First Disneyland Trip, need planning help

[swanprincess06]

So I think I've decided on the Disneyland Hotel although I may change my mind and stay off property. Our group includes myself, DH, 3 year old, and 6 year old. Possibly my dad and brother.

My first questions are which airport to fly into and how to get between the airport and hotel. Does Disney have a bus that goes between the airport and Disney hotels?

How many days should we plan on spending at the parks? I think the military discount tickets are only 3 days, is that enough or will we need an additional 1-2 days?

Depending on how many days we spend at Disneyland, we may add a Disney cruise. What is the best way to get to the port from the hotel?

Thanks! Any and all advice is welcome!

 

[nicolispicoli]

Depending on what prices you find, LGB and SNA are easiest to DLR. LAX isn't bad, just further. I usually take the Disneyland Resort Express (run through Gray Lines, not Disney), it's about $30/way and each kid rides free with a paying adult. LGB doesn't have DRE, but you can get a one way rate to the Disneyland Hotel, that's what I've done. I've also taken Super Shuttle, which wasn't horrible. They don't technically have Uber, but I think they hang across the street. If you want to avoid bringing carseats, I would go with the DRE.

3 days is good, but 4 would probably be better. However, if you're also doing the cruise, 3 may be all you want to do depending on if you're doing the parks before or after. I usually do 4 days at a slower pace, but I've been before so I know what I want to do and what to skip.

For cruises, there are several companies that offer transportation from the resort to the port if needed.

 

[tlovesdis]

I think the Disney cruises only go out of San Diego and there aren't that many. I looked and show a couple in Sept and Oct this year and a couple in May, but all out of SD. SD is about 90-120 minutes from Disneyland so you'd have to look for some kind of bus or think about renting a car.

 

[SMD]

When is your trip? The military salute tickets will have an option for 4 days next year.

 

[swanprincess06]

Depending on what prices you find, LGB and SNA are easiest to DLR. LAX isn't bad, just further. I usually take the Disneyland Resort Express (run through Gray Lines, not Disney), it's about $30/way and each kid rides free with a paying adult. LGB doesn't have DRE, but you can get a one way rate to the Disneyland Hotel, that's what I've done. I've also taken Super Shuttle, which wasn't horrible. They don't technically have Uber, but I think they hang across the street. If you want to avoid bringing carseats, I would go with the DRE.

3 days is good, but 4 would probably be better. However, if you're also doing the cruise, 3 may be all you want to do depending on if you're doing the parks before or after. I usually do 4 days at a slower pace, but I've been before so I know what I want to do and what to skip.

For cruises, there are several companies that offer transportation from the resort to the port if needed.

Yes, definitely don't want to worry about car seats! So transportation will be whatever we can do without needing our own car seats!

And sounds like 4 days would be ideal. We would do the cruise after the parks. And use the cruise as the more relaxing part of the vacation.

I think the Disney cruises only go out of San Diego and there aren't that many. I looked and show a couple in Sept and Oct this year and a couple in May, but all out of SD. SD is about 90-120 minutes from Disneyland so you'd have to look for some kind of bus or think about renting a car.

Thanks. We are looking at May, potentially the San Diego to Vancouver repo cruise. I'll have to look for a bus/shuttle as I don't want to worry about car rentals and car seats.

When is your trip? The military salute tickets will have an option for 4 days next year.

Really?!? That's awesome! Thanks so much! I think that's what we would do!

 

[SplashMo]

I really like SNA. Sometimes flights into LGB are cheaper...

Also consider staying directly across the street from the entrance. You are actually closer to the front gate then Disney Land Hotel. Post your hotel pick here to make sure it is close (if you choose this route).

Main thing is to arrive at the parks 30-45 minutes early each day

I would recommend Five days. However four is fine. Three is a bit rushed...

Consider Park Hoppers. Obtain reservations for lunch the first day or two. Perhaps even more. The main thing is to lay out a restaurant plan and then read the menus to make sure the kids will be happy with the food. This is more a deal with teenagers and adults.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Sna, Uber, we always bring our own car seats. I'm not trusting an unknown seat.

Fly home out of San Diego.

If you end up 6 definitely stay off site. I like Homewood suites. There are many other brand new hotels.

Stay as many days as you can! We're going for 6 next month.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Three is probably enough IF you stay on site and its use early entry everyday. You are going to want 4 if you stay offsite. I'm sure there is a land and sea package that includes transportation to the port from DLR. renting a car and car seats is also an option from the resort to the port. Sounds like a great vacation!

 

[BriannaRuth]

SNA is really convenient.

If you take the DL Express, be aware that at many times it only goes once an hour. So if you get out to the bus area right after it left, you'll be waiting an hour for the next one. You can check their schedule online -- during certain times they go more often than that. Also be sure you actually board the DL Express, not the copycat company that has a very similar name. The DL Express is a big tour bus with a Disney mural on it. The knock off company is a van. Normally I really like the DLE but when we took it this summer the A/C on our bus was out. In August.

Personally I'd do 4 days. You'll be rushing around trying to do everything if you only do 3. Taking time to relax is so important, as is an afternoon break back at the hotel with kids that age. Trust me on this.

 

[5forMickey]

I would definitely stay on site and my preference would be the DLH. Your kiddos are the perfect age to enjoy the hotel's and the closeness to the parks. There are some offside motels that some say are as close or closer but they are not the same as staying onsite. Staying at the DLH would give you early entrance each morning, which I highly recommend, and you could spend some time resting or at the pools in the afternoons. You can get a great military rate if you book in time.

We have used Lansky's from the airport and JAG to go to universal. Highly recommend both, but they may be pricy to San Diego. If there are 3 or more adults the price from the airport with Lansky's and JAG will be the same as the Disney bus. Because the kids had different depart times last trip they took the bus back to the airport because the were only going two at a time. Consensus was next time they would just pay the extra and take the private ride back also. There was nothing wrong with the bus and it was very convenient, they just prefer the quickness and cleanliness of Lansky's.

Sounds like you have a fun trip planned hope you have a great time.

 

[Spyral]

Yes, definitely don't want to worry about car seats! So transportation will be whatever we can do without needing our own car seats!

Yeah, agree on the car seats and doing transportation where not needed. Our youngest is old enough for a booster seat, so we picked up MiFold booster seat for when traveling so we don't have to take his normal one. Will see how that goes. Just got it yesterday and flying out tomorrow.

We really enjoy flying in/out of SNA with the convenience to DL. It is pretty much our go to. Tomorrow we're flying into Burbank though (USH visit).