help ... PLEASE!! =)

[Chesire]

Hello!

I am excited!

My husband, 4 month old son and I are heading to Disneyland with my parents and 17 year old brother as a last family vacation (before my brother turns 18). I was afraid I would not get to see Mickey for a long time (my son's first trip at around 3 years old). It has been a long time since I went to Disneyland and could really use some help please.

We are planning on going in the end of October, what are the crowds and weather like?

Since Christian will only be around 7 months old, a close hotel is a must for us (we would rather walk then drive and park). Price is a big issue for us, but so is safety and a clean room. A rerigerator and microwave would be wonderful (its either have them in the room or bring them!). Any ideas for a hotel?

I won't be doing rides, but just being at Disney is wonderful (and the pictures we will get will be wonderful!) Any ideas of things I can do with a 7 month old?

I usually take a good 12-18 months planning our WDW vacations, so 3 months to do a trip is not enough! Your advice is VERY appreciated!!

THANK YOU!!!

 

[JDarling]

WOw! That sounds like fun! 3 generations of the family at Disneyland!

Here are some ideas:
I personally suggest the Sheraton Anaheim for an affordable room of the quality you describe. It has a shuttle that runs (which I don't suggest as it's often late and leaves you sitting around, and during peak times, doesn't have enough room for all the passengers) and it's about 1 mile from the gates, so it's not too far of a walk. There are other places. Check out one of the great travel-on-a-shoe-string web sites (Hotwire, travelocity, priceline) for specials (expedia has good last minute specials sometimes too). Call the front desks of those hotels you are interested in and let them know your situation and found out how far of a walk it is direct from the source.

Another idea is to spend a little more money and stay on site. The hotels are more expensive and some rooms tend to be smaller, but it's as close as you can get to the parks! Perhaps look into renting a large suite or renting some DVC points. That may turn out to be a better deal for your group (or get some nice person like me to show up and check you in under my Annual passport Discount. he he he).

There are some rides you could do with a 7 month old! Remember fantasyland? It's a small world? And there's the Winnie the Pooh ride in Critter Country. If your kiddoe is a quiet one, you can check out some of the great shows (Aladdin, Snow White) and street entertainment and join up with your party later.

Don't miss the new Disneyland Parade for the 50th! It's magical.

 

[Vanvmom]

My youngest son's first trip to DL was when he was 4 months old, and the whole family had a wonderful time. As for rides, there are plenty you can enjoy with your son. They also have the parent pass: allowing you to stay with the baby while everyone else rides. Then when your group comes off the ride, you and anyone you choose can go right up to near the front of the line and go right on the line (that way everyone can ride without having to wait in line twice). Our older kids loved the chance to ride again with the parent who waited with our youngest.

As for hotels... we are ALWAYS budget oriented. We've stayed many times at the Candy Cane Inn (for on-line info, look it up as a dotnet not dotcom address- I don't want to break any rules by listing the address directly). You can walk, or they have their own free shuttle. Rooms have fridge (regulations now say no micros allowed in rooms, but they have one in the room they serve breakfast in). Prices range from $82 - $97 per night (and include free parking and breakfast - hot/cold cereal, muffins, fruit, toast, bagels). Wonderful service, comfy beds, nice location (it really does look like the web-site photos).

Depending on your son's size at the time of the trip, I would recommend using a front baby carrier (we used that and a stroller and life was easy). The weather in Oct. is wonderful (short sleeves with shorts or jeans during the day, add a sweatshirt or jacket at night - layers are best). Crowds this year are likely to be busier than normal, but late Oct is normally a good time (more crowded of course on the 31st).

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Congratulations on your trip to Disneyland! We went to DL the end of October two years ago and crowds were great. I am imagining crowds will be a little higher now due to the 50th. They are also having some sort of Halloween Party at Disneyland this year, there is a thread about that somewhere on this board with the dates and info. Still, crowds should be manageable during the week and more crowded as always on the weekend. WE almost always stay onsite and often find good deals for the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier on expedia. For a lower priced, close hotel the Howard Johnson's is a good bet. It is a around a 10-15 minute walk to the main gate and very safe. It has lovely grounds and large, spotlessly clean rooms. They have a very nice main pool area with water spray jets for little kids and a quieter main pool. If you book there be sure to request a room far from the highway side. This hotel is a bit older but the rooms have been updated and the staff is wonderful. I have also heard some very good things about the Sheraton on Harbor and I intend to try that one the next time I stay offsite at Disneyland. They have the famous "heavenly beds" and a shuttle that goes back and forth to Disneyland every 30 minutes. It looks a bit nicer than the HoJo and I have seen some very decent rates for that one. There is sticky at the top of this thread with info on the good neighbor hotels near Disneyland. There are actually quite a few rides you could do with a 7 month old and I am sure all the parades, especially the Electrical Parade will be something for young eyes to enjoy! You are picking a great time to go to Disneyland as the park is all spruced up for the 50th and all the rides have been refurbished recently. Good luck with all of your planning!

 

[AFMom]

Certainly you can plan on doing rides! First off - a 7 mo old can ride quite a few things at DLR. You'll also have famliy there to take turns with! I'm sure your parents would love the opportunity to watch the little one while you ride a big ride!
We love the Candy Cane Inn - but I don't think they have fridges or M/W's. The HOJO gets great reviews here as well - but again - not sure about the appliances. There are sooooooo many nice hotels right outside the parks - you should be able to find one you'll be happy with!
Try a hotwire or priceline search woth Disneyland as the destination, figure out what hotels you are interested there, and then call the hotel to see if they can beat the rate you were able to find. We've never stayed anywhere there with appliances - so I'm not much help, am I?! Have fun!

 

[JDarling]

Oh yeah! You asked about weather too... bring a jacket for evenings.Keep an eye on the weather forecast. Usually you can get away with shorts and a t-shirt while the sun is up (it almost never rains in October anymore.... as those of us who survived the Cedar fires in 2003 will attest to). Bring jeans and a sweatshirt or jacket for the evenings. You can rent a locker and then change.

 

[Chesire]

Oh my WOW! I knew I came to the right place!!
Thank you SO MUCH!!!
The Howard Johnson and Candy Cane both fit our budget, all I need to do is talk to my parents (we would love to stay at the same hotel). I feel so silly now, I know I can't bring a microwave (lol - sorry!!) but having one at the hotel we can use is all we need
Our dates are Oct. 26-29 (leaving that Saturday morning) so I am hoping to avoid the halloween crowds (and i am SO EXCITED we get to be there for the 50th anniversary ... I NEVER imagined we would be able to!!!!!)
Rides??? With our son??? YEAH! Another thing I never thought we could do!! Fantasy land, HERE I COME!!!
Again, THANK YOU!!!
Your advice is SO WONDERFUL! I cannot wait

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have also seen tons of babies riding Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Disneyland Railroad, the new Buzz ride (have seen that at WDW but its the same ride), and then over at DCA there are some cute little kids rides in a Bugs Land. Pretty much anything that doesn't need a restraint is fine I think. At that age your baby is too young to be scared by rides too much and will sleep a lot so in a sense it is a perfect time to go! And you will have a great opportunity to get some fun Christmas card photos! Good luck with all of your planning and be sure and let us know how it all went when you get back!

 

[vascubaguy]

I just wanted to chime in that I used AAA to book a room at the Carousel Inn & Suites. I've never stayed there, but it looked decent from the website. Not to mention it's very close to the pedestrian crosswalk to the DL entry.

The AAA rate I got for Oct 19-23 is $60 per night! They also have some suites that have a panoramic view of DL/CA. From what I've heard it fills up pretty quick and when I tried to book directly from their website, it said there was no availability. But AAA got me the reservation with no problem.

Now I'm just counting down the days!

Oh, and I think the Mickey's Halloween Treat thing will still be going on while you are there. That could be fun... we plan on checking it out while we are there.

 

[dizluvr71]

The Howard Johnson was great when we were there April 2004. The hotel service was great, the shop had reasonable prices and my son loved the pool. I would recommend the ART Shuttle service even though the walk is not far it came in handy when all the family is tired at the end of the day. The shuttle ran about every 20 minutes from the front of the hotel.
My Mom just decided on an impromptu trip for the grandkids to DL before school starts. So I just made reservations for 7 of us, 4 adults and 3 kids (6, 8 and 10) at the Residence Inn Anaheim Resort for Aug. 24-27. I found some really nice reviews about the hotel on several websites. We got a 2 room suite with 2 baths and a kitchen for less money than if we booked 2 rooms at the Hojo. We thought it would be better this way since there are 7 of us, plus then I can help my mom out with my niece and nephew since we are all in the same suite. It's a little farther away than the Hojo so we probably won't walk but also has the ART Shuttle service which we will be using.

 

[Glynis]

The Baby Care Center at DL is FABULOUS!!!! Last time my family went we had twin 18 month olds, and 1 3 month old. It was nice to pop into the Care Center for diaper changes, feedings, and just some time out of the hot air.

Don't give up the rides!!! As has been stated before, there are plenty of rides you can take a 7 month old on. Also, take advantage of the Child Swap Pass. We did and it made for a really fun vacation. There were times, too, when Grandma and Grandpa wanted an excuse not to ride something, and so having lots of babies to hold made it easy for them as well.

Regardless of your baby's age, you will have a magical time. Little as he is, he will feel the atmosphere and see the joy in your face. Just let yourself enjoy it, take breaks when you feel like it, and keep a bottle of water for the baby handy.

 

[vegasnative]

Hi,
Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in, I have stayed at the Hojo and it is a great place, but every day I walked by the Best Western Park Place Inn which is located directly on the crosswalk that enters into Disney. In fact, I am staying there this Sunday. I have heard great things about the candy cane inn, but remember you will have to fold your stroller up each time you get on their shuttle. I hope you guys have fun!!

 

[dsnyfrk5]

There is a hotel called the Residence Inn right on Harbor Blvd that has full kitchens. We have three kids and the youngest is 6 months old. So I understand that you need a microwave and a refrig. There is also a stove and all the ammenties you need (cups, plates, utentils, ect..). I believe that there is a shuttle that can take you to Disneyland during your stay.

We have annual passes to Disneyland. We have a 5yr,3yr and a 6 month old. Each of them have been going to disneyland since they were about 3 weeks old. There are alot of rides you can go on with your littlest one. My 6 month old loves It's a small world and Winnie the Pooh ride.

There is also a fantastic Baby Center in both parks. Take advantage it really is helpful. I hope this little bit of information helps. Have fun.

 

[Chesire]

Wow ... THANK YOU!
I am looking forward to this trip even more
dsnyfrk5, your 6 month old really liked the rides? Oh, I hope our little guy does too. I know he won't remember the trip, but I am guessing I will take too many pictures to make up for that!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Hi! Our girls have been at 4 months and 6 months old, went on everything there was not a height restriction for. They LOVED Jungle Cruise, Casey Jr. Train and Small World, and had no problems on Pirates or Haunted Mansion. You just hold the baby and they are along for the ride. They love both of those rides now!! There are actually more that the baby can go on than they can't. You can't ride any of the Mountains basically! Also no Autopia until 1 year old, but other than that, RIDE RIDE RIDE away!! You will have a blast, and I loved the baby care centers also! My favorite time to take the kids is as infants, since I don't go for them to remember, just to have fun for the time being and for me to remember!!

Take lots of pictures, and even when you think you've taken enough, take more. Have a great time!!!!


Andrea

 

[dletz]

In DL he would be able to ride (it's up to you if you want him to ride)
Train
Horse drawn street car
fire truck
Horseless carriage
Omnibus
Astro Orbitor
Buzz Lightyear
Monorail
Small World
Roger Rabbit's cartoon spin
Storybook land canal boats
Tea Cups
Alice in Wonderland
Dumbo
Carousel
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Peter Pan
Snow White
Pinocchio
Casy Jr. Train
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Mark Twain
Sailing ship Columbia
Winnie the Pooh
Jungle cruise

In DCA
Golden Zephyr
Sun Wheel
King Triton's Carousel
Flick's Flyers
Francis' ladybug boogie
Heimlich's chew chew train

 

[Chesire]

Oh boy ...
I am sad to say our trip might be canceled

Both my parnets and I have dogs. We don't mind kenneling ours, but they don't want to pay the money (we always watch theirs).

Now, the only reason we were going was to take everyone ... BUT ... well ... I still want to go! Once you put Disney on my mind, there is NO turning back!

Do you think it would be silly to go still (my husband, myself and our little guy)? I know the trip would be different ... but ... well ... its DISNEY!

We moved out ideal time to Nov. 2-5 (THANK YOU FOR THE HALLOWEEN WARNING!) and this really changed our rates. All I have to do is talk my husband into it ...

 

[Glynis]

Do your parents have any neighbors that they would trust to look after their dogs? That's what we do with ours.

If they absolutely can't do it, my personal suggestion would be to say, "Go for it anyway!" I just can't imagine not going to DL after getting your hopes up. You will still have fun, just different fun. You'll have to take advantage of the Child Swap Pass, and maybe do things at a different pace, but it's still awfully doable.

 

[Amy&Dan]

What about finding a hotel that allows dogs? Have they ever travelled before? We used to always take our dogs before we decided to fly and it wasn't a big deal but some dogs don't travel well. Good luck and for what its worth I think you and your husband and baby could have a great time just the three of you!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I suggest making reservations for all of you. There's quite a bit of time between now and November to find dog sitting solutions. Make it a mission If your folks aren't comfortable with leaving the dogs home and having a professional sitter make twice daily visits there are people out there who will house sit and actually stay overnight in their home. If they're not comfortable with having stranger in the home or it's too expensive, I bet you know single, adult women (or men) through church or work that may be willing to take the dogs or stay at their place for a very nominal fee. Before I had my pets, I was booked up a lot by friends who would pay me $10-15 a day to sleep over and play with their puppeis!