Booked For April 26-May 1 & I'm Pumped

[lugnut33]

Well, I went ahead and took advantage of the buy 3 get two more nights free offer for a trip from April 26th through May 1 (Monday through Saturday)for me and my girls who are 12 and 9. Mom's a teacher so we are leaving her behind and it'll just be dad and his girls. This will be our 4th trip to Disneyland.


Let me tell you the details. Ended up booking through the DL website and staying at the Carousel Inn and Suites (great location, right across from the park entrance). So, for 5 nights, including all our park passes, it came to $995 total (Disneyland Hotel was $1500 for the stay and that made it a tough decision, but decided we could buy more churros by saving the money). Personally, I think that's a pretty darn good deal considering 5 day park passes alone would have been $597 for the 3 of us. Essentially we are paying $79.60 per night for the Carousel. And since we booked through DL we get the Toontown Morning Madness. And a free phone call for my girls on Christmas morning telling them we are going.

I also booked my flights on Southwest from Milwaukee to John Wayne Airport, which I understand is the closest airport to DL?? Hope I'm right. The total cost of the flights was $716, but we had $150 in flight vouchers so that helped. Does anybody know the cheapest and best way to get from the Airport to DL?

The plan is for us to spend 5 days of commando style touring. I'd like to add in a tour for us so does anybody have a tour they would recommend for me and the girls?

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Wow! That sounds great. Hope you have a blast.

IMO, John Wayne is the easiest. We always catch a cab, but I don't think that is the cheapest option. I am sure the experts on the DIS can give you more options. I can't seem to remember the actually cost of the cab, I think it was around $40???? I must be getting old, lol.

We have done the "Discover the Magic" Tour. I think our oldest was 11 at the time. We were having a family reunion so there were a bunch of cousins together. It was great fun for all of the younger kids! The older kids were just so-so. It was a big group, not just our kids. The CM did a great job getting my son involved. You could tell he kinda felt it was too kiddie....He was one of the oldest. I think it just depends on your kids.

Have fun.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Yeah! That sounds like so much fun and the price for five days lodging and park hoppers definitely sounds like a good one! Especially since it will include the MTTMM and one Magic Morning entry.

Yes, John Wayne (along with Long Beach airport) are the closest. Take a look at this thread for transporations options from the airport to DLR: Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information. The cheapest option from SNA is probably Super Shuttle using the Coupon Code noted at the bottom of the first post (under Coupons) by DizMe. That would make it $7 each for a one way trip ($42 round trip cost). Just make certain you note DizMe's instructions to book each person seperately so you can take advantage of the $3 off for each fare.

The "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour is alot of fun especially if you are at all interested in Disney history and trivia. I think it would depend on your DDs interest in all things Disney if they would like this one. I think one that would be a lot of fun to do with your DDs would be the "Discover the Magic" tour. Here's the description from the DLR website: "Immerse your family in a high-energy adventure as you work together to follow clues, outsmart sneaky villains and help save the day!"

 

[kerickson]

We are there the same dates staying at the Grand Villas (VGC). Can't wait!

We were there around the same time last year and had a fabulous time. Great weather, crowds were manageable.

PM me your email, I'm happy to send you my tourning plan from last year...
My kids are 3 and 5, though, so we had nap/pool time slotted every afternoon.

 

[lugnut33]

We are there the same dates staying at the Grand Villas (VGC). Can't wait!

We were there around the same time last year and had a fabulous time. Great weather, crowds were manageable.

PM me your email, I'm happy to send you my tourning plan from last year...
My kids are 3 and 5, though, so we had nap/pool time slotted every afternoon.

I remember taking my girls when they were 3 & 6, it's an awesome time. I just remember how into everything they were even at that young age. I had never seen them be so interested in something as they were while at Disneyland. We stayed at the Holiday Inn (now the Hotel Menage), which was nice. A really great memory.

Here's a picture from when my girls were a bit older:

 

[mystic_path]

SWEET! Your trip is going to get here before you know it. All this anticipation building. You got a very good deal it sounds like. The Carousel is very close to the parks which is amazing and their beds are fluffy like clouds and the rooms are very clean.

John Wayne is the closest airport so your doing well there, and if you want to take a shuttle then Super Shuttle as mentioned with the discount code is good. Watch out for that Shuttle though cause normally your sharing that shuttle with other people and you may not be dropped off first. You may be driving around for 45 minutes before you get dropped off at your hotel.

Ive always taken Super Shuttle and have never had an issue as I am usually going to Cali on leisure and dont worry about having to drop a few people off, but if you take a cab its about $40 and it will take you straight to your hotel. Mind you that $40 is one way, so Super Shuttle may actually save you money in the long run round trip.