ehbowen
11-03-2005, 04:48 PM
I'm planning a big Disneyland trip for my extended family (Me, Mom (64) and Dad (74), my sister and brother-in-law, and four nieces (13, 9, 3, 1) and two nephews (11 and 6). The thing is, this will be my first trip to Disneyland since '88 and my first trip to any Disney park since '94. You think things might have changed?
Here's the (tentative) plan: Leave Houston Friday night, May 19, aboard the Sunset Limited (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081442673803&ssid=132). Arrive Union Station in LA Sunday around lunchtime (scheduled arrival 10:10 am, but the Sunset almost always runs late). Pick up two rental cars from Hertz, one minivan and one compact. First three nights, stay at the Hollywood Vermont/Sunset Travelodge (http://www.travelodge.com/Travelodge/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=09467&brandInfo=TL). Possible first days activities include Griffith Park and its Observatory (http://www.griffithobs.org/), Hollywood, La Brea Tar Pits, horseback riding (http://www.losangeleshorsebackriding.com/index.html). Universal Studios is a remote possibility but I think we're doing the theme park thing enough as it is. Wednesday morning, we pack up the kids and head to Anaheim (tentative reservations made at the Howard Johnson via MouseSavers for seven of us; sister, BIL, and the babies will stay with friends nearby). Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at DL and DCA. Would like to see Fantasmic! and fireworks at least once, as well as one of the parades. Would also like to work in at least one character meal for the kids - preferably the Princesses meal at Ariel's. Sunday the 28th, pack everyone up and get back to the station in time to catch the Sunset departing eastbound at 2:30 pm.
Questions:
I know this is the week and weekend before Memorial Day. What are the crowds going to be like? It is impossible for us to go any earlier due to school schedules. I didn't want to go any later, although I might be able to change dates if I pay a penalty (I've already gotten the lowest First Class (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1080080553972&pagename=Amtrak%2Fam2Copy%2FAccommodations_Page&c=am2Copy) fare Amtrak offers). I could, without penalty, flip the dates for our attractions - Disney first and then Hollywood/etc. last - but then, if I understand the schedules right, we'd probably miss Fantasmic! and the fireworks. I guess we could also do "Disney till you drop" - all week long - but I'd kinda like to show the kids that there's more in SoCal than just the mouse house.
Can anyone make any suggestions as to other activities for the first three days (in and around Hollywood) which might (a) capture the kids' attention, (b) not bore the adults too much, and (c) not drain the wallets too much (finances are a concern, esp. for the kids' parents).
With that in mind, can anyone recommend any moderately priced and family friendly eating establishments around our projected ports of call?
I've recently received an AAA solicitation. I wouldn't normally accept (I get towing coverage through my insurance company for $12 per year), but would it be worthwhile to purchase it this year for this one trip?
Dad will need an ECV scooter. What's the best place in Anaheim to rent one?
Any other comments and suggestions from those of you who have been there and done that in the recent past? This is a trip I'm really looking forward to!
Here's the (tentative) plan: Leave Houston Friday night, May 19, aboard the Sunset Limited (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081442673803&ssid=132). Arrive Union Station in LA Sunday around lunchtime (scheduled arrival 10:10 am, but the Sunset almost always runs late). Pick up two rental cars from Hertz, one minivan and one compact. First three nights, stay at the Hollywood Vermont/Sunset Travelodge (http://www.travelodge.com/Travelodge/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=09467&brandInfo=TL). Possible first days activities include Griffith Park and its Observatory (http://www.griffithobs.org/), Hollywood, La Brea Tar Pits, horseback riding (http://www.losangeleshorsebackriding.com/index.html). Universal Studios is a remote possibility but I think we're doing the theme park thing enough as it is. Wednesday morning, we pack up the kids and head to Anaheim (tentative reservations made at the Howard Johnson via MouseSavers for seven of us; sister, BIL, and the babies will stay with friends nearby). Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at DL and DCA. Would like to see Fantasmic! and fireworks at least once, as well as one of the parades. Would also like to work in at least one character meal for the kids - preferably the Princesses meal at Ariel's. Sunday the 28th, pack everyone up and get back to the station in time to catch the Sunset departing eastbound at 2:30 pm.
Questions:
I know this is the week and weekend before Memorial Day. What are the crowds going to be like? It is impossible for us to go any earlier due to school schedules. I didn't want to go any later, although I might be able to change dates if I pay a penalty (I've already gotten the lowest First Class (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1080080553972&pagename=Amtrak%2Fam2Copy%2FAccommodations_Page&c=am2Copy) fare Amtrak offers). I could, without penalty, flip the dates for our attractions - Disney first and then Hollywood/etc. last - but then, if I understand the schedules right, we'd probably miss Fantasmic! and the fireworks. I guess we could also do "Disney till you drop" - all week long - but I'd kinda like to show the kids that there's more in SoCal than just the mouse house.
Can anyone make any suggestions as to other activities for the first three days (in and around Hollywood) which might (a) capture the kids' attention, (b) not bore the adults too much, and (c) not drain the wallets too much (finances are a concern, esp. for the kids' parents).
With that in mind, can anyone recommend any moderately priced and family friendly eating establishments around our projected ports of call?
I've recently received an AAA solicitation. I wouldn't normally accept (I get towing coverage through my insurance company for $12 per year), but would it be worthwhile to purchase it this year for this one trip?
Dad will need an ECV scooter. What's the best place in Anaheim to rent one?
Any other comments and suggestions from those of you who have been there and done that in the recent past? This is a trip I'm really looking forward to!