Disneyland newbies please help!

[Goodnplenty]

I'm an old hand with visiting WDW but my first DL trip was a challenge. Thanks to the wonderful people here, I learned alot and everything worked out fine. I understand your questions about distance. I simply could not grasp the thought that you could actually "walk" from your hotel room right over to Disneyland. What helped me the most was using satellite pictures. I would map a distance in my own neighborhood and then map that distance using a satellite photo from a hotel. That really helped me understand what everyone here was sharing. You might like to give that a try.

Oh and about supplies, I stayed at the HoJo several times and they have the best "convenience store" I've seen. They even had OTC toothache medicine there. (And they have some snacks and I believe PB&J stuff. I haven't been recently so maybe some others can chime in.)

[grammyof4]

I have been to DL countless times over the years with toddler grandchildren & will NEVER again stay where I need to get on a shuttle with a stroller. It is just SOOO inconvenient. I will forever stay within walking distance from now on.

[sjhanksaz]

So I have a few more questions...

1. Should I take my side by side double stroller with me. I feel as though I should bring it for in the airport as I'm unsure of how much walking there may be especially if we have luggage to deal with? But I think that it would be beneficial for us to just have the one stroller instead of 2 singles where we (my husband) and I would always be pushing something. Thoughts?

Thanks everyone in advance for all of your help!!!

I would bring it. They rent strollers there at the park too but if you are going to rent two they can add up in cost pretty quick.

When our kids were younger they would take naps in the stroller and it was great to have a place to haul around all of our stuff. Nice thing about the park is you can leave your stroller in one area and then go back to it as needed. We never left anything of real value in the stroller but we never had anything taken from it.

[heatherya]

We take our maclaren double stroller every time we go. Dd (5) now likes to walk sometimes, but we only let her do that once we're in the park, and she holds my hand while dh pushes ds in the stroller. We like to keep both kids in the stroller while we walk to the park, so we ca get there faster lol.

[3Princesses1Prince]

I have been to DL countless times over the years with toddler grandchildren & will NEVER again stay where I need to get on a shuttle with a stroller. It is just SOOO inconvenient. I will forever stay within walking distance from now on.

I second this....especially with two in a stroller. Absolutely bring your double stroller. It makes running for FPs or grabbing a snack so much easier. Just be prepared to park it outside of most stores. It's really tight in there. Usually I'll go in and shop while DH keeps the stroller.

[CariBelle]

Oh and about supplies, I stayed at the HoJo several times and they have the best "convenience store" I've seen. They even had OTC toothache medicine there. (And they have some snacks and I believe PB&J stuff. I haven't been recently so maybe some others can chime in.)

I second that! They have lots of snack items and items that can be microwaved for a quick snack or meal.

[wriley]

So I have a few more questions...

1. Should I take my side by side double stroller with me. I feel as though I should bring it for in the airport as I'm unsure of how much walking there may be especially if we have luggage to deal with? But I think that it would be beneficial for us to just have the one stroller instead of 2 singles where we (my husband) and I would always be pushing something. Thoughts?

2. We are flying in from Alberta, Canada so I'm wondering if there is a need to rent a car? Is there somewhere close by to buy the basic necessities?

Thanks everyone in advance for all of your help!!!

We are out of Alberta as well and this will be our third time taking our 2 small children to Disneyland.

1. Bring the biggest most comfortable stroller you have. Using the stroller to store everything from gifts, clothes, diaper bags, drinks and food is so handy. Naps in the park are also great. We used the naps in the stroller to take turns using the single rider ques for busy rides like Indy.

2. Dont rent a car you will go broke paying for parking. Buy the vacation from the disney website, stay at the fairfield and purchase the airport transfers. Nice big airconditioned bus will take you to and from hotel to airport.

[candles71]

I was going to suggest Von's as well. Order bottled water to be delivered. We also take snacks and sandwiches into the park as well. With eating breakfast mostly before we go (either in the room with groceries, or hotel breakfast depending on where we are staying, or even hiting McDonald's) to save some money. That only leaves dinner in the park, at park prices, and I can only handle so much eating out.
If you are only going to Disneyland, you are just fine without a rental car.. If you use the bus, you will not need car seats. Anything smaller, shuttle van or taxi, you will need car seats.
Double stroller all the way. Either bring yours so you have it for the airport, or there are off site rental companies that are reasonable and deliver them to your hotel. This option would keep you from having to lug it around, but you would have to deal with toddlers in airports without one.
You will have to take stuff off the stroller for bag checks at the entrance area for both parks. This goes faser if you are able to have stuff open ahead of time for the Cast Members. As far as leaving stuff on the stroller while riding rides and such, I always recommend not leaving anything you would be upset at losing. For us that was the $10 walmart sweatshirt got left, but the $50 Disneyland one does not. Our lunch bags, if theywere taking out lunch,they needed it more than we did. Etc...

[TTFN92]

We haven't been to DL without a stroller (except for adults only trips) in 18 yrs. and I will never stay somewhere that I have to get on a bus. We were there last month and when we were walking back to our hotel (Del Sol) I looked at all the people waiting in line for their shuttle and felt bad for them. We were in our room getting in our pjs by the time those people got to theirs or maybe even on the bus. We just had a single stroller this time but had a double for 8 yrs. Our double was front and back. We never had a problem taking it into stores but I can see where a side by side would be a problem. I would definitely take your own though because it is so nice to have the storage and not have to carry anything. The DL strollers don't have storage. The hotels we like to stay at are BW Park Place Inn, Carousel, Desert Inn and Suites and now Del Sol. All of them are right across the street. I know so many people like Hojos but it is a little far for us.

[tea4two]

...As far as leaving stuff on the stroller while riding rides and such, I always recommend not leaving anything you would be upset at losing. For us that was the $10 walmart sweatshirt got left, but the $50 Disneyland one does not...

This! Cannot emphasize enough that bringing valuable (dollars or sentiment) items to the parks and leaving it in a stroller is not a good idea. Our pastor's son had his stroller stolen from outside Nemo. He is a cop and knew exactly what to do (and hadn't left anything of value in the stroller), but it was still a bit of a reality shock. The culprit was caught with said stroller and six diaper bags she had stolen from other strollers (and those bags did have some valuable items). Actually, she was caught because a costumed character noticed a lone woman with a stroller, 6 bags, and no child. He alerted security, and she was apprehended. If you can't bear to lose it, don't bring it!

Also, for last minute necessities, if the hotel store doesn't carry what you need, there is a 7-11 convenience store on the corner of Harbor and Katella that carries quite a selection of things.

[adriennek]

1. Bring the biggest most comfortable stroller you have. Using the stroller to store everything from gifts, clothes, diaper bags, drinks and food is so handy. Naps in the park are also great. We used the naps in the stroller to take turns using the single rider ques for busy rides like Indy.

Ok, so, I have to dispute this one a bit.

I will start off by saying I've took strollers to Disney parks for over 10 years including at least half of those years using a double stroller and a cross-country trip with three kids and a stroller. And yes, I've hauled all sorts of stuff on my strollers including diaper bags, rain ponchos, purchases, drinks, jackets, etc etc etc.

The best stroller I ever had in a park was a Maclaren. And my very good friend with twins who happens to be my middle son's godmother, had a Maclaren side-by-side. Bigger at Disneyland is not better. The walkways are narrow and when it gets crowded, it gets CROWDED. It's really hard when there are so many strollers and especially big strollers.

If you're going to take a double stroller, try to get one that will do what you need it to do, in the smallest space possible. It will make it easier to deal with at Disneyland and gate-checking it at airports, too.

[candles71]

As you walk all the way down to 7 11 most of the hotels on that side have stores, so they might have I also.
You can have most anything delivered by Vons (including diapers if they are still of the need.) Or there is a Target like 2 (might be 3) miles down Harbor. Dad could walk it or hop on a bus if really needed.

[sjhanksaz]

Just a note on small kids, storllers and the shuttle bus.

It's worth the extra money, or the "not as nice accomodations" to stay close and avoid the shuttle at all costs.

We used to get a free hotel with points but would have to use the shuttle. We now opt to pay for our room rather than use those things.

Picture this. You and your kids are very tired after a day in the park. All you can think about is getting the kids into bed and yourself tucked in and asleep. Your make your way down main street with the kids who have now fallen asleep in the double stroller.

10 minutes later you are at the shuttle pick up. Now you wait another 10-20 minutes for the bus to arrive. You now have to pick up each sleeping kid out of the stroller and try to fold it up and then walk on the bus. Now the kids are awake and cranky and you got mean looks from all the people on the bus as you and a crying couple of kids drag all your stuff and the double stroller to the back of the shuttle where the open seats are. Now as you sit the kids fall asleep again. Then after several stops you reach your hotel stop. Now the kids are awake and you are draging them and the stroller off the bus. 40-60 minutes have now passed away since your magical stroll down main street.

If you pick a place like the Park Vue you would be to your hotel in 15 minutes from Main Street. By 40-60 minutes since your magical walk down mainstreet you could be in bed watching the news or even drifting off to sleep.

[adriennek]

Just a note on small kids, storllers and the shuttle bus.

It's worth the extra money, or the "not as nice accomodations" to stay close and avoid the shuttle at all costs.

.....

Picture this. You and your kids are very tired after a day in the park. All you can think about is getting the kids into bed and yourself tucked in and asleep. Your make your way down main street with the kids who have now fallen asleep in the double stroller.

THIS.

Heck, this is why we walked to the parking structure instead of taking the tram most of the time, too!

[heatherya]

Ok, so, I have to dispute this one a bit.

The best stroller I ever had in a park was a Maclaren. And my very good friend with twins who happens to be my middle son's godmother, had a Maclaren side-by-side. Bigger at Disneyland is not better. The walkways are narrow and when it gets crowded, it gets CROWDED. It's really hard when there are so many strollers and especially big strollers.

If you're going to take a double stroller, try to get one that will do what you need it to do, in the smallest space possible. It will make it easier to deal with at Disneyland and gate-checking it at airports, too.

This is so true...dh fought me and won on the double stroller I wanted. My sister had a great BOB stroller and I wanted one just like it. He said a maclaren would be easier to maneuver around Disneyland and it came with a great rain cover, which was great since many of our trips fall in January or February when it rains a bit. Also, he was able to use united points for it, so we didn't have to pay for it really lol. We've taken that stroller to DL at least 10 times, and we can stuff a lot underneath.

[tea4two]

... Bigger at Disneyland is not better. The walkways are narrow and when it gets crowded, it gets CROWDED. It's really hard when there are so many strollers and especially big strollers.

If you're going to take a double stroller, try to get one that will do what you need it to do, in the smallest space possible. It will make it easier to deal with at Disneyland and gate-checking it at airports, too.

There was someone who brought a large double side-by-side stroller to DLR last year, then wrote a trip report about how DL was horrible (he used a different word) partly because of how much trouble he had with his stroller the whole trip. He had been warned about bringing a large stroller, but hadn't listened to the advice. Maneuvering through crowds at DLR is hard enough with a single stroller, but with an SUV stroller, it can be a real headache.

[3Princesses1Prince]

It doesn't have to be a bad experience if you have patience. If its a crowded day, yes it's more difficult. Of course I find a double even more valuable during crowds because I know my kids are where they need to be and safe. While bigger isn't always better, whats most comfortable for the kids and you is most important.

[seretny]

Thanks so much again everyone for all your info its greatly appreciated!!

I have the Bumbleride Indie Twin stroller for all you moms out there. It is a double wide but its a great stroller so I think I will bring it with me. I just looked into renting a stroller on a couple of website so I might think of that as well.

I've come to the conclusion - from all of your responses - that I would like to be within walking distance. Now to figure out which hotel to stay at!! LOL!

[sjhanksaz]

Thanks so much again everyone for all your info its greatly appreciated!!

I have the Bumbleride Indie Twin stroller for all you moms out there. It is a double wide but its a great stroller so I think I will bring it with me. I just looked into renting a stroller on a couple of website so I might think of that as well.

I've come to the conclusion - from all of your responses - that I would like to be within walking distance. Now to figure out which hotel to stay at!! LOL!

I would go to Google Earth that way you can litterally get a bird's eye view. You can type in the address of a couple of hotels and see where they are in relation to the park.

[SigalTchelet]

I would go to Google Earth that way you can litterally get a bird's eye view. You can type in the address of a couple of hotels and see where they are in relation to the park.

Or you can go to this thread to find out the walking distance from hotels to the park. http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/show...er-quot-debate