Basic trip plans - does this seem ok?

[Laur0406]

Hi all

I am planning our very first trip to Disneyland - Dates will be February 24-March 3. We are planning on staying at the Hojo Anaheim. It is me, my husband and our almost 4 year old son. We haven't booked yet, but will be within the next week or so.

Friday: arrive (afternoon)
Saturday: Hotel day
Sunday: Universal Studios
Monday DL
Tuesday DCA/World of Color show
Wednesday DL
Thursday Upgrade tickets if we want a 4th day at DL or DCA. If not, Legoland.
Friday: Go home

I based this on isitpacked.com although I know it says Universal will be packed on the Sunday. We'd mostly be going just for the Minion themed things for my son.

This has been such an overwhelming process, I am a somewhat seasoned traveller, but this was stressful!

I'd love any tips as well!

 

[GatorChris]

Welcome, foolish mortal, to the DIS!

Isitpacked.com is alright, but none of the crowd calendars are all that great it seems. After the 60th hit, there's really no such thing as a really slow time at DL.

As for the trip, we'll actually be down there that week. WE'll be spending a few nights at Great Wolf Lodge for the water slides, and then do DL for a few days. We're at a different hotel, but we may switch to HoJo - that's our favorite. We just wanted to try out something different and with a breakfast. But I'm sure Ill be wishing I was in my Superior room at Hojo. You'll love it there.

You may want a 4th day at DL so you can hit DCA again. Your son will love Cars Land. I can't speak to Universal...not sure if it's something you guys would like. Someone with experience can give you some tips.

Your son will really like Legoland, though he'd appreciate it more in a few years. If it's possible and you can get a good price, stay at the Legoland Hotel. It really completes the experience.

 

[Laur0406]

Thanks GatorChris! Maybe we'll just do 4 days at DL/DCA and forget Legoland.

 

[MacMama0930]

In my humble opinion, with a son your age, I'd make Legoland more of a priority than Universal. My DH and I did the VIP experience at Universal and it was awesome - but I'm not sure how awesome it would've been for the kids. I felt it was much more "adult friendly" than other amusement parks. Legoland, on the other hand, WITH the hotel experience = AMAZING, AMAZING time with the kids. I think the hotel is a must. Your son will LOVE it and, quite frankly, so you will. It's pricey, but worth it. I'd skip Universal and splurge on Legoland Hotel w/ a day there. Other than that, your plan sounds great!

 

[GatorChris]

Thanks GatorChris! Maybe we'll just do 4 days at DL/DCA and forget Legoland.

In my humble opinion, with a son your age, I'd make Legoland more of a priority than Universal. My DH and I did the VIP experience at Universal and it was awesome - but I'm not sure how awesome it would've been for the kids. I felt it was much more "adult friendly" than other amusement parks. Legoland, on the other hand, WITH the hotel experience = AMAZING, AMAZING time with the kids. I think the hotel is a must. Your son will LOVE it and, quite frankly, so you will. It's pricey, but worth it. I'd skip Universal and splurge on Legoland Hotel w/ a day there. Other than that, your plan sounds great!

I'm with MacMama. Legoland will be much better than Universal. Yes, it's a bit out of town (not in the LA area). But it's a great place, for sure. Unless you're going to Universal to hit Harry Potter, LegoLand will be the better choice.

 

[VandVsmama]

Skip Universal Studios since your child is only 4. Spend the day at Legoland instead. End the trip with 4 days at DL. Adding a 4th day at DL will be less expensive than Universal Studios, 3 days at DL, AND a day at Legoland. You can add the 4th day at DL for way less than 1-day tickets to Legoland or Universal Studios.

Plus, since your son is 4, after a couple of days on the go, you might find that he gets more tired as the trip progresses. So if you have 4 days at DL instead of 3, then it will allow you to tour the parks at a more leisurely pace. Therefore, if you want to take an afternoon break back at your hotel, you can go ahead and do that and not feel like you're "missing out."

 

[VandVsmama]

Also, I would recommend that you consider renting a stroller for the 4 yr old through Anaheim City Strollers for your DL days. Do this EVEN IF it's been ages since your son was in a stroller. After a day at Legoland and a day at DL, his little legs will be tired on day 3. If you rent from an off-site stroller rental company, this will allow you to push him in the stroller at the beginning and end of the day to/from your hotel. This alone will give him some more stamina through out the day...and at the end of the day when you're doing the long trek back to the hotel, you won't have to carry a very heavy 4 yr old kid.

DURING the day at DL, another plus of having the stroller is that if he's getting worn out, he can just climb in and go for a ride and rest while you park hop between DL & DCA if you are getting FP's for something or if you want to browse in a store and your son is tired and cranky and doesn't want to be dragged all over creation.

We did this when my YDD was 4 and I am so glad I did so. It made the trip so much more enjoyable.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I'm with the others, Universal is probably not worth it with the age of your child. If you are not super hip to the idea of LEGOLAND (I think it is insanely boring), just add a day or two at Disney or do your first night and hotel day at great wolf lodge.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Don't get too stressed - at the end of the day, you'll be fun places with your family! Some notes:

We just did Legoland for the first time on Saturday with our 3.5 year old and 4-year-old niece. It was fine, but halfway through the day I texted my friend and said, "This place really makes me appreciate Disney so much more." I was underwhelmed (even as a serious Lego aficionado). We went inside the hotel, which did look very cool, but didn't stay there.

I haven't done Universal in years, but everyone I know with kids says it's not very kid-friendly, FYI. I'm dying to get to the HP stuff, but waiting until mine is older (or I can find a day to go without her). Even with Legoland being underwhelming for us, I'd go back there before Universal based on feedback I've gotten from friends.

You can definitely fill four-five days at Disney. I personally wouldn't try to go someplace new for the last day- you'll likely be tired and getting a bit amusement-park-overloaded by then, you know? If you're going other places, I'd do them first and then end with Disney.

 

[JenEMT]

No matter what it will be fun! I see you have a hotel day, on your first day. I know that when my family arrived last year, we couldn't contain ourselves and wanted to go to the parks ASAP! You might want to switch the hotel day. Like go to a park Saturday, and break Sunday. Or go to park Saturday and Sunday, then a hotel break. Your legs and feet will be tired. I know the parks would most likely be more busy on the weekend, but will also have longer hours. You could take mid day breaks too.
Oh and don't forget to upgrade your tickets before the end of the day on day three, if you want to go for a fourth day!!! Have fun and don't stress it. Everyday will be fun, no matter what!!!

 

[Jaina]

Some great advice here! I agree with all of it. I disliked Legoland, but my kids thought it was great! I liked Universal, but wouldn't really take our kids before they are more like 7-8. My sister has had a lot of fun with her little boys (ages 2-7) at Knott's Berry Farm. That might be another option if you want to change it up more and stay closer.

 

[Shellyred8]

The beach might be another good option instead of Universal. We just got back from DL and spent 5 days there. There are still things we didn't get to do. You would be keep busy at DL for at least 4 to 5 days.

 

[Glynis4]

I am also planning our very first trip to Disney! Not until next November though . We'll be travelling with a 2 and 5 year old, and as much as I really really REALLY want to go to universal for Harry Potter land, I've taken it off the agenda for our trip - my research has come up with the same conclusion others have mentioned - there won't be much for the kids there, so it's a lot of travel and money for me to see Harry Potter land . We looked at Legoland too, and we're not gonna be able to swing it this trip, but hopefully a year or two after, it looks like great fun for the kids! We are planning 4 days at Disney, with a 'rest day' in the middle. Will you be doing a trip report? Would love to read it!

 

[Laur0406]

Thank you so much for all the advice. The Hojo has a great waterpark (from what I can tell since I've never actually been) so maybe we just hit up Disneyland for 4 days with a beach day in there as well. Is it worth doing to Disneyland when it is sooooo packed (say Sunday-Monday DL/DCA, Tuesday Beach Day, Wednesday-Thursday DL/DCA).

I will definitely try to do a Trip Report!!

Also, I would recommend that you consider renting a stroller for the 4 yr old through Anaheim City Strollers for your DL days.

Without a doubt, we'll be renting a stroller. I wouldn't consider not renting one! And I like the idea of a bigger stroller than if we were to bring our Uppababy umbrella stroller. We use the stroller at Canada's Wonderland here all the time, it's nice for both him and for us to put our stuff somewhere!

 

[Laur0406]

Can you enter and leave the park multiple times the same day with your ticket?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Can you enter and leave the park multiple times the same day with your ticket?

Yup

 

[lcp9]

How tall is your son? My oldest boy just turned 3 but is 42" - we just got back from 4 days at disney and rode RSR 10 times. TEN. He would have gone more if we could have been back and forth on our disneyland days fast enough (and if he didn't have a sister who needed to do princess stuff.) If he's tall enough to do big rides, I would probably bank on a 4th day. We have opted not to do universal because we don't think our kids (5, 3, 1) are old enough to appreciate it, and I also recall height requirements on most of the rides? Not sure. Have heard good things about legoland but when we're at disney we just like to pound it out and get stuff done.

FWIW touring plans (more detailed crowd forecasts) has Mon - Thurs as 4, 3, 2, 3 (out of 10) respectively. None of the forecasting people are 100% right, but TP has been within +/- 2 on the scale everytime we've been there. I would expect that with a good strategy you'll be able to get a lot done and not have much wait.

ALSO I haven't compared to the DL early entry calendar, but unless you have magic morning, choose the opposite park to enter in the morning and take advantage of light crowds.

 

[Laur0406]

So... What does everyone think of the Residence Inn Anaheim Resort Area? I think we're going to book there to get a suite instead of a double queen room (the Hojo will be undergoing renovations in the building that has the suites).

How tall is your son? My oldest boy just turned 3 but is 42" - we just got back from 4 days at disney and rode RSR 10 times. TEN. .

He is very tall 44" so he could totally ride almost everything! Thank you for your advice.

 

[lcp9]

So... What does everyone think of the Residence Inn Anaheim Resort Area? I think we're going to book there to get a suite instead of a double queen room (the Hojo will be undergoing renovations in the building that has the suites).


He is very tall 44" so he could totally ride almost everything! Thank you for your advice.

We actually just stayed there - my husband and I, three kids 5, 3, 1, and my parents. We had two 1 bed/2 queen suites. We had plenty of room, even with a huge double stroller, 3 carseats, and all our suitcases. Super nice - we have always stayed at RI maingate, but we are marriott associates and this one came up with a good rate so we tried it. Great breakfast. Good to have the full kitchen, because we take a ton of food into the parks in the stroller including milk and stuff for the baby. I just wish there was an exit from DCA onto Katella so you don't have to see your hotel from California Screamin, but then walk all the way out and back. haha. I think that will be our first choice from now on.