What to do on the day we fly in?

[rhettreaux]

Hi Everyone!

I am flying to Disneyland from New Hampshire, and I just KNOW that my kids (6 and 3) will not be ready to appreciate Disneyland OR the Grand Californian Villas (where we will be staying) after flying for 6 hours. As a result, I don't feel like paying a premium for an extra day at DL or an extra night at GCV.

My question is, if I'm not going to DL or GCV that first day/night, what AM I going to do? I need something which will not eat up a lot of time or money, but still entertain two little kids.

Here are my thoughts:

Option 1) I can check into a hotel near DL with a shuttle from the airport and a nice pool. My girls can swim in the pool for a few hours, go to bed early, and be refreshed the next morning.

Option 2) I can find a hotel near the ocean. (I'm thinking that hotel will not be close to DL and will not have an airport shuttle, thus increasing my costs but letting my little ones play in the Pacific for the first time.) My girls can play at the beach for a few hours (Is it warm enough to go in the water in January? Keep in mind we are used to chilly Atlantic beaches.), go to bed early, and be refreshed for the next morning.

In either case, I need a hotel recommendation. What do you all think?

 

[DizNee Luver]

The HoJo might be a nice option.....it's across from Disneyland & you can see the Matterhorn from the parking lot. It has a huge water play area for the kids, with toddler wading pool, 2 water slides & water sprays & a bucket that dumps water on those below. If fireworks are running that evening, you can see them from some of the rooms or from the hot tub, water play area or pool. The beds are very comfortable & you'll be near restaurants for dinner & breakfast if you need those.

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/ Here is there website to check it out!!!

Good luck with your plans!!

 

[babyruth]

which airport are you flying into? you'll find most folks here love the HOJO especially for little ones because they have a themed water park but I haven't heard of a hotel shuttle from the airport. I don't *think* it's warm enough to take little kids to the beach to swim in January, but this is going by what my sister-in-law says and she is a San Diego local so thinks it's pretty chilly during that time. I'm in RI, while in January it's often below zero at night here, it's usually in the 40's at night there according to her and the water is pretty cold. You may be able to swim in an outdoor heated pool, maybe.

 

[AlexJanessa]

I'm not sure about hotels but we arrived at Disney at 5:00pm and I didn't want to pay for park tickets for only a few hours. We hit Downtown Disney instead and my kids loved it! We made reservations at Rainforest Cafe which was great (although we were all pretty tired after travelling and didn't really get to appreciate it all). But they have tons of kids shops and things to see.

We didn't stay long because we wanted them to get a good sleep before Disney the next day but just long enough to wet their appetites for more things Mouse!

 

[Darth Boeder]

You could stay at HoJo and the kids can play in the water area. You can also take them to DTD and walk around. They have a lot of kid friendly shops that they can go into.

 

[OBDisney]

I'm not sure about hotels but we arrived at Disney at 5:00pm and I didn't want to pay for park tickets for only a few hours. We hit Downtown Disney instead and my kids loved it! We made reservations at Rainforest Cafe which was great (although we were all pretty tired after travelling and didn't really get to appreciate it all). But they have tons of kids shops and things to see.

We didn't stay long because we wanted them to get a good sleep before Disney the next day but just long enough to wet their appetites for more things Mouse!

This is our exact plan, we have a 6 and 3 year old, and from experience we know after travelling they will be tired and not ready for the parks, we would rather start the next day refreshed. OUr plan is to get settled in our room so we can start bright and early the next morning, eat supper at Rainforest cafe since I think the girls we love the atmosphere and then wander downtown disney and then get a good night's sleep.

 

[Queenbillabong]

I personally would get a room at the GCH to avoid having to move from another hotel before going to DL the next morning. Bell Services can either move or store your things if you can't get the same room. The pool there is very nice. I would spend some time in DTD and go to a fun restaurant, maybe Rainforest Cafe like some other posters suggested. A little bit of fun, but not overwhelming. I think the beach would be a little too chilly in January (and I live on the West Coast).

 

[jacs1234]

Oh there are so many options. My kids loved the pool at HOJO, and it's close, it's a great place for them to let of some steam and to get all tuckered out. I also like the idea of staying in a standard room at GCH, the pool there looks nice though I've never been in it. You could take them to the movies or build-a-bear and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe would be nice. Also at Joe's crab shack they have a little play area, so the kids can play while you eat but you'd have to catch a cab.

 

[IBLarsen]

I would choose to stay at the GCH for less hassle. Get the kids settled in and even rest for bit if they will. We always go to DTD and have dinner at Goofy's Kitchen on our arrival day. It's always fun to start off with a Character meal to get the kids excited and have a little taste of Disney without going into the parks on travel day. If you are already at the GCH, you will be ready to go to the parks bright and early the next day and make the most out of your time in the parks rather than switching hotels.

Good luck! Have a GREAT trip

 

[Casey's Mommie]

You might want to stay at a hotel with an indoor pool since it may be too cold to swim in January. Embassy Suites would be a good option and they have a free breakfast buffet in the morning.

 

[skiingfast]

Option 1) I can check into a hotel near DL with a shuttle from the airport and a nice pool. My girls can swim in the pool for a few hours, go to bed early, and be refreshed the next morning.

Option 2) I can find a hotel near the ocean. (I'm thinking that hotel will not be close to DL and will not have an airport shuttle, thus increasing my costs but letting my little ones play in the Pacific for the first time.) My girls can play at the beach for a few hours (Is it warm enough to go in the water in January? Keep in mind we are used to chilly Atlantic beaches.), go to bed early, and be refreshed for the next morning.

In either case, I need a hotel recommendation. What do you all think?

Option 1, there are no hotels near DL with a shuttle from the airport for free. So I would take shuttle out of the equation either way you are paying to get to the resort.

I like the suggestions for staying in the GCH and not moving. Very similiar stay at the DLH, which by next January will have the best pools in the area. In addition to Hojo they are bulding a water play area though small at the Ramada Maingate. Of course addint days to DL tickets is not terrible expensive over the base price.


Option 2, Water temp will be similiar in to the north east. Air temp will be much better. It may be regrettable to not take your family to the Pacific when you have a chance.

 

[Nanseev]

Keep in mind you're going to be on East Coast time, so even if you're here and ready to go at 4pm West Coast time, it's 7pn East Coast time. The kids might be beat.

I would plan on doing nothing, but being in an area that if you want to do something you can easily pick up and do it. IMHO, it's too cold at night to enjoy the beach in the afternoon/evening, unless we're in a warm weather pattern.

I would stay local to Disney. For me, if you can spring it, I'd stay an extra night wherever you're staying for the week...it will allow you to get settled, unpacked, etc. I like the suggestion of HoJo's, and if you have the energy, you can go to Downtown Disney and do Rainforest Cafe or another restaurant. If you think the kids will be up for it, make a reservation for Goofy's Kitchen, which you can do without entering the parks. I agree...a good way to start the vacation.

Have fun!

 

[rhettreaux]

SkiingFast (love the name, BTW), thank you for the info about no free airport shuttle. I didn't know that, so I'll have to make some plans to get myself out to DL. I would love to start out at GCV or GCH, but I already know the price for points on the weekend at GCV is beyond what I want to spend.

What are the prices at GCH like per night on the weekends?