Looking for Advice on Visiting DL with Young Kids

[Aburns8]

We are thinking about taking our kids in 2018 to Disneyland. At the time they will be 6 and 4. I am looking for advice on what is the best time in the summer to go (June, July or August)? Best good neighbor hotel. Must do's with the kids (include restaurants). Other activities in the area they might enjoy. We are looking for staying a week, but only doing 4 days in the parks.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Do you plan to rent a car? Will you bring booster seats for the two kids (required by California Law, look at a portable one like Bubblebum and Mifold.)

If not, the LA Metro Route 460 can take you to Buena Park, home of Knott's Berry Farm and Camp Snoopy, two family dinner theaters, and hopefully the new Butterfly Palladium will be open. Plus the new Porto's Bakery.

www.visitbuenapark.com

Billy Bees at the Anaheim Garden Walk is a great place for a few hours with young kids. Walkable or you can use the ART system. (Public Transit is exempt from needing car seats.)

If you will have a car, a lot more choices I can give you.

As for a Good Hotel nearby, does it have to be walkable distance? What type of place are you looking for, a basic Motel, a limited Service Hotel that offers larger rooms and a free hot breakfast, etc. What is your price range?

As for when to come, I would pick the second half of August, some kids will head back to school, and the Rivers of America and Fantasmic! should be open.

 

[Aburns8]

I was thinking about the second half of August, thinking that kids will be back at school. We will probably rent a car since we might want to head down to San Diego for a day.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

I was thinking about the second half of August, thinking that kids will be back at school. We will probably rent a car since we might want to head down to San Diego for a day.

Second half of August works for crowds as many districts ARE back in school. But it's also the hottest time of the summer. Are you bringing a stroller? If you have one, I would suggest an inline tandem, as the 6 yo could get some rest, too. I don't recommend side-by-side double strollers, because they are hard to maneuver and obnoxious. A stroller can be a lifesaver (even with a 6 year old) to find a shady spot and let cranky kids nap awhile and not have to go all the way back to the resort.

My dining recommendation is: Do NOT miss Minnie's Breakfast at Plaza Inn. It was $32 for adults and $18 for children very recently. Worth every penny of it. 8 or more characters will rotate through the dining room and patio and interact with every single table.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, without a better description as what is important to you in regards to in a Hotel/Motel, such as walking distance versus a shuttle, very basic place like a Motel 6 or something nicer. Is a Free Breakfast important. How much do you want to spend.

Since you are planning to have a car, more things to do. I like the Balboa Pier area of Newport Beach for a beach day, and if you think your kids could handle it, a whale watching tour, they are offered year round, and you can find deals for $15 tickets by doing a google search.

http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/vacations/balboa-peninsula/#ppZQhjUVo7UXR2gY.97

I also like Long Beach for the Aquarium of the Pacific, maybe combine the day, start at the Aquarium (The Lorekeets are more hungry in the early hours)ad drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to the Balboa Peninsula.

www.visitlongbeach.com

Carlsbad is great, with LEGOLAND and other options. (North San Diego County).

www.visitcarlsbad.com

And of course, San Diego.

www.sandiego.org

The Santa Ana Zoo, the Discovery Cube Discovery Center and the Bowers Kidseum are also a short drive.

www.visittheoc.com

So let us know more about what what you are looking for a Hotel/Motel, so we can help with that.

 

[Geemo]

We are thinking about taking our kids in 2018 to Disneyland. At the time they will be 6 and 4. I am looking for advice on what is the best time in the summer to go (June, July or August)? Best good neighbor hotel. Must do's with the kids (include restaurants). Other activities in the area they might enjoy. We are looking for staying a week, but only doing 4 days in the parks.

Second half of August works for crowds as many districts ARE back in school. But it's also the hottest time of the summer. Are you bringing a stroller? If you have one, I would suggest an inline tandem, as the 6 yo could get some rest, too. I don't recommend side-by-side double strollers, because they are hard to maneuver and obnoxious. A stroller can be a lifesaver (even with a 6 year old) to find a shady spot and let cranky kids nap awhile and not have to go all the way back to the resort.

My dining recommendation is: Do NOT miss Minnie's Breakfast at Plaza Inn. It was $32 for adults and $18 for children very recently. Worth every penny of it. 8 or more characters will rotate through the dining room and patio and interact with every single table.

I have no experience with strollers but I agree with all of this info.
Plaza Inn Character Breakfast (CB) with Minnie and friends is fantastic for major character interaction. With the number of characters that have been know to roam around be sure to allow at LEAST 1.5 hours if you do this. When we stay on Harbor and have one Magic Morning (MM) we use our MM the first morning possible and book a reservation for Minnie's on the next MM/EE (Early Entry) at Disneyland. CB reservations begin 10minutes after scheduled opening on an MM/EE morning. So if MM/EE is 8am the first reservation will be 8:10am.

Since you are thinking of doing this trip in 2018. I suggest you begin looking at the trends of 2017 for the time frame you might be interested in.
You can review park hours and entertainment schedules.
Hotel rates are generally least expensive the farther out you make your reservations. See if the hotel of your preference has a break in rates for 5nights or more. While the Dessert Inn & Suites is usually least expensive the farther out you book, I do not recommend it if you are wanting a mid day pool break.

You can check out this thread..... http://www.disboards.com/threads/2017-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3528760/
It will give you info for 2017. I truly hope figment_jii continues to compile data for 2018 and on.

Geemo

 

[prestoncaldwell]

OK, without a better description as what is important to you in regards to in a Hotel/Motel, such as walking distance versus a shuttle, very basic place like a Motel 6 or something nicer. Is a Free Breakfast important. How much do you want to spend.

Since you are planning to have a car, more things to do. I like the Balboa Pier area of Newport Beach for a beach day, and if you think your kids could handle it, a whale watching tour, they are offered year round, and you can find deals for $15 tickets by doing a google search.

http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/vacations/balboa-peninsula/#ppZQhjUVo7UXR2gY.97

I also like Long Beach for the Aquarium of the Pacific, maybe combine the day, start at the Aquarium (The Lorekeets are more hungry in the early hours)ad drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to the Balboa Peninsula.

www.visitlongbeach.com

Carlsbad is great, with LEGOLAND and other options. (North San Diego County).

www.visitcarlsbad.com

And of course, San Diego.

www.sandiego.org

The Santa Ana Zoo, the Discovery Cube Discovery Center and the Bowers Kidseum are also a short drive.

www.visittheoc.com

So let us know more about what what you are looking for a Hotel/Motel, so we can help with that.

Also, check into San Diego Wild Animal Park just South of Escondido. It's what Animal Kingdom wants to be when it grows up.

 

[ehrawn]

Our kids are 8 & 6 and we've been taking them since they were 1 & 3. My general advice for everyone is to start as early in the day as possible, take a midday break, and then return for evening entertainment. 4 & 6 y/o's won't have the endurance of an adult, so you will need to take it easy on the pace, be more flexible with schedules/activities, and be better prepared for ill-timed emotional outbursts. A good neighbor hotel is great to support this. We actually go a step further and stay at a vacation rental. We live out of state and coordinate our DL trips with family, and our kid's can't handle back-to-back Park days so we take a day off in between. For both of those reasons, a house is preferred, even with the disadvantage of having to deal with parking on Park days (plus we save money on food and lodging).

In the Parks, do not rush your kids. Give them a rough framework so that you aren't running back and forth across the Parks, but let them lead. Don't freak out if they want to say hello to a character, but your plan has you riding an attraction. Watch your kids moods and preemptive. Have snacks and water at the ready, and leave for the hotel before they get over-tried. We also eat lunch and dinner outside of the Park to reduce stimulation- that may or may not be something your kids need.

Hope this helps and that you guys have fun.

 

[Aburns8]

Second half of August works for crowds as many districts ARE back in school. But it's also the hottest time of the summer. Are you bringing a stroller? If you have one, I would suggest an inline tandem, as the 6 yo could get some rest, too. I don't recommend side-by-side double strollers, because they are hard to maneuver and obnoxious. A stroller can be a lifesaver (even with a 6 year old) to find a shady spot and let cranky kids nap awhile and not have to go all the way back to the resort.

My dining recommendation is: Do NOT miss Minnie's Breakfast at Plaza Inn. It was $32 for adults and $18 for children very recently. Worth every penny of it. 8 or more characters will rotate through the dining room and patio and interact with every single table.

We will definitely do Minnie's breakfast then!

 

[Aburns8]

OK, without a better description as what is important to you in regards to in a Hotel/Motel, such as walking distance versus a shuttle, very basic place like a Motel 6 or something nicer. Is a Free Breakfast important. How much do you want to spend.

Since you are planning to have a car, more things to do. I like the Balboa Pier area of Newport Beach for a beach day, and if you think your kids could handle it, a whale watching tour, they are offered year round, and you can find deals for $15 tickets by doing a google search.

http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/vacations/balboa-peninsula/#ppZQhjUVo7UXR2gY.97

I also like Long Beach for the Aquarium of the Pacific, maybe combine the day, start at the Aquarium (The Lorekeets are more hungry in the early hours)ad drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to the Balboa Peninsula.

www.visitlongbeach.com

Carlsbad is great, with LEGOLAND and other options. (North San Diego County).

www.visitcarlsbad.com

And of course, San Diego.

www.sandiego.org

The Santa Ana Zoo, the Discovery Cube Discovery Center and the Bowers Kidseum are also a short drive.

www.visittheoc.com

So let us know more about what what you are looking for a Hotel/Motel, so we can help with that.

Thanks for all of the ideas.

For hotel something nice and clean since we will be sleeping there. It would be nice if it was within walking distance.

 

[Aburns8]

I have no experience with strollers but I agree with all of this info.
Plaza Inn Character Breakfast (CB) with Minnie and friends is fantastic for major character interaction. With the number of characters that have been know to roam around be sure to allow at LEAST 1.5 hours if you do this. When we stay on Harbor and have one Magic Morning (MM) we use our MM the first morning possible and book a reservation for Minnie's on the next MM/EE (Early Entry) at Disneyland. CB reservations begin 10minutes after scheduled opening on an MM/EE morning. So if MM/EE is 8am the first reservation will be 8:10am.

Since you are thinking of doing this trip in 2018. I suggest you begin looking at the trends of 2017 for the time frame you might be interested in.
You can review park hours and entertainment schedules.
Hotel rates are generally least expensive the farther out you make your reservations. See if the hotel of your preference has a break in rates for 5nights or more. While the Dessert Inn & Suites is usually least expensive the farther out you book, I do not recommend it if you are wanting a mid day pool break.

You can check out this thread..... http://www.disboards.com/threads/2017-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3528760/
It will give you info for 2017. I truly hope figment_jii continues to compile data for 2018 and on.

Geemo

Thanks for all of the info! That is why I am asking now, to get the best prices. I will review this year and then make reservations early!

 

[Geemo]

Thanks for all of the info! That is why I am asking now, to get the best prices. I will review this year and then make reservations early!

Once you have made reservations, don't stop looking at the rates. Many of us have found the dates might go even lower.
When this happens I call and ask for an adjustment on the current reservation. Be sure to know the hotel's policy for changes/cancellations.

Geemo

 

[azdisneylover]

Here are my humble suggestions for doing the parks with kids:
1) Bring and apply sunscreen . Make sure you have the stick kind to put into your purse, pocket, etc so you can reapply to faces. Sunscreen needs to be applied a couple of times throughout the day. It may feel as if it isn't that hot/warm, but the sun will dry you out and give you a burn if you aren't prepared.
2) Bring and apply lip balm with SPF in it. Same rules as above.
3) Bring water and/or water bottles to fill up in the parks. Do not wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Have water to sip on while you are having a good time in the parks. There are many places to purchase fruit in the parks too. A cold pineapple spear on a hot summer day is divine!
4) Bring small snacks to stave off hunger when waiting in lines.
5) Stick to any nap time/rest time schedules! This will keep the tantrums and meltdowns down. This includes adults! There isn't anything wrong with taking a quick nap in the afternoon, especially when you have been in the parks in the sun and/or swimming.
6) Make a list of everyone's must ride, see. do list and do one of each daily. This way, you make sure everyone does something they really want to do or try and no one should feel left out.
7) When you want to rest but do not want to go back to the hotel, grab a snack and sit down and watch the entertainment, like in Golden HorseshoeRevue. Or, go check out Toon Town, grab a Dole Whip and relax in the Tiki Room. In DCA, check out the Animation Academy Building. Learn to draw Mickey, or other characters, do Turtle Talk with Crush, or slip away into the Grand California Hotel and grab a bite to eat and relax outside to peak inside DCA! That is so relaxing. Whitwater Snacks is such a great little place to have a meal or a snack and relax. It is very calming inside, as well as outside.
8) Remember you are on vacation at THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH! Enjoy every little detail. Slow down and let yourself feel like a kid again and have fun! Be silly! This is the place to do it!