Disneyland in November - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

brocoli · 03-19-2012, 02:10 PM

This forum has been great. I just booked for the end of Sept to the beginning of Oct to Disneyland. You guys have given me some great ideas. I ended up booking the Best Wester Plus Meridian Inns & Suites. It looked as though it would be better for 2 adults as it is not directly beside disneyland and the breakfast looked good.

I also did a flight out of Great Falls and a 4 day park-hopper although i'm thinking of switching to a city pass to do the zoo in stead. All of which cost me $1500 total. The flights alone were half the price out of Great Falls then Calgary and no dealing with lines for customs at the airport! If there are any other tidbits that you guys who have been there before want to toss out would be much appreciated.

tenyardrambo · 03-19-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

This forum has been great. I just booked for the end of Sept to the beginning of Oct to Disneyland. You guys have given me some great ideas. I ended up booking the Best Wester Plus Meridian Inns & Suites. It looked as though it would be better for 2 adults as it is not directly beside disneyland and the breakfast looked good.

I also did a flight out of Great Falls and a 4 day park-hopper although i'm thinking of switching to a city pass to do the zoo in stead. All of which cost me $1500 total. The flights alone were half the price out of Great Falls then Calgary and no dealing with lines for customs at the airport! If there are any other tidbits that you guys who have been there before want to toss out would be much appreciated.

Did you use a travel agency at all?

brocoli · 03-19-2012, 06:11 PM

No I did not use a travel agency.

I booked the flight through the Alaska airlines website after searching Kayak for the best price. I then booked the hotel through the Best Western Plus Meridian website as well after searching hotels.com for their price the hotel's website was cheaper.

It seemed to work quite well for me.

Nage Waza · 03-19-2012, 10:50 PM

One last thing I am not sure anyone mentioned...there are many many theme days at Disney. It could be some festival that makes the park super busy, so check their calendars to avoid any of those days. Mid week is the best, so go from there.

brocoli · 03-20-2012, 02:28 PM

Sorry for high jacking this thread, but what are everyones thoughts on the San Diego Zoo? Is the zoo worth it or is the Safari Park better? There is also the backstage pass? I'm just trying to figure out what else to do as we (a couple) are only planning on doing Disneyland for 3 days. I will be renting a car as well.

Rhettzky · 03-20-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

Sorry for high jacking this thread, but what are everyones thoughts on the San Diego Zoo? Is the zoo worth it or is the Safari Park better? There is also the backstage pass? I'm just trying to figure out what else to do as we (a couple) are only planning on doing Disneyland for 3 days. I will be renting a car as well.

I liked the San Diego zoo but it's hard to be awed by it because we have such a good zoo in Calgary. They do have Rhino's, Panda's and Polar bears, so there are some new animals to check out. Bring your walking shoes as the place is huge. Also, they do have a two day deal where if you buy a zoo ticket you get another day free, which can include a day at the safari park.

hah · 03-20-2012, 02:59 PM

If you are going to Disneyland I recommended this program.

http://www.ridemax.com/

We used it a couple years ago during New Years eve and managed to get on over a dozen rides.

It is well worth the money you should purchase it before you leave and play around with different scenarios.

Phanuthier · 03-20-2012, 03:07 PM

I don't think this was answered yet... water is quite cold. Its always cold (varies within 2 degrees from summer and winter) so if you think its tolerable in summer, its probably tolerable in winter. I know when I dive, I have a 6.5mm wetsuite and I'm biorderline hypothermia. As for rental cars, "Fox Rent a car' is usually the cheapest.

How much are disneyland tickets costing you via AMA?

Cecil Terwilliger · 03-20-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

Sorry for high jacking this thread, but what are everyones thoughts on the San Diego Zoo? Is the zoo worth it or is the Safari Park better? There is also the backstage pass? I'm just trying to figure out what else to do as we (a couple) are only planning on doing Disneyland for 3 days. I will be renting a car as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I liked the San Diego zoo but it's hard to be awed by it because we have such a good zoo in Calgary. They do have Rhino's, Panda's and Polar bears, so there are some new animals to check out. Bring your walking shoes as the place is huge. Also, they do have a two day deal where if you buy a zoo ticket you get another day free, which can include a day at the safari park.

I agree with Rhettzky. I was just there two weeks ago and I was a little underwhelmed. They have more big cats than Calgary, which was cool, they have pandas and polar bears, also cool, but other than that it seemed to be a lot of animals that Calgary already has or animals that don't really make or break the trip (ie 1000 different species of colorful birds). I didn't get to see the Koalas because the Outback part is under construction.

It is definitely worth seeing but didn't really have me saying "wow". Oh, except for the Gorilla orgy. That was ####ing hilarious and amazing.

brocoli · 03-20-2012, 03:18 PM

So if the concensous is to skip the zoo because Calgary's is so great (and it is. Love that place), then what does everyone think about Sea World? Or does that just fall into the same category/ similar to Vancouver's Aquarium?

Rhettzky · 03-20-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

It is definitely worth seeing but didn't really have me saying "wow". Oh, except for the Gorilla orgy. That was ####ing hilarious and amazing.

Oh man, that's hilarious!

Rhettzky · 03-20-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

So if the concensous is to skip the zoo because Calgary's is so great (and it is. Love that place), then what does everyone think about Sea World? Or does that just fall into the same category/ similar to Vancouver's Aquarium?

I've never been to Vancouver's aquarium but have been to Sea World. It was cool, the kids really enjoyed it. The price was pretty huge though but if you get the City Pass then it's totally worth it. Only problem in November is that the park is half shut down and the hours are cut short as well.

kdogg · 03-20-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

Sorry for high jacking this thread, but what are everyones thoughts on the San Diego Zoo? Is the zoo worth it or is the Safari Park better? There is also the backstage pass? I'm just trying to figure out what else to do as we (a couple) are only planning on doing Disneyland for 3 days. I will be renting a car as well.

I'm with Rhettzky. The Zoo is great, but didn't really have me saying wow. After spending time in lineups at Disneylad, Legoland, and some things I Sea World, it was a nice not to wait in lineups.

The Safari is good too. You see a lot of the same animals at the zoo, but you can go on Safaris. Note that the only one included with standard admission is the African Tram Safari. I think the other ones are pricey.

I enjoyed Sea World more than both the zoo and safari, but I've never been Vancouver's aquarium. They seem have a good variety of things to do (shows, rides for kids, etc.).

Depending on how many days you are in San Diego for, consider getting a Go San Diego card, City Pass (includes a Disney Park Hopper, Universal, Sea World), or a San Diego 3-for-1 pass.

Cecil Terwilliger · 03-20-2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

So if the concensous is to skip the zoo because Calgary's is so great (and it is. Love that place), then what does everyone think about Sea World? Or does that just fall into the same category/ similar to Vancouver's Aquarium?

Skip the zoo might be a bit strong. But don't expect the Calgary zoo vs SD zoo to be analogous to going from Calaway Park to Disneyland.

tenyardrambo · 03-23-2012, 12:42 AM

I got multiple quotes and the people who stated Disney World would be a better option, well you all were right. Actually I will save a few hundred. Westjet has a great deal right now for WDW so I am going to snag it. This is for my wife and I, we dont need an expensive room, something 100 bucks or less, get up eat and ride.

moon · 03-23-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

So if the concensous is to skip the zoo because Calgary's is so great (and it is. Love that place), then what does everyone think about Sea World? Or does that just fall into the same category/ similar to Vancouver's Aquarium?

I thought Sea World was a lot better than the Vancouver Aquarium and my kids loved it.

I think the difference between Sea World and the Vancovuer Aquarium was bigger than the SD Zoo and Calgary Zoo.

But I haven't been to Vancouver Aquarium since 03 or 04 so they may have made big changes since then.

Bend it like Bourgeois · 03-23-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

So if the concensous is to skip the zoo because Calgary's is so great (and it is. Love that place), then what does everyone think about Sea World? Or does that just fall into the same category/ similar to Vancouver's Aquarium?

I actually thought sea world was average. Without the whale show (is that back on?) i think it would have been ho hum for my family.

Just my 2 cents.

Ace · 03-23-2012, 02:10 PM

I LOVED sea world. Book the Breakfast with Shamu...very reasonably priced and gets you to the park early.

brocoli · 03-23-2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace

I LOVED sea world. Book the Breakfast with Shamu...very reasonably priced and gets you to the park early.

That looked like a great idea. I did however book the Penguine up close tour. Love those little waddlers