We are back from the April 26-29 Disneyland Resort and SoCal Escape. Short report: we loved it! Like others who weighed in above, we live in Southern California (I grew up in Torrance, we now live in San Diego)--so I have been to Disneyland many, many times. We were not interested in Hollywood, and while the Muppets are great it wasn't a "must do" for me. One of my long-held wishes was to see Walt's apartment that is above the Main Street fire house--I have been watching for a D23 tour or some other way to see it. Then this short escape popped up!
We priced it out and decided it was worth it. The Grand Californian is one of our favorite Disney hotels, the studios/Archives/Imagineering tours offered a deep dive into Disney history and getting behind the scenes at the parks offered a way to see and appreciate the work behind the magic.
The trip did not disappoint. Our guides (Lori and Alyssa) were a great team--and both loved to share Disney legends/lore/trivia. I had been on a Disney studio/Archives tour before (with D23)--but the ABD-lead tour was more detailed, and included meals at the studio commissary and at Tam O'Shanter (one of Walt Disney's favorite restaurants near the studio). The heart and soul of this trip are the 2nd and 3rd days---day two being the Burbank area portion, and day 3 focused on the two parks.
For day 3, you'll need closed-toe shoes (for touring behind the scenes). If you are staying just the three nights, it will be hard to fit in pool time! (And good idea to layer up--a little chilly in the AM, warms up and then cools down for the evening--you can leave stuff on the bus during Days 2 and 3, which helps).
Days 1 and 4 are generally on your own--there is a welcome dinner and gathering in the early evening of Day 1, and Day 4 is departure day (no breakfast that day--Disney is trying to keep the costs of this short adventure down. On Day 4, we did early entry into California Adventure--and also an early morning exercise walk in CA, which went from 6 AM to 6:45--;after the walk we got right in line for the early hours and went back in at 7 to do the main rides before the general public came in. If you want a brisk walk of CA, see guest relations--they can take 15 people, it is free, and cool to see CA without people).
Unlike traditional ABDs, the last night (Day 3 evening) is not a dinner but desserts--and seeing either World of Color (not running while we were there--nor will it be for the May 3 escape), or the new lights parade in CA (which was really fun--more than I thought it would be!). I know Disney is keeping the costs down--but personally I would rather have had a welcome dessert and reception on Day 1 (and more time to use the 4-day hopper pass you get) and then wrap it up on Day 3 with a dinner and fireworks or the parade. After such solid Days 2 and 3, the dessert farewell was just OK.
I don't want to give away too many of the surprises--but I will say that for the studio/Imagineering tours and the backstage tours, the additional folks there to talk to us were excellent/knowledgeable and steep in Disney history. For a Disney fan, this was an ideal trip---especially for someone like me who grew up with Disneyland. I loved the place before, but now I have a deeper understanding of and appreciation for what Walt Disney built. Happy to answer questions!
