First time trip to Disney Land

[mommyceratops]

I have not been to Disney Land in over 20 years, my kids have never gone, DS9 and DS11. Honestly, I never ever pay attention to DL news because I never thought we would go.

Looks like there is a chance we are going to Cali this summer, for DH work. if so I am going to DL!

I will have less than a month to plan, looks like sometime in July.

What do I need to know?
Do?
Stay?
Eat?
Totally newbie! I can plan a trip to DW with my eyes closed. DL I can't even name the hotels out there!

TIA

 

[BlueBayou]

I assume you are a WDW vet? If so check out this thread.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[DisneytheKid]

I would definitely recommend reading the thread below and if you can get your hands on it, the unofficial disneyland guide.

For where to stay, i would say look at the good neighbor hotels.

For things to do, you've got to take your kids on the matterhorne. Its a disneyland original!

I assume you are a WDW vet? If so check out this thread.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[BlueBayou]

We have stayed at all three Disney hotels and 6 good neighbor hotels.

If you are looking to stay walking distance on harbor - we liked the Desert Inn and Suites for the added room of a parlor suite.

Camelot was probably our favorite regular room. My daughters are the same ages as your boys and having the pool area on a roof where you could watch the fireworks was wonderful when the girls were younger. My DH would stay in the parks with the oldest, but my youngest folds much earlier. We went back to the hotel. She was still able to see the fireworks at the pool then fall to sleep.

HOJOs is nice, but a slightly further walk and no free breakfast (we like to grab some fruit for the rest of the day).

Candy Cane Inn is a little further too - but it offers a shuttle on the 1/2 hour that runs very smoothly.

The Tropicana and Best Western Park Inn were okay too.

When it comes to Disney hotels we of course loved GCH. But we deviate from the norm and PPH is our second choice. We just did not have that magical of a time at DLH. It wasn't bad. But it left us with the feeling that our money could have been better spent.

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp is a map of the area

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Hey Kim! Welcome to the DL Board!
None of the closer Good Neighbor hotels are any farther than walking back to the Contemporary from the Magic Kingdom, so I know you're good with that. The Candy Cane is literally right behind the Cadillac Range and has complimentary breakfast. I planon doing a review of them sometime this summer. There's always the HoJo, where you can get a DIS discount if you call them direct. The new gal who handles reservations is a sweetie and is on the boards here.

I would also recommend you read the DL for WDW pros thread. It's a great starting point. Also, your DVC discount will get you discounts about the same as an annual passholder!

Happy Reading and talk to you soon. So excited for you guys!!!