First Trip with the kids, a few questions.

[khippster]

We are taking our kids DS 6 and DD 3 to DL in November. First time for the kids and we are so excited! DH and I hadn't been in 15 years, but we took a quick weekend trip this past Feb to celebrate our 30th birthdays. I am a lurker of the boards and love reading all the trip reports and information here, so thank you for all your help so far! A couple of questions. Thank you so much!

1. We fly in to LAX Saturday 11/15 (morning time) and fly out Friday 11/21 (late afternoon). How bad will the traffic be getting from LAX to DL, both ways?

2. We have 5 day park hopper tickets. I did not realize it was the Avengers 1/2 weekend, how busy will the parks be Sunday and Monday? Would we be better off going to DL on Saturday when we arrive and skipping Sunday? Or skipping Sat and going to the parks Sun-Thur?

3. We were planning on Surf's Up Breakfast on Sun morning, however with the run will the character breakfast be super busy? Will I need to make several dining reservations for Sat, Sun and Mon to ensure we get into the places we want?

4. Is there a place to order maps of DL and DCA? I am planning on surprising my kids on 11/1 with a gift a day leading up to our trip and would love to give them actual maps from DL and DCA. My DS6 loves to map things out and I think this would help him plan through the situation better and not get so overwhelmed.

5. Will all of Christmas decor be up? Will Santa be there?

6. Also, we wanted to take the kids to the Ocean while we are there. We were originally thinking of going on Sat when we get to town. What beach would you suggest? How are the water temps? Will our luggage be fine in the rental car while we are at the beach?

7. We are staying at the new, this past March, Springhill Suites on Ball Road, has anyone stayed here? Can we walk into the the Mickey and Friends Parking garage and take the tram? Or do we need to park in the parking garage?

 

[gottalovepluto]

I don't have the answers you need but your dates of 9/15-9/21 look to be very off for the questions you're asking- typo?

 

[bumbershoot]

They must mean November not September.

 

[khippster]

I don't have the answers you need but your dates of 9/15-9/21 look to be very off for the questions you're asking- typo?

Yes November, not September. Sorry! Thank you

 

[starjazz]

We are taking our kids DS 6 and DD 3 to DL in November. First time for the kids and we are so excited! DH and I hadn't been in 15 years, but we took a quick weekend trip this past Feb to celebrate our 30th birthdays. I am a lurker of the boards and love reading all the trip reports and information here, so thank you for all your help so far! A couple of questions. Thank you so much!

1. We fly in to LAX Saturday 11/15 (morning time) and fly out Friday 11/21 (late afternoon). How bad will the traffic be getting from LAX to DL, both ways?

Saturday morning arrival shouldn't be bad, but Friday late afternoon could be very bad. I'd allow at least 2 hours travel time on Friday. Without traffic its about a 40 minute drive.

2. We have 5 day park hopper tickets. I did not realize it was the Avengers 1/2 weekend, how busy will the parks be Sunday and Monday? Would we be better off going to DL on Saturday when we arrive and skipping Sunday? Or skipping Sat and going to the parks Sun-Thur?

I would try not to overdo with kids that age, but of course every kid is different. Ours are about that, and we went 6 months ago. 3 days straight was a LOT for their little bodies, so be sure and take it easy - breaks, naps, etc. - whatever you think is needed to keep them going strong!

5. Will all of Christmas decor be up? Will Santa be there?

Decor yes, I believe so. Unsure about Santa.

6. Also, we wanted to take the kids to the Ocean while we are there. We were originally thinking of going on Sat when we get to town. What beach would you suggest? How are the water temps? Will our luggage be fine in the rental car while we are at the beach?

Here's a link for good beaches near Disneyland:
http://dlrprepschool.com/disneyland-rr-nearby-beach-destinations/

Hope that helps.

 

[Sherry E]

khippster --

Come and join us in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread when you have time -- we're a fun, friendly, welcoming group (and we post lots of photos) and that's the main hub of holiday season discussion, info and details!

The holiday season officially begins on 11/13 this year, so the decorations in the 2 parks will be up and in place by that date (and by your trip).

A Christmas Fantasy Parade and Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks will be in full swing. I suspect that all of Disneyland's entertainment will have begun on or before 11/13. Santa will also be at his posts in both Disneyland and California Adventure as of 11/13.

The Olaf ice rink and Winter Village in Downtown Disney will probably not go up until the Avengers Marathon weekend is over, but before the pre-Thanksgiving weekend -- that seems to be a likely conclusion.

I also suspect that the decorations at the 3 Disneyland Resort hotels will probably not be in place until a couple of days before you leave. The hotels used to receive their decorations later in November, but when Thanksgiving falls late in the month I think that Disney tries to get them ready early. I expect that all 3 hotels will probably be decorated (including the gingerbread house in Storytellers Café) by the pre-Thanksgiving weekend, at the latest, but maybe by 11/18 or 11/19 at the earliest.

Santa and the Dickens Carolers will not appear at the 3 hotels until Thanksgiving and beyond.

I am not sure of what the entertainment schedule in California Adventure will look like. Last year, Viva Navidad and World of Color-Winter Dreams started a couple of days after the holiday season officially began, so this year I am uncertain as to whether they will be in effect before the marathon weekend begins, or not until the marathon weekend ends.

Newport Beach and Huntington Beach always get good reviews!

 

[huskerchica]

Go to Huntington Beach. We went there last week after we left. Very close to the parks (about a 20 min drive w/ traffic). Gorgeous huge beach with tons of on site parking ($15/day). We went in the morning and the water was actually pretty warm.

Try to do the Jedi Training in Tomorrowland. Defintely the highlight of our trip. Both my kids were picked and they loved it! Get up front and shout and scream so you'll be picked. Also helps if your kids wear Star Wars shirts.

 

[corinne76]

I can't answer all your questions, but I just wanted to say have a wonderful trip!

We took our kids for the first time last June (they were 5 and 2). Like you, we got in to LAX early Saturday morning, I think it was about 7am.

I don't remember traffic being back going to Anaheim that day. We opted to change and go to Knotts the first day b/c we were afraid the kids would be too tired to hit DL the first day. we flew from Hawaii, so just a 5hr flight. We took off at 11pm and they got maybe 4.5-5 hrs of sleep on the plane.

I should've skipped Knotts. They were soooo excited they went all day. DS (2 at the time) would nap here and there in the storller or carrier, but other than that, they did great. We did DL on Monday-did Sea World Sunday as my bff's family came too and she HAD to see the Shamu Rocks show that they only do on weekends.

We did a 5-day pass and went most days from about 9am to 10pm. I was worried about them needing more rest but they were so excited and went full blast all day.

We're planning a trip for next year and I'll probably do the same, fly in early and hit DL that first day.

Have fun!!

 

[khippster]

starjazz
Thank you for the info on Friday night, I did not think of weekend commute times. I will adjust our leaving the hotel accordingly. Yes we picked 5 days so we could take everything at their pace and let them be the guide of how much we do. I will check out the beaches!

Sherry E
Thanks! I will head on over and see the Superthread. My DH was leaning towards Huntington Beach so I am thinking that is where we will go.

huskerchica
Awesome! I love to hear that the water was pretty warm! My kids don’t like to be cold, so that gives me a little hope. What day/time did you do the Jedi Training? That is on our list for sure!

corinne76
Sounds like you had a fantastic trip! My kids are much like yours, they go, go, go! And my DD3 does not nap anymore. I am thinking we will be opening and closing the parks, but with the shortened hours that’s okay. Good luck with your trip next year!

Thank you again everyone for the great advice!

 

[DLandMomof5]

I second Huntington Beach. First time we went, we parked in a lot that happened to be near a swingset on the beach. No idea where that is as we've never found it again! But we always go to Huntington Beach.

 

[BayGirl22]

We've done similar 5 day trips when my kids were 1 and 3 and 2.5 and 4.5. We were able to do rope drop to close most days. They napped in the stroller, or even if they didn't nap they rode a while just to get a break.

I'd choose your days based on night time entertainment schedules so you have a chance to see all the shows/fireworks.

IMO the easiest beach to get to would be Huntington and its easy to find garage parking. I've gone with luggage in the car with no concern. I wouldn't leave anything out in the open, but that goes for anywhere I park.