So I *might* be going to Disneyland...now what?!

[DisneyJillian18]

Hello all, I consider myself a Disney World Veteran, having been multiple times.
Now I think it's time to see where it all began!
I know Disneyland is vastly different in how things are done. But my main question is when to go? My Mom(also my fellow Disney lover and travel partner) has knee problems and can't stand/walk for long periods of time, but refuses to get a ECV. So we try to avoid busy times for her sake. When is Disneyland's "slow" season? We are looking at the end of 2016, early December maybe? Should we avoid weekends? I know it's a locals park, so maybe that would be best. Also which airport is best to fly into? Should we just take a cab from airport to the hotel? What about staying offsite? Is it really a big difference? I know you can get Early Morning entry staying on site, so I feel like we should try to stay onsite. But I'm not really sure.
I know it's a lot, but if anyone has any insight. Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Well- sorry but to be very honest there is no slow season anymore. You will not find a time of year where you can do the parks without standing in lines for the rides. (And FYI trouble standing doesn't qualify for the assistance pass (where you return to the ride at a given time) because she can address her issue with a wheelchair/ECV.) You can see wait times on the Disneyland app to get an idea of what your mom is looking at. If she can't do a 20 min line it's going to be tough to enjoy the parks imho. Early morning entry are the shortest lines but only some rides are open & some mornings even those rides are still "testing" during EMH so opinions on EMH are mixed.

I had a similar situation with a family member and until they woke up barely able to walk halfway through the trip they refused an ECV. That day he either got an ECV or stayed at the hotel. He got the ECV & will never tour a park without one again. It took so much worry out of the trip for the rest of us, I hope your mom will change her mind. As far as walking there is significantly less walking than Wdw. The best comparison I've seen is DL & DCA combined = all of Epcot. I hope you're able to do Disneyland!

 

[DisneyJillian18]

Well- sorry but to be very honest there is no slow season anymore. You will not find a time of year where you can do the parks without standing in lines for the rides. (And FYI trouble standing doesn't qualify for the assistance pass (where you return to the ride at a given time) because she can address her issue with a wheelchair/ECV.) You can see wait times on the Disneyland app to get an idea of what your mom is looking at. If she can't do a 20 min line it's going to be tough to enjoy the parks imho. Early morning entry are the shortest lines but only some rides are open & some mornings even those rides are still "testing" during EMH so opinions on EMH are mixed.

I had a similar situation with a family member and until they woke up barely able to walk halfway through the trip they refused an ECV. That day he either got an ECV or stayed at the hotel. He got the ECV & will never tour a park without one again. It took so much worry out of the trip for the rest of us, I hope your mom will change her mind. As far as walking there is significantly less walking than Wdw. The best comparison I've seen is DL & DCA combined = all of Epcot. I hope you're able to do Disneyland!

I just downloaded the app and looked at wait times, the highest thing is Cars at 50 minutes, which we could fastpass. Everything else was 10 minutes. I know they are on a different time, so park just opened. But I consider that a slow season. Thanks for the reply.

 

[SMD]

I was there yesterday. I waited 25 minutes with an FP for Indy at 11:45. Waiting 20 minutes past the FP merge point is typical at DLR.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Ive been in the park the last 2 days. Soaring , Radiator Springs, Peter Pan, and many others were at 75 minutes most of the day.

 

[5forMickey]

I agree, talk your mom into an ecv and it will make your life easier. Even my young healthy kids get sore feet and legs after a day at the park. My parents use them every time we go or they would have to stay home. If you can convince her to use an ecv, if you stay onsite and rent from Deckerts she can take it right from her room to the parks. It just makes thing so much easier for anyone with mobility issues. In fact, I secretly always ponder "borrowing" one of the parents ecv after a long day of walking.

 

[Astylla]

I'm in an ECV due to an injury where I can't do stairs or walk/stand for long and it's allowed me to tour the parks seamlessly even as a regular. Deckerts is great and I highly recommend them.

As stated there's no real slow season but sone times you luck out. Hot days will keep AP holders at at until the evening often and holidays outside Chrustmas and NewYears aren't always insane. Spring break is ALWAYS crowded and summer usually is but also both droids have longer hours.

While EMH is useful you can still make good use of time hitting up the NON EMH park at rope drop if staying offsite. Staying onsite is great for the bubble especially if used to WDW but not necessary at all IMO.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We stay off site. The walk is shorter from best western park place inn.

We fly into Santa Ana sna.

Take uber. Use their app.

 

[sunflare]

Other than the Grand Californian, the motels across the street at Harbor are closest to the park entrances (including the other on-sites...those actually kind of far, relatively), so I'd say staying at one of the Harbor ones might be best if you're looking at mobility issues.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Lots of helpful info for you in this thread: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[DisneyPhans]

Either way, you can rent an ECV in the park and she can opt for one as needed. Disneyland involves long periods of standing/walking, especially in December which is peak holiday season...

I live 10 minutes away and love to test hotels offsite for fun. There's something nice about having hot breakfast ready for you in the morning, then hopping on a shuttle that drops you off at the turnstyles. You can fly into John Wayne (SNA) and take uber/shuttle/cab. Any of the Disney Good Neighbor hotels should serve you well, along with many others in the immediate area.