Help/advice please for a first timer

[ftmcalberta]

I need help, I am so confused and lost on booking my trip.

My family is going for a week, Sunday to Sunday, in March. There are 4 adults & 6 children (15, 10, 8, 7, 4 and 20 months). 2 of the adults (my parents who honeymooned there in the 1970s) have been to DL, the rest have never been.

We want to stay in a place with a nice pool that includes a waterslide (kids style - not a scary one - think 4 year old friendly).

We are only going to Disneyland, we are not going to any other parks (Legoland, Knotts Berry Farm, etc).

What do you suggest? What would you avoid? Would you bring a stroller or rent one? Would you buy a meal package, are they a savings or not a great idea?

Thanks so much!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I need help, I am so confused and lost on booking my trip.

My family is going for a week, Sunday to Sunday, in March. There are 4 adults & 6 children (15, 10, 8, 7, 4 and 20 months). 2 of the adults (my parents who honeymooned there in the 1970s) have been to DL, the rest have never been.

We want to stay in a place with a nice pool that includes a waterslide (kids style - not a scary one - think 4 year old friendly).

We are only going to Disneyland, we are not going to any other parks (Legoland, Knotts Berry Farm, etc).

What do you suggest? What would you avoid? Would you bring a stroller or rent one? Would you buy a meal package, are they a savings or not a great idea?

Thanks so much!

Hi ~ I recommend you check the stickies at the top of the board I'd look into HoJo's for your family, perhaps a couple family suites. Do not buy the meal package, if you are interested in character meals voucher can save $$ ~ available here - http://arestravel.com/77_DisneylandResort.html *click Character Experiences and here http://www.getawaytoday.com/tickets/DisneylandResortArea.aspx *click Dining

Bring your own stroller(s) your 4 year old would appreciate one, the 7 year old might like to rest his/her legs every once in a while.

What are your dates in March ~ the earlier the better.

 

[ftmcalberta]

What are your dates in March ~ the earlier the better.

We arrive on March 14 and depart on March 21.

 

[tommya60]

Keep in mind that the weather in March can be warm and sunny....or cold and rainy. Be careful promising lots of swimming time.

 

[ftmcalberta]

Keep in mind that the weather in March can be warm and sunny....or cold and rainy. Be careful promising lots of swimming time.

I am not too worried about it. We will likely be leaving several feet of snow behind, it will be warm to us!

 

[drag n' fly]

Read the stickies at the top of the forum

Do you want to stay onsite or offsite?

Big, moderate or value budget?


If you have any more questions regarding planning from a Canadian perspective ask away

 

[ftmcalberta]

Read the stickies at the top of the forum

I have been, lots of great information in there!

Do you want to stay onsite or offsite?

I am unsure, I have never been so that is hard for me to know. I want to be close, I am not renting a car nor driving my own down, we are flying and taking a shuttle from the airport. I hope to be able to go to our room for a while mid-day as needed, for rest, and then back to the parks. Or some variation of that.

Big, moderate or value budget?

value to moderate is ideal. We want to enjoy the trip but don't want to get a second mortgage to do so. Travelling with this many it is expensive.

If you have any more questions regarding planning from a Canadian perspective ask away

How long is realistic from the time you land until you are at the doors leaving LAX is realistic?
Any tips or advice or things you wish you had known?

 

[drag n' fly]

I have been, lots of great information in there!


I am unsure, I have never been so that is hard for me to know. I want to be close, I am not renting a car nor driving my own down, we are flying and taking a shuttle from the airport. I hope to be able to go to our room for a while mid-day as needed, for rest, and then back to the parks. Or some variation of that.


value to moderate is ideal. We want to enjoy the trip but don't want to get a second mortgage to do so. Travelling with this many it is expensive.

How long is realistic from the time you land until you are at the doors leaving LAX is realistic?
Any tips or advice or things you wish you had known?

My first trip was in 1984 and every trip I take I pick up something new. How long it takes to get to your hotel from LAX is based entirely on the time of day you arrive/depart. Commuter traffic makes it a longer trip in the mornings and late afternoons. Plan for an hour. Also think about this when leaving. Howard Johnson Anaheim sounds like what you are looking for. Try for the Entertainment Rate. If it is not offered for your dates you can still get the Dis board rate of 15%. As you will read in the stickies the meal plan is not deal and is a headache it is nothing like the dining plan offered at WDW.

I believe your dates might qualify for the 5/3 and Kids fly free promo being offered ( I am unsure if this is still offered to Canadians and the blockout dates). You can check that out here
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...etail?name=FY10Q2_KidsFlyFreeSpecialOfferPage

Added: also check out packages at flightcentre.ca. They always have great deals!

 

[ftmcalberta]

My first trip was in 1984 and every trip I take I pick up something new. How long it takes to get to your hotel from LAX is based entirely on the time of day you arrive/depart. Commuter traffic makes it a longer trip in the mornings and late afternoons. Plan for an hour. Also think about this when leaving.

Sorry, I meant, how long does it take from the gate of the aircraft to the door of the airport (thru customs and baggage pick up)? Do you know?
We land at 930pm

 

[drag n' fly]

Sorry, I meant, how long does it take from the gate of the aircraft to the door of the airport (thru customs and baggage pick up)? Do you know?
We land at 930pm

Heck if I know...but it's a good question! (plan to be at the airport maybe 30 minutes)

 

[ftmcalberta]

Heck if I know...but it's a good question! (plan to be at the airport maybe 30 minutes)

we want to take the shuttle service that is the big bus (like a greyhound), last departure is 1030pm. so this is why I asked.

I will let you know after I go!

 

[CDNCA]

1 hour should be fine. Remember, you will clear US customs in Calgary so you only need to pick up your bags and get to the curb.

I would be sure to have a backup plan just in case the flight is delayed or your luggage does not come as soon as you would like. If you can make it to the shuttle, then great, otherwise call the Supershuttle or another company that will handle your entire party. If you have a backup plan, you will not be worried the whole trip down. you will just do what you planned depending on the time.

We used the Disneyland Express last trip and the Supershuttle the trip before and both worked fine.