Possible Impromptu First-Time Trip to Disneyland THIS WEEKEND - Help?

[ZehnJahren]

Hello All,

I've never, ever been to Disneyland but am a huge WDW lover. I was heading to my brother's for the weekend (he's in San Fran), and it turns out that it may be very helpful and nice if I pick up my niece and nephew and take them on an impromptu and totally unexpected trip to Disneyland, from Thursday through Saturday. This is only a possible scenario right now, but it may come to fruition - if so, I am COMPLETELY in the dark as to what to do!

We'd drive the 6 hours from San Fran to Anaheim and probably stay in one of the off site hotels. I checked into the Disneyland hotels, but since this was unplanned (and un-saved-for) I'd like to stay someplace under $100 a night if I can - or close to it - and the DL hotels are all $140 and up. Also, I know nothing about DL - what the heck do you do there with an 8 and 9 year old? (I know, that's just about the dumbest question I could ask, right?) I thought I'd buy just two one day tickets, no hoppers, for all three of us - I get an adult and they both get kid tickets, right? I may not even need this info, but I think I'm going to push the trip because it would be very needed for all of us - parents need a break, kids need fun, and heck, I need fun too, and some quality time with these great kids.

Any advice / information that could help? I thought two one-day passes because we will probably NOT hop, but is there no way to do that?

 

[Karenann*]

GO EARLY!!!!! Read up on fun stuff for when the lines are long. Collect Fast passes. Read up on the stickies in this thread. Have fun and enjoy being there!

 

[oc_tony]

Being a WDW vet gives you more of advantage than you might realize. DL is most similar to MK and has a similar layout. FP works the same way, but you do not have to come back during the one-hour return window. FPs don't really expire, so CMs will let you in even after your return time.

If it's in your budget, you may want to consider park hoppers, since you'll be there for two days. It is literally a two minute walk from DL to DCA (Disney California Adventure park), so park hopping is much easier at DL than WDW.

Read the stickys at the top of the DL forum (some apply especially to WDW vets) and have a great time. DL takes far less planning than WDW. The DL boards are very friendly, so if you have more specific questions, fire away.

 

[CADisneyMom]

When I pay for a hotel I usually stay at Best Western Park Place Inn, it's right at the crosswalk to the park. I've also stayed at Del Sol inn but lately it's been a little bit expensive. BWPP has a continental breakfast too. I would definitely get the park hoppers, you never know you might want to go to California Adventure, and if you've never been there you might want to just go to check it out. I would definitely do the FP's when you can. I say go for it!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

To save a little money (but still give you some flexibility), you might want to buy a one-day ticket for Disneyland for the first day and then a Park Hopper for the 2nd day. As the previous poster's have suggested, definitely read the stickies from this forum, most especially HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599.

 

[skiingfast]

When I pay for a hotel I usually stay at Best Western Park Place Inn, it's right at the crosswalk to the park. I've also stayed at Del Sol inn but lately it's been a little bit expensive. BWPP has a continental breakfast too. I would definitely get the park hoppers, you never know you might want to go to California Adventure, and if you've never been there you might want to just go to check it out. I would definitely do the FP's when you can. I say go for it!

I'd also look at the Anaheim Plaza, it's cheap and within walking distance. Also call the Hojo on Harbor drive direct and ask about an Entertainment rate. It's a last minute cheap rate.

You can find the hotels on harbor real easy at www.hotels.com by searching for "disney's california adventure" It will give you an idea of what is there and the rates. Harbor runs down the right of the Disney Resort, as you look at the map view.

I might consider a 3 day hopper. Hopping is great at DLR. With a three day you could go early and get another morning in there before driving north.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I might consider a 3 day hopper. Hopping is great at DLR. With a three day you could go early and get another morning in there before driving north.

Excellent point. You would get one Magic Morning early entry this way (if you were to be there on a Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday) and you could use the third day for an evening on your first day or morning on your last day.

 

[jtown]

Just FYI, SF to Anaheim is way more than 6 hours unless you don't slow down or stop once. (Which ain't gonna happen with 2 kids.) Even google says 7-9 hours. With a stop for one meal, plan on 8-9 hours depending on traffic.

And why buy one-day tickets if you're planning to be there 3 days? Maybe I read that wrong. A one-day/one-park ticket is $62 for kids, $72 for adults. A 5-day park hopper is on sale for the price of a 3-day right now at $154/184. That's both parks for your entire visit for less than the cost of single-day/single-park tickets for 3 days and you get early admission on one day. And you've got 2 extra days left on the tickets that you can give to friends to use any time through the end of September.

As for hotels, my friends and I used to stay at the Stupor8 on Katella. We'd walk to Denny's or IHOP in the morning for breakfast, then walk across the street to the park. I think it's $50-60/night these days. Not fancy but it was clean enough back in the day. If you go to expedia or one of the other hotel search sites and sort by distance, you'll find a lot of places under $100/night within a mile.

As for the question of what to do with 8 and 9 year old kids at Disneyland...well, if you were really mean I guess you could drive past and say, "Wouldn't it be fun to go there?" Then take them to a museum. Bowers has a Silk Road exibit. But, if you're not mean, you'd buy them tickets and take them inside to go on rides and see shows and eat fried sugar dough topped with sugar fluff and sugar sauce.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Thanks for the tips everyone; still don't know if we're going TOMORROW - my bro and I will discuss it on the drive from the airport to his home and make a decision then.

I think it would be fun! Made me nervous at first, but now I'm thinking I might push it. I've never been - and it would be good practice for our big November WDW trip! <3

If you've got any more tips, I'm glad to have them!