Hi mamas! We are going to Disneyland this Oct for the first time with the kids. (I can't even remember the last time I was there - maybe high school?) Do you have any suggestions regarding hotels, best place to buy tickets or any advice in general. We would like to stay somewhere reasonably priced that is walking distance to the park.
Also, I am trying to decide whether or not I should take a stroller. It seems like such a hassle, but I recall being super tired at the end of the day when I was a kid. We are only going to the park for 1 day so we'll do as much as we can fit in during that time. My children are 5 and 2. They are used to long walks as we take them hiking and we love to travel and see the sights.
Thanks!
Just wanted to say you are going to have a great time! I use to live close to Disneyland and really miss being able to go there anytime I wanted to! Have fun!
Can't type much now but suggest you check archives on mamasource lots of great tips are there. Don't wait in long lines. That's my tip. There is so much to do that one ride is just not worth the percentage of time you are there, at Disneyland there are so many different ways to experience joy, pace yourself and diversify your activities. Plan well and bring small snacks to grab often as needed. Make reservations and go early for the Breakfast Buffet on Main Street (you can get into the park even earlier before it officially opens so you don't have to wait in that line and you start your day with a significant meal which should hold you over, character breakfasts are cheaper than character dinners and it starts the magic with a bang. Bring your stroller just to carry the extra things you bring, jackets, hats, sunscreen, snacks, change of clothes as needed. so no one has to carry them. Last put stickers on each kid's back with your cell phone numbers so if you get separated a cast member can get you reunited quickly.
HAVE FUN!!!!!
Definitely take a stroller, even an umbrella one will be useful to make long treks across the park quicker. We visited in April and used a software program called "Ride Max" to help plan our days. It cost $15 and was the best purchase i have EVER made. http://www.ridemax.com/ You can choose what rides you want to go on, and it will tell you the best time to ride them to minimize your wait in line. I was skeptical, but it was really amazing. We never waited more than 15 minutes in line. The schedule seems rigid at first (ie. get in line at 9:04) but once you start, it flows naturally. It also maximizes your use of Fast Passes.
I can't remember the name of the hotel we stayed at, but literally we were across the street from the main gate. There was a rooftop available for viewing the fireworks and an indoor pool. It was not the fanciest hotel, but it was clean, reasonably priced and you couldn't beat the location. A few minutes searching online and you should be able to find which one I'm talking about.
Have a great time! I can't wait to go back!
Portofino Hotel is nice and they have kids suites which you should check out. I am going next week and staying at the Hilton Homewood and will let you know how that is. Stroller with a 2 year old you will prob need, but rember you will have to park to wait in anyline rides. If your kids are night owls (mine is) I would suggest putting off fantasy land until after fireworks, its the one time the lines are super short and minimal wait, last ride of the night should be Nemo submarines (no wait at all) Hit up toon town before fireowrks because it closes then and stays closed for night at that time (9pm). That where they shoot ireworks of from. I would suggest gettting a hopper pass and going to California Adventure. they have Monsters inc ride and Buzz ride thaqt is really fun. Also you can go to the disney animation area located in teh hollywood pictures backlot and you can talk woth crush, see beasts library, ersalas cave, its pretty cool. The bugs life show there is neat as well. Oct is decorated for holloween and you can trick or treat, I would reccomend haunted amnsion because its "Nightmare Before Christams decorations are soo cool. That all I cam think of for now but will add if I have any more. Mess me if you have any ?s :) Have a great time
I would definitely take the stroller for the 2 year old.
Yes - take a stroller!!! You'll be really happy to have one. D-land is so much walking. Also, you'll want to bring extra snacks and stuff, so you can stick that in the stroller when the kids aren't riding in it and then you don't have to lug it all around, hold it while standing in line, etc.
If you have an iphone, there is an app called "mousewait" that tells you how long the waits are for every ride at any given time. It's a nice feature when you're in the park and trying to decide what to do next!
I don't know where to buy discount tix, but I would say anything you can get in advance will be better than standing in line once you get there. Costco has some kind of 4-day pass available, so if you're coming for a few days, that might be a good option. Also, sometimes you can find people with extra tickets on craigslist that they're selling at lower prices.
Have fun!
K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - Labor Day Sale thru 9/7. New fall toys available! Great toys and games for road trips and vacations!
Attached is an article on tips for Disneyland.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/780
