Disneyland: NEED HELP~~

[wdwmom2+1]

Ok we've been to disneyworld so many times i'd consider us almost an expert. we were always planning on going to disnelyand in a few years but my daughter is in gymnastics . just found out that ov3er spring break we'll need to be in that area for a meet. so needless to say we are nOT going to pass up the opportunity to visit disneyland.. Now i'm a planner.... well I go to start planning and find it fustrating... they dont have rates out for that time of year yet when I called. I don't know what kinds of hours all they open that time of year? what is the weather? do we need two days at disney andone at california adv? or just one and one?? any advice is soo appreciated!!! I am feeling overwhelmed!!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Wow... you are already stressed LOL email me and I will give you some help on all of your questions.

Pam

 

[wdwmom2+1]

LOL... I am a planner!! we already have our June/2011 disneyworld vacation booked and planned out and have since the first day available to do it! I will send you a message!

 

[TP2000]

Disneyland has about a six week period leading up to Easter where both parks have extended hours of at least 9PM on weekdays. Every weekend year round Disneyland is open until Midnight, and DCA at least 9PM.

Weather in April is usually very dry and warm, with chilly evenings. Highs in the mid or upper 70's, lows in the upper 50's. March is similar, but about 5 degrees cooler. You'll want to bring layers; start the day under a couple of layers, spend the afternoon in shorts and a t-shirt, and then start putting the layers back on as the sun goes down.

Disneyland has about twice as many rides as the Magic Kingdom, and you will defininetly need two full days to really get all of Disneyland under your belt. Disneyland is particularly heavy on big E Tickets, with a dozen of them, while Magic Kingdom has just 7 E Tickets. DCA has about a dozen more rides than DHS does, and DCA can be done in one full day.

You'll want to factor in night entertainment; plan for at least one viewing of World of Color, one viewing of Fantasmic, and one viewing of the fireworks from Main Street USA. There are dining packages available for World of Color that are very handy, especially the $15 picnic packages that also get you a Fastpass into the viewing area. Fantasmic does a Dessert Buffet that is nice, but much pricier at $59.

There are lots of good hotels and motels within a 10 minute walk of Disneyland. They are branded the "Good Neighbor Hotels" and they are available for viewing on the Disneyland.com website. You'll want to send away for the Disneyland Planning DVD ASAP, of course, from the Disneyland.com website. Once you get the lay of the land and have some hotels in mind, check out prices on Expedia and such to see what bargains you can find.

There's a million other things to do in SoCal besides Disneyland though. You'll want to do some research into what other activities the family wants to see in SoCal aside from a theme park. Good luck! :wave:

 

[wdwmom2+1]

WOW how awesome are you, thanks for all the information!!! I am starting to feel a bit less paniced right now We have decided to do:
2 days disnelyand
1 day califonria adv
1 day legoland
1 day sea world
a bit off topic of disney but....
Now my kiddos wnat to see "HollyWOOD" Does anyone know where to go to see the hollywood sign or the walk of fame in hollywood? I am not big for driving in big cities and am a bit nervous about driving to hollywood. but wondering if anyone had any tips??

 

[TP2000]

WOW how awesome are you, thanks for all the information!!! I am starting to feel a bit less paniced right now We have decided to do:
2 days disnelyand
1 day califonria adv
1 day legoland
1 day sea world
a bit off topic of disney but....
Now my kiddos wnat to see "HollyWOOD" Does anyone know where to go to see the hollywood sign or the walk of fame in hollywood? I am not big for driving in big cities and am a bit nervous about driving to hollywood. but wondering if anyone had any tips??

That sounds perfect. San Diego County is fantastic, and I find it far more enjoyable than Los Angeles County (which is just typical big city frenzy with better weather). Be sure to get off the freeway and drive on the Coast Highway from San Diego up to Carlsbad (Legoland). It's a stunning drive along the cliffs and surfing beaches of San Diego County, but you need to get off the freeway and on to Coast Highway to experience it.

If you absolutely need to see the Hollywood sign, might I suggest heading up to the Griffith Observatory? It's in the Hollywood Hills above LA, and has a great view of the LA basin and the Hollywood sign just to the west of you. The views from the observation decks are wonderful, the building is stunning, and the excellent space museum inside is free. (Planetarium shows charge a fee) http://www.griffithobs.org/

Then you drive back down into Hollywood and park at the Hollywood and Highland mall, and walk a block or two in either direction to get the taste of Hollywood the kids need while still being safe and relatively sane. This is also the part of town with the Walk of Fame stars inlaid into the sidewalk, and plenty of touristy shops along the way. It's also typical big city traffic and noise and grime, so don't expect the shining Tinsel Town of your dreams.

The Kodak Theatre where the Oscars are held is attached to the Hollywood and Highland mall, and Grauman's Chinese Theater is next door.

And, directly across the street from the Kodak and Hollywood and Highland mall is the El Capitan Theatre, owned and operated by Disney. They'll have the latest Disney movie playing there, often with pre-show live performances on stage or special exhibits in the lobby. Next door to the El Capitan is the Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store. That can be fun, especially for Disney fans.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/soda_fountain/main.html

You just got a good taste of Hollywood all within two blocks, so then you load the kids back in the car and get back on the freeway and drive back to Orange County!