What should we do different this time?

[ColoradoLime]

Just thought this might be a fun way to get advice or info from you all.

We last visited DL in 2013 when the kids were 11 & 3. Now we're planning to visit Oct 2022 and they’ll be 20 & 12. Big change! We visited DL Paris a few years ago (I highly recommend!) but the parks are just different enough I want a new game plan. And the kids are so excited to be there over Halloween.

We'll have 5 days this time so lots of time to ride our favorites over and over.

Since our last visit my daughter has discovered she does actually like roller coasters so we'll be adding those to our itinerary.

Star Wars stuff is on the top of our agenda. Avengers...maybe. All the classics, definitely. Given that we have more time for this vacation I plan on making allowances to go rides solo since there are plenty no one else in my family will go on - I'm looking at you GOTG Mission Breakout and Splash Mountain.

I believe the last time we went we did have a dining plan, so I know I have to budget differently for food this time. We're quick service people, maybe one sit down dinner if that. I've got the AllEars site will all the menu pricing so I'm digging through that.

Previously we stayed at the Residence Inn and took the shuttle to the park. This time we're planning on staying across the street for a super close walk.

Comparing airfare it appears flying into LAX rather than SNA is significantly cheaper. Anyone have thoughts on a major reason NOT to go through LAX? I know it's much further but even factoring in a car service for transport we'll still talking a $500 difference.

What other advice/tips/fun info would you give me?

 

[azdisneylover]

By the time you go to DL, hopefully everything will be open and back to normal. Splash Mountain could be closed for rebranding into Princess and the Frog theming. If you plan on walking to and from the parks daily, I highly suggest as close to the entrance as possible (Best Western Plus Park Place Inn on Harbor Blvd) to make the walk back at the end of the night easiest as possible. Your feet will thank you nightly. Download the Disneyland App onto your phone. Check out the Disneyland site on your computer and check out the menus. Get Disney gift cards at Target to save 5%. It adds up. Same with Starbucks. Get those at Target too. Check out a couple of the food threads or Trip Reports of Malcom101 or Figment? They both have great pictures of the food as well as descriptions. Ask as many questions you have and you will get great answers by the awesome people on these boards.
One more piece of advice is, what ever $$$ number you come up with, add an addition 10% minimum! Oh, another one, watch the Halloween thread and check prior trip reports and threads to see if you would enjoy the Halloween party. If you arrive on a party date, it is a great way to add a day to your stay!

 

[BriannaRuth]

Splash Mountain could be closed for rebranding into Princess and the Frog theming.

Have you heard about a timeline for this?

 

[azdisneylover]

Have you heard about a timeline for this?

No, all I have heard is that they will probably close it after summer, when it gets cold in CA (late October, early November time). I heard a guestimate of 18 months or so.

 

[Sirenitas]

Anywhere from the HoJo to The Anaheim is an easy walk (we have stayed at both and a few in between). We have never flown into LAX so I don't have any personal info on it, but from what I have heard watch your times or you could get stuck in rush hour hell

 

[felice]

LAX introduced a new system for arrivals (including international arrivals) called Simplified Arrival recently - which should speed up the arrival process quite a bit. Am looking forward to trying this next time we visit, when international visitors from other countries are allowed to visit the USA again.

 

[ColoradoLime]

Splash Mountain could be closed for rebranding into Princess and the Frog theming.

I read about this revamp, I'll be watching for timing of that. But plenty of other stuff to do if this one is closed!

Oh, another one, watch the Halloween thread and check prior trip reports and threads to see if you would enjoy the Halloween party. If you arrive on a party date, it is a great way to add a day to your stay!

Halloween Party is a must. We have a flexible window for our trip so we'll definitely be scheduling around a time the party will happen.

 

[ColoradoLime]

We have never flown into LAX so I don't have any personal info on it, but from what I have heard watch your times or you could get stuck in rush hour hell

Good point! Thanks. We planned on doing an early morning flight there but that might drop us in traffic. Just have to watch flight prices the closer we get.

 

[mouschievous]

A lot of people complain about LAX, but we've never had a problem. Yes, it's a large and very busy airport, but it's no worse than other large and very busy airports. It is quite a bit farther than SNA, but for a $500 savings, I think it's worth it!

DLR doesn't have dining plan. I didn't realize they ever did! We really like Blue Bayou for table service. I love the atmosphere, but we really enjoyed the food as well. Their food is rather polarizing on the Disboards though. My ILs loved Napa Rose for their anniversary dinner, but it's $$$. Maybe not what you want for your family?

We had a 5 day trip planned (stoopid Covid) and planned to make it a leisurely trip with all the extras - watch the parade, do the World of Color dessert show, watch Fireworks from the castle, the whole nine yards. We don't normally do all those things - takes away from valuable ride time! - but we purposely planned a 5 day trip so we could do those things and not feel like we were missing out.

 

[ColoradoLime]

A lot of people complain about LAX, but we've never had a problem. Yes, it's a large and very busy airport, but it's no worse than other large and very busy airports. It is quite a bit farther than SNA, but for a $500 savings, I think it's worth it!

Yeah, we're coming from a large, busy airport and have traveled through so major ones so I can't imagine it being any different that what we are already used to. lol

We had a 5 day trip planned (stoopid Covid) and planned to make it a leisurely trip with all the extras - watch the parade, do the World of Color dessert show, watch Fireworks from the castle, the whole nine yards. We don't normally do all those things - takes away from valuable ride time! - but we purposely planned a 5 day trip so we could do those things and not feel like we were missing out.

This is our goal this time too. Last time was a quick 3 day trip with a toddler. This will be a longer trip to really take everything in.