I have this trip I love to take with my daughter. Soon, I’ll take the adventure with her and have my twin boys join the fun. I’ve done this trip twice with my daughter and once we took two other mommies and their daughters for a girls weekend. It was a ton of fun, crazy and rife with a few ridiculous moments that only 5 year old girls could provide.
So as a note, this story is a weekender from the West Coast. Sorry, but maybe one of our East Coast gals can write one for Walt Disney World. I haven’t been there yet.
So on to our adventure. Here’s is my basic itinerary and recommendations:
Saturday AM — Flight in the AM that gets you in by 9 or 9:30 AM. Southwest, Alaska, America West and United can get you from anywhere on the West Coast to the Orange County Airport (John Wayne Int’l) with a 7 or 8 AM flight.
My flight — Oakland is Southwest at 8:00 AM gets me in at 9:20 AM (the web site doesn’t have this flight right now, so it may be a summer thing). If so adjust to the 6 AM (ouch!). Or 9:00 AM and slide the park schedule (below) to start at lunch at the California Adventure…your choice.
Arrival — Your next step is to pick up a car. Rental agency of your choice. I’m a working mom and travel a lot so I have my preferred places and clubs that I try and keep my points with, but use what works for you. BUT WAIT! Make sure you choose an onsite rental company. You will never care about those 20 bucks you saved if you have to carry all the gear that comes with traveling with kids.
My car — Avis, Minivan seats 6 (if it was a mother daughter weekend a full size), Avis general rate is $60 per day.
Hotel — After retrieving your car, head straight to your hotel. I only stay in the Residence Inn when traveling with my kids. I love them. They’re apartments on the go. I always get a two bedroom as I generally have a friend and her child, my husband and the boys or visiting grandparents. The two bedrooms come in a couple configurations to meet these needs. They have a second bedroom for kids (bunk beds) decorated nicely for them or you can get two queens. There are two in Anaheim. I have stayed at both, so if one is sold out go for the other one. I prefer the one on 11931 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove—it’s a bit closer and newer. Check in. If your room is ready, which it is 50% of the time since check in isn’t until 3 PM, then throw your stuff upstairs and get to the park. If not, they will store your bags until you return.
My hotel — Residence Inn, two bedroom rate ranges from as low as $159 to $229. Studios and one bedrooms are even less but still have the full kitchens.
Tickets & Shuttle — When you check, in buy your tickets from the registration desk at the hotel. They can also direct you to the shuttle. It’s just across the back of the hotel to a shared driveway for three hotels. It’s a nice greyhound style bus that goes twice an hour. All you need (last time I went) was your hotel key and pass. The bus is so easy you may choose to come back around 4 PM and swim, hot tub or nap (depending on the age of you or your children) and then head back for fireworks versus killing yourself.
My tickets & shuttle — 2-Day Park Hopper® and shuttle pass, approx. $225. Purchase at the hotel and avoid the line at Disneyland.
