We're going to Disneyland! :)

[aim]

My family has decided to go to Disneyland! But we won't be going until 2005 :lol: We have never been. And could use all the help we can get! So, if you have any tips at all.....whether it be about money, travel, the parks, even the surrounding area, please let me know! I'm SO excited to go to where this all started! :sohappy:


:wave:

 

[maelstrom]

I'm going in 2005 also!! I haven't been there since 2000 so I really can't help you out much. When I was there last, DCA hadn't finished construction yet and everything was different. But I can say this: we're staying on property this time and you should too! I so do not want to deal with Harbor Boulevard (though it's a short walk to the gate [last time I was there, anyhow] from a lot of the hotels on Harbor Boulevard, unlike, say, from the hotels on 192 to WDW's gate )

If you don't think you'll be going back to Disneyland for awhile, cherish your time there!! I was there in both 1996 and 2000 and both times I was being an obnoxious teenager and that made things less enjoyable. Don't take rides and attractions for granted, thinking they'll be there next time. If I had known that Rocket Rods was going to close, I would have waited on that long 2 hour queue to go on it a few more times!

And most of all.. have lots of fun!!

 

[pocahontas79]

I just got back a week ago from my first trip. I stayed at the Hyatt...nice hotel...just can't compare it to the Disney hotels. I absolutely would stay in one of the Disney hotels if I go another time in the future. I was in a hotel about a mile down Harbor Blvd and walked it once, big mistake. :dazzle: Each day I had a character breakfast reservation at each Disney hotel, and wished I had reserved a room there, especially the Grand Californian.
Have fun when you go!

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Originally posted by WDW*babe
My family has decided to go to Disneyland! But we won't be going until 2005 :lol: We have never been. And could use all the help we can get! So, if you have any tips at all.....whether it be about money, travel, the parks, even the surrounding area, please let me know! I'm SO excited to go to where this all started! :sohappy:


:wave:

You are so lucky!!! The chances for me to go to either of the resorts are just so little!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[shuflemstr]

I went for the first time this past January. We stayed at the Grand Californian Concierge. It was AWESOME. You have your very own entrance into DCA. You walk right out another door and you are in Downtown Disney. I can't wait to go back.

 

[Merlin]

How long will you be out here? I would obviously recommend making DLR your main priority. It will take about 3 days (1 day for DCA and 2 for DL). If you have more time, you should visit some of our beautiful beaches. You might also want to take the one-hour drive north to the Burbank/Hollywood area. Get there really early in the morning and get tickets for a tv show taping (Tonight Show is always a fun one). Then go to Universal Studios and spend the morning and most of the afternoon. It is not nearly as spectacular as the one in Florida but it does have it's own special appeal and uniqueness. It doesn't even take one full day like the Disney parks so you'll be done in time to get back to the show taping. That's what we do every now and then. It makes for a fun-filled day.

 

[craziebabie1]

I agree with Merlin, Knotts Berry Farm is also close by, and a lot of fun.

 

[Merlin]

Originally posted by craziebabie1
I agree with Merlin, Knotts Berry Farm is also close by, and a lot of fun.

Yes! Knott's is practically just up the street (maybe 10 - 15 minutes away). It is a great mixture of some awesome coasters (if that's your thing) and some wonderful themeing. It has several coasters, two of which are among the best I've ever been on (I'm a coaster buff as well as a Disney fan). One is the Accelerator and the other is Ghost Rider (the best wooden coaster on the planet). The park has several themed areas, but one in particular is called Ghost Town. The themeing and attention to detail in this section rivals Disney, partially because the old buildings in this section are authentic. The park actually started as a berry stand and then they later added a chicken restaurant (which is still there to this day). The founder, Walter Knott, wanted something for people to do while they waited for the restaurant. So he purchased Calico Ghost Town and had several of the structures relocated to the property. Over the years, the park has grown from that into a full-fledged theme park. It has a log ride which was the longest in the world until Splash Mountain opened at Disneyland, but it is still a great ride. It also has a mine train ride that preceded Big Thunder Mountain by a number of years. And unlike the majority of non-Disney/non-Universal parks, the employees at Knott's are very friendly. Especially in some of the older sections of the park, if it is not very crowded, they'll just chat with you and tell you all kinds of stories about the history of the park. Yeah, definitely include Knott's in your itinerary if you can!