Planning help for DL newbie, please

[Shoshana]

Hi:

For our summer vacation this year, my 8.5 yr old daughter and I are going to go to Disneyland. I've read most of the sticky threads, but still could use some early planning advice.

Tentative dates are June 19 through June 29. Possible hotel is Candy Cane. I realize we don't need 10 days at DL. I'd like to do some day trips from Anaheim. I thought we could rent a car for four of the days and do some fairly local exploring. That seems easier to me than checking out of the DL hotel and finding new places to stay. Thoughts?

What do you think of the dates, and the hotel? I'd really like a hotel to have a nice pool, clean rooms, close walking distance to the park and to restaurants, and continental breakfast would be a plus.

I know I need to make a decision quickly as many of the hotels are already booked.

Thanks!

Thanks so much!

 

[coaches24]

I've never stayed at CCI but I have a coworker who did last year and said it was very nice. I have heard/read a lot of good things about it so I think you will be happy staying there.

As for the dates just be ready for the crowds. You have enough days that you shouldn't worry too much but it will be crowded as cars land will almost surely be open by then (most think June 15th is the opening day for it).

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi:

For our summer vacation this year, my 8.5 yr old daughter and I are going to go to Disneyland. I've read most of the sticky threads, but still could use some early planning advice.

Tentative dates are June 19 through June 29. Possible hotel is Candy Cane. I realize we don't need 10 days at DL. I'd like to do some day trips from Anaheim. I thought we could rent a car for four of the days and do some fairly local exploring. That seems easier to me than checking out of the DL hotel and finding new places to stay. Thoughts?

What do you think of the dates, and the hotel? I'd really like a hotel to have a nice pool, clean rooms, close walking distance to the park and to restaurants, and continental breakfast would be a plus.

I know I need to make a decision quickly as many of the hotels are already booked.

Thanks!

Thanks so much!

CCI is a fine choice. As for exploring it depends how far you want to go.

As for dates, choose your DLR days vs. exploring days carefully because of AP blockout issues. See "Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

 

[skiingfast]

Tentative dates are June 19 through June 29. Possible hotel is Candy Cane. I realize we don't need 10 days at DL. I'd like to do some day trips from Anaheim. I thought we could rent a car for four of the days and do some fairly local exploring. That seems easier to me than checking out of the DL hotel and finding new places to stay. Thoughts?

I think the hotel choice is fine, but if you want to go to anywhere out of LA, maybe a night away. After 10 days the continental breakfast won't sounds so good. Across the street is a Subway. If you take OCTA, or ART south on Harbor there are many chain restaurants a few blocks down.

While normally I would suggest doing your DLR days at the end of the trip you will want to mix it up a bit. On the 20th, 21st and 22nd a lot of APs will be blocked and these will be good days to be in the park. The 29th will also be a blockout day and you should probably finish with DL. I would also look at the 26th-29th as your other park days, since midweek is better than weekends.

Probably I would do the other things on the 23rd to 25th.

Keep in mind that late that Universal will have a new Tranformers ride open. Seaworld will have a new coaster. Legoland, which is questionable for a child of that age will also have a new attraction opening.

 

[Eeee-va]

Your hotel plan is a good one if you're definitely going to do your exploring in-between Disney days. That is a smart idea as far as resting. It may not be the most economical idea, though.

If you're on a budget, you could come to Anaheim, stay farther from the parks (where you can get a nicer room for less money), and do your exploring. Then move on to the Candy Cane Inn. It's not that the Candy Cane Inn is bad. You're just paying the price for a quite nice hotel in most of the rest of the country, to stay at a nice motel. Nearly everything near Disneyland is expensive because it's near the park. If you just get a few miles away from Disneyland, the prices will decrease. (I definitely recommend you have a hotel within walking distance for your park days! But in exploring days, it doesn't matter, so IF your exploring days can or do come mostly together, changing hotels part-way through your trip could be worth it.)

Have a great trip!

 

[araes2102]

I am also planning my family's first trip. I have been planning for 6 months so I can give you some advice, though it is not really first hand knowledge.

Hi:

For our summer vacation this year, my 8.5 yr old daughter and I are going to go to Disneyland. I've read most of the sticky threads, but still could use some early planning advice.

Tentative dates are June 19 through June 29. Possible hotel is Candy Cane. I realize we don't need 10 days at DL. I'd like to do some day trips from Anaheim. I thought we could rent a car for four of the days and do some fairly local exploring. That seems easier to me than checking out of the DL hotel and finding new places to stay. Thoughts?

You could go to Universal Studios, a nearby beach, or even take a trip to San Diego (about 90 mins away). Of course I would personally spend my time at DL then check out of that hotel and drive down to San Diego, checking in to another hotel down there. If you do, spend a few days since there are a ton of cool things to do in that area too. If you like, I have an itinerary laid out for SD (which is following 5 days at DL):

San Diego
Saturday: Spend the day at Universal and then drive to SD via Highway 101,
Sunday: Day at the San Diego Zoo
Monday: Mission Beach, Belmont Park, check out the WaveHouse
Tuesday: Day at SeaWorld
Wednesday: Drive to La Jolla, stop at the Cave Store, beach time and Children’s Pool, check out Torrey Pines.
Thursday: Check out Seaport Village and then to Coronado for some beach time and lunch, check out the Hotel Del Coronado.


What do you think of the dates, and the hotel? I'd really like a hotel to have a nice pool, clean rooms, close walking distance to the park and to restaurants, and continental breakfast would be a plus.

I really wanted to take our DL/SD trip in June as well, but decided to wait due to the opening of CarsLand, so we are now going in July. Dates depend on personal preference and situation though. Candy Cane seemed like a nice place but I really wanted something closer so we went with Park Vue Inn for $10/night more. Has all of the above plus a very nice breakfast and light dinner included!

Here is a map of the hotels around DL:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30833146&posted=1#post30833146

And here is a thread discussing those hotels: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2796786

I know I need to make a decision quickly as many of the hotels are already booked.

Thanks!

Thanks so much!