Taken kids to Disneyland??? Have you ever taken your kids to?

Question

Disneyland, what was it like? Including the plane ride there with your kids? The hotels (best worst), the lines at rides, the people tere, the cost of souveneres, bad stories or good?

Answer 1

My daughter has been three times before she was even a year old. But in my defense! We get in for free and often when we go with her, we don't stay a full day. If I had to pay and travel and all that? I wouldn't take a child that young to an amusement park unless I had older kids that really really wanted to go and I couldn't find a babysitter, etc.

So, how old are your kids? And how well do they deal with crowds and waiting in long lines and such? Really, I think it all depends on the child. My daughter, being only 12 months now, actually has done very well every time she's been at Disneyland (first time at 5 months old, then 7 months old, then 9 months old). The problem is that when you take babies or toddlers, you have to lug SO much stuff with you: a stroller, extra clothes just in case, bottles, food, diapers, etc, etc.

If you have children a bit older and they can handle the park well, then it's SOOO much fun to take them and get to see their excitement! My stepdaughter has been going to the park since she was 4 (she's 14 now), but she was one of those kids who didn't deal with with waiting in long lines and such, so we'd just stay a couple hours and then leave when she started to get whiney or complain. Simple as that, FOR US. but I know it's not that easy for people who have to travel and pay to get in!
I've been going to the park since I was barely 2 and my parents said that both my sister and I were really easy-going at the park...we'd go and stay from opening till closing and not complain once about waiting in line, etc.

So again, it just depends on the children. And I can't help you a whole lot with hotels and planes and all that since that's not something we ever worry about. I think you should consult a Disney travel agent maybe.

By the way, food and souvenirs are pretty expensive inside the park. We often take snacks from home with us or just eat outside the park to save money. And as far as crowds and lines go, it depends on what time of year and day of week you'll be going.

Answer 2

Going to Disneyland is a great experience for both you and your children. If you are a long way from Disneyland and must fly for several hours, I would bring things like a DVD player or coloring books and crayons (for younger children) to keep them busy on the plane.

The best hotel would probably be the Grand California. It has a little scavenger hunt you can take your kids on through the hotel, a special entrance to California Adventure, great rooms (some with bunk beds), and so much more. The lines can get pretty long depending on the ride. Most of the rides are worth the wait though. The souveniers can get pretty pricey, so come with some cash!

Disneyland is a great and memorable experience for both you and your kids.

Answer 3

I've been a few times. If you have the money it's definitely worth it to stay at one of the hotels on the premises- we usually stay at the Grand Floridian it's extremely convenient. You are right on the monorail line so you can be at the park fast. It is far cheaper to stay off premises- and there is a hyatt right off the campus that is plenty nice and pretty cheep. You need to drive from the hotel to Disney, park in a giant lot, take the tram to the gate, then take the monorail to the park. It's literally 1 hour from door to the first ride. Here is a major tip- park at the Grand Floridian (you have to tip the guy b/c you are not really allowed) and you cut your commute by 45+ minutes.
If you kids are very young, like 5 or under- 2 or 3 days is probably their limit. When my kids were that young we didn't buy park hopper tickets (they cost a bit more) because the magic kingdom was more than enought for them. As they get older going from park to park is more reasonable.
As expensive as everything is- the price for cold water is reasonable in the park. Snacks are not bring them with you. Same thing with pictures- they are a fortune their bring your own camera. They have these autograph books you can but in the park and the characters will sign them as your kids walk around and meet them- it's a fun activity for all age kids. Make reservations for character meals they are fun (altho not cheep).
last thing- if money is no object you can hire a private tour guide- they know everything, watch your stuff and get you to cut all of the lines. We love it and do it every time- but it's $800 to $1100 per day- adds up fast. Have fun.

Answer 4

If you look at our pictures it looks like we raised our kids there! We love Disneyland. Since we live about an hour south, depending on traffic, we have annual passes. We will try to go about once a week.

They have lots of little hotels near the park. Don't wast your money on the Disneyland Hotel. It wasn't worth the money. My brother stayed at the Grand Californian and they liked it but again, it's expensive.

Use "fast passes" on the big rides. You use your ticket and you get a pass to come back later. It's fun to walk by a long line of people waiting - little kid in me.

Things are expensive, especially food. We like the "Plaza Inn." You can get fried chicken, pasta or pot roast. Their cobb salad is really good. That's what we usually get.

Go early in the day and get all the big rides out of the way. Summer is more crowded. Holidays are busy. Christmas is the great because of the decorations.

Stay for fireworks! They are always spectacular.

Shirts are around $30 for kids and they increase in cost depending on the shirt. I got a really cute one that was an embroidered football jersey type with Mickey Sorcerer. The adult size was $50. Since I can wear an XL kids size it only cost $40.

We like WDW but Disneyland is the original. It was Walt's place. It holds a special place in our hearts.

Answer 5

Yes and they loved it! I used to live in Florida too. We usually spend a few days on a nice beach a little south of Orlando and then spend five days at Disney. My daughters are two and five, so they love Magic Kingdom best. I myself have been to Disney about fifteen to twenty times over the course of my life and think it is such a great place. I wish it were like Discovery Cove though, where they only let in a thousand people per day or some kind of set up like that. It is so hot there and it's a bit** having to stand in those mile long lines with tired, hot, and overwhelmed kids.

Answer 6

I live only 1 and1/2 hours from Disneyland, and we try to go twice a year. Once in summer, to hot to many people. so we try to go in the spring and aways around Thanksgiving to see the Christmas parade. The most popular rides have the longest lines, but they have this new thing if you go at a certain time you can get in front of the line, we never used it because we always played be ear, and we never made the times. About Hotels go on line and see what they have most hotels that are not part of D-land have shuttles.

Answer 7

even though i'm a kid i have some experience too soo...

i went when i was 7 and old enough to enjoy myself and was out of naps.. if you have little kids like 3 or 4 make sure you don't do too much or just go when their older... we had southern calif. passes so we got a really good deal of the hotels, if you don't have passes or some cupons just go to one of the hotels outside of the park, alot less expensize


if you don't want to spend alot of money of kitch that will probably sit in you childs room and never get uesed after the disneyland trip.. give your kids a limit on how many souveiners you will let them have... so give them the whole day to look around and when their sure that thats what they want get if and make sure that this is going to be their souviener or if you want to buy them everything thats ok if you want to spend even more money


my first time i got a tigger alarm clock, I still have it and love it still 7 years later.. my first disneyland experience was one of the most fun trips in my life just, always make sure everyone stays fead and happy so you dont have a big blow up when everyones tired


sorry this is alot but if you go have a really good time and remember to get fast passes :)

Answer 8

I went when i was about 10 it was very fun but disney world is 100 times better just to let you know

Answer 9

wondering the same thing