Newbie!!

[LindseyK]

Hi All,

I'm looking to book a trip for my family for my daughters birthday on Dec 2. I just have a couple of questions as we have never been to DL at all.

Is this a good/bad time of year to go (eg: more expensive/busy then other times).

Are there places I should be looking for deals?

The resort hotels seem pretty pricey, do you have any suggestions for close by as I will have a 6 year old, 2.5 year old and a 5 month old - the younger 2 will need naps, so I need to be able to go back to the hotel at times.

Any other info you think would be good for me to know, I would appreciate anything, as I feel a bit overwhelmed and confused!

 

[Sherry E]

Hi All,

I'm looking to book a trip for my family for my daughters birthday on Dec 2. I just have a couple of questions as we have never been to DL at all.

Is this a good/bad time of year to go (eg: more expensive/busy then other times).

Are there places I should be looking for deals?

The resort hotels seem pretty pricey, do you have any suggestions for close by as I will have a 6 year old, 2.5 year old and a 5 month old - the younger 2 will need naps, so I need to be able to go back to the hotel at times.

Any other info you think would be good for me to know, I would appreciate anything, as I feel a bit overwhelmed and confused!

LindseyK --

Welcome!

Are you a Walt Disney World vet, or are you new to Disney parks all across the board? If you are a WDW vet, there's a great thread for you (courtesy of HydroGuy) that outlines the differences between WDW and DLR, specifically for WDW vets -- but I didn't want to link it for you until I was sure!

December is a great time to go to DLR if you like the holiday season. The whole Resort (including both parks and all 3 hotels) goes all out with themed décor, seasonal goodies and festive entertainment.

Because the holiday season is so amazing, you can imagine that it is a popular time and can get very busy at certain points. That time in early December will probably be a bit crowded, but most likely not too, too bad -- mainly because it is right after the Thanksgiving break, and too early for the Christmas break. So a lot of people will still be at work and school. Still, though, it won't be slow or quiet every day -- but there may be pockets of time that are slower and quieter than others.

This is the 60th anniversary year for Disneyland, so it is expected that there will be some new entertainment and special events throughout the year, as well as some increased crowds here and there. At this point there is no way to know how the 60th will affect the holiday season.

As for hotels -- yes, the onsite hotels are very expensive, even with discounts or special offers. I'm not sure if there will be any special offers this year (again, it may depend on the 60th and how popular it turns out to be), but there are usually discounts of some sort that come out for fall, and last until mid-December.

A lot of people choose to stay off-property, at one of the nearby, walkable, less expensive hotels. Lots of people speak favorably of the Candy Cane Inn, Best Western Park Place Inn, Desert Inn & Suites, etc. Many of these "Good Neighbor Hotels" are either within reasonable walking distance from the front entrance of Disneyland or have dedicated shuttles.

I have not stayed offsite so I will leave the Good Neighbor recommendations in someone else's good hands!


If you're interested in learning all about the Holidays at Disneyland Resort, and keeping up with any news, rumors, etc., which may affect the season -- or if you want to simply just jump in and ask us questions -- please feel free to join us in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread -- HERE. (I have to change all of the 2014 season references, though -- until we get some info about the 2015 season -- so don't be confused by that!) Skim down the posts on page 1 of that thread to get a sense of some of the things that may interest you, if you'd like, or to read articles, trip reviews and reports and see photos. You don't need to read everything, of course, but if you see anything that looks interesting to you, you can click on it and read more.

 

[4Mickeys]

How very exciting for you - I took my kids to DL for the first time last year (it seems strange saying that, but we are into 2015 haha).

We stayed at the Desert Inn & Suites across the road. It is very close to the cross walk at the main gate. We had a parlour suite which was 2 queen sized beds and a separate lounge area. Each room had a TV so that meant anyone in our family could watch TV, read or whatever and close the door leaving others to sleep if needed. The rooms also have a decent sized fridge, microwave, safe and air-con. This motel has an indoor swimming pool which means you can make use of it even in the cooler weather. They have basic free breakfast to get you started, but there are restaurants nearby Denny's and IHop for other options. There is a laundry downstairs with coin operated washing machines and dryers. There is a viewing deck on the roof, which had just been refurbished when we were there where you can see fireworks. We could also see some from our rear room window. There is a bath tub with a shower over it, the water pressure was good and never had a problem with water temperature. Even though my kids are older than yours the heat at the time of year we went meant that we also headed back to our room in the afternoons for a swim/nap before hitting the parks again in the evening. It isn't fancy but it is clean and affordable. The further out you make a booking the cheaper the room rates are. I would stay here again if I can ever save enough money to come back.

I hope your family has an awesome time

 

[JacksLilWench]

LindseyK --

Welcome!

Are you a Walt Disney World vet, or are you new to Disney parks all across the board? If you are a WDW vet, there's a great thread for you (courtesy of HydroGuy) that outlines the differences between WDW and DLR, specifically for WDW vets -- but I didn't want to link it for you until I was sure!

December is a great time to go to DLR if you like the holiday season. The whole Resort (including both parks and all 3 hotels) goes all out with themed décor, seasonal goodies and festive entertainment.

Because the holiday season is so amazing, you can imagine that it is a popular time and can get very busy at certain points. That time in early December will probably be a bit crowded, but probably not too, too bad -- mainly because it is right after the Thanksgiving break, and too early for the Christmas break. So a lot of people will still be at work and school. Still, though, it won't be slow or quiet every day -- but there may be pockets of time that are slower and quieter than others.

This is the 60th anniversary year for Disneyland, so it is expected that there will be some new entertainment and special events throughout the year, as well as some increased crowds here and there. At this point there is no way to know how the 60th will affect the holiday season.

As for hotels -- yes, the onsite hotels are very expensive, even with discounts or special offers. I'm not sure if there will be any special offers this year (again, it may depend on the 60th and how popular it turns out to be), but there are usually discounts of some sort that come out for fall, and last until mid-December.

A lot of people choose to stay off-property, and one of the nearby, walkable, less expensive hotels. Lots of people speak favorably of the Candy Cane Inn, Best Western Park Place Inn, Desert Inn & Suites, etc. Many of these "Good Neighbor Hotels" are either within reasonable walking distance from the front entrance of Disneyland or have dedicated shuttles.

I have not stayed offsite so I will leave the Good Neighbor recommendations in someone else's good hands!


If you're interested in learning all about the Holidays at Disneyland Resort, and keeping up with any news, rumors, etc., which may affect the season -- or if you want to simply just jump in and ask us questions -- please feel free to join us in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread -- HERE. (I have to change all of the 2014 season references, though -- until we get some info about the 2015 season -- so don't be confused by that!) Skim down the posts on page 1 of that thread to get a sense of some of the things that may interest you, if you'd like, or to read articles, trip reviews and reports and see photos. You don't need to read everything, of course, but if you see anything that looks interesting to you, you can click on it and read more.

Could you link that thread for me, SherryE? I'm planning a summer trip to DL, and would love to know some of the differences- and I'd love to have some idea of what to look for! Thank you very much!

 

[Sherry E]

Could you link that thread for me, SherryE? I'm planning a summer trip to DL, and would love to know some of the differences- and I'd love to have some idea of what to look for! Thank you very much!

JacksLilWench --

Absolutely! Here you go -- A DLR Guide for WDW Vets (by HydroGuy)

​

 

[LindseyK]

I'm a newbie newbie. Never been to either!! We have now been thinking that maybe it will be her birthday/Christmas present and go in January. It just seems so crazy expensive. But then we would miss out on the 60th anniversary stuff too. Such hard decisions..

I will check out that other link for sure.

 

[DahliaRW]

Some of the hotels across the street are a shorter walk than the Disneyland Hotel and and Paradise Pier Hotel.

You may find that your younger two will be tired enough to nap in the stroller at DL (mine always did) and that is helpful because then one of you can walk around/shop with them while the other rides rides with the 5yo and then swap. But if you're pretty sure you'll be going back to the room I'd highly suggest getting a Suite at Desert Inn and Suites. It's very reasonable (we had a family suite of two rooms with 2 queens in each room for 130 a night this past December) and the two room set up will allow the youngers to nap while an adult staying there can watch tv (or nap) or read or whatever in the other room.

 

[LindseyK]

Thank you! I will look into that hotel for sure. I love the idea of the separate suite so that even in the evenings after the kids go to bed, we don't have to be super quiet.

 

[JacksLilWench]

JacksLilWench --

Absolutely! Here you go -- A DLR Guide for WDW Vets (by HydroGuy)

​

Thank you Thank you Thank you Sherry E!!

 

[luulu1999]

I think that time the beg of Dec is great!! It shouldn't be super busy and you can see the Holiday decorations.

We stayed at Park Vue Inn this summer and that will be our go to place unless we can afford on site lol..free parking, a great breakfast and RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET LITERALLY to the entrance!!! It was good and clean and we got a queen with bunk beds my kids thought they were great!!

Also you can get SOOO much done if you go earlier in the mornings, we would get there about 30 mins after park opening and were able to walk on a lot of stuff

Enjoy you will be HOOKED!!!

 

[Meemoo]

Welcome - And what a brilliant year to be planning your first trip to DL! I had my very first visit for their 50th Anniversary and I have literally been obsessed with Disney ever since, I just can't shake it from my mind! All the extra magic that happens for these celebrations will make your first trip even more special!

I usually stay onsite at Disney properties but this time I am doing a half stay at Disney's Grand Californian, mainly for a few days of Early Entries which is what you get if you stay onsite, an extra hour in the park before it opens to the public. Then we are going to try Howard Johnson's (Hojo's) which is just across the street, apparently 10 minutes walk to the gates, they have good reviews and seem more like a hotel atmosphere than a motel.

Enjoy the planning, it is after all half the fun, I look forward to seeing your around on DISboards!

 

[luulu1999]

Welcome - And what a brilliant year to be planning your first trip to DL! I had my very first visit for their 50th Anniversary and I have literally been obsessed with Disney ever since, I just can't shake it from my mind! All the extra magic that happens for these celebrations will make your first trip even more special!

I usually stay onsite at Disney properties but this time I am doing a half stay at Disney's Grand Californian, mainly for a few days of Early Entries which is what you get if you stay onsite, an extra hour in the park before it opens to the public. Then we are going to try Howard Johnson's (Hojo's) which is just across the street, apparently 10 minutes walk to the gates, they have good reviews and seem more like a hotel atmosphere than a motel.

Enjoy the planning, it is after all half the fun, I look forward to seeing your around on DISboards!

I don't know if you have checked into it but to me the HOJO looked like a pretty good walk!!! We drove by when we were going to Medieval times and beaches and it looked like a good little walk to me

 

[sophies*mom]

How exciting! Congrats on your first trip, I agree with the others...once you go, you will love it!

There are so many good hotels that are walking distance and SO much cheaper than staying on-site. We stayed at the Castle Inn & Suites in 2013 and we liked it. They were doing construction at the time so I assume it's a little nicer than when we stayed, but we had no complaints about our room. It actually ended up being bigger than we were expecting!

January will be low crowds compared to December, but keep in mind that when the parks are the slowest, they usually do refurbishments on rides and different places around the parks, so you may not get to experience some things by going then. I like going during the off season, but that is for sure a drawback.

 

[GrandBob]

I don't know if you have checked into it but to me the HOJO looked like a pretty good walk!!! We drove by when we were going to Medieval times and beaches and it looked like a good little walk to me

Actually, it's quite a short and comfortable walk. In fact, it's almost exactly as close as the Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotels: How Far Is It?

LindseyK, I'm glad that Sherry posted the link to Hydroguy's DLR Guide. I think it's worthwhile reading even if you haven't been to WDW.

And if you're looking for walking distance hotels off-site, you might like this:

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

-Bob