Advice re: the "scope" of our trip and a Pay It Forward offer

[akmomesq]

Hi all - I'm finding this board to be invaluable. You are all a truly fantastic resource for us first timers. (And in the spirit of "paying it forward," since I can't really offer advice to all you veterans.... I just bought a 2009 Birnbaum's guide - the only one I could get here in town - and noticed all the coupons on the back page. All of which expire in 2009. We're not going until 2010, so if one of you is going this year and can use them, I'd be happy to mail them out to you.)

My current dilemma:
We (my DH, MIL, and 4 y.o. DD and 7 y.o. DS) will be going to Disney either the first or the last full week of February. I bounce back and forth between which would be better, but that's not the issue. The issue I'm struggling with is the "scope" of the trip.

Besides knowing we're traveling with little ones, you need to know this is not only our first trip to DLR, it's really our first family vacation - as in this is the first time we're traveling somewhere that isn't just to visit family. And when I say "travel" I mean of any sort.... we live in a land-locked city so if we're not boating or flying out, we just kind of stay put ) This trip is a Christmas present suprise for our two kids.

On to the problem: Originally, I'd planned on flying us in to San Diego on a Thursday or Friday, going to Sea World and the Zoo (both of which my 7 yo especially would love), taking a bus or rental car up to DL on Sunday or Monday and staying there until we fly out on Saturday. I'm starting to get worried that we're trying to do too much and would love opinions from anyone who cares to share.

Here's what's really important to us:
I want this to be a relaxing vacation for everyone.
I don't want to do the parks commando-style and I don't want to try and do so much that the kids exhibit post-traumatic stress when they get back! (The're use to living in a ciy of 32,000 so it'll definitely be somewhat shocking to them...)
I want to be able to do EVERYTHING we want to do without worrying about the cost. We don't have unlimited funds and I keep thinking that without the SD side-trip expense, there wouldn't be any reason why we couldn't do all 3 character meals I think the kids would like, buy them a few really great souveniers, stay on site, etc.

But, I also wonder if 4 full days (plus perhaps one half day) is really too much time to spend at the parks. With kids 4 and 7, maybe there aren't as many things to do and therefore 3 days would be more than enough. If that were the case, maybe it'd be a great idea to fit in the San Diego side trip.

I thank you for reading this long novel - any advice you care to share, I'd be happy to hear!

 

[kailuagirl]

I don't think 4 days is too long at all. We went in June for our first family vacation with our just turned DD2 for 3 1/2 days and we didn't get to do everything we wanted to, barely had anytime for California Adventure Park, and didn't get to do everything in Disneyland that we wanted to. Might have been due to us being on baby schedule, but a full 4th day would have really been great. Just my 2 cents Happy planning and have a great trip.

 

[sonnyjane]

I don't think 4 days will be too long, but if you're concerned, you might consider saving money and only doing three days for DL, and spending a day at the beach or just relaxing in the area between SD and DL. I have annual memberships to both Sea World and the zoo and can vouch that they both involve a LOT of walking (the zoo more so than SW), as does Disney! You might want to give your legs and feet a break and take a day off in between the two so you can be excited and refreshed for DL.

 

[QueenDoOver]

When my son was 4 turning 5 we did a city pass which was a day universal studios, a day at sea world, a day at the zoo and 3 days at DL. We did all those things in an 7 day period, and I can tell you, it was not relaxing at all. Even though we took one day to do nothing at all. I do not recommend this to anyone!

Now fast forward to just turned 6 and we did an 8 night, 9 day trip just at DLR. Thought we would take a day or two off and go to the beach or just not go to the parks at all, but in the end we went every single day. Sometimes for less time than others, at a completely liesurely pace. Tons of exploring, driving the boats at the DLH, etc. etc. We did have plenty of pool time too, which my kids love.

Is 3 days too long. I don't think so.

What are the coupons for? I go in two weeks

 

[HydroGuy]

Hmmm. It always seems a bit of an oxymoron to me when people want to go to DLR or WDW and "relax". DLR/WDW are about stimulation of all your senses. Yes you can go at a slow pace. But how do you relax when there is so much excitement? So many smells, tastes, sounds, sites, motion, etc.?

Not sure exactly what you are after.

Will four days be better than three? Well, for our family three days is about right. We did four once when kids were 13, 12, 10 and 9 and everyone said it was too much. With younger kids there will be more things you have to skip.

Do you want to do DLR thoroughly or is this is precursor to more trips? If it is more of a once-in-a-lifetime then I think four days is better. If you think you may be back in a year or two or three, then three days may work for you.

I kind of rambled but hope it gives you some things to think about.

 

[LVdisneyChick]

I third the opinoin that 4 days is not too long. We only go 3 days, it seems very rushed . I wish we could squeeze in an extra day. Stick with the 4 days. I also recommend looking into ridemax.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Well, I'm not the best 'expert' here, but I'll chip in. I think your plan is very "do-able". Especially if you don't want to go commando, 4 days at DLR would give you enough time to get rides in without feeling rushed.

Personally, I don't think you'd need to do ALL 3 character meals at Disneyland. I don't think they are all that different enough to warrant doing a character meal more than once or twice. I love San Diego, so I wouldn't sacrifice that part of the trip for extra character meals.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

We will be going in December with DD (turning 7 the first day of trip) and DD who will be 3 1/2. We will be spending 4 1/2 days in the park. This is the same amount of time we spent in the parks when DDs were 4 and 18 mos. The number of days works well for us since we will plan on heading back to the hotel for mid-day breaks that will extend through dinner. With early morning starts going through lunch time and then dinner time through about 9:00 (bedtime for the DDs), three days just doesn't seem like it would be enough time. I guess it would be okay if we only wanted to hit each ride one time, but my DH and DDs and I all have our favorites that we want to ride a little more often. Plus, it then gives us the breathing room to take up chunks of time staking out a spot for a parade, Fantasmic! (if being offered), lots of time on Tom Sawyer's Island and in Toontown, etc.

 

[wvnative]

I think 4 days would be fine as well. When my daughter (19) and I go, we tend to get to the parks at about lunchtime on the first day and leave at around 3 pm on the 4th day. There are rides we do everyday and rides one or both of us don't do at all. We also don't stop for parades, Fantasmic or fireworks though all of which you'll probably want to do.

I find that when we do 4 days rather than 3, we tend to take it slower. We do sit down lunch and dinner rather than counter service. We take the time to shop throughout the trip and we aren't quite as tired when we get home. We're still tired, but not really exhausted. Besides, with younger kids you can still go back to the hotel for a midday break. I don't think I could pay the teenagers I travel with to do that. haha

We had originally planned to add SD onto our next trip but have opted out now due to cost. Of course, nothing is set in stone yet so we may very well add it back in since we've got the whole week offf anyway. lol

 

[Brady's Mom]

There are some things to consider here -

1. You are going in Feb. which means some ride closures and some maintenance.

2. Shorter park hours - unless you happen to be there over President's Day.

I am not sure when Rivers of America will be drained, but that would be a consideration for me - my boys love Tom Sawyer Island and the Riverboat.

Park hours might only be from 10 am to 8 pm. Definitely short, but lines should be very reasonable, so getting on the rides you want could be very easy. A lot of times when the park is slow the Fast Pass machines won't even be turned on.

I would go for 4 days. It gives you time to enjoy the parks and see all the details and ride all of your favorite rides more than once.

Can't answer the character dining dilemma - we've never done it and never felt deprived. I can't rationalize $150+ for our family of 5 or 6 for a buffet. We just take a little time to see some characters if we want and if we don't - we don't. You have a better chance of seeing the characters without huge lines than if you went in summer.

 

[JustAKid]

Can't answer the character dining dilemma - we've never done it and never felt deprived. I can't rationalize $150+ for our family of 5 or 6 for a buffet. We just take a little time to see some characters if we want and if we don't - we don't. You have a better chance of seeing the characters without huge lines than if you went in summer.

You and DH are soulmates! When I told him we'd be doing some character dining, he was like "AWESOME! How much?" when I told him he flat out told me no.

We compromised by doing ONE character dining, Ariel's Grotto, to avoid the PFF lines . It was the only one I could really sell him on. I think he is more impatient then thrifty . Plus, it'd be the coolest one for our 3 girls.

 

[rmom]

I don't think 4 days is too much, we have gone for 5 days. It will give you more flexibility. The hours will be shorter at the parks and you won't feel like to have to be there every second they are open. There is always downtown disney and the resorts to enjoy if you get tired of the rides. You may want to stay at HoJos so if the weather is nice the kids can use the water area (more then just a pool).

I would pick one character meal and not do all three - pick the best for your family. We have done Goofy's Kitchen and really enjoyed it. Goofy "cooks" with the kids and there is more activity then just the character coming to the table. We like the food also. We usualy get reservations for when they open for dinner. It works best for us.

I would suggust you do SD. The zoo is wonderful and we like See World also. You can eat next to the whales at Sea World but I would check out the website and see what is available for your stay and what you would need to make reservations for. You may be able to take the train from SD to Dl also. I think there is a bus or you can take a taxi from the train station. That way you would not have to dump the car or drive inthe traffic. We live in Silicon Valley, so we did not think the traffic was that bad - you may have a very different opinion.

Whatever you decide, I would still make of list of must dos so you won't be disappointed and miss something that you really wanted to do. Don't forget to get the kids a first time visitor sticker. If you haven't already, go to the disneyland website where you can get a dvd and plan your trip. There are also a couple of sites with menus so you can decide if you want to eat in the park or find someplace outside.

Happy planning!

 

[akmomesq]

Thanks guys for all the advice. (And I am mailing out the vouchers to the first person who pmd me and asked- debdreamsofdis ) Hydroguy - maybe "relaxed" wasn't the best word to use - I'm not thinking it's going to be the equivalent of a spa day (though I wouldn't complaint about that!) . . . I just don't want to be so frenzied trying to fit everything in that we miss some of the small details. I want to be able to sit down in the grass and just hang out a while and people watch, or go shopping, and not worry that in doing so, we have to give up seeing or doing x,y, or z. Does that make more sense? We're looking to do DLR thoroughly as we likely won't be back for a long while.

I think you all have convinced me that 4 full days isn't too much and that it's worth it to work the SD trip in (rmom, I didn't know about the train! My kids would LOVE that! Thank you!!!) Maybe the best way to cut a few corners is to stay at a good neighbor hotel so I think we're going to reconsider staying onsite. I was concerned about the walk for my MIL and losing some of the magic but honestly, I think my kids will be so excited they're not going to care (or even know) the difference - and I keep reading that some of the offsite hotels are even closer to the parks than the onsites.

Also, thanks for the tip re: the first time visitor sticker. We'll definitely do that.