Need tips for planning our first trip

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I've very excited to be taking our first trip to Disneyland. We are WDW vets and I usually put in a lot of hours planning our trips. DH has a business trip from 10/24-10/27 at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim. When we go to WDW we always stay on property. Would anyone recommend that we switch to one of the official Disney hotels after his conference is over? We plan on staying until 10/30 or 10/31. Also, how many days should we plan on spending at Disneyland. It will be me, DS12, and DH who will be in meetings during the day but available during the evenings for the first 3 days. Since we are from the East I don't see any more trips to Disneyland in the future and we want to really see and do all we can including probably the Halloween party.

Thanks for the help!

 

[szubieta]

I don't know if the Sheraton is a keeper. We usually stay on site and it keeps the magic going. Check out the Blue Bayou, it's in the Pirate's ride and if you get ADR for about 7:30 and only order dessert it's not to expensive. Also, when entering the DL park go through the left tunnel and look up to the firehouse second story window. The light in the window ment that Walt was in the park. It's on all the time now. If you love the world, you will love seeing where is all started and having both parks next to each other as well as DTD. I prefer our IASW more than the worlds. The outside is so different. If you get a chance check out the 3 resort hotels. Just remember it's very small compared to the world. Have a great time.

 

[IBLarsen]

Hi, I have not stayed onsite at any of the DL hotels. I have learned from this board, as well as from experience now, that many of the hotels off property are within easy walking distance and much cheaper. We have stayed at the Fairfield Inn a couple times now, and while it's nothing fancy, it's decent, clean, the rooms are large enough and the beds are comfy. A favorite on here is Hojo's. I'm sure others will chime in shortly with more feedback on that particular hotel. Anyways, we have little ones and have often walked back to our hotel across the street with them to rest and it's not a big deal. I haven't read too many posts here saying that staying on site is a must at DL... of course it's a nicety, but certainly not necessary, as there are so many other hotels within easy distance!

As far as how long it takes to do it all. We have 2 small kids as I said, so we go at a slower pace and take it easy, 4 days has been great for our family. We have been able to see and do everything within 4 days, at a reasonable pace and by getting to the gates at opening. We often get the most done in the first couple hours each day.

Hope this helps to get you started, and have a great trip!

 

[FlameGirl]

My dad grew up in Long Beach, so as a kid, we used to spend the day at DL a lot whenever we were in LA visiting family. But only just the day.

Then when I grew up and had my daughter, I took her to DL for the first time when she was 4. We spent a day and 1/2 and to me, that seemed extravagant since I'd never done more than a day. The next time we went, we spent 3 days at the park and then, that didn't seem like enough. This latest trip, we spent 4 full days in the park and we still left wanting more, so our trip planned for late this year we plan on spending 6 DAYS IN THE PARK.

I'm not sure how that happens...logically, you'd think we'd spend the same amount or less time with each visit, not more. I think they must slip something into the water.

 

[kerickson]

We love staying on property but my husband is a Platinum Sheraton member so we supplement with stays at the Sheraton Park when needed. It's a very nice hotel with a great view of the fireworks (if you can get a park view) and a nice pool/spa area. It's an easy ride to the park on the ART transit. It's probably close enough to walk, but ART is so easy that we've never tried. It's the first pick up (which means empty bus) and the 1st drop off (which means short ride home from a long day in the park). The ART stop is on hotel property just past the drop off turnaround. You can purchase single or multi day passes for about $4 I think...