Overwhelmed, were to start planing?

[Goldenacres]

My mother, sister and I have decided to surprise my daughter with a Disneyland trip next year probably in March. Two other family members may be joining us as well, so thats five adults and one child. I am wrong to think that if each adult pitched in at least $800 we could could all have and amazing time right?

My mom was all excited about this until she saw the price of the Disneyland packages, for some reason she is convinced that the packages cost more than doing everything separately. I have spent an hour reading different posts but I so still confused and overwhelmed as to were to being. I need help planning this trip on a budget.

I don't know if any of these things will be helpful but, we are members of AAA, HSLDA, and if we go in March my mom will be eligible for senior rates (yes she is happy about this).

What exactly are the meal plans and are they worth it?

We are coming from New Mexico so is Amtrack better than a plane? We don't plan on going anywhere else.

I see that there is something call Ridemax what is it and how can it save us time?

A friend recommended Disneyland Passporter but she didn't tell me what that was, has anyone here used it?

The Disneyland website says no outside food allowed so how do you all get food into the park? I am diabetic so I really need to know.

I am sure there will be more questions later on so please don't hate me, thank you.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I went in Oct to DL solo, flying down and booking all air, hotels, transportation by myself, and saved a significant amount of money. It is more work to do it yourself, but it could mean significant savings, especially if you manage to catch a seat sale on airfare. If you do decide to DIY, book your hotel first, then work on the transportation. From my understanding the Disney Dining planning for DL is not worth the cost, and it's alot cheaper to buy as you go when it comes to food. There are alot of good restaurants off site, such as MIMI's, Millies, etc that have good food at a reasonable price with good portions. Compare prices between Amtrack and the airlines and make your decision from there. I do know that the 2 best off site hotels are Candy Cane Inn and Howard Johnson's Anaheim. CCI offers a discount for AAA members, and HOJO's offers a discount for DIS members. If you are going during a peak time such as March, then Ridemax can be a useful tool, but if you can utilize the Fastpass system well then it really cuts down the time in lineups. I've never personally used it, so perhaps someone else on the boards can help you out. You can bring snacks into the parks without them harrassing you, and the store in Pooh's corner in Critter country sells sugar free snacks. You can also find sugar free gummies in the stores as well. If you don't feel comfortable booking your trip DIY then by all means book through a travel agent. Ultimately it's what you are going to feel comfortable doing. She might also like a character meal, and this needs to be booked directly via Disney dining 30 days out. Hope that this helps you out. If you are booking HOJO's you need to call in house reservations directly to get the DIScount.

 

[DLtorgo]

How many nights are you staying? I would try to get everything separately and stay at a hotel on Harbor, not a Disneyland property.

Meal plan- no, not worth it. You end up buying vouchers for meals and if you don't buy something worth the full voucher price you get no change.

Not sure on plane vs air you will just have to wait and see what prices are like then.

Passporter is a nice guidebook with sample touring plans. Maybe you can check one out at the library and see if you like it?

Ridemax- a computer subscription program that will help you plan your day at the parks. Do you like to plan out everything? It depends on your group/style if you will want to use it.

You can bring in snacks and water bottles, not large coolers or something.

Make sure to read the stickies at the top of the forum for more great tips and info. Good luck with planning and welcome!!

 

[skiingfast]

My mother, sister and I have decided to surprise my daughter with a Disneyland trip next year probably in March. Two other family members may be joining us as well, so thats five adults and one child. I am wrong to think that if each adult pitched in at least $800 we could could all have and amazing time right?

My mom was all excited about this until she saw the price of the Disneyland packages, for some reason she is convinced that the packages cost more than doing everything separately. I have spent an hour reading different posts but I so still confused and overwhelmed as to were to being. I need help planning this trip on a budget.

You can save doing things seperately. You can usually get a better hotel rate, offsite or on by doing a room only reservation using a discount. Search for hotel rates within a 1/2 miles of the park gates and see what sounds good.

For $800 a person it's very doable. Aim for 3-5 park days, closer to 5 if it's a busy period or includes weekend. Also consider doing other things in the Socal area.

I don't know if any of these things will be helpful but, we are members of AAA, HSLDA, and if we go in March my mom will be eligible for senior rates (yes she is happy about this).

AAA can get you a better hotel rate. Also better rates on Amtrak.

What exactly are the meal plans and are they worth it?

No, save time by not looking into it.

We are coming from New Mexico so is Amtrack better than a plane? We don't plan on going anywhere else.

Amtrak is longer but more comfortable and probably cheaper.

I see that there is something call Ridemax what is it and how can it save us time?

It is a computer program that you use to plan your day. Step by step. It works for some people, not for others.

A friend recommended Disneyland Passporter but she didn't tell me what that was, has anyone here used it?

Passporter is basically a guide book. I wouldn't use it when there are sites on the internet like this with far better information.

The Disneyland website says no outside food allowed so how do you all get food into the park? I am diabetic so I really need to know.

You can bring it food. I think you misread what it said. You can't bring in some things. Hard sides or wheeled cooler, unprepared food(bottle of ketchup or loafs of bread, or glass.

 

[wannagoback]

If you want to do just a quick estimate, this is how I would start budget calculations:

$200 for a park ticket for each person
5 nights in a hotel would mean that each adult is responsible for 1 night. You could get one of the family rooms at Desert Inn and Suites. Rough estimate $200 including taxes and fees.
Then I assume $200 (from Seattle) for airfare per person. That's $600 for tickets, lodging and transportation per person. Just as a very rough starting point. Then just consider food and transportation to/from the hotel.

I think $800 per adult is reasonable if you are staying off-property and sharing hotel rooms. Whether you want something within walking distance is a personal preference, but it's my preference! I would pull up Disneyland on Wikimapia and look at the hotels right by the entrance, then you have an idea of hotels to consider.

Happy planning!!

 

[newmouse82]

I'm a first time over planner who just got back. My advice is stay on this board, there is far more useful information here than anywhere else, Make sure you know what uses fastpasses and read the threads on it here before you go. I bought Ridemax but because we'd never been it proved to only be helpful if we'd had our laptop. Lastly expect on spending the first day or so getting oriented, it is a big place, also start walking now, we are all in shape but after the first 4 days we could barely stand without pain, so worth it though. Oh yeah, read everything hydro guy posts.
Above all else, have fun with it, don't let yourself get freaked out, you will love it no matter which way you go. It really is the happiest place on earth.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Yea guidebooks like Disneyland Passporter kinda suck because their information is usually outdated by the time it makes its way to printing!