Can somebody please get me started?

[PineapplePrincessCA]

We're going to take the kids ( 3, 4, and 5) to Disneyland for the first time in May. We want to stay for two days and get a hotel for one night. I'm so overwhelmed with all of the choices!!!!

We live in San Diego, but I have no idea when we'll be back again, so we probably don't want to get a annual pass. But if there is a really good deal we may be interested!

How do I find all of the options for tickets? Are there any So. Calif. Specials in May?

Can somebody point me in the right direction and get me started on my planning, pretty please? I’m overwhelemed with all of the ticket choices and hotels.
I’ve checked out the stickey thread on top, but OMG. My head is spinning. WAY more than what I need. I just want to figure out tickets and a hotel right now.

Would a package deal with a Disney hotel be a good idea? I know there are some less expensive hotels in the surrounding area that we’re going to check out, but we’re not against paying a little more if its worth it.



I’m going to start going through some old threads here today, but in the meantime… any basic/first timer advice??

Thank you!

 

[Raindown]

For tickets look at the Disney website. It should list all the ticket options available or you might have to enter your zip code. But that is a good place for all the run down of what they are having special on. I know some people purchase tickets else where but I am not familiar with those vendors.

 

[IBLarsen]

There are several hotels right across the street from DLR that are all walkable and less expensive than staying on property. One of the favs on here is the Hojo (Howard Johnson). We personally have stayed at the Fairfield. There's more but I'm drawing a blank. There is a map I will see if I can find that lists some of the hotel choices. Here's a link for the dates HOJO's offers an entertainment rate. A special discount offered certain days (and there are some listed for May). You will need to buy an Entertainment card to get the deal.
http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14


For tickets - I have no idea what deals are offered for So Cal residents, I think the best place to look is the Disneyland website under tickets only option. We just purchased out tix through Last Minute Travel, they were the cheapest for non residents. (For LMT you have to look under activities and then choose anaheim and theme parks). Another source is Getawaytoday.com.

 

[4bugzinarug]

The discount program for Southern Cal. residents expires in October (I think!). That is probably the best discount you will find, except you cannot hop back and forth between parks each day. Rather, you would do Disneyland for one full day and California Adventure on a second day.

Honestly, beyond that .... the best price on 2 day tickets that we found is the deal at www.lastminutetravel.com. Adults are $125 and children are 109 (or 105, can't remember because we bought the next option up). Realize that there is A LOT to see, and two days will just scratch the surface if you are goingn for the first time and/or if the parks are crowded. Especially trying to manuever around with 3 small children. But you will still have a great time and get a lot done, and come away with a good feel for what you want to accomplish next time.

As for hotels, the HOJO deal can't be beat. I have yet to stay there, and as much as we really like our Priceline hotel this time, I do wish that we had stayed at Hojo this time. That being said, my husband has some health issues that have made this trip very difficult for him. Next time we go we will probably stay at the Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian (but for fewer days) so that he can take the monorail straight into Tomorrowland and then board the Railway to go wherever he needs to go within the park.

With having to wrestle strollers on/off the shuttles/etc, you might contemplate staying onsite, just as a convenience (if you can swing it). Each time we have been to DL, we have wanted to try it but our budget has not allowed for it. It's a much larger chunk of the budget when you are staying for 5 nights vs. 1

Apart from those two things, try Candy Cane Inn, Park Vue, Fairfield by Marriott. It really helps to have a hotel that includes breakfast in the morning. We usually start by going to priceline.com , expedia.com and/or hotels.com to check rates in the area. $99 or under should be fairly easy to accomplish.

Anyway, hope that helps!

 

[HydroGuy]

I have a strong preference for walking distance hotels. See this thread "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Also see hotel info in the sticky at the top: * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

Finally if you click in the links in the menu bar above (my menu bar is gold colored - right below the brown colored menu - but I think you can customize it so it may be different for you) you can find the "DL Theme Parks" link and then this ticket info link: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/tickets.htm