I'm going to Disneyland!

[todd222222]

Well it's been 13 years since my last trip to Disneyland and I can't wait to get back there and show it off to my new family.

This will be the first trip for my wife, mother in law and my two girls (8 and 9).

As of right now we are flying into Orange County on 6/15 and leaving via LAX on 6/22.

We plan to say at the Anaheim Desert Inn & Suites for the entire stay. I plan to do 3 full days in the parks plus a could of other partial days. We plan to see Hollywood, Long Beach (para sail and maybe a whale cruise and the queen mary) and who knows what else we can cram in.

I know with the opening of Cars Land it's going to be a crazy time at the resort, but these dates just worked best with our other summer plans.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this, except I'm really excited and wanted to share with folks who understand.

 

[Huff]

DLR has certainly changed considerably since your last visit. That huge parking lot that stretched from the Disneyland gates to Katella rd on the south and Disneyland Hotel to the west is now California Adventure and Downtown Disney.

Three full days is generally enough to see most major attractions and shows but getting their early and staying late maybe necessary with the expected large crowds. Good planning and FP use is essential!

Hollywood itself has very little to see. Chinese Theater and Disney's Soda Fountain next door are fun. Universal Studios is tons of fun but your girls maybe a bit young to enjoy it enough.

We've been on whale watching tours from Dana Point. Their website often has 2 for 1 specials making it very affordable. Better deal than the closer Newport tours.

If you have the time it might be worthwhile to spend a couple nights in San Diego and visit Seaworld and the Zoo.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Post all you want- I think we all know what it's like to be excited around here

Huff gave you some good tips. Have fun, be prepared for hot days and crowds...but also for an unbelievably wonderful vacation! As everyone will tell you, make sure to get there about 15 minutes before park opening as you can get soooo much done during those first two hours in the park (more than you can probably get done in your whole day!).

 

[azdisneylover]

Woohoo,
You are going to Disneyland! We here on the boards understand your excitement and share in it with you! We are happy to hear and help you with your planning too.
I hope you take lots of pictures and make a trip report too. We love to hear about your hotel too!
I would check out allears.net for the menus and prices for places you might want to eat at. This will help plan out a budget.
Happy planning!

 

[todd222222]

so just how busy is it going to be? Touring Plans.com goes it 5s and 6s all week....I know what to expect at WDW with this level, is it the same at DLR?

Plus they gave Saturday 6/16 a 4, I'm guessing it's less busy because some of the Annual Passes are blacked out. I've always heard that Saturdays and Sunday are more busy then the rest of the week because of the locals.

Thoughts on this?

I think going to Hollywood will a short visit, just to see the Theater and the walk of fame, more of a "I was there" then anything else for my kids. We will probably do the griffith observatory as well as I remember doing it as a kid and then watching movies for years and saying "I was there". I guess I'm big into "I was there".

 

[Huff]

Early to mid June is generally moderate crowds. Touringplans while accurate for WDW is new for DLR and maynot be a good predictor. The unknown factor for your trip is the rumor of June 15th being the day Carsland opens. That could make very high crowds at California Adventure although some feel attractions outside Carsland may see lighter crowds.

A 5/6 crowd day at DLR is generally light mornings, light to moderate afternoons and high crowds for Disneyland fireworks and Fantasmic as well as WOC. Major attraction wait times mid afternoons should peak around 30-60 minutes but only for a few hours, otherwise 15-30 mins.

 

[todd222222]

Thanks Huff - Sounds prefect!