Hit me with your best travel tips and Disneyland suggestions

[waver]

For the flight:

Pack lots of snacks. My kids especially like the individually wrapped snacks (like goldfish crackers, pretzels, granola bar, dried fruit, squeezable fruit...what else?). They do not usually have these kinds of snacks, but they are less messy, easy to pack/grab, and a treat for a long flight.

For Disneyland, one day:
If you can, arrive early. I mean, even before 8am. Even if the park is open at 8am, it takes quite a bit of time to get to the parking lot and from the lot to the main gate. There's a bit of walking and riding a parking lot shuttle, etc.

We've never successfully arrived that early, but we are there pretty early, by 9ish. For us, we have never been able to stay a the park longer than 5ish, b/c of skipped naps.

In July...the lines will likely be VERY long. Maybe an hour, if not more. I don't know if my 2yr old could wait that long. 30 minutes seemed long with my then 2 and 3yo, and she is normally quite patient. Just having to stand there in the heat is tough. Some other kids were really great though. We bring snacks while waiting in line.

If you only have one day, one crazy idea would be to eat lunch while waiting in a long line. I think that we have done that at DL, but I thought of it b/c my kid and I often do that if we are skiing for one day only. We'll eat our sandwiches on the lifts to avoid having to go into the lodge, a process that takes an inordinate amount of time for us.

My kids don't mind wearing a hat in addition to sunscreen, while waiting in the sun. The waiting areas seemed to be more covered then before, when I remember so many people would get sun burned.

Have fun!

[Tondi G]

Originally Posted by ohiomom1121

Thanks everyone...I'm thinking twice about Goofy's Kitchen. I think the characters would be a huge hit with my oldest two but not so sure about the youngest. I do think it would be a nice break for my mom though since she has a bad knee. I was also thinking that the boys aren't ones to spend the entire day at the park so I may try and send them home with my parents when they tire out and stay later with DH and DD and go on some bigger rides. I doubt we will try to go to California Adventures. DD would love going to Ariel but DS1 is definitely over CARS and I think 2 parks in one day is too much. I will definitely check out the apps for Disneyland rides...that sounds like a big help. Last time I went to DW was 17 years ago and I've never been to DL so I'm feeling kind of clueless!!! Any other must see attractions/rides would be helpful. Thanks for the info so far everyone.

If your Mom has a bad knee you can go to City Hall and get a Special Assistance Pass. This will enable her and 6 others to go to the handicapped entrance (or up the exit) of rides. Makes your wait times MUCH shorter and will make it so your Mom doesn't have to spend as much time standing around in lines.

[zag95]

We were just at DL over Memorial weekend.

I'd definitely just do DL and skip CA for another trip. We had park hopper passes, but spent most of our time in DL as that was where most of the rides for DD (age nearly 4.5) and her pregnant mama (me! at 30 weeks) could ride. My parents and DH rode a few things we didn't- you could get fast passes for those as well- like Splash Mtn, etc. Also have a strategy of top rides that people want to go on- we did Fantasyland first, as that usually got super busy.

If you want to do a character meal, I'd suggest the night before.... or maybe the night after, depending on how long you are in town. We did it the night we arrived to CA- and then spent the next 3 days in DL/CA- it was a fun way to kick off our trip!

Agree with PPs that Carsland will make things a little insane. I looked up a lot of menu options on the Disboards and our group had a strategy of where we wanted to dine in the park (we didn't have a way to keep our food cooled)- so I'd check that out. We ate at the Riverbelle Terrace- DH and I shared a pork sandwich and it was pretty decent! DD had a little PB & J meal, which she loved!

Agree with other posters to get there right when DL opens, which means getting in line earlier.... like 7:30ish..... if you have drinks, snacks, I'd bring those!

Have fun!

[TwinFoxes]

Can you got to Goofy's Kitchen the next morning for breakfast? I agree with PPs, that's a big chunk of a short visit otherwise.

My advice is get there at rope drop, don't try to do everything, and have fun! Oh, and get your tickets before you show up at the park.

[AnnieW625]

Originally Posted by TwinFoxes

......and get your tickets before you show up at the park.

If you are an AAA member I believe that you can get free parking if you buy your park tickets through AAA. Parking will set you back $14 or $15, and there is no difference in price if you park at the regular lots off of Harbor and Katella or you park at the larger parking garage at the north end of the park.

[viba424]

The best thing we did hands down was to pay for a towncar to pick us up at the airport each way. Were escorted and helped with our bags in the terminal, got out of the airport lighting quick in a special quiet area for those cars, the car seat ready to go (eliminating the need to drag one on our trip), help with our bags, and a nice air conditioned, classy car. Priceless. I think we paid $75 each way.

My thought is travel is often the worst part of the trip and I am willing to do what I can to make it as stress free as possible.

My best park tip is to back extra shorts, extra snacks (you wont easily find them) and dont underestimate Epcot. We had a million times more fun there then at Magic Kingdom because it was more calm. We also ate our meals at our hotel by the pool. WAY more fun and relaxing.

Also for Magic Kingdom, we discovered that going LATER actually was better. The ferries were dead and most of the crowds that we experienced the day before had already been in an out in the early morning crush and the general vibe was more laid back.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Originally Posted by viba424

The best thing we did hands down was to pay for a towncar to pick us up at the airport each way. Were escorted and helped with our bags in the terminal, got out of the airport lighting quick in a special for those cars, the car seat ready to go (eliminating the need to drag one on our trip), help with our bags, and a nice air conditioned, classy car. Priceless. I think we paid $75 each way.

My thought is travel is often the worst part of the trip and I am willing to do what I can to make it as stress free as possible.

My best park tip is to back extra shorts, extra snacks (you wont easily find them) and dont underestimate Epcot. We had a million times more fun there then at Magic Kingdom because it was more calm.

Also for Magic Kingdom, we discovered that going LATER actually was better. The ferries were dead and most of the crowds that we experienced the day before had already been in an out in the early morning crush.

Did they have car seats for you? Did you feel comfortable using them, if so? It's been engrained in me to avoid renting car seats so curious how that worked.

[viba424]

Originally Posted by SnuggleBuggles

Did they have car seats for you? Did you feel comfortable using them, if so? It's been engrained in me to avoid renting car seats so curious how that worked.

The car seat was in the car, it didnt cost extra, and it was all secured in place ready to go. They were clean simple seats and we loved the convenience of it. We actually liked their seat better than our own bulky monstrocity. Plus those cars are mellow and go slow, and we found no need to bother with a rental car and drive ourselves...the price would have been more. I should clarify, this was a towncar service with a driver...not a rental where we drive.

[lalasmama]

Originally Posted by viba424

The best thing we did hands down was to pay for a towncar to pick us up at the airport each way. Were escorted and helped with our bags in the terminal, got out of the airport lighting quick in a special quiet area for those cars, the car seat ready to go (eliminating the need to drag one on our trip), help with our bags, and a nice air conditioned, classy car. Priceless. I think we paid $75 each way.

My thought is travel is often the worst part of the trip and I am willing to do what I can to make it as stress free as possible.

My best park tip is to back extra shorts, extra snacks (you wont easily find them) and dont underestimate Epcot. We had a million times more fun there then at Magic Kingdom because it was more calm. We also ate our meals at our hotel by the pool. WAY more fun and relaxing.

Also for Magic Kingdom, we discovered that going LATER actually was better. The ferries were dead and most of the crowds that we experienced the day before had already been in an out in the early morning crush and the general vibe was more laid back.

Originally Posted by SnuggleBuggles

Did they have car seats for you? Did you feel comfortable using them, if so? It's been engrained in me to avoid renting car seats so curious how that worked.

Just wanted to make sure that it's noticed that the OP is heading to DisneyLAND, not Disney World. Whole 'other ballgame with what to expect as far as transportation options.