Brand new to the boards, lots of questions!

[jemimabean]

I hope that this is the right place for these questions...I've lurked for a bit before jumping in, but the boards are so huge that I'm still unsure.

We're trying to plan a family trip to DisneyLand for the first week in December (my husband and I, our two young kids, my parents, brother, and mother-in-law). This will be our first trip to DisneyLand, and I'm already totally overwhelmed with trying to plan it!

My husband and I were in Downtown Disney a couple of weeks ago, but just for a day. He played at the House of Blues, and we stayed at the Anaheim Marriott (which was really nice). But I think if we're going back with young kids and extended family, it would be nice to be able to easily walk to the parks.

Erm, I swear that I'm not usually this wordy.

So my questions are:

* Most affordable while still walkable hotels?

* Any special deals that you suggest looking for? There's one for buy three nights, get two free that I've been looking at. Would this be the best way to go if we want to stay five nights?

* It sounds like there's a lot going on during that first week of December (cast member parties, candlelight procession, etc). Is it a bad idea to go then? I'd really like to see the Christmas decorations, but would also like to avoid crowds.

* Best place for figuring out what to do daily, which hotel to stay at, which restaurants to hit, etc?

* Anything that we should NOT miss with an 8yr old girl and a 5yr old boy?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions! We're seriously excited about this.

 

[Sherry E]

I will move you over to the main Disneyland planning section of the board.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

hmm, first things first.

The hotel and location will always affect how you do on vacation, especially at Disney parks.

My suggestion is to first get a solid idea of the dates, then chose a hotel close by.

We have Stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand California hotel, both are great, and within walking distance. Very handy if you need an afternoon break from the parks.

There are also "partner" hotes that include shuttle service directly to the parks, very handy so that you don't have to drive each day and spend money for parking.

 

[ballarinamom]

If you want Disney Hotel, Grand California and Disneyland Hotel are the closest. However, there are Good Neighbor Hotels that are actually closer and of course much cheaper. Some of the closest are not even Good Neighbor. You can sort the list on the Disneyland website. Park Vue Inn is one of the closest that is not a GN hotel. Best Western Park Place is the closest. Desert Inn and Suites, Tropicana as well.
Howard Johnson is a favorite here and they offer and Entertainment Book rate. You will need the plastic membership card found inside of the book to get the discount.

You will only get one Magic Morning entrance with a non Disney Hotel. But a Disney property will give you unlimited MM during your stay.

Check out allears.net to find menus for all of the restaurants. They should help with selection and budgeting.