Originally Posted By tinkerbell77 Hi all, We are going to DL this Dec 6 - 14. We have never been for the holidays. We are a family of 4 staying at the Grand. Now what kind of activites would you not miss out if money was no object. What are some musts to do while there? Thanks, we cant wiat for this trip. My family needs it so much. This has been a hard year for all of us. SO this trip is going to be an all out trip! Thanks in advance for your input.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo Well, my first thought was staying at the Grand! You'll have a great time, well-deserved I'm sure. We were homeless for the holidays last year as our house was being torn up for a remodel and we enjoyed our time at Disneyland.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice My first thought matches threeundertwo. Check out some of the posts in this section that discuss the holiday "extras" you can get through the DLR Vacation Planning folks - Gift baskets and treats, etc., sent to your room Lunch or dinner at Blue Bayou... Fantasmic! on the Disney Gallery Balcony... Character Breakfasts... Build-A-Bear... Dinner on the balcony at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen... You're going to get a ton of suggestions with that question!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Oh... and the 8th and 9th will be your only opportunities for Fantasmic! If you decide to do the balcony dessert buffet, you'll need to call for reservations right ON the 8th or 9th of November. They start answering calls right AT 8 a.m., so you need to be quick-fingered dialing. I'm gonna hunt now for the phone number for you...
Originally Posted By wonderingalice (714)781-DINE Or the Vacation Planning folks can do it for you, too...
Originally Posted By tinkerbell77 Thank you so much wonderingalice. I am hoping for alot of anwsers to this question. I just want this to be as special as possible. We have gone through alot of deaths in our family, and close friends. And the kids (who are 8 & 11) need a break from the real world. We went to DL last year for the 50th, and now I want them to enjoy it to the fullest. How about the tours, any of them good for kids their age? Thank you again for your response.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice I'm so sorry for all of your losses, tinkerbell77... Disneyland will be so good for your family, and there's no better time than during the holidays. I've never done a tour, so I'm not the best one one for advice there... But from what I've read here, I think your kids are of a good age to enjoy the "Walk In Walt's Footsteps" (hope that's the right name for it) tour. We've got a lot of folks on the board that have taken a variety of the tours. You might post a separate topic such as "Best Disneyland Guided Tour for Kids" ...
Originally Posted By fidoprincess "Or the Vacation Planning folks can do it for you, too... " Wonderingalice is right about using VP services! Call them now though and give them all your information and your credit card number!! We have found that they are almost guaranteed to get front row seats on the balcony! Calling yourself is hit or miss, you may not be able to get it. I suggest the first show and then watch the fireworks from the balcony too. (Just be sure to tell your kids there is no ice cream-lol-mine were so sad thinking dessert buffet would surely include ice cream!) VP can also book your tours as well and there are 2 that I have heard are good for kids, the holiday tour and the discover the magic tour which is kind of like a "treasure hunt" for kids. My kids did not want to do the tour but you do get special seating for the parade along with a treat. Don't forget too that your hotel will have some special activites like a treasure hunt and storytelling that you can also take advantage of and would not get to do if you weren't staying there. My kids still love buildabear(7 year old((TODAY!)) and 11) so we do early entry and they practically have the whole store to themselves! Guest sevices at the hotel can arrange this too and so can VP. My kids love BB (although we have not been with the new menu yet-15 more days) and we always make 1st lunch seating to be sure to get a waterside table. They love Goofy's and the Plaza, Minnie & Friends character meals. Really anything you do will be "special" because you will be at DL!! I hope you have a wonderful trip and don't forget the inexpensive holiday things like cookie decorating at Reindeer Roundup! PS (I saved this way back when I called for balcony seating myself: "The phone number for making reservations for the balcony and riverside seating for fantasmic is 714-781-4400." If you call dining they will have to transfer you over and then you will be too late!)
Originally Posted By wonderingalice ^^Thanks for that #, fidoprincess! I'm filing it where I can find it easily next time!
Originally Posted By dsnykid Tinkerbell77.. I am so sorry for your losses in the past year.. If you really want to go all out you can book a private VIP tour with just your family and a disney tour guide. I think it costs $75/hour with a 3hr minimum, but it's designed specifically to your request. Info is on the disney website or at vacation planning.
