I won Disneyland Tickets!

[Matthew's Mommy]

I won 4, 3 day park Hopper passes on the radio station on Wednesday (my birthday) and I have a 1 in 15 chance of winning a 2 night stay at the Disneyland Hotel in the drawing next Friday.

I am giving my mom, dad and younger sister 3 of the tickets and my 3 year old son is taking the 4th ticket. I am getting a PAP in July so I don't need to worry about a ticket.

My question is when is the best time to go? My dad had his lung removed 2 months ago and is still recovering. He can't be out in the heat for long periods of time without losing his energy and will possibly want to rent an ECV (I think that is what they are called) but is afraid of running people over or having a hard time navigating the park on one.

Does anyone have any recommendations for family to make it easier on my dad ??

Thanks for your help

[DLR29]

During the week in October, November (not Veteran's day or Thanksgiving), or early December should be good crowd wise (not wall to wall people for an ECV) and not too hot. If you go in Late November or Early December the holiday decorations will be up and special entertainment will be running (Christmas parade, Reindeer Ranch, Santa's Beach Blast).

[SorcererMickey]

I would suggest sometime during the first two weeks of Dec. I usually go then and the Holiday decorations and entertainment are up, lines are somewhat shorter and the weather is beautiful. You will definately need a jacket at night as it gets even cooler when the sun goes down.

[disneyhound]

Congrats on your big win!!

[penguinsoda]

The first couple of weeks in December are wonderful. If you have 3 days to see the park you can pace yourself and see everything at your leasure. Go for the ECV for your dad, and take as many breaks as you need. If you end up staying at a Disney property or one of the hotels that are close don't be afraid to take and hour or two out of the day and go back to the motel for a break/nap. Even your little one might benefit from that.

A lot of people use the ECV's in Disneyland. Tell your dad not to worry. Its more important that he have a chance to see the park and enjoy it with his family. After you rent it he can run it around outside of the park a bit and get use to it. If he takes his time and has all of you there to help him he'll do fine!

[Disney Wrassler]

If you guys can go to the parks for three days, the only advice I can offer is just take your time and don't worry about getting every ride done by a certain time on the first day.

I wish I could help you more though.

[I Heart Disneyland]

We were there the week of Nov. 11 - 18 last year and it was great weather, and the crowds weren't bad....and it was already decorated for Christmas, so, we got to see the fireworks and the "snow" on Main Street. That was such a magical trip for our family----I'd do that time again in a heartbeat!

Congratulations on the win!!!

[FinalAdventure]

The most convenient time to go to Disneyland are around the first two weeks of December (which SorcererMickey already beat me to)... there are many reasons why:

1. It's not hot, but sometimes it's a little cold. It usually doesn't rain around December.
2. It's the least crowded time EVER, besides February, which is also good to go when it's Valentine's Day.
3. Holiday decorations!! You get to enjoy holiday decorations before Christmas rush (and before the parks close down at 11 AM, barely after they opened).
4. Almost every ride (excluding Haunted Mansion Holiday) is under 15 minutes, including Splash Mountain!

Haunted Mansion Holiday, when it comes out, it usually receives 20 - 45 min. wait... once I came and it was a 60 min. wait

But still, February beats early December on ride waits, because when I went, Space Mountain was 5 minutes and Splash Mountain was 10 minutes all day... no joke! (by the way, this was on Valentine's Day)

[pratt55]

Congrats on your win. Out of curiosity what radio station did you when them on?

With your dad's health I would recommending waiting until October or November to go because of the weather and crowds. My hubby has to rent an ECV if we are going to be at the park for any extended time and he has yet to run anyone over so your dad should be OK.

[Malcon10t]

Originally Posted by Matthew's Mommy

He can't be out in the heat for long periods of time without losing his energy and will possibly want to rent an ECV (I think that is what they are called) but is afraid of running people over or having a hard time navigating the park on one.

They rent for $35 a day. If he will need one for 3 days or more, consider renting from an outside group. He can use it to get to and from the hotel also, and it would be cheaper (a week is $105.)

[Matthew's Mommy]

Thanks for replying everyone. I won the tickets on Kool 94.5

I was thinking the first few weeks of December was the best time to go, the Thanksgiving rush is over and the Christmas rush has yet to begin.

Malcon10t do you know which company we could look into for an outside vendor ??

Thanks again for all of your help. I will let my family know what I found out

[Malcon10t]

Originally Posted by Matthew's Mommy

Thanks for replying everyone. I won the tickets on Kool 94.5

I was thinking the first few weeks of December was the best time to go, the Thanksgiving rush is over and the Christmas rush has yet to begin.

Malcon10t do you know which company we could look into for an outside vendor ??

Thanks again for all of your help. I will let my family know what I found out

We've used Century Medical - 562-280-2840. Very friendly, they deliver to the hotel, and they are fast to fixed any problems. I have never had a problem, but a friend has.

[FoundMyHappyPlace]

Congratulations! We just took my Dad on Father's Day and opted for the wheelchair instead of the ECV. We were happy we did it that way. It takes up less space and he could transfer in and out for rides. Also, he isn't the most patient person around so we could be sure he wasn't honking the horn at people. As a funny side note, my brother was pushing the chair, some one was standing in front of my Dad, my Dad called out "beep beep!" and my brother told him, "you yell beep beep again and your on your own!".We all got a kick out of it and Dad decided to relax for the rest of the day. He did get tired by around 6 and went home.

Have a great time with your family!