Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get Americans’ fascination with Disney. Everything seems so artificial and the plastic. Spending thousands of dollars just to wait in 2 hour lines for a 2 1/2 minute ride, stand in lines to eat extremely overpriced horrible food, and stay in extremely overpriced hotels that are mostly mid at best. Though I admit some of the hotels are very nice but you will get milked for all that you are worth if you stay there. And last but certainly not least…the rude people. What is it about these places that bring out the worst in people. I just don’t get it. So so so many better places to vacation than Disney but to each their own.

I guess that's just you. Tons of non Americans at the parks. The parks are plenty crowded, so if you don't go nobody will notice.

I don't go and I'm glad nobody notices.

We’ve done DL twice the last two years and think it’s great - more compact than DW and doesn’t feel as overwhelming. We did 4 days, two at each park, and had a blast. You could definitely do one day at each park if that wad too much for you. Definitely stay within close walking distance. We stayed at a dive right across the street so I won’t recommend it but do stay close and enjoy!

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get Americans’ fascination with Disney. Everything seems so artificial and the plastic. Spending thousands of dollars just to wait in 2 hour lines for a 2 1/2 minute ride, stand in lines to eat extremely overpriced horrible food, and stay in extremely overpriced hotels that are mostly mid at best. Though I admit some of the hotels are very nice but you will get milked for all that you are worth if you stay there. And last but certainly not least…the rude people. What is it about these places that bring out the worst in people. I just don’t get it. So so so many better places to vacation than Disney but to each their own.

I guess that's just you. Tons of non Americans at the parks. The parks are plenty crowded, so if you don't go nobody will notice.

How many days do YOU want to spend in an amusement park? We recently did just one day with a 9 and 12 year old. We hadn't done any Disney before. We were go go go all day and saw a lot. I'm sure we missed things, but didn't walk away feeling like we were missing out. With younger kids you might be moving slower and 1 day may not be enough. But they also won't know what they're missing. So go for how long you think YOU would enjoy being there.

We just went in January and stayed at the Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center. It was an 8 minute walk to the parks. We arrived on a Wednesday around 1 pm and the kids just went to that pool and got rest that night. We did the parks Thurs and Fri and checked out on Friday. We were able to leave our car parked at the hotel. Hyatt House had a great breakfast buffet, and there's a Starbucks & Walgreens. We didn't use this service, but they will grocery shop for you so that the items are in your refrigerator when you arrive.

After the park on Friday, we drove to Marriott Newport Coast Villas which was amazing. My kids loved the pools. Only downside was no room service. We could only get food at the pool bar or main lobby coffee bar/convenience store. You definitely need to grocery shop.

I don’t get Americans’ fascination with Disney. Everything seems so artificial and the plastic. Spending thousands of dollars just to wait in 2 hour lines for a 2 1/2 minute ride, stand in lines to eat extremely overpriced horrible food, and stay in extremely overpriced hotels that are mostly mid at best. Though I admit some of the hotels are very nice but you will get milked for all that you are worth if you stay there. And last but certainly not least…the rude people. What is it about these places that bring out the worst in people. I just don’t get it. So so so many better places to vacation than Disney but to each their own.

I’m the pp who went on maternity leave. I was told to be at the park for rope drop but didn’t understand you could get through security and in line at the gates before the park opens. So that’s a tip I learned.

Have you been to disney world before? My kids have been to DW a ton so they skipped some of the stuff at DL that they have at DW and we’re done in two days. If it’s your first disney experience and want to do it all, I can see wanting 3 days.
We stayed at the desert palms largely because it had suites with bunk beds. It was a short walk and worked great. We went after the California kids were back in school and the crowds were light.

To be able to do most of the rides etc., you want 3 days either with park hoppers or 2 days at disneyland and 1 day at california adventure. Definitely get Genie Plus. It is not at all essential to stay on site (there are a bunch of nearby marriotts and if you are adventurous re lodging the candy cane inn is a good deal etc.). But this makes more sense if your kids are big enough to walk
a lot (eg, a mile back to the hotel). The big advantage to staying at the grand californian or disneyland hotels is you can go back to your room for a rest in the afternoon and then reenter the park.

We went right before Christmas week (so busy time) and 2 days was plenty to ride everything we wanted to. We just did 1 day in Disneyland, 1 day in California Adventure. We actually stayed 3 nights--drove down to Anaheim after spending a few days in LA so that we could be at the parks at opening without any stress. Absolutely agree that 8-11 am in the parks is perfect--lines are quite short.

We stayed at the Tropicana, which is basic but right across the street and my kids loved their very large hot tub. I would have done Best Western based on the reviews I read, but they were sold out by the time we booked. We went to the parks 8-1 or 2pm then came home and swam and took a break. Would head back over at 4 or 5pm and do more rides.

We enjoyed the Hyatt house. Quick walk or Uber and plenty of space. The benefits you get for staying onsite do not make up for the high cost - this isn’t Orlando.