Disneyland

Ok, lay it on me. Planning to go in April. Disney World is out of the question and we have family in CA who are always complaining we don’t visit so 2 birds, 1 stone. What do I need to know? We would stay onsite. Please tell me here is ample alcohol.

Re: Disneyland

No need to stay on site because there are a TON of hotels across the street that are within walking distance to the parks.

Disneyland and California Adventure share the same "walkway" which makes it super easy to hop between the parks if that's what you want to do.

Disneyland is on the old fastpass system so you have to go to the ride and print a fastpass ticket - no fun, convenient app.

Disneyland is a lot smaller than Magic Kingdom and so much more manageable. I have not been to CA so I can't speak to that park.

If you have younger kids then you should rent a stroller from a rental company. They will drop it off and pick it up from your hotel.

Also not too far away from Disneyland is Knotts Berry Farm which is super cute and on the smaller side. It reminds me of a smaller Great Adventure.

Disneyland

Thanks. I wouldn’t know the difference between an old fast pass and a new one. Last time I went to Disney world was 30 years ago.

DD will be 3. Unlikely I can get her in a stroller but would probably borrow from my SIL if we needed one.

Are there perks to staying onsite? Is this the same craziness where I have to plan out what snacks we want 6 months from now?

I should use a travel agent, shouldn’t I?

Disneyland

I wouldn't stay on site. It's expensive, and there are closer hotels that are "offsite". The only perk you get is 1 hour early entry, but it's not necessary.

I would book at the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Hotel. It's directly across the street, and you can see rides and the monorail right outside the hotel door. It's about 5 minutes to walk to the date of Disney Land. We have stayed twice, this past Summer and the Summer before. They have room for 6...2 queens and a set of bunk beds. Split bath, so there is a tub/shower in the main bathroom, then in the room with the toilet is a glass enclosed shower. It's spotless, has a water park, and we've had excellent stays there!

We LOVE Disneyland! Definitely purchase the "Maxpass". You can use that instead of getting paper fast pass. It's $10 per person per day. You book them on the app. The second you scan your fast pass in the line, you can book another. It also includes ALL of your photopass pictures!! We used it this past Summer, and it was totally worth the $10.

Disneyland

Also, Disneyland restaurants only do reservations 30 days out, and it's not like Disneyworld at all. Most are easy to get. I HIGHLY recommend Minie's Breakfast at the Plaza Inn if your child likes characters. They have like 15...many different ones, it's great! I also recommend the Carnation Cafe, it's low key right on Main Street, and you can sit outside. Also, make sure you go to Disney's California Adventure. The parks are literally 100 steps away from each other. Cars Land at California Adventure is AWESOME!! So realistic, and just so cool, especially at night! The newly re-imagined Pixar Pier area is super cute, too!!

Disneyland

AND! (sorry, lots to say haha!), Check out Disneyland Daily on Facebook, she is awesome!! She posts a lot of helpful stuff!!

Re: Disneyland

Here is a picture to show proximity. That round building is Space Mountain in the park. This was from our room balcony



Disneyland is in the middle of a Downtown type area, so it's not all lush outside like FL FYI!

Other half of the water park

Message edited 11/7/2018 1:05:12 PM.

Re: Disneyland

It's a lot of walking, so definitely take a stroller. Also, you could probably have your DD pass for "under 3" and then you won' have to buy park tickets.

I know it's shady but those tickets are expensive. If your DD is on the smaller side and is sitting in the stroller at the time of entrance they will not even question it.

We went to Epcot over the summer and my DS had just turned 3. He was in a stroller when we entered the park and not one person said a thing to us about a ticket for him. We had to pass through two entrance check points.

Re: Disneyland

Disneyland

The good thing at Disneyland is the characters just roam around Fantasyland so you don't have to wait in a long line. You just stop, snap a pic and get an autograph and go! Definitely go in the castle also, it's an actual story and walk through, unlike the one at Disney World.

A can't miss is the World of Color show at California Adventure. It's a water show in front of the big wheel with color, projections, etc. It's awesome! We actually booked the dessert party for that, so we could sit and watch the show, and it was a total splurge, but totally worth it!

Disneyland

Also, the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground is another good one to stay at. Look on FB at the renovated rooms. They are across the side street from the Courtyard!

Re: Disneyland

Get away today is having a contest to win two free nights at the hotel I mentioned. Here is the link! They actually have a ton of giveaways for free hotel stays that end of this week. Enter on this link and then have your husband enter and you will get 25 additional entries!



https://woobox.com/nqq62y/kwu746