Disneyland in the fall ???'s Our 1st time!!

[disneymommieof2]

Hi All- I need your HELP!!
My DH told his gr. parents we would be trying to make another visit to see them in the Phoenix AZ area this fall and I told him last time we visited (last year) that next time I wanted to take a "little" side trip to see the Land. We have been to the World a few times and I have always wanted to see Disneyland. So my question to you all is-
Should we stay On-Site or Off? Any Favorite Hotel?
Where is your favorite place to eat?
What are Your favorite attractions?
And any other Favs and tips/tricks you feel like sharing!!
Anytimes we should not go to DL or DCA. We have not chosen dates yet so we are very open. I have read that we should go during the week.

We are a family of 4, our kids will be just over 2 and about 4 1/2 at the time of this trip. My ds is a little thrill seeker and dd was not afraid of the characters on our last trip (11/07) We did several character meals on that trip. We are planning to do 2-3 days in CA.

Thank You in advance.

 

[mikayla73]

Hotels: It is very easy to stay off site at DL. There are a ton of hotels within walking distance to DL. We just got back today and stayed at the Tropicana. It was an easy 5 min walk from our room door to the front gates. The room was clean. We have also stayed at Park Vue and Best Western Anaheim Inn. Both were very close also another 5 min walk. Both were clean and comfortable. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at any of these again. They were all about $100 or less per night. We have also stayed at Anaheim Plaza Inn and Ramada Maingate. Anaheim Plaza Inn was OK. It was clean and we had a great view of DCA, but it was farther from the DL crosswalk, probably just about 10min walk. The Ramada was OK also, and a little bit closer than Anaheim Plaza Inn, but still little farther than the other three. However, having said all that, we have stayed at the GCH and DLH and love both of them and given a choice (and money was no object ) I would stay on site everytime with the GCH being my preference. I just love not having to "leave" DL when I go back to my room at night. Plus you get Early Entry/Magic Mornings which is nice.

Dining: We loved the Blue Bayou. The food and service were wonderful and you get to eat inside POTC! It was a great experience. We also like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. The food was yummy and the atmosphere here was great too.

Other stuff:
Most of your favorite attractions from WDW are at DL too with some small differences. My favortie ride is TOT. Although there are many rides that are right up there with it. It's hard to have just one fave!

Make sure you check out Hydroguys rules (there's a sticky at the top with links).

If you are going in the fall and want to see the Haunted Mansion all decked out for the Nightmare Before Christmas, I'd wait until the end of Sept/Beginning of Oct to go. You'll get to see DL all decked out for fall and Mickey's Halloween Treat should be starting up. If you want to see DL as it always is (with out the extra holiday decorations) then go before then. Sept seems to be a good time to go. Kids are starting back to school and the summer vacation season is winding up.

Hmmm ... that's all I can think of right now. We live in Phoenix also and just got back from a quick weekend trip today. It is such a wonderful place to be! Anyway I hope this helps to get you started! I am sure there will be more info coming! Have a great trip!

 

[disneymommieof2]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! It was just what I was hoping for.

How far of a drive is it- I know it is almost 400 miles but how long does it usually take?

We went to MNSSHP last year and really had a great time. It was fun to see all the fall decorations up! Oh and what is mickeys treat- is that the same as MNSSHP?

 

[DangerMouse]

Driving time from Phoenix -- anywhere between 5.5-6.5 hours depending on traffic and potty breaks.

 

[audrabolster]

Should we stay On-Site or Off? Any Favorite Hotel?
I've only stayed off site. We stayed at the Desert Inn and it was fine. We didn't have any kids with us, so we didn't really need any special amenities

Where is your favorite place to eat?
For something quick I like the Village House. For a little break I like to go to the French Market, and for a nice fun meal I like the Blue Bayou (however, the food really isn't that impressive for the price, but we like the atmosphere)

What are Your favorite attractions?
I love Pirates and Haunted Mansion. And pretty much all of the dark rides.


And any other Favs and tips/tricks you feel like sharing!!
Take lots of photos to remember your trip by! Take your time in the parks, don't rush!

 

[jham]

We Love Disneyland! It looks like we will be going back on October 15-20. We like to go in October because the kids have a break from school, the weather is great, and the lines aren't bad (last year we went on the Matterhorn 5 or 6 times in a row with no line ) My favorite ride is POC and eating at the Blue Bayau is really fun. We also had a great time at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen with the musicians and the kids dancing around. If you want to do a princess meal, then go to Ariel's Grotto at CA. The food is not great, but we saw lots of princesses and the Fairy Godmother. I have not been to MNSSHP, but last year (on Halloween) we went to MHT. It was very fun and definitely worth it! The kids got tons of candy so I didn't feel bad about them missing trick-or-treating at home. We usually stay off property. We like the Anaheim Fairfield by Marriott. It is basically across the street from the main gate (and next to McDonalds) and close enough to walk back for mid-day naps. We have stayed on-property though and I think we will try to again this fall, not because it is closer, because it isn't always, but because it is all Disney all the time I just love the atmosphere and theming. Also another fun place to eat where you would need an ADR is Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel, or the Pooh bear character meals at the Plaza Inn are like Crystal Palace, and there is a fun Chip 'n' Dale meal at the restaurant at the Grand Californian. If you stay at the Grand Californian you are just steps away from dry clothes after riding Grizzly River Rapids I could go on all day, but I'd better get my kids off to school. You know where to find me if you have any questions! I'll be planning right along with you!

 

[lori123]

We also LOVE DL - and since we live on the West Coast it is easier to to hop a flight for the weekend and go to DL than WDW. We also loved WDW - but think we will head there maybe every three years with trips to DL in between. We enjoy the fact that we can walk everywhere - from our hotel, to DL to CA to DTD and back to the hotel again! We have always stayed off-site - at the Howard Johnson. The walk isn't bad - and you pass Mimi's cafe and McDonalds on the way to and from. I know McDonalds isn't really "food" - LOL - but it is nice to pick up a little snack or treat on the way home some nights. We were also able to see the fireworks from our hotel balcony if you aren't on the main floor. You do have to be specific about your room there - balcony facing the park and not a room on the freeway side (it is a pretty big property with 2 pools). One of the pool areas is relatively new with a cute little kiddie area. The one thing I will mention about food - it isn't any cheaper to eat off-site than in the park. At least that is our experience - but we also don't rent a car and are at the mercy of restaurants close to the parks. One of our family favorites is also eating at Goofy's Kitchen - lots of fun and characters! As far as time to go - we try to avoid crowded times and go in February so that is my only experience. How exciting! Get started on those customs!

 

[eeyore3847]

ok, glad to see a sewing diser going to DL -
Hope my answers help

Should we stay On-Site or Off? - Well we have stayed at all the onsites and if money is no issue then GCH for sure. If you are looking for something good price the Hojo is great I hear. We are staying there in 2 weeks and I hear amazing things about them on this board and we are excited to try it out.

Any Favorite Hotel? GCH of Course

Where is your favorite place to eat? We love the Lilo and stitch Bfast at PP Hotel. Very similar to Ohana's at WDW except for it is self serve Buffet. Also like the Blue Bayou! if you can get into club 33 that is a must!

What are Your favorite attractions? The POC is soooo much better at DL than WDW! You must try it out. THe haunted masnion at Halloween and xmas is amazing!

And any other Favs and tips/tricks you feel like sharing!! Check out HydroGuys thread it is a sticky!

Anytimes we should not go to DL or DCA. We have not chosen dates yet so we are very open. I have read that we should go during the week.
October is a great time uring the week!

Have fun you are going to love to walk in walts footsteps. this is the park he built and loved!

 

[disneymommieof2]

THANKS for Sharing everyone keep it coming.
Ok I have already been reading hydroguys stickey-- Check
This will be a more economical trip so I will check out the good neighbors- Hojo and the anaheim inn- we also have AAA so I will be talking to my favorite agent Nancy to see what she can help me with. I am so glad to get some first hand and real world advice from you. The books never quite give you what you are looking for.

We will definitely be going on the POC and ds loved splash mountain so that is a must also. I am going to start reading some of the DL TRs in my "spare" time those are always really helpful too! Oh the Nemo subs look fun in the commercials and of course see the castle. I am really liking the idea on going while the halloween decorations are up. So much to think about!!!

Thanks again!!

 

[disneymommieof2]

So looking at hotels it looks like Park vue is super close to the entrance, and is comparable to the best western prices.
So which is better??

The TA did not call me back today must be a busy travel time- I bet she calls back at 8am. I am not a morning person.

I better start saving my pennies and no more plurging at the fabric store so far just with airfare, and car rental it is about $1400. So with park tickets that's about $400 for 2 single day tickets or $500 for 3 day park hoppers.
I have to talk to the TA about the packages and see how they stack up with buying everything separately.

 

[karamat]

Thanks for starting this thread... I have just started thinking about a trip to LA with my mom to visit some family, and if it all works out I'll go out a day or two early to visit DL. I just started researching this weekend and after reading the posts so far I have some new notes to make!

 

[mikayla73]

So looking at hotels it looks like Park vue is super close to the entrance, and is comparable to the best western prices.
So which is better??

The TA did not call me back today must be a busy travel time- I bet she calls back at 8am. I am not a morning person.

I better start saving my pennies and no more plurging at the fabric store so far just with airfare, and car rental it is about $1400. So with park tickets that's about $400 for 2 single day tickets or $500 for 3 day park hoppers.
I have to talk to the TA about the packages and see how they stack up with buying everything separately.

Park Vue is super close to the DL crosswalk. I am guessing you mean BW Park Place Inn and Suites when you ask about the BW. I haven't stayed there so I can't compare the two (we were at the BW Anaheim Inn, it's on the other side of the Park Vue toward Katella), but here are some pics of the Park Vue from when we stayed.

The drive for us takes about 6 hours because we always stop for lunch/dinner and some gas. Traffic is also usually heavy leaving PHX it seems no matter what time we leave. Then there's the traffic in CA too. There is some construction along the way, I think it is around where we switch from I-10 to 60. Planning is so much fun