How I did it: This is one of those things that anyone can do and there are so many ways, it's hard to really give advice about what to choose - meaning hotels, booking, etc.

I have some tips about after getting into the park down below though. :)

Lessons & tips: Visit the park as early as you can in the morning.  Head back to the hotel for lunch and a rest...and then go back to the park late afternoon.

Do not head to the park at the time the parade is happening as the areas are blocked off and you'll waste time sitting around.

If you want to see the Color of Wonder in California Adventure, invest in eating at Ariel's Grotto to get a preferred viewing ticket.  While it's still crowded, it's not as bad...and you don't have to wait in a huge line in the morning for a fastpass ticket.

Go the Thunder Ranch BBQ for some good grub.  It's in Fronteirland - all you can eat and the kids loved it. 

Fastpass as much as you can as often as you can.  It's really the only way to avoid long lines.  However, there are some rides that do not have fastpasses, so you'll want to plan to see those early in the morning when the lines are the least:

Almost anything in Fantasyland, Pirates of the Carribean, etc.

The park allows you to bring in snacks and drinks, so do it.  It's hefty prices, so unless you have vouchers or an unlimited amount of funds, expect to pay premium prices for water ($3) or a Turkey Leg ($8). 

Oh, and if you have young children, please hear my plea:

Please, for the love of God, do not force your children to ride Space Mountain, especially in October (when it's Ghost Galaxy).  I met several families with traumatized preschoolers.  They put their kids on the ride it would be fun, but in most cases, it was their first roller coaster experience and they never want to go on another on and spent a good amount of time crying, apparently, before, during, and after!  I understand talking kids though things that they may enjoy - I convinced my son to ride Pirates of the Carribean and he loved it, but I never made my daughter ride it because she would have been too scared - but unless you remember the ride well, do not chance it.

They allow parents to do a parent swap, so you can take turns on the ride without having to re-wait in line.

Resources: Vouchers.  We had meal vouchers and they allowed us to use them pretty easily.  Even if it said character dining, we were allowed to use it anywhere in the parks or the hotels (not downtown disney) for the value of the ticket.  It was nice as it felt more like an all-inclusive vacation, rather than a place where I was shelling out $100-$150 at each meal. :)

Character dining is THE BEST WAY to actually see the characters.  many times the characters will leave after you wait in line. :(  Most of the time they will tell you before you get in line, but it's not always the case. :(  But to see the ones you want, you'll probably have to wait in lines at some point.  There are no guarantees who you'll see at character dining. 

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Oct 16, 2010, 09:53PM PDT | 1 comment | 11 cheers