Air:
We arranged air so that we flew in about 9:30 AM, and departed at 4:55 PM respectively. We found that LGB tickets were about $40 cheaper pp than SNA and LAX (the latter 2 being the same cost). Car rentals however are more. But we were going to DL and nowhere else. We ended up taking a cab as opposed to a shuttle service or mass transit.
When he dropped us off at the hotel, I didn't look at the meter and asked how much? He said "$55". I replied "$45?". He said "si, $45." There's apparently some agreement with the County and cab's that rides are to be $45 from LGB to the DLR area. That is not the case going the opposite direction. That time I did read the meter and it was $59.
Hotel:
In the past we've stayed at the DLH (twice) and once at Fairfield Inn, both of which I have no reservations recommending. This time we thought we'd give Howard Johnson a try. We stayed in building 2 on the 4th floor, "facing the garden pool". BTW, all rooms face that direction in this tower. I read reports that because this building is next to the freeway, it's noisy. We found this not to be the case. Of the 2 pool areas, the boys liked Castaway Cove the best. Which worked great for DW & I because that's where the spa (hot tub) was.
We definitely would recommend HoJo. Next time for us though, it will probably come down to cost between HoJo and Fairfield as to where we stay.
Food:
-off campus
Mimi's Cafe, we had a dinner and a breakfast here. Excellent food, good price. Note: check your receipt. At the bottom there may be a coupon for $5 off a breakfast. There's also something about a "free breakfast" when you join the Mimi's Cafe E-Club.
Millie's, Here again we had a dinner and a breakfast. I don't know if it was the menu layout? more pictures? or what, but we were more intrigued with the choices (especially for breakfast) here. The food here was excellent as well, and pricing was about the same.
McDonalds, We ate breakfast here once. What can I say?
Captain Kidd's, The guy outside gave us a coupon for the breakfast buffet for $6.99 pp. This does not include drinks ($2.89 ea). The food was..., well..., it wasn't unsettling and was palatable. Let's say (for those who haven't been there) we took one for the team.
-on campus
Carnation Cafe, Dinner, loved it.
Cafe Orleans, Dinner, New Orleans Gumbo, like the waitress said "a taste of heaven in every bite".
Wine Country Trattoria, Menu choices - 3 soups, 3 salads, 3 sandwiches, 3 lasagnas and about 20 wines. Food was good, but for us we don't need to go back.
Pacific Wharf Cafe- chowder bread bowls. Excellent as always.
Bengal BBQ - kabobs. They were good and though seemed a little skimpy.
Dole Whips - Yum!
popcorn, vitamin and regular water, chili-cheese dog (Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner), tuna sandwich and cinnamon roll (Blue Ribbon Bakery), churro's, frozen chocolate banana, jalapeno pretzel, and misc sweet treats at Pooh's Corner.
The Parks:
We got to MK at about 1:30 on Thursday and was able to walk right onto Buzz Lightyear. Though MK was open until midnight each day, we usually left about 8:30 or 9:00 (contrary to past visits-closing the parks). We were never in the parks before 10:00 AM (slept in, yay), and took mid-day breaks at the hotel each day. On our last day, we actually got into the MK about 9:30 and stayed until 2:30.
We were able to sleep in and leave 'early' because throughout the trip, we pretty much walked onto every ride. A couple of times we got in line when the board said there was a 15 minute wait. If it said 20 minutes, we just kept on going. It was pretty unbelievable, the lack of waiting. We all got our fill of rides, and then some. We got a couple FastPasses and only needed to use the ones for Space Mountain.
The weather may have been a factor for the low crowd. Friday had some sprinkles towards the evening, but Saturday was a pretty consistent drizzle with some rain in mid day (have ponchos, will travel). The other days were pleasant. Sweatshirts and shorts were suitable. Maybe Jeans in the evenings. Being from the Pacific NW, the weather as a whole was great.
While DW & I got in line (15 minutes before the show) to see Aladdin, DS's went on rides. i.e. Grizzly River Run 7 times in a row. Genie was great as always! We got to see the Pixar Play Parade, Christmas Fantasy Parade (loved it), the Castle Lighting (with snow falling on us
) and Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks. We didn't get to see Fantasmic! because I couldn't convince the family that waiting is not necessarily a bad thing. It's ok, we've seen it before. Next time(s).Summary:
LGB airport - look into it.
HoJo - definitely.
Tickets - go Hopper.
Length of stay - 5 days (regardless of crowds) allows you to move around at a medium to slow pace and still catch all the attractions and shows and allows for Mid-day breaks back at the hotel (strongly recommended).
Because of this, we had an excellent time and are looking forward to the next time we visit. With higher crowds, maybe don't sleep in as late and 'close' the parks, but don't skip the mid-day breaks.
OMG - I forgot to mention the park's Christmas decorations and of course, Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World! Small World was different from when we were there in Xmas '04. Very nice, indeed!
