Planning Our 1st Disneyland Trip

[4 The Love Of Disney]

Hello, we are planning our first ever Disneyland trip for late 2012. We have been to Disney World in Florida many times, but this will be our first venture ever to California.

A couple of questions:
1) When is the most economical time to go? We are a family of 5 ( 3 children who will be ages 5, 9, and 10 )
2) Does Disneyland ever offer Free Dining Plans like Disney World does?
3) How many days is enough to explore the parks
4) Should we stay on site, or book a hotel nearby
5) Any must do's you would recommend

Thank you in advance for your responses and suggestions.

 

[Hound 109]

Since you are a WDW veteran, then here is your primer.....a must read!!:

HydroGuy's "DLR for the WDW veteran tip thread".

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Also, lots of good info for the WDW vet in Mary Jo's tip thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084

Regarding touring DLR....the two most important things to remember is to:

- Get to the parks BEFORE opening &
- Know how to use FP at DLR

Other comments in your post below:

Hello, we are planning our first ever Disneyland trip for late 2012. We have been to Disney World in Florida many times, but this will be our first venture ever to California.

A couple of questions:
1) When is the most economical time to go? We are a family of 5 ( 3 children who will be ages 5, 9, and 10 )

Is school an issue? The most economical would likely be May....& late August thru Mid Sept. But there will be ride refurbs at those times. When do you WANT to go??

2) Does Disneyland ever offer Free Dining Plans like Disney World does?

Not really....at least not "like WDW does". But there have been a couple of "deals" lately (email codes) that were available for some. Not sure what they'll do next year though.

3) How many days is enough to explore the parks

With your crew? 3 nights 4 days minimum. (4 nights 5 days would be better though.)

4) Should we stay on site, or book a hotel nearby

This is a great question. Unlike WDW (where one should always stay on-site) the answer is "it depends". Do ALOT of reading on this (weighing the pros & cons (the only con is the cost) of staying on site, before you come to the conclusion.

Given that you've stayed at values & mods at WDW, I'd definitely consider staying on Harbor Blvd. (walking distance) & saving some bucks. But there's nothing like staying on site. Again.....do alot of reading of posts on this.

5) Any must do's you would recommend

Yes. There are 10,413 "must do's" at DLR & Walt's Park.

Seriously.....welcome to the left side of the board. Read ALOT of theads. Then come back & ask away.

Thank you in advance for your responses and suggestions.

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.