Help for DisneyLAND?
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Help for DisneyLAND?
| Sun, 01-14-2007 - 11:44am |
Hi, we're making our first trip to Disneyland in April. Have you ladies been there? It seems like a lot of the posts are regarding DisneyWorld. Please let me know, and I'll be back with a few (okay, a lot!) of questions.
Thank you!!
Kristine:)


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Oh yeah, I live an hour away. I've been every year for like, 30 years. I even marched in the parades a few times in band lol. I've never stayed at the resort (always at one of the motels in walking distance.) At Disney World, it's silly not to stay at a resort if you are just doing disney. At Disneyland, it's just as easy to motel it across the street for less money.
Any questions, I can help you with.
Hi, thanks so much for your quick response. I'm glad you mentioned the resort because that is my first important question. We had planned to stay at one of the resorts but then realized, as you said, the hotels across the street are so convenient and the price difference is quite a bit. We always get a suite when we travel, and the price of suites right in the resort are ridiculous. We are considering the "Portofino Inn and Suites" as we really like their kids' suites. Are you at all familiar with this hotel?
Kristine:)
We went to Disneyland twice last year, ask away on the questions.
You will have a great time.
Debbie
WDW April 2007, Port Orleans Riverside:
Food- La Brea Bakery is awesome for breakfast! ESPNZone good for lunch, not so much for dinner. If you want to enjoy the experience of the Blue Bayou, but not the outrageous price try having just dessert there. You definetly will need to make reservations ahead of time for there and don't tell them you only plan on eating dessert.
We found on both trips that our longest lines and wait times were for food!
Inside Disneyland The Hungry Bear is a favorite of ours.
Character Meals- We ate at the Storytellar cafe both trips and it's good food and good character interaction in a calm atmosphere.
Hi Debbie!
Thanks for all the info! The Portofino said it has a shuttle to DL, $3 for adults and my kids (age 3 & 5) are free. The problem I was having was finding a nice hotel that had suites. We like to have a separate bedroom for the kids when we vacation. We don't mind paying a bit more for a suite but the price we were quoted for a suite at the DisneyLand Hotel was over $800 per night.
The Portofino hotel said it offered DL park-hopper tickets that included early admission. Do you know anything about that? I'm thinking maybe you get in an hour early? But if DL opens at 9 AM (I actually don't know the time!), I can't see us being ready with the kids to go at 8 AM anyway, kwim?
Thanks for all the ideas for eating out. We figure we'll be having quite a few on-the-go meals mixed in with some nice dinners out.
So, will there be tons of things for my 3 and 5 year old to do? We were planning to go when they were 5 & 7 but decided why not go now, as well!! I can't wait!!! My travel agent said we can get a 5 day hopper pass for the price of a 4 day. Do you think that is a good amount of time? This trip, we don't plan to do anything but Disney. Next time, probably the zoo and other stuff.
Thanks so much,
Kristine:)
Thanks for your response, Chel.
You and Debbie both mentioned the Blue Bayou so it must be good. My 5 year old is a huge fan of Pirates of the Carribean so we'll plan on a visit for sure. When you said to make reservations, how far in advance do you think? Should we actually reserve before we even get to California or do you think it'll be okay once we're at the hotel?
We were thinking of doing the Goofy character meals ... supposed to be good for younger kids ... mine are 3 and 5. I will have to look into the Storyteller Cafe, as well.
Thanks for the tips,
Kristine:)
I think 4 days will be way enough in the parks!
Debbie
WDW April 2007, Port Orleans Riverside:
If you are going to be there 5 days definetly get the 5 day park hopper, it doesn't cost hardly anything more, and it gives you the option of taking lots of breaks during the day and still spending enough time in the parks. Plus April will be crowded so you may need more days to be able to do more of what you want to. You will want to make the effort to take advantage of Early Entry it is the best time to visit Fantasyland which is the most crowded of all the areas all the time! Since April will be a busy time, having that extra hour in the park will be helpful, and you can always go take naps mid-day. Also since it will be April you will need to make your reservation at Blue Bayou as soon as possible, I believe at 60 days out, but you should call the dining reservation number and check. Blue Bayou is ALWAYS packed and waiting until you get there to make reservation you probably won't get in.
Oh you can get the Park Hoppers that include the Early Entry from anywhere, you just have to buy 3 day or more hoppers and it is included.
We are actually going from April 29th until May 5th. I had my travel agent check to make sure all spring breaks were over and she said they were. Do you still think this time will be extremely crowded? I might change it to the next week ....
Thanks for all your help,
Kristine
P.S. I'll hopefully be back later with more questions but Mondays are crazy for me!
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