Help!!

[An2net]

Hi All,

We're from Sydney & Hubby has been 'sent' to LA for work in May 2010 and suggested we (myself and my 4 y/o and 2y/o) meet him there after his conference ends on the 23rd. We have decided to spend about 4 days in Disneyland, then fly to N.Y for maybe 3 days. Firstly, I am totally dreading the prospect of having to entertain two kidlets for 14 hours on a plane and feel very sorry for the people sitting near us. Secondly, I need to plan this in a rush and have no idea where to start. Wondering if any of you lovely people who have been to Disneyland could give me a few pointers? I've visited so many sites and am really confused. So many offers and specials going on. And what is the entertainment book that I've seen mentioned? Is it worth it? Are there any 'guides' I could purchase to help with the Disneyland trip?

Really looking forward to some direction...


thx in advance

An2net

 

[Kalice]

Hi,

I don't envy you 14 hours by yourself with two little ones, my two year old loved the seatback entertainment system it had a good selection of ABC type programs. This combined with a 'water paint' book, some textas etc seemed to work. Make sure you request childrens meals, the kids then get the meals earlier which enables you to help them with their food before your meal arrives.

Disneyland was the highlight (for me!) of our last trip.

We went to Disneyland for our first trip in December, we didn't have a guide book and were fine. Although, I did read all the tips on the Disneyland forum. You will find child swap valuable if you want to ride the faster rides, as your two year old will not be able to ride them. Surprisingly though she was permitted on loads of rides.

In Anaheim we stayed at Howard Johnsons (HOJO's) which is the entertainment rate that you read about. They accept any entertainment card, we actually were never asked for ours. We used execucar for our transfer which was great and cheaper than the shuttle would of been.

We stayed 8 nights in New York and felt we barely scratched the surface, so much to see and do.

 

[disneymum2201]

We have stayed once in the disney hotel and twice at the Camelot Inn and suites which is closer than Howard Johnson to the main gate. Actually the Camelot Inn was closer than the Disney Hotel also.
Our first trip DS was 3.

We found our portable stroller really handy for the parks/Saved having to hire one and meant we could use it to transport to and from our hotel.

We often came back after lunch to have a rest and then went back for parades and fireworks.

On the flight I would be inclined to request a window section with the three seats. That way you can sit on the ailse and keep the kids contained in the two seats closest to the window. Air stewards were helpful and provided childrens meals (we requested these on booking) and little packs to help keep the kids entertained.

When we travel through LAX we find that the customs often come and rescue us from the Alien line and put us through a shorter line to save the kids having to wait too long.

You will have a great time.

 

[disneymum2201]

Our favourite character meal is at Plaza Inn. They have lots of characters Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Fairy Godmother, Chip and Dale, Captain Hook, Genie and Gepeto. Kids love the mickey mouse waffles.

 

[An2net]

Thx kalice...seems like you know where I'm coming from with the whole 'travelling with kids' thing...great idea regarding the water colour books! And thanks Disneymum...window seat sounds good - hope we can get them.

have been reading all the info on this site and feeling a little better about it all.....it's just so overwhelming.

talk soon, I'm sure!

An2net

 

[kylieh]

How many days is the conference? Are you able to fly over with him and stay at the hotel/pool around the local area, what's managable with little ones, for those days?

 

[DizOz]

Hi All,

We're from Sydney & Hubby has been 'sent' to LA for work in May 2010 and suggested we (myself and my 4 y/o and 2y/o) meet him there after his conference ends on the 23rd. We have decided to spend about 4 days in Disneyland, then fly to N.Y for maybe 3 days. Firstly, I am totally dreading the prospect of having to entertain two kidlets for 14 hours on a plane and feel very sorry for the people sitting near us. Secondly, I need to plan this in a rush and have no idea where to start. Wondering if any of you lovely people who have been to Disneyland could give me a few pointers? I've visited so many sites and am really confused. So many offers and specials going on. And what is the entertainment book that I've seen mentioned? Is it worth it? Are there any 'guides' I could purchase to help with the Disneyland trip?

Really looking forward to some direction...


thx in advance

An2net

Just some suggestions from one who has travelled the same route as you with 2 DD aged 5 and 8 at the time.

First thing was we satyed at GCH just for the proximity to everything and the hotel was superb but a bit pricey. Big advantage to us was I wanted to keep the kids on the go after landing at 7.30am. By the time we hit the hotel we dropped the bags and headed straight into CA through the back door at GCH. Park wasn't open yet but we could ride Soarin with no queues at all.

That night walked out the other back door and we were in the heart of DTD. Great restaurants especially Ralph Brennan's. Gotta have the Banana's Foster desert. GCH also has the best restaurant in the area Nappa Rose.

The book you may be thinking of is the Unofficial Guide or Berbaums. I have both for DL and WDW and UG is by far much better as it gives you unbiased views of their readers whereas Birbaum is asale brochure almost from Disney. UG will review all hotels and restaurant in the area. It also gives you ride information including recommended times to ride. IF you are planning freak it also gives you a Tour Plan of the parks to reduce your wait times.

 

[An2net]

Hi again,

KylieH - his conference is over in Chicago...Grand Rapids????? Someplace like that - and apparently there is nothing to do there. The conference is for 4 days so am not really fussed on being on my own for 4 days with the kids in a foreign place!!!

Thx again for the suggestions guys - am noting them all down!!!

An2net

 

[queenie82]

Just some suggestions from one who has travelled the same route as you with 2 DD aged 5 and 8 at the time.

First thing was we satyed at GCH just for the proximity to everything and the hotel was superb but a bit pricey. Big advantage to us was I wanted to keep the kids on the go after landing at 7.30am. By the time we hit the hotel we dropped the bags and headed straight into CA through the back door at GCH. Park wasn't open yet but we could ride Soarin with no queues at all.

That night walked out the other back door and we were in the heart of DTD. Great restaurants especially Ralph Brennan's. Gotta have the Banana's Foster desert. GCH also has the best restaurant in the area Nappa Rose.

The book you may be thinking of is the Unofficial Guide or Berbaums. I have both for DL and WDW and UG is by far much better as it gives you unbiased views of their readers whereas Birbaum is asale brochure almost from Disney. UG will review all hotels and restaurant in the area. It also gives you ride information including recommended times to ride. IF you are planning freak it also gives you a Tour Plan of the parks to reduce your wait times.

I dont' have kids so I can't give that perspective but everything DizOz has said I completely agree with.
The Unofficial Guide is by far the best information
We stayed at the Grand Californian Villas (attached to the hotel) and it is the best location on property and absolutely beautiful.

As for the conference location?
Grand Rapids is in Michigan and Chicago is in Illinois. I'm assuming he must be flying into Chicago?
If he is going to Chicago that is a beautiful city with much to do. (I'm dying to go there)
As for Grand Rapids it is also beautiful and is a "outdoor getaway" loaction
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Getaways-g35805-Chicago_Illinois.html
http://www.visitgrandrapids.org/visit.php

I'm not saying you need to go there but just so you can be fully informed

 

[An2net]

Sorry - another quick question....My 4y/o is obsessed with the Disney Pixar CARS movie. I believe that this attraction is only in Florida? Is this correct? Are there any CARS associated attractions in California?

cheers

An2net

 

[aussiegirls]

Welcome An2net. You will loooooove Disneyland. I agree with kylieh, could you not go over with your DH? If he is going to Chicago (or Michigan) he will probably have to transfer at LAX.

So when you all get to LAX you and the kids can head over to Anaheim and he can catch his connecting flight. Then after 4 days he can just meet you in Anaheim.

If you spend a total of 8 days at Disney (4 on your own and 4 with DH) you will still not run out of things to do and places to go. We spent 9 days there (not all day every single day) and still did not do everything that we wanted to do.

Also, if you stay at the Hojo their kids water area is very cool and your kids will love it.

Good luck with it all!!!!

ETA : I don't think there are any Cars related rides as such. There is Lightning McQueen and Mater there and you can have your picture taken with them but I don't think any rides.

xxxx

 

[An2net]

hi Aussiegirls - thx for the welcome. Yes - we have considered flying over altogether and then splitting up but it comes down to our budget...really can't afford to spend that much time in Disneyland - as we still have to budget for flying over to NY and seeing family (not to mention NY City!!). Am finding this site very helpful though - so I'll keep plodding along...

thx all

 

[DizOz]

Sorry - another quick question....My 4y/o is obsessed with the Disney Pixar CARS movie. I believe that this attraction is only in Florida? Is this correct? Are there any CARS associated attractions in California?

cheers

An2net

An2net

The cars attraction is being developed at CA in LA but will not be ready until 2011/12. There is a whole section being developed for the Cars movie.

Currently there is no attraction at WDW that relates to Cars that i can remember.

 

[queenie82]

Originally Posted by An2net
Sorry - another quick question....My 4y/o is obsessed with the Disney Pixar CARS movie. I believe that this attraction is only in Florida? Is this correct? Are there any CARS associated attractions in California?

cheers

An2net

The cars attraction is being developed at CA in LA but will not be ready until 2011/12. There is a whole section being developed for the Cars movie.

Currently there is no attraction at WDW that relates to Cars that i can remember.

Paris is the only park currently with a cars attraction. It is like the teacups only mini car vehicles. As said above Cars land is being built in DCA.

 

[An2net]

oh poo. On the bright side - we'll just have to go back again!!!

thx girls.

 

[StephAus]

Just agreeing with much of what was said here!
I stayed at Hojo's and loved it, but with 2 little ones the walk back to the hotel after being at the park all day may get a bit much.
I also used the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland book, very helpful in planning & lots of info.
If you are there when Aladdin is on at DCA, DO NOT MISS IT! Seriously, it is the equivalent to a Broadway show, and is included with your addmission.
Good luck with your planning & stay on the boards, there is a ton of info here!

 

[queenie82]

Just agreeing with much of what was said here!
I stayed at Hojo's and loved it, but with 2 little ones the walk back to the hotel after being at the park all day may get a bit much.
I also used the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland book, very helpful in planning & lots of info.
If you are there when Aladdin is on at DCA, DO NOT MISS IT! Seriously, it is the equivalent to a Broadway show, and is included with your addmission.
Good luck with your planning & stay on the boards, there is a ton of info here!

Sorry...I don't mean to keep posting but just some extra info on that topic.
Aladdin will have its final show on August 15th 2010. It is an amazing show that you must not miss. I'm going to miss it dearly

But a word of advice. Try and get there early enough to be in the orchestra section. Animals etc move through the audience. Mezzanine is also good to see the show and is the best way to see the magic carpet (but this is only 3mins of the show...so...it is better left to if you have time for a second showing)

Mainly.... do NOT end up all the way up the top in the balcony. You can see much of the stuff you shouldn't see that is going on backstage from that height which really kills the magic for kids. It was very cool for us having seen it multiple times but the kids around us weren't getting the magical feeling they should have been.

 

[PrincessInOz]

We've stayed at the Candy Cane Inn in 2005 and at the Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate in 2007. CCI was great in that it had its own free bus to the park entrance, very prompt, every 30 minutes. Continental breakfast included in the rate. RI was great. We had a 1 bedroom suite, 2 beds in the bedroom, and a separate living room with full kitchen. With young kids, having the extra space is great so that if they are sleeping or need a rest in the arvo, you have somewhere else to go to without disturbing them. RI included full cooked breakfast buffet. Incredibly busy at peak time - but it was FREE. You can catch the Anaheim (un)Rapid Transport bus from RI to the park if the kids can't do the 10 - 15 minute walk. It's also close to Garden Grove, where Bubba Gumps and Cheesecake Factory is, plus shops.
I haven't done character dining in DL but have done this in WDW. They are a lot of fun.
No Cars in DL - just a static display of Cars outside Soarin' in Calif Adventure. Take the kids to the Bugs Life section in Calif Adventure. The rides here might be more suited for your kids age group.
Enjoy Disneyland! I've worked out that it doesn't matter how much you plan - you end up going with the flow when you walk in through the gates.

My son also loves Legoland, near Carlsbad. It's about 1 - 1.5 hours away from Anaheim and the park isn't anywhere near as hectic as DL. Lots of things for kids to do at Legoland and the rides are a LOT tamer.

We've bought discounted tickets from the Cleaver Brothers, on South Harbour Boulevard at least twice. If you decide to go to Legoland, check them out. They also sell discounted Disney tickets (obviously the longer the ticket, the deeper the discount).

 

[Kalice]

I'm pretty sure there were some Cars opposite soaring, good for photos!

 

[darren123]

Sorry - another quick question....My 4y/o is obsessed with the Disney Pixar CARS movie. I believe that this attraction is only in Florida? Is this correct? Are there any CARS associated attractions in California?

cheers

An2net

Carlands is opening in 2012 they are building it right now yes Tow Mater and Lightin McQueen are in the garage near soaring.