DISNEYLAND 2008
December Trip
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Hi...This page is a portal to the pictures and commentary from our trip to Disneyland in December. Lisa and I had a great time despite running into a couple of days of brutal weather. The weather kept the crowds down and made for some interesting experiences. Again, the Candy Cane Inn is a wonderful place to stay despite problems with their wi-fi internet connection. Click on the links below to enjoy some of the highlights from our trip.
Disneyland December 2008 Trip Planning
Photos & Commentary from Disneyland December 2008 Travel Day and First Day in the Park
Photos & Commentary from Disneyland December 2008 - Day 2
Photos & Commentary from Disneyland December 2008 - Day 3
Photos & Commentary from Disneyland December 2008 - Day 4
TRIP STATISTICS:
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From our house to Disneyland - 434 miles - left at 7:15 and arrived at 1:45 (6.5 hrs). In Disneyland by 3:15 |
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Return trip - 541 miles since the grapevine was closed due to snow and needed to use 101 part way - left at 10:30 and got home at 8:30 |
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Total mileage including the trip into Fullerton to go to the Disney Store - 985 miles |
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Fuel used - 48.9 gallons. Average fuel economy 21.4. Averaging about 1.80 a gallon - total trip cost $88 |
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It would have been less that 80 without that forced trip along the coast line |
LESSONS LEARN:
While Disneyland is very beautiful for Christmas, DO NOT GO THERE TO GET YOUR CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, it is way too commercial and kind of unsettling. It was decorated for Christmas in November but since its early, Chrismas is an afterthought at that time. Much preferable.
Yes, you can get bad weather in Disneyland but in December, rain + cold = miserable. November was perfect this year.
The Carnation Cafe and the French Market were the best places we ate at in Disneyland (by far) of places we tried in Nov and Dec.
We enjoyed the Wine Country Trattoria in DCA (though I would suggest buying a glass of wine from the walk up window outside the restaurant so your wife can't see the 10- 15 bucks per glass on the menu) and the Corn Dog Castle is worth the money if you can get by the grease content. We split it.
We will not go back to - Rancho del Zacalo, Pacific Wharf, Enchanted Sweets & Treats, or River Belle Terrace (lunch) for awhile.
If you plan to go more than once a year, an Annual Pass is the only way to go. It takes so much pressure off. If you get in late on arrival day, there is no debate about whether to use a traditional parkhopper ticket for less that a full day. Just go, even if its for an hour or two.
The Candy Cane Inn is the best place to stay outside of the Grand Californian, or Disneyland Hotel.
I am so glad we took the time to see the Toy Story Zoetrope, Blue Sky Cellars, and Asimo. These were the real surprises of this trip.
As Tammy reminded me the other day, we missed the reindeer round-up
Pirates of the Caribbean remains the best ride in either park but the new Toy Story Mania is a real winner.
I've dried off and thawed out so can't wait to go back again.
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