monday so there may be people who are just taking a couple days off which extends the time off to about 5 days. That is why rates may be higher. Plus, driving to DL is an easy trip for those of us who live in Phoenix. We just did that trip middle of August. Be careful around Blythe as they strictly enforce the speed.

 

[Chicago526]

Keep in mind that veterans day is Monday so there may be people who are just taking a couple days off which extends the time off to about 5 days. That is why rates may be higher. Plus, driving to DL is an easy trip for those of us who live in Phoenix. We just did that trip middle of August. Be careful around Blythe as they strictly enforce the speed.

Yes, my dad warned me about the speed traps!

I'd forgotten about Venterans Day, that makes sense (and I'd just seen the news covering various Veteran's Day ceramonies, duh, you'd think I'd have put 2 and 2 together!). It's no big deal, we stayed at BWPPI last time and it was fine, and the in room fridge and microwave are a plus.

Do you think I'll need reservations for Blue Bayou? I was planning to just walk up when we're ready for lunch, but if it's going to be crowded we'll consider making a reservation.

 

[beckanoah]

They were doing massive construction in June... so be careful of that. It wasn't marked well at ALL...

I think it was where the 10 hits 91, near Riverside. It was a MESS!

Double check your route. (Just went in June)... have a blast!

 

[crasher11]

How awesome !!! have a great time....

 

[disneyfaninaz]

By the way, it will be closer to 6 to 7 hours if you stop for lunch and the traffic on the 91 is killer. We usually break the trip up into 3 segments. We stop in Quartzsite at Mickey D's for a potty break and then at Ramon Road outside of Palm Springs for lunch.

Have a great time.

 

[cjsmom5]

If Blue Bayou is a must for you then I would make the call and see if you can get a priority seating or advanced reservation (can't remember what DL calls it now). It may or may not be busy but we have found that if we really want to eat there then we make the call to dining otherwise the wait can be quite lengthy.

Also we stayed on 10 and went past the construction area instead of cutting south on 91 or something (can't remember the exact route). Distance wise it is about 15 miles longer but we didn't have to wait for the construction. Everyone on the boards who live in CA said it was the best thing to do. We agreed.

Also, when in CA make sure if you use the car pool lane that you don't go back into the regular lane unless you DON't have a solid line. A friend of mine cut across the solid line and ended up with a huge ticket. And, they didn't care that she was from AZ - just gave her the ticket.

 

[beckanoah]

I would take the 10 all the way to the 57 S, and then exit at Katella. That's what I SHOULD have done in June.

 

[PrincessSitka]

dont forget your alien green. Congrats to you

 

[PryncessChrysty]

How exciting! AND you'll get to see all (well, most of) the Christmas decorations, to boot!!

Have a great time!

 

[garate55]

We were going to see about Blue Bayou also probably just gonna walk up and try for reservations but if we don't get them.......oh well.
Have fun. We will be down there on Thursday.
I heard about some weather issues for Monday and Tuesday hopefully it will be ok when you go.

 

[CoolPool]

www.sigalert.com
Good for navigating The Traffic.
Have a fun safe trip!

 

[Disneygirl0259]

How wierd yea there expensive but i always thought the GC was the most expensive?

 

[cjsmom5]

10 to 57 S is the route we took and we didn't have any problems at all. Ran into a little traffic on the 57 S but it wasn't bad ... just stop and go ... typically rush hour as we pulled onto 57 S about 4pm or so.

 

[Hound 109]

Have a great time at Walt's park.

(love the Harry Carey reference .)