Help me get 6 kids to Disneyland!

[coluk003]

Is there anything like Ohana's from DW nearby in or out of the park?

Not at all I would remember these places as good value for your money of course in my opinion . Try plaza inn for dinner. best chicken around and a great value for the money. There's also a little "hidden" place called white water snacks, its actually part of the grand Californian hotel but you can access it. The breakfast i know is pretty reasonable for 2 eggs, potatoes, toast and bacon was 799, which isnt bad and its a good portion. But with that many people its a lot of money and kids dont always eat their food lol

I would go hopper less if i were you, its not worth the money especially with kids and first timers. The chances of you going from DCA in the morning to DL in the after noon/evening are slim if you ask me. But if your plan is 3 days at the DL parks, or 4 days make sure after you do one day in disneyland and the other in DCA you ask what everyone thought of each place and if they had to only choose ONE park to go back to which would it be, theres a lot more to do in DL then DCA i feel.

 

[sasywtch]

We had signed up on Earl of Sandwich website for a free 6" sub and had that for lunch our first day. I believe it was only good for 30 days so we made sure to do it 2 weeks before we left. They did ask for ID for the adults. My DIL got one for my grandson and granddaughter with their own email. You can take the monorail for a ride and get off in DTD as Earl of Sandwich is close by.

 

[NavyDad01]

I have four kids (now young adults) and we went when they were younger and money was tighter.

It sounds like you will be staying with family and have no need for a hotel?

Here is a link to mousesavers which may give you some ideas www.mousesavers.com. Sign up for their newsletter and you can find even better prices. Not hugely better but better. Maybe save some on park tickets.

If your biggest expense is food (after tickets) then that is where to focus. Eat breakfast at home or in the SUV. Fruit. Bagels. Granolas. Etc.

Bring lunch / sandwiches. Put them in a DL or DCA locker along with some ice to keep things cool. $11. They will not let you bring coolers in through security but sandwiches and chips are OK albeit technically against the rules. You have the option of leaving food in your car but that will burn a lot of time getting back and forth to the car. So use a locker for $11.

Eat dinner at one of the many good and (relatively) inexpensive places at DLR. At DCA I would suggest Flo's V-8 Diner. Eight people will cost you $150 maybe less. At DL do Plaza Inn or Redd Rockett's Pizza Port. Another $150 maybe less. So $300 for food plus what you make or bring from home. That will be maybe another $100 for breakfast and sandwiches from home.

June 15 - A day trip to DCA. This is a Monday. Visit DCA on a Saturday, Tuesday or Thursday. Those days DCA does NOT have Extra Magic Hours in the morning (DL does) and you will be on equal footing with all other guests. Do not visit DCA on Monday, June 15.

June 17 - A day trip to DL. This is a Wednesday. Visit DL on a Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Those days DL does NOT have Extra Magic Hours in the morning (DCA does) and you will be on equal footing with all other guests. Visiting DL on Wednesday, June 17 is fine in this regard. However, read on.

For more info see "Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

Grad nights. These will impact DL and DCA.

See "The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400.

June 17 is a grad night. See previous link. I would not visit DL or DCA June 17 if you can change it.

If I were you I would visit DCA on June 16 Tuesday (no grad night and no DCA EMH) and DL on June 19 Friday (no grad night and no DL EMH). All else being equal.

Have a great trip with those kids!

Since we are closer to the trip some things have changed and wanted to get your thoughts. We were able to save some more money and will now be going 3 days to Disney with a EM hour included. We still are not park hopping since we figured one park per day with the 3rd day being which ever we liked the most. Below is our plan and wanted to know what everyone thought.


(Sat) 06/13 - Arrive in SNA at 08:45am
(Sun)06/14 -Universal Studios
(Mon)06/15 -Rest (maybe Beach)
(Tue)06/16- Disney Land (take advantage of MM)
(wed)06/17-Rest
(thur) 06/18 - DCA
(Fri) 06/19- (knots)
(sat) 06/20 Rest
(sun) 06/21 rest
Mon 06/22 Disney park
Tuesday 06/23 (fly out at 6)

 

[HydroGuy]

Since we are closer to the trip some things have changed and wanted to get your thoughts. We were able to save some more money and will now be going 3 days to Disney with a EM hour included. We still are not park hopping since we figured one park per day with the 3rd day being which ever we liked the most. Below is our plan and wanted to know what everyone thought.


(Sat) 06/13 - Arrive in SNA at 08:45am
(Sun)06/14 -Universal Studios
(Mon)06/15 -Rest (maybe Beach)
(Tue)06/16- Disney Land (take advantage of MM)
(wed)06/17-Rest
(thur) 06/18 - DCA
(Fri) 06/19- (knots)
(sat) 06/20 Rest
(sun) 06/21 rest
Mon 06/22 Disney park
Tuesday 06/23 (fly out at 6)

I think you got your days lined up great now. Be sure to get to DL early, early on June 16 MM. If you are driving it is hard. There is traffic all around. I would shoot to be at DL by 6AM to park, get your stuff together, and get to DL gates by 6:30AM. Hard to do with a lot of kids, but hey, you were/are in the Navy. Whip those young sailors into shape!

Double-check grad nights as June approaches. Sometimes Disney adds more as the existing ones fill up. Change days as needed.

 

[agamble]

Well you've had a LOT of good advice. I agree that the park hopping is not necessary, especially as you're trying to save money. California Adventure is great fun, but I'd try to get as much done in one day there as possible. Disneyland has a lot more to see and do and you won't be able to do it all in one day, so you'll probably need your third day there.

On your Magic Morning make sure you're there early as suggested. Then I would head to Fantasyland first. I know some of your kids are a bit older, but they'll appreciate those rides more if they experience them before the others. Plus the lines are almost non-existent during that hour, except Peter Pan, which unless you can be on the ride in less than 10 minutes I'd skip at that time and do later. If you bounce from ride to ride with short lines in Fantasyland, you can pretty much do them all in that hour to an hour and a half. A great Disney way to start the day. Then there's the Matterhorn. Toontown doesn't open until an hour after regular opening, so probably 9am when you're there. There are only 2 rides in Toontown, a mini coaster (fun, but short) and Roger Rabbit, but the kids may enjoy hanging out there. Not a must do in the morning, but it is least busy early in the day.

I didn't see anyone answer your question about child swapping. We've done this a bunch with our kids. Both adults need to go to the ride with the baby and other riders. Ask for a rider swap pass for the adult staying with your baby, or any "chickens." They'll either give you the pass right then, or give directions to the riders on how to get one up the line. Then the non-riding adult can take the non rider(s) on any other rides, use the bathroom, get a snack, whatever while others ride. That pass can then be used at any time during that same day for the non rider and one other guest. It's nice that the non-rider and baby do not have to wait in line with everyone, but can do their own thing. Our kids love the Astro Orbiter rider, and both have ridden it plenty of times while the others rode Space Mountain or Star Tours. Buzz Lightyear is also a favorite, even though 2 is too young to really play the game, they seem to enjoy the ride through.

I haven't been to Universal Studios in at least 10 years, I know it's changed a lot, but I LOVED the Jurassic Park ride. We'll take our kids when they're older. I've never been to Knott's either. I hope your kiddos enjoy the thrilling rides.

Have fun! Sounds like you'll have your hands full.

 

[starshine514]

Are you flying out at 6 AM or 6 PM on the 23rd? We love rider swap (ask at the entrance) and the baby center (if the 2 year old isn't potty trained, they have lots of clean changing tables. If s/he is potty trained, they have tiny potties for them).

I think the older kids will love Knotts!

I would also recommend pre-ordering the Photopass+ - it would be awesome to get lots of group photos and to get the ride photos from so many of the kids' first rides on the coasters.

 

[Geemo]

The timing of your overall list looks like the perfect vacation.
Choosing weekdays for Disneyland Parks is best.
How did the kids like the maps?

Have you looked into the CityPass?
http://www.citypass.com/southern-california?mv_source=rkg&utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=city pass california&utm_content=1465029734&utm_campaign=none&mkwid=e

Southern California CityPASS is the only multi-park pass that includes the 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket for Disneyland® and Disney California Adventure® plus a Magic Morning for Disneyland®.

Also includes one-day admission to both Universal Studios Hollywood and SeaWorld San Diego. Add one day at San Diego Zoo/Safari Park and/or LEGOLAND® California to your CityPASS, exclusively on citypass.com.

If the budget allows for CityPasses by travel time, it will give you an additional option for one of the rest days. Plus the Disney tickets are Hoppers.

For Knott's, keep an eye on their promotions. They have some real cost saving deals every once in awhile. https://www.knotts.com/what-s-new/promotions

Geemo

 

[NavyDad01]

So the kids saved up some money and they want to go to six flags and Hurricane harbor. The Plot thickens

 

[SMD]

I think that Universal is better for 10-12 year olds than Knott's, which really doesn't have a lot for kids between 48 inches and 54 inches (it depends on where the 8 & 10 year old fall.) Knott's has better ticket discounts and more rides, but Universal has really stepped it up in theming this year. They have the new Minion area and Springfield. If the kids are at all familiar with The Simpsons it would be hard to turn that one down in favor of Knott's.

Magic Mountain is miserable, hot and really far away. If they'd be happy with a water park, look into Raging Waters. I think it will be easier to get to from where your staying and then you can spend a longer day there.

 

[NavyDad01]

I think that Universal is better for 10-12 year olds than Knott's, which really doesn't have a lot for kids between 48 inches and 54 inches (it depends on where the 8 & 10 year old fall.) Knott's has better ticket discounts and more rides, but Universal has really stepped it up in theming this year. They have the new Minion area and Springfield. If the kids are at all familiar with The Simpsons it would be hard to turn that one down in favor of Knott's.

Magic Mountain is miserable, hot and really far away. If they'd be happy with a water park, look into Raging Waters. I think it will be easier to get to from where your staying and then you can spend a longer day there.

The 8 year old is the smallest and he is right at 54 inches. He is probably the bravest of the bunch, but i remember SFMM and how tiring it can be do to the uphill walking. As for water parks I have heard from lots of family that Soak city is better because Raging waters is flooded with gang members. If I remember my visits to six flags it was the same there with in regards to gangs. Universal is absolutely something I don't want to over look and would want to do for sure.

 

[NavyDad01]

Trying to convince them to use their six flags money to get fastpasses at Knotts. I even tried to show them some videos of the rides in hopes of scaring them but that excited them more.

At the end of the day I make the decision but i just want to give these kids everything. I also found it funny that they all helped their grandfather with the horses this weekend and earned $50 each. I never got money for working on the horses

 

[SMD]

The 8 year old is the smallest and he is right at 54 inches. He is probably the bravest of the bunch, but i remember SFMM and how tiring it can be do to the uphill walking. As for water parks I have heard from lots of family that Soak city is better because Raging waters is flooded with gang members. If I remember my visits to six flags it was the same there with in regards to gangs. Universal is absolutely something I don't want to over look and would want to do for sure.

I hear that the makeup of the crowds at Magic Mountain vary a lot between weekends and weekdays. Sort of hard to say if that stays true during the summer. I have friends with APs to Disney, Knott's, MM and Universal and never hear complaints about MM. But I also know people who haven't been there in years who complain about "gangs," so maybe take that with a grain of salt. If you already want to do Knott's then Soak City might be a compromise, since it's also right there and Knott's is probably an easier park to navigate than MM with all the upper and lower levels. I personally wouldn't want to do so many theme parks, but I'm not 12 anymore, so maybe not the best opinion to gauge the situation. But what about the 2 year old and the parent watching the 2 year old. Will they stay home some days leaving 1 parent with 5 kids? Will you do rider swap at all parks? That's something to consider too.

 

[agamble]

Your trip is starting to sound super fun for the kids, and super exhausting for you and your wife. Does your brother live closer to Disneyland than Six Flags, or is the drive about the same either way? How are these kids in the car? Can you drive while six kids scream, laugh, and make utter chaos? I think with the Magic Mountain and water park, you could always wait until you're in CA and you've been to a few places before having to make that decision. You may need a day off. Your kids could always use that cash for souvenirs.

 

[Geemo]

I feel you'll only have to listen to 6 kids on the way each morning.
At the end of the day, I bet they're a sleep before you get to far out of the parking structure.

Geemo

 

[bethy]

Do all four days at Disney - it's much cheaper per person per day and there is no way you all will get bored or be able to do and see everything. Plus everything is a lot better quality wise all around. Especially for kids who have never been - that is the best use of your time and money. Get the park hopper option for sure - it's basically all one big park. If possible have enough cell phones on hand so that the older kids can break off in a group sometimes and run around together - so fun!

Finally the first thing that jumped out at me was that you had everyone going to DCA first. I LOVE DCA. But I would always always go to DL first and walk down main street. That is how a Disney visit should begin. Most especially for a first timer.

This a GREAT thing you are doing for all these kiddos!

 

[NavyDad01]

Since we are closer to the trip some things have changed and wanted to get your thoughts. We were able to save some more money and will now be going 3 days to Disney with a EM hour included. We still are not park hopping since we figured one park per day with the 3rd day being which ever we liked the most. Below is our plan and wanted to know what everyone thought.


(Sat) 06/13 - Arrive in SNA at 08:45am
(Sun)06/14 -Universal Studios
(Mon)06/15 -Rest (maybe Beach)
(Tue)06/16- Disney Land (take advantage of MM)
(wed)06/17-Rest
(thur) 06/18 - DCA
(Fri) 06/19- (knots)
(sat) 06/20 Rest
(sun) 06/21 rest
Mon 06/22 Disney park
Tuesday 06/23 (fly out at 6)

We finally veto six flags and this is the final itinerary

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

You have a good itinerary there, and you'll be glad for those rest days. When I was 13, my parents had all of their godchildren here for a month. We went from theme park to theme park, and by the fourth or fifth day we were at Marineland and draaggggging. My dad was so mad at us. Something like, " 'Darn' it! I paid hard earned money for you all to have fun, NOW HAVE FUN!!" It's funny now when I look back on it.

Personally, I like Knotts Berry Farm. I went on a preview of their new attraction today, and I think your whole family will enjoy it. You might want to go on that more than once. Be sure to really look at the buildings in the Ghost Town. They have some authentic items there that are interesting.

 

[NavyDad01]

You have a good itinerary there, and you'll be glad for those rest days. When I was 13, my parents had all of their godchildren here for a month. We went from theme park to theme park, and by the fourth or fifth day we were at Marineland and draaggggging. My dad was so mad at us. Something like, " 'Darn' it! I paid hard earned money for you all to have fun, NOW HAVE FUN!!" It's funny now when I look back on it.

Personally, I like Knotts Berry Farm. I went on a preview of their new attraction today, and I think your whole family will enjoy it. You might want to go on that more than once. Be sure to really look at the buildings in the Ghost Town. They have some authentic items there that are interesting.

I think its called Coral Reef at knotts and we do plan on getting on that. We were really thinking about six flags instead of a third day at Disneyland, but there is so much the kids want to do at disney I explained to them how they would benefit from a third day at Disney and they all agreed to ditch six flags. I'm kind of glad since I felt most of them would be scared at six flags.

 

[VandVsmama]

I think its called Coral Reef at knotts and we do plan on getting on that. We were really thinking about six flags instead of a third day at Disneyland, but there is so much the kids want to do at disney I explained to them how they would benefit from a third day at Disney and they all agreed to ditch six flags. I'm kind of glad since I felt most of them would be scared at six flags.

Good choice! Six Flags isn't much fun if you're not into roller coasters. A third day at Disneyland is much better.

 

[NavyDad01]

Everyone here has provided so many good tips and now that we are exactly 30 days away its time to start planning and getting all the tips written down. I'm about to order the photopass plus tonight or tomorrow.