Disneyland....???? - Highland Park,IL

Do NOT buy used tickets! A fingerprint scan is associated with all tickets so you may get a great discount on used tickets but then have to buy full priced tickets at the gate.

Hello,
I agree w/ going during the school year and during the school week. Disneyland has completely oversold their annual passes and now that they have monthly payment plans for said passes, it's unbelievably crowded almost any day and time of the year (this is why we stopped buying passes). But when kids are in school, it is better for sure.

I think two days would be ideal. One day in Disney, one day in the Adventure park. Could probably come back to Disney after you're done in the Adventure park because in my opinion, Disneyland has more things to do and your 5 y o will appreciate that.

Do you by chance have American Airline miles?? We do and were able to purchase a night's stay at the Hilton Convention center right across the street from the park. During May of this year, it was 8K miles a night, a total steal since that hotel is normally $250/night. And it's beautiful!! We came back to the hotel in the later afternoon for dinner and a swim, then went back to the park for the rest of the night. It was a great break.

Good luck!

<chuckle> California, particularly Southern California, doesn't really have a bad weather month. You have hotter months (June, July, August) and cooler months (November through February). I've been to Disneyland--as a kid, as an adult and as a mom--in summer months and in winter months. In the winter, you may need a sweatshirt. If it rains, bonus! Less people in the park, but it's not necessarily cold.

My family and I did a three day pass for both Disneyland and California Adventure. We felt that we were able to do everything we wanted to do, and then some, in those three days. We didn't feel rushed and often returned to our hotel for a swim or siesta (my sons were 10 and 13 at the time of the trip). I suggest booking a "package" deal. We went through AAA and everything was just great. We took a trolley to/from the park. And if we didn't eat at the hotel (Disneyland food is outrageously expensive), we were within walking distance of many different types of eateries from five-star, Zagat-rated steakhouses to Carl's Jr.

I love going to Disneyland. I've been so, so many times and it's always magical. Just make sure you have lots of spending cash...LOTS!

Have fun!

The only iffy months as far as weather,and the only concern would be rain is sometimes in December, January, and February. Other than that you'll be fine with weather. Go when schools are in session and go during early or midweek if you can, less crowds=less lines for rides. You can do Disneyland in a day, but I guess it depends on how much time you have, you could spread it out over 2, and if you plan on going to California Adventure then 3 days. There are tons of hotels within walking distance in Anaheim and most even have Disneyland shuttles that will take you to and from the park. Although late December is iffy, there is the Nightmare before Christmas decorations and theme up which is really cool. October has a Halloween activity, but Disneyland is Disneyland so anytime is good. Leave the park to eat lunch or dinner to save money, food can get really expensive, and do the big rides or the ones that are the newest first since lines will get longer during the day. I would suggest doing an am trip and a pm trip so you can see the fireworks at night. Have fun!

We were just there in December and again in June. We had passes when we lived in SoCal. Whatever you do, don't go anytime during winter break. The park gets so crowded you can barely move and wait time in the lines can be well over an hour long.

If you are coming from out of town, 2-3 days is ideal. With little ones, go early, take a long lunch break and even nap during the busiest time of the day - mid afternoon. Then head back over in the evening.

Our favorite place to eat in the park is Rancho del Zocalo. They have reasonably priced Mexican food, simple and fresh. It's also easy to leave the park (get your hand stamped) and eat at Tony Romas, California Pizza Kitchen (a longer walk) and several other restaurants not too far from the main entrance.

Take snacks, water and juice boxes in your backpack. Eat and drink in line. It makes the wait go faster and keeps you from spending big bucks on small snacks in the park.

In June, we stayed at the Alpine Inn, about 10-15 minute easy walk to the park entrance. Even high season it was under $100 night. The breakfast was awful but there was a microwave and fridge in the room so you could bring your own food and cook there. If you have a car, there is a Target ,Ralphs, and Mother's Market within a few miles where you can get groceries.

Check tripadvisor.com for other hotels within walking distance to the park. There are several within a block or two of the park entrance with rates around $100-130 per night, some including breakfast. The earlier you book the better your chance of getting the best rate. Walking will save you the $15 daily parking fee.

Best time to go: any month school is in session.
Spend two days at Disneyland and one day at California Adventure.
My daughter is a big craig's list fan. She bought three day passes for a lot less from people that couldn't use all their days.
You can bring food inside the park. Go to McD or BK and buy your food off their $.99 menu, then take your food to the park. (Hold the mayonnaise.) Or go to Sam's or Costco for their rotisserie chicken. Its $4.99 and feeds a family of four. Buy sodas and chips and eat that instead of at the park. Four people can eat that way for less than a child can eat inside the park. Try the pineapple smoothie at the Tiki room. Its the only drink I buy inside the park.

If you are going to have a car, get a motel 10 to 20 miles away. You can save a lot. There are package deals available now. The following example is from travelzoo.com

$89 -- Anaheim: Disneyland-Area Hotel w/Breakfast & Parking*

By Marissa Shalfi
Travelzoo Staff, Los Angeles - updated 8/3/2011

Relax after a day at Disneyland with an $89 deal from a hotel that's just across the street. The Red Lion Anaheim has slashed 40% off regular rates with this package, which includes:
•A hot buffet breakfast for two daily ($15 value)
•Parking ($14 value)
•An upgrade (based on availability) to a Premium Firework room. from which guests can watch Disney's light show

Stay seven days a week from Aug. 11 - Dec. 29, including the last few weeks of summer and many holiday dates.

Just a block from Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center, the hotel is within within six miles of Angels Stadium and Knott's Berry Farm. It features a heated pool, a large fitness center and an Italian restaurant.

Not available on: Sept. 12-15, Oct. 20-22, Nov. 3 Book by August 12.

Hope you have lots of fun. Good luck to you and yours.

We just took our kids there in June. Here are my thoughts:

1. Best time to go would be anytime school is in session. June was crazy busy! Tons of people and we went early in the month, right when our oldest was out of school, thinking we'd beat the crowds. No, didn't happen.

2. We got the three-day passes for Disneyland/CA Adventure. Three days was plenty. We were glad we got to see both parks because there were interesting things in both.

3. We stayed at the Doubletree. It's a long walk, but do-able. However, I recommend the shuttle service. We only discovered it came right outside our hotel on the last day and it sure was nice not to walk! It does have a fee, but I'm pretty sure you can get discount passes.

We loved the Doubletree. Luxurious accommodations and having a suite was great with kids. We had extra room and they slept on the sofa bed. We got their free breakfast for kids deal and it worked great. A really nice hot buffet or cold buffet (could choose either) or you can order from the menu.

4. Big tip for Disneyland is to buy an autograph book when you first get there. Then your son can collect autographs from the characters he meets during your time there. There's a slot next to the autograph page for you to include your photos. Autograph book was a huge hit with our kids.

5. Anyone in your family have a disability or medical issue making line-waiting difficult? Our son has severe ADHD and would go crazy waiting in lines, so we were able to get a medical pass for him. Just have the person's doctor write a note explaining the condition and requesting the medical pass (our doctor was the one who suggested it when he heard of our vacation plans). It gives you special entrance to rides. Instead of waiting 2 hours for Star Tours, my husband and son got in in 2 minutes. It can really help.

6. Check out the Mousesavers website. It's great for additional tips.

Have fun!

I would definitely go on an off season, so NOT summer or winter vacations! September, October, November- those should all be fine. The weather here is pretty awesome year-round, unless you come in January, when we have the most chance of rain.
You can get through the entire park in 2 days- I would leave one day for Disney and one day for California Adventure. That way you aren't so burnt out by the end of one day. They have tons of hotels around Disney that are super expensive. If you guys plan on renting a car, I would stay somewhere off the property in Anaheim or Fullerton so it is a lot cheaper.
If you guys are planning on staying a week and want more to do, there is Sea World in San Diego, the Wild Animal Park in San Diego, the LA Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm, Venice Beach pier... Lots of good stuff for kids and adults to enjoy!

Have so much fun!

We went when our son was 5 and then again when he was 8. Both times we went in November; the week BEFORE the week of Thanksgiving. My way of thinking was so many people are going away the week of Thanksgiving or having family in the week of Thanksgiving that they are too busy to go to D-land. Both times it was great both crowd wise and weather wise. There was not a single ride we stood in line for for over 15 minutes and we wore shorts and t's in the day and a light sweatshirt at night. It was great!!! Stay at a place that offers free breakfast so you dont have to go out every morning. We stayed at the Candy Cane Inn which is a few blocks from D-land and used the shuttle to and from the park. Shuttle was a breeze and was always on time coming and going. Breakfast was an expanded continental. Two doors down from the Candy Cane Inn is a little store which was great if we wanted a snack and even to buy sourvieners as they are much much cheaper than in the park itself. For us both trips were 3 days as we didnt want to be rushed with anything. At 5yrs old my son found California Adventure Park to be just as fun as D-land itself and it you go there be sure to go on the ride 'California Soaring'. It's wonderful and we even went on it 4 times in a row. Just got off and back in line for 5 minutes and got on again due to no crowds. Small tip if by chance you stayed at Candy Cane Inn. The seating area for breakfast can get a little tight. Bring the serving type tray thing in your room under the coffepot when you go to the free breakfast in the morning so if yoiu you want to take your food back to your room you can carry everything. We even took bread and peanut butter and jelly (I had never seen peanut butter in the little plastic containers that jelly comes in) at breakfast time and kept them in the fridge in the room if our son became hungry. Pack some ziploc bags to keep the bread in until you use it so it doenst become hard. Have a great time!!

February and march are good times when the park is not busy. You may get some rain but it's less likely in march. 2 days at least for Disney and a day for California park. Check by phone not online with the Disney hotels for special rates and tickets included. The best part is Disney hotels let you in an hour before the park opens with no lines! Awesome. We love the character meals at the hotels and Minnie and friends in the park. Worth the money as the charters come right to your table. Get fast passes right away for star tours as the wait is two hours right now. Your man will want his stroller. Trust me. He'll be tired by the end of the day. If you want to see world of color I suggest the picnic meals with premium viewing. Have fun.

- Best weather = October & November. Its still hot until closer to Halloween. Sometimes it does get rainy @ Halloween. After Thanksgiving it tends to get rainy and colder at times. Then March and April are the next best months.

- I only do Disneyland 1 day at a time. But since you don't live nearby I'd say 2.

- Best hotel is one with a pool. Many people take a break from the park to have lunch and swim.

- Look at the Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention website. There are coupons for the Disney Character's Warehouse and more.

it's been years (almost 20) since I've lived in Los Angeles...

I think the nicest weather in LA is September and October...that's when I lived there...the hotels have certainly changed....

When my daughter was younger - we were lucky to live in the area so we didn't need to worry about hotels, etc. However, since we wanted to experience it, we stayed at one of the local hotels then and stayed two days - mid week - like a Thursday and Friday - if I remember correctly and she was 7.

We went just this last spring. (Grama, Grampa, mommy and grand daughter 3 1/2) We stayed at the Tropicana Inn right across the street from the main entrance to Disneyland. It was nice, clean, close and not expensive. We walked across the street and thru the bus pickup/drop off lot and right into Disneyland. We didnt have to move our car from the hotel and they had free parking for customers. It saved us all the parking fees at Disneyland. Id take a stroller so if he falls asleep or is really tired, or you buy a lot of goodies, you can wheel them back to the hotel every night. We rented a stroller inside Disneyland but couldnt take it to the hotel,,but we managed fine. We went during a lot of schools "spring break" so it was crowded but not so terrible we missed anything. I guess if you can go when most kids are in school its best, but a few years ago when we went during school, a lot of buses were there with schools on field trips so the place was crowded anyway. We also went to California Adventure and it was fun too. We spent 3 1/2 days. We had planned for 3 but got there mid afternoon the first day so we went for the rest of that day too.
My big suggestion is this: Be sure to get the roasted turkey leg in frontierland. YUMMY! and the best price for tickets we had were online from AAA. We asked at AAA and they showed us how and what to do for the best price. have fun!

go at times when the majority of kiddos are in school. you're gonna have fairly decent weather whenever you go, but if you go during the school year, you're gonna have significantly shorter lines to wait it. with just one c hild that age, if you go at a time that's not busy, you can easily do the whole park(and prob CA adventure across the street) in 2 days. we usually stay at the embassy suites anaheim south, it's about a mile from the park, and has a really awesome cook-to-order breakfast included in your room rate. if he's into legos at all, look at taking a side trip for a day to legoland, it's about an hour south of anaheim.