So excited but I need help!

[KristinandChris]

Hi everyone! I'd love some advice/feedback/opinions on an upcoming trip to Disneyland! I've been to Disney World several times but never been to CA. My hubby and I are taking a trip with his parents to San Diego next spring break (the second week of April) most likely for the whole week. I'm a Disney nut so of course I politely suggested a 2 day trip to Disneyland and I think we're going!

Our party will consist of me (29), my hubby (29), his parents, and the most important person - our new daughter! I'm due in October so she should be around 6 months old then. I realize she won't have a clue where she is but I'm so excited to share this trip with her!

Soooo I'd love any tips you have for a first timer - possibly starting with where to stay. Right now we're just planning 2 days so I'd love to stay right near the parks. I'm a new mom so this will be our first big trip with an infant. Do hotels usually offer a crib or pack-n-play of sorts? Also, we usually do the dining plan at Disney World but I don't think we'll do it this trip. I'm guessing we'll have one sit down place for dinner and then do the rest of the meals counter service. Should we buy a park hopper pass or just two regular tickets for each park?

Sorry this turned out to be so long, I'm really excited! We aren't planning another trip to the World until 2010 so this will get me my "Disney fix" for a while

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome to the DL side of the board.

First off read all the tips in HydroGuy's superthread (printing the abreviations page & having a map in front of you will be handy). Read them in order (the DLR for WDW Vets will be especially helpful). The link is right here:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Hi everyone! I'd love some advice/feedback/opinions on an upcoming trip to Disneyland! I've been to Disney World several times but never been to CA. My hubby and I are taking a trip with his parents to San Diego next spring break (the second week of April) most likely for the whole week. I'm a Disney nut so of course I politely suggested a 2 day trip to Disneyland and I think we're going!

CONSIDER 2.5 TO 3 DAYS AT DLR SO YOU CAN:
- ENJOY THAT EXTRA MORNING AT THE PARKS.
- QUALIFY FOR MM/EE IF YOU STAY ACROSS THE STREET ON HARBOR.
- NOT FEEL RUSHED.


Our party will consist of me (29), my hubby (29), his parents, and the most important person - our new daughter! I'm due in October so she should be around 6 months old then. I realize she won't have a clue where she is but I'm so excited to share this trip with her!

Soooo I'd love any tips you have for a first timer - possibly starting with where to stay. Right now we're just planning 2 days so I'd love to stay right near the parks.

WOULD YOU RATHER STAY ON SITE & PAY $225 - $400 PER NIGHT OR ACROSS THE STREET & PAY $75 - $140 PER NIGHT. (BOTH OPTIONS ARE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE.)


I'm a new mom so this will be our first big trip with an infant. Do hotels usually offer a crib or pack-n-play of sorts? Also, we usually do the dining plan at Disney World but I don't think we'll do it this trip.

THE DINING PLAN AT DLR IS NOTHING LIKE WDW. (NOT A VALUE & NOT WORTH CONSIDERING, IMO). FOR 2-3 DAYS, PLAN 1 OR 2 "NICE" MEALS & THEN PLAN ON COUNTER SERVICE. LOTS OF GOOD INFO & OPINIONS HERE ON FOOD PLACES.


I'm guessing we'll have one sit down place for dinner and then do the rest of the meals counter service. Should we buy a park hopper pass or just two regular tickets for each park?

YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER 3 DAY PARK HOPPERS. IF YOU END UP ONLY SPENDING 2 DAYS THEN GET 2 DAY PARK HOPPERS. PARK HOPPING DURING BUSY TIMES (SPRING BREAK) IS VERY EASY AT DLR (UNLIKE WDW) & IS AN EFFECTIVE METHOD OF ENJOYING & TOURING THESE TWO PARKS. (SEE THE LINK IN HYDROGUY'S TIP LISTINGS FOR ALOT OF OPINIONS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PARK HOPPING AT DLR).

Sorry this turned out to be so long, I'm really excited! We aren't planning another trip to the World until 2010 so this will get me my "Disney fix" for a while

Then you should definitely insist on 2 nights 3 days minimum.

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


hound

 

[mlggator]

You are going to have a great time. I agree, read Hydroguys tips. First and foremost, DLR is a very different experience than WDW. Please go into the trip knowing that. It is smaller and more compact, but there are a lot more rides in the park than in Magic Kingdom. The great thing about DLR is because everything is so close, you can do a lot more in 2 to 3 days than you can at WDW.

As far as hotels go, do you want to stay onsite or off site? There are quite a few great hotels that are closer to the parks than the Disney hotels. So lots of choices.

And with restaurants, what are you looking for in a sit down? Do you like character meals, or something adult and elegant or do you want something with that magical Disney touch and atmosphere?

Michele

 

[KristinandChris]

Great tips so far! I'm assuming we'll stay offsite. My in-laws aren't really into Disney (they're crazy I know!) so I don't think they'd appreciate staying onsite. We always stay onsite at the World so I don't mind staying offsite at Disneyland. So any recommendations around $100 or less would be great!

As far as eating goes I don't think we'll do a character meal since the in-laws wouldn't appreciate it. Plus our daughter will probably sleep through it so we'll save that for when she's older. We're open to other sit down meals though in either park.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

desert inn and suites now frills but nice and close book early. I booked in feb for oct and got room for 59 a night. Now I look and they are 109 a night.

People like the hojo and with a entertainment card it is 59 a night.

 

[tofubeast]

I recommend dining at the Blue Bayou...which is indoors and overlooks the PoTC! So unusual and I am sure all in your party would enjoy it!

Make sure you study the map of DL....the layout is a bit diff. than what you are used to at MK.

I also recommend at least 2 to 2.5 days and doing parkhoppers. If going during busy spring break time, consider ridemax to help plan your time in the parks.

Have a a great time!

 

[KristinandChris]

Thanks! What's ridemax?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Let me add my echo to those recommending a 3 day ticket. Disneyland itself requires 2 days and you need half a day to hit the highlights of DCA. As mentioned, Disneyland alone (not including DCA) has more attractions than the MK.

Likewise, remember that Disneyland is not WDW. Disneyland has a unique charm due in part to its' size. Accept Disneyland for what it is, the park that started it all and the only park in the world to have Walt Disney's personal touch.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

desert inn book early i got a spa room 99 night in jan for my trip in oct.
defenitly do BB dinning
park hopper for sure.
make sure to learn all the fast pass tips.

 

[Capt.Bane]

I agree with Sleepless Knights...Disneyland deffiantly has a different feel to it than Disney World. Both Resorts are wonderful to visit, but walking through the gates of Disneyland is almost like stepping into Walts immgaination itself.

And yes I would deffinantly plan at least 2 full days for Disneyland and dont rush take your time and take in the whole park. Enjoy yourself and it will be memory you and your family will have forever...even the inlaws.