What are the good RV or CG sites around Disneyland Calif.? Of course I
Quote from: harleywolfWhat are the good RV or CG sites around Disneyland Calif.? Of course I
I agree with Dee. I would stay at Canyon RV Park. It is a nice park with full hook-ups and is probably a 20 minute ride to D-land or the beach. Maybe a little longer with traffic. I wouldn't stay anywhere near the park because those cg's are all parking lot style cg/s. Wow, the resort is $330 a night? and you are going for 7 days? WHEW!!! I would try to go thru a travel agency and see if they have any package deals. Just remember D-land isn't like D-World. I bet you could see the whole thing in 2 days or 3 at the most. Maybe head to San Diego and visit Sea World, San Diego Zoo and Legoland for the rest of your stay.
Just my .02 worth.
Jacqui
Yea I know I know it
FYI the Wax Museum is gone..so don't try to go. There is however a new attraction near Knotts its a Pirate adventure show, looks like fun but is $$$$$$$
http://www.piratesdinneradventure.com/california/index.html
My kids love Medieval times. In fact next week he is going on vacation with his friend and they are going to San Diego, D-land and Medieval Times. He was most excited about Medieval Times. Go figure. We actually like Knotts Berry Farm better than Disney. Less crowds. We lived in Huntington Beach for 6 years and went to Disney 3 times.
Maybe plan on going to the beach one of the days there. It is only 10 miles from D-land. It is amazing how a bunch of sand can keep kids busy.:D
Jacqui
Aw MAN! The Wax Museum is no more? When did THAT happen? Being from WAY up here in North Cali I don
Yeah it died this year. They auctioned off much of the figures and sets. I believe someone bought he star spice and the bridge, (how he had a big garage)
My son woud LOVE the pirate dinner, but man its just oo expensive for us.. keep waiting for a kids eat free day ;)
Get on priceline.com and get your room. I usually stay at the hilton for about $50 a night, plus $10 to park.
I hate Disneyland. I've been twice and seriously can't stand the place. It's not worth half what they charge. There's no decent food and crowds and lines everywhere. What I hate is the artificial feeling about the place. Plus it's so commercialized. Everything is about the $$$ there. Give me the forest or the beach over that nonsense anytime.
Rick,
As we live in Silicon Valley, and with 4 children we have made the trip south to Disneyland many times and have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, a local hotel close to the park, and also camped at Canyon RV park, like Dee recommended.
Staying at the Disneyland Hotel was nice, I'm glad we did it, but am in no rush to stay there again. It is more expensive than the other hotels in the area, but it is part of the Disneyland experience. You still need to take a shuttle to and from the hotel to the park, which sometimes we had to wait in line for.
Staying in a local hotel was less expensive, but didn't have the whole disney theme running throughout the hotel. The free shuttle to the park was quick, ran every 30 minutes, and only took 5 minutes. Staying so close to Disneyland is nice as you can take a break during the day, and go back to the hotel for an afternoon nap, or a swim in the pool during the day, and return to the park in the evening.
2 years ago, at Christmas, we drove down with our trailer, and camped at Canyon RV park, which was only a 20 or 30 minute drive to Disneyland. We stayed there for 3 nights, and it did save us a bit of money. There are a few other RV parks closer to Disneyland, but we checked them out, and they are just parking lots, with very small sites. Our friends stayed there, with a Hybrid travel trailer, and their awning was inches away from the trailer next to them.
Anyway, back to us, after 3 nights at Canyon RV park, we has also made reservations in one of the local hotels, so we parked the truck and the Hybrid in the parking lot of the hotel, and spent the next 2 nights in the Hotel. Not so sure how the children would have liked spending Christmas in the trailer, and poor Santa trying not being able to find the chimney!
So Rick, if it was me, I would stay this time in the Disneyland hotel. Yea it will be expensive, but this is her first time there. Then for future visits look into staying at Canyon RV park.
Quote from: DrayI hate Disneyland. I've been twice and seriously can't stand the place. It's not worth half what they charge. There's no decent food and crowds and lines everywhere. What I hate is the artificial feeling about the place. Plus it's so commercialized. Everything is about the $$$ there. Give me the forest or the beach over that nonsense anytime.
I'm with you, Disneyland is greedy and only thinks about their big picture. A work buddy of dh's used to work at DL and when the employees got a raise, that was the day they raised their entry fees. Everything to do with Disney is outrageously priced. We only go 1x year when a friend who works in security gets us in FREE.
DH's partner paid the big bucks last year and stayed at the DL Hotel and enjoyed his trip. He liked the fact that they could come and go as they pleased and yet see all that they wanted to.
The main thing is ..it's all about the kids..your daughter will have no idea how much it costs but to see her face when she can meet a characters..We all complain about what a rip off etc..but heck I think $10.50 to see a movie is a big rip-off
one suggestion I do have which I found to be the best value for all the stuff there Is make reservations for lunch at ARIEL'S GROTTO inside Califonia adveture(you must make reservations the number is on their website) the prices compared to amusement park was not crazy outta line and the characters come to the table and they get to be in a parade..my daughter still remembers that and the kids meal comes in a bucket with shovel you can take to the beach.
Just have fun and enjoy your time together..
Thanks Deidre! That is exactly what we are doing. While I moaned and bitched about the cost of the hotel, researched the heck outa all the
Quote from: harleywolfThanks Deidre! That is exactly what we are doing. While I moaned and bitched about the cost of the hotel, researched the heck outa all the
Quote from: DrayI hate Disneyland. I've been twice and seriously can't stand the place. It's not worth half what they charge. There's no decent food and crowds and lines everywhere. What I hate is the artificial feeling about the place. Plus it's so commercialized. Everything is about the $$$ there. Give me the forest or the beach over that nonsense anytime.
First please do not be offened fellow pop-owner....Do not listen to this person...they dont get and will not get and are happy not to ever get it, the Disney Experience that is. This person is kinda like the person that ask why would I ever camp or buy a trailer when I can stay at hotel and sleep in a real bed..that is beneath me attitude. Now with that off my chest let me help you out. I am the Disney EXPERT...big ego and proud to tell anyone. Pup up nut and Disney nut all rolled into one person. I take it so far I am part of the Disney experience for my kids, yes it is work just like camping can be, but the rewards can be priceless in regards to your kids.
As other people have pointed out staying at Disney property allows you to never leave the Disney experience kinda of keeps you in that fantasy land mindset, which I am truly prefer.
How to not approach Disney:
1) Not wearing your mouse ears (ones in your mind)
2) Do not show up at 10 am
3) Showing up clueless and without plan
4) Not knowing how to use the fast pass system
If you want to do the see it all in a day approach then do the following:
1) Buy your tickets before you arrive
2) Show up 20 minutes before the gates open
3) Go to
ridemax.com and buy the software (you will need internet access in your hotel room)
4) Understand the fast pass system
5) Understand where the princesses will be at certain times
The Balanced approach like you were proposing
1) Show up when the gates open
2) Understand how the fast pass system works
3) Go back to hotel room for pool time and lunch
4) Go back to park for rides, disney dinner, and firework shows
5) use
//www.ridemax.com software
In regards to the Disney Land Hotel...its a 1960's ugly tower and it's 3.5 star property. yes you are overpaying at $330 a night. I go during off peak times and pay around $150 a night or stay at Grand Californian for $250 a night.
The inside is has been updated but its just OK, but you remain in fantasy land. You dont have to ride a bus but you can take a short stroll to the mono rail which takes you to the park (you can avoid the main park entrance that way).
Honest Truth:
I have never waited in line for more than 20 minutes for any ride by using the fast pass system and ride max software and have been to Disney Land and Disney World over 10 times.
Biggest Tip:
Plan you days with some flexibiltiy
Be a great dad and really get into everything
Your daughter is 6 so talk to the employees and found out when and where the princess will show up (get her an autograph book)
Get her into pin trading...I am even into that.
Other Tips:
Goofy's Kitchen..yes pricey but fun for the kids and lots of characters in one spot. If you need anything else just e-mail me and will be happy to answer.
Sorry about my negative post. I shouldn't have said anything. Have a good time Harleywolf. I'll be camping in the real world.
Landroverpup, Thanks! We
Quote from: harleywolfLandroverpup, Thanks! We
We just stayed at the Disneyland Hotel on July 11th. It is expensive, but the kids loved it. It's also convenient to the monorail that will take you right into the park. There are quite a few less expensive hotels right outside the gate. Next time we will stay at one of them.
Remember they are only young once. HAVE FUN!
Quote from: harleywolfLandroverpup, Thanks! We
So hammer me too.....
We loved our experience at Disney. We would return in a heartbeat.
My children will always remember our experience. We won't apologize for having a good time. There is an experience for everyone at whatever cost. When we were on the west coast Disney was a must visit. Now on the east coast Disney World is a place we would visit more if we could.
Camping was great and I would recommend staying in the park when possible. We have not been there in awhile but the last time we loved the E tickets which let you visit after closing.
America is one of the most diverse places in the world where we have the freedom to be different and explore the world through our special perspectives...what is real for one may be trivial for another. Enjoy!
Coach