New here! Hoping for an impromptu vaca in December! Questions!

[todzwife]

I'm Shandelle. Mom to 2 little ones ages 4 and almost 2. We went in February, but our son was about 1/2 inch too short to go on all the 40 inch rides. (DD is SUPER petite and won't be able to ride much until she's probably 5 )
We LOVE Disneyland and I'm dying to go again. I'm trying to convince my husband that we should go in December and enjoy the Christmas decorations. If this trip happens, I'd LOVE to make it worth the money/time etc. so any hints and tips with little ones are truly appreciated. We won't be staying on site (probably at the Super8 down the street, which we've done before) and we will be renting a car the whole time we are there. We will be on a budget but I'd like to do at least one character meal. Suggestions?

We are planning a trip next year the few days before Thanksgiving and I'm considering getting the deluxe annual pass instead of paying for 3 day park hoppers both times. Is that a good idea?

Also, I keep reading about early entry. How do you go about getting that?

Thank you! I've been trying to absorb all in info here for the last week or so.

 

[pumpkin5156]

Welcome! We do to DL once or twice every December. It is the best time to go IMO. The decorations are amazing and the crowds are very manageable the first two weeks if you go on the weekdays. We have stayed off and on site, as well as just spent the day (we do that the most).
For character meal, I would recommend Goofy's Kitchen on a day when you're not planning on doing a park. Do the breakfast (maybe on the last day you leave or an off-day that you have.) Then hang out at DTD or visit a park you wanted to do again.
As far as I know, early entry applies to people staying on site. But I could be wrong.

To save money, I would pick a hotel within walking distance (save on the parking fees), and that includes a breakfast of some sort. I would plan on buying lunch, dinner, and a treat inside the parks. We always bring our own water and snacks to save on money as well.

Everyone says give your little ones some down time back at the hotel, but only you can be the judge of that. Decide if it's important to see all the night time activities, or if you want to crash early.

HTH and have fun!

 

[Judy from Boise]

EE is actually attached to your ticket media, and i do not believe that APs have that benefit.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

I agree with pumpkin 5156....Pick a hotel across the street from the entrance and save yourself the car rental and parking fees! We always stay at the Park Vue Inn which is directly across the street from the entrance and is so convenient when you want to go back to your room to change or rest. They also have a free continental breakfast. There are many other hotels within walking distance on Harbor Blvd also. Mc Donald's is just as few doors down if you want to stop for a cheap meal with the kids and there's an IHOP and Denny's across the street too.

Another thing I do to save money is bring your own water bottles into the park and refill them during the day. Water and soda is EXPENSIVE! You can easily save yourself almost $10.00 a meal just by drinking water when there's four of you!

I love Disneyland at Christmas time!!! I hope you have a wonderful time!!!

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