Gah - trip planning help please! :)

[MG3G]

Hi everyone-
It's been a few years since I was on this site and so much has changed!
I don't know how to plan a trip for a family anymore and need some suggestions---

The players - 2 adults, 5 children - ages at trip 12, 11, 5, 3, 2
We need to go before April 22 or the 2 year old turns 3.

The big one - besides our huge family is I'm newly disabled. We need to stay either 1) within walking distance or 2) at a hotel that doesn't have a lot of people on their buses. I will need to bring my scooter and it's a hot mess loading it.

We want to go some time this winter/early spring and I have no idea what the crowd levels are like. I know it's always crowded now and EVERYONE says this but need to go at the lowest time possible. We would even go after April if it means a slower time. I have zero stamina now and the thought of maneuvering my scooter around massive crowds is awful, not to mention I won't likely make full days so time spent in lines is less time for doing things.

I don't care about skipping rides, so we will tour plan and skip things that we need to. It's just GOING to DL that is important this trip. Our three little kids have never been and this might be my only chance to take them.

I think rental houses are out because we would need to rent a car with a lift - so we are looking at some of the local hotels with bigger rooms.

Of course we are also on a very tight budget - well as tight as you can be with 7 people. I need to keep our trip under about $5000 - $6000. We can't afford to go right now honesty, but we can't really afford NOT to go either.

Any and all help and suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!

 

[francileb]

I don't have any insight into when to go--we always go during our kids' school break in October so I don't have any experience with other times of the year.

However, for a place to stay, take a look at the Desert Inn and Suites. It is right across Harbor from the park--pretty much right at the crosswalk to the main entrance. They also have a variety of room types for bigger families--they actually have a few options for up to 10 in a "room" (really a suite.) They have floorplans available on their website so you can take a look and see what fits you guys best--some even look like they would have plenty of room to bring an ECV/scooter inside the room and not have it crowd things all up. We've stayed there a couple of times and been happy with it, although with only four in our family we've always stayed in a regular room. The big drawback to me is that the pool is small and in a cramped indoor room--but perhaps an indoor pool would be a benefit for the time of year you're looking at. The continental breakfast is nothing great, but we aren't a big breakfast family so it hasn't been a problem. One thing to think about for the Desert Inn and Suites--they do sell out, and their prices get higher the closer to your trip that you book--so if you think you might want to stay there, go ahead and book a room now. You could always cancel later. If you aren't tied to a specific week, try inputting a variety of dates into their reservation system--if you find a time that has lower rates, it pretty much means that they expect lower crowds that week--and the bonus of cheaper rates!

On tickets, Orbits and Cheaptickets both have an extra day free right now on their 3 and 4 day hoppers (buy a 3 day hopper, get a 4th day free; buy a 4 day hopper, get a 5th day free.) If you have an ebates account, go through them first to get a percentage rebate. Right now it would be 3% back from Orbitz or 6.88% back from Cheaptickets (as long as tickets qualify as an "activities" purchase, which I believe they do.)

I hope this helps a little bit, and I hope you have a great trip.

 

[disneydadazut2]

I'm not sure where you live and where you will be coming from; that has a lot to do with costs. That said, I travel from Northern Utah and a budget of $5-$6k is a TON. I have almost the same profile as you as far as family size, but don't have the challenge of the scooter. I would suggest looking into staying directly across the street. Or, you can go slightly up the street, but your walking/scooting time will be a bit longer. I would avoid the long distance stay, due to the fact that you will have extra parking fees and/or shuttle fees - not to mention the hassle of loading the scooter. Again, I'm not sure where you are coming from, but with a family your size, driving is probably less expensive than flying.
I suggest calling a travel agent and setting up your expectations/requirements. One that is popular in Utah is Columbus Travel, you can do a search for it online. I have found slightly better rates on my own, but they are only slightly better, and more work on my end. I know, from talking to them in the past, they work with those hotels directly East of Disneyland.
Someone else posted the idea of saving more and buying your tickets online through others - I would agree with that approach. It also gives still gives you the opportunity to get park hoppers and magic mornings. Also, buying multiple single day tickets is another way to save money. For example, we normally get Park-Hoppers, but realize over the years, we really just stay at one park the whole day with few exceptions - and now that Cars land is open, we don't look for reasons to leave DCA. This next trip of ours will be using single park tickets - but buying four days, we still get the magic morning pass.
Meals - again, I agree with an earlier post, make sure to get continental breakfast with your hotel. That gives you just two meals you will want to buy in the park. Also, you can bring in snacks and drinks (water). We do this with our kids - so when we get churros or ice cream, it is a big deal.
Crowds... I will never again go to Disneyland in April. Too many in California have discount passes, and Spring break at the same time. It is a crowded nightmare. We try and go early March / Late February or October during school break for our kids. October has amazing weather, and late Feb has lighter crowds. I would suggest getting to the park early, then taking breaks in late morning/early afternoon - and then coming back and staying late. This is difficult with kids, I know, but it also gets you a bit lighter on the crowds.
One last thing, as someone who deals with disability in my own family, my wife and I have a fairly effective system set up. She can't ride most of the fun stuff due to her physical limitations, so my oldest two and I run quickly from place to place, as fast as possible early and late. She is a key team partner in getting fast passes and seating for parades and shows. We stay together 85% of the time - but in that 15%, I get to 2x more places and rides that she would be able to. Think about a plan like this...

 

[GrandBob]

I would say that if you go sometime between Jan 4 and the third week of March (some Spring breaks may start in late March), and you stay away from MLK Day and Presidents Day weekends, it should be pretty uncrowded. Unfortunately, it will also be rainy season (and we really need the rain). But if it does rain, it will simply keep the parks even emptier, to the point of being able to walk onto many rides.

As a bonus, during the off season described above, the hotels & motels should be cheaper, and it should be easy to find rooms, especially if you plan in advance. The down side of off season is that fireworks and shows such as Fantasmic! will only be on Fri/Sat/Sun nights. So if you want to include those shows, include some weekend days.

Definitely stay close by. I normally recommend the ones in green on this map, but in your case, you may want to delete the ones that are a bit farther out. Desert Inn and Suites is a good recommendation, as is Best Western Park Place Inn.

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

Have fun!

-Bob

 

[cmpeter]

We have stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn. We just had a regular room, but I know they have suites too. Our room was very large...a king size bed and a queen sleeper sofa. Free hot breakfast too.

I think I remember reading that it's the closest hotel to the front gates (even closer than the Disney hotels). We had the furthest room at the back of the hotel and it took us 6 minutes to wLk to bag check.

 

[VicMom]

I agree about the BW across from the maingates.

I'm traveling to DL next year with 2 clients from work (both of whom have multiple disabilities) and that hotel is at the top of my short list. The rooms look bigger (and I've been in a 1king I think it was) and it was really roomy and had a separate area with a couch and tv which gave more room to walk around.

And the super-close location can't be beat.

 

[DLfan4]

I would suggest you go in mid January, during the week if you want low crowds.

 

[Geemo]

I would suggest you go in mid January, during the week if you want low crowds.

We have gone in January many many times.
The parks have been very manageable, I'd consider it low crowds every time.
The weather has been cooler but not cold and no rain.

January is my first choice of times to go. October is my second choice.

We have stayed at the DI&S several times too. It's one we will stay at again on future trips.

Geemo