A few questions from a Disney newbie!

[susnoahchris]

Hi! My husband, our 4-year-old, and I are making our first trip to Disney at the end of next week, and I'd love any tips people can give me about the following:

1) We printed our tickets off of the internet. Where do I take these papers in the morning to exchange for real media so that we're still able to get in the park when the ropes drop?

2) Are stroller rentals at both parks easy to spot, and do they give a multi-day rental discount?

3) We're staying for the first few days as the Doubletree Suites. Is this within walking distance (husband insists it is, but control freak that I am I want to get a second opinion!)

4) We'll have to drive to the parks for the last few days of our trip, as we switch hotels to the Hilton Suites. How long should we allow for the drive in the morning so that we're parked and at the gates for the rope drop?

Whew...details! Any other advice for our first trip would be awesome--I'm up for any suggestions, ideas, hints, or maps that people have to spare.

Thanks so much!

 

[ballarinamom]

I just checked the geo cities map an did not even see the Double tree Suites on there let alone within waling distance.
Don't know abut the internet tickets
The stroller rental spot is right after you walk under the tnel at DLR. It gets realy backed up at opening.

 

[DangerMouse]

The Doubletree is on this map. I'd say it is definitely NOT within walking distance. You'll need to take the ART. As a comparison, I've walked from the Portofino, and it was a bit of a hike (15-20 minutes).

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/

Strollers are easily found at the entrance of each park. No discount for multi-day, however, you can prepurchase multiple day uses and avoid standing in the long line each day, you can just claim your stroller with your prepaid ticket on subsequent days.

Internet printable e-tickets can be taken right to the turnstiles, no need to go to a ticket booth. They will exchange them at the turnstiles for a regular hopper ticket.

Someone else will have to answer you about the driving. . .

 

[mikayla73]

1) You after you go through security to get in the esplanade, just get in line for DL. When you get up to the CM there taking tickets, they will take the papers and give you a ticket. Rope drop at DL is all the way up at the hub, so you can shop a little while you are waiting it you want

2) Are to the right when you get through the gates.

3) This hotel is on the south side of Katella. While you probably could walk it, I wouldn't want to, especially after walking around all day at DL. I would guess it would probably be at least a 20 min walk. Maybe longer with little ones. A lot of the hotels in the area have shuttles or you could use ART. http://www.rideart.org/

4) I think Mickey and Friends opens an hour before the park does. So I would plan on being there at least by then because you'll have to get on the tram and get to the gates. We usually always stay close and walk so that's why I am not 100% sure about what time they open. Are you staying at the Hilton in Orange or Anaheim. If it is Anaheim, you may be able to use ART and skip parking yourself.

Have a great time!

 

[WendyT]

1.) When we had the internet tickets we presented them at the entrance gate and they exchanged them for regular Disneyland tickets. Just go through the turnstiles as if you have a regular ticket already. It might even say that somewhere on your printed ticket. I don't remember where I got that information.
2) Stroller rentals are directly to your right as you enter Disneyland. Not sure where they are at California Adventure. (I have a vague memory of them being to the right there as well, but don't quote me) I have not heard of a multi-day discount, and I am not sure how that would work since the strollers are not taken out of the park. Since you have a car, it might even be a good idea to go to Target or a store like that and pick up an umbrella stroller for the week. Then when you are walking to and from the hotel you have a stroller to use. This is the link for stroller information http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/help/gsDetail?name=ParkwideServicesGSDetailPage
At $10 per day the umbrella stroller might be cheaper
3) I found a Doubletree Suites at 2085 S. Harbor. If this is the property where you will be staying it may be quite a trek down Harbor. The blocks are rather long and to get to the main entrance you will need to cross Katella and go down the entire Disney block. Hmmm. I think I would estimate the walking time as 15 minutes. That can be a long time at the end of the day and without a stroller for the little one.
4) I can't help with the morning drive since I am not a morning person and rarely (I think I did the rope drop once) make it there at opening.

I hope that this information helped. If the link didn't work you can go to Disneyland.com and search Disneyland Stroller Rental and it will come right up.

 

[susnoahchris]

Thank you all so much for this info! It's invaluable!!!! And bollocks to my husband for saying we're, and I quote, "right across the street."

 

[mikayla73]

Thank you all so much for this info! It's invaluable!!!! And bollocks to my husband for saying we're, and I quote, "right across the street."

He didn't say which street and forgot to mention "and down the block"

 

[bumbershoot]

The stroller rental spot is right after you walk under the tnel at DLR. It gets realy backed up at opening.

Yep. Which is why the multi-day, even though it's not a $$-saver, really is helpful if you know you'll be using the stroller every day. You wait in line that first day, pay up front, and get a small envelope with receipt and day rental papers. So the first day feels just like renting normally. But then subsequent days you just bypass the line and go straight to where they hand out the strollers. Hand them your slip and receipt, they'll make out a new nametag for the stroller (unless you kept yours from the first day, thereby making things even faster), and hand you a stroller!

If you will be driving or taking ART, the rental stroller is probably good for you. But if you'll be walking, bring your own, b/c it's the going home in the evening walk that's a HUGE bummer with a stroller for a stroller-aged kiddo!

 

[CMG1]

The Doubletree is on this map. I'd say it is definitely NOT within walking distance. You'll need to take the ART. As a comparison, I've walked from the Portofino, and it was a bit of a hike (15-20 minutes).

How did you like the Portofino? I'm staying there on a trip to DLR in a couple of weeks.

 

[DangerMouse]

How did you like the Portofino? I'm staying there on a trip to DLR in a couple of weeks.

I haven't stayed there since 2004, and it was a relatively new hotel then. We enjoyed the size of the kids' suite, but I prefer to stay closer for less money now.

 

[ababydivine]

How did you like the Portofino? I'm staying there on a trip to DLR in a couple of weeks.

We are staying there as well at the end of May...going against all feedback on trip advisor, LOL! I just couldn't beat the rate for a suite for my family of 5. I'm hoping that since I am going in with such low expectations, I will be pleasantly surprised. All I want is a place to sleep.

 

[tortugaverde]

Just wanted to comment about the stroller rentals. Every time we went into the park there was a HUGE line for strollers. I personally would recommend stopping by Walmart or Target to buy a cheap umbrella stroller. Even if you have to give it away when you leave, it would be worth it!

I know the Doubbletree is not within walking distance... however, I seem to remember a shuttle with the Doubletree logo on it when walking past the shuttle stop area. You should call and see if they have a hotel shuttle.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Just wanted to comment about the stroller rentals. Every time we went into the park there was a HUGE line for strollers. I personally would recommend stopping by Walmart or Target to buy a cheap umbrella stroller. Even if you have to give it away when you leave, it would be worth it!

I second this... or maybe third it... I picked up a cute umbrella stroller at target (specifically for our trip next month) for $11. No it won't be the most comfy stroller in the world, but when we went in Oct we didn't bring a stroller (didn't own one even) and I wouldn't rent a stroller (I'm kinda a germaphobe--wet wipes after each ride, lots of hand washing--and those strollers looked like rolling flu bugs to me!!)--so we carried dd a lot!! DH isn't going on this trip... and I don't have the stamina to carry 30 lbs for 5 days alone... so cheapo stroller it is!!

--Lisa

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

If you are talking the Doubletree by the convention center, you will want to catch the ART transit to the parks. You will not be happy if you try to walk!