Disneyland in July

[mydisneyanytime]

We will be coming into DisneyLand in July (7 - 9) and staying at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Anaheim Resort Convention Center. We will be doing a long road trip before and after this part of our trip from Tennessee but DL is the main reason for our trip. The last time we were in DL was in 2013 for my son's Make A Wish trip. This year he turns 13 and wanted to revisit the park.

There are 4 of us (me, DH, DD13, and DS12) and we are WDW vets. My son is VERY into characters, even those we have seen multiple times. Rides are important as he wants to do every ride but knows that we might not be able to make that work. We have three day park hopper passes with maxpass.

At WDW we get the DAS and it works well. He is mobile for short distances but relies on a wheelchair for long walks or even waits when he has to stand or sit without a back or a padded seat. He is only about 49" so I can't remember if he can ride all of the rides or not.

I want to do at least one character meal and probably a dessert party or something for World of Color viewing as that was my DD's favorite thing last time we went.

We aren't huge Star Wars fans and are okay if we don't get to see it or ride the rides.

With all of that being said, we just need suggestions and ideas to help make our trip as stress free as possible. My husband isn't a Disney fan but is willing to go for DS's birthday trip. We enjoy our time at WDW and don't rush through the park so I want to do the same at DL while still seeing as much as possible.

I have read and will continue to read the posts in these threads as I plan.

Suggestions? Ideas? Recommendations? Thanks in advance!

 

[GoingSince1990]

For character meals, the Plaza Inn character breakfast in Disneyland, and Goofy’s Kitchen for dinner. And yes, the WoC dessert party is easily my favorite way to see the show. And good choice getting Maxpass- it’s wonderful.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We will be coming into DisneyLand in July (7 - 9) and staying at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Anaheim Resort Convention Center. We will be doing a long road trip before and after this part of our trip from Tennessee but DL is the main reason for our trip. The last time we were in DL was in 2013 for my son's Make A Wish trip. This year he turns 13 and wanted to revisit the park.

There are 4 of us (me, DH, DD13, and DS12) and we are WDW vets. My son is VERY into characters, even those we have seen multiple times. Rides are important as he wants to do every ride but knows that we might not be able to make that work. We have three day park hopper passes with maxpass.

At WDW we get the DAS and it works well. He is mobile for short distances but relies on a wheelchair for long walks or even waits when he has to stand or sit without a back or a padded seat. He is only about 49" so I can't remember if he can ride all of the rides or not.

I want to do at least one character meal and probably a dessert party or something for World of Color viewing as that was my DD's favorite thing last time we went.

We aren't huge Star Wars fans and are okay if we don't get to see it or ride the rides.

With all of that being said, we just need suggestions and ideas to help make our trip as stress free as possible. My husband isn't a Disney fan but is willing to go for DS's birthday trip. We enjoy our time at WDW and don't rush through the park so I want to do the same at DL while still seeing as much as possible.

I have read and will continue to read the posts in these threads as I plan.

Suggestions? Ideas? Recommendations? Thanks in advance!

This classic thread from the stickies at the top of the first page (* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!) has lots of helpful information for you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Keep in mind that this thread is pre-SWGE, so keep up to date with this board after SWGE opens (May 31st) for all the latest news, strategies, tips, etc. on how to handle the crowds and on any new rules or changes like that.
Mondays have become very busy days (not always, but usually) -- Why are Mondays so busy? -- so plan accordingly.
DAS at DLR usually is not given for mobility reasons, so be prepared to hear that from CMs. They have gotten more strict about this since your last visit because there was a lot of trouble with people abusing the system. If a DAS is not given, your son can still get wheelchair return times (which function very much like DAS) for any ride in DL that does not have an accessible line, e.g. rides in FL. You will go to the exit of the ride to ask a CM for a return time. For DCA, all lines are accessible, so your son will be allowed to use the wheelchair in the ride lines. Will you be purchasing MaxPass? This is new since your last visit ("Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/). Basically, for $15/day, MP allows you to get FPs for all rides on the FP system in either park using your smartphone instead of going directly to the FP machines. We find MP to be a great resource -- some days it works so well for us that we don't even need to use DAS.
The WOC Dessert Party is a very nice treat and a great way to end a day in the parks. Reservations open 60 days out. A dining package for F! might be nice, too. The F! dining packages have the best views (center, up front, right at the water's edge) with the least wait time.
Have your camera/phone charged and ready to go for character M&Gs -- there isn't always a PP CM with all characters now. But if not, usually there is a regular CM or a friendly fellow guest willing to take your photos. MP comes with free PP, so that is a nice perk.
If you haven't already done so, download the free Disneyland App and start playing with it to get comfortable and up to speed. It just had a big update and things look a little different -- we're all getting used to the new look! Character M&Gs are shown on the app -- locations and times. And there are roaming characters that just might show up where you don't expect it! Have your camera ready!
Read the threads above and come back with any questions. You're going to have a great trip!

 

[luulu1999]

We have been in July before and the best thing I can tell you is make use of mornings you can get sooo much stuff done in the mornings ride wise, then do some shows or go back to your room for a break then come back late afternoon for night time stuff, since you will have max pass that will help a lot because even if you take a mid day break you can still be stacking fastpasses to have when you get into the parks!! I havent ever done WoC dessert party but plan to our trip in July and its beenna while since we have done Character meals too

 

[mydisneyanytime]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. WDW doesn't give out DAS just for mobility as most lines are handicap accessible so we are aware of the discussion that we need to have with the CM about other issues. We will be in the park all day even if that means that we take a small break somewhere in the park and rest for a time, not sure about rope drop but we may do a day or two. I think that once it opens for reservations we will go ahead and book the dessert party and maybe the character breakfast. We do already have Maxpass reserved so that should help some. I will continue to read the posts so that I can make sure that we have as much fun stress free as possible!! Keep suggestions coming!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Does your son have any specific characters that he wants to meet? For example, Stitch can be found at Donald's character breakfast at the PPH. He can also be found at the Visa M&G, but not predictably so. Much easier to go Donald's where you know you can find him. Minnie's breakfast at the Plaza Inn consistently has the most characters -- people report between 9-11 on average. There is a new princess breakfast at NR, but it is seriously pricey. Reviews have been good, though. Lots of quality time with the princesses and better quality food.
It's good that you're aware of the DAS situation -- some guests don't know what to expect and can get quite upset by the whole experience.
Lots of places to rest on site -- in the parks, in the on site hotels (GCH lobby is great for this), and in DTD.
Security has changed since your last trip. You now go through bag check once (eastern end: Harbor side before entering the esplanade; GCH: before entering DTD; western end -- DLH: by EOS, before entering DTD; DTD: by ESPN Zone, before entering DTD; northern end -- M&F: ground floor of the structure, before boarding the trams) before entering the parks and can go between the parks and DTD without having to go through bag check again unless you leave the secure zone. Much easier than before!