New to Disneyland

[akaler2010]

I know this is a very broad question, but we've never been to Disneyland and haven't done much research. We would be driving from AZ. Is it worth it to stay on site or any hotel suggestions?

Also, how many days would we plan to see everything? Any special time of year you'd recommend? We are looking at anytime in 2016. We'd like to go during a low crowd time.

Thanks!

 

[Imdboss]

Staying onsite can be very expensive depending on the time of year. However if you go during the offseason (not that there are too many anymore) you might be able to get a reasonable rate. It just depends on what is most important to your family. For us we never stay onsite because 1) we prefer a suite vs just a standard hotel room which will come with a hefty price tag onsite 2) the times of year we tend to go are considered busy season so even staying at PPH would be over $400 per night 3) the onsite advantage of EMH isn't important to us because we sleep in and stay up late. Now that being said what works for your family could be the opposite of mine so staying onsite might make sense. There are a lot of hotel and motel choices along Harbor Blvd that are within walking distance, some are even a closer walk than DLH or PPH.

We go every year and always get a 5 day park hopper. I would suggest a minimum of 3 days but 5 if it works for you. Anytime school is in session will be less busy. Also during the week instead of the weekends. If you have to go during a time when school is out I would consider 2-3 options and post those dates to get feedback, you'll get a lot of good advice here to help narrow down your dates. One thing to note about going during a low crowd time is that it will likely mean shorter hours and entertainment such as fireworks and F! on the weekends only.

Happy planning!!!

 

[YukonMommy]

I also never stay onsite. I just cannot justify the cost for my family of 6. There are tonnes of good hotels right across the street and in walking distance to the parks.

If this is your first (and especially if this is your only) time at Disneyland I would recommend a 5 day hopper. It is good to know that usually during low season (2nd week of January-beginning of March..give or take a few weeks) that rides will go down into refurb. SHows and hours of operation are also limited. So I guess it comes down to what you would hope your experience to be, that being said any day at Disney is amazing!

Happy Planning!

 

[chrisaman]

We only stay onsite using our vacation club points. Otherwise it would cost too much for what little bit you get for staying onsite compared to right across the street for a third of the price. However, if I only would go once every five years I could see the justification for staying onsite. For how frequent we go, I look at it as the money I save staying offsite allows me to go more times and enjoy the parks which is the reason we go. We go for the parks, not the hotels

 

[akaler2010]

It's just DH and me, in our late 20s (OMG, maybe early 30s by 2016!). We are going on a budget, so price is important. We are used to going to DisneyWorld and have been probably 4 times in the past 4 years. We are moving to AZ (from ND!) and want to road trip to as many places as we can. We are used to going to DW during Sept/Oct when it's fairly low crowds and have stayed both on and off site.

Any must do restaurants? We don't care about characters unless there are any Pixar things

 

[chrisaman]

Blue bayou is probably the number 1 must do resturant.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

Blue Bayou is the most unique restaurant, it is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It is pricey but worth doing at least once. To cut costs you can just order appetizers/desserts, or share an entree. The food is good but you are really there for the atmosphere!

I also recommend Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, an all-you-can-eat outdoor table service with BBQ chicken, ribs, baked beans, corn on the cob, coleslaw, etc. Very good food (if you are a meat eater!).

At DLR you can make dining reservations 60 days out, but usually that is not necessary. I sometimes wait until the week before and still get the times I want. However I would for sure book Blue Bayou in advance since that is a popular restaurant, but it's not anywhere as competitive as WDW dining.

You should also know that park hopping is very easy - the two parks are just steps away from each other. Paying for the park hopper option is worth it.

Staying on site probably would not be worth it for you. It is much more expensive for little extra benefit. The hotels along Harbor are great options.

I would recommend going for at least 3 days. If you can afford it, 5 would be fun. However 4 days would be a happy medium.

 

[jammyjam25]

Pixar Characters are mostly found over in DCA. You can find Mike and Sully in Hollywood Land, Flik in Bug's Land, Toy Story characters around the Pier, and Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Frozone wander around too. Not to mention the Pixar Play Parade in DCA!

 

[TechGuy]

I like to pick a week when all of the local school districts, like LAUSD, are in school and if I am lucky, time when the annual passes are limited (there 5 levels, most have the SoCal varieties). I have been in park during the "media weeks" right before or after new attractions open or seasons start and they can be great weeks. Grad Nights in May and June seem to cause some issues but the kids leave to the "other park" to go to the party. There are some "fringe" weeks between "themes" (halloween, Christmas) where the decorations change each night but many times the crowds are lighter. The week before or after a major holiday week can also be good if you have flexibility. See the HydroGuy threads on these.

I tend to use my early entry days and stay late, I also don't tend to leave the park even if the hotel is "just across the street". I have been going to DLR, every 2-3 years for nearly 45 years.