CA Disneyland info anywhere"

[MaryM]

My searches may be unsuccessful, or perhaps there really is no info on California's Disneyland vacation on this message board. Does anyone know where I can find some useful planning info for traveling with 2 toddlers to California's Disney property.

[brubeck]

I'm not sure myself (presuming the standard disboards and mousesavers sites have nothing) but I'd be interested because I will be doing this myself next year!

[Jeanmick]

Hi Helen and MaryM!

Have you checked out Mouseplanet.com? They've got a wealth of information regarding the Disneyland Resort (DLR).

Here are a couple of sites that may help you begin:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/mp/tripplanning.htm
http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/ (Be sure to check this article out: http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/akrock26.htm )

Here's a forum specifically for "Parenting in the Parks"

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

I've been to DLR many times with my two little ones, and I've found these sites to be extremely helpful. :)

[brubeck]

Thanks Jeanette (and for the email too)!

[momtoB]

I know it's been quite a while but here's another site with a plethora of info on Disneyland as well as WDW: http://www.laughingplace.com/

hth!

[MaryM]

To MomtoB and Jeanmick -

Seems like a lot of time has passed, but I do want to thank you VERY MUCH for the resource suggestions. We've just returned from our trip, and I did hit those sites eagerly when time allowed. They helped my planning VERY MUCH!!

We've done WDW many times, but hadn't been to Disneyland in about 15 years. We were a bit dissapointed with how Disney didn't schedule any parades prior to their big 50th celebration. But nonetheless, there were some highlights, and we're glad to be back home with toddler beds and toddler food once again!

MaryM

[momtoB]

Glad to hear you had a good time. We are heading down in September and very much looking forward to it. I'm sorry they didn't have any parades while you were there. Our ds always enjoys those at WDW. Anyway, glad I could be of help. Let me know if there's anything special I should know. It's been several years since my last trip to DL so I know things have changed.

[MaryM]

In comparison to WDW, DL seemed to have WAY LESS character interaction. And for the real young, that seemed to be VERY important for them to meet so-and-so. (Maybe that was just those days we were there before their anniversary) That's probably the only thing I would really check on first so you don't lose precious time waiting in hot lines with squirmy little ones. One cast member told us though, (seeing a bit of our dissappointment with our day) that MANY characters hang around the EXIT a bit before the park closes. Those last 20 minutes we were there, our dd had great quality, non-rushed interaction time with about 6 different characters. There were hardly any kids there and it seemed we had them all to ourselves at that spot. (That saved the day!!) Waiting at the Minnie house was a big dissappointment since you wait a long time for a rushed, brief hello, and that's it. Waiting for Pooh was good since you get to meet Eyeore and Tigger, etc during the line for photos, and it's close to a Winnie the Pooh ride suitable for real little ones.
(We also stayed at the Embassy suites that's about 7 miles from the park. Nice hotel, great breaakfast and "indoor" pool, so indoor fun if it was raining was our plan) but on their complimentary shuttle from the park, they actually cancelled one at the last minute without getting word to us at the park. That caused us a HUGE time delay in our return, plus then had to take a cab and felt a bit uncomfortable without having our child car seats.)


We're tagging along on a daddy business trip to WDW in November. Now I have to figure out if I can really manage a 2 and 3 yr. old on my own during the workdays while daddy is busy. We're staying at the Contemporary; but meals out, napping, and potty will be a challenge for me alone with the kids all day. Likewise - if you have some advice for WDW, pls. pass along.