Disneyland Help

[Jessica0312]

Hello,

I haven't been in quite a few years and I am a bit torn over where to stay and what to do. (I apologize in advance if this is already posted, I appreciate the help!)

We'll be going June 20 - 24. I have a thing in Vegas until the 19th but was going to stay the night and take an early flight out on the 20th. It's just me and my 8 year old, so I figure it's easier to just fly and I found $100 flights on Southwest into John Wayne.

Are 3 days enough, with park hoppers and max pass? I thought about going the 19th, but can't fly out until that night, so we'd get there in time to sleep. Not sure the extra expense of the hotel (double in Anaheim compared to Vegas) and the extra ticket for the 4th day (including park hopper and max pass) is worth it? Alternatively, we would get in around noon on the 20th, so we could still go to the parks, but is it worth getting a 4th day to go to the park for half a day?

Right now, we are booked at Howard Johnson. I looked at BW Park Place but think my girl will enjoy the water playground and bunk beds at HJ more. Is the water playground too young for her? I know it is a bit further of a walk, but I'm not really concerned with that. Is there anything else I should consider? It's roughly $250 per night...Paradise Pier is about $1000 more for the same nights. Would it be worth it to stay on property?

Any not to miss extra events at disneyland? We did the Fantasmic dinner the last time we were there but she was just a baby and doesn't remember. Same with character meals.

Also....we plan to fly into John Wayne so I figure we'll just uber to the hotel...but leaving we are flying out of LAX and I am looking at an early flight time. Are the shuttle services safe? Asking as a mom traveling alone with her little girl. I wasn't planning to rent a car if I can avoid it.

Thank you so much in advance if you got through all of this! I guess I am feeling a bit overwhelmed! Ugh, so many decisions lol (we are regulars at wdw!)

Thanks!
Jessica

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

We'll be going June 20 - 24. I have a thing in Vegas until the 19th but was going to stay the night and take an early flight out on the 20th. It's just me and my 8 year old, so I figure it's easier to just fly and I found $100 flights on Southwest into John Wayne.

Are 3 days enough, with park hoppers and max pass? I thought about going the 19th, but can't fly out until that night, so we'd get there in time to sleep. Not sure the extra expense of the hotel (double in Anaheim compared to Vegas) and the extra ticket for the 4th day (including park hopper and max pass) is worth it? 1 Alternatively, we would get in around noon on the 20th, so we could still go to the parks, but is it worth getting a 4th day to go to the park for half a day?

Right now, we are booked at Howard Johnson. I looked at BW Park Place but think my girl will enjoy the water playground and bunk beds at HJ more. Is the water playground too young for her? I know it is a bit further of a walk, but I'm not really concerned with that. Is there anything else I should consider? It's roughly $250 per night...Paradise Pier is about $1000 more for the same nights. 2 Would it be worth it to stay on property?

Thanks!
Jessica

I can't answer all your questions, but I'll give my opinion on the two I bolded.

1. I would get the ticket for the half day. You'll both be excited and you'll be able to see the park from your hotel. As you know from WDW, going from 3 to 4 days is much more economical than going from 1 to 2.

Even with the added hotel cost, I'd consider flying in on the 19th and getting there in time to sleep. Then you'll have 4 full days in the parks, and you'll feel like you have more time to enjoy the pool at your hotel.

2. In your case, I think you'll be just fine staying on Harbor. The on-site perks at DL are far less robust than the on-site perks at WDW. Also, at least for me, some of the most important perks of staying on-site at WDW are the included transit and proximity to the parks, neither of which are issues at Disneyland.

I might consider staying right at the crosswalk and dealing with a boring pool, especially if you plan to take a midday break. You'll enjoy the shorter walk, especially since you're talking about making it four times a day instead of just two.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I’d get a 4th day. It’s probably $15/day more.

Hojo will be better IMO.

I ubered to LAX. Easy peasy.

Join the June planning group!

 

[HydroGuy]

Here is my two cents....

We'll be going June 20 - 24. I have a thing in Vegas until the 19th but was going to stay the night and take an early flight out on the 20th. It's just me and my 8 year old, so I figure it's easier to just fly and I found $100 flights on Southwest into John Wayne.

Are 3 days enough, with park hoppers and max pass?

Yes but you are cutting it close. Any desire to try and do the new ROTR ride? Does your DD8 do all the rides or is she reluctant on some of the more intense ones? Do you like Disney shows and parades?

DLR has some great shows and parades. If you have not seen World of Color, IMO that is a must. Fantasmic is better at DL than DHS but IMO not worth seeing if you have seen it DHS and have limited time. The Frozen show at DCA is a must IMO. Not sure what the DL fireworks will be in June - not announced yet that I have seen - but that may be something for you to see.

I thought about going the 19th, but can't fly out until that night, so we'd get there in time to sleep. Not sure the extra expense of the hotel (double in Anaheim compared to Vegas) and the extra ticket for the 4th day (including park hopper and max pass) is worth it? Alternatively, we would get in around noon on the 20th, so we could still go to the parks, but is it worth getting a 4th day to go to the park for half a day?

I would lean towards your plan to fly on the 20th, get to the parks and do a 4th day half day. Maybe plan to see a show that day or fireworks or something.

Right now, we are booked at Howard Johnson. I looked at BW Park Place but think my girl will enjoy the water playground and bunk beds at HJ more. Is the water playground too young for her? I know it is a bit further of a walk, but I'm not really concerned with that. Is there anything else I should consider? It's roughly $250 per night...Paradise Pier is about $1000 more for the same nights. Would it be worth it to stay on property?

We did Hojo's once when my kids were 7-11 in age. Nice place but the walk back at night is like 4 times as far as the walk in the morning. We took afternoon breaks each day to visit the pool. So we walked back and forth twice each day.

After that I decided Hojo's was not worth it because of that extra walk. Now that was before Uber so if you think maybe you can Uber at night, well, that could change things. Otherwise I have become a BWPPI fan - because the short walk cannot be beat.

IMO not worth it to stay at PP or onsite unless you have money to burn and just love Disney hotels. I don't do it unless I get a good deal.

Any not to miss extra events at disneyland? We did the Fantasmic dinner the last time we were there but she was just a baby and doesn't remember. Same with character meals.

As I said above, World of Color. That would have been playing 7-8 years ago. Did you see it? If so then you know enough to decide. It has not changed significantly. Do go see the Frozen show. Really good. There is a new parade at DL starting here in 2 weeks. Read reviews on that.

Also....we plan to fly into John Wayne so I figure we'll just uber to the hotel...but leaving we are flying out of LAX and I am looking at an early flight time. Are the shuttle services safe? Asking as a mom traveling alone with her little girl. I wasn't planning to rent a car if I can avoid it.

What shuttle services are you asking about? That might be scary? Don't rent a car. Any reason not to Uber to LAX? I do that all the time and it is, well, Uber. Most people consider that pretty safe.

Have a great trip!

 

[wench]

I agree with the Uber to LAX advice. Now that Super Shuttle is gone, you won’t really save any money taking a shared shuttle over a private uber. It’s just easier.

Unlike many on these boards I’m a huge supporter of staying on site. If you could get DLH or GCH for a thousand dollars more, I would absolutely tell you to go for it. But, if you’re looking at PPH, I wouldn’t do it. I like the hotel just fine, but since you can’t cut through GCH when headed to the parks anymore, the walk is just too long.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Agree about adding the extra day. For the minimal cost, it can be worth it. HOJO should be fine. No need to stay on site -- save the money and spend it on dining packages for shows, e.g. F! dining package (HB is the most economical with a great view) and WOC -- either a dining package or the Dessert Party. For the airport, Uber or Lyft should be fine. Ask any questions here: Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information Superthread. Here is the June Check In thread: ** June 2020 Check In **.

 

[Jessica0312]

Here is my two cents....
Yes but you are cutting it close. Any desire to try and do the new ROTR ride? Does your DD8 do all the rides or is she reluctant on some of the more intense ones? Do you like Disney shows and parades?

She loves rides! She has ridden everything at WDW with the exception of Tower of Terror (just hasn't had the opportunity) and Rock N Roller Coast (hasn't done upside coasters yet). We will try for ROTR, but we are not Star Wars fans, and it won't make or break our trip.

As I said above, World of Color. That would have been playing 7-8 years ago. Did you see it? If so then you know enough to decide. It has not changed significantly. Do go see the Frozen show. Really good. There is a new parade at DL starting here in 2 weeks. Read reviews on that.

We've seen it, she doesn't remember so I was thinking maybe we would do the dessert party. We try to do at least one special event each time. Was also thinking about doing the River Terrace package for Fantasmic as well?

What shuttle services are you asking about? That might be scary? Don't rent a car. Any reason not to Uber to LAX? I do that all the time and it is, well, Uber. Most people consider that pretty safe.

LOL, I just let the news get the best of me. Generally, feel safe when I am in a group using Uber/Shuttles but when I am alone, or alone with my child, I get a little nervous. But we are planning to uber/shuttle both ways, we will not be renting a car.

Thank you for your detailed advice!

 

[Jessica0312]

Thanks for all the advice!

I decided to rearrange some plans and we will be flying out of Vegas the night of the 19th, giving us 4 full days in Disneyland!

We will more than likely take breaks and use the pool area, so I'm leaning towards keeping HJ. Hopefully, I don't regret that walk lol! We've stayed at Disneyland Hotel (about 7 years ago), gorgeous hotel, but can't justify paying $$$$ when this is supposed to be a quick side trip for me and my little and the rest of my family won't be there.

Thanks again!

 

[crystal1313]

We have really enjoyed Hojos. They have excellent CS. My kids were 6 and 8 when we stayed and the walk was not bad for us. They also loved the water play area. =)

Have a great trip!

 

[Going2DisneyAZ]

We've done hojos and Marriott courtyard next door. The walk is only 5 minutes longer than bwppi. But the property is way better at hojo.