SonnyEclipseFan
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2005
- Messages
- 60
My wife and I were on the November 10th 2024 Southern California Adventure and would like to share some thoughts on our experience. This was our 6th ABD (Med Cruise add-on, London/Paris, Italy, Greece, and Italy/Switzerland) and had a good idea on what to expect while on the adventure. Here are our observations on the 5 day trip (these have been shared on the ABD survey sent to us).
Day 1 - The first day of the adventure is a 90 minute dinner in a small hotel conference room at the Loews Hotel. The buffet was good, and we received our first pin for basically eating dinner. I struggle how this could be called day one of an adventure.
Day 2 - We walked across the street to the El Capitan theater and saw some behind the scenes things. Over to the Chinese Theater for popcorn and a cup of water to see the tour that is available for sale later in the day. Spent time looking at hand prints in front before it opens to the public. Back to the hotel to catch the bus to see Walt’s train barn. Nice park-like setting with lots of trains to see, however none were running. Unexpected surprise to meet Joanna Miller (Walt’s grand daughter). Also met Tanya, who designed the Haunted Mansion wallpaper. Back on the bus to go to Tam O' Shanter’s for lunch. Very slow service with the food coming out less than hot. Nobody came around to ask how we liked our food. This was the first time we noticed how the guides did not sit down with the guests to eat. In all the ABD’s we have been on, guides would fill in empty seats with the guests. Back on the bus to head to the Academy Award museum for on your own time for 90 minutes. We noticed other non-Disney guests being led by a guide who was pointing out things of interest. We booked this adventure to experience things that can only be possible with Disney, except here at the Academy Museum, the people walking in off the street were getting a better experience. On the bus back to hotel, we were teased that there was a treat for us. Others that have done this Adventure in the past said that the group went over to Ghirardelli for ice cream. No, the treat was the guides walked through the bus with Ghirardelli chocolate squares, and a Jolly Rancher. You could tell the group was not thrilled by the Academy Museum visit, and our guide did not make it any better by pointing out the Jim Henson Studios as we passed by on our way to the hotel. On your own for dinner.
Day 3- Great breakfast buffet at the Lowe’s as we check out of the hotel and board the bus with our luggage a head out to Walt Disney Studios. This is an exclusive tour that can only be done on this ABD adventure. We all gained security clearance and the group split into two as a cast member walked us through the campus. Photos opportunities in front of the famous street sign, and against a storage building that had a neon castle outline on it. As we were walking, and being told what was happening in each building I began to wonder if we are going to enter any of these building. We stopped in front of the paint shop and we had to peak into the window to see anything. At this point I asked our Guide if we were going into any building and she said yes, the Archive building. This was basically a room that stored old Disney memorabilia and a wall of books. We did get to have our picture with an Oscar statue. We were given time to shop at the store on the studio lot. Back on the bus to the Imagineer Campus. This was the highlight of the trip. The Guides told us prior to arriving that they never know what they are going to see each time they visit. The truth is that there are 4 stations that demonstrate what Imagineering does, but we did not see any projects that are in the works. We were given vouchers for lunch in the commissary and access to Mickey’s of Glendale shopping. Most went shopping first and then to lunch. The store had exclusive items that can only be purchased there. Back on the bus for the long drive down I-5 to the Grand Californian. A full assortment of snacks and water were available to us the bus lowly worked through heavy traffic. The check-in process was great and our bags were in the room before we entered. Quickly unpacked and headed down to Storytellers for dinner. The one thing that was great about this trip was how well the guests interacted with each other. We spent time with two friends from Texas and a solo traveler from New Zealand. Armed with 5 lightening lane passes, we rode as many rides before our 7:45pm time to see Walt’s apartment. This is one of three opportunities to go backstage. We spent about 40 minutes in the apartment. And then we had a special viewing area for the projection show on the castle. A very full day.
Day 4 Meet-up in the lobby as a group and walked into Disney's California Adventure and headed to PYM Test Kitchen for breakfast. Our guides strongly encouraged us to get whatever you want from the Quick Service menu. So all of us ordered the breakfast and the huge pretzel, along with bottle water which we could use all day. The Calculated Breakfast and the Cinna-PYM toast 2.0 was very good. After breakfast, we rode Web Slinger as a group and then head to our only backstage event at this park, the maintenance garage for Radiator Springs Racers. No photos or video allowed while backstage. We were met by one of the technicians and he explained what they do to ensure the racers are safe and well maintained. All was going well until the technician started describing how dirty and gross the seating area is under the seats of the cars. He went on for what felt like 10 minutes talking about the hair that builds up in the seating area, and for some reason describing the similarities to a stray hair on a bar of soap in the shower. This is when many of us in the group started to get uncomfortable. Had the guides been listening, they would have stopped this conversation, but they were away from us chatting with another cast member. We were then told we were going to be riding Radiator Springs Racers as a group. Many in the group looked at each other after hearing how nasty the seats are in the ride vehicles. After the ride, the guides took us to a snack cart where were were told to order anything we wanted. Turkey Legs, popcorn, candy, and margheritas were all consumed. We were given a $25 gift card for lunch to use wherever we wanted in the parks or in Downtown Disney. We spent the remainder of the day with our new friends Cindy, Patti and Rob using our lightning lane passes at DCA.(most of the time we just showed our ABD lanyard to avoid the lines). a closing time of Dinner tonight was on our own at the Jolly Holliday Bakery. Our guides secured a private viewing area for a preview of the Holiday fireworks at the Disneyland Park. Great view of the fireworks.
Day 5 Meet in the lobby early to be in Disneyland park before it opens to the public, allowing us to take pictures with a deserted Main Street. This was well worth waking up early to have this experience. After pictures in front and on the side of the castle, we were able to walk on Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, and Snow White all before breakfast at the Plaza Inn. Nice buffet with several character interactions and photo opportunities. After breakfast, we were taken to our last backstage event, Indian Jones. We were able to see how they repair the ride vehicles, along with a hands on chance to control the joystick to make the truck simulate what happens on the ride. Very interesting and much better than the Radiator Springs presentation. After seeing backstage, we were led onto the ride (skipping the line) to experience it as a group. The guides led us to an area where we could order a Dole Whip. Yummy. After this, we were on our own until the farewell dinner later that evening. We hung with our new friends that afternoon. The farewell slide show was in a conference room in the Grand Californian Hotel The guides apologized that the project was not very crisp. Of the 6 ABD we have been on, this one had very little interaction of the guests telling what their highlights were of the trip. The guest that had been on other ABD trips, all did not participate. Which is good because that means we can get to dinner quicker. We walked as a group to the Lamplight Lounge at DCA. The table configuration was not set-up for a group as we were all spread out, with some sitting at a high top tables. Again, we were told to order whatever we want. This dinner was nothing like the last nights we have experienced on our other ABD trips. We worked our way over to a private viewing area for the World of Color. This was our first time seeing this show and we both thought it was very good, but slightly too long.
Day 6 The guests that were staying an extra day, or anybody that had a later flight were invited to have breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen over at the Disneyland Hotel. Nice spread of food and several photo ops with characters. Extended our gratuities to the guides and spent the rest of the day exploring both parks. The other days we were given 5 magical experience passes, on the final day we only had one. Again, the lanyard gave us access on most rides.
Overall Impressions: Talking with many of the guests that have done the adventure in the past, it sounds like Disney has made a lot of cuts to the adventure. Of all the ABD trips we have been on, this adventure is one we both said we would not want to do again The only exclusive activities were seeing Imagineering at the Disney Studios, Walt's apartment, backstage at Radiator Springs, and Indiana Jones, BTS tour of the El Capitan Theater, and the Train Barn. Everything else, you could do on your own. If you are thinking about this, weigh the cost of a VIP tour or buying Lightning Lane passes. This group of guests on the adventure were the best we ever had on any of our past adventures.
Day 1 - The first day of the adventure is a 90 minute dinner in a small hotel conference room at the Loews Hotel. The buffet was good, and we received our first pin for basically eating dinner. I struggle how this could be called day one of an adventure.
Day 2 - We walked across the street to the El Capitan theater and saw some behind the scenes things. Over to the Chinese Theater for popcorn and a cup of water to see the tour that is available for sale later in the day. Spent time looking at hand prints in front before it opens to the public. Back to the hotel to catch the bus to see Walt’s train barn. Nice park-like setting with lots of trains to see, however none were running. Unexpected surprise to meet Joanna Miller (Walt’s grand daughter). Also met Tanya, who designed the Haunted Mansion wallpaper. Back on the bus to go to Tam O' Shanter’s for lunch. Very slow service with the food coming out less than hot. Nobody came around to ask how we liked our food. This was the first time we noticed how the guides did not sit down with the guests to eat. In all the ABD’s we have been on, guides would fill in empty seats with the guests. Back on the bus to head to the Academy Award museum for on your own time for 90 minutes. We noticed other non-Disney guests being led by a guide who was pointing out things of interest. We booked this adventure to experience things that can only be possible with Disney, except here at the Academy Museum, the people walking in off the street were getting a better experience. On the bus back to hotel, we were teased that there was a treat for us. Others that have done this Adventure in the past said that the group went over to Ghirardelli for ice cream. No, the treat was the guides walked through the bus with Ghirardelli chocolate squares, and a Jolly Rancher. You could tell the group was not thrilled by the Academy Museum visit, and our guide did not make it any better by pointing out the Jim Henson Studios as we passed by on our way to the hotel. On your own for dinner.
Day 3- Great breakfast buffet at the Lowe’s as we check out of the hotel and board the bus with our luggage a head out to Walt Disney Studios. This is an exclusive tour that can only be done on this ABD adventure. We all gained security clearance and the group split into two as a cast member walked us through the campus. Photos opportunities in front of the famous street sign, and against a storage building that had a neon castle outline on it. As we were walking, and being told what was happening in each building I began to wonder if we are going to enter any of these building. We stopped in front of the paint shop and we had to peak into the window to see anything. At this point I asked our Guide if we were going into any building and she said yes, the Archive building. This was basically a room that stored old Disney memorabilia and a wall of books. We did get to have our picture with an Oscar statue. We were given time to shop at the store on the studio lot. Back on the bus to the Imagineer Campus. This was the highlight of the trip. The Guides told us prior to arriving that they never know what they are going to see each time they visit. The truth is that there are 4 stations that demonstrate what Imagineering does, but we did not see any projects that are in the works. We were given vouchers for lunch in the commissary and access to Mickey’s of Glendale shopping. Most went shopping first and then to lunch. The store had exclusive items that can only be purchased there. Back on the bus for the long drive down I-5 to the Grand Californian. A full assortment of snacks and water were available to us the bus lowly worked through heavy traffic. The check-in process was great and our bags were in the room before we entered. Quickly unpacked and headed down to Storytellers for dinner. The one thing that was great about this trip was how well the guests interacted with each other. We spent time with two friends from Texas and a solo traveler from New Zealand. Armed with 5 lightening lane passes, we rode as many rides before our 7:45pm time to see Walt’s apartment. This is one of three opportunities to go backstage. We spent about 40 minutes in the apartment. And then we had a special viewing area for the projection show on the castle. A very full day.
Day 4 Meet-up in the lobby as a group and walked into Disney's California Adventure and headed to PYM Test Kitchen for breakfast. Our guides strongly encouraged us to get whatever you want from the Quick Service menu. So all of us ordered the breakfast and the huge pretzel, along with bottle water which we could use all day. The Calculated Breakfast and the Cinna-PYM toast 2.0 was very good. After breakfast, we rode Web Slinger as a group and then head to our only backstage event at this park, the maintenance garage for Radiator Springs Racers. No photos or video allowed while backstage. We were met by one of the technicians and he explained what they do to ensure the racers are safe and well maintained. All was going well until the technician started describing how dirty and gross the seating area is under the seats of the cars. He went on for what felt like 10 minutes talking about the hair that builds up in the seating area, and for some reason describing the similarities to a stray hair on a bar of soap in the shower. This is when many of us in the group started to get uncomfortable. Had the guides been listening, they would have stopped this conversation, but they were away from us chatting with another cast member. We were then told we were going to be riding Radiator Springs Racers as a group. Many in the group looked at each other after hearing how nasty the seats are in the ride vehicles. After the ride, the guides took us to a snack cart where were were told to order anything we wanted. Turkey Legs, popcorn, candy, and margheritas were all consumed. We were given a $25 gift card for lunch to use wherever we wanted in the parks or in Downtown Disney. We spent the remainder of the day with our new friends Cindy, Patti and Rob using our lightning lane passes at DCA.(most of the time we just showed our ABD lanyard to avoid the lines). a closing time of Dinner tonight was on our own at the Jolly Holliday Bakery. Our guides secured a private viewing area for a preview of the Holiday fireworks at the Disneyland Park. Great view of the fireworks.
Day 5 Meet in the lobby early to be in Disneyland park before it opens to the public, allowing us to take pictures with a deserted Main Street. This was well worth waking up early to have this experience. After pictures in front and on the side of the castle, we were able to walk on Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, and Snow White all before breakfast at the Plaza Inn. Nice buffet with several character interactions and photo opportunities. After breakfast, we were taken to our last backstage event, Indian Jones. We were able to see how they repair the ride vehicles, along with a hands on chance to control the joystick to make the truck simulate what happens on the ride. Very interesting and much better than the Radiator Springs presentation. After seeing backstage, we were led onto the ride (skipping the line) to experience it as a group. The guides led us to an area where we could order a Dole Whip. Yummy. After this, we were on our own until the farewell dinner later that evening. We hung with our new friends that afternoon. The farewell slide show was in a conference room in the Grand Californian Hotel The guides apologized that the project was not very crisp. Of the 6 ABD we have been on, this one had very little interaction of the guests telling what their highlights were of the trip. The guest that had been on other ABD trips, all did not participate. Which is good because that means we can get to dinner quicker. We walked as a group to the Lamplight Lounge at DCA. The table configuration was not set-up for a group as we were all spread out, with some sitting at a high top tables. Again, we were told to order whatever we want. This dinner was nothing like the last nights we have experienced on our other ABD trips. We worked our way over to a private viewing area for the World of Color. This was our first time seeing this show and we both thought it was very good, but slightly too long.
Day 6 The guests that were staying an extra day, or anybody that had a later flight were invited to have breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen over at the Disneyland Hotel. Nice spread of food and several photo ops with characters. Extended our gratuities to the guides and spent the rest of the day exploring both parks. The other days we were given 5 magical experience passes, on the final day we only had one. Again, the lanyard gave us access on most rides.
Overall Impressions: Talking with many of the guests that have done the adventure in the past, it sounds like Disney has made a lot of cuts to the adventure. Of all the ABD trips we have been on, this adventure is one we both said we would not want to do again The only exclusive activities were seeing Imagineering at the Disney Studios, Walt's apartment, backstage at Radiator Springs, and Indiana Jones, BTS tour of the El Capitan Theater, and the Train Barn. Everything else, you could do on your own. If you are thinking about this, weigh the cost of a VIP tour or buying Lightning Lane passes. This group of guests on the adventure were the best we ever had on any of our past adventures.
