1st Trip to DisneyLand

[cmcdaniel]

We are making our first trip to Disneyland Oct 21 to 26. I am looking for any advice or suggestions. We have been WDW for the last 3 years and excited about going to DL this year instead. Can someone tell me about the weather? Shorts or pants? Can we bring in snacks and drinks like WDW? Any other information or helpful tips??? We are traveling with a 4 and 1 y/o.

And...we are staying at the HoJo.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Shorts or pants?

Yes.
Honestly, it's hard to say what the weather will be like. It's really warm down there right now and up here in NorCal too for that matter. We have been to DL twice in October and experienced a warm, mid-80s, day and a cool upper 60s/low 70s day in the same trip. We went this past June, and I needed a sweatshirt at 5 PM one day!

Can we bring in snacks and drinks like WDW?

Yes, no problem as long as you don't bring in things like glass, alcohol, or a whole loaf of bread and sandwich fixings. If you bring in made sandwiches, assorted snacks, water, sodas, you shouldn't have difficulties.

Any other information or helpful tips???

Parkhop! The DL and DCA gates are directly across from each other.
Bring your own stroller if you can. You will appreciate it for the walk back to the hotel.
Hojos is great!
Have a fun trip!

 

[HydroGuy]

We are making our first trip to Disneyland Oct 21 to 26. I am looking for any advice or suggestions. We have been WDW for the last 3 years and excited about going to DL this year instead. Can someone tell me about the weather? Shorts or pants? Can we bring in snacks and drinks like WDW? Any other information or helpful tips??? We are traveling with a 4 and 1 y/o.

And...we are staying at the HoJo.

For average weather see:

"Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

You can bring snacks like WDW. Also see:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[themermaidgirl]

In addition, when you are purchasing your tickets, inform the Cast Member that it's your first trip! You'll get a cute little button that says "1st trip!"
Characters and other Cast Members will come up and welcome you... even total strangers just there at Disney will say something!

 

[Sherry E]

October is a very odd month, weather-wise. And this year has been a little 'off' in terms of weather in SoCal so far anyway, so this is a case where I don't think the average temps are going to help you much. There is no predicting at this point - things have been too unpredictable so far in 2010!!

For example, I am in SoCal. Looking at my computer screen and the little weather icon on my toolbar right now, I see a temperature of 73 degrees (it said 76 degrees about 8 minutes ago) - and yet, it's 7:40 p.m. It was supposed to have been in the 90's earlier today - not sure if it was or not. To be this warm at 7:40 at night is what I would have expected for mid-summer, or at least August, when it can get very hot in the daytime and stay warm at night. But instead, our Summer was very mild for a large chunk of the season...and now we are seeing very high temperatures in early Fall. I have a hunch that Fall is going to play 'catch-up' and get really warm.

I've been to DLR in October where it was in the 100-degree range all week leading up to my trip, and then only dropped a few degrees to the 90's when we arrived. That's very, very hot for October.

But in another year, October might be chilly, windy and even rainy. It could be in the low 70's in the daytime - or even a little cooler. The worst thing is when we get the Santa Ana winds mixed with high heat mixed with dry air - these elements equal the notorious wildfires beginning.

 

[aristocat65]

We are making our first trip to Disneyland Oct 21 to 26. I am looking for any advice or suggestions. We have been WDW for the last 3 years and excited about going to DL this year instead. Can someone tell me about the weather? Shorts or pants? Can we bring in snacks and drinks like WDW? Any other information or helpful tips??? We are traveling with a 4 and 1 y/o.

And...we are staying at the HoJo.

I've never been to DL in October, but I always find the weather in California unpredictable at best. Whenever we go anywhere I check Accuweather or Weather.com for forecasts and pack accordingly. Definitely be ready for cool evenings.

HoJo is really nice and close; you'll love the convenience. Have a great trip

 

[mmmears]

Definitely check the weather before you leave. Just remember that CA is not humid like FL, and that it really does cool down at night. (So the numbers don't mean the same thing in both places, if that makes sense).

Also, I agree about the stroller. DL, DCA, and DTD are all pretty much attached to one another. So you wont need a bus to get from one to the other, but you will want your own stroller so you can use it outside of the parks.

Hope you like DL!!!

 

[mkarizona]

Dress in layers. I have even longed for a sweatshirt in late May. You can always put your warmer stuff in a locker just in case.

 

[cmcdaniel]

Thank you for all the help. Last year we took the double stroller. Now that they are bigger we plan on taking only the single stroller and purchasing a small little umbrella stroller. I hope this works For some reason, I am not as organized and prepared for this trip.