1st DL trip with blended fam with 3 teens and a 9 y/o

[kat65]

Love this board. Planning a trip to DL thinking early (like 1st wk) June or end of summer. It'll be my fiance, my 18 y/o, his 16 and 14 y/o and my 9 y/o. I am certified WDW veteran, though it's been awhile, used to go yearly. My youngest has never been to a Disney Park. My new family members have not been either. They are excited to go, but think I'm a disney nut. My youngest is into girly, princess stuff. Hope to keep everyone happy. (impossible probably)

Thinking of staying at Best Western Plus Pavilions. Thinking of itinerary. Considering:
3 days hopping at DL, 2 at US
or
3 days hopper or not and 1 at Knotts then trying to grab a half day at beach.

I'm worried about whether to hop. I am worried that 3 days insufficient, based on WDW experience of not wanting to go home.

Concerned about planning for food with big fam and no meal plans like at WDW.
Welcome all advice!! I'm an over-the-top planner, and this is a rushed trip to me. LOL
Thanks!!
kat65

 

[ADLFAN]

That sounds like such a fun trip!!

I love showing Disneyland off to new people! You know, and also showing off my knowledge of Fastpass procedure and intuition, bathroom locations and the best snacks!

I haven't stayed at the BW Pavilions, so no help there. But have you compared the price with the BW Park Place Inn right across the street? Its probably a bit more expensive, but the location cannot be beat!

We have done both Universal and Knots and I preferred Knots Berry Farm honestly. It is so close, you can take the Anaheim Resort Transit bus from DL for cheap, and the ambiance was much better than Universal for me.

Knots was full of unique roller coasters that I bet the teens would love, including one very cool horse riding one where it is worth waiting for the front row! And the classic car looking one that goes straight up and down! So fun!

Universal was full of 3D screens and motion simulators and huge beer cans hurled throughout the lines... We spent all day in long lines because we didn't want to pay extra to upgrade to the front of the line passes. So we also missed each and every show!

Plus I think Universal is set to open their Harry Potter area this spring, too, which will add to the crowds there for sure. But if you're a HP fan it might be worth it.

I would say to go for Park Hopper tickets for all the flexibility they offer. If the teens want to branch off to ride TOT or CA Screamin a few times, or if you want to hit DL after DCA closes, or if someone wants to ride Radiator Springs Racers everyday, if a beer sounds refreshing, or a million other possibilities! You can also upgrade the ticket at any time, though I have not tried. I like that you can hold FP's in both parks, and I am usually the 'runner' who collects and organizes our group's FP's and I try to always be holding one or two. The nice thing about paper FP's is that you can gift them to someone in the standby line or elsewhere if you won't be able to use them.

You can and should familiarize yourself with the menus and restaurants in each land so time isn't wasted trying to decide where to eat! I swear that sucks so much time away from the day! I try to have one planned sit down (though not necessarily table service) meal and one 'spontaneous' meal where we eat somewhere we are near. Luckily we have been enough now that we know what is where! I still have a little cheat sheet in my purse with places to try in each land though! We paid for a lot of gift cards in preparation for the trips, and it was nice to use them instead of cash for food. Plus it was like a savings account for the trip!

Have fun planning!!

 

[ADLFAN]

Also make sure everyone with a phone downloads the Disneyland app and studies the map before you go. Very helpful!

We also found texting to be the easiest way to communicate when split up.

For princess interaction, there is the Royal Hall in DL where you cycle through 3 princesses and they can also be found around DL hanging out around the castle, the wishing well, Merida alternating with Rapunzel outside Royal Hall and I have seen Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella around the front gates! Really they're all over, which really helps give little girls the impression that they're just roaming around their home until they retire to the castle! Jasmine is often in Adventureland by Aladdins Oasis, too!

I bet she'll love the castle walk through, too, which has some cool effects and it is awesome to think you're wandering through the one of the first structures in any Disney park anywhere, where presumably Walt walked himself!

In DCA, the princesses aren't roaming characters, but they do make an appearance at Ariel's Grotto for a character breakfast / lunch. The menu is online and people have reviewed it favorably as far as I know. You take a picture with Ariel upon entry and then 3-4 other princesses that may vary from day to day roam the tables and get to take all those pictures of your 'see-food' smiles!

Anna and Elsa... Did I read that they recently got booted from their royal quarters in the Animation Building? And relocated to DL?

 

[kat65]

Wow! Appreciate your suggestions. Esp helpful was info on Knotts. I've been to US in FL and was def not impressed; felt I wasted a Disney Day there. You confirmed my suspicions about the Calif. version. I am reading menus at the moment! Really great info!! Thx!!

 

[kat65]

Also Princess info great. My daughter will likely lose her mind while on this vacation. LOL

 

[Canuck16]

2 days at US is too much IMO. We have gone twice on our previous trips and both times never spent a full day there.

We always get the max day ticket with PH available and never feel that it's too much Disney.

Have a great trip......DL/DCA are great parks!

 

[kat65]

Thanks for the confirmation on US. I was feeling at first like I wasn't sure how magical DL would be after going to WDW so many times, but now I am so excited. I think you're right; you cannot be at any Disney Park too long.