Planning a first trip with my kids, I need help!!!

[KrustyTheCat]

A little background...

My DH died two months ago from H1N1 complications/a pulmonary embolism, and we were almost married for 10 years. Our 10 y ear anniversary is in two weeks actually. We have 4 kids together, they are b/g twins that are going to be 9 in February. Then a DD who is 7, and an almost 4 year old DD. We just need to get away and have something fun to look forward to. We need a distraction from life.

So I don't know how to plan anything. I was thinking the middle to end of March of 2010. I dont need to do the character dining or the bibbidy bobbity boutique. And money is not really an object right now, I plan on splurging a bit b/c this is the first "plane trip vacation". I want to go for a week or so, and I am open to California Adventures, Knott's etc etc.

What advice can you guys give me? seriously, I know nothing! lol

 

[BC Disney Lover]

Sorry to hear about your Dh
You'll find lots of very helpful people on here who will help make your trip very memorable.
I've been to DL in March and the weather is great, the only thing to think about is Spring Break. Early March would be better I think.
Reading tips from Hydroguy is always a good place to start http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276

Have a great trip!

 

[sunflowersis]

So sorry to hear about your loss. What a wonderful idea to get away for a while with just your kids.

to the DisBoards! This is a great board to start your planning with.

We are also planning our first trip for Mid-March, but we're making it a road trip from Kansas! We'll be in California March 13-19.

I think most will agree that if money is no object, stay at the Grand Californian. Obviously I've never been there, but from reading about it online it sounds wonderful. We want to save a little money on lodging, but comfort is still important to me, and I don't want to stay in a dive, but we want to be close enough to walk to the parks. So we've got it narrowed down to either HOJO's or the Fairfield Inn. Both are around $130 for our dates.

Since you've got 4 kids your options for hotels will be just a little more limited, but if you've got money to spare it shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure when you book that if you get a queen/queen room the hotel will allow a rollaway. The FFI has a pullout sofa in addition to the beds, so that might be a good option for you as well.

As for other sites to see, we will have a car, so we are going to make a day trip to the beach, either Huntington or Newport. We had thought about spending a couple nights in San Diego for the zoo and SeaWorld, but opted for an extra day in Disneyland instead. We may take a trip later in the summer to San Antonio to their Seaworld instead.

Alaska airlines does have a kids fly free special, so you might want to check into that.

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

(((HUGS))) to you and your kids. I'm sorry for your loss. I've visited DLR 3 times this year just me & my kids so it can be done. Definitely have a stroller for your youngest. I'd suggest a HoJo's kids suite for your family, perhaps you can get it at the ent rate ~ http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14 *dates can always be added later ~ I'd also suggest visiting in early March - the 1st week ~ Spring Break for my kids is always Easter weekend but that's not the case for a lot of areas near DLR ~ Spring Break runs from mid March through right after Easter. Stick around here and you'll learn lots.

 

[KrustyTheCat]

Thanks for the condolences everyone. I appreciate it.

I was looking at booking a package at the disneyland hotel, and i figured about 12K including 8 nights at the hotel, 5 day park hopper tix, mickey's dining package, and also shuttle transportation to and from LAX. That also includes a day (with trans) to Lego Land, and a trip to Medieval Times with trans also. Does NOT include air fare. Oh, and this does include 3 adults plus 4 kids (my mom and sister will come). I wanted the 5 day pkg b/c if we want to skip a day we can, then we have time to go to Lego Land etc etc, or just stay at the hotel one day and relax.

That alone is making me think that maybe we should stay at a hotel offsite, and save $5-6K , and then add in the airfare, extra food, souvenirs etc etc.

But then I also think that it would be the trip of a lifetime if we did stay at the resort, so I just can't make up my mind. I'm having a LOT of trouble figuring this out. It's making my head spin, lol.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Skip (or at least seriously consider) the dining package. It's nothing like the dining plan at WDW (which I loved!!!).

 

[KrustyTheCat]

Skip (or at least seriously consider) the dining package. It's nothing like the dining plan at WDW (which I loved!!!).

why skip the dining plan? isn't it more convenient to have that readily available and not have to worry about all that?

 

[sunflowersis]

Definitely look into the Alaska Airlines deal.

http://www.alaskaair.com/vacations/

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

why skip the dining plan? isn't it more convenient to have that readily available and not have to worry about all that?

From what I understand, it's just prepaid vouchers that don't save you any money. Plus Disneyland doesn't have the extensive restaurant selection that WDW has, so for a longer trip, you might find yourself wanting to eat at off-property restaurants.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Stay away from the dining plan ~ you can budget or pre pay for meals by purchasing Disney Gift Cards ~ *they ship for free https://tickets.disney.go.com/buy/T...wtbjyX1JNqm2RYqU41yNIgAIeIiRK2oKPx3IWWxP2YrM= http://www.disneystore.com/gift-cards/c/305800/ you could also purchase character meal vouchers but you said you weren't interested in those, however I'm sure your kids would love one. We had the dining plan (*free*) for our WDW trip in Oct. and it was wonderful but it's not the same and not needed for DLR.

 

[KrustyTheCat]

Stay away from the dining plan ~ you can budget or pre pay for meals by purchasing Disney Gift Cards ~ *they ship for free you could also purchase character meal vouchers but you said you weren't interested in those, however I'm sure your kids would love one. We had the dining plan (*free*) for our WDW trip in Oct. and it was wonderful but it's not the same and not needed for DLR.

That's great advice, thank you!

So what is a good amount of gift cards to get then? Think 4 adults, 4 kids for 4-5 days in the park. I dont know how much we'll eat! Is it worth it to take food into the park? I'm flying, and not going to get a rental car, so I can't exactly get to a grocery store that easily. I could pack some snacks though.

 

[GrandBob]

Is it worth it to take food into the park? I'm flying, and not going to get a rental car, so I can't exactly get to a grocery store that easily. I could pack some snacks though.

It's definitely a big money saver.

There's a Quizno's sandwich shop on Harbor -- across the street and about 1/2 block up. For DW, me, and DGD6, we'd get one giant sized sandwich for about $8 and share it in the park. Enough for all of us, and I'm a big eater

There are other options as well. That's just an example. Security doesn't seem to care if you bring in food. But absolutely no glass containers.

-Bob

 

[LavenderPeach]

If you want to estimate how much you will spend on food you can look at menus at http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm#dl. That might give you a general idea of how much you will spend on food.