All things Disney

[psi999]

Visited both HK and JP Disneylands last week.

Rated HK, basically had the place to ourselves. Didn't have to line up for anything which kept my 3yo happy.

JP was the complete opposite, a complete waste of time. Park was full.

If you're hitting up HK pickup your tickets here:

Hong Kong Disneyland Discounted Tickets

 

[Pushka]

Enjoy the special sub ride.

 

[Natalie_B]

For those who have traveled with little ones, what would you consider the minimum age? I did see that someone had taken their 3 years old. I've been to the parks in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris and would like to take each child for their birthday. I'd like them to remember some of it if possible. Mr Natalie is anti Disney in every aspect so would I have issues with 1 parent and two kids in the park in relation to rides etc?

 

[Pushka]

We took our then five year old to all the Parks in USA. He had his fifth birthday in Mickeys Restaurant in Florida. (he is 25 now so ok to post his photos)
Mickey writing his birthday card.

And then this


He remembers. But we also talk about a lot. I think four is the minimum age for memories but not sure if it is also that we talk about it.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

He remembers. But we also talk about a lot. I think four is the minimum age for memories but not sure if it is also that we talk about it.

I remember my Mum saying to me "how would you like a baby brother or sister to play with" when I must've been two & a half.

I also remember my answer - "no, I'd throw him in the rose bushes." I possibly got my inspiration from standing in front of the rose bushes at the time I got the bombshell.

I got thd gender right ad I did get a little brother.

 

[Katie]

For those who have traveled with little ones, what would you consider the minimum age? I did see that someone had taken their 3 years old. I've been to the parks in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris and would like to take each child for their birthday. I'd like them to remember some of it if possible. Mr Natalie is anti Disney in every aspect so would I have issues with 1 parent and two kids in the park in relation to rides etc?

Our first Disneyland trip with the kidlet was when she was 3.5 years old. She's now 9, and we've since done a day at Disney Paris, two more Disneyland trips (one a single day), and just spent 4.5 days at Walt Disney World in Sept. It's definitely getting more fun as she gets older, and is much more adventurous.

With one adult, two kids, you may have some problems if there are rides you want to go on, but one or both kids aren't tall enough to be on. We've had rides where the kidlet didn't want to go on, so we left her at the swap out area - we feel more comfortable doing this now than if she were 3! If there were two adults, you could swap out without lining up again if one child wasn't going on a ride and you wanted one of you to be with them.

We all really enjoy Disney - Mr Natalie might be surprised. Or maybe not. The attention to detail and customer service at Disney is amazing.
While the rides were scarier/more grown up, we were underwhelmed by most of Universal Studios in Florida after our days at Disney World (this statement excludes the Harry Potter areas in both Universal parks). We were surprised to encounter an eye-rolling, sarcastic staff member at Universal - fine, they have to put up with a two minute Minion dance party every five minutes. You would never, ever hear that kind of comment from a Disney cast member.

Generally, we've travelled with the kidlet since she was 18 mths old (Europe). Kids will remember through your memories and discussions of the trips. We also want the memories for *us*, too. We don't want to wait until the kidlet is at some age where she will be more likely to remember anything. YMMV.

 

[sausagefingers]

I agree about Disney staff, Everyone we have encountered at both US parks show a legitimate love for their job and it shows in their level of customer service.
I honestly believe the staff is what helps make it such a magical place for both the old and young.

 

[Atleastonce]

Weather this time of the year?

Perfect, 25c to 28c each day and clear. Perfect daytime weather. A little cool at night for world of colour and parades etc... But not too bad.

 

[Atleastonce]

We have now done all parks, and done 3 parks within the last 12 months. (Japan, Paris and Anaheim) Just to do a Disney cruise now but have a hard time justifying those prices.

 

[sausagefingers]

We have now done all parks, and done 3 parks within the last 12 months. (Japan, Paris and Anaheim) Just to do a Disney cruise now but have a hard time justifying those prices.

Which is your favorite Park ? and why?

 

[BAM1748]

Which is your favorite Park ? and why?

Has to be the original doesn't it.

Matt

 

[Atleastonce]

Anaheim, hands down the best park. I think it is the cleanest park, the most efficient park and the best cast members. It was also the first park I visited. I think Paris is a very close second to Anaheim for those same reasons.

 

[Altair]

Which is your favorite Park ? and why?

I too have done all, well until Shanghai opens on 15 December, and I would say my favourite is Euro Disney, because of the differences, but Orlando if you take all the parks together, otherwise Disneyland at Anaheim. Least favourite was HK due to its small size, Tokyo well that was in early 2002 and there were not many people visiting the park so I missed the horrendous crowds that people experienced.

 

[sausagefingers]

I liked Disneyland California because of the proximity to so many hotels and the entrence of both parks being so close, Orlando was just such a distance from Hotels to the gate or even getting to Magic Kingdom from the car park to the ferry or the monorail was just such a big deal.

Can't wait to go back to Disneyland

 

[Warks]

I reckon Orlando out of Anaheim and Orlando. Anaheim is more traditional I guess and the hotels are closer but Orlando is its own world. If you stay in a Disney resort you have free buses going constantly to all the parks (including the water parks). Downtown Disney at Anaheim is better, Orlando's sucks. I'd vote Orlando again too because of its proximity to Kennedy Space Center - the real Disneyland! Plus Universal is pretty good - better than LA except for the backlot tour.

I just don't see any of the non-USA Disney parks as being Disney and don't plan on visiting ever. But each to their own. We are unlikely to go back to a Disney park anyway now the kids are getting to late teens. We'd go to Universal again though.

 

[PLANT]

I found Anaheim dated.... Nothing to compare....

 

[mimishat]

WDW Orlando - like being in the Disney "bubble". Tokyo Disney was waaaay too packed. Disneyland is definitely the cleanest but for me was missing something.

 

[jgm]

If you stay in a Disney resort you have free buses going constantly to all the parks (including the water parks). Downtown Disney at Anaheim is better, Orlando's sucks.

Disney does most things really well, but transport is NOT one of them. The buses are not all that frequent, the queues for them (especially at peak times) can be horrendous, and the organisation is appalling.

A lot of the time, you have at least on wheelchair passenger. When this happens, the driver shuts the front door, opens the rear door, lowers the ramp, gets the wheelchair and companions on board and locked down, raises the ramp, shuts the rear door and then opens the front door so remaining passengers can board. All this faffing around usually takes around 10 minutes. The when you do get on board, if the seats are full, people will NOT move down to take up all the space, & you find the average bus leaves half full. I only remember one driver insisting that passengers move down to fill the bus in the 8 days we were there.

At closing time, it seemed that at least half the drivers were at the end of their shift, as nearly every 2nd bus that arrived went out of service although queues were at there longest. We were at Pop Century which has a peak capacity of over 10,000, and since we were there it's twin Art Of Animation has opened. It's a good thing that a lot of the patrons of these don't travel to the theme parks every day or you would never get there.

 

[Orange Freeway Exit 2]

I have lost count of the number of times I have been to Disneyland in Anaheim. It has changed heaps from the 1st time I went there in 1991 to my last visit a few years ago. I have only been to WDW in Orlando once, but I found it too spread out to get a lot done in a short period of time (I was only there for 4 days - no where near enough).

My number one tip in terms of accommodation for anyone considering visiting is too stay across the road on South Harbor Blvd so you can walk to the theme park, therefore eliminating the need to pay the overpriced parking fees or having to rely on hotel shuttles. It also means you get get to the park early, head back to your hotel early afternoon for a swim or just to cool down in your room and then head back late afternoon/early evening to do some rides and watch the parade at night. (I have stayed at the Disneyland Hotels and just don't think they are worth the extra money).

Also hiring a car to get around Southern California is a must. It gives you so much freedom in exploring the area, and makes it easy to drive up the I-5 to LA or south to San Diego for day trips. It also allows you to visit the many great shopping malls such as Ontario Mills, South Coast Plaza, The Outlets at Orange, Main Place Santa Ana and Brea Mall. But best of all you can spend a night at the baseball watching the Angels. This is my number one recommendation for anyone visiting the USA - if you want a taste of American culture, go to a baseball game.

 

[straitman]

For those who have traveled with little ones, what would you consider the minimum age? I did see that someone had taken their 3 years old. I've been to the parks in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris and would like to take each child for their birthday. I'd like them to remember some of it if possible. Mr Natalie is anti Disney in every aspect so would I have issues with 1 parent and two kids in the park in relation to rides etc?

I agree with Katie on this one.

IMHO Disney is for kids from about 5 yrs till the grave. (under 5 is OK but they miss so much and so do you) At Disney there is so much to do at all levels that you really need two adults for two kids or there will be a huge time waste.

If Mr Natalie gave it a go I truely believe that he could/would have a great time at Orlando where there is literally a park to suit everyone.

Disney does most things really well, but transport is NOT one of them. The buses are not all that frequent, the queues for them (especially at peak times) can be horrendous, and the organisation is appalling.

From my experience this is certainly not the case in Orlando. Buses are frequent and well organised.

A little planning, and once inside the park, judicious use of the Fast Pass system can save huge amounts of time.