Ohhh, all sorts of questions for November trip, family of five

[Zoemakes5]

I can't believe I'm posting this, as I lived in Redondo Beach, CA for more than half my life and 'thought' I knew the park inside and out. However, living so close, I only stayed in the hotels twice and never have gone with a family of five (which ours is now!)
We're only going to stay over one night, as we're meeting family in Palm Springs for Thanksgiving. It would be the Sunday b4 Thanksgiving. I'd like to stay at a DL hotel, to be able to give the kids the "true" experience, especially since I imagine the parks will close earlier.
So...
Which one would you recommend for kids ages 10-8-3? Will we be able to get a room for a party of five (many of the hotels won't allow you to have 5 in a room due to fire codes.) Or will we have to get more than one? (If we have to get more than one, honestly, I think that will take us off-site due to the cost.)
What are the hours likely to be?
Been a long time since I was around. I don't recall that Nov. would have been good for swimming (a little too cold, even in CA!) but are there any indoor pools? Will the outdoor pools be a possibility?
I'd like to do a character breakfast there. What would you recommend? Can you call and get advanced seating like you can at WDW? Do you have to be an on-site guest to do so? What's the reservation number?
For "after hours", I know things in the surrounding city/area, but what about fun stuff in/around the hotels or Downtown Disney?
I will again get the Unofficial Guide (when I can get past the sarcasm and complaining about the cost of everything, I find it very useful, even for those who've been hundreds of times.)

Thanks for all your insight!

 

[DLovinFam]

Well I can answer one question for you. We are also a family of 5 and were able to book one room at the Disneyland Hotel. We will either have a room with two queens and a daybed or get a roll away. I also noticed when booking rooms for our trip down and back that most hotels don't allow a family of 5 in one room.

 

[StartedByAMouse]

All the Disneyland Resort hotels allow a maximum of five guests (with no more than four adults) per room, so you should be fine with one room.

With the three kids, I'd recommend the Disneyland Hotel, which is probably the most "Disney" of the three hotels. If cost is a consideration, the Paradise Pier Hotel is less expensive and still is nice, though a little farther away from the action making for a longer walk.

The hours the Sunday before Thankgiving were 8 to midnight (DL) and 10 to 9 (DCA) in 2004 and 8 to 11 (DL) and 10 to 9 (DCA) in 2003. Hopefully, they'll be similar again this year.

There are no indoor pools at any of the resort hotels but the outdoor pools should be open if it's not raining. That time of year can be warm or cool, sunny or overcast so it is hard to say if swimming will be enjoyable but I do believe the pools are at least heated. The Disneyland Hotel has the best themed pool for the kids.

There are a number of character breakfasts at the hotels and inside Disneyland park. I like the breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen (it might be a brunch on Sundays) at the Disneyland Hotel. Decent food, character interaction, dancing the Macarena, lots of fun. I think the Paradise Pier Hotel has a Lilo & Stitch Aloha Breakfast and the Grand Californian Hotel has Chip 'n Dale Critter Breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe. Disneyland has the Plaza Inn Royal Disney Princess Breakfast. Priority seating can also be arranged up to 60 days in advance at any of these locations by calling Disney Dining at (714) 781-DINE. You do not have to be an on-site resort guest to make priority seating reservations.

Other stuff to do may be a bit limited. There are arcades at each hotel. You can drive miniature Jungle Cruise boats at the Disneyland Hotel. The ESPN Zone has a lot of sports-themed activities and games on its second level. And there's lot of shopping available at hotel stores and through Downtown Disney. There's also a AMC movie theater.

Hope this helps,
Matt

 

[Amy&Dan]

We have always enjoyed the Disneyland Hotel. I can tell you we have stayed there 5 times including stays in December and February and swam every time. They keep the water very warm for the most part and have a large hot tub area. The rooms are so nice and spacious that your family of five will be fine. They do not charge for rollaways which I find to be a nice perk and as stated, some rooms have daybeds. We have also stayed at Paradise Pier and enjoyed that but prefer the DLH. I have not stayed at Grand Californian but know that some people have commented that their rooms are on the small side. I think that is typical of newer hotels, both DLH and PP are older (but updated) so they have those nice larger rooms. We have always enjoyed Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast (but we prefer dinner since we like to be in the parks in the morning). I have heard good things about the Lilo and Stitch breakfast and Storytellers Cafe. I would avoid the Princess breakfast, it is crowded, not great food and can take a long time due to the lines for food. You can see princesses at many other places in the parks and Goofy's always has at least one on hand as well!

 

[CalGal]

I agree with the previous posters. DLH is probably the best bet. I love the Grand Californian, but the rooms are a little smaller and the most festive for kids. DLH is not as convenient as the GC; it's also not as expensive. PP is nice, but not as themed or convenient. All on-site hotels have festive pools with slides, but I think the Neverland Pool at DLH is the most fun for kids.
My DS has gone swimming in mid Dec. at the DLH. There's a good chance the weather will cooperate for you as well.

Goofy's Kitchen is the best character meal IMHO. I'd pick it as the best breakfast, but Like Amy&Dan, I prefer dinner or lunch since I'm also in the parks in the morning. The only other place that offers character lunch or dinner is Ariel's Grotto in DCA; some people like it, but I think Goofy's is better food quality and variety, and generally more festive. PS can be made up to 60 days in advance for resort restaurants, 6 weeks in advance for park restaurants.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Thanks so much, everyone! I really appreciate the extra info. Being a veteran Disney goer, it's kinda weird asking all the questions, but as most of you probably already know, it's a different experience depending upon the age(s) of the child(ren) you have, or if you're adults only!
I think I'm more excited than the kids are!!!!

 

[DLovinFam]

Thanks so much, everyone! I really appreciate the extra info. Being a veteran Disney goer, it's kinda weird asking all the questions, but as most of you probably already know, it's a different experience depending upon the age(s) of the child(ren) you have, or if you're adults only!
I think I'm more excited than the kids are!!!!

LOL I think I'm more excited than the kids and dh are too! I had a dream last night that it was our first day at DL and we were heading for Peter Pan for our first ride and dh and the kids were WAY behind me! Although, it wasn't funny in my dream!

By the way....two of my kids are the same age as two of your kids

We have Ashley - 13, Samantha - 10 and Ethan - 3

 

[Zoemakes5]

By the way....two of my kids are the same age as two of your kids

We have Ashley - 13, Samantha - 10 and Ethan - 3

We "swapped"! My first two are boys and then my "baby" girl. You're 2 girls and then "baby" boy! And, another thing in common.....my 10 yo DS is Ethan! We have an Ethan, a Riley and a Zoe!

 

[DLovinFam]

We "swapped"! My first two are boys and then my "baby" girl. You're 2 girls and then "baby" boy! And, another thing in common.....my 10 yo DS is Ethan! We have an Ethan, a Riley and a Zoe!

Too funny!