Happiest Place On Earth

Making a trip to Disneyland in two weeks (weekday visit ) and was wondering if anyone knew of some deals out there.
After looking at the price for my whole family (3kids, wife and I ) i wished we could just go camping.

Planning on a 2-3 day park visit and staying at a hotel down the street. Last time we went 3yrs ago we did a one day visit and we berely covered half the park and i was dead walking back to our hotel

Any suggestions/advice would be awesome.

Thanks,

Chuwy

just make sure that you aren't at the motel 6 across the street.  It sounded like they were shooting a porn above us all weekend.  couldn't get any sleep but it was just across the street and the walk was easy.  Have fun!

Definitely do a 2 or 3 day pass- you get an early entry that way.
Last time we got a 3 day 2 park pass (i think), which allowed one early day in to one of the parks.  We used that official early entry on Disneyland.  The next day we went in early, and checked with the CA adventure gate guy.  He ended up giving us a free early entry pass, and let us in...

We work the sh&^ out of the FastPass thing.  There's a website that helps you create a plan, including which rides to get fast passes for. I think you do have to pay for it, but it is well, hugely, well worth it.
All three of us would ride a ride, then one of us would split off and go get a fast pass, while the other went with the kiddo on the next ride in the chain.  Repeat.
There are also a couple of restaurants that take reservations (over by the haunted house), which is great as you don't have to battle the crowds.

My daughter (now loves doing the pin trading thing- and the "cast members" are really really good with kids. My daughter is super shy, and they were awesome.

happiest place on earth for sure

I used to work at Disneyland as a kid!  Holiday season was the best, definitely felt super Xmas-y.  No tips on recent accommodations, except to say that there's some killer korean BBQ nearby on Beach Blvd.

When visiting, keep in mind that no "cast member" (that's what us employees were called) will refuse a reasonable request in order to satisfy you.  For example, you can eat a churro down to the smallest remaining morsel or drink a lemonade slush down to the last drop, then turn about and say you didn't like it - they are REQUIRED to give you a replacement (Try it, see what happens).  We were also FORBIDDEN from intervening when witnessing merchandise theft (don't recommend trying that lol). 

I remember Mr. Fujishige giving Mickey the finger from his strawberry farm across the street.  That was an Asian brother with principle (and balls)! 

http://articles.latimes.com/1998/aug/16/news/mn-13664

We always stay at the Candy Cane Inn and been very pleased. They have a shuttle but easy walk don't have to cross the street.

I used to work at Disneyland as a kid!  Holiday season was the best, definitely felt super Xmas-y.  No tips on recent accommodations, except to say that there's some killer korean BBQ nearby on Beach Blvd.

When visiting, keep in mind that no "cast member" (that's what us employees were called) will refuse a reasonable request in order to satisfy you.  For example, you can eat a churro down to the smallest remaining morsel or drink a lemonade slush down to the last drop, then turn about and say you didn't like it - they are REQUIRED to give you a replacement (Try it, see what happens).  We were also FORBIDDEN from intervening when witnessing merchandise theft (don't recommend trying that lol). 

I remember Mr. Fujishige giving Mickey the finger from his strawberry farm across the street.  That was an Asian brother with principle (and balls)! 

http://articles.latimes.com/1998/aug/16/news/mn-13664

Disney was around when you were a kid?  Must have been in B&W back then!      J/K   

I appreciate all the info, looking forward to great memories with the lil-ones.

Thanks
Chuwy

We are going at the end of June for a two day trip.  We are taking our camper and there's a 'campground' a mile from the park we will be staying at.  The shuttle comes right to the campground for pick-up/drop-off every 20 minutes.  Great if you got an RV of some sort with your own meals and such.  Saves a bunch of money as the rate for a spot there is $50 a night and we bring our dogs.  They even have a dog sitting service

I have a phobia for sleeping in the same bed at a hotel some porn movie was shot at!!

I also am picky about restaurant cleanliness too. 

My own sheets, my own cooking AND I save a bit of money too!

BTW, there are some disneyland forums you can google.  If there's ways to save money, they'll know.

Quick TIPS:
Take a photo of your pass/tickets.  If you loose them, you can get them replaced. 

Not sure if Disneyland has this yet, but Disneyworld did last year; FASTPASS was available from your smart phone via some website.  I'm smartphone illiterate, but my son set it up.  It's almost like there were no lines at all if you weren't too picky about what was available to ride. 

Anything 'FROZEN' is going to be long lines.  'nuff said! 

Stay or come back after dark for the fireworks.  It's been said that Disney spends $75,000 a night for the show on fireworks. 

Making a trip to Disneyland in two weeks (weekday visit ) and was wondering if anyone knew of some deals out there.
After looking at the price for my whole family (3kids, wife and I ) i wished we could just go camping.

Planning on a 2-3 day park visit and staying at a hotel down the street. Last time we went 3yrs ago we did a one day visit and we berely covered half the park and i was dead walking back to our hotel

Any suggestions/advice would be awesome.

Thanks,


They used to have a deal if you live in a close enough area code you get a discount off your ticket. I know 805 is one of them. I'd call and ask then have a friend in the right code buy your tickets. Magic Mountain does something similar with moutain dew and coke can. Call them as well.   
Chuwy

Check Costco for tickets. You might be able to get them cheaper there.

They used to have a deal if you live in a close enough area code you get a discount off your ticket. I know 805 is one of them. I'd call and ask then have a friend in the right code buy your tickets. Magic Mountain does something similar with moutain dew and coke can. Call them as well.   
Chuwy

I think it was BaitNBeer that was telling me a few weeks ago that you can get some sort of deal on Craigslist getting the locals discount. 

with the 2-3 day pass and a local motel you can go back and rest, take a nap, eat, get warm clothes if it turns cold at nite, etc....I once forgot a sweatshirt and being LA it can get cold at nite even tho it was 90 during the day...Disney sweatshirt was arounf $40 each for the 4 of us.

We make the trek every year, opting for January when the crowds aren't as bad.  We've stayed at the Best Western Plus Pavilions and the Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate, both were clean, comfortable, and suited our needs fine.  I used to have a hookup at the Residence Inn and could get rooms for $30/night, that was killer, but I lost that contact.  We typically make it a Sunday-Thursday trip: day 1 is driving/hotel/swim, day 2 is CA Adventure, day 3 is rest/Downtown Disney, day 4 is Disneyland, day 5 drive home.  Throwing the day to rest-up for the kids is a great option if you can swing it.

We avoid the restaurants for the most part, opting to bring in a soft sided cooler with meat/cheese/fruit/drinks...saves a TON of money and a ton of time.  Take advantage of the continental breakfast at your hotel (which is impressive at the Residence Inn), and bring water bottles to top off at the drinking fountains in the park.  Also, hit up the Dollar Store before you make your trip to score Disney pens/autograph books/stickers/snacks, and start every morning off with a goodie-bag for the kids, that should help avoid the gift shops....you're kids will never know the difference, and you'll avoid the 500% price jack.

Download an app to your phone that gives the ride wait times, and definitely take advantage of the Fast Passes.  I've heard some bad stories of people who have tried the Craigslist ticket path, only to get shot down at the gate.  The risk of that happening isn't worth it to me, I always get legit tickets.
Almost forgot, make sure to hit up the Cozy Cone hotel in Cars Land where you can grab a vodka lemonade.  Combine that with a fresh churro and you're golden.

Disney was around when you were a kid?  Must have been in B&W back then!      J/K   

I feel old lately.  But not THAT old 

BTW, there's a lot of grad night madness going on right about now. You want to ride Its A Small World?  Make sure you look for goo before you sit in that boat.  The rumors are true - it absolutely DOES go down in there.