Questions from a family with toddler

[KayDox]

Oh my goodness I am so GLAD I found this forum.
I was reading posts last night and found so many helpful tips!

We will be staying at Disneyland Hotel from Dec 4 (sun) - 7 (thur).
We are a group of four - me, my husband, a toddler (2.5 yr old daughter) and an infant (4mo old son).
Our son will be babysat by a babysitter from Sitters Unlimited in our room.
It will be the first time in 15yrs for me to visit Disneyland, and the very first visit for the rest.
The last time I was there, they were celebrating its 25th year... time sure flies...

Anyways, I just called the resort reservation center and requested a couple of things:

- DTD view room so that we can watch the fireworks from our room
- higher than 6th floor
- a daybed
- bedrails

The operator was very friendly and we had a nice chat. Of course those are subject to availability. But I am kinda optimistic, because we are staying there from Sun - Thur. According

to the posts I read, weekdays are far less crowded than weekends. I sure hope so! I don't even want to imagine standing in line for 30min with a toddler...

But I still have questions that need to be answered. I am hoping you experts can help.

1) I read somewhere that we can purchase a brick with our names engraved, and it will be used for the sidewalk or something between DL and DCA. Do you know where I can buy it? I

would like to leave our kids' name to commemorate their first Disneyland visit.

2) As I said, we will be staying at Disneyland Hotel. We have paid for character breakfast at Goofy's for one day. Should I reserve a table in advance? I guess we will be eating lunch

somewhere in the park, whatever available around us when we get hungry. Any restaurant in the hotel (or near it) you recommend, for breakfast and dinner with a toddler? Goofy's

dinner any different from breakfast? Any tips for dining with toddler are welcome!

3) I heard that there is Target near Pradice Pier Hotel. Any other stores around the resort? Grocery stores? We are renting a car so we can drive to places.

4) Where do I get the autograph book and pen? Do they sell them at shops in the resort? I read somewhere that bigger pen is better because characters' hands are big. Should I bring

a sharpie?

5) We don't need to have tickets to visit Downtown Disney, right? But I guess we need to have tickets to get on the monorail from there?

6) And last but not least...DD, DH, and many others I can't remember... Can someone tell me what all those abbreviations are... is there a list of abbreviations somewhere??

Thank you very much in advance for your help!
Kay

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi KayDox & welcome to the DIS!

1) I read somewhere that we can purchase a brick with our names engraved, and it will be used for the sidewalk or something between DL and DCA. Do you know where I can buy it? I would like to leave our kids' name to commemorate their first Disneyland visit.

There is a cart in the Esplanade (the area between Disneyland and California Adventure) where you can purchase a brick. If the cart is not there, you can ask at the Info booth in the Esplanade, or City Hall on Main Street. In addition to the brick, you can purchase a small replica in wood or acrylic. Mine is in acrylic, & I got it in 2000 when they first started putting the bricks down, so mine is near the center star (c246/33). Keep in mind that they lay the bricks down after a certain number have been ordered, but it's nice to get the replica in the mail.

2) As I said, we will be staying at Disneyland Hotel. We have paid for character breakfast at Goofy's for one day. Should I reserve a table in advance? I guess we will be eating lunch somewhere in the park, whatever available around us when we get hungry. Any restaurant in the hotel (or near it) you recommend, for breakfast and dinner with a toddler? Goofy's dinner any different from breakfast? Any tips for dining with toddler are welcome!

Yes, I would recommend reserving a table for Goofy's Kitchen. The number is (714) 781-3463, and then punch 4 for making Priority Seating arrangements.

You might consider having lunch at the Golden Horseshoe while watching the Billy Hill & the Hillbillies show. They are four musicians who play the fiddles and other instruments. They are quite funny & would probably keep your toddler entertained while you have a bite to eat. The Golden Horseshoe is located in Frontierland.

The Grand Californian Hotel has a restaurant called Storyteller Cafe that I like a lot, and in Downtown Disney there is the Rainforest Cafe, though your toddler may be wary of the animatronic animals in there - you can always check it out. I also recommend making reservations for RFC if you want to eat there - the number is (714) 772-0413.

3) I heard that there is Target near Paradise Pier Hotel. Any other stores around the resort? Grocery stores? We are renting a car so we can drive to places.

There is a grocery store on Harbor. From PPH, turn right, then left on Katella, and then right on Harbor. Target will be on your left, and a couple of stores will be on your right. If you like Walmart, you can take the 5 freeway north to Euclid (about 5 minutes) and it's on your right side)

4) Where do I get the autograph book and pen? Do they sell them at shops in the resort? I read somewhere that bigger pen is better because characters' hands are big. Should I bring a sharpie?

They sell autograph books at the hotel shops, the park stores, and the World of Disney at Downtown Disney. You can bring a sharpie or just a big fat ballpoint pen for the characters.

5) We don't need to have tickets to visit Downtown Disney, right? But I guess we need to have tickets to get on the monorail from there?

Downtown Disney is free for you to shop and dine. The monorail station to Tomorrowland is next to the Rainforest Cafe. You do need park media in order to get on the monorail. Also note that since you're staying at the PPH you have a dedicated queue for hotel guests when returning from Disneyland to the hotel.

Also, a tip... When returning from either park, you can cut through the Grand Californian Hotel, and go out the main entrance to get back to Paradise Pier Hotel. You do save a little time, and a few steps that way.

6) And last but not least...DD, DH, and many others I can't remember... Can someone tell me what all those abbreviations are... is there a list of abbreviations somewhere??

Here's a link to the abbreviations:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

Thank you very much in advance for your help!
Kay

You're most welcome!

 

[Luvmy2Js]

We are going in Feb. with our DD(dear daughter) and DN(dear neice) who will turn three while we are there and our DS(dear son) who will have just turned 1 and DN(dear nephew) who will be one month old. We took DD when she was 14 months old and she loved it so I am expecting a lot out of this trip.

I am no help with the bricks as I hadn't heard anything about that. Sounds really neat though.

When we were there last time I was pretty surprised by how few and far the choices were for food. We were there in the middle of this incredible heat wave in April of 104. There was one sit down place (we needed AC at that point) near the front of the park and I was not impressed at all. I think we would have been better off to have brought a bunch of child size snacks with us and then went to Downtown Disney for lunch. This is just my experiance though and I am sure someone who has been more might have better ideas on that.

No tickets are required to visit downtown disney and it is awesome. Some great restraunts are ESPN Zone (DH Dear husband loved that one) and the Rain Forest Cafe were great. Both were nice because they were loud places so the noise of my child was not a disturbance or worry to anyone. Kid friendly food at both.

Have a great time. I will be checking back to see how your visit was with your toddler. You will be shocked by all that your DD can ride there. I know I was when we went the first time. She could ride everything except the mountain rides it seemed and the Matterhorn. Have fun!!!

 

[KayDox]

Thank you very much Mary Jo and Lizzy!
By the way we will be staying at DLH, not PPH (see I am using abbribiations now!)

Mary Jo - is there anything you don't know about Disneyland?? Great info on restaurants. I am going to write them down.

Lizzy - hope you and your family have tons of fun! I don't think heat will be an issue in Feb I promise I will post a report.

Okay, another question. We will be bringing an unmbrella stroller with us. And also a bicycle lock. Do you see people locking their stroller to a pole or something? Is it allowed? If you don't have a lock, do you just park your stroller near the attraction you are riding and hope nobody will steal it?

Have you heard anything about the in-room babysitting service? I know Disneyland is not responsible for anything but I just want to know how good the agency is... I will be asking a complete stranger to watch my son!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thank you very much Mary Jo and Lizzy!

Mary Jo - is there anything you don't know about Disneyland?? Great info on restaurants. I am going to write them down.

Plenty - I need to do more research

Okay, another question. We will be bringing an unmbrella stroller with us. And also a bicycle lock. Do you see people locking their stroller to a pole or something? Is it allowed? If you don't have a lock, do you just park your stroller near the attraction you are riding and hope nobody will steal it?

I don't think Disney will let you lock your stroller. Sometimes the CMs (cast members) have to move strollers around for different reasons. I haven't heard of strollers being stolen, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. A lot of people leave them in designated "stroller parking" areas.

Have you heard anything about the in-room babysitting service? I know Disneyland is not responsible for anything but I just want to know how good the agency is... I will be asking a complete stranger to watch my son!

I haven't heard anything bad about them. About 10 years ago I was staying at the DLH & met a sitter watching a little girl while the parents were out. It was during the day, and she was telling me that they have to be bonded. I would think that Disney would be very careful about the people they recommend.

 

[atakaratemom]

Can you tell me how much the bricks cost? I would really like to do that and we'll be there next week. Thanks!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Mary Jo is too modest ! She knows DL like the back of her hand ! She is also one of "Dreams Unlimited's" expert travel planners for DLR

 

[abby]

A few tips at the DLH, while the rooms do not have coffee makers, if you ask at check in they will bring one to your room (and quickly). I'm a need morning coffee person. Leave the lights on in the room for an hour or so before bed then turn them all off and you will see that tinkerbell has left pixy dust in the room (my dd loved that). We enjoyed strolling around the grounds in the evenings and enjoying the waterfalls and the remote control boats (OK and mom enjoyed getting a glass of wine from the bar as we strolled)

Also, I recommend pacing yourself. Get to DL when they open and you can do lots of the kid rides before the crowds gather. then go back to the room for a mid day break (nap) then back to the parks. Saves on melt downs (kids or yours....) don't forget some snacks.

Have a great trip, we went last april and had so much fun I just booked for January......

 

[Albertan mom]

Can you tell me how much the bricks cost? I would really like to do that and we'll be there next week. Thanks!

I was wondering the same thing....

 

[KayDox]

atakaratemom,
I think the regular brick costs $150, the 50th anniv one is $200? And the replica is $35.
I am not sure how up to date this info is, tho...

Mary Jo,
I guess nobody will be interested in our cheap stroller LOL ;-)

Abby,
Thanks for the tips! I am a coffee person too!
At the moment, I am not sure how to do the mid-day nap time. A babysitter will be in our room watching our son... we will be bringing a stroller so that our daughter will not get tired quickly. With a toddler and an infant, I don't think we can be at the gate when the park opens. Both parks will close at 6pm on the days (Mon & Tue) we are visiting so I am planning to skip nap time if she seems to be fine. And of course we will take it easy...

 

[queenrollog]

We go to DL frequently and just park our stroller anywhere. I don't leave anything valuable in plain view, but we've never had a problem. Think about leaving your stroller near the exit of a ride, otherwise you'll have to go back to the entrance to get it.

 

[Flagger]

Hi and Welcome to DIS. I like you had tons of questions when I was planning my vacation. I got back Sunday November the 6th after a trip from AZ to SoCal with my 2.5 year old daughter. I posted day by day trip reports which are linked to an epilogue found here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=957901

Let me try and address some of your questions that I can:

2) As I said, we will be staying at Disneyland Hotel. We have paid for character breakfast at Goofy's for one day. Should I reserve a table in advance? I guess we will be eating lunch

Yes yes and yes. Call the number above in this thread to arrange for Priority Seating. It is more of a brunch around 11-2pm. Buffet style but made to order eggs and omelets were available.

somewhere in the park, whatever available around us when we get hungry.

It is a hike but we really like Mimi's Cafe on Harbor it is across the street and to the left when you walk through DTD past both security stops and to the street.

3) I heard that there is Target near Pradice Pier Hotel. Any other stores around the resort? Grocery stores? We are renting a car so we can drive to places.

Take Harbor to I-5 and head north. Two exits up is Euclid. There is a grocery store and Walmart if you turn right.

4) Where do I get the autograph book and pen? Do they sell them at shops in the resort?

You can get them cheaper at Wal-mart, but if you really want a Disney autograph book they are $8-$12 in the World of Disney Store and in the shops in the park.

5) We don't need to have tickets to visit Downtown Disney, right? But I guess we need to have tickets to get on the monorail from there?

Correct

Any more specific questions about what it was like with a 2.5 year old toddler girl feel free to ask here or email me at: myusername /at/ dslr.net