I am in such a TIZZY!!!!! We are going to Disneyland!!!!

**hollyhill** · 05-10-2006, 08:11 PM

WHAT!!!!!!! I am not joking!!!!

My Mil (I know, I know my monster in law!!!!) sold a rental apartment she owned (it was her parents) and decided to give each of her children a package to Disneyland!!!!!!!

I am walkiing on air!

My Sil and Bil are going for 7 days in August but because my Dh will just have started working we couldn't, so we are going for 5 days on May 26 and home late on May 31 and to make up for it being shorter, Mil is giving us $1000 spending money too!!!!!!!!!!

Oh me oh my.....where to start! My children have NEVER been on aplane before (not even my 14 yr.old!), they are sooooo excited even about that part.
We will be staying at the Marriott suite hotel (it has seperate bedroom and living areas), and we will have a complimentary full breakfast buffet everyday! There is also a small fridge in the room.
We have a 3 day disney pass and we hope to go to legoland.

So do any of you have some important advise on Disneyland? What to see? What to do? What to avoid?

I am still in shock!

**tbs727** · 05-10-2006, 08:32 PM

Congratulations! You guys really deserve this!

**AirForceWife** · 05-10-2006, 08:44 PM

Oh, how amazing! Disneyland also has the California Adventure park! I've never been, but be sure to check out www.disneyland.com. You can type in your dates in and it will show you the times of all the parades and shows that you might want to catch! Have a blast!

**AmyBoz** · 05-10-2006, 08:47 PM

This is SOOOOO exciting! Enjoy!

**couponchic** · 05-10-2006, 08:59 PM

Sounds like you guys will have a lot of fun!

**3-boys-4-me** · 05-10-2006, 09:31 PM

Congrats! How wonderful, have fun and enjoy yourselves!

**dwallyfam** · 05-10-2006, 09:57 PM

Have fun

Kellie

**leezza** · 05-10-2006, 10:41 PM

I have been 3 times my only advice would be:

*go early in the morning, (then return to hotel during the hot part of day). then return to park if you want in the evening when it cools off again.

*drink lots of water

*Have a wonderful time

leezza

**frugalfoster** · 05-10-2006, 11:38 PM

In my not so frugal early years we went to Disneyland at least once a year....one year we went 3 times....we love it and the crowds should not be so bad for you at that time. So here's the deal.....GO EARLY....If you hit the gates an hour before opening and talk to the guy at the gate there is a big chance that you can "open" DIsneyland for the day....you become honorary guests and you are the one that yells "Let the magic begin" They also take an awesome picture of your family right in front of the big flowerbed..It made for one of the most wonderful times that we have ever been there.....and go to Fantasmic...there is a dessert buffet that you can purchase and it is expensive but it allows you to sit on a balcony above the huge crowds that form to watch the show....only 20 seats or so available for each showing. Regardless of whether you do the balcony showing or not....Fantasmic is a must see. Hit the rides early....get your fast passes at the ride kiosks...a fast pass allows you to circumvent a line for that particular ride...contrary to what the pass says "come back between 9:00 - 9:20" you may use that pass anytime during the day that you choose as long as you have passed the 9:00 time....after 9:00 you can get another fast pass for a different ride and then another one after the first time elapses on that ticket....you will only need the fast pass tickets if the crowds are large and you might not encounter that at all. One thing to know is that bottled soda at the park is VERY expensive so if you have a back pack I would suggest that you freeze some bottles of water at your hotel and bring them in with you....Disney does not like you to bring food into the park but we have never had any problem bringing in the water and sometimes even a snack....Gibson Girl ice cream parlor on main street has HUGE ice cream cone sundaes ...one will be big enough for two people, so it makes a great afternoon snack. When you go to a restaurant, order ice water....not just water or you will pay for bottled water..ice water is free. If you can spurge for a good restaurant...go to the Blue Bayou in the pirates of the caribbean ride...the food is WONDERFUL...the best that you will get in the park....if you have any questions....keep me in the loop and I'll try to answer them for you. Most of all HAVE A GREAT TIME!!! It is indeed the "Happiest Place on Earth" I do love DISNEYLAND!

**hollyhill** · 05-11-2006, 01:46 AM

Thanks alot!!

It has been 20 years since we went and it has changed alot! Thanks for the link airforce wife! But I went to check the schedule and found that the pirates of the caribean ride and blue bayou will not be operating ! Awwwwhhhh, it was my favourite ride! Oh well there is alot of new things.

Thanks for all the tips frugal foster! They are great! I am going to print them off and keep them handy. Part of the pkg. allows free use of the Disney/ hotel shuttle so we can go back and forth easily.

What do you think of the new adventure park? My Mil says to not waste anytime there. What do you think? And what is the Disney Downtown thing? it seems to be outside the park?

And what is fantasmic?
I will be avoiding desert buffets etc. because my Dd is very allergic to peanuts and traces of peanuts.

Can you recomend anyplace in Disney for a cheap meal or hotdog? Or someplace just outside the park?

Also, has anyone been to legoland? is it worth going to? My son really wants to go.

**Hollyhandi** · 05-11-2006, 06:34 AM

Thats great Holly,
You all deserve a great Hoilday and I hope you make memmories
to last ten lifetimes.
Your DH will be ready to concor the world now...

**Darlene** · 05-11-2006, 06:54 AM

How exciting! Wishing you lots of fun & memories galore.

**homesteadmamma** · 05-11-2006, 10:51 AM

That is wonderful news Holly. Enjoy your time there.

**canadian gardener** · 05-11-2006, 01:02 PM

You GO girl!!!! ENJOY!!!!

if anyone deserves a break and a fun time, it's you!

Congratulations

**frugalfoster** · 05-11-2006, 01:27 PM

OK Fantasmic is Disneyland's water show, it's free just like any of the others but packs a huge crowd so go early and scout yourself out a great viewing seat. It would not be unusual to get your seat at least an hour before the show...you will see other people doing the same thing. A website you will want to check out is called Mouseplanet.com they have a lot of reviews and can tell you about the different restaurants. My family loves the California Adventure park so I would definitely go to that one too. Your passes probably will let you into both parks each day so by all means check it out. The grizzly river run is an absolute ball, the hotel drop ride (can't remember the name) and Soaring over California is a MUST SEE!! Don't forego the new park it really has some great things to offer. Even the small attractions like It's a Bug's Life is great. It's a 3D movie with effects that even my girls who are 20 & 23 love to go to. Do the Aladdin show also...worth the time spent! Remember these are all in the new park! There is a pizza place in that park that is not too expensive but if you're looking for some real deals on the food, you'll have to leave the park probably. There is a subway outside the main gate and there are pizza delivery places that will come to your hotel. Typically you can expect to spend about $7.50 a lunch and dinner inside the park could go as high as $15....we do not spend that much however, usually we are satisfied with a burger or pizza. I love the hungry bear cafe in frontierland...the food is ok but the setting is really great...right on the water. again the food is about $7.50 per person, but don't forget what I said about the water because soft drinks are where the park gets it's money from. So remember....go to both parks and see the attractions I told you about and go early to Fantasmic.....oh and by the way one of my personal favorite rides is splash mountain...go during the day and also go at night it's a totally different ride and try the new ride Buzz Lightyear....it's a kick! Most of all have a great time!!!!!!!!