A Few Questions

[PrincessTracie]

I am planning a trip to California/Disneyland August 21st-28th and I have a few questions for you guys! It's been 4 years since we were last at Disneyland so I know a lot has changed since then. Hoping to get some advice/info so I can be more prepared and also help my obsessive planning I've got going on!

1. We were planning on staying at the Great Wolf Lodge. I know this is farther away from DL than other resorts but my boys LOVE water parks and they are super excited about this place! Has anyone stayed here before? Any tips, advice, info you could give me?

2. My son has ADHD, SPD & GAD and has a great difficulty waiting in lines so I had planned on getting the DAS pass... given the time of year we are going, do you think it would be necessary/beneficial to get G+ as well? I haven't been during the last week of August before so I have no idea what the crowds are like.

3. We weren't planning on renting a car so would Uber/Lyft be the best transportation option for getting to/from the airport or is there a better option?

4. For those that have stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge, is the parking fee mandatory even if you aren't parking a car? I know this sounds like a stupid question, but when I went to their website and got a quote for my trip it told me my total amount due and it listed a $176 charge for parking!! I don't think I should have to pay this if I don't have a car.. you would think..


Thanks in advance for all your help!!!

 

[smartlabelprint]

There’s no way I’d stay at great wolf. It’s beneficial with my FASD kids (ADHD, SPD, etc) to be able to walk back to the hotel the moment we need to. Also, midday breaks are imperative.

 

[PrincessTracie]

There’s no way I’d stay at great wolf. It’s beneficial with my FASD kids (ADHD, SPD, etc) to be able to walk back to the hotel the moment we need to. Also, midday breaks are imperative.

I was considering a closer resort but all the ones within short walking distance were super expensive and not the nicest. Also, we won't be visiting DLR the entire trip.. we only have a 3 day PH. The other days will be spent at Universal, the beach, enjoying the GWL water park and possibly Knott's Berry (haven't decided that yet). So being close to DLR wasn't a high priority for me. I am sure we can find a quiet spot for my son somewhere in the park to take a break if needed.

 

[lalasmama]

As for Uber/Lyft, remember that kids 7 and under will need a booster seat/car seat, and ride shares in SoCal don't provide these. Not sure of the ages of your kids

Edited to change the age; my fat fingers hit 8 instead of 7.

 

[PrincessTracie]

As for Uber/Lyft, remember that kids 8 and under will need a booster seat/car seat, and ride shares in SoCal don't provide these. Not sure of the ages of your kids

My boys are 8 and 11. I found this on the California Highway Patrol website, "

• Children who are 8 years of age OR have reached 4’9” in height may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt. (California Vehicle Code Section 27363.)

So the law for booster seats would apply to those 7 years and younger. But thank you for the info!! I hadn't thought about needing a booster for this trip so I am glad I don't have to worry about that!!

 

[tlovesdis]

If you have DAS you will not need Genie +, at least we didn't this past weekend. You can now make the DAS return times right in the app.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I was considering a closer resort but all the ones within short walking distance were super expensive and not the nicest. Also, we won't be visiting DLR the entire trip.. we only have a 3 day PH. The other days will be spent at Universal, the beach, enjoying the GWL water park and possibly Knott's Berry (haven't decided that yet). So being close to DLR wasn't a high priority for me. I am sure we can find a quiet spot for my son somewhere in the park to take a break if needed.

Universal is at least an hour away. You’d do better to stay at universal hotel for that night.

where were you looking that was more than gwl?

 

[DLgal]

Okay, so here is my advice as a local and parent of 2 special needs kids with autism, ADHD, and SPD

First, my kids absolutely LOVE Great Wolf Logde. Like, they LOVE it. They now are 17 and 15 but we have been going to the Garden Grove GWL every year since they opened. We are Disneyland passholders and our longest GWL stay ever was 3 nights in the summer where we went to the parks during the evenings and spent the hot part of the day at the waterpark. It's a very fun place and the rooms are large and well set up for families.

With that said, I could NOT handle 7 nights there. While the lodge itself is very well done in the public areas, the rooms are VERY bare bones. They are sparse, not the most comfortable beds, and they are quite loud. People who stay at this hotel are loud WELL into the late night. Kids will be running around playing that MagicQuest game at all hours. The water in the pipes is loud. There is ZERO soundproofing between the doors and the hallways. It's very difficult to get a good sleep here. We are at the point where we book the room and just use it to change clothes and we head back home to sleep at night, then go back the next morning to the water park. We live 15 minutes away so this works for us.

The food at the Lodge is surprisingly good, though, and you really don't ever need to leave to get a good variety of meals. The breakfast buffet is very good. They have plenty of food options and the extra stuff like bowling, mini golf, and the arcade are things my kids enjoy. The waterpark is also well run and clean/efficient. Lines never get too long. You won't have to pay for parking if you don't have a car.

However, your lack of a car is going to be an issue. There is no efficient way to get from GWL to Disneyland. Plus, if you have other plans in the local area, you really need a car. Taking ride shares everywhere isn't going to be cost efficient at ALL, given the way surge pricing works here. You should really reconsider the rental car. It's really a necessity if you aren't staying close enough to the parks to walk or onsite.

You won't NEED Genie+ with DAS, but it can be helpful. It's up to you whether you think it has value or not. I'd see how day 1 goes and decide after that. I would not prepurchase it.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

2. My son has ADHD, SPD & GAD and has a great difficulty waiting in lines so I had planned on getting the DAS pass... given the time of year we are going, do you think it would be necessary/beneficial to get G+ as well? I haven't been during the last week of August before so I have no idea what the crowds are like.

As the PP noted, Genie+ can be added on a day-to-day basis. The whole Genie+ concept, theoretically and practically, feels to me far more complicated than it needs to be.

I am taking my DW, DS and DD to DL for the first time ever and my DD has been eligible for DAS in the past at WDW. I'm hoping DL will grant her this accommodation too. Our plan is to buy Genie+ our first park day, and then play it by ear for the rest of the park days. One of the reasons we are purchasing Genie+ for at least one day, is because it includes photopass and I know my DW is going to want several professional grade pictures from this trip. So, we will plan to take several photopass pictures that day as memories and also use LL access for one day. That seems like a win-win for us and it fits in our budget.

 

[lalasmama]

My boys are 8 and 11. I found this on the California Highway Patrol website, "

• Children who are 8 years of age OR have reached 4’9” in height may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt. (California Vehicle Code Section 27363.)

So the law for booster seats would apply to those 7 years and younger. But thank you for the info!! I hadn't thought about needing a booster for this trip so I am glad I don't have to worry about that!!

Oops, you are right! I was posting too fast, apparently hitting the 8 instead of 7. Dang fat fingers of mine! Editing my post above!

 

[DLgal]

Oh, also since you mentioned your kids love waterparks, there is a brand new waterpark opening this summer in Irvine called Wild Rivers. It is only about 15 minutes away from Disneyland (it's literally going to be 2 miles from my house). Wild Rivers was a waterpark that existed in Irvine for 25 years but had to shut down when the land they were on was sold to housing developers. They have been trying to rebuild ever since and its FINALLY happening. This water park looks to be amazing, and will operate with limited attendance and reservations required, to keep lines short. We have already purchased season passes. This might be something else to add to the list.

wildrivers.com

 

[DisSurfer878]

Oh, also since you mentioned your kids love waterparks, there is a brand new waterpark opening this summer in Irvine called Wild Rivers. It is only about 15 minutes away from Disneyland (it's literally going to be 2 miles from my house). Wild Rivers was a waterpark that existed in Irvine for 25 years but had to shut down when the land they were on was sold to housing developers. They have been trying to rebuild ever since and its FINALLY happening. This water park looks to be amazing, and will operate with limited attendance and reservations required, to keep lines short. We have already purchased season passes. This might be something else to add to the list.

wildrivers.com

Okay wait. Wasn't there a water park in Irvine in the past that closed with almost the same name? Closed like 8 years ago or more. (Sorry off topic but this is really dragging up some deep memory for me lol)

 

[DLgal]

Okay wait. Wasn't there a water park in Irvine in the past that closed with almost the same name? Closed like 8 years ago or more. (Sorry off topic but this is really dragging up some deep memory for me lol)

Yes! It's the same ownership. Wild Rivers closed in 2011. They have been trying to get approval to rebuild in Irvine since then. They broke ground last July and the new Wild Rivers is the park opening this summer!

 

[DisSurfer878]

Yes! It's the same ownership. Wild Rivers closed in 2011. They have been trying to get approval to rebuild in Irvine since then. They broke ground last July and the new Wild Rivers is the park opening this summer!

OMG!!!!! Wow. So many childhood memories way back when at this place.

 

[DLgal]

OMG!!!!! Wow. So many childhood memories way back when at this place.

Same! Took our kids there when they were toddlers. Can't wait to return with them this summer, now that they are old enough to go on ALL the rides. One of our most cherished family memories is from Wild Rivers.

 

[PrincessTracie]

Universal is at least an hour away. You’d do better to stay at universal hotel for that night.

where were you looking that was more than gwl?

I looked at Universal hotels to stay at for one or two nights and they were all in the $200+ range.

The hotels near DLR within walking distance were all close to or over $200 a night. The rate we are getting at the GWL is $143 a night.

 

[PrincessTracie]

Okay, so here is my advice as a local and parent of 2 special needs kids with autism, ADHD, and SPD

First, my kids absolutely LOVE Great Wolf Logde. Like, they LOVE it. They now are 17 and 15 but we have been going to the Garden Grove GWL every year since they opened. We are Disneyland passholders and our longest GWL stay ever was 3 nights in the summer where we went to the parks during the evenings and spent the hot part of the day at the waterpark. It's a very fun place and the rooms are large and well set up for families.

With that said, I could NOT handle 7 nights there. While the lodge itself is very well done in the public areas, the rooms are VERY bare bones. They are sparse, not the most comfortable beds, and they are quite loud. People who stay at this hotel are loud WELL into the late night. Kids will be running around playing that MagicQuest game at all hours. The water in the pipes is loud. There is ZERO soundproofing between the doors and the hallways. It's very difficult to get a good sleep here. We are at the point where we book the room and just use it to change clothes and we head back home to sleep at night, then go back the next morning to the water park. We live 15 minutes away so this works for us.

The food at the Lodge is surprisingly good, though, and you really don't ever need to leave to get a good variety of meals. The breakfast buffet is very good. They have plenty of food options and the extra stuff like bowling, mini golf, and the arcade are things my kids enjoy. The waterpark is also well run and clean/efficient. Lines never get too long. You won't have to pay for parking if you don't have a car.

However, your lack of a car is going to be an issue. There is no efficient way to get from GWL to Disneyland. Plus, if you have other plans in the local area, you really need a car. Taking ride shares everywhere isn't going to be cost efficient at ALL, given the way surge pricing works here. You should really reconsider the rental car. It's really a necessity if you aren't staying close enough to the parks to walk or onsite.

You won't NEED Genie+ with DAS, but it can be helpful. It's up to you whether you think it has value or not. I'd see how day 1 goes and decide after that. I would not prepurchase it.

Wow! Thank you so much for your detailed reply!!!! This is the information I have been looking for! A honest review of the lodge and really helpful advice!

I have been struggling with the thought of spending 8 nights at the GWL and worry that its too many. I agree with you that the rooms look less than desirable and I wondered about the beds. Good to know these things ahead of time! I sleep with a fan (bringing one from home) so I am not too worried about the loud noises. My inner debate is that the room rate is so low right now ($143/night) why would I move to a different hotel and pay more for less amenities?

Does the GWL not have a DLR shuttle? I thought I read that they did?

If we rented a car, it would cost roughly $700 for a midsize car for the entire trip.. do you think the cost of a Uber/Lyft would exceed $700? The only times I would need a ride somewhere would be to the beach, Knott's Berry (if we decide to go there) and possibly Universal (although I may just rent a car that day anyway.. that's a long drive). We planned on eating at the parks and hotel so I don't think we would need a car to go eat anywhere. The cost estimate for an Uber from the airport to GWL is only $28 which is SO much cheaper than what SuperShuttle wants to charge ($129!!)

Thank you again for all your advice!! It really was super helpful!!

 

[PrincessTracie]

As the PP noted, Genie+ can be added on a day-to-day basis. The whole Genie+ concept, theoretically and practically, feels to me far more complicated than it needs to be.

I am taking my DW, DS and DD to DL for the first time ever and my DD has been eligible for DAS in the past at WDW. I'm hoping DL will grant her this accommodation too. Our plan is to buy Genie+ our first park day, and then play it by ear for the rest of the park days. One of the reasons we are purchasing Genie+ for at least one day, is because it includes photopass and I know my DW is going to want several professional grade pictures from this trip. So, we will plan to take several photopass pictures that day as memories and also use LL access for one day. That seems like a win-win for us and it fits in our budget.

Also, if you weren't aware already, you can purchase a one day PhotoPass+ for $19.99 total instead of $20 per person if you didn't need the LL access but wanted the photos. From what I've been reading it doesn't look like Genie+ will be really necessary if you have the DAS pass but I will know for sure in August!

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I totally understand what you are saying about not knowing exactly whether we will need Genie+ with DAS. Because this is a first DL trip for our family, we are quite unfamiliar with crowds, layout, foods, etc. etc. My DW told me that DL is smaller than MK and DCA is even smaller than DL. When I went on the inter-webs and started googling stuff, I think DL and DCA is about half the size of EP which was quite shocking to me. I think you are going to be right though that Genie+ will be largely superfluous.

 

[Steven G]

I totally understand what you are saying about not knowing exactly whether we will need Genie+ with DAS. Because this is a first DL trip for our family, we are quite unfamiliar with crowds, layout, foods, etc. etc. My DW told me that DL is smaller than MK and DCA is even smaller than DL. When I went on the inter-webs and started googling stuff, I think DL and DCA is about half the size of EP which was quite shocking to me. I think you are going to be right though that Genie+ will be largely superfluous.

DCA is very similar in concept to Hollywood Studios (minus galaxy's edge, plus Avengers Campus and Cars land.)

DL is smaller, but it is packed much more densely than MK, plus it has Galaxy's Edge. Compare the # of attractions that DL has to MK, and you will see (DL has more attractions than MK).