Happiest Place on Earth!

Breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen is fun for the kids. The food is over-priced (as all of Disney is, as well) but the time there is very fun and take LOTS of pics, so you never have to go back.

When we went as kids, my parents would bring the RV to the parking lot and we'd take a nap 1/2 way through the day and then stay out until midnight. So, staying at a hotel with monorail access seems like a great idea.

It is nearly impossible to see everything and do two parks in just one day. I highly suggest the two-day pass.
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We usually pack snacks in our bag to avoid buying pricey junk food. And we bring reusable bottles and refill at the water fountain to avoid paying $5 for a drink. And we usually pack a picnic lunch. A short break in the picnic area is very nice, much cheaper, and usually takes less time than waiting in line to eat somewhere.
Good luck and have fun!

We have never stayed at a Disney hotel but have heard from so many people that it really isn't worth the extra money. We typically stay at a Marriott across the street. As for character dining we usually do Goofy's kitchen (it is a buffet) which is located in the Disneyland Hotel. Make reservations! So many characters come to your table and visit, it is such a fun experience for the kids ! Hopefully your 2 yo won't be frightened. I recommend doing Disneyland the first day then use the hopper pass for California Adventure the second day and back to Disneyland that evening (it closes later.) If you get early entry go straight to the Peter Pan ride since that seems to get the longest line and definitely not one to miss! Hope this helps and have a fabulous trip!!!

It's been a long time since we've been to either Disney Park; however, we liked to stay at one of the Disney hotels because you can take the monorail system to the parks and back. The 9 yo can probably do all day at the park, but the 6 and 2 yo's aren't going to make it all day. I'd suggest getting to the park early, take a break around 1ish and go back to the hotel, let the 2 yo nap and the other 2 can chill at the pool; then go back to the park. Being able to take the monorail makes taking a break easier than trying to find your car, drive back to the hotel, back to the park and find another parking spot, etc. etc. Enjoy.

We stay across the street at Desert Inn. It's next to Denny's (great for dinner since you're off site and they have good deals on food). Bring water bottles since it's expensive in the parks. The coldest water is under Hungry Bear Restaurant in Bear Country (there are bathrooms down there, too). If you aren't getting there at opening on day one, I'd suggest you go to CA Adventure first since not as much to do for the kids. Fast Passes are great! Get some for the new Cars land as soon as you get in. Day two at Disneyland, go immediately to Fantasyland and go on Peter Pan and Dumbo (those fill up fast during the day and are really long lines). Also, Alice in Wonderland ride (around the corner near the tea cups). Winnie the Pooh is really cute. I'd bring a lunch and snacks because park food is expensive (we're a family of five). If the kids like Finding Nemo (submarines) you could eat lunch in line there (makes the wait go faster). Oh, also in CA Adventure is Turtle Talk with Crush; really cute! It's on that street with the new Trolley. Enjoy!

We have stayed at a Disney hotel, and it was great. However, we've only done it once, out of dozens of visits, because it's SO much more expensive.

I know that some people dislike the properties right across the street (Anaheim Desert Inn, Del Sol etc.) but that's usually where we stay. We like to be in walking distance; if you don't mind a shuttle (cost is about $3 per person, per trip) some of the properties outside of walking distance are nice, with cooked breakfast instead of danish and fruit. We like www.getawaytoday.com for packages including tickets and perks, and www.hotels.com if we need just a room.

Breakfast and dinner character meals book up fast, but there are some you can do for lunch (for instance, Ariel's Grotto). I recommend lunch, as it's less crowded and often available on shorter notice.

Fastpass is your friend! Use it whenever possible.

If you don't go back to your hotel in the middle of the day, I recommend going to Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer's Island (Disneyland) or the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (California Adventure) during the hottest, most crowded part of the day, right after lunch. Both places offer shade, areas to sit, places to climb and explore and even wade in a small stream (RCCT). Best of all, the lines are short or non-existent.

DO NOT try to see and do everything - even if you had a week or more, it's impossible. Pace yourselves and have fun! Don't forget to get cute photos!

We took our two year old for the first time this summer and it was awesome. We staying at the Grand California Hotel and really liked it. I liked it because it was easy to go back to the room and reload the stroller with supplies. Also, my daughter liked the little area in the lobby where they have little chairs set up in front of a tv that seems to have cartoons 24 hours a day. We did the character dining for breakfast at the Paradise Pier hotel. It had Mickey, Minnie, Stitch, and a few other characters rotated through. It was the most money I have ever spent on breakfast in my life, but a lot of fun and I would definitely do it again and recommend it.

we stayed one night at the DL hotel this summer. (electricity was out and it was 100degrees) it was $327 for that one night of hotel. That included an AP discount. Since we have AP we only went to the park for a late dinner that night. The rest of the time we enjoyed the pool because for us we can always go to the park but we never get to enjoy the pool (and that is a lot of money) If you are spending a substantial time at the hotel (like the pool) then it cant be beat but if you will not be at the pool or hotel very long or not at all then I would stay elsewhere. When we go to Disneyworld we go for a week and plan a day in the middle for a break to stay at the hotel. doesnt sound like you will be staying long enough so save the money. If you still want to do something exciting after you stay at a less expensive hotel then do a character dining. We did goofy's kitchen for breakfast (have been passholders for 13 years and never been because we are never there that early) and figured we'd go for it. It is the best breakfast buffet I have ever seen! It will run your family about $130 but it is all you can eat. Characters are of course subject to change (except goofy) but we saw: Goofy, pluto, rafiki, chip, dale, Aurora, and Mulan. We had a great time. Enjoy your trip.