New here and have LOTS of questions

[TheMrsS]

Hi everyone,
I have been lurking on the board for the last couple days trying to absorb some information.

My DS and I are planning our first adult/family Disneyland vaca for May 2011. We are bringing our 2 boys who will then be 7 and 5 and my father. We are still in the early planning stages, but don't have anything very concrete yet. If I have my way I would like to just go to DL and do a 5 day park hopper so, we can have a relaxed less pressure vacation. I am getting the feeling from my father that he would rather go to DL for a MAX of 3 days and also universal, San Diego zoo and Sea World. The number of days we are in the area is fairly flexible, but I don't really want to have a busy schedule full of things that may or may not be all that kid friendly. Any thoughts?

Also, I really want to stay on site to get the full experience. I have looked at the 3 different hotels and see pros and cons to all of them (mostly involving price vs amenities). I am wondering what people have found in their own experience? Looking at some of the travel sites it seems that the price difference isn't always too great. When and where is the best time to make the hotel reservations? Also, how much is parking at the hotels?

As far as meals go, should I make all the reservations ahead of time? What about for the offsite restaurants that are in the area?

And I have never been to the California Adventure. What is it like? Should we plan on spending an entire day there?

Sorry, this is the first major vacation I am planning to an area that I am not all that familiar with. It's all pretty overwhelming. Any input is greatly appreciated

 

[HydroGuy]

My DS and I are planning our first adult/family Disneyland vaca for May 2011.

Lots of things happening in May 2011. May is off-season so be careful choosing specific days of the week to visit.

See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

We are bringing our 2 boys who will then be 7 and 5 and my father. We are still in the early planning stages, but don't have anything very concrete yet. If I have my way I would like to just go to DL and do a 5 day park hopper so, we can have a relaxed less pressure vacation. I am getting the feeling from my father that he would rather go to DL for a MAX of 3 days and also universal, San Diego zoo and Sea World. The number of days we are in the area is fairly flexible, but I don't really want to have a busy schedule full of things that may or may not be all that kid friendly. Any thoughts?

Three days should be enough to have a solid visit. That is considered the minimum to feel like you got to do most of what you wanted to do. Four days is usually better for a first visit.

Trying to get to SD takes time. It is 80-100 miles away. It is better to stay down there than try and go back and forth to Anaheim.

Also, I really want to stay on site to get the full experience. I have looked at the 3 different hotels and see pros and cons to all of them (mostly involving price vs amenities). I am wondering what people have found in their own experience? Looking at some of the travel sites it seems that the price difference isn't always too great. When and where is the best time to make the hotel reservations? Also, how much is parking at the hotels?

Lots of parking. Make the hotel reservation as far in advance as possible, and then keep an eye out for specials and rebook to get a better price. As for which of the three hotels is right for you, as you have seen that is very subjective. I will know about GCH in 2 months!

As far as meals go, should I make all the reservations ahead of time? What about for the offsite restaurants that are in the area?

Unless you are a tight budget, I think it is best to eat within DLR. Easier, faster, more fun. Yes, make the reservations ahead of time (60 days) but do not sweat it as dining is a low priority for most DLR visitors and you can usually get reservations a few days before your visit for most places.

And I have never been to the California Adventure. What is it like? Should we plan on spending an entire day there?

No you should not plan to spend a day at DCA. Rather it is best to spend a bunch of partial days - otherwise known as park hopping. See "Why I ParkHop at DLR" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

DCA is a park in transition. It failed to live up to original expectations because poor leadership at the time resulted in a lot of cutting corners. Right now it is undergoing a $1 billion refurb to add rides, shows and improvements. See MiceChat's Disney's California Adventure Project Tracker IX

DCA is not a bad park. It has many cool things about it and we would never, never skip DCA. But it has room for improvement and that is what is happening now. A big new ride called Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure is slated to open in early June 2011 (maybe May 2011). That is one of the things you may miss if you go in May.

http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...-california-adventure-project-tracker-ix.html

 

[skiingfast]

If I have my way I would like to just go to DL and do a 5 day park hopper so, we can have a relaxed less pressure vacation. I am getting the feeling from my father that he would rather go to DL for a MAX of 3 days and also universal, San Diego zoo and Sea World.

Also, I really want to stay on site to get the full experience. I have looked at the 3 different hotels and see pros and cons to all of them (mostly involving price vs amenities). I am wondering what people have found in their own experience? Looking at some of the travel sites it seems that the price difference isn't always too great. When and where is the best time to make the hotel reservations? Also, how much is parking at the hotels?

As far as meals go, should I make all the reservations ahead of time? What about for the offsite restaurants that are in the area?

And I have never been to the California Adventure. What is it like? Should we plan on spending an entire day there?

3 days I'd consider a minimum for a visit on slow days. If you are going over a weekend I'd make the minimum 4 days.

The 3 hotels are all pretty similar. The most striking difference is the proximity to the gates. DLH is being remodled and a bunch will be new, and the pools may be closes or partially closed when you are there. I'd keep an eye on that if you plan to swim.

The walk to food on Harbor Dr. is not comparable to what you find onsite. It's only a cheaper alternative. You can walk to Garden Walk and it has decent places.

You will really want to spend time in DCA, not a single day. Simply plan on it and see Hydroguy's tips.

 

[Shimmer]

I can share my recent experience with you. I think you are picking a great time to go, especially weather wise. We were there this past May on a 5 day park hopper. My kids are 3, 5, and 10. We stayed at the HOJOs and LOVED it!

We have been to DL several times in the past (with fewer children) and choose a longer stay in the park (along with 1 break day) because we wanted to be able to go slowly and enjoy ourselves. We did plan ahead and have strategies but we also were able to go with the flow. Each day we took about 3-4 hours and went back to the hotel to rest and/or swim. On the break day we pretty much swam and rested the whole day...we really needed it.

San Diego is a great place to visit. We have friends there and usually go about once a year. It is worth getting a hotel there and spending several days (if not an entire vacation). While there I would suggest either the SD Zoo or Wild Animal Kingdom but not both in one trip. We haven't been to Universal as I understand it to be for an older crowd (someone else can chime in). For me, Sea World isn't my favorite. We have a fantastic aquarium near us that I'd rather visit.

Other things to do in San Diego with kids would be Balboa Park which has lots of little museums and kid-friendly places, hanging at the beach and taking a harbor tour (great way to see the shoreline).

On our recent trip, by the time we had had 5 days of Disney we were tuckered out. We went to San Diego to see our friends and just hung at the beach for a day. We weren't up for another park.

On park hopping: you won't believe it until you see it. But, the walk to CA from DL is just like walking from one part of DL to the other. Super-short and easy to walk between. As you read here you'll learn that it is a great way to beat the crowds by hopping over to CA.

My perfect trip to Anaheim/San Diego would be about 12-14 days. We usually can get there for 10-12 and we have figured out ways to make it work. But, we are traveling with young children which is tiring for all, least of whom parents.

Have fun planning!

 

[nana50]

I sympathize with your father. 3 days of DL and DCA can be a bit much for us older folk. See if you can work out a compromise. San Diego is great. You could visit Wild Animal
Park which is owned by San Diego Zoo and only a little over an hour from Anaheim. Sea World is not my cup of tea, but a lot of people really love it. They have a few rides also.

 

[TheMrsS]

Thanks so much for the input. I really appreciate the heads up on San Diego and the possibility of the DLH pool closure, that could really effect my hotel choice. There is so much to consider! Please, keep the wonderful experience/advice coming

 

[farmfresh]

I have one (small) suggestion!

If you can, I would arrange to do the Disney part of your trip last (and I'd probably opt for four days, making sure one of them is a weekend day so you can catch the fireworks etc).

Two reasons: first, it might well be the most exciting part of your trip (so you can build up to it!) Second, it can be quite tiring, so seems to me to wrok better towards the end of a trip.

A side benefit might be that your father will have done the things he was interested in so might be more relaxed.!

goodl uck and I'm sure you'll get plenty of hints here!