ISO: ISO Joe: I'm in the planning stages of a Disneyland trip with the grandkids. Any tips?
- Thread starter angak
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Actually, Michael might be more help here than I, since he goes regularly. Either the John Wayne or
the Long Beach airports are smaller and less stressful than LAX, and both are closer. You'll want to look into shuttle services from the airports when you book your hotel. (They're sure to have shuttles to John Wayne--don't know about Long Beach.) There are several hotels right along Harbor Blvd., near Disneyland. I see what else I can come up with.
the Long Beach airports are smaller and less stressful than LAX, and both are closer. You'll want to look into shuttle services from the airports when you book your hotel. (They're sure to have shuttles to John Wayne--don't know about Long Beach.) There are several hotels right along Harbor Blvd., near Disneyland. I see what else I can come up with.
You might look at this 'unofficial' Disney site - they don't recommend hotels off-property...
http://allearsnet.com/dlr/tp/dl/dl.htm
But all the hotels around the park have free shuttle service back and forth. Just avoid Howard Johnson's - it's a real dump. The Disney hotels require a 2-night stay, so keep that in mind, too, as they are mega expensive. The Candy Cane Inn right across from the Disneyland entrance (i.e. a 10-minute walk) is supposed to be very family oriented and clean, though not a 4-star hotel like the Disney properties. I also hear the DoubleTree Hotel is very nice. The Embassy Suites come highly recommended , as does the Best Western . All the hotels around will offer special 'Disney packages', often allowing you early entry into the park.
DEFINITELY avoid LAX if at all possible. I live 5 min. from LAX, so I know whereof I speak smileys/smile.gif
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is 13 miles from Disneyland. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is 19 miles away. LAX is 35 miles away.
If you DO decide to fly into LAX for whatever reason, then you can catch the Disney Shuttle Airport Bus from LAX to Disneyland. It's supposed to be pretty cheap, but I've never done it. The trip down to Anaheim would be close to 1 hour I'd guess.
http://allearsnet.com/dlr/tp/dl/dl.htm
But all the hotels around the park have free shuttle service back and forth. Just avoid Howard Johnson's - it's a real dump. The Disney hotels require a 2-night stay, so keep that in mind, too, as they are mega expensive. The Candy Cane Inn right across from the Disneyland entrance (i.e. a 10-minute walk) is supposed to be very family oriented and clean, though not a 4-star hotel like the Disney properties. I also hear the DoubleTree Hotel is very nice. The Embassy Suites come highly recommended , as does the Best Western . All the hotels around will offer special 'Disney packages', often allowing you early entry into the park.
DEFINITELY avoid LAX if at all possible. I live 5 min. from LAX, so I know whereof I speak smileys/smile.gif
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is 13 miles from Disneyland. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is 19 miles away. LAX is 35 miles away.
If you DO decide to fly into LAX for whatever reason, then you can catch the Disney Shuttle Airport Bus from LAX to Disneyland. It's supposed to be pretty cheap, but I've never done it. The trip down to Anaheim would be close to 1 hour I'd guess.
Oh, and Ang, I would recommend for dining with the kiddies -
From inside Disneyland you can take the tram which lets you off at the Disneyland Hotel. Get off the tram and down the steps and you will see the Goofy Cafe. Very nice diner-type cafe that caters to kids. You can get out of the craziness of Disneyland for awhile and have a relaxed sit-down lunch or dinner with real food -- not fast food.
What ages are the grandkids?
From inside Disneyland you can take the tram which lets you off at the Disneyland Hotel. Get off the tram and down the steps and you will see the Goofy Cafe. Very nice diner-type cafe that caters to kids. You can get out of the craziness of Disneyland for awhile and have a relaxed sit-down lunch or dinner with real food -- not fast food.
What ages are the grandkids?
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
I highly recommend John Wayne airport over LAX (no brainer) and the Goofy's Kitchen character...
...buffet is wonderful for kids and a decent 'feedbag' for adults. We will be there later this month with our boys and my SIL and her two kids. Good experience all around!
We spent many years staying at the hotels on Harbor Drive, across from Disneyland. The Carosel and the ones around it (Park Place, etc.) are all VERY BASIC. A bed (or two queens), a bathroom and a fridge and mircowave (be sure to ask if they can put a micro in the room) are the standard stuff here. You usually get a danish and coffee breakfast gratis and the rooms are clean. Good bargain accommodations.
We became members of the Disney Vacation Club a couple of years ago, and we try to stay at the Grand Californian whenever possible. Great service, nice rooms, and it is literally IN the park, with an entrance right into California Adventure. This may not seem like a big thing, until you realize that using this entrance can get you through the bag check line much faster than on the plaza that separates the two parks (Disneyland and Cal. Adventure). Plus, the walking distance to "fun" is much shorter!
In California Adventure, make sure you take advantage of the "single rider" entry to a select number of rides. This is different than the "fast pass" that most people are already aware of (use it! It is great!). The single rider option is when you don't care who you sit next to, you just want to get on the ride as fast as possible.
You see the cast member at the entrance to the ride. Ask them if "single rider" passes are available for that ride. If so, the cast member will give you a ticket and tell you where to enter the ride in order to get in the "single rider" line. You will typically get in a very short line that the cast members loading the ride draw from to fill empty seats. You can get a seat on a ride in 10 to 15 minutes (or less) when the rest of the public has to wait 45 minutes (or more!). Not all rides have this option, and, the last time we were there, it was only in Cal. Adventure (not Disneyland).
If you haven't seen Fantasmic, take one evening to stake out a spot near the railing around the Rivers of America (in front of Pirates of the Caribbean). You will wait for an hour or two to get a good spot, but the show is so, so worth it! It is Disney at its best!
Captain Jack Sparrow wanders around New Orleans Square on a regular basis. He's awesome!
Go to the Golden Horseshoe Revue (Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are a decent distraction while you have a snack and a cool drink).
Oh, I just can't wait!!!!
Michael
PS: Send me a PM if you have any other questions. As you can see, I LOVE talking about this stuff!!!
...buffet is wonderful for kids and a decent 'feedbag' for adults. We will be there later this month with our boys and my SIL and her two kids. Good experience all around!
We spent many years staying at the hotels on Harbor Drive, across from Disneyland. The Carosel and the ones around it (Park Place, etc.) are all VERY BASIC. A bed (or two queens), a bathroom and a fridge and mircowave (be sure to ask if they can put a micro in the room) are the standard stuff here. You usually get a danish and coffee breakfast gratis and the rooms are clean. Good bargain accommodations.
We became members of the Disney Vacation Club a couple of years ago, and we try to stay at the Grand Californian whenever possible. Great service, nice rooms, and it is literally IN the park, with an entrance right into California Adventure. This may not seem like a big thing, until you realize that using this entrance can get you through the bag check line much faster than on the plaza that separates the two parks (Disneyland and Cal. Adventure). Plus, the walking distance to "fun" is much shorter!
In California Adventure, make sure you take advantage of the "single rider" entry to a select number of rides. This is different than the "fast pass" that most people are already aware of (use it! It is great!). The single rider option is when you don't care who you sit next to, you just want to get on the ride as fast as possible.
You see the cast member at the entrance to the ride. Ask them if "single rider" passes are available for that ride. If so, the cast member will give you a ticket and tell you where to enter the ride in order to get in the "single rider" line. You will typically get in a very short line that the cast members loading the ride draw from to fill empty seats. You can get a seat on a ride in 10 to 15 minutes (or less) when the rest of the public has to wait 45 minutes (or more!). Not all rides have this option, and, the last time we were there, it was only in Cal. Adventure (not Disneyland).
If you haven't seen Fantasmic, take one evening to stake out a spot near the railing around the Rivers of America (in front of Pirates of the Caribbean). You will wait for an hour or two to get a good spot, but the show is so, so worth it! It is Disney at its best!
Captain Jack Sparrow wanders around New Orleans Square on a regular basis. He's awesome!
Go to the Golden Horseshoe Revue (Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are a decent distraction while you have a snack and a cool drink).
Oh, I just can't wait!!!!
Michael
PS: Send me a PM if you have any other questions. As you can see, I LOVE talking about this stuff!!!
diannecerkvenik64
Well-known member
I was just in Disneyland last weekend 022908~ stayed at the Wyndmere Hotel because they
shuttled to and from Disneyland (free) It is about 1/2 mile from Disneyland but it was cost effective (65.00 a night because we reserved on line) There are so many places to dine in Fullerton all around Disneyland plus the Wyndmere Hotel has breakfast that is awsome too.
The kids took me to Disneyland ~ what a switch.
It cost us 66.00 plus tax (68.70) per person to enter Disneyland. It is best to go during the week (we were there last Saturday) We got there around 12:00 pm (we drove from Phoenix to Disneyland and had an odyessy getting there and arrived at 2:00 am Saturday morning) and we stayed until 9:00 pm.
What a great time, we met more family there and with cell phones we stayed connected when we did separate things. The parade, and fireworks are fantastic.
If you want the website for the Wyndmere Hotel (if you can't locate it on line) I would be happy to provide the information. But you have to act fast because once the ticket prices are listed each day they may go up.
Also before we left to drive home, we took the 12 mile drive to Seal Beach from the Wyndmere Hotel and spent the morning on the beach and pier and across the street were quaint shops and another great time to have too.
shuttled to and from Disneyland (free) It is about 1/2 mile from Disneyland but it was cost effective (65.00 a night because we reserved on line) There are so many places to dine in Fullerton all around Disneyland plus the Wyndmere Hotel has breakfast that is awsome too.
The kids took me to Disneyland ~ what a switch.
It cost us 66.00 plus tax (68.70) per person to enter Disneyland. It is best to go during the week (we were there last Saturday) We got there around 12:00 pm (we drove from Phoenix to Disneyland and had an odyessy getting there and arrived at 2:00 am Saturday morning) and we stayed until 9:00 pm.
What a great time, we met more family there and with cell phones we stayed connected when we did separate things. The parade, and fireworks are fantastic.
If you want the website for the Wyndmere Hotel (if you can't locate it on line) I would be happy to provide the information. But you have to act fast because once the ticket prices are listed each day they may go up.
Also before we left to drive home, we took the 12 mile drive to Seal Beach from the Wyndmere Hotel and spent the morning on the beach and pier and across the street were quaint shops and another great time to have too.
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
And...and....and...!!!!
If they still have the Alladin stage show in California Adventure (the full, Broadway-style production in the theater), it is very much worth the effort to see it. It only plays Wednesday through Sunday, and you have to arrive early. Great show!
Now, we are NOT roller-coaster, thrill ride people, BUT, that being said, the roller coaster in Cal. Adventure (California Screamin'), is, in my 47-year-old perspective, the best I've ever been on! It has a smattering of every kind of roller coaster, and not too much of any one thing. Plus, the 0-to-60 mph acceleration at the start is amazing!
Also in that category is the Hollywood Tower of Terror. It's in Cal. Adventure as well, and simulates an out-of-control elevator drop in a 1930's-themed hotel, complete with ghosts. The special effects are fantastic, and the ride will scare the bejeepers out of you.
Soaring Over California is not to be missed either. (Cal. Adventure again). It is a simulated hang gliding trip through the sights of California made very realistic by IMAX technology and the creative use of air freshner scents.
Otherwise, California Adventure is more like a State Fair than anything else. Most people spend less than a day there.
I mentioned the fast pass system that is used in Disneyland and Cal. Adventure. It is a great way to avoid long lines, and stay together as a family. It is different than the single rider thing. I can give you a tutorial by PM if you like. You really can benefit greatly by using it, and it's not hard to master.
Now I'm really excited!!!!
Michael
PS: Did I mention our first date, June 16th, 1978 (30 years ago this summer) was Grad Nite at Disneyland? Our first born shares Walt's middle name, Elias. Scary, huh?
If they still have the Alladin stage show in California Adventure (the full, Broadway-style production in the theater), it is very much worth the effort to see it. It only plays Wednesday through Sunday, and you have to arrive early. Great show!
Now, we are NOT roller-coaster, thrill ride people, BUT, that being said, the roller coaster in Cal. Adventure (California Screamin'), is, in my 47-year-old perspective, the best I've ever been on! It has a smattering of every kind of roller coaster, and not too much of any one thing. Plus, the 0-to-60 mph acceleration at the start is amazing!
Also in that category is the Hollywood Tower of Terror. It's in Cal. Adventure as well, and simulates an out-of-control elevator drop in a 1930's-themed hotel, complete with ghosts. The special effects are fantastic, and the ride will scare the bejeepers out of you.
Soaring Over California is not to be missed either. (Cal. Adventure again). It is a simulated hang gliding trip through the sights of California made very realistic by IMAX technology and the creative use of air freshner scents.
Otherwise, California Adventure is more like a State Fair than anything else. Most people spend less than a day there.
I mentioned the fast pass system that is used in Disneyland and Cal. Adventure. It is a great way to avoid long lines, and stay together as a family. It is different than the single rider thing. I can give you a tutorial by PM if you like. You really can benefit greatly by using it, and it's not hard to master.
Now I'm really excited!!!!
Michael
PS: Did I mention our first date, June 16th, 1978 (30 years ago this summer) was Grad Nite at Disneyland? Our first born shares Walt's middle name, Elias. Scary, huh?
The Vons offer is a 2fer - buy one full price admission for Disneyland and get
the next day at California Adventure free.
I looked at the offer while I was in the grocers yesterday and the full adult admission is $66 and the child (I think...) was $59. So for that price you could get 2 days of fun smileys/smile.gif Whatever hotel you book with will have special offers, too - sometimes they can be cheaper still.
If any of the grandkids are babies, Disneyland has a great nursery. They also have a wonderful medical aid center... I found out the hard way smileys/smile.gif
the next day at California Adventure free.
I looked at the offer while I was in the grocers yesterday and the full adult admission is $66 and the child (I think...) was $59. So for that price you could get 2 days of fun smileys/smile.gif Whatever hotel you book with will have special offers, too - sometimes they can be cheaper still.
If any of the grandkids are babies, Disneyland has a great nursery. They also have a wonderful medical aid center... I found out the hard way smileys/smile.gif
diannecerkvenik64
Well-known member
IF YOU HAVE TRIPLE A (AAA) YOU WILL GET ADMISSION DISCOUNT ~ CHECK WITH TRIPLE A FOR DISCOUNTS ~ THE
EATERIES IN DISNEYLAND GIVE A DISCOUNT WITH YOUR TRIPLE A (AAA) CARD AND IF YOU CONTACT TRIPLE A YOU CAN GET AN AWSOME PACKAGE ~ WE USED OURS WHILE IN DISNEYLAND
EATERIES IN DISNEYLAND GIVE A DISCOUNT WITH YOUR TRIPLE A (AAA) CARD AND IF YOU CONTACT TRIPLE A YOU CAN GET AN AWSOME PACKAGE ~ WE USED OURS WHILE IN DISNEYLAND