a bunch of questions

[aleighc1]

It's been about 22 years since I've been to Disneyland, and I'm pretty sure a lot has changed since then! (not to mention I was rather young, so there are some details about the trip that I'm rather fuzzy about) I have a couple questions for you more knowledgeable folks:

1. How's the weather for swimming in later October? I'm toying with the idea of booking a suite at the Disneyland Hotel, and I know the water slides would be a huge hit with my kids if it's warm enough for swimming.

2. Can you see any part of Disneyland or many signs for Disneyland from I5? We are driving for our trip and I want to keep things a secret for as long as I possibly can. I think we're going to go all the way down to San Diego to start our trip at Sea World, and then head up to Disneyland. I'd like to break the news to them after Sea World.

3. Is 4 days enough time to enjoy both parks? It will be DH and I, and our eight kids. (ages at time of our trip: 11, 9-turning-10 in the park, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 11 months)

4. I plan to take my oldest 4 kids on splash mountain (I got to sit in front when I went many years ago, and it's one of my best memories from DL!), will they allow us to have our own log even though it's not filled to capacity? I would love to buy the ride photo, and it would be really special if it was just our family.

5. Is the Disneyland Hotel really clean? I have a son with asthma and allergies (some of the big triggers for him is dust and animal hair), so the state of the hotel rooms are a factor for us. I'm also looking at the Desert Inn and Suites, any thoughts on that hotel?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[mrswh]

How fun! I can't answer all your questions but I'll take a crack at a few of them.

There are definitely signs for Disneyland on I-5 (i.e., Disneyland next right, etc.). I suppose if you see one coming up you could yell "Look at that UFO up there" and point the other direction . . . but if they are paying attention it would be hard to miss.

With your size group and different ages, I would say no, 4 days will not be enough time for both parks. You can still have a great time and see a LOT in 4 days, but you will likely leave having missed things you wanted to do/see. If you are not planning to go back anytime soon, I'd add another day - especially if you plan to spend some time at the pool.

I'm sure someone else can answer your other questions - have a great trip!

 

[mmmears]

It's been about 22 years since I've been to Disneyland, and I'm pretty sure a lot has changed since then! (not to mention I was rather young, so there are some details about the trip that I'm rather fuzzy about) I have a couple questions for you more knowledgeable folks:

1. How's the weather for swimming in later October? I'm toying with the idea of booking a suite at the Disneyland Hotel, and I know the water slides would be a huge hit with my kids if it's warm enough for swimming.

2. Can you see any part of Disneyland or many signs for Disneyland from I5? We are driving for our trip and I want to keep things a secret for as long as I possibly can. I think we're going to go all the way down to San Diego to start our trip at Sea World, and then head up to Disneyland. I'd like to break the news to them after Sea World.

3. Is 4 days enough time to enjoy both parks? It will be DH and I, and our eight kids. (ages at time of our trip: 11, 9-turning-10 in the park, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 11 months)

4. I plan to take my oldest 4 kids on splash mountain (I got to sit in front when I went many years ago, and it's one of my best memories from DL!), will they allow us to have our own log even though it's not filled to capacity? I would love to buy the ride photo, and it would be really special if it was just our family.

5. Is the Disneyland Hotel really clean? I have a son with asthma and allergies (some of the big triggers for him is dust and animal hair), so the state of the hotel rooms are a factor for us. I'm also looking at the Desert Inn and Suites, any thoughts on that hotel?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

I'll do my best to answer what I can -- hopefully other people will chime in...

1) Usually nice when we were there in October. But it's always hard to be certain with the weather.

2) There are several signs when driving down on I-5 -- with that many pairs of eyes it would be hard to hide. But if you are going down to SD anyway, they might not realize you will go to DL on your way back north.

3) Normally, I think 4 days in the parks is enough, but you do have a large party and that can slow things down some. If you split up some of the time (like when you take the bigger kids on roller coasters the little ones can ride the kiddie rides) it will help.

4 & 5) Not sure...

 

[specialks]

I'll jump on a couple of questions. We went last October and they were having a bit of a cold spell (for SoCal). We're from Seattle, so my girls still swam but I would say it was high 60s. The pools are heated.
Also, the DLR hotels don't allow pets in the rooms so you'd probably be okay with the pet hair. I'd bet they could work with you to do a good vaccuum and maybe evn replace the pillows. You could call the DLH and ask if they do anything extra for allergies.
And, I'd say 4 days with your age/party size would NOT be enough to do everything. However, we went for 3.5 days after SeaWorld for our first trip in 2008 (DDs 4 & 1.5)...and have been back every year since.

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with the other posters that with your large crew......that 4 days wouldn't be enough time unless you plan VERY well, utilize all MMs & tour with a plan every early morning. Otherwise I'd go with 5 days.

Regarding driving by on I 5. In addition to signs for DL, you might see another landmark.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...yKT8_aKKeQ2QWw8_XMCQ&ved=0CDQQ9QEwAQ&dur=8144

Have a great time.

.

 

[Tiny Little Seed]

2. Can you see any part of Disneyland or many signs for Disneyland from I5? We are driving for our trip and I want to keep things a secret for as long as I possibly can. I think we're going to go all the way down to San Diego to start our trip at Sea World, and then head up to Disneyland. I'd like to break the news to them after Sea World.

If you're driving from up north, you could avoid that portion of the 5, if you really wanted to. It's not as direct of a route, but from the 5, you could take the 91 East to the 55 South to the 5 South. It sounds more complicated than it really is, but it's actually very easy and it doesn't take you that far out of the way. Check it out on google maps.

If you do check google maps, you'll likely see that the 57 South also joins up with the 5 South, but this junction is just a few miles east of DLR, so I think there are signs for DL there. I love the idea of keeping DL a secret by taking an alternate route. Have a good trip!

 

[californiamomof4grls]

It's been about 22 years since I've been to Disneyland, and I'm pretty sure a lot has changed since then! (not to mention I was rather young, so there are some details about the trip that I'm rather fuzzy about) I have a couple questions for you more knowledgeable folks:
I'll give you my two cents!
1. How's the weather for swimming in later October? I'm toying with the idea of booking a suite at the Disneyland Hotel, and I know the water slides would be a huge hit with my kids if it's warm enough for swimming.
I'm from CA and I can't say for sure one way or another some! Our weather has been crazy lately! Some years I would say for sure! I would say there is a really good chance it will be warm enough!

2. Can you see any part of Disneyland or many signs for Disneyland from I5? We are driving for our trip and I want to keep things a secret for as long as I possibly can. I think we're going to go all the way down to San Diego to start our trip at Sea World, and then head up to Disneyland. I'd like to break the news to them after Sea World.

3. Is 4 days enough time to enjoy both parks? It will be DH and I, and our eight kids. (ages at time of our trip: 11, 9-turning-10 in the park, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 11 months)
We have a family of 7 and we find it hard to do it all in four days. If you can add a 5th day I would. It will make it easier to slow down. By then the Carsland will be open in DCA. So you'll want enough time to do the parks and see the shows and swim in the pool. Because let's face it the kids are always so excited to swim!!!

4. I plan to take my oldest 4 kids on splash mountain (I got to sit in front when I went many years ago, and it's one of my best memories from DL!), will they allow us to have our own log even though it's not filled to capacity? I would love to buy the ride photo, and it would be really special if it was just our family.
I always say it doesn't hurt to ask! I would give a try! Chances are they'll say yes. Especially if it isn't very busy!

5. Is the Disneyland Hotel really clean? I have a son with asthma and allergies (some of the big triggers for him is dust and animal hair), so the state of the hotel rooms are a factor for us. I'm also looking at the Desert Inn and Suites, any thoughts on that hotel?
The DI&S is probably the closest that will accommodate all of you. It's what I have booked for our Oct. trip! I have't stayed there yet.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

HTH!

 

[kaoden39]

I have stayed in the DLH a few times and it has always been very clean. My oldest daughter is asthmatic and never had a problem there.


Have a great trip!!

 

[Cinderpamela]

I can help with a few of these questions so here is my take, in the lovely color of green:

It's been about 22 years since I've been to Disneyland, and I'm pretty sure a lot has changed since then! (not to mention I was rather young, so there are some details about the trip that I'm rather fuzzy about) I have a couple questions for you more knowledgeable folks:

1. How's the weather for swimming in later October? I'm toying with the idea of booking a suite at the Disneyland Hotel, and I know the water slides would be a huge hit with my kids if it's warm enough for swimming. We hail from the great state of Washington as well, and I can tell you that when we go in November my boys always swim... so unless there is an unusual cold front I would think you guys will be able to enjoy the pool.

2. Can you see any part of Disneyland or many signs for Disneyland from I5? We are driving for our trip and I want to keep things a secret for as long as I possibly can. I think we're going to go all the way down to San Diego to start our trip at Sea World, and then head up to Disneyland. I'd like to break the news to them after Sea World.Lots of signs, but we always rely on our portable Garmin GPS... with driving to Sea World and all, you might want to think about getting one. I would think it would be worth it. You can pick one up at Costco for a pretty good price, and it sure beats getting lost!

3. Is 4 days enough time to enjoy both parks? It will be DH and I, and our eight kids. (ages at time of our trip: 11, 9-turning-10 in the park, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 11 months)I agree with the PP's that 5 days would be much better. We do 3 full days with two half days that include our travel/flight, and it always seems the perfect amount of time, but then we are just a family of 4. With you guys driving down, 5 park days should be good.

4. I plan to take my oldest 4 kids on splash mountain (I got to sit in front when I went many years ago, and it's one of my best memories from DL!), will they allow us to have our own log even though it's not filled to capacity? I would love to buy the ride photo, and it would be really special if it was just our family.I bet if its not busy they would totally let you... but I will add, that some of our funniest pictures have other folks, that we will never know, in them. Their reactions are part of the fun too.

5. Is the Disneyland Hotel really clean? I have a son with asthma and allergies (some of the big triggers for him is dust and animal hair), so the state of the hotel rooms are a factor for us. I'm also looking at the Desert Inn and Suites, any thoughts on that hotel?DLH in my experience is super clean. You can always make a notation on the reservation about your childs allergies. Doesn't hurt to make them aware. If you decide on the DI I would have them note the allergies as well.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Hope you guys have a great time!!

 

[isisisme]

I

1. How's the weather for swimming in later October? I'm toying with the idea of booking a suite at the Disneyland Hotel, and I know the water slides would be a huge hit with my kids if it's warm enough for swimming.



5. Is the Disneyland Hotel really clean? I have a son with asthma and allergies (some of the big triggers for him is dust and animal hair), so the state of the hotel rooms are a factor for us. I'm also looking at the Desert Inn and Suites, any thoughts on that hotel?

1.We go every year for Halloween and are from NorCal. It can be pretty warm during the day and then cool in the evening. I always bring a sweater for the trip and sometimes need it, sometimes do not. But during the day, it can get kinda toasty, so swimming might be a nice break.
Of course as others have said, our weather has been really odd this year. I don't think there is anyway for us to even guess this year what the weather will be.

2. We will be staying at the DLH for the first time this Halloween.
Up until Halloween, the park will be all decorated for Halloween and there will be Halloween parties on select nights to Halloween night, so the park will close early on those night. There is a Superthread on Halloween in DL on here. If you go to the party (it is a hard ticket event) your kids can trick or treat in costume (so can you!!).

 

[aleighc1]

Thanks so much for all the info! There's a good chance it'll be late in the evening when we drive through the Anaheim area on our way down to San Diego, so maybe I'll get lucky and most of them will be sleeping! (if not, perhaps we'll try that alt. route, thanks tiny little seed. Since my kids have never been to Disneyland, they would probably just think the matterhorn was just a random snow covered mountain! lol! (we live just 30 minutes north of Seattle, so snow topped mountains are an everyday sight around here)

I definitely think we'll bump up to five days in the parks; we're setting aside two weeks time for this trip and going all the way down to Cali, might as well make the most of it!!!

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[fishgal]

4. You might get lucky and have a cast member allow this, if there isn't a crowd. But i wouldn't count on it, typically you have to have enough people to fill the log in order to have it all to yourself. That number if i remember right is eight people. On the other hand you might be able to crop the photo to include only your family members, they can do this in DCA but i'm not sure if they are able to do it at Splash Mountain. Never hurts to ask Either way ask for the front seats in the log that way if you have to edit strangers out of the photo it will be easier

5. If you call ahead and are very specific about what you need, they should be able to accommodate you. If for some reason you get there and the room is not up to the cleanliness level that you need I would just go back down to the desk and let them know and ask for a different room. They should be able to accommodate you just fine.

 

[mabdallah]

My husband and I went during Halloween time in 2008. We rode Splash at night and there was barely a line. We rode 3 times in a row and got the boat to ourselves 2 times of the 3. So I know its possible, just aim for a time that it should not be as busy. It was pretty cold that night so right after we rode we went back to our hotel, cleaned off and went into the hot tub that night.