Need DL vacation Help

[Sharilm]

Hi everyone, I need some help from some seasoned DL visitors. My family is planning a 1-day (possibly 2) trip to DL at the end of Sept. We have been there one time before about 7 years ago. We have a 9 year old and a 3 year old. Now my questions are, where is a really cheap but decent place to stay, since we will be heading out for another destination after this I need to save as much money as I possibly can. Also how can I save as much money as possible, where can I get discounts, best places to eat, what are the best rides and attractions and all the inside information. Thanks a bunch in advance for all your time.

 

[daannzzz]

Check the prices on either of the Super * motels near Disneyland.
One is on Katella and one is on Disneyland Dr. I have not stayed at either one but have heard they are fine. No frills though. I have stayed at many other Super 8 motels and they were all decent.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I'll ditto the Super 8 comment (or the Super *..) Ive stayed at the Katella one dozens of times and while its not the grandest its always been clean and well worth it (free doughnuts!) Its about a block and a half from the main entrance so decent walking distance

For a bit more "classy" the Carousel Inn and the Castle Inn also have gotten decent reviews but I can't vouch for them personally

-em

 

[daannzzz]

""I'll ditto the Super 8 comment (or the Super *..)"
Hey. Leave me alone or I'll send you a copy of Chicago instead!

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

There's a Best Western on the Corner of Ball Rd. and Harbor...many of the rooms have views on the backside of Small World, Matterhorn and the monorail... We've stayed there a few times. Very rea$onable.

As for attractions: My kids are the same age as yours and here are their favirites (in descending order)...

9 Year Old Boy (Kevin2):
Star Tours
Splash Mountain
California Screamin (DCA)
Matterhorn
Pirates
Thunder Mountain
Indiana Jones
Peter Pan
Teacups
Autopia
Soarin' (DCA)

3 Year Old Boy (Lukas):
Star Tours
Astro Orbiter
Yo-ho (Pirates)
Tower of Terror (DCA)
Matterhorn
Splash Mountain
Thunder Mountain
Peter Pan

My Wife's Favorite (Kim):
Splash Mountain

My Favorites:
Indiana Jones (hands-down...the COOLEST ride ever....)
Pirates...the most immersive ride ever imagineered!

 

[Sharilm]

SomeSayImGoofy,

What do you and your family do when the older ones, meaning you, your wife and Kevin2 want to go on a ride that the Lukas cannot due to the height restrictions? I am wondering what options are open for that possibility. The whole point of us going to Disney is to do it as a family.

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

Lukas is about 41" tall, so there are only a few rides that he CAN'T ride... (Indiana Jones, Maliboomer...).

The great thing about Disneyland is that there are soooo many rides that are height appropriate for little ones (not so with DCA, unfortunately)...

As a matter of fact, Lukas loved ToT, but kevin2 won't go near it!

Before Lukas was tall enough for Splash Mtn (for example) He and Kim would stand in line to see Pooh, go to the Pooh shop or ride the Pooh ride (all very close to Splash Mt.... while K2 and I got wet! Be sure to get FastPasses for this ride first ting in the morning, as they do run out usually by 1 or 2PM. With a FP, you're on and off in 20 mins or less...w/o it's 120 minutes sometimes!

There are lots of options like this one for the whole park...

Also...not sure if everyone here knows this, but the Fastpass machines at DL are NOT all linked together...so it is possible to hold FPs for several rides at once. One time, when we were there with a large group of people, I was in charge of running around collecting the FPs, and I had a stack 3" thick in my pocket! No kidding. It never hurts to try the FP machine. You'll be surprised! I can go further into detail later if you like, but I'm at work and supposed to be ummmmmmm..... working.



See ya,

Kevin

 

[Sharilm]

Yes, please go into more detail. Do the FP cost anything? But please do it when you are able to and not supposed to be working. Thank you!!!

 

[Lyn-CA]

Hi,

I'm headed to Disneyland too about 10 days before you. Fastpass is free and one of the greatest things since sliced bread. The imagineer who came up with this is a GENIUS. If you do a search on these boards, there should be more thorough explanations of how fastpass works.

 

[daannzzz]

At Disneyland be aware that FastPass is going through some changes. They are removing (or have removed) FastPass from Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Winnie the Pooh and a couple others. If it is not a busy day at the park some of the bigger attractions with FastPass may not open their Fastpass for the day.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

>>Hey. Leave me alone or I'll send you a copy of Chicago instead! <<


Okay I'll be good and noooo not Chicago

-em