Disneyland/Vegas Tips Suggestions

[MountainPowder]

Any advice or suggestions are appreciated. Taking the wife, 9 y.o. son, 3 y.o daughter. We are driving down in August for a week. Stay a night in Vegas then on to California. We plan on going to Disneyland and a few other places (beach, Univ. Sudios, CA Adventure, etc.?).

So looking for tips and suggestions as far as what we should do/see, what the kids will or will not like, reasonable hotels (just want something clean and decent for good price for Vegas and Disneyland area). Also very interested in anyone with info on package deals they've gotten or heard about.

Thanks!

 

[ArcticBoy]

Skip Vegas with the kids and go straight to D-land.

 

[Abominable]

My advice is to read. Alot of info out there about both.

http://www.mousesavers.com/

and a Vegas deal here (lots more like it out there):

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hote...vegas-49-incl-buffet-meals-2-other-comps.html

will get you started. Be sure to read/learn about "trading off", its a great way for everyone to experience the rides your 3 yr old can't ride yet.

Its a great trip, Ive done it about 5 times.

Costco sells a SoCal Citypass that's a pretty good deal for tickets to Disneyland and a few other attractions, check it out.

If you arent a member, join AAA. it's $50-$60 for a 1 year membership and they have some good travel deals and discount Disneyland passes, plus when you show your membership card you can park at D/L for free ($12 a day savings, almost pays for the membership in 3-4 days).


Have fun!

 

[summitguy98]

I just got back from d-land last week. We stayed at the desert inn and suites about 1/2 mile down from the enterance. As far as d-land, show up when the gates open with rides in mind that you want to ride. ride them first and then go down your list. if you lollygag and show up even an hour after, you will be in line all day. I have a 1 year old, and we just hit the little kid rides in the morning and used fast passes for the bigger rides. If you don't know what a fast pass is, learn. Basically you show up and get a ticket that allows you to come back an hour later without waiting in line. The same goes with california adv. Also a buddy pass is great, it allows you or your wife to stay with the kids and then get straight on the ride as soon as the other gets off. we enjoyed soaring over california and grizzly river run the most. so yeah, fastpass, fastpass, fastpass. It will make your life easier. have fun.

 

[Dobber1]

Skip Vegas with the kids and go straight to D-land.

.....or leave the kids with the in-laws, and spend the week in Vegas!


Yeah....skip Vegas with the kids....

 

[oldracr]

stay home and save your money

 

[cowboysedge]

Go to TTS/Thoras Travel on Main Street in Pocatello. Ask for Melonie!

Tell her your plans and see what she can do for ya!

She hooked my family up with a package deal last summer. We had a blast!
From what we seen the package deal was much cheaper than just going down and buying your motel and passes at the gates. Our motel was part of the package.

As for D Land and C Adventures, use the fast passes. I would send the family on a ride, then I would go around and get fast passes for as many rides as I was able to. Then we would all ride the fast pass rides when it was time and ride the others while we waited for the next fast pass ride time.
Works great.

Also make sure you get the schedules at the gates. They tell you what characters will be where and at what times. They also tell you what time all the parades are and where they are at.

If its in your budget you might check out Ariael's Grotto for breakfast. Your daughter would love it. Or Goofy's kitchen is great also.

If you go to the fire works the best place to watch is in front of the castle. You will want to be a hour early because it will be packed. I think my girls like the fire works most of all. We had to watch them every night.

One more thing, if you drive down take a couple of cases of bottled water with you. It costs about $5 a bottle down there.

Oh, I almost forgot. If you are into getting to D Land when it opens, look for the gate with the tall older gent! If you get to his line first when they open the park they always take one family in and let them do the countdown to open the park and make that family vips for the day. Its a foot race from the security check gate to the main D land gate! So you have to hurry.

Have fun!

 

[MountainPowder]

Thanks for the tips, keep 'em coming!

As for skipping Vegas, we are mostly stopping there to split up the drive a little for the kids, and don't plan on doing much there. Maybe just check out some of the free stuff to see. We plan to take a trip back there w/o the kids another time.

So far we are thinking 2 days at Disneyland, 1 at CA Adventures, 1 at Seaworld, and 1 at the beach. And we're thinking we will make another trip when the kids are older and can enjoy the bigger rides and things....

 

[cookiecutter]

I went to disney land as a 9 year old with one younger sister as well. the rides and everything were great, but I can't remember ANY of it now. What I do remember however is me and my dad spending all day together, and him doing anything I wanted (even if it was riding space mountain over and over and over again). I guess just be your sons friend for the few days there, stay up late together if he wants. I remember one night having my dad wake me up and walk me down the street to see a late night water lights show, it was so cool.

I just graduated from high school and am moving out soon. But that trip I'll always remember, not because of Disney, but because of my dad.

 

[JDKZRT]

So far we are thinking 2 days at Disneyland, 1 at CA Adventures,

Disney and CA Adventures are right across from one another. You can go back and forth on the same day very easily.
- if you go home before the park closes for the night, pick up some fast pass for a popular ride and GIVE them to some family at the back of a line (good karma).

 

[Cowgirl151]

If its in your budget you might check out Ariael's Grotto for breakfast. Your daughter would love it. Or Goofy's kitchen is great also.


QUOTE]

This is a breakfast where 4 princess's come out and meet everyone and do pictures and autographs. Very neat for the kids!!!!

So far we are thinking 2 days at Disneyland, 1 at CA Adventures, 1 at Seaworld, and 1 at the beach. And we're thinking we will make another trip when the kids are older and can enjoy the bigger rides and things....

We spent 3 days in DL and CA (in July...It was super, super busy w/ long lines an I bet August is just as bad...) and found that there wasn't enough time to see it all. There is just so much to see and do, you need a day or 2 more there get it all in. You spend A LOT of time in lines!!!!

For sure use the fast passes. And get there when the park opens. If you want to ride Finding Nemo, go there very first in the morn. That line is hours long the rest of the day!!!

Buy an autograph book in Poky. All the characters sign autographs and the ones to buy at DL are spendy. Also bring a little back pack to carry all the stuff you'll aquire throughout the day and to carry cameras, water bottles, and etc.

If you are driving bring your own water and some food. For 4 of us to eat (ordering for 2 adults and 2 cheaper kiddie meals off the menus) in the park, it costs $40+.

I don't know where you are staying but The Tropicana Inn is right across the street from the main gate to Disneyland. And is inexpensive.

Oh if you are watchin the fireworks, get a spot directly in front of the Castle. This is very hard to do and people start lining up and saving spots hours before the fireworks even start. But in front of the castle is the best spot.

Good luck!! If I think of more tips, I'll let ya know.

 

[Zachcreek]

Take the kids to the strip and night. You will give them an education they will never forget....... When I have happened to be in Vegas and walked down the strip, I am always amazed at the humanity of that place, or lack of it. Not a place for kids.

 

[Abominable]

Fantasmic is the water/light show cookiecutter mentioned, definately worth seeing, be sure to work it in to your visit!

 

[cookiecutter]

Fantasmic is the water/light show cookiecutter mentioned, definately worth seeing, be sure to work it in to your visit!

Ya thats it, thanks for remindin me. Good times

 

[cowboysedge]

I forgot to tell you, if your boy isn't into Star Wars I would get him watching the movies so he is up on them and interested.

D Land really has the spot light on Star Wars! 4 or 5 times a day they have a jedi training for the kids. They run them through the training and then one kid has the chance to fight Darth Vader. It looked like a blast for the kids that were into Star Wars.

Also I would make sure your kids are up on the movie Aladin, then go see the Aladin play in Cal. Adventures, it lasts about 1 hr. and is really worth it. flying carpets, great acting and Hot Dancers for the Dads to look at!

There is tons to do!! I would start planning your days at the parks now! From daylight to Midnight! My girls were trooper! They where 4 and 6, the only time they slowed down was when we were waiting for that hour before the fire works started. They would take a fast nap then I would wake them up for the fire works.

 

[Racer220]

We just got back from DL over Memorial Weekend. Wasn't as busy as I thought it would be which made it nice for our group of 9. We were at DL 4 days with a 1, 3, and 5 year old and we still didn't make it through the entire park. I think most rides with a height restriction in DL are 40" and 40-42" in Cal Adv. so that put a little damper on all the kids getting to ride. There are still TONS of rides that you can take anyone on so don't let that discourage you. FASTPASS, FASTPASS, FASTPASS for sure if you plan on getting a lot of rides in. That way you can ride, go check out stores, ride again, eat, and ride all afternoon without waiting in the 'Stand-by' lines. We were at DL 4 days, Cal Adv. 1 day and went to Newport Beach for a day and that was perfect as far as I was concerned. Definetely watch the fireworks from DIRECTLY in front of the castle (anywhere in the center circle with the Walt Disney/Mickey statue) It is an amazing show, so we ended up watching it 3 times (especially for the kids). Do be prepared to scope a spot out about 2 hours early and make sure at least 1 or 2 people are there to 'guard' it. It gets crazy hectic about 20-30 min before the show starts. Can't help you with deals that are available, but we stayed at the Portofino Inn about 3 blocks south of the park. Nice little walk, and for the price I couldn't complain. Overall about a 3-4* hotel-NO COMPLIMENTARY BRKFST which sucked I loved going with my kids (1 and 3) as it was also my first time at DL. Hopefully you get some deals and everything works out awesome. Hope you have fun.

07

 

[triple]

Stay at teh Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites. It's cheap, clean and best of all close. It's an easy 5 minute walk to the Disney main concourse. HI speed internet and parking is free. My daughter loved the Princess Dinner at Ariel's Grotto but it's a little pricey. SHe's a good kid and worth every penny. There are lots of eating options within a block or 2 of the hotel. There's a Denny's right next door, a Macdonalds and a few other restaurants. Fast Pass the big rides and do the lesser ones in the stand by lineups while you wait for your speed pass time to arrive. I never used a fast pass on California Screamin' once this past visit. It was never more than a 20 minute wait in the shade. Disneyland is a great place to take your family. We enjoy the magic that only Disneyland in California can provide.

 

[EricW]

We have gone to a dinner/show called Midevil Times that was only a few minutes from Disneyland. I thought it was great both times. Knights jousting, sword fights, maidens honor being defended, grogs of Ale, and hand ripped chuncks of cooked bird with no silverware, it was the best. I can't remember how pricey, but it was a lifetime memory for the kids.

The was also a show called something like Cowboy Bobs wild west show. Wasn't the level of Midevil Times but was a good time. Travel agents should know of them both. Have fun. EW

 

[motojunkie101]

I lived in Vegas for 3 1/2 years. The only show I can think of that wasn't crazy expensive was the tournament of kings and would be cool for the kids. Everything else in vegas is an adults playground. If you'll only be there for a day, I'd walk fremont street, check out the pirate show, check out the water show....and thats about it. Having kids with you, you wont want to be towntown for long.

Vegas has tried to make itself look like a family town, but until they get the F%@king mexicans off the street with the stripper cards I wont be taking my family down there.

 

[pernikm]

If they still sell early entry tickets to Disney, buy them. I knocked down several main attractions before the park filled up. Also, they used to take reservations on some rides. If they still do, it saves alot of time waiting in lines. My kids enjoyed sea world and universal studios as much as Disney. It was crowded that day tho.