We just got back from our 3rd trip to Disneyland (we started going three years ago) We hope to keep up the once a year thing or go more often. This trip was a little different because I had won the trip on a radio contest. The prize included two nights stay at the Grand California Hotel and 4 3-day park hoppers. Since we live in Utah we decided to drive (no travel came with the prize) since the hotel was for only two nights we also used Priceline (which we love) to get hotels for before and after. Also in our group for two days was my wife’s friend, husband and her two kids, who live in AZ. Just a little note. I am a tenacious planner. Before we left for this trip I had planned out what rides we were going to do and in what order they would be done in but I am slightly flexible in the plan. I just hate seeing people standing out with maps out wasting time deciding on what to do next. This trip was also our first trip with family friends and my wife was a little nervous about my planning. Here was our cast, me, my wife (DW), our daugthers (DD3 and DD4), my wife's best friend and family (BF, her suband (BFH) and their 2 sons (DS2 and DS4)
Our trip started on Thursday May 22nd, when we drove to spend the night at relatives, then drove the rest of the way on Friday to LA. Where we stayed with wife’s grandparents from Friday-Monday doing some local things.
On Monday May 26th- we checked into the Anaheim Holiday Inn and Suites, we booked this hotel through priceline for only $42. We got to the hotel about 4:00, at which point we called the Best Friend who had bought the Costco Citypass, and since they were only planning on going to the Park Tuesday and Wednesday they decided to hit the park for a few hours Monday night, but they came out of the park and we met for dinner at Tortilla Joes Cantina, which had no wait and the food was good. So we talked with the BF who my wife had not seen for a couple of years. Our 2 girls (DD5, DD3) met their 2 boys(DS4, DS2). Then we parted and decided to we would meet the next morning at the front gate. Since they had gone on a few rides that day I went back to the hotel and worked things around a little so they did not have to repeat the rides they have gone on.
Day 1 -Tuesday May 28th- Early Entry day.
Got up at 6:00 so we could check-in to the Grand Cali. Asked about upgrading to a bunk bed room and they upgraded me for free. We were on the 6th floor, with balcony and a great view of Grizzly River and Tower of Terror. The room was quite nice and we like being so close to the park. Though it was kinda of like a maze to get to our room. We got to the gates at about 7:45 and BF no where to be found. They had just barely left, no problem, we entered the park got our free strollers (Disney VISA) and then rode Dumbo (DD3 favorite), Tea Cups, then me and DD5 rode the Matterhorn. Then BF and family made it into the park we met them on Astor Orbiters. They had to fight their way through the group already getting lined up behind the rope. So we went over to get on Splash but they had a rope blocking the way. So we waited and when they dropped the rope we walked over to Splash, on the way we tried to get FP for Indy but ride was closed and so was FP. Not all kids could go on Splash so BF Husband, DS4, DD5, and I rode Splash, then we came back and DW-my wife, BF, DD3, DD5, and I rode it again. Then we rode BigThunderMR (which was DS4 favorite) while BFH and DS2 went on the Mark Twain. Then we made our way back to Fantasy Land via Snow White’s Wishing Well. Peter Pan was 40 minutes long but we went on it anyway, which was probably our longest wait.
After PP we decided we needed to get the BF kids a 1st time visitor pin. So we took the omnibus to city hall. Once there we got the boys their pins and then met some characters. There was Pluto, Cruella (who was funny), Chip and Dale, and Goofy and Max. Then we got on the horse drawn carriage to take us back to our stollers at the castle. While waiting to go Cruella walked by and called us a bunch of lazies and said that we should get out and walk.
Next we made our way over to Tomorrowland to eat lunch at Pizza Rocket. The lasagna was really good and the pizza only okay. Then we got FP for Buzz and then used Baby Swap to ride Star Tours, last year DD5 had to walk off the ride before it started because she was scared but this time daddy took her and she was fine. So BFH, DS4, DD5, and I rode star tours, we got off and DW, BF, DD5 went on it again and BF got motion sickeness. Then we all went and rode Buzz, except BF -and I almost broke 200,000 points.
The next stop was Toontown because all the kids wanted to get Mickey and Minnie. We found Pluto and Minnie outside in the town square, and then we went to Mickey’s house to get the big man himself. This was the first time we had seen Mickey in his house, before we always had caught him by City Hall. After letting the kids play a little around Toontown we headed over too the Train because we were all tired and we thought we would try to go on Indiana Jones. So we rode the train from Fantasyland to New Orleans Square. By the time we got there the wives had decided to go back to the hotel with the two youngest ones.
So while they went and rested BFH, DS4, DD5 and I went and rode Winnie the Pooh, BigThunderMtnRailroad, Autotopia, and tried to go on Space Mtn but it was shut down. Now us guys were tired to we went and saw HoneyIshrunkTheAudience with the two kids, which was a great rest. After coming out of that we saw that they had just barely opened Space Mtn back up so we ran and caught that. Both kids thought it was really fast and not so sure about going on it again. By then it was time for Dinner so we called the wives and we decided to go and eat at the Rainforest Café in Downtown disney. So we caught the Monorail down while the other half walked from the Grand Californian. We got in only after a 10 minute wait which was nice since it seemed so busy. My wife and I shared the Paella (I lived in Spain for 2 years) which was good/ok. During dinner DD5 fell asleep and would not wake back up so we decided that would be the end of the night for us. So we said goodnight to BF family as they went back to the park for 1 more hour. Then I realized I had left our backpack in Downtown Disney which had our camcorder, diapers, and other important items in it. We walked back to find it and it was no where to be found. DW was very upset with me for losing it. So while the kids and her went back to the hotel to get ready for bed I walked around downtown Disney and then over to the Lost and Found to try and find it. To no avail, it was no where to be found. So I gave up went back to the hotel and went to bed, kinda of a let down for our first day.
DAY 2 - Wednesday May 28th
Woke up early, called Lost and Found to see if back pack had been found, no luck. Got to the gates a little after opening. BF family already in the park upgrading their tickets to AP’s while we got our 2 free strollers again. Then we went over to let BF ride Space Mountain, on the way ran into Buzz, took a picture with him. Then BF, DS4, DD5, and I went and rode Space Mountain.
Then we rushed over to DCA to get there for opening. We had wanted to use the Hotel entrance but we were decided to use the main gate since the park was about to open. We first got FP for Soarin since the wait was already 30 minutes (only needed to get 4 since wives and the youngest kids would not go), then we got 8 FP for Grizzily River Run (since it is disconnected to the FP system). Next BF family rode the Zephyr which I & DW get sick if we ride so I took DD5 on her favorite ride Jumping Jellyfish. We rode it 4 times in a row while the others rode zephyr, on the 4th time I saw that over near Mullholand Madness they were giving out Dream FP, I wanted to tell the operator to stop but by the time we were done they had left, so we rode it one more time with BFH and DS4. Then we got in line for Mullholand and rode it twice, with hardly any wait. Next we got 2 FP’s for Screamin.
This was all within 1 ½ hours of the park opening so we rush over to Hollywood Backlot where they now have the Character Meet and Greet for Visa holders. It was Chip and Dale and there were good characters, very animated and fun. Then we went on Monster’s Inc and went and saw the Muppets (our favorite of the 3D movies). While waiting for Muppets I ran and got 4 FP to Tower of Terror. After Muppets was over we were able to go on Tower of Terror. SO BFH, DS4, DD5, and I went on TT, it was DD5 first time and I bought the picture of us. We got the front row and her face was really worried in the picture. She said it was a little scary and would maybe go on it again next year. While we were on TT the others went to Fliks Fun Fair.
Next we needed food, so we went to McDonalds. After lunch we went and started using the many FP we had. First it was Grizzly taking it in Shifts since the youngest two could not go on it. First the Dads with the two older kids and then the moms with the kids. Then BFH, DS4, DD5, and I went on Soarin while the others went shopping. Now it was time for Playhouse Disney, so while Moms and kids watched that, us two dads went on Screamin’ using FP with very little wait. This trip I used more FP then ever before. After that we had 30 minutes till the Pixar Parade so we bought some snacks, sat in the Sunshine Plaza and waited while DW and DD5 went back to the hotel real quick for jackets(it was really nice having it so close). Parade was fun after that we went and visited turtle talk w/ Crush. He picked DD5 to ask him a question, which she did not, but told him her favorite color was blue and he asked her if she could guess what his favorite color was. She said it would have to be green. She thought that was really fun.
So having it be about 6 we went back to Disneyland, but while the moms were looking at a shop in DCA I decided to check Lost and Found again, and low and behold they had the backpack. It was very nice to be able to get in back with everything still in it. I had to answer the third degree in details to get it back though, which I appreciated. We then went and did a Baby Swap for Indiana Jones and the cast member was really nice and gave us all Baby Swap passes to use the FP lane instead of having the first group go and wait in the long line and the 2nd group going through the FP. Next we ate Dinner at the River Belle Terrace –very good. Went on BThunderMR again. Then we went over to Fantasyland and rode the carousel, Dumbo, Pinocchio. This was the last night for the BF family, BFH took DS4 on BTMR one more time, while the rest of us rode Alice in wonderland, then we headed to the gate since it was closing time. On the way we told BF family they should have the kids get the silhouettes done at Main Street store, which they did. We said our goodbyes and departed.
Day 3 -Thursday May 29th-Day of Rest
We did not go to Disney this day since we wanted to save our third day for Friday which was DD5 b-day. We were getting ready to go swimming before check-out when the fire alarm started going off. So we all filed out of the Grand California to stand in Downtown Disney. We decided to eat breakfast at La Brea sit-down, very expensive. Fire alarm was done by the time we were done eating. We called the front desk and asked for a later check-out because of the fire alarm, went swimming, check-out at noon, went to the beach, which was very windy, and then came back and checked into our last hotel for the trip. The Hilton Anahiem by the Convention center. We got 12th floor room looking out towards the parks, which we could see a good amount of, and if we had got home earlier it also has a fireworks view. It was a nice hotel but not as nice as the Grand California and we only paid $48 a night for this hotel. We all went to bed early since we knew the next day would be long.
Day 4 - Friday May 30th- DD5 Birthday
Woke up at 5:30 so we could make sure we were all ready and could get to Goofy’s kitchen by 7:00am. We took a taxi since we did not want to use ART. We ate at Goofy’s where we had ordered a the birthday bucket for DD5. Goofy’s kitchen had good food but the characters did not seem as good as last time we went, when we had Alice and the Mad Hatter visit us in addition to the rest. This time we had Chip and Dale, Balou the bear, Goofy, Wendy, and Pluto (wendy and dale were new this time). One interesting thing that happened as we were getting ready to go I saw the waiter approach a guy who had a few minutes before sat down with a plate of food. Apparently, the guy had thought this was a continental breakfast and was staying at the Disneyland Hotel for some meeting. The waiter told him he could not stay and that he would have to pay for the food he ate. When we were leaving we saw him paying the cashier, I wonder if they made him pay the full amount. It always amazes me how unobservant people are. He had walked past several waiting families, past the cashier, and into the restaurant and thought nothing of it.
Well anyway back to the fun stuff. We got to the park right as they were letting people into the park. I went and got DD5 a free birthday pin at city hall while DW got the strollers. By that time it was almost time to drop the rope so I went through the stores and stood in the Kodak shop with DD5 since we were the only ones planning on going on Nemo, some people saw the button and said they would let us go through the door first. So as the rope was dropped we pushed through the door and I ran as I pushed the stroller, going all the way around the Matterhorn as we had been instructed and beat out some teenagers to be the first in line for Nemo. I was quite pleased with myself for the first one in line. So we rode Nemo, then went to go find mommy and sister, as were passing Tritons Gardens I spotted them at last; some Dream Makers handing out FastPasses. So we went and grabbed two and had a Photopass cast member take a picture of us in with the Matterhorn in the background showing off our passes. Since we had already done all the FP rides and we no longer had other adults with us we decided we would just keep the Dream FastPasses as a souvenir. We then met up with mom on Mainstreet and showed her our prize. Then we went and did Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, and saw the Winnie the Pooh Characters. Then we made our way to Fantasyland, on the way I ran into a Dream Maker who DD5 wanted to trade pins with, while talking to her she asked if DD5 liked princesses. She said yes so the Dream Maker gave us a ticket for a private sitting with a princess for later that day. After that we continued on our way to Fantasyland wanted to go on Storybook Canal boats but line seemed too long so we went and decided to see the Fantasy Faire and saw the show, both our girls were wearing Sleeping Beauty dresses and when they came out and did the may pole, Sleeping Beauty came over to our pole and held DD5 hand. Somewhere around here my wife lost her cell phone. Then we went and ate lunch at Café Orleans. I got the Monte Cristo which was really good and my wife had the ratatouille which was also good. After that I went back to Fantasy Faire to look for cell phone while my wife took the girls to get their silhouettes done. I met back with them and we went and staked out a spot for the parade of dreams by the Fantasy Faire so we could have our private sitting with a princess afterward. The parade was good but I thought the pre parade with Prince Caspian was a little lame. While we were waiting for the parade my wife took each girl separately and got their face painted like fairies at the faire. After the parade we went and met Snow White behind the big blue shield at the Fantasy Fair. After that the girls wanted to see more princesses so we stood in line and met Belle, Jasmine, and Mulan.
After seeing enough princesses we went over DCA to do Fliks Fun Fair. We rode Heimlichs chew chew train, the bumper cars twice, the ladybug boogie, and fliks flyers. Then we went to “It’s Tough to be a Bug” show for the first time. This was pretty good. It seemed to have a lot more affects (not just 3-d) then the other two 3D films. But it was a little scary for the girls, especially DD5 surprisingly- we’re talking tears. After that we went and ate at the Mission Tortilla factory. DW thinks its too spicy, though she likes a little spice. Then DD5 wanted to ride Jumping Jellyfish one more time. Then it was onto the triton carousel where DD3 was picked to be the leader of the Merry Go Round and was given a crown, and the cast member announced that King Tritan had picked her to be the leader. After that we went and sat down to watch the Electircal Light Parade that we had not seen since both my wife and I were kids. The parade was really good and surprising how long it is-not a bad thing. And during the parade I really got to see how great the cast members can be. There we were sitting in the dark, on the ground, and when Alice went by on top of her very tall Mushroom it amazed me when she looked down, saw my daughter, and noticed her b-day pin and said over her Microphone “Is it your Birthday?, Well Happy Birhtday.” Then when Cinderella drove by she did the same things. Now DD5 had been wished happy b-days all day long by cast members but I was amazed they still did it when it was dark and they were far away and in a parade. After the Parade we went back to Disneyland and watched Fantasmic, which was very crowded. After that it was almost Midnight and both girls were sleeping. So after almost 16 hours in the park we left, making one more stop at the Lost and Found to see if the cell phone was there (which we got the next morning before we left.)
So that was the end of our magical trip. The first two days were great because the weather was mild and the lines short, and Friday was also great because of all the dreams that came true, even though their were tons of high school kids(some smelly) running around. It was a great trip that had a few downs (losing bags and cell phones), but a lot more ups and no regrets. The only change we would make is probably not to go at the end of May again. My wife’s (not mine) only change would be to have a hotel really close for us to take a short rest in (preferably a Disney hotel). Although the Disney strollers are actually very nice for kids to take naps in, -shaded and reclined, and very maneuverable as well. Our last trip was on Valentines Day last year and the park was not crowded at all except for a few etickets (like peter pan, that always has a long line – no matter when in the year or what time of day you go). Hope you all enjoyed my very lengthy trip report.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Disneyland May 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Photos 2007 (1)
Photos 2007 (2)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Annual Passes
Most people would think that if you do not live in Southern California you would never buy an annual pass. Well an annual pass does not cost much more than a 5 day pass to Disneyland. And by getting an annual pass you can save greatly on hotels at Disneyland, Soevieners, and food at the park.
Usually during the off season you can get a discount on the rooms at one of the resort Hotels for $100 or more. Just by staying 3 nights you would save more in this type of discount then the annual pass costs. You only need 1 annual pass in the group to get this discount.
Also if your family goes on a trip to disneyland every year then go in May one year, get an annaul pass, and then the next year go a month earlier. You get to to go to Disneyland twice for the price on just one ticket purchase.
There are also many other countless perks for being an annual pass holder. For a description of them please go to disneyland.com.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
To go with a Package or not?
This is one question that many people ask. Should I go with a package, will it save me money, can I get a better deal by buying the components separately? When it comes to making this decision it usually depends on two things, what time of year is it and what hotel you want to stay at.
With regards to the time of year, you can usually find savings during the off peak times (see the topic "When to Go").
We have done both and the only time we do a package is when we are staying at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels. You can never save enough money on a package to compete with using my guide to getting the best price for a hotel on Priceline (see the hotel section). So if your not picky about the hotel room I would suggest always doing the trip by booking everything yourself in separate components.
Now if you are staying at the Resort (these hotels can't be bought using Priceline) I suggest a package. I prefer going through Costco. In 2007 and so far in 2008 booking through Costco gets you a free Character Breakfast for every member of your party. That is a saving of over $100 for a family of four, and you pay no more for this then any other package you can get. Trust me I looked at all the package possibilities. Plus they usually give you some other extras (that many other packages do as well) which may include the following: a $20 Disney gift card, priority seating to Aladdin at Disney California, Costco lanyard and pin, Downtown Disney Fun Book, and most any other trinkets that comes with booking the trip through Disney themselves. Keep in mind that you must have a Costco membership to buy a Costco package. You also are not limited to just the Disneyland hotels when buying thorough Costco but again you will be paying full price for that hotel.
Keep in mind that the less you pay for the fixed costs that you have to prepay before you go, the more you get to spend at the resort on good food and the must souvenirs.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
How to get Deals on Hotels
When looking at going to Disneyland cost always is a factor. If not, you must be really rich. There really is no great way to get a deal at the Disneyland Resort Hotels unless you get an annual pass (check out my section on annual passes to find out more about this).
an example of the Pricelien map, you chose one of those areas and the hotel they pick must be in that area.Like I said this is a great deal and you can not beat it, well unless you win a contest and get free hotel stays or are using frequent staying points. Another thing to keep in mind that by doing this you may get a hotel that is farther away then you like. If you pick the Disneyland area they are withing 2 miles of the park but you may not be able to walk. Both hotels we stayed at offered a free shuttle that we were able to use. Though sometimes we splurge and take a Taxi because of how crowded the shuttles can get.
Friday, January 25, 2008
What type of Hotel to stay in?
As part of any vacation usually includes staying in a hotel. Disneyland has no shortage of hotels. It reminds me a little of Vegas because you have one whole street full of hotels. You basically have two options when it comes to what type of hotel you want to stay at either a Disneyland Resort Hotel, or a regular hotel near Disneyland.
Unlike Disney World, were if you do not stay with Disney you are going to be far from the parks, some regular hotels are closer to the main gates then the Resort Hotels. But keep in mind most of the hotels that are right outside the front gate have been there a while and may be a little old.
There are three Disney Resort Hotels: Paradise Pier (cheapest), The Disneyland Hotel (most Disney), and the Disney Grand California Hotel (most elegant). I have only stayed in the Paradise Pier but will be staying at the Grand California in September 2008. Each of these hotels offer different restaurants and amenities (for details try one of the links on the right or my favorite Disney book "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland"). What great thing about staying at one of the Resort Hotels is that you get "Early Entry" (you can enter the park one hour early) ever day it is offered in during your trip. If you do not stay at one of these hotels you will probably only get the "Early Entry" once. One other benefit to staying at a Resort Hotel is the use of the private entrance in Disneyland California Adventure. I have used this and it really nice especially when travelling from the park into Downtown Disney.
If you do not stay at one of the Resort hotels do not worry, you have tons of hotels of every type to pick from. Some are with in a short 5 minute walk to the Main Gate while others will require a taxi, shuttle, or a marathon walk of at least 20 minutes to get there. The benefit of staying outside the park is price. Where the cheapest night stay in a Resort Hotel is around $250-$450 you can stay outside the park for less then $50 a night. When doing a 5 day trip that adds to a lot of savings, especially if you will spend so little time in the hotel (see my "How to get the cheapest deal on a hotel" section for these $50 a night deals).
Please read my hotel reviews for the hotels I stayed to get some ideas of what to expect
