Won a trip to Disneyland!!

[kella]

My daughter was extremely lucky and won a trip to Disneyland through the Disneyonline Spooktacular Sweepstakes. We get to stay at a Disney hotel and get our passes and priority seating at the fireworks, Fantasmic and parade!!! We have never been to Disneyland and are so excited! My son is also coming with us, he is handicapped - developmentally disabled/delayed.
He loves Mickey and anything Disney!!! We have been to WDW when he was much younger and are hoping all the castmembers at Disneyland are as nice as they were when we went to WDW.
We can use all the help you could provide as to getting around the area, etc.
We are planning our trip for May early or mid May. What is the weather like then and how are the crowds?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Kella

 

[PattiPB]

WOW!!!!!!

Good for you! May is a great time to visit SoCal!

 

[kella]

As I said any info really helps - Are there any grocery stores near the parks for purchasing snacks, drinks to keep in our room? We are not sure if we are renting a car or not. Are there any that can be walked to?

Kella

 

[CalGal]

Congratulations! You are very lucky. I'd be thrilled with the priority seatings alone.

There aren't any grocery stores real close, but some (Albertsons) delivers for a nominal fee. The best advice I can give you is to keep reading these boards. You'll learn lots, and it's a good outlet for your excitement over the next 6 months. I also suggest you plan a meal at Goofy's Kitchen. I don't know how old your children are, but at 15, my DS still considers GK a must.

 

[kella]

Thanks! My son is 25 and my daughter is 22. We all love Mickey!!!!!
I don't know how I have missed this site! I know I'll be here alot!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Congratulations to you! What a wonderful way to visit the Original Magic Kingdom.

 

[abby]

You will have a great time. We were there late April last year and the weather was great, not too warm, but swimable. My advice, get to the parks when they open and you can do alot in the first few hours. Also, if you stay at DLH they will bring you a coffee pot for the room if you ask. (I need coffe in the am.) Have a great trip.

 

[Albertan mom]

Congratulations!!
That is soooo great for you and your family!!
And to get to stay at a DL hotel--awesome!
May is a great time to visit. We went May 14-21/04 and it was great. It was hot enough to wear shorts everyday, but not hot hot I am melting hot. Very nice. I would go again in May for sure.

Spend lots of time on this forum, and you will learn much and have all your questions answered!

You are going to have soooo much fun!!

 

[lap3]

Very cool! Congratulations! You'll have a great time, I'm sure. I believe that most of the schools should be in session at that time. So, if you go during the week, crowds shouldn't be too bad. Even if they are, abby made a good suggestion about visiting the parks early. This will allow you to get a lot of things done. By mid day, the parks will get a bit more crowded. You can use this time to head back to the hotel, take in a swim, grab lunch, or even take a nap. By late afternoon, you can head back to the parks and the crowds will slowly start to dwindle...hopefully! Have a great trip and stay tuned on these boards as you'll get a wealth of information here.

 

[Zoemakes5]

How exciting for you!! Crowds in May are pretty good, weather is great. A couple of 'planning' tips, though. During that time of year, they tend to have shorter hours. If you want the magic of the fireworks, etc, make sure you're there for at least one Saturday night (sometimes Friday nights will work, too, but for sure you'll get fireworks on Sat. if they are doing them.) I'd avoid Memorial Day weekend like the plauge. If at all possible, when making your reservations, indicate your son's disabilities and if you have specifics as to what will help him be comfortable, let them know. Also, if he's in a wheelchair, let them know that too. It may make a big difference as to when/where they seat you at various events. I have a son with Aspergers and I always try to make sure they seat us on an end, if possible, as sometimes he wants to leave in the middle of things and he wants to do it NOW.
Stay at the Grand Calif. if possible, it will be less of a hike for you all.
Both Albertson's and Safeway deliver food, if you want to do that, otherwise, as indicated, there's not much right around.
It's been my experience, that by the time you've paid for the shuttle to take you to and from DLR for more than two people, you can/have spent the cost of getting various types of vehicles for rent. If cost is a predominate issue for you on that one, I'd check it out.
Have fun, I'm jealous!