Spending/doing/eating help

[LaVon]

We did granola bars and juice in the room instead of wasting time waiting for food to come to a table. It was much more relaxing as people could get dressed while others were eating. Target and other stores are not far so if it was now, I'd probably grab yogurt also. When my kids were little, I gave each kid a plastic baggie with snacks (goldfish, cheese/crackers, etc). I agree with others that sodas can be a downfall of money and I've learned to drink water and only have a soda when it comes with the meal.

My biggest and always downfall was I wouldn't budget treats into my budget. We'd get there and their bakery, dole whips, etc just call you. I've learned to now put at least one treat into the budget every day. (if not two LOL).

Plaza Inn you could buy two dinners and split with your kids. Same with the Mexican place in Frontierland (I can never remember the name). The little red wagon with the corn dogs have the meal price but you can just get the corn dog without the bag of chips and soda. The bakeries will cut a cupcake in half for you if you ask.

If you get the soup in a bread bowl in DCA, ask for the bread in a bag and snack on it later. We found that when we went back to our room at lunchtime, there were coupons for discounted pizza. I think you said it closed early one night, I would be tempted to go to Dennys as it was around the same price as other Dennys. As someone else said, IHOP was more expensive than any I've ever been to. McDonalds seemed to have higher prices than normal McD's but still cheaper than a sit down.

Someone help me with the name of the sub place in DTD. ???? We don't have one here so the only time I've been there is when we went to DL. I joined their club a few weeks before we went and got certificates for a free sandwich. It only lasts for so long so you need to do it right before you go. I also joined the Jamba Juice and got a coupon for that.

Souvenirs. I love the idea of waiting until the end. Since my kids are adults now, I'm not up on what kids are buying. If you are considering a souvenir for you, my favorite was a $10 picture frame with the year that I put a photo of all of us in. It reminds me of the trip every time I look at it. Some have gone to Walmart or Target and got some Disney stuff to do on the car ride to/from DL.

Ohh I didnt think about signing up for coupons!! I know we all will get ears and my sons will have their names put on them, Someone said the silhouettes are a great thing to get too.. I think for the ride up (6 1/2 Hours) wont be as bad going down since we will leave around 3am and the kids SHOULD be sleeping for a good part of it.. But I think Im going to do Small cookie sheets, Color books, Color Pencils (since its a rental I dont want crayons) and magnets.. We also have DVD players for the kids and the oldest could always use one of our Nintendo DS... More worried about the drive back but im hoping they will be so exhausted from 5 days at disneyland *LOL* I always make the twins share a plate because sometimes they eat and sometimes they dont and its not worth the extra cost when eating out is a treat for us!

 

[GatorChris]

Have you thought about getting the PhotoPass+ before you go down? That way you can hit every camera guy in every spot and have all the photo you could want. PLUS, you can get photos from the some of the rides - like Splash MT, Space Mt, Radiator Springs Racers, etc. Those kids should all be tall enough to ride those, and the pics from those rides will be awesome. Pics in front of the castle are cool, but the expressions on my kid's faces coming down Splash Mt are my favorite!

 

[LaVon]

Have you thought about getting the PhotoPass+ before you go down? That way you can hit every camera guy in every spot and have all the photo you could want. PLUS, you can get photos from the some of the rides - like Splash MT, Space Mt, Radiator Springs Racers, etc. Those kids should all be tall enough to ride those, and the pics from those rides will be awesome. Pics in front of the castle are cool, but the expressions on my kid's faces coming down Splash Mt are my favorite!
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I already purchased my photo pass because someone said it wasn't available SO Once I found it again (haha not available on the mobile website or the app *LOL*) I purchased it

 

[allsaintsatx]

We have an unhealthy Disneyland mug collection. Also, we like to get a print from Disneyana each trip. They have beautiful Disneyland prints for 29.99 to 39.99 depending on size and they are Hobby Lobby pre made frame size! Usually 14x18, or 12x16 for the smaller (I think). They also have original drawings for sale from the onsite Disney artist. We also just started collecting pins. Small, usually under $15, great designs and a huge selection. Another fun relatively inexpensive thing is the Vinylmation toys and other 'blind box' collectibles. We usually pick up one or two each trip.

We always have to get a Mint Julep from the stand behind French Market. And, if the line doesn't hit the exit of Tiki Room, a Dole Whip is usually a must do. And both are relatively "cheap". We also always get the Chicken Nachos at White Water Snacks at the Grand Californian. And, stating the obvious, a Mickey waffle is a must!! Has to be done every trip! You can get those not just at the expensive character breakfasts but also at QS places like Tangaroa Terrace and White Water Snacks to name a few.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Clandestinely = don't let the kids see you are using their gift cards but don't leave $150 to be spent on the last day. You will love the van. I am convinced it is the only thing that kept my kids from being killed by either each other or me at that age! When you are packing the van, leave a path for the adult passenger to climb between the seat from the front seat. Like a spot to put your foot down as you climb over. Sounds like you know it but your 6 year old likely needs a carseat under CA law. And it might be 6 that DL closes on Halloween party nights. It depends what time the party starts.

 

[LaVon]

Clandestinely = don't let the kids see you are using their gift cards but don't leave $150 to be spent on the last day. You will love the van. I am convinced it is the only thing that kept my kids from being killed by either each other or me at that age! When you are packing the van, leave a path for the adult passenger to climb between the seat from the front seat. Like a spot to put your foot down as you climb over. Sounds like you know it but your 6 year old likely needs a carseat under CA law. And it might be 6 that DL closes on Halloween party nights. It depends what time the party starts.

I get it.. And that makes sense..

As far as carseats yes every child is in a carseat (my 6 year old is still in a 5 point) my husband is a sergeant and a certified carseat guy (hes the reason My oldest is still in his 5 point straps lol) but yes i agree we rented the van because the center row is captain chairs (so they shouldnt beable to irritate each other lol) My oldest will be in the back by himself

 

[kirstie101]

Skip that IHOP. It's the most expensive in America I believe.

Though I do believe they still have "kids eat free" after 4:00pm.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

Measure your kids. With that age spread, odds are good there are going to be rides that the 6 year old can go on that the 3 year olds can't. You can get what's known as a rider switch pass, which will allow the parent who stays behind to watch the kids re-enter without waiting in line. If you think there might be issues with one kid being able to go on rides that the others can't go on, maybe plan for that (splitting up, etc.) Generally, 40" is your first hurdle, so your three year olds might hit that. There are still a lot of rides that they can do, but you might want a plan for rides they can't do.

 

[LaVon]

Measure your kids. With that age spread, odds are good there are going to be rides that the 6 year old can go on that the 3 year olds can't. You can get what's known as a rider switch pass, which will allow the parent who stays behind to watch the kids re-enter without waiting in line. If you think there might be issues with one kid being able to go on rides that the others can't go on, maybe plan for that (splitting up, etc.) Generally, 40" is your first hurdle, so your three year olds might hit that. There are still a lot of rides that they can do, but you might want a plan for rides they can't do.

The twins are just over the 40 mark thank goodness and i feel they would be more adventurous than my 6 year old lol

 

[wingednike]

First off woot woot 14 wake ups till our first trip to disneyland...

Any advice is greatly appreciated.. I really want this family vacation to be fun and not stressful

Have fun on your trip!

A cute, inexpensive souvenir that I like to get is a "diagnosis card" from Shrunken Ned in Adventureland. It's fun to watch the animatronic and is less than $1, if I recall correctly.

 

[scanmom]

One idea for a meal, if they still have it, is the nachos at Tortilla Joes. About 8 years ago, my 21 y/o DD and I ordered it off the appetizer menu. We were discussing what we were going to get as our entrees, and the waitress advised us to not order entrees because the nachos were a HUGE serving. We were so glad we listened to her. We got close to finishing half of the nachos and we were stuffed. Since we were sharing, they let us order them with half beef and half chicken, and they were delicious. At that time they were $9.99, but probably have increased in price since then. At any rate, I'd bet one order would be plenty for your family. That and drinks would be a cheap meal at a table service restaurant and they were very accommodating about the sharing.
Also, we stayed at the Camelot 3 1/2 years ago. We really liked it. Enjoy your trip!