Disneyland LA
Readers Reviews
Grant Brown
January 2006
Our family (including 2 boys aged 8 and 11)
travelled to Disneyland in mid January and visited the old and new parks on a
Wednesday and Thursday. There was not many people there at all and the wait
times for Space Mountain was between 5 and 15 minutes. We were told that during
Christmas/New Year that the wait time for this ride was 90 to 120 minutes.
Consequently, we were able to comfortable visit both parks and do all the rides
that we wanted in 2 days.
The only down side was that there were no
fireworks mid week.
To prepare for the trip, I purchased a couple
of Disneyland guide books to see which were the best rides. I found the
"Unofficial guide to Disneyland" book to be very good as it rated the rides on
appeal to preschool, grade school etc. (Note that if it is quiet like when we
went, there is no need to stick to a touring plan as the book suggests.)
Our boys enjoyed the Californian Adventure park
rides perhaps more than the Disneyland rides. One of the non ride highlights was
a 20 minute session in Disney Animation Building in new park, whereby they teach
you how to draw Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck. Even I, who cannot draw, was able
to do something reasonable.
Peter
December 2005
We have just came back from a holiday package
of Disneyland. We have 2 children aged 13 and 15 and stayed at the Super 8 motel
about a block and a half from Disneyland entrance. This motel is not 5 star but
any means but is clean and comfortable and quiet. Also it is way cheaper than
staying in the park and let's face it, you are only their to sleep. If you have
young children I would recommend staying closer as the walk is probably too much
for them as well as walking around Disneyland.
As for Disneyland what can I say. It truly is
magical and well worth the money. Just go. We went early December so you get the
Christmas parade which is wonderful as well as all the Christmas decorations.
The place is so well done it is very slick, the shops are unbelievable and the
merchandise is quality, not like our made in China stuff. Prices we thought were
reasonable. Food is a bit more difficult with lots of burgers and chips and
churros and Mexican and short on the healthy stuff. Don't miss the fireworks!!!
unbelievable, not like any fireworks. If the lines are long use fastpass.
But above all, just go. What else can you do
anywhere that is as magical that your kids will enjoy as much???. Or better
still do as we did, keep the whole trip a surprise until the last minute. What
their jaws drop. At the end of the day, forget the money. When you get to the
end of your life are you going to say I wish I hadn't spent that money? or I
wish I had taken the kids there? Don't put it off, the best money we have spent.
Kylie
2005
I have just returned from a holiday in
Disneyland LA. I had 2 young children with me - 6yrs and 4yrs. We had the
time of our lives. We stayed at the Disneyland Resort, and although quite an
old hotel (the original) - it was charming yet modern in it's facilities,
and decor. The restaurants on-site were fantastic, and reasonably priced and
the staff were all gorgeous, genuine and could not help enough. We had a 5
day park hopper pass, and spent 3 full on days in Disneyland itself first,
then a day in California Adventure park across the way - and the last day
revisiting the bits and pieces we loved the most. There were plenty of prams
available to hire at the park - large enough to carry bigger kids with tired
legs... which meant less luggage to take over on the plane. The children
were pampered everywhere we went. Their highlights were the character
breakfasts in the Disneyland hotels and all the hugs they got from their
favourite characters. The buffet "breakfasts" were plentiful and colourful /
different to here in Australia - and there were not many "healthy" food
choices in the park itself for lunch / snacks - but dinner menus and value
in all the resort restaurants and the range of restaurants in Down Town
Disney cant be matched. There was even some Australian wine on the
menu. There was so much to do in "the happiest place on earth" if I would do
anything different next visit or would offer any advice to those travelling
with young ones - it would be to sleep in more in the morning / start later
- because the night entertainment / fireworks / light shows are fantastic
and if the kids can stay awake long enough to see them - they wont forget
them. I would recommend this trip to every young family !!!!!
Sharni Lewis
November 2002
I found this site
really useful before our recent holiday so hopefully the following will help. We
took our 3 children (aged 11,14 & 17 to L.A for one week at the end of Nov 2002.
Our kids loved Disneyland, even the 17 year old. It was very crowded, being the
start of their holiday season, but the Christmas lights , parades etc are
magical. We stayed at the Hawthorne suites in Anaheim which includes a full
breakfast. It may seem more expensive, but given that breakfast will cost about
$11US per person, it's great value. It also includes a free shuttle to
Disneyland which runs every 15 min. You can fill up at breakfast and get by
until late afternoon. Take food/drinks into Disneyland as everything is very
expensive (much dearer than Dreamworld/SeaWorld). Research the rides/attractions
on the internet to find which ones you want to go to and use Fast Passes. We
took 3-4 days to see everything. Our kids enjoyed the old park far more than the
new one. Universal Studios is a MUST- but don't try to take any food in - they
are very strict! We caught a shopping shuttle ($5 US p/p) to Anaheim Plaza(
cheaper prices/lower quality, it contains a Walmart, similar to our KMart) and
The Block( more expensive, but nice eating places). It wasn't really worth it -
clothes were similar in $'s to Aust, but given the exchange rate, everything is
almost double in price. uy all your tours before you leave as the exchange rate
is a killer. The weather was surprisingly warm - jeans or shorts & T shirt are
fine and a light jumper for the evening. The people were very friendly and
helpful. Overall a fantastic place to take kids!
Nicci Fripp
April 2002
We travelled to the States with relatives so there were a
total of ten in our party - 5 adults and 5 kids (aged 8, 6, 5,4, 18 months).
We flew Air New Zealand which was great - they were very
helpful and the kids were great considering the time spent on the plane.
We bought a 4 Day Disneyland Passport which got us into
California Adventure as well (adjacent to Disneyland). The kids really loved
that. I recommend checking out the Disneyland website -
www.disneyland.com
as they are able to tell you what attractions are
closed for renovations etc. We missed Its A Small World and Critter County as
well as a number of others - but the kids had a fantastic time and still talk
about it!!!
We stayed at the Fairfield Resort by Marriott which is across
the road from Disneyland. Staff were excellent, meals not great but nearby to
McDonalds, Millies and other outlets. Pizza Hut also deliver to the rooms.
Request a room with refrigerators and near the laundry facilities. I recommend
taking a trip to the local supermarkets, such as Vons, and purchase water
bottles, washing powder, coffee and sugar ( as theirs isn't very nice) and
cereal and plastic bowls and fruit. The kids then had a decent breakfast etc. We
sometimes even bought bread etc to make them sandwiches to take into Disneyland
- not that we were on a budget but because the kids were sick of eating fatty
fried food etc and actually the fruit inside is VERY expensive - like AU$2.00
for an apple. Most of the food in the states is expensive due to the poor Aussie
exchange rate. HOWEVER, the meals are HUGE and if you are not big eaters - share
a meal!!! - especially for the kids!!!
Las Vegas - many people say "Why are you taking the kids to
Las Vegas?" Well I'm glad we did. They loved all the casinos (not for gambling
because we didn't gamble the whole time and the kids aren't allowed in the
gaming areas) but each casino has a theme e.g. the Excalibur is a medieval
castle, the Aladdin is just like Aladdin the movie, the MGM Grand has a lion
habitat inside, Mandalay Bay has its own underground aquarium - the list goes
on. There are other attractions such as M&M World (yes the chocolates). That is
awesome if you are a chocolate lover. Or for lovers of Coca Cola there is Coca
Cola World! We also did a scenic flight to the Grand Canyon which was very
educational and drove across Hoover Dam.
My overall advice - plan well ahead if you are taking kids
under 10 years. And this is especially true if you plan on having long days out.
Things like:-
* small packets of baby wipes, a wet face washer in a snaplock
bag (makes it easier when you need to wipe hands/face in a hurry instead of
trying to find a toilet which could be a fair distance away).
* small first aid kit including bandaids and kids panadol
* small snackbox containing sultanas etc for when kids need a
quick pick me up
* the autograph book - kids are majorly disappointed when
Mickey cant sign their book.
* you don't need as many clothes as you may think - we went
for a total of 5 weeks and I shouldn't have taken 1/2 the clothes I did. Mainly
because I could hand wash at night and by morning they were dry and we did some
shopping for clothes also,
* One last note - kids get easily excited and sometimes forget
their manners etc. Be patient and understanding as it is very exciting and can
be extremely stressful. I suggest laying some ground rules before you go
anywhere - as they may change depending on the activity.
Robyne Wilson
April 2002
I took my 4 year old son
to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm in April 2002. If you take the SYD-LAX
flight that arrives at 6.30am, you make the most of your first day there.
Accommodation was booked via the web and we stayed at the Travelodge Anaheim.
Very clean and there were two queen beds in the room. The rate included a small
continental breakfast. Two blocks away is the local Von supermarket which stocks
all basic necessities. Opposite are two reasonable petrol stations with a small
foodmart and a couple of burger places. The bus to Disneyland was right outside
the door. Two blocks closer to Dland and right next door to the Anaheim Tourist
Information Centre is a souvenir store where you can buy all the Disney
memorabilia at about a third of the price you pay in Dland. Check what specials
on tours etc the Tourist Centre has but check direct with the companies as I
saved a further US30 of a Tijuana day tour by booking direct. Disneyland is
great. Organise a Fast pass when you first arrive- this allows you to bypass
queues and get in to see attractions at a certain time. Take a childrens diary
to record signatures - every American child has one. Try and eat before the main
meal times otherwise you queue for hours. The Dixieland restaurant offers great
value for a chicken dinner with vegetables, gravy and breadrolls - at approx
$18.00 - great value for the two of us. Take your own drinks as that is very
exorbitant. Its a Small World was a huge favourite as is the teacup ride. Knotts
Berry Farm was just great value for money. Again check out the transfer and
ticket options from the tourist centre. I bought a pass for entry after 1pm and
it was USD$35 including the return transfers ex Anaheim and normally I would
have had to pay USD$45 plus a transfer charge. Knotts Berry carries a more
authentic Americana theme to it than Disneyland. Littlies under 6 years are very
well catered for. Lots and lots of activities including aeroplane rides, train
rides, horse rides but the best for my son was the semi trailer ride with him
happily driving and tooting the horn at everyone! This part of the park is known
as Camp Snoopy. Food prices are high here and quality is not great. Each child
gets a free tee-shirt. Tijuana is an experience - do it to say you have been
there but be prepared to see little kids your own childrens ages beg off you.
Don' t be put off by the tour operators dire warnings! Shopping is not that
great either - the same goods are available here for half the price.
Jane Kiekens
I thought I would let you know about our stay in Anaheim.
We stayed at the Howard Johnson hotel which is about a 15-20 minute walk from
Disneyland (although there is free shuttle buses). It was a wonderful place. The
room was huge with 2 double beds and lots of room for an energetic 4 year old.
The complex had a games area with coin-operated machines and 2 huge pools which
were heated.
Eating around was no problem as just about every
restaurant would deliver to your room and if you children (or even you) didn't
finish your meals they would pack it up.
What can I say about Disneyland except that it was
unbelievable. My husband and I had a wonderful time and our daughter was in
raptures. The only thing was food was pretty expensive in the park.
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