70th Birthday Trip - Basically a First-Timer

[chekhovgirl]

My parents are turning 70 next year and I am exploring taking them to DL during the 70th anniversary. I have been there (both parks in one day) in the early 2000's. Other than that, we only have extensive experience with WDW. My initial questions are:

1. I looked at crowd calendars for summer 2025 (I'm a teacher) - why does it seem that the parks are more busy during the week? Locals with certain passes?

2. Suggestions for best nearby hotel deals for for three adults? At WDW they are used to staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, so I was looking at the Wyndham Anaheim.

3. How many days do you think we would need there? Could we do one day at Disneyland Park and then a park hopper to do another half day at DL and half day at DCA? Based on a few physical restrictions and preferences, I don't think there is going to be ton they are going to want to/be able to ride at DCA, but I definitely want to experience it.

4. My mom LOVES Mary Poppins and we were supposed to do the 1900 Park Fare character meal in April 2020 at WDW. Now that it's back there is no Mary Poppins. Are there any good DL MP themed experiences?

Thank you!

 

[Tinkaboo]

I've run across Mary many times in the morning in Fantasyland but as faras I jnow, there is nothing scheduled. Characters roam more freely at DL than WDW so you never know who you might run into.

 

[DizMe]

I don't know the Wyndham Anaheim. I would guess it's very nice; however, the distance from the parks would not be something I'd want to deal with. It's difficult to tell from a map, but the walk to and from the hotel would be long and potentially exhausting. It would not be easy to go back to the hotel for a break, change of clothes, etc. My suggestion, if staying on site is out of the question, is to book something across the street from the entrance without having to walk too far, or stay somewhere that has a dedicated shuttle. Some people use Uber, but it just lends an extra thing to deal with plus an extra cost.

Yes, there are many locals whose passes are blocked on weekends.

How long do you think you would stay? It sounds like you're planning for 2 park days? I would suggest a 3-day hopper, as there is so much to see and do at the parks and in DTD, which are all in walking distance of one another. A hopper gives you a lot more flexibility and since this may be a one-and-done, I think it would be very worthwhile.

Summer can be warm, but it's not humid like WDW which makes a big difference.

It's usually pretty easy to see MP. I generally see her and Bert down by Coke Corner, at the end of Main St.

What a fun trip! That's such a wonderful idea to take your parents to celebrate their birthdays with DL! They are lucky to have a daughter like you

 

[mdmost]

My parents are turning 70 next year and I am exploring taking them to DL during the 70th anniversary. I have been there (both parks in one day) in the early 2000's. Other than that, we only have extensive experience with WDW. My initial questions are:

1. I looked at crowd calendars for summer 2025 (I'm a teacher) - why does it seem that the parks are more busy during the week? Locals with certain passes?

2. Suggestions for best nearby hotel deals for for three adults? At WDW they are used to staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, so I was looking at the Wyndham Anaheim.

3. How many days do you think we would need there? Could we do one day at Disneyland Park and then a park hopper to do another half day at DL and half day at DCA? Based on a few physical restrictions and preferences, I don't think there is going to be ton they are going to want to/be able to ride at DCA, but I definitely want to experience it.

4. My mom LOVES Mary Poppins and we were supposed to do the 1900 Park Fare character meal in April 2020 at WDW. Now that it's back there is no Mary Poppins. Are there any good DL MP themed experiences?

Thank you!

1. Mondays and Tuesdays seem to be the busiest days. Not sure why that is the case but it seems to just be the new standard. The two lower tier passes are blocked from the 2nd week of June to the end of July. If you can swing a Friday, Saturday, Sunday park days trip, I would do that. Sunday mornings at DLR are so nice.

2. Given their ages, I would suggest as close to the gate as possible. Tropicana, Best Western, and Park Vue Inn are literally across the crosswalk from the Harbor Blvd security area.

3. I think 3 full days are always the best option and would recommend a Disneyland, CA Adventure, Disneyland park selection. If you can only do two days then I would start at Disneyland and do a half day at CA and DL.

4. There are a few great options to see Mary Poppins. She does a little show in front of the Castle with Bert and the Disneyland Band. You can also catch her riding the Carousel. Not sure of the times of each as we randomly caught these. There's also Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe that is Mary Poppins inspired.

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/disneyland-park-mary-poppins-meet-greet-584413/

 

[irlandaise]

My parents are turning 70 next year and I am exploring taking them to DL during the 70th anniversary. I have been there (both parks in one day) in the early 2000's. Other than that, we only have extensive experience with WDW. My initial questions are:

1. I looked at crowd calendars for summer 2025 (I'm a teacher) - why does it seem that the parks are more busy during the week? Locals with certain passes?

Yes.

2. Suggestions for best nearby hotel deals for for three adults? At WDW they are used to staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, so I was looking at the Wyndham Anaheim.

As others have noted, that will be a long walk. However, I don't think any of the non-Disney "hotels" nearest the park entrance (the Esplanade) are actually hotels in the sense of having indoor corridors like the Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I think you have to go all the way down to the Howard Johnson or up near the Convention Center to get one of those. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.) So if that's what you're looking for, you may need to bite the bullet and use a rideshare to get to and from the parks.

If nicer motel-style lodging is okay, the Candy Cane Inn has its own shuttle, and is also only a 10-minute walk from the Disneyland Esplanade. You don't even need to cross Harbor Blvd.

3. How many days do you think we would need there? Could we do one day at Disneyland Park and then a park hopper to do another half day at DL and half day at DCA? Based on a few physical restrictions and preferences, I don't think there is going to be ton they are going to want to/be able to ride at DCA, but I definitely want to experience it.

As others have said, do consider a three-day hopper.

 

[LKing]

I'm not sure how consistent the timing is for Mary Poppins appearances. For reference, this was a Friday in Sept 2024 at 10:12 am.



This was at 11:15 am on a Thursday in October, 2023.

 

[BrianL]

I'm not sure how consistent the timing is for Mary Poppins appearances. For reference, this was a Friday in Sept 2024 at 10:12 am.

View attachment 918253

This was at 11:15 am on a Thursday in October, 2023.

View attachment 918255

Watching Mary ride the carousel with the band is one of the most magical experiences there is!

 

[DizMe]

I don't think any of the non-Disney "hotels" nearest the park entrance (the Esplanade) are actually hotels in the sense of having indoor corridors like the Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I think you have to go all the way down to the Howard Johnson or up near the Convention Center to get one of those. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.)

I think maybe the Courtyard Marriott on Harbor?

 

[irlandaise]

I think maybe the Courtyard Marriott on Harbor?

Thanks, DizMe. Yes, I just looked at their website and that is a real hotel. It's just a hair closer to DL than the HoJo.

 

[mdmost]

Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance has a lobby and indoor only access to all rooms. No rooms are entered via the outdoors. All have either a window facing the HoJo or the street behind the hotel or if facing the parks or pool, a balcony. Also has two showers which is very nice. That's our go-to hotel and where we're going in August for our trip.

It is a further walk than the ones across the crosswalk from the entrance but we get there in under 10 minutes from the gate.

If you choose this option, go to Getawaytoday and you can get a package with discounts on the room and tickets. We saved $800 on our 5 night trip.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/snadt-courtyard-anaheim-theme-park-entrance/overview/

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Watching Mary ride the carousel with the band is one of the most magical experiences there is!

Totally agree!!

 

[jordan13402]

Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance has a lobby and indoor only access to all rooms. No rooms are entered via the outdoors. All have either a window facing the HoJo or the street behind the hotel or if facing the parks or pool, a balcony. Also has two showers which is very nice. That's our go-to hotel and where we're going in August for our trip.

It is a further walk than the ones across the crosswalk from the entrance but we get there in under 10 minutes from the gate.

If you choose this option, go to Getawaytoday and you can get a package with discounts on the room and tickets. We saved $800 on our 5 night trip.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/snadt-courtyard-anaheim-theme-park-entrance/overview/

Getawaytoday also pays for the hotel taes too. Ive been using them for years