I'm Going!!!

[PreacherBoy]

Disneyland, Here I come! After being gone from here so long, I thought that I would let everyone know that I get to go to Disneyland.

After my wedding last June (Honeymoon in WDW) :D , moving to Chico (so my wife could take a teaching position) :) , and starting work on my Masters degree :? , life has been hectic. On top of that, I just found out that I will be a dad in January :shock: . To even everything out, we decided to go to DL for our anniversary. Unfortunately, we can't go until July :cry: .

So, now I need advice for DL. What are the must see's? What must my pregnant wife avoid? And what is your favorite thing to do away from the parks?

Thanks for your help, thoughts, and prayers.

[Tagrel]

Hi PreacherBoy! Great to 'see' you again! :bounce: Sounds like you have had a very busy year! :) Congrates on the upcoming bundle of joy!

Happy DL planning. I think several members are planning trips there, and should have some good ieas for you!

[Joe]

PreacherBoy, check out AnaME's "I'm going to Disneyland" post in this forum. There are some really good tidbits to take into account for your trip. My short suggestions are: see the things that are not at WDW. These include Indy, Matterhorn, Story Book Canal boats and some that are duplicated because they are different like Haunted Mansion, Pirates and Small World.

Do make a point of eating at the Blue Bayou, we love it.

Have a great time!

Joe

[Barb D]

We took my daughter and son in law to California when she was about 6 1/2 months pregnant. It was the end of June and It was very hot especially for her. Be sure to get a little fan for her to carry. Its not ht like FLorida its way more fry hot than humid.

My daughter chose to use a wheel chair some of the time because at that far along her legs were hurting a lot. She avoided all the fast rides that said not to ride if pregnant. Nothing is worth risking your babys life. Lucky it sounds like your wife will not be as far along so that will be a huge plus for her.

I love everything Disneyland and Califorinia Adventure. Hopefully you can go and not use other people opinions of California Adventure and see if you like it yourself. Its not DIsneyland and go not expecting it to be so. You will find a lot of attractions siilar to Floridas parks but a lot more not the same.

On thing I hear so many people complain about in Disneyland is the Innoventions. Its a huge carosel type attraction, and it use to have show type things in it called America Sings and I think another one later (I read the ananmatronics that use to be in the this attraction are what made up the Splash Mountain in Florida, if I remmebr correct they were birds back then) ANyway innoventions is very similar to the Innoventions at WDW. In WDW its in Epcot and split into two pavilions. In Disneyland its two floors in a rotating building. Its a lot of the same type of stuff you finr in Epcot. Now if I had my choice between the old show and what it is today Id deffintly say go back to the old show because it was specartacular but todays show is just a change and I know change is hard for many to accept.

Story Book canals are a kiddie ride but this 40 something couple rode it three times last trip just to get good pictures. Its full of miniatures many of them made back when Walt was here. They are very mature but still tiny vinettes of different charachters houses and surroundings. I think if I ever worked for DIsney I woudl love this job as I cant get tired of seeing these houses and trees.

Mattahorn is possibly something your wife wont be able to do? Its a roller coaster but not real fast or jerkey too bad. Its hard to say. I would read the sign and see what it says.

Small world In California is so great. Florida looks like you enter a ware house and in Californis its a full blown castle type building. Its done up with all sorts of flair. Inside the rooms are beautiful the ceiling is high and every inch of it decorated to be a part of the whole feel. They didnt just throw this ride together at all. I think Pirates of the Carabean in Florida is awful warehouse looking too compared to California. Try them both and you will see imedialty what I am saying.

One thing that is better in Florida than California is the splash mountain. Its essentially the same ride but the characters and scenes are much better in Florida. I think Floridas Spash feels longer to me too.

One thing your wife will appreciate being preganant is everything is so close there. You litteraly walk out of Disneyland and you are in Downtown Disney. you cross the walk way and you are in California Adventure. The distance is maby teh length of walking from the entrance of MK in Florida to the Castle in Florida. You really need to stay as close to Disneyland as Possible so you can do it all and not have to rely on busses.

Another thing different. Because there isnt a lot of excess land to park if you drive most people end up in the garages. They have trams to bring you in. I have to say Disney is tops in their shuttles. They run really often especially in summer. As soon as one pulls out another is in place to load or unload. If you drive you wont have to worry as you will find it very efficient.

I have been describing Califonia adventure in another post so I hope you take the time to learn more about it in that post.

If you have questions be sure to ask them. None of us hear live by Disneyland but have visited a few more times that many and can help with ieas.

Most of all have fun planning your trip.

Barb

PS Last summer I went to Disneyland and Universal Studios. (If thats on your ittinary I may be able to help a littel there too)

[Barb D]

I forgot about away from the parks.

I guess you dont count downtown disney as away? LOL I love to shop. You know at Build A Bear in Downtown they sell disney clothes you cant get anywhere else.

We love to sit in the hotel hot tub.

The Crystal Palace is near by if you have a car. I havent been in it yet but someday want to. We found where its located (About 5 moles from Disneyland)

Once we drove to Mexico. Its about 3 hour drive. We parked and got on a but to cross the border. They have a lot of shopping down there.

Last year we went on the Queen Mary and toured it. They charge for the tour but since my husband had stayed there a monthearlier with a friend for a Train convention he knew where to show me that the tour shows. We did the self tour that way. Im sure the paid tour would give more info though. (Its about 45 minutes or so from Disneyland)

We go to the beach, I have been to Muscle beach (They have two and I have seen them both now) Id have to look up where they are again. The beaches are really nice sand beaches and a lot of shoppig on the beach at some of them.

As said earlier we have been to Universal Studios a few times.

There are tours you can get of Hollywood. Your hotel will have information as does the internet. They pick you up in busses and tell you where you are going. Last trip we did a self tour of the Manns theater area. I would have loved a bus trip but time we never got around to it. You see a lot of stars homes on the bus too.

There are other movie studios and one of them is only a about $7 to see. Its a working studio. I cant remmeber if it was Warner Brothers? We almost went but when I foun the brochure we had no days to fit it in. Its only MOnday through Friday.

[BetsyAnn]

What Joe and BarbD said! :)

Here are links to two threads in here with ideas.

Thread one on DL (http://www.tagrel.com/forum/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=6951)

Thread two on DL (http://www.tagrel.com/forum/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=5574)

I double the vote for Blue Bayou as a lunch or dinner option.

I think one of the tricks at DL is to use the train to travel from land to land if you all are getting tired. There are four stops at DL including tomorrowland. The train is also a great way to just sit down, relax and enjoy the scenery.

One of the main differences between DL and WDW it that staying on site is not a must. There are some nice hotels and motels within walking distance. Some of these are older, some newer. We have stayed at both Best Westerns right accross the street from the walkway to DL. They are ok - no theming - no bells and whistles but saves a ton of money. Hilton is very nice. If you want to stay on site - be prepared for a little sticker shock. I find the rooms to be very high priced in comparison to the rooms not on site!

Have a great time. Ask away as you plan, and we would love to help!

[LisaG]

I somehow missed this post earlier, we live 90 minutes away and go quite often.

Have you decide if you are staying on site or not? We have tried all 3 DL hotels and actually liked DL (Sierra bldg overlooking DD) over GCH (room overlooked GRizzly Peak and monorail), both for price and decor. We really loved DL's bedspreads and the Tinkerbell wallpaper. PP usually has the best rates and it is not bad - just not a super amount of Disney feel to it though.
If you decide to stay off-site, I strongly recommend Priceline for a top star level (I think it is 3 for that area). We have gotten the Marriot for $50 a night - Labor Day weekend, and the Hilton for $75 a night - during the Angels World Series games.

I think Jod, Barb, and BetsyAnn have covered the rides already! (Though I have to add my vote for Storybook Land Canal also, love the miniatures)

But don't forget Build-A-Bear in Downtown Disney, especially with a little one on the way. They have Disney outfits that are only available at this location!

Happy planning!!!