Help with first trip to Disneyland

[DisneyFans4]

I need suggestions for our first visit to Disneyland this summer. When do California children start school? Weather wise when is the best time to visit and which of the 3 Disney resorts do you prefer?
I'd appreciate any advice. I have two teenage boys, ages 13 and 15.
Thanks so much

 

[almostGoofy]

Our school district which is located in Orange County starts the day after Labor day. I believe this will hold true for most public schools. I do know someone who's children are in private school and they started the third week of August.

 

[el_tigre]

It seems California students tend to get back in school later than anywhere in the country. Still, Disneyland's crowds will decrease the later it goes into August (but not near as much as WDW's). If your goal is to miss the California kids on summer break, early June would be your best bet. Starting late means the kids end late. But I think your going to have big corwds no matter when in the summer you decide to visit.

It will be hotter in August than June, but the summer heat isn't nearly as oppressive as Orlando. Heck, it's not as oppressive as New York.

If I had to choose when to come, I'd probably stay away July 4 weekend and wouldn't visit Disneyland on a Saturday or a Monday, as crowds are worse those days.

You won't go wrong with any of the three Disney Resort hotel, but I would take Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian if I had my druthers.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Well I'm from New Jersey and the kids start school here right after Labor Day. We've been to Disneyworld for 6 straight years so I know the better times to visit there, etc. Having never been to California I think it's time to visit. My husband has travelled to San Fran. and Newport Beach and now he's decided he wants to take a trip up the coast because he wants me to see San Fran. which he says I will love. I know there is alot to see in Calif. but I don't want to do a trip that is going to tire me out either.
How many days do you need to do all of Disneyland?

 

[Krisj]

I used to teach in Ca and have friends who still teach there. Many schools in and around the area are year round schools and depending on their tracks kids can be off at different times.
We just got back. I have 5 kids ages 2-10. We spent 4 days there and we just about got everything done, but we were there from opening time to closing time everyday except Fri. night(we left after the DCA electrical parade.). It took us 1 1/2 days at DCA and that didn't include the Alladin show. 2 full days would have been nice. We spent a good 2 1/2 days at DL and did most of it.
We are tired. It would have been nice to get a break or do shorter days, but we wanted to see and do it all.
DCA was not crowded, but DL was(for Dec.)

 

[Therapeutic Smile]

Well, with a couple young-teen sons, assuming you can keep up with them, you can do DCA in a day. You won't catch all the shows, but there is some stuff there that won't appeal as much to slightly older kids such as yours.

As for Disneyland, as a kid I went there with my family about a dozen times in fifteen years, and we got to the point where we could do everything we wanted in 1 1/2 days. Of course... if you want to experience all the great stuff, you'll probably need closer to 2 1/2 or 3... so if you plan a total of four days in the Magic Kingdom and spend one at DCA, you should be fine.

You might be tired, but you'll see everything. And just so you know, a drive up the *coast* from the L.A. area to the Bay Area could take up to 10 hours depending on stops/breaks. Up Highway 5 it takes 5.5-6 hours, but Highways 1 and 101, up the coast, take much longer due to slower speed limits and less of a straight-shot nature to the highways.

Hope this helps some.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks so much for this info, it's exactly what I needed! I really needed to speak to someone from California to find out the hours involved with travelling up the coast and now I realize it takes awhile. I even told my husband that Disney should be a separate trip from the Calif. coast but he figures while we're there we just can't leave without seeing Frisco becaUse he was there once and absolutely loved it.
I'm also not one to sit in a car for too long a period of time and the constant stop and going I feel would tire me out. If I make a first trip to Calif. I want it to be an enjoyable one.
Thanks again!

 

[LuvTigger]

I would say allow 3-4 days at DL/DCA. Three days should do it, but if you can spend an extra day it would be more leisurely and you'd have time to explore DD and the resorts without rushing.

My personal preference for the resorts (I've stayed at DLH and GC only) is GC, I love the "woodsy" theme, and WL is my favorite at WDW. However, the rooms at DLH are nice too, and they're larger, which may be important with your boys. They also have a great themed pool area, if that's important.

I would check on how much it costs to just fly to SF after (or go to SF first and fly to LA after) vs. a round trip flight to LA. Sometimes it doesn't cost any more, or the price is just a little higher.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Which hotel has the better pool with a slide? My boys are really into the slides. When we go to WDW we usually stay at the Poly because I love the hawaiian theme. What are the themes at DLH or PP? This is our first visit so I'm a stranger to the whole thing. I really feel a visit up the coast should be an entirely separate trip but any suggestions are appreciated. I want this trip to be fun and relaxing and not constantly driving around.
Thanks

 

[LuvTigger]

I'm not sure about which one has the better slide. GC's looked pretty long, again, following the woodsy theme. DLH has a larger pool with a Neverland theme, but I don't know about their slide. Someone else here will probably know.

When you ask about the themes at DLH and PP, do you mean in general, or just the pools?

I found PP to be quite "plain" compared to DLH and GC. I'm not sure about PP's pool, but I think I've read here that it is also un-themed. The grounds at DLH are larger, and very well landscaped. They also have a koi pond and waterfall.

How much time do you have for your vacation all-together? You could drive up the coast and spend the night somewhere halfway in between, but it depends on if you want to really explore the cities and towns along the way. Another option is maybe to drive down to San Diego for a couple of nights. It's only about a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic, and you could go to Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and/or the San Diego Wild Animal Park. They also have some really scenic places like the Cabrillo National Monument which is right by the ocean, but kind of on a cliff, so the view is gorgeous. There's also some pretty good shopping places down there too like Horton Plaza and Sea Port Village, or La Jolla is not too far away.

 

[DisneyFans4]

This is exactly the info I'm looking for as my husband would love to also include part of the coast in the trip. We would probably vacation for 11 or so days so we have time.
I like spending time in a hotel that makes me feel like I'm on vacation and that's why I love the Poly at WDW.
Thanks again for all your help, it means so much.

 

[Therapeutic Smile]

I've never used the pool at the Grand Californian, but I just wanted to mention that it has one of the most breathtaking lobbies I've ever seen. Sure, a lobby is a lobby is a lobby, right? But this one is three stories high and looks like the inside of a huge cabin, like somewhere in the Sierras. And since it's the first thing you see when you walk in, it really immerses you in that Disney "Critter Country", Splash Mountain, Country Bear Jamboree (may it rest in peace) atmosphere. Plus leaving the hotel one direction stick you right into DCA and the other side is Downtown Disney. Really a great place that makes you feel more "on vacation" than the DLH (imho). Never stayed at the other hotel there on grounds.

 

[Peter Pan Fan]

If you are going to come out here for 11 days, I would definitely see the coast and visit San Francisco. Either that or spend time touring LA and San Diego. Personally I wouldn't come out just for 3 or 4 days, just like I wouldn't go to WDW for only 3-4 days. I think you could have a wonderful trip and see a lot of the state without being exhausted in 11 days. If you want specific info, ask away and I will do my best to help you (I was born in SF and have lived in this area all my life, currently we are about 40 minutes northeast of SF, just past the wine country).

As far as the hotels, Paradise Pier is the cheapest, Disneyland Hotel is the middle and Grand Californian is the most expensive. I have stayed at all three and LOVED staying at GC, you definitely feel like you're on vacation. The place is beautiful and is the closest to everything. We had a downtown disney view when we stayed there and we were about a 3-4 minute walk from the front gate of Disneyland and, no exaggeration, less than 1 minute from the guest entrance to DCA. Paradise Pier is quite a walk to get to everything, there is no shuttle offered by the hotel. You could walk to the monorail or just walk to the DD entrance and walk through DD to get to the gates. I wasn't too impressed with the Disneyland Hotel, but I have only stayed there once. You can usually save at least $50/night staying at PP so if we can't stay at the GC we will usually pick PP. Also, I'm sure you have read that staying off site is not a sin like it is at WDW. We are going in 2 weeks and staying off site, we usually alternate. We went to DL 2 months back and stayed at PP as the rate at GC was over $300/night. There are a TON of great accomodations with free shuttle service within a mile of the gates. Having said that, I would still go with GC if you can splurge (expect to pay around $250 a night w/some kind of discount although we have paid as little as $159 with a good AP discount). Keep in mind the $7.00 a day resort fee plus the lovely 15% Anaheim resort tax. It really adds on a lot to the nightly rate!

Best of luck & ask if you have any questions-
Susan

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks so much for the info. Spending the money on the hotel wouldn't bother me so long as I know it's worth it. We've stayed at the Poly at WDW at the concierge level so I know how much it can cost but thanks for letting me know.
If I stayed at DLH is it a far walk to the parks?
Do you recommend renting a car?
Thanks again

 

[LuvTigger]

Not a far walk from DLH to the parks, at least compared to distances in WDW! Maybe 10-15 minutes at a leisurely pace. Also, from DLH, you can walk to DD monorail station, which is very close, and catch the monorail into DL. However, you need to have your admission ticket ready since you are actually let off IN Tomorrowland in DL. Those are the only 2 monorail stops. As far as Disney property is concerned, PP and DLH are pretty much one end, and the parks are on the other. In between are GC and DD. When walking from DLH to the parks, you will walk thru DD to get there.

As far as renting a car is concerned, I always rent a car when I go there, but it depends. First of all, where you fly into makes a difference. For 4 of you, you might end up spending almost as much on a shuttle as you would on renting a car. If you're only doing DL, you don't really need a car, but if you're going to drive to San Diego or up north anyway, I think getting a car would give you more flexibility. Also, if you're considering going to Universal, Knotts, or Magic Mountain, a car is almost a necessity.

 

[DisneyFans4]

How far is Magic Mountain from DL? I live in New Jersey and we have season passes to Great Adventure which is affiliated with Magic Mountain so it would make sense to visit since it would be free.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

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Four days @ the DLR is plenty. That leaves you a week to do other things...

I think you need to determine how much time you want to spend in the car sightseeing, and how much time do you want to stay in one place.

Los Angeles
The LA area has a lot to offer, and there are a lot of things to see - keep in mind, though, that there are a lot of people here, and our freeways are extremely busy. Things to see: Ghetty Center (art museum), La Brea Tarpits (located only 2 blocks from Rodeo Drive) & the Hollywood area, LA Zoo (I like it), Universal Studios, Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm, the Museum of Natural History & Science Museum (both located next to the LA Coliseum & USC campus), side trip to Catalina Island, Big Bear Lake in the local mountains, San Juan Capistrano Mission (one of the 21 missions founded by Fr. Junipero Serra in the day of the Spaniards), Newport Beach, Malibu w/dinner @ Gladstones @ sunset ...

San Diego
The drive to San Diego is very nice, and the city itself is a great place to visit. You could drive down Pacific Coast Hwy, and pass through such towns as Laguna Hills (an artsy area), La Jolla, Del Mar, etc. You can visit Sea World, World Famous San Diego Zoo, and the Wild Animal Park, Old Town (Spanish flavor), Balboa Park (full of museums and beautiful place to see), Coronado Island, etc. San Diego has a LOT to offer. Lesley (Tink33) can tell you more, if you have questions.

Going up north

Santa Barbara (resident expert: Dave (TheLionKing) )
If you drive up the coast, expect to be on the road about 4 hours. You will pass Malibu, as well as the other coastal towns, and have a view of the Pacific Ocean along the way. You can spend the day at Santa Barbara, and visit Solvang (a Dutch community), and see a couple of missions while you're there - depends on what you want to do. You can either return back to LA via the PCH or on an inland freeway, which will cut down your travel time.

If you decide to travel on up north, then I would recommend stopping to spend the night at San Luis Obispo, which is pretty close to Solvang. Then take off the next morning, and maybe stop at La Purisima Mission (I think the most well-preserved mission), and continue up the coast through some neat small towns and Big Sur -- this is the coastline that you see in a lot of movies that show the beautiful California Coastline. You can make it to Monterey & spend the night there.

Monterey
Beautiful city - I love it here -- Visit the aquarium and 17 Mile Drive, as well as the pier (famous Cannery Row). You can spend one or two days here. Just north is Carmel (Clint Eastwood was the mayor here for awhile). You'll see a lot of seals here and sea otters - I have fond memories of watching the sea otters lazily floating just offshore - pretty cool.

From Monterey, continue to San Francisco - you can take the lonnnggg route along the scenic coast, or take the inland highway & cut down on your time.

San Francisco
Another beautiful city - there is a lot to do here, and you can also take a day trip to the Napa Valley & visit one of the local wineries.

After San Francisco, you can either come down to LA, back along the scenic coast (about a 9 hour straight drive), or come back through the inland hwy, which will cut down your time. You can also cut across our rich farmland, and spend a day or two in Yosemite or Sequoia & see the huge trees here & visit our Sierra mountains. Yosemite - LA is about 7 hours drive, and Sequoia - LA is about a 5.5 hour drive.

*****

Magic Mountain is about 1 to 1.5 hour drive from Disneyland, and traffic may add to your driving time. I would leave @ 8:30 in the morning (it opens @ 10am). The drive back should be quicker since you'll most likely be returning after the rush hour time.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks so much MJ, this was great help!!