MIL's Surprise 70th Birthday HELP

[Momof5minnies]

We live about 6 hours from Disneyland. I've got traveling from here to there down to a science. But my SIL (Not a DL aficionado) wants to plan a surprise DL/family reunion in March. That means she is looking to me to tell her how to plan this....insert wide eyes here... Okay! No problem, right? We have done large trips with friends before but they are also California residents. I don't know anything about flying to Disneyland. Here are some of my questions for anyone who might take the time to help me out. <3

East Coast to West coast traveling questions

1. Best airport to fly in to? Why?
2. How to get from the airport to Harbor? Family will be staying at one of the hotels across the street.
3. Is there a better "across the street" hotel to stay out for transportation back and forth to the airport?
4. Is there a better time to come in and leave at for the transportation?
5. Any tips on traveling from Florida to Califronia?

Second set of questions this pertains to different abled family member's
1.My MIL isn't very mobile she want to bring her little scooter she uses at home. My question is will this thing have enough battery to be in the park all day? Would it be better to rent one?
3. If I need to rent her one any suggestions of where to go and how does that work?
2. Another family member with different abilities is a WDW lover/regular. Is WDW accommodations and system for different abled people the same for both parks? So that they would be able to navigate it for themselves or do I need to educate myself to be able to better help them?

 

[Geemo]

We live about 6 hours from Disneyland. I've got traveling from here to there down to a science. But my SIL (Not a DL aficionado) wants to plan a surprise DL/family reunion in March. That means she is looking to me to tell her how to plan this....insert wide eyes here... Okay! No problem, right? We have done large trips with friends before but they are also California residents. I don't know anything about flying to Disneyland. Here are some of my questions for anyone who might take the time to help me out. <3

East Coast to West coast traveling questions

1. Best airport to fly in to? Why?
2. How to get from the airport to Harbor? Family will be staying at one of the hotels across the street.
3. Is there a better "across the street" hotel to stay out for transportation back and forth to the airport?
4. Is there a better time to come in and leave at for the transportation?
5. Any tips on traveling from Florida to Califronia?

Second set of questions this pertains to different abled family member's
1.My MIL isn't very mobile she want to bring her little scooter she uses at home. My question is will this thing have enough battery to be in the park all day? Would it be better to rent one?
3. If I need to rent her one any suggestions of where to go and how does that work?
2. Another family member with different abilities is a WDW lover/regular. Is WDW accommodations and system for different abled people the same for both parks? So that they would be able to navigate it for themselves or do I need to educate myself to be able to better help them?

1. Best airport to fly in to? Why?
Most people feel Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) is the best.
It is small and easy to maneuver.

2. How to get from the airport to Harbor?
It is about 15miles from DLR and transportation to Harbor is around 20 to 30 minutes.
There are car services, Uber, Lyft and Yellow cab. I usually go with Yellow cab because they are right there and no waiting.

3. Is there a better "across the street" hotel to stay out for transportation back and forth to the airport?
As far as which hotel to stay at on Harbor.... I like the ones right at the cross walk to the entrance of the parks.



4. Is there a better time to come in and leave at for the transportation?
Try to avoid the work rush traffic travel times. If you can't it's not that much of a problem because SNA is so close.
5. Any tips on traveling from Florida to Califronia?
No help for you here. I fly from Portland, Oregon.
SET TWO QUESTIONS
1.My MIL isn't very mobile she want to bring her little scooter she uses at home. My question is will this thing have enough battery to be in the park all day? Would it be better to rent one?
I would suggest NOT bring her scooter. The airlines can be a little rough with peoples precious belongings. I wouldn't risk it. There are many scooter rentals available for those going to DL.
3. If I need to rent her one any suggestions of where to go and how does that work? I prefer to rent from Select Scooter. They are located right in the lobby of the Best Western Park Place Inn right at the cross walk. Plus they deliver to most locations.
2. Another family member with different abilities is a WDW lover/regular. Is WDW accommodations and system for different abled people the same for both parks? So that they would be able to navigate it for themselves or do I need to educate myself to be able to better help them?
I do not use the DAS program.
I use a scooter due to not being able to walk the parks from open to close. In DCA the ques are fine for scooter users. In DL there are some rides I use the scooter through the exit to access the ride. Using a scooter in both parks is and easy thing to do. I especially appreciate the scooter to get back to the hotel at the end of the day. I remember how the trek back each night felt. While using a scooter is a little difficult as the mass crowd is exiting, I just go slow and take it easy.

The only other tip I have is book the hotel early for the best rates. Many of them have 2023 March reservations open now. The rates will only go up as time passes.

Enjoy the birthday time with everyone next March

 

[Louis63]

If it's an option I prefer Long Beach (LGB) over SNA, it's a smaller airport and car services are easier to access. I agree with the previous poster about where to stay, anywhere across Harbor is good