I think I've forgotton the Magic of DL!

[Meemoo]

I remember, my last trip to DL California (almost 10 years ago) is something that changed my life. I suddenly loved Mickey, Walt Disney, and appreciated all things Disney for that matter from then on. I was pregnant on that trip, and as I shopped for baby pressies for my daughter I just couldn't wait for the day to return with my kids. But now, I am booking my hotel for next years stay, first stay as a whole family with kids to California Disneyland, and I find myself thinking, have I booked too many nights? Surely 9 nights is too much, we will be over it far before then? Someone enlighten me, tell me 9 nights is not enough! I think the pixie dust has started to wear off and I am forgetting why I use to want to live at DL, it will be like that when I get there again wont it?!!

 

[jevs]

It will be a different experience as you'll be experiencing it via your kids. I think you'll find it more enjoyable just taking in the reactions of your kiddos

We had 10 days in DL, but not from opening to closing. It was nice to have that flexibility of wandering over when it suited and having a rest at lunchtime back at the hotel. Don't know how I'll cope at WDW to be honest having to stay at the parks.

 

[zanzibar138]

9 days is definitely not too long!

It was nice to have that flexibility of wandering over when it suited and having a rest at lunchtime back at the hotel.

Exactly this. With so many days for DLR, we didn't feel like we had to be at rope drop every morning. We were happy to schedule a few nice sit down meals. We didn't mind leaving early if we were tired. We didn't feel like we were missing out on anything when staking out spots for the various shows and parades. It's a MUCH more relaxed way of doing it.

Just be sure you stay within a short walk so that it's easy to just wander over when you feel like it, head back for a break etc

 

[Meemoo]

All that makes perfect sense, and I was forgetting about the sit down meals and how that would effect time. One of the days we will visit Universal Studios too. Do you know if you book for Minnie's Breakfast in the Park, do you need to wait until the park opens to get in or can you access the restaurant before DL opens?

9 days is definitely not too long!



Exactly this. With so many days for DLR, we didn't feel like we had to be at rope drop every morning. We were happy to schedule a few nice sit down meals. We didn't mind leaving early if we were tired. We didn't feel like we were missing out on anything when staking out spots for the various shows and parades. It's a MUCH more relaxed way of doing it.

Just be sure you stay within a short walk so that it's easy to just wander over when you feel like it, head back for a break etc

 

[zanzibar138]

All that makes perfect sense, and I was forgetting about the sit down meals and how that would effect time. One of the days we will visit Universal Studios too. Do you know if you book for Minnie's Breakfast in the Park, do you need to wait until the park opens to get in or can you access the restaurant before DL opens?

When we did Minnie's, it was an early entry day (but we didn't need to use our MM to get in). We made ressies for the first breakfast time, which was 7:40am. The park opened at 8am. It was great! We were escorted down Main Street and past the rope drop by a CM. We were discouraged from hanging around too long outside, but I'm sure we could have snuck a photo of the castle if we wanted to. We were having a great time with all the characters, and ended up being there for nearly 2 hours (but only lost 45 minutes of park time)! I'm not sure what time they open on non early entry days, but I don't think it's possible to be in and out before park opening.

 

[Meemoo]

When we did Minnie's, it was an early entry day (but we didn't need to use our MM to get in). We made ressies for the first breakfast time, which was 7:40am. The park opened at 8am. It was great! We were escorted down Main Street and past the rope drop by a CM. We were discouraged from hanging around too long outside, but I'm sure we could have snuck a photo of the castle if we wanted to. We were having a great time with all the characters, and ended up being there for nearly 2 hours (but only lost 45 minutes of park time)! I'm not sure what time they open on non early entry days, but I don't think it's possible to be in and out before park opening.

That sounds like a good option for sure, I just wondered if they opened when the park did or a little earlier since it is breakfast. I just read about the Photo Pass Plus too which sounds great. I never thought I'd purchase one because we have a pretty good camera but since I read that you get the meal photos and the ride photos, plus the cute little magic shots it sealed the deal. I am wondering if you can use the same pass for example for WDW & DL combined or at Aulani.

 

[zanzibar138]

I just read about the Photo Pass Plus too which sounds great. I never thought I'd purchase one because we have a pretty good camera but since I read that you get the meal photos and the ride photos, plus the cute little magic shots it sealed the deal. I am wondering if you can use the same pass for example for WDW & DL combined or at Aulani.

Unfortunately the PP packages are only good at DLR. WDW now has a new version called Magic Memories or something. I imagine at Aulani if you do the character meal, you can probably purchase a photo package, but I don't think they'd have PP photographers as such like the theme parks. I agree, it's silly that you can't get a combined one, but I guess not many people (in the scheme of visitors to Disney theme parks in the US) go to both in one trip. The PP card is only valid for 14 days, and the photos are available online for 30 days from the date they were taken.

Fortunately, if you're planning to do a couple of character meals, and get a few ride photos, AND especially if you're there for a week or more, the PP+ package is very good value

There is a whole PP superthread over on the Disneyland forum which might you might be interested in having a skim through.

 

[Meemoo]

Aulani do has PP pass, the take photos at numerous places around the resort. Once while we were in the water at the we were surprised when a staff member popped up in the water with a go-pro to take photos in there! It is a shame they can't be combined but with a 14 day limit I would have been stretching it. I think we can manage our own at Aulani, but with the ride photos at DL, its a great option. I'll take a peak at the PP thread, thank you

 

[zanzibar138]

Aulani do has PP pass, the take photos at numerous places around the resort. Once while we were in the water at the we were surprised when a staff member popped up in the water with a go-pro to take photos in there! It is a shame they can't be combined but with a 14 day limit I would have been stretching it. I think we can manage our own at Aulani, but with the ride photos at DL, its a great option. I'll take a peak at the PP thread, thank you

Wow I never would have guessed that Aulani did PP. It makes sense though - something else to make money from

 

[Meemoo]

Wow I never would have guessed that Aulani did PP. It makes sense though - something else to make money from

Naturally!

 

[BecBennett]

Just be sure you stay within a short walk so that it's easy to just wander over when you feel like it, head back for a break etc

Seconding this. Don't feel like to you have to be there all day, and just wander back and forth when you feel like it. There's also shopping days, site seeing days, pool days, etc. There will be plenty to occupy your time.

 

[jacs1234]

9 days is not enough at disneyland. lol We spent 14 days there last time. Not enough. We could have stayed an extra week easily. The photo pass plus is great value and I think it's worth buying. It's fun to get those splash mountain and radiator springs racer pics.

 

[jacs1234]

The magic will come back to you. When you see your kids faces light up on the carousel or dumbo, when you see them giving Mickey a great big hug and scratching pluto behind the ears. The disney magic will hit you in the face like a big yummy chocolate cream pie.