I'm going to Disneyland? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Ironhorse · 10-01-2009, 01:23 PM

So I'm looking at taking the family to Disneyland this winter for a few days, and would like to tap CP's collective wisdom on where to save a few bucks.

There will be 4 of us (kids are 8 1/2 and 3). We're thinking of going in December, which I've been told is the slowest part of year. As always, any information is appreciated!

jdso · 10-01-2009, 01:30 PM

Read this to get a good idea of where to save money as well as other general tips.

http://www.mousesavers.com/

Coach · 10-01-2009, 01:45 PM

get fast passes. Im not sure how much they are but they allow you to skip about half the line, sometimes more, on the busier rides. Makes it a lot easier

The Ditch · 10-01-2009, 01:48 PM

The only time you have to be aware of on your fastpass is the first come back time. None of the Disney parks enforce the window except for the first comeback time. If your fastpass says 935am-1035am you can use that fastpass from 935am all the way till the park closes. You can get a new fastpass in 2 cases, when the first return time on the last fastpass you got comes up or 2 hours from the last fastpass you got, whichever one is earlier. You can hold mutiple fastpasses for the same ride.

If you can get into the park at open you can load up on fastpasses, I once held over 15 fastpasses by noon (for disneyland alone), as long as the system is up you might as well take advantage of it. Also, DCA is on a different system than Disneyland so you can do the same thing in both parks at the same time.

3 Justin 3 · 10-01-2009, 01:56 PM

When I went years ago we went in April and it was super slow. Only 1 ride had a 1+hr wait, the log fume one. Me and my mom went on the Indiana Jones right 8 times in a row, we'd walk to the exit and on the way out we'd just go under the rope to go again and the wait time would be like 5-10 minutes.

That was April, and I would assume December would be even slower, although I am not sure.

Sliver · 10-01-2009, 02:00 PM

I went in May with my family. We went for a week which was WAY too long. Three days like you're planning sounds perfect. We're early risers so even though it was busy we had plenty of time to ride the cool rides before the crowds came. It's a great place to go...you'll love it.

As for saving money, just the obvious things like bring your own drinks and snacks into the park, etc.

jar_e · 10-01-2009, 02:09 PM

If you're there early December it will be slow but anything around Christmas/New Years is probably one of their most busiest times of the year.

3 Justin 3 · 10-01-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

I went in May with my family. We went for a week which was WAY too long. Three days like you're planning sounds perfect. We're early risers so even though it was busy we had plenty of time to ride the cool rides before the crowds came. It's a great place to go...you'll love it.

As for saving money, just the obvious things like bring your own drinks and snacks into the park, etc.

Disagree, some of their food and drinks are the best. The churrio's they have are fantastic as well as the lemonade. It is all expensive, but they are terrific.

HitterD · 10-01-2009, 02:35 PM

I just got back from Disney on Sunday, very slow this time of year, and i've heard december is as well, you will have fun. We didn't even need Fastpasses except for Space Mountain as it had just opened on Friday with new Halloween themes, the wait was over 1 hour. Other than that, most rides were 15 minutes and under.

Some tips.... I'd recommend staying at one of the hotels on Harbour Blvd, rather than one of the resort hotels. The hotels on Harbour (The Carousel, Fairfield Inn, Camelot etc...) are usually cheaper (about 90-100/night) and are actually a closer walking distance to the park than the resort hotels (except Grand Californian of course, but that will cost +$300 per night)

Certainly make sure you purchase park hoppers rather than disney only tickets, California adventure is a blast.

If you are only going for a few days, i wouldn't bother renting a car. You can purchase airport bus transfers for around $20 per person and i find it much more relaxing to just have bus take you to your hotel and then just walk to the park everyday.

If you are looking to save time and money, try to plan meals outside of the park. The food in the tends to be more expensive than the neighbouring restaurants.

Some rides are better to fastpass than others. Space Mountain will cut a 1hr wait into 10 minutes with a fast pass because they let you right inside the building while there is an additional 45 minute line waiting outside. California Screaming is another good one to fastpass. Some other rides (indiana jones or thunder mountain are not as beneficial, as the only cut about 15 minutes off a lineup).

Since you are going with a 3 year old, you will likely make use of the passes where they let one parent ride while the other parent watches the little one. After the one parent rides, the let the other parent on the ride right away. Cant recall what those passes are called but they give them out at the line entrace for most of the "non" kid friendly rides.

That's all i can think of now. My wife and I have been to Disney 4 times now in 3 years, so let me know if you have any other specific questions.

jar_e · 10-01-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HitterD

Since you are going with a 3 year old, you will likely make use of the passes where they let one parent ride while the other parent watches the little one. After the one parent rides, the let the other parent on the ride right away. Cant recall what those passes are called but they give them out at the line entrace for most of the "non" kid friendly rides.

That's all i can think of now. My wife and I have been to Disney 4 times now in 3 years, so let me know if you have any other specific questions.

Single rider passes are the way to go. You go through the exit and pretty much get on any ride in 5-10 minutes.

The Special One · 10-01-2009, 03:08 PM

Forget Disneyland, go to Knotts Berry Farm instead. Way more fun, five minutes down the road.

starseed · 10-01-2009, 03:13 PM

I went in December 07, the park was not busy at all. We used the fastpass for a couple rides, but most places it is not needed.

If you are going to be there for a week or more, then I strongly recommend getting the southern California city pass. 3 days at Disneyland/California Adventure park (it is a park hopper pass, and you get to go in 1 hour before the park opens to the public for one of those days), 1 day at Universal Studios, 1 day at Sea World, and 1 day at your choice of the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park.

http://www.citypass.com/city/socal.html

When I went there, it was between 15-25 C, and the locals were wearing scarves and mittens.

I went to grab a frozen yogurt, and outside the store they had these heaters you could sit under. It was like 18C...

The Fastpass is free, everyone gets it.

DO NOT FORGET to visit the tiki hut. Scariest effing ride I ever went on. Your kids will be fine on it though.

Take the kids to see fantasmic one night, it is a really cool show they put on over water... and camp out a good spot for the fireworks somewhere near the Disney statue.

If the lines are really long at the california park, there is another entrance through the adjacent hotel. I never stayed there, but they never cared that I was using that entrance. No lines.

starseed · 10-01-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Special One

Forget Disneyland, go to Knotts Berry Farm instead. Way more fun, five minutes down the road.

Knotts is fun, but he has little kids that would not appreciate the park as much. It has way cooler roller coasters though.

Disneyland is the manicured park, with more family stuff. Knotts is the thrill ride park.

Rerun · 10-01-2009, 03:18 PM

1. Go to Disneyworld in Florida. Much better than Disneyland in CA.

2. Bring a wheelchair. Have someone sit in said wheelchair. You then get to by-pass all the lineups to the rides and you go in through the side doors. ...

(I know this because I went to Disneyworld with someone who WAS in a wheelchair and it was best thing ever not having to stand in lines for hours.)

mykalberta · 10-01-2009, 03:30 PM

There was a great thread about it earlier this year or last. Just do a search for Disneyland and you should find it.

HitterD · 10-01-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed

I went in December 07, the park was not busy at all. We used the fastpass for a couple rides, but most places it is not needed.

If you are going to be there for a week or more, then I strongly recommend getting the southern California city pass. 3 days at Disneyland/California Adventure park (it is a park hopper pass, and you get to go in 1 hour before the park opens to the public for one of those days), 1 day at Universal Studios, 1 day at Sea World, and 1 day at your choice of the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park.

http://www.citypass.com/city/socal.html

When I went there, it was between 15-25 C, and the locals were wearing scarves and mittens.

I went to grab a frozen yogurt, and outside the store they had these heaters you could sit under. It was like 18C...

The Fastpass is free, everyone gets it.

DO NOT FORGET to visit the tiki hut. Scariest effing ride I ever went on. Your kids will be fine on it though.

Take the kids to see fantasmic one night, it is a really cool show they put on over water... and camp out a good spot for the fireworks somewhere near the Disney statue.

If the lines are really long at the california park, there is another entrance through the adjacent hotel. I never stayed there, but they never cared that I was using that entrance. No lines.

I still have not done the tiki hut, what is the deal???? i thought it was just some thing you walk through.

And FYI, just got back from disney, and they stopped us at the Grand Californian entrance to california adventure, only allowed people staying at the Grand Californian to go through

HotHotHeat · 10-01-2009, 03:43 PM

I was there last month. I had NO idea you could eat lunch/dinner INSIDE Pirates of the Caribbean. Maybe the coolest thing ever. Actually, no. It IS the coolest thing ever. Go early to make reservations.

Don't rush from ride to ride, enjoy the walking around. So much to look at.

Ethaniel · 10-01-2009, 03:53 PM

Food is not pricey. 10-15 bucks for food eating out Restaurant style (unless you go some place fancy). Drinks are crazy though
As an example $12 for French Toast, 2 Eggs, 2 Bacon, 2 Sausage and Hashbrowns, $4 for Orange Juice.
If you eat out in these places stick to the water (free) it will help a bunch. Coffee is also over $3 for a cup.
All Water and Drinks are easily $3 - $4 anywhere. It adds up fast.
We spent about $1100 on food, drinks, souvenirs, clothing and anything else.(we ate out every meal except a few)

jar_e · 10-01-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

1. Go to Disneyworld in Florida. Much better than Disneyland in CA.

2. Bring a wheelchair. Have someone sit in said wheelchair. You then get to by-pass all the lineups to the rides and you go in through the side doors. ...

(I know this because I went to Disneyworld with someone who WAS in a wheelchair and it was best thing ever not having to stand in lines for hours.)

They changed the wheelchair thing...you still go through the exit but you have to wait the same wait time as everyone else. Though when I was down there in August I've never seen so many people in wheelchairs or the ride-me ones. Holy cow people are lazy or get injured lots...or are crazy obese.

Ice · 10-01-2009, 05:36 PM

I love December at Disneyland. The crowds are pretty light, except during Winter break for the local schools. If you go in early December it will be all decorated for Christmas and you'll have smaller crowds to deal with. You may not even need a jacket. The past two years I've just happened to end up there on days that are sunny and in the high 60's.