|
|
Post by momof4grandmaof2 on Jul 19, 2017 20:10:47 GMT
Just came back home this morning after another trip to Disneyland. To be able to get the most out of your time you are correct to do California Adventure first. Be sure that you DO NOT choose to go one extra magic mornings which means 1 hour early admission for Disneyland Hotel guest. the extra magic mornings for California Adventure are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. As soon as you enter gate ( be sure to be there at least 30 minutes early) go straight to get fast pass for Radiator Springs Racers and then go straight and ride the other 2 rides in Cars Land. By then it should be time for your fast pass. If you want to ride Soarin or Guardians of the Galaxy I suggest you get fast passes for that next and fill in with other rides while you wait for that time. We bought the Photopass for the first time this year and yes it includes all rides and all pictures taken by photo pass photographers. I believe the 1 day pass is $39. Be sure to write down the number that appears under your photos of you on the rides and then photo pass people in camera shop add them for you. you can add them all and pay for the photopass at the very end of the day as you leave the last park. Also any quick service restaurant that sells fountain sodas will give you free ice water. Just walk up to counter no need to stand in ordering line. Have a great trip.
|
|
PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691 
|
Post by PrettyInPeank on Jul 19, 2017 20:14:13 GMT
You say you will have a stroller for the baby. I absolutely insist on one for your 6-year-old, too. Either put the baby in a carrier, buy a double stroller, or rent a double. Going between both parks from park-open to nighttime parade in August heat is to much for your son, and you will have melt downs of will have to carry the baby and put him in the stroller you brought for the baby. It will ruin the day quick. You must get the Disneyland App (it's free) and then get Max Pass for $10 each. Like cmpeter said, it's new and about to roll out. Take advantage of it. This will completely eliminate the "first run here, then go here and get a pass here, then go back here" nonsense. You schedule all your ride passes and times on your phone in the morning, and then just show up to the rides as the day goes one. People without Max Pass will still have to run to each ride to get a Fast Pass. I agree that PhotoPass would be a waste for one day, especially since your oldest is uninterested in the bigger rides that have photos and meeting characters, HOWEVER! It's included in Max Pass! So definitely get the Max Pass and link any castle or the Radiator Springs Racer (cars ride) photo. There are photographers all over taking non-ride photos. On you Disneyland App, it will say when Lighting McQueen and Pooh will be doing photos, so pay attention to that. It may say 2-4pm, for example, so schedule your ride passes accordingly. The best place for parade seating is like cmpeter said, by Small World. It's the least crowded. Since your son doesn't like thrill rides, you will likely be able to ride everything with the baby anyway. There are a surprisingly large amount of baby-friendly rides. Things like Radiator Springs Racers, definitely ask for a Rider Switch pass, that way both adults get a chance to ride, and your son rides twice. If you want "bang for your buck" for food at DL, I recommend Pizza Port or Plaza Inn. I usually go with Pizza Port because they sell pasta that is almost impossible to eat all of, and it sticks. Those carbs are needed after so much walking! Think $7-8 for a kids meal, and $11-15 for an adult meal. Popcorn is $4, churro $4, and a corn dog from a cart is $7 for example. Anywhere that has cups will give you free ice water. I would not take a steel bottle, because you will need far more than 1 bottle of water, especially if you are nursing. I would take about 5-6 large plastic bottles and toss them under the stroller. This assuming you're not drinking soda. Another thing to consider is souvenirs. A hoody is $60, a shirt is $25, a balloon is $9, a bubble maker is $21, a pen is $5, and a bouncy ball with a car inside is $8 for example. There are no discounts for one-day passes that I know of unless you're military. A quiet place to hang out is the baby center for mom and baby. For the whole family, if you prefer outdoors, there's a quiet little walkway with seating by the Harbour Galley. If you look at the map in the link, it's the small path to the right of the main path. There's almost no one back there and a few tables. But a great place for quiet indoor break with air conditioning is the Star Wars Launch Bay. It's dark, quiet, and air conditioned, but few places to sit. It's also pretty boring, almost exhibit-like. But perfect when you need a break. They have Xbox consoles set up with Lego Star wars if your son is into that while you sit. I've heard weekends are less busy lately than weekdays because annual passes are blacked out, so I can't really comment on crowd sizes. I've heard it both ways. Anymore questions you can think of? |
|
PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
|
Post by PrettyInPeank on Jul 19, 2017 20:16:58 GMT
Oh, and ask each of the photographers if they do Magic Shots.
|
|
Marina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,522
|
Post by Marina on Jul 19, 2017 20:23:04 GMT
I just looked up the maxpass and it's $30 per day per person. Plus they recommend looking at the fast pass availability on your phone before purchasing.
In the summer in the hot afternoons we have always liked going to CA and going to the the Animation Studio and the Aladdin Show. The Aladdin Show is gone but now they have Frozen which I haven't yet seen. So a nice break from the lines and heat. You can also go into the Hotel California and sit in the lobby for a few minutes. If not staying there we buy drinks from the bar and relax in the lobby. For little ones they usually have a Mickey tv going non stop in one corner.
|
|
PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
|
Post by PrettyInPeank on Jul 19, 2017 20:30:18 GMT
I just looked up the maxpass and it's $30 per day per person. Plus they recommend looking at the fast pass availability on your phone before purchasing. In the summer in the hot afternoons we have always liked going to CA and going to the the Animation Studio and the Aladdin Show. The Aladdin Show is gone but now they have Frozen which I haven't yet seen. So a nice break from the lines and heat. You can also go into the Hotel California and sit in the lobby for a few minutes. If not staying there we buy drinks from the bar and relax in the lobby. For little ones they usually have a Mickey tv going non stop in one corner. Where did you see $30? Everything I've read said it will start at $10? |
|
|
|
Post by papersilly on Jul 19, 2017 20:35:02 GMT
I just looked up the maxpass and it's $30 per day per person. Plus they recommend looking at the fast pass availability on your phone before purchasing. In the summer in the hot afternoons we have always liked going to CA and going to the the Animation Studio and the Aladdin Show. The Aladdin Show is gone but now they have Frozen which I haven't yet seen. So a nice break from the lines and heat. You can also go into the Hotel California and sit in the lobby for a few minutes. If not staying there we buy drinks from the bar and relax in the lobby. For little ones they usually have a Mickey tv going non stop in one corner. Where did you see $30? Everything I've read said it will start at $10? i think the $30 is if you have a 3-day park hopper ticket |
|
PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
|
Post by PrettyInPeank on Jul 19, 2017 20:42:56 GMT
Oh okay, that makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Post by shescrafty on Jul 19, 2017 21:03:10 GMT
From what I recall using the rider swap many times is that it only applies for rides that the baby could not go on due to a height restriction. You go to a cast member standing at the line entrance and let them know that you will need a rider swap ticket.
This allows up to 3 people to go through the fastpass line after you get off the ride. The nice thing is that there is no specific time to return. But you will still have to wait and go through the fastpass line. When we went last summer we had a 30-45 minute wait in the fastpass line for radiator springs.
When you are waiting in line for a ride with a height restriction you will not be able to take the baby so that might be a good time for you to find a quiet break area.
|
|
|
|
Post by beaglemom on Jul 19, 2017 21:31:59 GMT
We are season pass holders and have been about 10 times in the last year or so.
1. Download the disneyland app!! It will give you real time info on wait times and ride closures. Tells you the locations of all the photographers. Tells you the locations of characters. You can make and view dining reservations in app.
2. As soon as you know the day you are going make your dinner reservation. The disneyland app is great for this, but you can also do it through the website. The popular restaurants fill up, do not expect to be able to show up day of and get a table.
3. Photopass is great, the photographers take great pictures. Having the app to tell you where they are lets you maximize the number of pictures you can get.
4. Honestly, we have never staked out a place for the parade. It is at 8:45 there is no way in heck I would get a place on the curb 3 hours before hand. Plus I am 99% sure they don't let you more than an hour in advance. The last time we were there we found a great spot 5 minutes before the parade started right where the parade starts - in the main circle across from Lincoln's theater. We have never had viewing issues. Use those three hours to do stuff, don't waste them sitting!!
5. I'm not a huge fan of any of the sit downs in Disneyland, River Belle Terrace and Carnation Cafe (Carnation is on the parade route) aren't bad. I much prefer the food in California Adventure or in Downtown Disney. For grab and go the Bengal Barbecue is delicious, but there isn't a great place to sit near by. In California Adventure our favorite is Carthay Circle, expensive but oh so amazing and delicious! I like the Jazz Kitchen and Catal in Downtown Disney. All the menus should be available on the website along with prices.
6. You can carry in food and water bottles no problem. We throw everything in the stroller.
7. "Chill out" places - Tiki Room!!! One of our favorites! Also Pirates, Jungle cruise, and Small world all take 5+ minutes so you know you will have sit down time. Pirates and small world are air conditioned.
8. With the baby the Baby Care Centers are awesome. They have quiet, cool, private spaces for nursing and changing tables. They also have baby food, diapers, etc for purchase (cash only).
9. There will be more to do for your 6 year old in Disneyland than CA. The app has the height requirement for rides.
10. Rider Swap is awesome. You all go to the start of the line together. One parent goes with the 6 year old - tells the attendent they want to do rider swap. They ride the ride, then get a pass that works just like a fast pass and lets you bypass most of the line to go on it again. You don't have to do it right away, just in the same day.
11. Off the top of my head in CA you will be able to take the baby on Ariel's, Monster's Inc, most of the stuff in Bug's land, and Midway Mania.
12. Disneyland there are a lot more options for the baby.
Feel free to PM me with any questions. We currently have kids that are 6, 4, 16 months. We have had season passes for the last 2 years and the baby has been 4 or 5 times.
|
|
|
|
Post by beaglemom on Jul 19, 2017 21:38:47 GMT
Additional thought. If you are staying till close going to the 10:45 parade makes way more sense and it will be much easier to find a spot at that one!
|
|
|
|
Post by beaglemom on Jul 19, 2017 21:40:54 GMT
Thank you peas! I have a lot of googling and mapping to see what/where these things are. Thanks so much. Can I do a fast pass and the rider swap thing together? yes |
|
Marina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,522
|
Post by Marina on Jul 19, 2017 22:58:53 GMT
I just looked up the maxpass and it's $30 per day per person. Plus they recommend looking at the fast pass availability on your phone before purchasing. In the summer in the hot afternoons we have always liked going to CA and going to the the Animation Studio and the Aladdin Show. The Aladdin Show is gone but now they have Frozen which I haven't yet seen. So a nice break from the lines and heat. You can also go into the Hotel California and sit in the lobby for a few minutes. If not staying there we buy drinks from the bar and relax in the lobby. For little ones they usually have a Mickey tv going non stop in one corner. Where did you see $30? Everything I've read said it will start at $10? Oh I made a mistake. I was looking st 3 day hopper tickets. For that it was $30 extra. |
|
PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
|
Post by PrettyInPeank on Jul 19, 2017 23:38:57 GMT
If you want a hotel suggestion, we stay at the Howard Johnson Anaheim across the street. It's a 5-minute walk. I will admit it is a lackluster hotel. But what the room lacks in luxury is gained in proximatey to the gates and their splash pad.
You said you are driving in the day before. If you get there early enough, I seriously recommend this hotel so he can play and splash around. My kids often ask to swim in liu of Disneyland. I don't understand kids and their fixation on water! (Use the coupon code mice20 or maybe mouse20. It's the best discount I've found).
If that's not something you're able to do or interested in, or want something else, I would recommend finding a hotel by looking at a Google map with an overlay of hotel location dots showing what is on Harbor Blvd. Harbor is where the park gate is closest to.
We have stayed in many area hotels much nicer than HJ, but nothing beats the short walk after an exhausting day. Keep in mind that some hotels have weird check-in rules or charge for parking, so make sure if you factor that into price comparisons.
Last comment, Mimi's Cafe is in the Marriot parking lot and is on the way to HJ. (They have a splash pad too, by the way). If you want a waitered, sit-down meal, they are very reasonably priced. It's a French Cafe and delicious IMO. They have beer and wine, too. Sign up for coupons beforehand (choose anaheim as your location) and your entrée is free with a paid entrée.
You could also dine at Disney Springs which is the row of restaurants and shops between the parks. You do not need admission, so you could start your Disney experience the day before. Careful about menu pricing though. We ate at Jazz Kitchen which is $28 a plate and terrible in my opinion. So almost $200 before tip on food for 6. I know someone said they liked it here, but I actually sent my food back because they put my Jambalaya on noodles instead of rice like requested, then uncooked the rice, I skipped both and tried the cup of Gumbo, and that sucked, too.
|
|
oaksong
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,167
Location: LA Suburbia
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
|
Post by oaksong on Jul 20, 2017 0:49:40 GMT
Download the Disneyland app. (If it hasn't been mentioned already.) It has lots of good info, ride wait times, closures, and the ability to make restaurant reservations. There are viewing reservation packages available for some restaurants, but I've only checked it out for World of Color. I heard on the news today that fast passes will be available through the app soon, maybe today? You can book them without physically going to the fast pass distribution place. The downside is it's $10 per person. Still, probably worth it with kids in tow. A nice quiet place to relax is the restaurant next to the river (Hungry Hunter?), on the right as you walk toward Splash Mountain, just before the Winnie the Pooh ride. It has a lower level that's totally covered, near bathrooms and it's usually not too busy. With all of the construction, I'm not sure it's open right now. You already have a basic plan, which is enough to have a really good time. With just a little more planning, things may be smoother, but once you get there it will all fall into place. I wouldn't stress over it too much. Your family will enjoy it no matter how the day goes. I mean, it's Disneyland, how could you not? ETA: Well it looks like I missed page 2 before posting. Lots of good advice on the app and new Max Pass. So never mind...  |
|
|
|
Post by crittsmom on Jul 20, 2017 7:19:24 GMT
the new walkway is also opened where big Thunder Ranch use to be, there are some shady spots along there. The lower level of the
Hungry Bear Cafe is opened now, I think . They have cold water filters at the Mexican Restaurant and at the Tomorrowland Terrance to fill up your water bottles.
|
|
Belle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,309
|
Post by Belle on Aug 4, 2017 3:12:57 GMT
|
|
