Hi y'all! Just started an account so I could ask a few questions here. We've booked to come out to Disneyland November 15th-19th staying at Paradise Pier - we're Orlando locals so very used to WDW but we've never spent Christmas at Disneyland and I'm super excited! The trip will just be myself and my two little boys who are 6 and 3 - we've been waiting to come to Disneyland until the littlest was 40 inches so he could go on the bigger rides and he's JUST about there without shoes, so I'm hoping we'll be good!
We've booked the Plaza Inn parade package for Saturday 16th because waiting for hours for a parade with a 6 year old and a recently potty trained 3 year old is not an option, but reading the reviews above I'm second guessing this. Is anyone going before the 15th that might be able to post their own review? I'd love to know more, especially the food options (the 6 year old is a bit of a picky eater) and how early you need to be there even with the reserved seating.
At WDW the castle lighting has a little show and the time changes throughout the holiday season - is there a castle lighting show at Disneyland, and is it around the same time each night?
What are the best options to see Fantasmic? We love the Hollywood Studios version and we're excited to see the Disneyland version but with two little ones, I'm thinking we'll need to be there early so they can see. Are the dining options worth it?
Anything else I should know about the holidays at Disneyland? We know WDW so well that I'm completely thrown off by doing a Disney vacation I'm not totally familiar with!
Welcome to the DIS! You're going to love DLR at Holiday Time! So, to answer some of your questions:
Tip for measuring your youngest son on rides: Start teaching him now to stand up to the measuring stick. Some kids shy away from the stick (which can look different at different rides, so teach him that it's okay if the stick is a different one each time). Some kids try to stick their chin up, which lowers the top of their head -- not a great trick when trying to make the height limit! Some kids try to jump up to "bump" the stick -- again, not a great trick. Teach him to stand straight, heels flat on the ground (!), looking straight ahead, chin straight up (but not pointing up), and to let the stick touch the top of his head. No slouching, no bumping, no jumping, no squirming. He'll be a total pro by the time of your trip!
Agree with the pp about the Plaza inn parade packages -- not really worth the money. We love the Plaza Inn for the fried chicken meals, but not for the dining packages. Viewing from the firehouse or from the IASW mall area (try the raised terrace area opposite the ride building) works fine. There are restrooms nearby both of those locations.
There is a castle lighting at DL -- it is listed in the entertainment guide.
Take the money you saved from not doing the Plaza Inn package and use it (!) for a F! dining package (which is totally worth doing). The F! dining packages have the best viewing with the least wait time -- centered, right up by the water. The most economical package is at Hungry Bear. You can order off the dining package or the regular menu (you'll still pay the package price no matter what you order). If you do the first F! show, you'll be invited to stay in your viewing area for the fireoworks right afterward (if there are fireworks that night). F! originated at DL -- you're going to love this show!
If you can do the WOC Dessert Party, the holiday version of that show (Seasons of Light) is lovely and unique to DCA!
If you haven't already seen this thread, read it for great information:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.
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