Disneyland advice

[robinforman]

We are planning on taking my daughter to Disneyland for her birthday this year (she will turn 4). I haven't been to Disney in forever, so I am totally out of the loop. We want have the total Disney experience... stay in a Disney hotel, etc. Those of you that have been there more recently than me, what do you recommend for hotels? Packages? Character Meals? Thanks in advance for any suggestions :)

[DawnMarch]

If you can pay the extra $$, I think it's worth it to stay at the Grand Californian -- it's beautiful and saves a LOT of trekking back and forth since it's right there at the park. My next choice would be the Disneyland Hotel which is also a Disney one that's right there, but a bit further walk. Both hotels have good character meals which you can check into. Another good character meal is the lunch at Ariel's grotto in California Adventure -- it's very popular so you usually need advance reservations.

If you stay at a Disney hotel, you should check into the early entry that's available on SOME days. That hour can make all the difference in getting through those rides that get the huge lines in Fantasyland, like Peter Pan and Dumbo (and the new Nemo ride too!). In any even, get into the park as early as you can -- it makes for a much better experience!

[jaylensmom]

i'll be taking my son (who is 4 also) and i'm debating on the disney hotel or one of the neighbor hotels...disney is definitely more $$$...we'll be doing the character breakfast (i think it's an early arrival to the park...we did it years ago)...i also want to do goofy's kitchen i heard it really cool...

has anyone stayed at any of the neighborhood hotels that they liked?

[DawnMarch]

Rachelle, I don't necessarily recommend that breakfast inside the park on a day you are visiting the park. It is usually MOBBED and you have to stand in line for a long time to get food (it's a buffet). But, my biggest complaint is that the breakfast is scheduled right around when the park opens, which is really prime time to be hitting some of the rides that get really crowded later in the day. I'd rather eat an early breakfast before the park opens (unless as you mentioned, you can get into the park early to go to the breakfast, which often you can't).

What we usually try to do is to schedule the character breakfast for a morning when we aren't going to the park. Then you can relax and enjoy it without worrying about missing the good stuff!

[jaylensmom]

Thanks Dawn...Like I said it has been years since we did that and I think we were at the park an hour before it opened...

[robinforman]

How do you make reservations for the character meals? Is there a spot on the disney site? This is the beginning of my research, so I haven't played around on their site much :) Thanks!

[Julie Billingsley]

Hey Robin, I highly highly recommend reading up on the Disneyland section of www.disboards.com I think you'll find a ton of experts that really can help! I'm planning a disneyworld vacation and find that forum invaluable!

[CA Dreamer]

Like it was said before, stay at the Grand Californian if you can swing it. We went to the character breakfast at the hotel. A lot of characters were there.

We have stayed at the GC, the Disneyland hotel and last year, stayed at the Courtyard Marriot at Disneyland. (For reference, my kids were 9 and 4 at the time).This hotel worked out VERY well for us last year as it has a microwave/refrigerator, etc. It also has a separate room for the kids...and a 2nd TV. The shuttle is easier to take than I thought it would be. We would love to go again this year, and if we do, we will stay at this Marriot again.

Of course, if we could afford it, I would stay at the Grand Californian. It really is the way to go, but I would stay at the Marriot over the DL hotel. Have a great time!

[robinforman]

Okay, the Grand Californian sounds like a must! I have it on my list :) Thanks!

[jaylensmom]

I'll have to check out the GC and the Marriott...We're going on a Disney cruise in July so I have to stick to a budget for Disneyland (at least I'm trying too)...

[4noisyboys]

My dh worked on the Grand Californian, and we always say we are going to go and stay there for our anniversary. Haven't done it yet. I think I just need to make reservations and go!

[DawnMarch]

oh, it's just so pretty! It's so cool and serene - which is exactly what you need after a day at Disney!