QF WP’s do Disneyland (LA), Seattle and beyond

[RooFlyer]

Depends on what metrics you measure enjoyment @BAM1748. Overall yes I enjoyed it, but had no real desire to go if it wasn't for my kids (and no desire now to go back). <snip>

As opposed to Universal Studios, which I would recommend for adults without kids

 

[drron]

We first visited the USA and Disneyland in 1981.I hated the idea of going but mrsdrron wanted to go and there was a conference I could attend.All the bad things I listed as reasons for not going were in fact true but they were not in context.Taken as a whole it was what excited me about the place.
So since then I have lost count of how many times we have been to the USA but we have been to all 50 states.Several times to Disneyland and Disneyworld as well as disneylands in HKG and Japan.
And guess who went on all the scary rides with our son,neice and grandkids.If they wanted to go again and again I dutifully lined up again.
That said the Disneys of today are very different to 1981.And not in a good way.

 

[VPS]

Great TR - never really wanted to go to Disneyland even when I was a youngster and no kids so no pressure to go. It looks like you had a ball but I wouldn't cope with the queues and the heat and all those people but looks like you had a ball. Well done - good dad award.

 

[sausagefingers]

Winding down for the day was DEFINITELY on the cards now. Walking to the park entrance we came across some Goofball...


View attachment 132442

I always wondered WTF is Goofy?
I assumed a dog? but last time out at Disney, they told me he is a Goof.

 

[QF WP]

Seems they are not far from the truth @sausagefingers - if one believes Wikipedia Goofy - Wikipedia

 

[QF WP]

So the final bus ride away from Disneyland





and tote up the steps for today



before heading back to Denny’s for a quick dinner (doesn’t look that appealing but was tasty)





and heading back to the Hyatt for our last swim and diving into bed

 

[RooFlyer]

nd heading back to the Hyatt for our last swim and diving into bed

So its a waterbed? <runs>

 

[QF WP]

We wake up to Independence Day - not that we expected parades in the streets but we certainly felt the impact of how patriotic the Americans are when we hit breakfast and everybody is wishing everybody Happy Independence Day. We showed our hand as soon as we spoke (that we weren’t celebrating it like them) and we had some final things to organise in LA before departing tomorrow.

Not unexpectedly, we had washing to do and we had cased the local laundromat knowing it was closing at 2pm so they could celebrate. Fine with us.



Now this was the first time either my wife or I had actually used one. I kid you not. We’ve obviously lead a very sheltered life. We read all the machine instructions and had our $1 and $5 notes ready for the change machine to spit out quarters like we had won the jackpot at the local Casino.

Armed with our bag full of washing we approached the machines and started pouring in our hard earned



They really do take large loads so we were able to only have 2 loads (11 quarters per wash - we take brought our own washing powder from Australia). Also was a bank of dryers so we took up that option as well.

So my wife waited whilst I took the kids back for a swim (always easy to get them in a pool when it’s 25C+).

After a couple of hours she returned with stories of the day in the life of a laundromat and we started to pre-pack for our next adventure - SEA

 

[QF WP]

So after a leisurely afternoon at the pool and then sorting and pre-packing our luggage we thought we’d go out for our last dinner in LA. On the way, we checked out where the transfer bus would pick us up (outside the Marriott, only 400 metres away and a short cut through the parking lots of the nearby group of hotels). Really easy to find as there is a dedicated bus zone



So having done that, it was time to try out this pizza chain that was only down near the main intersection.



A different method of ordering as you design your own and they make it in front of you and put in the pizza oven then call out the orders when ready.







After polishing off them in quick time, we still felt unsated so thought we’d treat ourselves....

 

[QF WP]

Dessert time and here we as another local place my wife had heard about and only 500m down the road so off we went to an experience







Too many choices but decisions we needed to make. A very busy restaurant with a take away cheesecake section plus a bar. As we turned up late there were no booths or tables left so we had to make do with a table at the bar. But that wasn’t going to stop us enjoy the night as it darkened outside and we could hear the sound of fireworks going off

 

[Denali]

Think my husband had the dessert burger at cheesecake factory. Donut for the bun, Nutella, jam ect.

 

[rainbowgirl]

I spent ages looking at those menus figuring out what I would have. I'll definitely check out those two places when we go there. I don't usually eat cheese cake however I will eat chocolate cheesecake. I think I would have chosen the chocolate cheesecake covered in chocolate mousse. I can't believe there were multiple options for chocolate cheesecake.

 

[QF WP]

So after checking out of the Hyatt Place, we knew what time we needed to be at the Mariott and now we knew where it was. A simple walk through the car park of the property behind our hotel and wait for the bus



Nearing the airport, getting excited to be stepping on board a plane again:



Love watching planes landing and taking off - hurry up already





Finally we arrive at T3, right let’s get off this bus, tip the driver and get inside to check-in

 

[QF WP]

Now this is my first flight with DL - believe it or not

So I am delighted to see the panel of self check-in kiosks - this should be easy



but then I notice the Priority check-in queue and settle for that instead - yes there is our ability to access, right there at the bottom darling



Now isn’t there a priority queue for TSA. Easy, right there up the corridor. This sure makes it easy





No issues in this line - cursory viewing of our passports and BP’s. Took belt and shoes off as we went through the X-ray and back on as we wait for the scanned carry on

Now to find from where our flight departs (SEA here we come)

 

[rainbowgirl]

Silly question, why did you have to tip the bus driver?

 

[QF WP]

It’s the USA. Most of these industries aren’t well paid so whilst a tip isn’t expected they appreciate receiving it. He put our 3 bags on and off the bus. A fiver was enough but the smile I got made the effort worth it.

 

[QF WP]

Okay through Security- now where to from here. I’m always a little apprehensive going through a new airport or one so haven’t been through for a while. Whilst it’s been 15 years since I was a SeaTac, T3 is brand new to me as I was used to flying AA & AS. Just breathe and read the signs to the SkyLounge - turn left



After walking around the corner of the Concourse there are the steps that lead to the peace and quiet of a Club Lounge.



There was a queue to get in. Hmmm, don’t whether to take that as a good sign or not. I took the latter when the first two spoke to the Host and turned around and headed back out



It was soon my turn and I held out my VA Gold card and advised I understood I’d need to be scanned at the desk because it was a partner airline FF card. The Host advised that whilst the card allowed me one guest gratis, I’d have to pay $59 per extra guest. Really? Yes, she was serious. Ah sorry I can buy my family lunch at a reasonably good restaurant for $118. So we turned tail and headed back down to the Concourse.

But where to sit? There were no seats of 4 available at any of the Gates in the Concourse, so we chose a quiet area under a set of stairs at least with a view out to the active taxiway for me. We all bought food from the concession stand next to us (sandwiches, chips and a drink) and sat down to wile away the time before boarding. Nothing quite like bringing down the fun factor

 

[QF WP]

When boarding was called we wandered over to Gate 32 whilst they sorted out the pre-boarding pax (assistance and families with young kids). Whilst we had BP’s with a different DL flight number I was a bit concerned



and even more so when I saw Beijing as the destination. I stood there contemplating these changing screens with a level of consternation until I worked out that my flight number was just the LAX/SEA sector (tag flight) but they must have a concurrent flight number for the LAX/SEA/ flight. I don’t think my wife had even noticed



What I do love about the American system is the level of information that they display.
Doesn’t happen in Australia as we don’t as aggressively oversell our flights.



Now that was where I wanted to sit (either First or Comfort+) but I’d checked the uplift in price and couldn’t cost justify it for 4 pax on a sector that is pretty much the same as BNE/MEL

 

[RooFlyer]

Silly question, why did you have to tip the bus driver?

It’s the USA. Most of these industries aren’t well paid so whilst a tip isn’t expected they appreciate receiving it. He put our 3 bags on and off the bus. A fiver was enough but the smile I got made the effort worth it.

Sorry to interrupt QF WP, but as we know @rainbowgirl is contemplating a trip to the US, I thought I should point out that in most cases of shuttle bus drivers, waiters, bag carriers etc, a tip is generally expected. Sometimes its actively solicited (a bus announcement ... 'tips welcomed, folks'), other times its added to your restaurant bill (note: tip only for the food & bev supplied, not on the tax !), or you get a 'choice' when using your credit card on the machine. Often its passive though and a minefield for Aussies (traditional non tippers) especially. Rainbowgirl, take and keep a supply of US$1 bills handy for tips. if you do go to the US, ask more about tipping in your thread.

I think at Disney though they don't tip on the shuttles?

Sorry again QF WP, looking forward to Seattle

 

[serfty]

DL129 ... I took this very flight back in June, but flew on to PDX.

As for the lounges, neither of the DL ones at LAX are worth paying 1¢ for; especially the one in T3. Those at SEA are better, especially the newer one in the main concourse.