1st time to Disneyland need your help

[goofymomof2]

My husband has agreed to take us to Disneyland this summer. We were going to Mexico. So I need all the expert advice that I can get. Like where to stay, what all to do, and where to eat while in CA. I need a list of all the must see's while we are there. This will most likely be the only trip to CA we will ever take.
Thanks in advance for you help.

Shannon

 

[veruka]

hi -

I suggest, if you can swing the cost, stay at the Grand Californian and ask for bunk beds (if you have kids). It's really expensive, but if this is your one and only time, it's a great splurge. Expedia often offers some great prices - check back periodically. Often their prices are even lower than calling the hotel yourself. Last time I went they had a "stay 4 nights last night is free" and the hotel averaged $183 per night, plus tax and resort fees. Be aware, this price was a great deal and it's usually much more expensive.

Also, if you're going to be going to DL a lot during your stay, check into an annual pass. It may actually be cheaper and there are certain discounts on food and hotels. You also may want to check AAA if you're a member - even if you don't get a disney package, if you call any of the disney property hotels with an AAA # the discount is usually pretty good.


I wish I had some good "fancy" restaurant suggestions but since i travel with little kids, I'm usually relegated to the burgers, fries and chicken nuggests. The Blue Bayou at the Pirates of the Carribean ride is pricey but has a great atmosphere, Catal in downtown disney is nice, and the Rainforest Cafe, although the food is overpriced and mediocre, has a really cool atmosphere.

I also think that Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel is a "do not miss" restaurant if you have kids or if you like characters. The characters really interact with the tables, and there are usually a ton of characters around - they change all the time. We've seen Peter Pan, Alice, Goofy, Pluto, Aladdin, Baloo, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and countless others. They also have a AAA discount.

Hope that helps! You'll have a great time!!!

 

[karylrocks]

It really depends on how much time you have and the ages of your kids, as well as your budget. We are going for one week and I am planning to get the Southern California CityPass - 3 days at Disney and one day each at Knott's, Seaworld, and San Diego Zoo. I would say that these are the must-do's if it is your only trip. If you have more time and have younger children, Legoland sounds great if they like Legos (although I have never been there because my kids are older), and a day at the beach in San Deigo would be nice, as well as Universal Studios and a tour of Hollywood.

If you can afford it, stay at least part of your trip at one of the Disney hotels; you pay a lot more for the same size room as cheaper hotels, but the atmosphere is great as well as the pools and restaurants. I agree that Goofy's Kitchen is a must-do (again, in the Disney tradition, a lot more money for average food but the experience is great), and the Blue Bayou at Disneyland.

It is very crowded in the summer, so get some tour books and do some research on how to minimize wait times by using FastPass and other touring strategies; you can do twice as much if you plan carefully.

Have a great time!

 

[LucyKate]

If this is your only trip to California some things you might wish to consider:

3-4 days at Disneyland will give you plenty of time to see both parks and do all the rides.

But by CA I presume you mean not just Disneyland and LA? If so, then San Francisco and Yosemite were two of the most amazing places I've ever seen and would strongly recommend you try to fit them in as well - at least 3 days in SF and 2 in Yosemite.

San Diego Zoo was also amazing and well worth a visit.

In Disneyland itself, most agree the Grand Californian is the best hotel if you can afford it. If not, we stayed at the Howard Johnson which was cheap, very clean, well run and very close by. Mimi's across the street did great food.

We also enjoyed the Blue Bayou in Disneyland.

If you have more specific questions happy to be contacted direct at the website below, but as mentioned above, more specific info on your budget, plans, family etc will give you much better information.

 

[goofymomof2]

Thanks for all the replies.....There will be 6 of us total. Me, DH, DM, DD-17,DS-9 and our exchange student 15. We want to go to Disneyland, the zoo, the beach & Hollywood. We will only have a week and am not sure we will be able to do everything but I am going to give it my best shot. So keep sending the suggestions. We do plan to stay at a Disney resort but not sure yet which one. I would love to stay on site but not sure which ones are on site.

Thanks for the help,
Shannon

 

[LucyKate]

Ok, well stay the entire week in the Disneyland area and see the other sites as day trips.

Get a 5 day hopper pass for both parks (they only cost a fraction more than 3 day passes) and take a day trip to San Diego Zoo (or drive there and back if you have a car - it's about a 2 hour drive each way) and a day trip to LA/Hollywood etc - there are a number of these tours, including some which will also take you to Universal Studios.

In terms of "on site" Disneyland is very different from WDW. As the park is so small there are dozens of hotels within a 10 minute walk and the only Disney resort that could really claim to be "on site' is the Grand Californian, which has a direct access to DCA, but is still a fair walk from Disneyland itself. It is also very expensive.

The Disneyland Hotel is quite close by, but so are many other hotels. We stayed at the Howard Johnson - a 10 minute walk, and loved it. Other hotels are literally opposite the entrance plaze.

 

[rsjj]

"on site"...disneyland hotel, paradise pier, & grand californian...are the "official" resort hotels. however, there are other hotels nearby that are "good neighbor" hotels. (i think that's what they call it). and the prices are a bit cheaper.

for visiting hollywood, don't miss kodak theater & vicinity...your DD will sure to enjoy the shopping! they have lots of stores & such! it's kinda like an outdoor "touristy" mall. very neat! with lots of restaurants near by, as well.

your children might enjoy california science center. it's free! only asks for "donation".

places to eat...lots of good eats in la. again, thinking of your teenagers, hard rock cafe might interest them. it's a fun place to eat! if you want "fancy" there's lawry's, a prime rib place. it's really good!

santa monica might also be a good place to do an "excursion" with your family. it's right by the beach, and there are lots of eateries in the area. again, it's sorta "touristy" place.

i'm trying to think of where i would take my friends from out of town, who'd visit me. the above mentioned places, definitely. be glad to answer any questions, if i can.

have fun planning! for me, i think planning a vacation is half the fun!

 

[goofymomof2]

Thanks for all the replies...I think I can now start planning for this trip. We have decided to spend a full 7 days instead of 5. I just hope that I can fit everything in.

Once again thanks I don't know what I would do without these boards.

Shannon