Something to consider - thanks - I've been looking at the cost of Coaches (they travel between Anaheim, LA, San Diego and Las Vegas). If we used them, then the only thing that we would need to organise is how to get to San Francisco and Yosemite.
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Two coasts: One very different world
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
Something to consider - thanks - I've been looking at the cost of Coaches (they travel between Anaheim, LA, San Diego and Las Vegas). If we used them, then the only thing that we would need to organise is how to get to San Francisco and Yosemite.
I think there is also a train from LA to San Fran, TP2000 is your guy for this kinda stuff. I think he is a closet travel agent... (he's actually he one that gave us the final push to try Disneyland in 2009)
TP2000
Well-Known Member
For those back East who think we are making this up, I present 90 seconds of StormWatch! footage from KCAL 9 News here in SoCal.
Some truly classic and hilarious quotes from these professional journalists...
"There's no denying that it's cold out here, hence the reason for my scarf and my winter jacket!" (points to her colorful scarf and light windbreaker)
"Tonight we've seen pockets of steady drizzle in the San Gabriel Valley!" (cue video footage of small puddle in mall parking lot)
"People heading out are bundled up in layers, bracing for the next winter storm." (cue footage of two women wearing sweatshirts)
I stopped watching local TV news about 15 years ago, when it finally devolved into complete and utter junk. But when it rains in SoCal, I do still tune in for a few minutes just to laugh at the StormWatch Team breathlessly reporting on puddles and scarves and the sporadic use of umbrellas somewhere in Azusa or Pasadena.
I have no idea what we would do if we actually got just one of Orlando's average afternoon showers. The TV news in SoCal would be absolutely apoplectic.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
You know what's funny about that? When I was a kid I went through a phase where I wanted to be a travel agent! This was way, way back in the 20th century when travel agencies still had big, fancy offices downtown with giant models of shiny Pan American 707 Jet Clippers in the windows. My adult career (several of them, actually) took me in a wildly different direction, but I wouldn't mind being a travel agent. At least a travel agent circa 1965.
There is a train from LA to San Francisco; Amtrak's Coast Starlight. The Coast Starlight leaves LA Union Station in mid morning and gets to the Bay Area by early evening. It's one of Amtrak's best long distance trains; double-decker Superliner cars with a lounge car and a dining car serving hot meals. I have taken this train a few times all the way up to Seattle, and for that I get a sleeping car room and then have access to the "first class" Parlor Car lounge car. The views from the Coast Starlight north of Santa Barbara are absolutely stunning, as the train travels right along the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean for several hours, and traverses Vandenburgh Air Force Base where you can see some of the nation's rocket fleet standing ready for takeoff from launch pads out the windows of the train.
The Coast Starlight winds its way up the Central California Coast
http://imblacknitravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/CoastStarlight.jpg
Trains south from LA to San Diego are more mundane (no sleeping cars or diner), but they do offer a Business Class car, plus a lounge/bar car, and run at least hourly about 16 hours per day via the Pacific Surfliner service. There is a major Amtrak station about 1 mile east of Disneyland in Anaheim, with dozens and dozens of trains per day going north and south throughout SoCal. The Surfliner from Anaheim to San Diego also has some fantastic scenery as it travels almost literally on the sand for an hour or so through south Orange County down through San Diego County. Several station stops for the Surfliner are literally right on the beach, and the coaches have cargo space for surfboards and beach bikes.
Hourly Pacific Surfliner service from Orange County to San Diego - Surf's Up!
Getting around Southern California by train is a fun way to do it, whether you are a local or a tourist. The scenery on much of the Coast Starlight and Surfliner route offers million dollar views. However, the trip north from Anaheim up to Los Angeles is inland and offers the usual urban landscape views out the window. You have to get north of LA or down into South Orange County on the trains to get the surfside views out your window.
Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner schedules and information can be had at the official Amtrak California website... http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am/Layout&p=1237405732511&cid=1237608331430
There's always plenty of off-site options. My last trip in January was at the lovely Fullerton Marriott ...
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I'm guessing "One Disney" doesn't include things that go on in the parks. I find it odd things are THIS different between the parks.
Longhairbear
Well-Known Member
What I noticed when we go to WDW were the hours the parks close. We usually go during Oct., and were somewhat astounded that the parks close early, mostly around 7 PM with EPCOT closing at 9, if I remember correctly. At DL we are going back to our room, or driving home after the parks close at 11 PM, sometimes later depending on the time of year. I have no idea how late WDW parks stay open the rest of the year.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
That's crazy. And even after the parks close here in California, some CMs will still let you ride one last time.
While Disneyland does stay open a bit longer you need to make a even comparison
From Disneyland Site :
October
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is in full spook-tactular swing! Be on the lookout for costumed Disney Characters, re-vamped attractions and fang-tastic dining. With a separate admission, trick-or-treat at Mickey's Halloween Party.
Average Temperature Range: 56 to 80°F
Typical October Hours (subject to change):
Monday through Thursday
- Disneyland Park
- Opens 8:00 or 9:00 a.m.
- Closes 8:00 or 9:00 p.m.
- Disney California Adventure Park
- Opens 10:00 a.m.
- Closes 8:00 p.m.
- Disneyland Park
- Opens 8:00 or 9:00 a.m.
- Closes 11:00 p.m. or 12:00 midnight
- Disney California Adventure Park
- Opens 10:00 a.m.
- Closes 9:00, 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.
and last years Oct hours for MK :
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/oct11.cfm
Longhairbear
Well-Known Member
Thanks, we often avoid weekends at WDW because of the "point cost" being higher on weekends when staying at our DVC, and we always fly out on a weekend, so we never got to spend later hours at MK, or the other parks. We also haven't been to WDW in the last 2 years, opting DLR instead, so we really can't say from experience the park hours at WDW. In DLR we use the same tactic avoiding weekends, but it seems to me that DL is always open until midnite, DCA only until 9. That is until this summer when both stay open till 11.
No offense meant, but when in WDW it seems we are at a loss of things to do after 7 as far as park going. Of course we cook dinner in, or go to DTD, or relax at our resort. But at DLR we on the go "parkwise" all day and night. Just our experience of never getting home before 1 in the morning if driving home, or in bed by 1, or much later in the morning when staying on property.
Tom
Beta Return
This is fascinating to hear. We'll be visiting DLR for the first time next year, and it's good to know we'll be busy.
Even when WDW parks are open late, we too finish them early. The only reason we'd be there at night is if we go back for dinner, fireworks, or to enjoy them in the dark (especially MK and EC.
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
At DL in 2010, we were never back to the room before Midnight. There was so much to do and see, and the parks were open late. You will be beyond busy. Especially now with the redone paradise pier area, and of course CarsLand.
One other thing, Trader Sams. This place didn't exist when we were there, if it did, I fear we wouldn't have made it back to the rooms until 2a every day.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking "One Disney" is more about ordering logo-less napkins, Disney Parks soda cups and shopping bags, and copy paper for back offices, because it certainly has nothing to do with the way the East coast and west coast parks are operated....
Tom
Beta Return
That would make most sense from a corporate standpoint. The more you can buy in bulk, the better. Maybe we'll have blank napkins....or maybe we'll have napkins that just say "Disney Parks and Resorts". But they should be able to negotiate major discounts with wholesalers and manufacturers around the country if they combine WDW and DLR soft goods, office supplies, paper products, and whatever else.
The only way it could branch into the parks is when they do things like build two Mermaids, or two Toy Story Manias and plant them in both coasts. Cost savings on R&D, and both parks benefit.
Now....if they could just clone Cars Land....
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Exactly, I'm thinking the same thing. I think it's a shame the two resorts can't be treated equally. One resort succeeds, while the other suffers and vice versa? That is not fair at all.
flynnibus
Premium Member
'one disney' is about one organization, aka avoiding duplication of services (back office), inconsistent business practices, etc. Not necessarily homogenizing products.
The homogenization/mis-steps are a byproduct of the change of handling of back office services to different people with possibly different motivations.
The homogenization/mis-steps are a byproduct of the change of handling of back office services to different people with possibly different motivations.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
I think they showed it on 7/3 as well. I know for New Years they had MK fireworks on 12/30 and 12/31.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
Well, first of all I know they are looking for savings and in some ways that makes sense. But I wonder what the cost difference really is when you order 10 million paper cups and half say Disneyland and half say WDW versus order them all the same. The savings is likely miniscule.
The bigger issue, however, is not about paper cups or napkins, but the fact that One Disney should incorporate best practices across both resorts. Taking whats working well at each resort and incorporate it into operating procedures at the other. But that has not happened. DL continues to work to improve its product and operations, while WDW works to cheapen its product and muck up its own formerly stellar operational guidelines.
Tom
Beta Return
Miniscule x 10,000,000 = A bunch of money. If a company knows they have a contract to sell Disney 10M cups that say "Disney Parks and Resorts" on them, and they only have to set up their printer a couple times a year to mass produce hundreds of thousands at a time, they're going to charge a lot less, and still make money.
But they most certainly should streamline and re-organize their Organizational Flow Chart.