Several Questions re a week in July

[limace]

DH has a conference at the Anaheim convention center the week of July 21, so we've booked a stay at HoJo's (thanks for the advice, everyone!) and have 5 day Park Hopper passes. We will have the two of us, plus our ten and one year old daughters. I am trying to convince some other adults to join us-my folks, my sister, etc, as I'd really like to be able to switch kids off, share the childcare and have some adult company while DH is at his meetings. That part is still up in the air. I'm a bit nervous about going to DL in July, as I've never visited that time of year before, and I'm somewhat worried about crowds and heat (not a heat person). I have read HydroGuy's great info, though, and feel better (Thanks, HG!). So, some questions:

-DH will be in meetings Monday through Thursday during the day. We're flying in and out on Saturdays. WE have 5 day Parkhoppers. We'll obviously go Sunday and Friday (his free days), but neither of those are EE days. Should we wait to do FL til our EE day and just go w/out him?
-What time is the park likely to open that Sunday?
-Are the strollers at DL shaded? Do they have storage area underneath? We will probably bring our own, but are not sure.
-Medieval times: worth it or not? 10 yr old doesn't want to do a character meal-this might be a fun splurge instead.
-Legoland: worth the hassle of renting a car, etc? I have heard mixed things about whether the baby would enjoy it or not.

I'm sure I'll be back w/more questions, but TIA!

 

[hlbtimes2]

The July schedules are already up at Disneyland.com They show an 8am opening on July 22. I would be at the gates at about 7:30, and head straight to FL. If you go straight there you should be fine. If you dont get to the park at opening, even 1/2 hour late, I would probably skip FL and go on an EE day.

Bring your own stroller! You'll want it to get back and forth to hojo's. You wont want to carry the one year old both ways! But, to answer the question- yes to shade and storage. They look like this:

No idea on ME times or Legoland, we havent done either one.

 

[brenda1966]

Yes, bring your own stroller. That walk to Hojo's is long after a full day!

I'd do FL first thing in the morning on a non EE day or on an EE day only if you are there for EE. Actually, with a small kid along, I do FL twice -- it's SO much fun!!!

I've heard mixed things about Legoland, but I've never been. I'd do a search around on the board. I've hear long lines, ride height restrictions, etc. that make it less fun than Disney.

 

[limace]

Thanks, both of you! Linda, I had no idea the schedule would be up so early-thanks for the hint.

 

[TeamTnC]

Limace,

We were there two years ago that exact week and are also going to be there the same time you are, however we do not arrive til Sunday and will visist the park Monday for the first time. We are staying on site at DLH and will use our EE on Monday and Tuesday. EE starts at 7:00am on those days, but we still get there about a half hour early so we are quick to get in. It really does make a difference on how fast you get to FL and how long the lines are. We felt that since EE is 7:00am not as many people show up and you can get through things quickly. I would definitly do FL on EE day, but as others have said if you walk through FL and the lines are shorter, then by all means ride with on Sunday. Some rides have shorter lines. Just avoid PP and Dumbo. Those two just load so slow.

As for teh weather, it depends where you are from. We are from Chicago and the weather that time of year is 10 times better than it is here since there is no humidity. We never felt overheated. When we did get a littel warm, we just went and watch a show or went back to the pool.

Hope that helps, maybe we'll cross paths.

 

[limace]

Well, we're in Oregon, so the weather is guaranteed to be a bit of a shock for us . I think having the baby along makes me more anxious about the weather than I would normally be. We're all about taking naps and swimming, though, and hope to take advantage of that with the long opening hours.

Any opinions re splurging on Medieval times vs. a character meal? Legoland w/a toddler?

 

[ZeusNike]

Out daughter has loved Medieval Times since we first took her when she was 6 - still does and she is 18 now. In fact she is disappointed we won't have time to get there on our trip this July. Of course she also still loves Goofy's Kitchen so...

 

[abby]

Unless your 10 year old is into lego's she will be bored. I personally think it is too much hassle to rent a car and go. You will be happy spending your time at DL. Go back to the hotel in the afternoon and nap and swim, HOJO has a great kiddie pool. Take your own stroller, it will be great on the walk to HOJO.

We are also from Oregon and when we were there in October it was 90, drink lots of water......

If you get to FL when they open on Sun (a day without early entry) you can do a lot without much lines. Then at 10 when DCA opens hop over and do the bugs land rides without much wait. It works great.

 

[limace]

Thanks guys! And hello, fello Oregonian and HoJo's stayer . Don't you wish we had some of that CA weather right now?