Need Advice! Trip 12/31 thru 1/4

[Solo]

We are planning our first trip to DL this week. I have two girls - 4 & 9. I need any advice you have have about the resort. We have been to DW in FL several times, but know nothing about DL. What can you tell me? What do I absolutely need to do/see? Can you see the New Year's Eve fireworks from the Disneyland Hotel or do we need to fight the crowds and go in the park? Where is the best place to buy tickets?

Thank you!

 

[casaazul]

Disneyland is much smaller, and much easier to see than WDW! We visited WDW last spring and were totally overwhelmed!

You can see the fireworks from many places. We have only seen them from insides the park, but you can probably see them from the hotel or Downtown Disney, they just won't be as fun without the music etc....

Get to the park early!!! Head right to Fantasyland and ride Dumbo, Peter Pan etc.... This place gets packed later in the day. Also use Fast Pass for any rides you can.

With small kids, make sure you take a break in the afternoon, go rest and play in the pool. Then go back to the parks later.

You may want to do a character meal at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, make reservations or try a character meal at Ariel's in Calif Adventure.

Visit Calif Adventure, there are many cool places for little kids. Make sure you see the Aladdin Show!

Visit www.disneyland.com and look at all the attractions. Also have you kids pick some things they are interested in!

 

[travelgirl06]

I love watching the fireworks from the patio at Paradise Pier hotel. It's near the pool, so if you follow signs to the pool you will find it. They pipe in the music and its usually not too crowded. It's not as good as inside the park, but its pretty good. You can also see the fireworks from DTD.

On a side note, I was at DTD for New Year's about 5 years ago, and I remember the fireworks being better at 9PM (EST New Years) then at midnight. Maybe I missed something, but just to give you the heads up, the main fireworks show may be better than the midnight fireworks...