2013 Dis Exclusive BackstageMagic Adventure 6/9 - 6/14/13

[kgibbler20]

How is everyone planning on getting to their new hotels after? Cabs? Bus? Walk? I'm looking at the maps trying to figure out where we are going to stay and since I've never been there I really don't know how close things are.

Also, I found a Quality Inn right there that has good reviews and if you sign up for their reward program and per pay the room is only $80+taxes. I think this is where we are gonna stay. I did get our hotel for the night before the adventure starts so this just leaves flights so I can book the rental car and setting up the transfer back to LAX.

The fact that everything is pretty much planned out for us has really made me lazy when I'm usually a planning crazy person.

[starwood]

We are staying at grand Californian villas - so we only need to change rooms.

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by kgibbler20

How is everyone planning on getting to their new hotels after? Cabs? Bus? Walk? I'm looking at the maps trying to figure out where we are going to stay and since I've never been there I really don't know how close things are.

Also, I found a Quality Inn right there that has good reviews and if you sign up for their reward program and per pay the room is only $80+taxes. I think this is where we are gonna stay. I did get our hotel for the night before the adventure starts so this just leaves flights so I can book the rental car and setting up the transfer back to LAX.

The fact that everything is pretty much planned out for us has really made me lazy when I'm usually a planning crazy person.

I get the crazy planning. I'm one of those. I've already spent significant time mapping out our November trip, with an entire second trip planned for an alternate date in October. I've purposefully reined it in on this trip to just let ABD handle everything. (Except those couple free days, which I why I've already worked out so much of it! Plus having been there last summer allows us familiarity with the layout.)

OK - from our experience. The Tropicana where we are staying is on Harbor Boulevard right across from the entrance. It is about a 5 minute walk to the entrance of Disneyland and DCA. However, the GC is on the other side of the entrances from Harbor Boulevard, making it probably a 10 minute walk from our hotel.

I googled the Quality Inn, and it shows up a little North up Harbor Boulevard and then up the street. When I "Walked" on google maps from there to Main Street USA I got "0.8 miles" or "15 minutes", which would have also been my guestimate, so probably 20 minute walk from the GC. (My opinion, the Tropicana or somewhere near there is well worth the extra $30-$40, especially for just one night. Walking to the Tropicana from DL/DCA is probably shorter than walking to the contemporary from the entrance of MK @ WDW.)

But, either location is too far to walk with luggage from the GC. My plan was to take a cab over. Can't be more than $10-$15. Happy to share one if we can work it out. (I was thinking that we would check out of GC in the AM after breakfast, but keep our bags there til late afternoon.)

Peter

[Disneygrl36]

So when do we need to start thinking about dining reservations at Disneyland? I know it's not like WDW but I want to make sure I get what we want for the times when ABD is not doing our dining plans & for our 2 days post trip.

[DisneyKevin]

ABD packs this trip pretty tight.

Even during the OYO (on your own) time, ABD will offer special things.

I dont want to give away surprises, but the days and nights are pretty full.

Priority seatings are easier to come by at DL.

If you are looking to dine at Blue Bayou, Napa Rose or have a large party...a priority seating is advised. Otherwise, we have never had an issue getting a table.

Just some advice.....

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by Disneygrl36

So when do we need to start thinking about dining reservations at Disneyland? I know it's not like WDW but I want to make sure I get what we want for the times when ABD is not doing our dining plans & for our 2 days post trip.

You can't book more than 60 days out period. Realistically, you are probably OK booking a week in advance or even less. It is seriously different from WDW. We booked Carthay Circle last year shortly after it opened (July 23rd)about 30 days in advance. (BTW, Carthay Circle was fantastic!) I wasn't going to book anything other than maybe dinner on Friday @ Carthay Circle since I know Kevin/Pete/John & ABD usually seem to have a few surprises up their sleeve, and if not there's plenty of places you can just walk in. I would say if you have your heart set on someplace, go ahead and book it a few weeks in advance, but save it for the post-ABD portion.

[Michele&Jessica]

Me and my daughter, who will be 19 years old, are arriving Saturday, early afternoon and staying at the Loews Hollywood Hotel. We want to do a couple of things on our own before trip starts. We had in mind Farmers Market and TMZ bus tour looks fun. We also want to do a studio tour. Warner Bros or Paramount. My daughter wants to do both. lol...Anyone recommend either one? We are big Harry Potter fans too.

[Lee Disney]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

ABD packs this trip pretty tight.

Even during the OYO (on your own) time, ABD will offer special things.

I dont want to give away surprises, but the days and nights are pretty full.

Just some advice.....

I love surprises and Disney Surprises are even better! I can't wait!

[Disneygrl36]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

ABD packs this trip pretty tight.

Even during the OYO (on your own) time, ABD will offer special things.

I dont want to give away surprises, but the days and nights are pretty full.

Priority seatings are easier to come by at DL.

If you are looking to dine at Blue Bayou, Napa Rose or have a large party...a priority seating is advised. Otherwise, we have never had an issue getting a table.

Just some advice.....

Thanks for the advice Kevin & Pete. I know DL is a whole different story when it comes to dining. I'll have to give some thought to just our post nights then. Hmmmmmmmmmmm..................decisions, decisions.

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by Michele&Jessica

Me and my daughter, who will be 19 years old, are arriving Saturday, early afternoon and staying at the Loews Hollywood Hotel. We want to do a couple of things on our own before trip starts. We had in mind Farmers Market and TMZ bus tour looks fun. We also want to do a studio tour. Warner Bros or Paramount. My daughter wants to do both. lol...Anyone recommend either one? We are big Harry Potter fans too.

We are likely going to do one Sunday morning, I think the WB lot. From what I hear, the WB has a lot of Harry Potter costume stuff as part of the tour. While we like Harry, I am more interested in seeing TV/Movie sets, which I think you get more of on the WB tour. On the weekends you are unlikely to see a celebrity, but more able to access the sets as they are not shooting.

[BriarRosie]

Originally Posted by Disneygrl36

So when do we need to start thinking about dining reservations at Disneyland? I know it's not like WDW but I want to make sure I get what we want for the times when ABD is not doing our dining plans & for our 2 days post trip.

I'd probably do what I do at WDW. Eat in the bar.

[kgibbler20]

Originally Posted by skier_pete

We are likely going to do one Sunday morning, I think the WB lot. From what I hear, the WB has a lot of Harry Potter costume stuff as part of the tour. While we like Harry, I am more interested in seeing TV/Movie sets, which I think you get more of on the WB tour. On the weekends you are unlikely to see a celebrity, but more able to access the sets as they are not shooting.

I was looking at WB too. I really need to sit down and look at where everything is. I'm thinking I want to hit the Farmer's Market too. I think otherwise I would probably just like to look for stars and handprints lol.

Is there anything else that I should do on my first visit to LA that can happen between noon Saturday and welcome dinner Sunday??

[kgibbler20]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

ABD packs this trip pretty tight.

Even during the OYO (on your own) time, ABD will offer special things.

I dont want to give away surprises, but the days and nights are pretty full.

Priority seatings are easier to come by at DL.

If you are looking to dine at Blue Bayou, Napa Rose or have a large party...a priority seating is advised. Otherwise, we have never had an issue getting a table.

Just some advice.....

After listening to the trip reports and reading the boards I can't even imagine trying to plan anything else for adventure days.

This will be the first vacation I ever just "float" along on and I can't wait!

I'm so thankful that I found the DIS all those years ago!

[skier_pete]

Hey everybody. Happy St. Patty's Day! And 12 weeks to go.

I just thought I'd mention I started a Pre-Trip Report that includes this trip, though it is also for our (tentative) November trip to WDW. Though it would probably be a bit boring to most of you - or to anyone else - I thought I would mention it here as well. So far there's not much there, but I posted talking about what motivated me to want to take this trip. Maybe more insight into my brain than most people would want.

There's also a link in my signature.

[ymxbfalcon]

Originally Posted by skier_pete

Hey everybody. Happy St. Patty's Day! And 12 weeks to go.

I just thought I'd mention I started a Pre-Trip Report that includes this trip, though it is also for our (tentative) November trip to WDW. Though it would probably be a bit boring to most of you - or to anyone else - I thought I would mention it here as well. So far there's not much there, but I posted talking about what motivated me to want to take this trip. Maybe more insight into my brain than most people would want.

There's also a link in my signature.

As a trip report junkie, I've got to say that a Pre-Trip Report describing a trip I'm actually going to be on is not the least bit boring to me; I'm actually finding it to be pretty exciting. (I just read what you've written so far.) It's kind of like having a "virtual souvenir."