Trip to Disneyland in May

[PrincessKeeves]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are planning at trip to Disneyland from May19-26 (20-25 in the parks). It will be his first visit and I haven't been since I was 7, so I'd appreciate any advice you have. Thanks.

Also, we'll be staying off resort at one of the good neighbour hotels due to budget, so any suggestions in terms of that would be appreciated as well.

 

[DreamtheImpossible]

Hi there!!! Congratulations on your upcoming trip!!!

First of all, most are going to suggest that the first thing you do when you walk through those beautiful gates is to go straight to City Hall and get a 'first visit' button!!! It's never to late to experience the Magic, I took my fiance for the first time two years ago. (He fell in love!)

Another suggestion is to perhaps decide what ride is best to start off the 'experience' together. My fiance at the time was skeptical, so I knew our first ride had to be something that embraced the magic, but was thrilling enough to capture his heart. I chose Indiana Jones, which is now a tradition for our first ride.

What hotel are you looking to stay at? The Howard Johnson is great, with a good DISboards discount! (15%?) though it's a little far for tired feet to walk. I stayed at the Fairfield Inn, it's a little closer and it has a McDonald's right in the parking lot, which was great for us. It's also a longer walk at the end of the day, but then again there's always the ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) if you want. It's relatively cheap from what I understand.

There's so many things to suggest! Here's a few questions:

What do you and your hubby enjoy food wise?
Are you interested in shows like World of Color and Fantasmic?
How do you do with thrill rides?

One thing to note: Depending on when California has it's "grand reopening", May could be VERY busy with the opening of Carsland and the finished California Adventures.

Hope this helps! I'm happy to answer any questions. <3

 

[skiingfast]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are planning at trip to Disneyland from May19-26 (20-25 in the parks). It will be his first visit and I haven't been since I was 7, so I'd appreciate any advice you have. Thanks.

Also, we'll be staying off resort at one of the good neighbour hotels due to budget, so any suggestions in terms of that would be appreciated as well.

If you are quite reserve the Hojo at the entertainment rate quickly. It is available right now on 5 of 7 days. It's a good hotel and cheap rate for it. You can get 15% off the other nights.
http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14

 

[PrincessKeeves]

Thanks very much for your input!

I'll definitely make sure he gets a button at city hall for his first visit. I wish my parents had known about that when I was a kid and went the first time. I don't anticipate it being too hard of a sell for my husband, we both love Disney movies and he's been wanting to go for a while. I like the idea of choosing a cool first ride. It's been 20 years since I was there last, so depending on the ride it may be a first for both of us

We haven't booked our hotel yet. We're looking at the Park Vue Inn, Hojo, or Quality Inn. We should be able to book in the next couple days, just had to make sure I could get the time off to go. We're not too worried about walking from the hotel to the park, as long as it's not too far (over 1/2 hour).

As far as food we like a bit of everything, no picky eaters or allergies. If there are any foods unique to Disneyland that we should try that would be great to know about. We are going on the trip to celebarte our anniversary (a bit late, but I couldn't get off work for our real anniversary, May 2) so any suggestions or a good place to celebrate that would be helpful too.

We'd like to see World of Colour, Fantasmic, fireworks, etc. I figure with 6 nights in the parks we should be able to see the shows we want at least once.

We both enjoy all types of rides, so we will want to check out the thrill rides as well. The only ones that bother me are some of the spinning rides, but as long as I don't go on too many at in a row I am usually fine. I do love the traditional dark rides and quieter rides too though.

I'm hoping it won't be too busy when we go, but it's the only time that works, so however it is in the parks will have to do.

Thanks again for the help

 

[DreamtheImpossible]

Well the GREAT news about even if it is busy...is that during the week it's going to be slower than the weekends regardless, and 6 days is going to give you plenty of time! So I wouldn't stress about that.

I'd definitely suggest (budget allowing of course) that you spring for the Blue Bayou. The atmosphere can't be beat. It's one of the more expensive restaurants but I think it tastes great and if you go during lunch the Monte Cristo is a signature Disney dish. (To die for, I've heard...it's on my list of things to try!)

If it's also in the budget, doing a World of Color dining plan guarantees a fast pass to see the show! (So does the picnic, which is significantly cheaper. )

There are some rides that fill up RIGHT as the park opens. (IE: Star Tours, Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Finding Nemo, and Indiana Jones) If you want one of those for a first ride, book it the minute you hit the parks! Otherwise a sweet and romantic option is to take a carriage down Main Street, taking in the atmosphere as you approach the Castle.

 

[skiingfast]

We haven't booked our hotel yet. We're looking at the Park Vue Inn, Hojo, or Quality Inn. We should be able to book in the next couple days, just had to make sure I could get the time off to go. We're not too worried about walking from the hotel to the park, as long as it's not too far (over 1/2 hour).

Those are all good places to stay.
Hojo if you book quick, look at that link, rooms will be $59. It's decent and close at about a 7 minute walk.
Quality Inn will rival the Hojo special prices, it also has a simple breakfast, but is basic as far as a hotel goes and about a 12 minute walk.
Park Vue Inn is nice, great perks, good breakfast and as close as you can get, just 3 minutes to the gates, just across the street from the resort entrance. It will be 100 to 50 percent more than the others but the food perks will make up for it.

As far as food we like a bit of everything, no picky eaters or allergies. If there are any foods unique to Disneyland that we should try that would be great to know about.

There is tons of food that is unique and good. Village Haus, Hungry Bear and Jolly Holiday Bakery all in DL and the Paradise Peir dining at the end of the peir all have new menus with atypical park food.

We'd like to see World of Colour, Fantasmic, fireworks, etc. I figure with 6 nights in the parks we should be able to see the shows we want at least once.

World of Color is likely going to run nightly, so take one night to get a good view. The other possibly only on Saturday and Sunday. You can see two or even three shows in a night. See them early in the visit so you can watch them again if wind or something else cancels you first chance.

The only ones that bother me are some of the spinning rides, but as long as I don't go on too many at in a row I am usually fine.

Don't worry, there are only a few and they are spaced out so you should be fine.

 

[MommyLove]

I'm hoping we'll be going that same week! DH just needs to get the time off. If we do, we'll stay at HoJo's. They have their entertainment rate that week and it's SUCH a great deal.

 

[PrincessKeeves]

We have our flights and hotel booked now! We decided to go with the Quality Inn, figured with the money saved on hotel we can do more in the parks. I'm so excited, can't wait

 

[KittyKat1978]

I am going that week as well! May 20-26, in the parks May 21-25.

I went in Feb, my first time since I was 7 as well (although I had been to WDW in 2009 & 2011). I loved it so much, I bought an annual pass.

I always head straight for fantasyland. To me those rides scream Disney

I didn't eat in any resturaunts, but my two favorites where Jolly Holly Bakery in DL and Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill in DCA.

I am sure you will have an amazing time.

 

[Sparrow78]

We are going the same time as well! We have flights booked and park passes from my work! Just need hotel. We were supposed to go on the cruise in feb but had to cancel which I had paid with Airmiles, so I just need to wait for my airmiles back then we can book hotel. Since we want to do airmiles I will see how much for the DLH hotel, otherwise we might do the portfolio inn just so dd can be in Her own room in the kids suite.

 

[jakoky]

Hi there, we are on vancouver island and our trips will overlap a bit...we will be there from may 12-22....just yesterday I received 3 of our 4 free 7 day park hoppers ...I grew up doing 1 day only trips to Disneyland, went at least 7 times by 13 yrs old...my dh had never been...we did our first family trip to DW in 04, and then did DL in 06,07, and 09 and 8 weeks from today we will be back ...I introduced my family to space mountain as their first ride and it is still the ride we always go to first!

The HOJO is awesome, have stayed at it our last 2 trips and got the retro rate for all 10 nights in may....Mimi's is a restaurant right next door to the HOJO that has incredible food...if u sign up with them 1-2 wks before your trip (do it separately with you and your husbands email) and u will get a coupon for a $10 breakfast for each of you free ....

Have an incredible trip, I know I am counting the days

Sharon