Disneyland Questions again
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Disneyland Questions again
DH and I had made a promise to the kids about 3 years ago that when DD was 10 and DS was 7 we would take them to Disneyland. Although the kids don't remember this promise, I do.
So, we've been doing some researching and thinking. Our options are this:
Go in July (flights are $1350 CAD) or in December (flights are $2200 CAD). The hotel prices seem to be about the same.
Has anyone gone in the summer? Was it unbearable in terms of heat? What are lineups like then? Does California get much rain in the summer?
What time of year would you suggest? July or December?
All comments welcome. Thanks guys!
There is hardly any rain in the summer in SoCal. And YES, it gets hot. It's nice around the coastal area, everything else down here is hot during the day. Night tends to be nice, I think. It's still warm.
I would think that visiting Disneyland in the summer means super duper long lines. There are usually deals for SoCal residents. Does anyone else know? The last time I went was Senior year in HS for Grad Night or something.
HTH
What about August then? When do SoCal students go back to school?
I am getting excited about this. We don't plan to tell the kids until the day we are set to leave.
I do need more information though. Since I am a teacher, we are limited as to when we can go. We can do the summer, Christmas or Spring Break (the week following Easter)
Let me ask around. I am a transplanted SoCal resident, originally from the Central Valley (farm towns and such) so I'll ask other SoCal residents. I'll get back to you. It might take some time.
I don't know anything about Disneyland, but I'm curious as to why Disneyland and not Disney World. I assume you're equally distant from either place so that's why I'm wondering.
Happy planning!
We went in May last year, and it wasn't crowded at all. Perfect time of year.
I have heard that Christmas is extra magical, due to all of the special Christmas decorations. I've also heard that a LOT of people try to get there during the holidays to see those decorations, so it gets pretty congested.
Your kids will be so excited! I don't know if I could keep it a secret that long 
We stayed at a horrible hotel across the street from Disneyland. The lobby was beautiful, but the rooms were terrible. It was a BW hotel. Not sure of the exact name, but if you are considering a BW, I can look it up for you ;)
BW-Best Western?
Kate, no, we are much closer to Disneyland. Flights to Disneyworld would be $3180 as opposed to $1350. That's quite a difference!
Paula, a few years ago we went at the end of August. We didn't think it was bad at all. The weeks around Christmas, and Easter are the busiest of the year. I would probably avoid those times.
A lot of schools are already back in session at the end of August, which I think helps with crowds. We got to the parks when they opened, and rode the popular rides that tend to get longer lines. We left at lunch, went swimming, or took a nap, and then went back to the parks after dinner. We never waited more then 30 minutes in line. And, the lines were pretty short(10-15 minutes) in the morning. It does get hot during the middle of the day, but there isn't much humidity, and it does cool off at night. If you don't think you can handle the heat, I would go during Spring Break. The weather should be nice, and since different schools have different times off for spring break, I would guess that it would not be as crowded as Christmas.
Thanks for the tips Debbie. I read online somewhere that there is a Disney Half Marathon at the end of August that brings a crowd so it's good to know that it wasn't too bad.
Our Spring Break is Easter so I think that would be very crowded, like you mentioned.
I tried to find the school district for the Anaheim area. If I found the right one, it looks like they are on a track system and many seem to have school in July and off in August. It will be good to hear back from Enchens about the school holidays.
I think I can handle the heat ok, it's DH that I am worried about. I just want to book it before he changes his mind.
OK...I booked our trip.
We still have snow here so I don't care how hot it gets!!!
We leave July 16 and come home July 23. I am so excited. I'm not very good keeping exciting secrets so I don't know if I'll be able to do it or not but the plan is to NOT tell the kids. We will go to Edmonton to visit friends on the weekend and then on the way home we will go to the airport instead and tell them at the airport.
Paula are you staying on property, or at a near by hotel?? If you are staying on property, you can enter the parks(on most days) an hour early. I would just suggest going to the parks as soon as they open, and then taking a break when it gets really hot. Then, go back at night. If you go to the discussion boards at www.wdwinfo.com, they have a section about Disneyland. I got a lot of great information there. Also, make sure you know how to use fastpass. It is a front of the line system that they have for the more popular rides.
I'm sure you will have a great time!
Thanks for the tips Debbie. I'm going to learn more about the fast pass from my friends. I have two friends that have been to Disney before.
We are not going to stay on the property because cost is a factor. We will stay in a hotel close by. Any recommendations??
Paula, check on the website I posted, www.wdwinfo.com, go into discussion boards, and then the section on Disneyland. They have a section on good neighbor hotels. It describes a lot of the hotels that are close by. I think two of the most popular on their site are Howard Johnsons and the Candy Cane Inn. The nice thing about Disneyland, unlike Disney World, is that there are a lot of hotels within walking distance.
BW=Best Western
I'm pretty sure it was on the good neighbor hotel list.
The location was fantastic. My DH works with a guy that owns a Best Western hotel. So, he was able to get us these vouchers that saved us a ton of money on rooms. We used them for a BW hotel in San Diego (for SeaWorld) earlier in the week, and that hotel was super nice and we'd love to stay there again. When we got to the BW across from Disney, it was horrible. The lobby was really nice, so we thought it would be a good experience. But, the rooms were yucky and falling apart. I wouldn't even let my kids shower there, because I didn't want them messing around in the bathroom. Just old and gross. The pool was nice though
There are a lot of hotels across from Disneyland, and there is a free shuttle that will take you to and from Disneyland. It picks you up right in front of the hotels.
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