PART FIVE!! *December 2012 Roll Call* Holidays, FLE & MVMCP!! A very, merry thread!

[M&MGirl1]

Originally Posted by BDL

This was our 1st trip using the deluxe dining plan. And we BEAT IT . It took some effort and a couple of dining/show combos, but we beat it. I keep the final receipt in my wallet as a trophy.

We barely managed to "beat" the deluxe plan too. Required a REALLY expensive dinner a Narcoossee's, HDDMR, and a couple character meals, but we more than got our money's worth out of the plan, despite having to blow 9 snack credits on Mickey Head rice krispee treats to take home at the end of our trip. I have to say, we ate a ton of great food on the trip, but I'd be happy with the regular plan next time since it seemed all the ADRs ate into a lot of park time.

Originally Posted by taaren

I know this thread is winding down, but wanted to post some exciting news here because I've been chatting with y'all for so long you feel like friends.

I've been job hunting in California for about a year now, and this morning I got a call from one of the counties I interviewed with right after my DisneyWorld trip. They needed another reference, since one was out of the office until Monday, and wanted to get the paperwork in to make an offer before then!

So it looks like we'll be living 3K miles closer to Disney World by the time our next trip rolls around! Such a relief!

Just wanted to say thanks for all the moral support ... this group was one of the few things that kept me sane and cheerful while going through this job hunt the last year. There truly is something magical about Disney friends ...

CONGRATS! Hope you love the new job!

Originally Posted by ksromack

We won't be going to WDW but Disneyland instead! I'm excited for a new park (been to WDW about 8 times but never to the west coast park).

Sweet! We went to DL last April for sissy's 30th birthday! You'll have a blast. There's almost as much to do at the 2 parks in California as there is in all 4 of the parks in Florida, and it's much more compact and easier to navigate.

Originally Posted by ksromack

I'm a little late with this response but our DHS day was 12/15 and at 9:15 am we pulled a 3:25 fast pass! The line was too long to wait at 9:15 so we took the fast pass. We had a FP+ for 10:20 so we knew we'd get at least those two rides in. When we arrived for that 10:20 FP+ guess what the new Fast passes were for? 7:20pm! I must say, I adored that ride but they really need to do something about getting people through that line!

Totally agree, but I think the only thing that will fix the problem is Disney building several more kid-friendly rides in that park to take the brunt of the traffic off of TSMM. We got to the park at noon and pulled a FP for 7:00. Within 10 minutes of getting our FP they were out for the day. We did go during EMH the last day of our trip. We were there 15 minutes before RD, managed to pull a FP for 9 am (right after EMH ended) and then walk onto the ride. By the time we were off the ride the standby line was 45 minutes long, so we saw the new POTC thing with no wait when (there had been a 60 to 90 minute wait the afternoon we were at the park earlier in our trip). I have to agree with everyone - totally lame and really disappointing. Then we grabbed a cupcake at Staring Rolls for breakfast, and then went back and used our FP. That's about the only way I know of to ride TSM more than once in a day without a significant wait.

[taaren]

Originally Posted by 1stvisit0909

Yep. Our stitch was missing too. I used the form on the website, they found them and added them the next day.

Perfect, I'll submit a form now!

Originally Posted by 1stvisit0909

If you can remember clothing that helps speed it up.

Cool, I know what time of day it was and what clothing they were wearing since we have a group picture with everybody. Can I submit a form for that on the site too?

[SAT887]

Originally Posted by M&MGirl1

Totally agree, but I think the only thing that will fix the problem is Disney building several more kid-friendly rides in that park to take the brunt of the traffic off of TSMM. We got to the park at noon and pulled a FP for 7:00. Within 10 minutes of getting our FP they were out for the day. We did go during EMH the last day of our trip. We were there 15 minutes before RD, managed to pull a FP for 9 am (right after EMH ended) and then walk onto the ride. By the time we were off the ride the standby line was 45 minutes long, so we saw the new POTC thing with no wait when (there had been a 60 to 90 minute wait the afternoon we were at the park earlier in our trip). I have to agree with everyone - totally lame and really disappointing. Then we grabbed a cupcake at Staring Rolls for breakfast, and then went back and used our FP. That's about the only way I know of to ride TSM more than once in a day without a significant wait.

I honestly think they need to do a lot to DHS, a Carsland and expansion of Star Wars is totally needed. I think the fact that there isn't much little kids can do is why TSMM is so crazy too. We got there like 30 min after rope drop the stand by line was 45 min and FP were for mid day (1-2ish) We stood in line because I wanted to do it with my two little ones....

[SAT887]

Originally Posted by taaren

Minimum 4 days, really 5 is better if you want to see/do everything. If you're okay with "just the highlights", eg. the E-tickets and the things that you can compare/contrast with WDW, and you really tried to squeeze it all in you might be able to do it in 3 breakneck park days.

Here is another question so we are debating a California trip sooner than later to see BIL- is there nice reasonably priced resorts near DL that have 3 - 4 bedrooms. We would be paying for the room and trying to get family together again...

[taaren]

Originally Posted by SAT887

Here is another question so we are debating a California trip sooner than later to see BIL- is there nice reasonably priced resorts near DL that have 3 - 4 bedrooms. We would be paying for the room and trying to get family together again...

There are private home rentals ... other than that your options for multi-bedroom resorts are
1) Wyndham, about a block away from DLR (I believe they have 3 bedrooms)
2) VGC rental, obviously your closest but most expensive choice
3) Marriott Residence Inns, there's one walking distance and one that is a few blocks down the way, up to two bedrooms
4) Peacock Suites ... I have no idea where these are, or what kind of multi-room suites they might have. I think they're farther than Wyndham and the RI's but closer than:
5) Newport Beach area, about a 20 minute drive to DLR, has several timeshares. I've only had experience with the Marriott Newport Beach (which is the one that Disney Vacation Development at one time owned and sold to Marriott to develop), and their units go up to two bedrooms. There are several other timeshares in this area though.

[SAT887]

Originally Posted by taaren

There are private home rentals ... other than that your options for multi-bedroom resorts are
1) Wyndham, about a block away from DLR (I believe they have 3 bedrooms)
2) VGC rental, obviously your closest but most expensive choice
3) Marriott Residence Inns, there's one walking distance and one that is a few blocks down the way, up to two bedrooms
4) Peacock Suites ... I have no idea where these are, or what kind of multi-room suites they might have. I think they're farther than Wyndham and the RI's but closer than:
5) Newport Beach area, about a 20 minute drive to DLR, has several timeshares. I've only had experience with the Marriott Newport Beach (which is the one that Disney Vacation Development at one time owned and sold to Marriott to develop), and their units go up to two bedrooms. There are several other timeshares in this area though.

Thanks I was looking online and not getting anywhere... Grand Californian would be nice but if we are footing the bill too much. The Newport beach area sounds good too Thanks for the list (especially distance) I want to try and figure out an estimate to go out there. We keep seeing pictures of BILs family and miss them (and want to meet some of them!) Us getting to the west coast would make it reasonable for them to drive to us

[tofubeast]

The photo theme for the Group TR has been posted. Come on over HERE and join in on the fun!! Look at the 2nd post.

[ksromack]

Originally Posted by taaren

There are private home rentals ... other than that your options for multi-bedroom resorts are
1) Wyndham, about a block away from DLR (I believe they have 3 bedrooms)
2) VGC rental, obviously your closest but most expensive choice
3) Marriott Residence Inns, there's one walking distance and one that is a few blocks down the way, up to two bedrooms
4) Peacock Suites ... I have no idea where these are, or what kind of multi-room suites they might have. I think they're farther than Wyndham and the RI's but closer than:
5) Newport Beach area, about a 20 minute drive to DLR, has several timeshares. I've only had experience with the Marriott Newport Beach (which is the one that Disney Vacation Development at one time owned and sold to Marriott to develop), and their units go up to two bedrooms. There are several other timeshares in this area though.

Taaren, which of the "good neighbor" hotels would you recommend at Disneyland? It seems like each one has it's benefits. HoJo sounds good but seems like a walk to the entrance to the parks. I'm not as keen on Best Western PP (but I'm liking the location). Hubby has stayed at Crown Center while in Anaheim on business about 6 years ago and he really liked that hotel and claims it's close enough to walk to the parks......although he only did it ONCE and was under the influence of "happy hour" whilst walking it. lol! I see you have stayed at the Hilton Anaheim too.......is that a doable walk? What I really want is a cheap hotel that is a convenient walk. Is that too much to ask?

[lovingeire]

Originally Posted by ksromack

Taaren, which of the "good neighbor" hotels would you recommend at Disneyland? It seems like each one has it's benefits. HoJo sounds good but seems like a walk to the entrance to the parks. I'm not as keen on Best Western PP (but I'm liking the location). Hubby has stayed at Crown Center while in Anaheim on business about 6 years ago and he really liked that hotel and claims it's close enough to walk to the parks......although he only did it ONCE and was under the influence of "happy hour" whilst walking it. lol! I see you have stayed at the Hilton Anaheim too.......is that a doable walk? What I really want is a cheap hotel that is a convenient walk. Is that too much to ask?

I have a friend who stays at the Candy Cane Inn at least twice a year for trips to Disneyland,

[taaren]

Originally Posted by ksromack

Taaren, which of the "good neighbor" hotels would you recommend at Disneyland? It seems like each one has it's benefits. HoJo sounds good but seems like a walk to the entrance to the parks. I'm not as keen on Best Western PP (but I'm liking the location). Hubby has stayed at Crown Center while in Anaheim on business about 6 years ago and he really liked that hotel and claims it's close enough to walk to the parks......although he only did it ONCE and was under the influence of "happy hour" whilst walking it. lol! I see you have stayed at the Hilton Anaheim too.......is that a doable walk? What I really want is a cheap hotel that is a convenient walk. Is that too much to ask?

Cheap hotel that is a convenient walk ... the problem is most of the ones that are a 5 minute or less walk are really "motels" not hotels.

The Hilton was okay, the Marriott was much nicer, but they refurbed the Hilton the year after I stayed there though, I hear its gotten nicer. Its about a 15 minute walk to the front gate from the Hilton, so not long by Florida standards ... when we stay at the Marriott Anaheim, we walk over in the morning, then cab back in the evenings when our feet are tired, the cab is usually about $8+tip.

Honestly I wouldn't stay at the Best Western Park Place Inn again. Despite how close it is, its not that much cheaper than the HoJo or Marriott Fairfield Inn, and I'm kind of a hotel snob now ...

Fairfield Inn and HoJo are a great combination of "not too motel-ey" and still pretty darn close (walk is under 10 minutes). I'd go for one of those two if you can find a rate of about $100-125/night. The convention center hotels (Hilton/Marriott/Crown) feel much farther, but are nicer, they are actual hotels and have the quality of the brand they represent. Oh, and if you want decent pools you have to go on-site or at least as far as the convention center.