Originally Posted By neverbeen Hi...Never used a message thing before. Anyway, I've never been to Disneyland before and I'm looking to take my two kids in April, May or June (haven't decided yet). I'm clueless about what to do, where to go, where to stay, I didn't even know there were ears until I just read another message about them (I really really didn't know that there are "dream ears") All of this has driven the fear of Mickey into me and I'm afraid that my kids are going to miss out on key stuff because I don't know any better...So I'm looking to all of you for the "inside" stuff to make our trip rock. Please Help.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Welcome to the Boards! How old are your kids? That will help the Community here to offer advice. "Dream" ears are given out free in the Park. You can't try to get them. It just happens. So relax on that ccount, anyway!
Originally Posted By rtjl72 the thing is - you will have a most magical and wonderful time if you just visited without any planning, but to plan and plan and plan is just some peoples nature( true confession here!)are you flying in or driving in? how long will you stay?
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan Last year I had a friend who went in May (before most schools were out for summer vacation) and another friend who went in June. The May friends had a wonderful, not-very-crowded trip. The June friends said the park was very crowded and would choose another time of year to go next time.....and pull their kids out of school. Also.....there is a whole DL Trip Planning section (here on the LP forums). You should read scan through them and see what topics pertain to you and read those. I have learned so much here from all the experienced folks.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros If you can plan your visit between Easter (I don't know when it is this year) and Memorial Day (last weekend in May), you should be able to avoid the crowds from spring breaks across the country and people starting to get out for summer. I would say this is probably the best time to go, but there will most likely be some attractions down for maintenence, and they may not be running all of the big entertainment things that time of year. I believe when the crowds get smaller, they still run all of the main shows, but each takes a couple days off, so you may still be able to get all of that in, if that's what you're interested in.
Originally Posted By neverbeen Sorry...just learning. My kids are 6 and 2...we're flying from "the middle of no where" Canada. I think we'll stay a week. My 6 year old is into the Disney Princess meal thing but I heard through Grandma who heard through a girlfriend that it wasn't worth the money...That the princesses just walked through and waved...no real interaction...anybody know the real deal?
Originally Posted By mater4 I would go the last week of April - May but before memorial day if crowds are an issue. As Darkbeer says check the disneyland site and the longer the hours the more crowded the parks. As for the character breakfasts I have had good experiences and the characters came to our table for pictures. I think it is worth the price if you don't want to stand in line for the characters in the park. Also a week is the pefect amount of time to see everything without rushing.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I've never done a Pincess meal, but the character meals that I've been to have all been great. On average, we would probably see about 5 or 6 different characters through the meal, and have 2 or 3 minutes with each one. It doesn't cost that much more than a meal inside the park would, and you get a nice chance to sit down and enjoy it, instead of running all over the park. I would say that it would be worth the price, and would give the kids a nice break during the day, without having to actually leave and go back to the hotel or any thing like that.
Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM Since this is your first trip to DL, I'd do the Princess breakfast. You don't want to leave DL and say to yourself, "I wish we would have done this" or "I wish we would have done that." Our first trip, we did EVERYTHING...no regrets once we got home. Now, we pick and choose our favorite things. Just because a friend of a friend of a friend didn't think the Princess breakfast was worth the $$$ doesn't mean you will feel the same. It's your daughter's first trip and she loves the princesses...do it.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I personally would do the princess lunch or dinner - these you can pick what you want from the menu - unless something has changed the breakfast is served family style and they bring a dish of eggs potatoes and meat (don't remember if it was bacon or sausage) someone just listed their breakfast experience over in teh trip reports. I am a picky eater and preferred picking my own food from the menu. The princesses are announce one at a time and each make the arounds one at a time to each table for a little chat and picture opportunity. If you are seated at a booth I recommend you have the child sit on the outside so she can get up for each picture. I would suggest the lunch over dinner only because it is sooooo muuuuchhhh food!!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains By the way a six year old is perfect for this meal....For breakfast I would choose minnie or goofy (never tried storybook or lilo and stitch) Your 2 year old will be free for these meals...Also I would only choose one of these big meals per day...
Originally Posted By BC Canadian Hi there Neverbeen.We are from BC and my daughter is now 8yrs old,we are going to Dland on May11/08 and it will be her 4th time. 1st time was when she was 2yrs old.I will fill you in on something.Best thing you did so far was find this site.The people on here are wonderfull and so helpfull it will suprise you.And you become addicted to these boards because they are so loaded with information to pick and choose from.We like everything planned out to take full advantage of our time in Dland and CA. We just booked our trip today with flight center.fly down to Dland for 4days and cruise home for 2 adults 1 child was 2725.00 includes all passes and transfers and taxes.We have done this trip in May for the past 3 times we went.Email me if you like we can chat more. tammyclarke@hotmail.com
Originally Posted By ssturgeo Welcome to LP! Be sure to stop at City Hall and get your daughter a First Visit button. Have never done the Princess meal, but have done all the others, and always had good character interaction, fun, etc.! H\In the past I have gone first week in May and first week in June both, and no crowds either time. Keep the questions comming!! A wealth of information here!! Sharon Next Trip March 1-9 then Nov. 16-21
Originally Posted By Zwitek Some will say "do everything" and I agree, try to do everything if you'll be there for several days. What I do not recommend is trying to do everything on your first day. You'll be exhausted by day #2. Even on crowded weekends, I've found it possible to do ALL of the rides in 2 days. It's hard work though. Since you'll have more than 2 days, don't try to cram it all in. Take your time, enjoy the park for what it is. Don't overplan!
Originally Posted By neverbeen Thank you so much for all your help. I'm just want to make the most of our trip cause we probably wont be able to go again...$ is an issue for us. This is like our once in a lifetime trip. New Question: I'm going it alone with my two...are the strollers any good? Do I need to bring car seats for the taxis down there? I'm trying to limit the STUFF I need to bring but I want to be prepared...The idea of standing at baggage claim with a whinning 6 year old, a tamtramming 2 year old, all of our laugage, stroller and car seats for both on top of it scare the *#@^ out of me. Any advice about the plane...none of us have been on a plane before either. Do I need to get a seat on the plane for my 2 year old? Do I need a car seat for that seat if I do get one? Are there People at the airport that I could get to help me, like a hostess or something? I know I've just fallen off the turnip truck, but we've never been anywhere but Grandmas House and we drove there.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I've never seen anybody use a carseat on a plane, and I've seen children of all ages flying, so I think you would be alright there. I have definately seen carseats going around on the baggage claim thing, so they would probably make you check it if you did bring one. I have no idea about the taxi though. As for strollers, the ones at DL are the 3-wheeled jogging type. They seem to fit most kids, and I believe they have a net or something on the bottom to store some stuff. They can be a little bluky in large crowds, but I don't think I've ever heard complaints about them from the people using them (the people who get run over by the aggressive mothers is another story). They are $10 per day, so I don't know how that figures into the mix (some people stop by Walmart and get a cheap one for their trip and throw it out when they're done). If you do get one, I would recommend bringing a ribbon or something to tie onto the handle so you can tell which one it is. There are places where there are dozens of nearly identical strollers sitting together, and it can be a little confusing to get the right one. You can just untie it at the end of the day, and bring it back the next morning to use again.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Okay instead of the taxi you can take the shuttle - no need for a carseat - I know there are a couple different ones so I would check - You might just want to pick up a cheap stroller while at home and bring it with you to put the 2 year old in at the airport - I have seen people at the gates with them - so I am not sure if you can use it as carry on or not - worth checking into - If you page Darkbeer he knows the best bus/shuttle to take for the least money and most direct - as some take people home first -
Originally Posted By FerretAfros With strollers, you are allowed to use them in the airport, and then they put them under the plane when you are getting on. Then you can pick it up again as you are getting off. For the shuttle, it depends on which airport you are using. I know at LAX there is Super Shuttle and Prime Time Shuttle. There's also something called like Mickey's Shuttle Express that specializes in the DL area. Super Shuttle and Prime Time are at all of the airports in the Southern California that you would probably be going through, and they would definately be able to take you there. They don't need reservations for leaving the airport, but you will need to get one to get back to the airport (most times you can call within about 6 hours and be fine but I would recommend at least a day before you are leaving).
Originally Posted By rtjl72 when i called super shuttle for info abour car seats there statement when something like- the driver will not deny you entry without a carseat. i'm not sure what that was suppose to mean, but i have a feeligng that a car seat would be preferable for the shuttle service. afterall, it is just a big van. to not use car seats you should go with the disneyland resort express. it is like a greyhound bus- disney sytle. much safer for the little people without the car seats. roundtrip adult i think is like 24 dollars, but they may have coupons available for 2 or 3 dollars off. good luck and have fun!!!
Originally Posted By MMfriend Hello; I am also new to this. I have been reading and loving your discussion boards since looking for this sort of thing after my first trip to DL and after I fell in love with disney and mickey mouse. I took my Mom to DL Dec 6-13, 2007 for my first trip ever. I was afraid we would be the only adults without children. I used the book "Birnbaum's Disneyland resort" (published yearly and selling for $18.95 canadian). It was wonderful. Explains everything from airports, shuttles, hotels, timeline for planning, parks, restaurants, price ranges, entertainment, etc. Well worth the price. I think I did a good job my first visit planning and see everything. We went to princess dinner at ariel's grotto in DCA. It was great. You got a photo op with ariel when you came in and then ALL the princesses were there and stopped at each table for pictures, autographs, hugs, etc. Lots of little kids were dressed as princesses and it was cool seeing them all get hugs. The princesses would get right to their level on their knees. You got a soup or salad, then choice of about 5 main courses and then dessert. Was a bit more pricier than the other character meals we went to, but worth it. I cannot wait to go back (and to go to WDW also).
