Help with planning for first DL trip.

[Magnod]

Hi All,
We just bought some DVC points at the GCV and we have used some points to take our four year old son in March. I've been reading through the info here (especially the stickies) and I've resorted to creating a Googledoc to keep the wife updated on what I've learned. My parents are coming along and they've been asking me questions that I'm not sure the answer, so I hope someone will be willing to share some knowledge with me.
Thanks

1. We're arriving in at 5:00am in the morning (from Hawaii) and as I understand the express bus service doesn't start until 7:30am. What would be the next best option to get to the park? My mom suggested a limo and we were hoping to avoid renting a car (since we'd have to bring a car seat with us.)
2. What's the most efficient way to stock the room with food? We are aiming to not have a car, and I'm not sure if there are any grocery stores within easy walking distance. Is a cab the best bet?
3. Do DVC members get discounts on 5 day passes? I'm pretty sure I read on the board that they don't, but my wife called the DL website folks to buy tickets and the person she spoke with said that we could get discounts. So now I'm confused.
4. People have been giving us a lot of recommendations on where to sit/eat for the best views. But there were so many that I'm getting confused. I think we were supposed to eat dinner at Ariel's Grotto and/or buy tickets for $60 so that we could avoid standing in line. But I'm not sure what shows this is for or even if they are for the same show.
5. Any other must do recommendations?

 

[skiingfast]

1. We're arriving in at 5:00am in the morning (from Hawaii) and as I understand the express bus service doesn't start until 7:30am. What would be the next best option to get to the park? My mom suggested a limo and we were hoping to avoid renting a car (since we'd have to bring a car seat with us.)

If you can afford the Limo that's a good option, see my answer to number two. You can check a carseat for free on the plane, at least this is the case for travel in the lower 48.

2. What's the most efficient way to stock the room with food? We are aiming to not have a car, and I'm not sure if there are any grocery stores within easy walking distance. Is a cab the best bet?

If you take a limo they will be able to stop on the way. Terms of how this works can vary but with private cars it's usually an option. Other wise you would most likely want a cab.

There is a Food4Less west on Katella a couple miles away.

If you plan to order $50 of groceries, Vons does free delivery on your first order.

3. Do DVC members get discounts on 5 day passes? I'm pretty sure I read on the board that they don't, but my wife called the DL website folks to buy tickets and the person she spoke with said that we could get discounts. So now I'm confused.

I know there if a DVC distcount on APs. I'm not sure about tickets, though there is a deal on Park Hoppers that may work for your visit.
Promotional 5-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket Ages 3 to 9 $211.00
Ages 10 & Up $231.00
• Tickets may only be purchased between November 1, 2011 and May 28, 2012.

• Offer not available at Disneyland Resort Main Entrance ticket booths.

• Blockout dates of March 30, 2012 to April 15, 2012 and other restrictions apply.

4. People have been giving us a lot of recommendations on where to sit/eat for the best views. But there were so many that I'm getting confused. I think we were supposed to eat dinner at Ariel's Grotto and/or buy tickets for $60 so that we could avoid standing in line. But I'm not sure what shows this is for or even if they are for the same show.

You do sound confused. $60 sounds like the Fantasmic Desert Package pricing. F! Superthread you will find information in the OP.

Ariel's Grotto sounds like a World of Color Dinner package location.
WoC superthread you will find information in the OP.

5. Any other must do recommendations?

Do Child Swap. Have a date night or two.

 

[Magnod]

If you can afford the Limo that's a good option, see my answer to number two. You can check a carseat for free on the plane, at least this is the case for travel in the lower 48.


If you take a limo they will be able to stop on the way. Terms of how this works can vary but with private cars it's usually an option. Other wise you would most likely want a cab.

There is a Food4Less west on Katella a couple miles away.

If you plan to order $50 of groceries, Vons does free delivery on your first order.

I know there if a DVC distcount on APs. I'm not sure about tickets, though there is a deal on Park Hoppers that may work for your visit.
Promotional 5-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket Ages 3 to 9 $211.00
Ages 10 & Up $231.00
• Tickets may only be purchased between November 1, 2011 and May 28, 2012.

• Offer not available at Disneyland Resort Main Entrance ticket booths.

• Blockout dates of March 30, 2012 to April 15, 2012 and other restrictions apply.





You do sound confused. $60 sounds like the Fantasmic Desert Package pricing. F! Superthread you will find information in the OP.

Ariel's Grotto sounds like a World of Color Dinner package location.
WoC superthread you will find information in the OP.





Do Child Swap. Have a date night or two.

Thanks for the info.

Not sure what we are doing about the airport transportation yet at this time.

As for the groceries, does Vons require you to go in person for the free delivery or can you order online and have it delivered?

I tried calling DVC member services and they said they don't handle those tickets (CM was actually a little snippy, unusual compared to my previous experiences) and referred me to the Disney site.

I guess I was mixing up the Fantasmic and World of Color packages. As you can tell I haven't been there in over a decade and have no clue what these shows are or where they are located. Are both worth going to see?

I convinced my parents to come along, so full time babysitters are provided

 

[skiingfast]

Not sure what we are doing about the airport transportation yet at this time.

The tranporation thread in the link will give you some food for thought.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

As for the groceries, does Vons require you to go in person for the free delivery or can you order online and have it delivered?

Online.

I tried calling DVC member services and they said they don't handle those tickets (CM was actually a little snippy, unusual compared to my previous experiences) and referred me to the Disney site.

Yes you order those tickets online from disneyland.com, print out the vouchers that you take directly to the turnstyles. At the turnstyle the CM will give you tickets to use during your visit.

I guess I was mixing up the Fantasmic and World of Color packages. As you can tell I haven't been there in over a decade and have no clue what these shows are or where they are located. Are both worth going to see?

Yes all the big shows are well worth seeing.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the info.

Not sure what we are doing about the airport transportation yet at this time.

I would take a taxi. How many in your group? Get a van taxi for 5 people. They should be there waiting for you.

I guess I was mixing up the Fantasmic and World of Color packages. As you can tell I haven't been there in over a decade and have no clue what these shows are or where they are located. Are both worth going to see?

In a past life we always skipped shows and fireworks. Then we caught Fantasmic for the first time in 2000 and saw Remember Dreams Come True fireworks in 2005. And we became converts to watching Disney shows. They are well worth watching. IMO World of Color tops them all but others prefer Fantasmic. It is like choosing between two excellent choices. If you can see both then do it. Especially in WOC's case but also with F! you need to invest time make sure you have a good experience otherwise it could be disappointing.

 

[Magnod]

I would take a taxi. How many in your group? Get a van taxi for 5 people. They should be there waiting for you.

In a past life we always skipped shows and fireworks. Then we caught Fantasmic for the first time in 2000 and saw Remember Dreams Come True fireworks in 2005. And we became converts to watching Disney shows. They are well worth watching. IMO World of Color tops them all but others prefer Fantasmic. It is like choosing between two excellent choices. If you can see both then do it. Especially in WOC's case but also with F! you need to invest time make sure you have a good experience otherwise it could be disappointing.

Does anyone know the child seat laws in California? Would we need to bring our own child seat for a 4 year old if we caught a cab?

I know that if we used a limo, they have child seats we could use, but I was not sure about the cab situation.

Thanks