Timing is everything...and after we booked our trip to Disneyland over Labor Day Weekend the following week for 6 nights, we asked ourselves why did we book over a holiday time? To be expected, it was crowded - of course it was a holiday time. Plus a freak Heat Wave to hit So-Cal was underway.... Under those conditions, I have to commend The staff were friendly and cheerful, when so many guests I found to display rude, unkind behavior. The grounds were immaculate and I noticed many staff members cleaning up, and some were in plain clothes helping to keep it all clean.
While the 104-109 degree heat led to many rides being shut down, for guest and staff safety, the air conditioned rides were in full working order and the restaurants offered some great reprieve and cold drinks for everyone. The Genie+ Pass offered quicker access to rides, although the lines were lengthy for both
Family trip to Disneyland for family of 5 adults contained a little bit of magic, a lot of waiting in lines which is to be expected when we went over holiday weekend and it is the same for summer as well. We have gone in October in the past, the weather is still great and its easier to access rides, plus have gone in February (rainy season) and then you can just walk on the rides. Due to crowds and the heat, we were not able to ride as many rides, but we did enjoy our time considering.
To order food, you use the Disney App, and place food order ahead of time, it was wonderful for family to select what they wanted and order about 20 minutes ahead and then once you walk over to the area, you respond that you are "there" and they begin to prepare your food, then the app tells you when food is ready and which window to pick it up from. The food was hot, delicious and filling. The challenge was to find a spot to sit, in Disneyland, but I noticed there are more seating areas that have been added, but they needed more for the crowds we experienced - Reservations in advance are a must. Prices, like everywhere are high for food, and we used the concierge level at Grand Californian hotel (we saved for three years to be able to do it - it was well worth it to save on food.
Disneyland, please go to the wristbands, it would be so much easier. Being on ones phone and dealing with the app, we were all walking land constantly looking at our phones - which takes away from the immersing oneself into experience.
We will come back, and we will plan to go at a quieter time...it was a rookie mistake we scheduled during the Labor Day Weekend-following week,,,we have been there 10 times, spread out over every few years, we knew better. We love you Disney.