Never EVER been to Disney...taking our 9 year old. lots ???s

[raycin220]

My husband and I have never been to Disneyland/Disneyworld and we're planning on taking our son (9) in late January 2016. I've started checking out lots of books and reading lots of blogs, but the more I read the more confused and overwhelmed I get. Because of school scheduling and wanting a winter getaway we really want to go in January. I'm aware that there may be a few things closed for refurbishment and this will probably be the only time we make it to Disney (at least for a VERY long time) so I want to make sure its worth it. Are we going to miss out on parades, fireworks, fantasmic and other special shows in this off season time? Also only planning on going for 3 days as we have lots of other things we want to see. Will that be enough time? Any other tips are much appreciated! I've been dreaming of this trip since I was a kid and want to make it special, although we are on a rather tight budget! We're staying in Carlsbad and are actually thinking of driving up each day, crazy I know, but we want to be flexible and drive up on days we will know will be beautiful.

 

[Geemo]

Late January there will be several attractions closed for refurbishment.
Go to this thread and you'll be able to see what has been closed in past years.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/historical-dlr-park-hours-entertainment-and-refurbs.2291124/
Click on the month and you can scroll through the schedule for each park.
It will give you an idea of what to expect during the dates you plan to travel.

If you are interested in fireworks, plan a weekend day. During the off season fireworks and fantasmic generally are only on the weekends.

Geemo

 

[figment_jii]

The first question to ask is when in January will you be going? There is a big difference in terms of crowds, entertainment offerings, and operating hours in the first week or so of the month, compared to later in the month. If you go while the parks are still in HolidayTime mode, there will a lot more happening on a daily basis. Once HolidayTime ends, the operating hours are shorter, many of the nighttime entertainment is only offered on weekends, and there are more refurbishments.

So, if you are planning on going in January, you'll need to include a weekend (Fri to Sun) if you want to see fireworks and Fantasmic. At this point, we do not know if the new nighttime parade will be presented daily in the winter or not. WoC is generally nightly, unless it goes down for refurbishment. In general (which means it can change), HM goes down right after HolidayTime ends to have the holiday overlay removed. When it comes back up, IaSW usually goes down to have the holiday overlay removed.

 

[Angrose]

I see this is your first post, so welcome to the DIS! We took DS for his first visit when he was 5 and we went late Jan 2013. Even though a few key rides were down, I thought overall it was a great time to go. We were there the last 2 days in Jan, our park days were on a Thu and Fri. Mon-Thu hours will be short, 10am to 8pm, but Fri-Sun will be longer hours 8am to 11pm or midnight for DL. As PPs said above, fireworks and F! will only be showing Fri-Sun, but WOC will probably play every night. When we were there IASW, Grizzly, and Splash were down. It think that was it. We loved the low crowds! Seriously, on Thu I think the crowd index was like a 2 out of 10 and Fri was only like a 4 or something like that. Crowds picked up a little on Fri, but it was a breeze finding a spot for fireworks at the last minute. Oh, and the weather was perfect, mid-70s! Of course you never know what you'll get weather-wise, but SoCal is usually pretty nice year-round. Have fun planning!

 

[Hojoanaheim]

I love going in January! Yes, there may be some refurbishments happening and the parks may close earlier, but the crowds are a lot less. I love having breathing room. There will still be a lot to see even if there are refurbs happening, and I think that this year is going to be a little different compared to the past couple years because of it being Disneyland 60th Anniversary. There are quiet a bit of refurbs going on right now to get rides ready for the 60th, so there MIGHT not be as many going down in January (just my assumption). They are also adding a new firework show, a new parade, and a new World of Color; hopefully they have these going everyday. BUT if you want to for sure catch the fireworks and Fantasmic (and if fireworks are not cancelled due to weather) plan to come on a weekend.

Have fun planning!
Kriss

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I would go 5 days and make sure you have hoppers. If this is a once in a life time trip. Go all out and don't limit your self. I would also see about staying close to the park. There are a lot of hotels close by. Depending your price range, and what you want. From Hojo $ 99-150 I think., desert inn($70-100) and best western park place inn ($125 a night with the free best western rewards card). even a days inn ($ 70-120)not to far from the park.
I highly suggest that you get the pp+. I have to ask why Jan? would the Christmas season work at all for you? It is so beautiful at that time. Even if it is after Christmas.
There is so much to do and see. 3 days for a first visit just wouldn't cut it if you want to see even half of the parks.

 

[Imdboss]

For a once in a lifetime trip I would really try to go with a 5 day park hopper if possible. There is just so much to see and do between the two parks that with 3 you might feel like there was too much left undone. I would also consider staying closer. Why Carlsbad? Do you have friends/family you are staying with for free? My thought is that making that drive back and forth is going to be very tiresome especially after a very long and exhausting day at DL. By the time we leave the park each night we just want to go to sleep, last thing I would want is a long drive, plus you'll lose out on precious park time in the morning if you're tired from being up late driving! If you aren't too picky about your hotel you could use Priceline or something similar and place a bid, you might be surprised at how inexpensive you can get a room. Have fun planning your DL magic!

 

[Bubblegum1286]

My husband and I have never been to Disneyland/Disneyworld and we're planning on taking our son (9) in late January 2016. I've started checking out lots of books and reading lots of blogs, but the more I read the more confused and overwhelmed I get. Because of school scheduling and wanting a winter getaway we really want to go in January. I'm aware that there may be a few things closed for refurbishment and this will probably be the only time we make it to Disney (at least for a VERY long time) so I want to make sure its worth it. Are we going to miss out on parades, fireworks, fantasmic and other special shows in this off season time? Also only planning on going for 3 days as we have lots of other things we want to see. Will that be enough time? Any other tips are much appreciated! I've been dreaming of this trip since I was a kid and want to make it special, although we are on a rather tight budget! We're staying in Carlsbad and are actually thinking of driving up each day, crazy I know, but we want to be flexible and drive up on days we will know will be beautiful.

-January is a perfect time to go. Crowds will be low, wait times low, bring a jacket.
- Since you've never been, IF there are rides being worked on, you won't miss them. I know that sounds weird and backwards, but you won't know the potential fun you're missing out on if something is in refurbishment. See my profile pic? That's me and the hubby on our honeymoon in WDW in 2007. That's Splash Mountain in the background. It was down for the count, so we didn't get to ride it. HA! It was still a wonderful trip. (and we took a pic anyway)
-3 days is the recommended minimum amount of time to spend, so you picked well! Especially since you're going in the slow season, you'll find 3 days is perfect.
-Not sure how far Carlsbad is from Anaheim, but when we went in 2013, we stayed in Downey, CA and drove in. It can be done, and I don't think you're crazy. You can save on hotels that way. Just be prepared to pay for parking at DL. Last I looked, it was $17 for a day parking pass.
-Pick your must-dos and start there. You're going in the off season, so I have no doubt you'll get to enjoy everything you want to. Perhaps multiple times in some cases.
-Pin trading is something you might want to look into for your son. He might enjoy it. You can buy pins in bulk from Ebay and trade with cast members around the park. It's an engaging activity and a fun souvenir.
-Don't stress. Don't take the books and blogs too seriously. I've been to WDW twice, DL/CA twice, and NONE of those times were planned very well. This summer will be our third DL trip (we're like you- we don't get these trips too often) and it's the first time I'm really planning. But honestly, I have NOTHING but wonderful memories of those other trips, so it's not like if you don't kill yourself planning you'll hate your time. One unplanned day at Disneyland is still better than a day just about anywhere else.

Have a wonderful trip![/QUOTE]

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Also, from one budget mama to another- here are some good tips:

-Pressed pennies make GREAT inexpensive souvenirs. You pay $0.50 to press the penny, and then of course, the penny itself. Use shiny ones, as these produce better images. We're going to do this with our littlest ones (4 and 3 yrs old) since they aren't quite old enough to do the pin trading. The penny pressing machines are all over the parks with neat designs representing rides, parades, the 60th Diamond Anniversary Celebration, etc. You can frame these and hang them on the wall in a collection when you get home. Very affordable.

-Also, look for souvies on Ebay before you leave home. For instance, today, I bought my daughter a Minnie Mouse plush doll with a Disneyland authentic tag that a seller purchased in the park and sold online. Same doll would be $25-30 in the park. I paid $6.50 (shipping included.) I bought my son a Mickey Star Wars Jedi plush for $11 (plus $5 for shipping), so $16. I looked online and this same Star Wars Mickey plush (with Disneyland authentic tag) is around $30 in the parks. My plan is to have these guys waiting for them in the hotel before they get there (I'll get to the room while hubby/kids are unloading the car and tuck them into their hotel beds as a surprise).

-Character autographs are a wonderful souvenir for kids, and a way to engage in the parks. Tips: The spiral bound autograph books are easiest to maneuver in the parks when you're trying to flip to a free page if you happen to unexpectedly spot a favorite character. Use retractable sharpie pens. These are easier for the characters in their big costume hands to use, and there are no pen or marker caps to worry about. Every character writes their name in the way you'd "expect." So Winnie the Pooh writes his name "Pooh" similarly to the sign at Pooh Corner in the movie. Very sweet.

 

[LALA8971]

How exciting! We took my DS for the first time when he was 7 and it was a blast! My personal favorite ride, Splash Mountain, was being refurbished, so we weren't able to ride that. Like the PP said, what you haven't ridden before, you can't really miss, so my DS wasn't too disappointed. (we made sure to go on it 4 times during our next trip).
We are also very focused on our budget for our trips. One thing that has helped us a lot is to have a jar or vase in the house somewhere for loose change and singles. We add to it every week and that is my sons spending money for the trip (plus any birthday money he receives, etc.). Also, we normally start putting money on to Disney gift cards during the year leading up to the trip. $50 - $100 a month really adds up quickly.
I hope you have a blast!

 

[cagirl4life]

My husband and I have never been to Disneyland/Disneyworld and we're planning on taking our son (9) in late January 2016. I've started checking out lots of books and reading lots of blogs, but the more I read the more confused and overwhelmed I get. Because of school scheduling and wanting a winter getaway we really want to go in January. I'm aware that there may be a few things closed for refurbishment and this will probably be the only time we make it to Disney (at least for a VERY long time) so I want to make sure its worth it. Are we going to miss out on parades, fireworks, fantasmic and other special shows in this off season time? Also only planning on going for 3 days as we have lots of other things we want to see. Will that be enough time? Any other tips are much appreciated! I've been dreaming of this trip since I was a kid and want to make it special, although we are on a rather tight budget! We're staying in Carlsbad and are actually thinking of driving up each day, crazy I know, but we want to be flexible and drive up on days we will know will be beautiful.

Welcome!!

Don't get overwhelmed! Don't get too crazy about the planning. Tons of people do it with absolutely no planning. Go there with the plan of having fun. Look up a couple things (like 3 per day per person) that is must haves for you and everything else is bonus. If you don't stress too much about the planning it will be a lot more enjoyable. You cannot see everything no matter how many days you are there. Heck I have been probably over 50 times and I still haven't done everything.

That being said, make sure you are there on a weekend day because fireworks and fantasmic is only on the weekend during that time of year. I would not assume anything on the refurb list compared to normal with it being the 60th anniversary. I think 3 days is perfect to see most, but more is always great. Though there is a ton of other SoCal stuff to do that is great. I would also consider staying closer to the parks. There are a ton of hotels in all price ranges around the parks. Look for hotels in Anaheim, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Orange, and Buena Park. Those are all the cities surrounding the park and are at most like 20 minute drive. Carlsbad is going to be 1:30 drive, plus traffic when you are going to the parks. That time of year is gorgeous! There is the occasional rain but usually its in the 70s and sunny. The crowds are low during this time also which is really nice. If you get there early and head towards stuff in the back and you can feel like you basically have the park to yourself.

To keep your budget down. Consider either getting a hotel that has a breakfast or by breakfast foods to eat on your way to the park. Food is expensive in the parks. I personally only eat about one meal in the park and then snack the rest of the day. Look up souvenirs online and at places like a dollar store or walmart before to cut down that price. Get a pair (or two) of shoes that are comfortable and break them in because blisters and sore feet are no fun.