We just returned from our whirlwind Disneyland trip, 2 days of driving, 3 days at the parks, and 2 more days of driving. I will *never* NEVER do that much driving with kids again. Ever. I want to be immediately committed if I ever utter the words, "let's take a road trip to Disney!" again. 
This was not our first trip to Disneyland, in fact we honeymooned there back in '93 and have taken many trips without kids prior to starting our WDW trips in '03. It wasn't our first trip with kids, either, we took my son when he was 18 months and then when my daughter was 6 mos and my son was 4 we went again. So it really surprised me how unprepared I was for this trip, how much I felt like a novice at it all! I am really spoiled by my long 2 week 1-BR WDW vacations, that became very very apparent this trip! LOL
Disneyland was soooooo busy the first day we were in the parks, it happened to be the opening day of the Nemo Subs (again, where was my head and what was I thinking?
) We were told on Wednesday that Tuesday's attendance surpassed 65,000 people. Not sure if that is accurate, but it sure felt like it. I also remembered why I don't go to Disney in the summer. Another .
Anyway, on to the hotel. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, which was nice, but really not worth the money. We were upgraded to a fireworks/themepark view, which was really nice. I've never stayed at the GCH or PP hotels, so I can't comment on their value, but I really felt like they are seriously overcharging for the rooms at DLH. The hotel is obviously very old, and I expect things to not be as modern but they really have to compensate for that with lower prices. It was pretty, but not anywhere near what I am used to at SSR. Again, I am spoiled.
Food is way way way more expensive at DL. I know theme park food is expensive, but I always feel a lot of value for my money at WDW, the portions are huge so at least I feel like I'm getting something. The mickey bars were $4 and the frozen lemonade was $5! crazy.
I loved being able to walk to the monorail and get right into Disneyland, that rocked.
The second and third days at the parks were less crowded and therefore less frusturating, but I did notice a surprising lack of "niceness" on the part of the CMs the entire trip. I don't know if they were just really burnt out from the Nemo crowds or if it is a pervasive attitude at DL (I hope it is the former), but that Disney Magic was a bit lacking in many, in fact there were quite a few that were downright grumpy. I don't remember that from my previous DL visits. They also don't have the communication thing down, they cancelled early entry on Thursday without passing that on to the hotel guests (when we checked in Monday we were given a sheet that stated it was a selected day). We got up early and basically just waited outside of DL for an hour and a half (well, an hour outside Disney and 1/2 hr on Main St) when we all could have used another hour of sleep. I thought the least they could have done was put a sign in the elevators or doors, maybe a note with the morning paper?
That really perturbed me.
I think I was more susceptible to feeling frustration given the heat, the crowds, and the aforementioned drive. Did I mention that I am never going on another road trip again?
Just want to make that clear. 
All in all we had a fun time, but I do have a bit of buyer's remorse now - which I never ever feel after coming back from WDW. I think the vast majority of our trips are going to be to Florida from here on out, and if they ever build a DL DVC, I will have 1. FLY there, 2. stay a minimum of a week, and 3. not go in the summer or around the opening of any ride. I really didn't do my homework this time!
This was not our first trip to Disneyland, in fact we honeymooned there back in '93 and have taken many trips without kids prior to starting our WDW trips in '03. It wasn't our first trip with kids, either, we took my son when he was 18 months and then when my daughter was 6 mos and my son was 4 we went again. So it really surprised me how unprepared I was for this trip, how much I felt like a novice at it all! I am really spoiled by my long 2 week 1-BR WDW vacations, that became very very apparent this trip! LOL
Disneyland was soooooo busy the first day we were in the parks, it happened to be the opening day of the Nemo Subs (again, where was my head and what was I thinking?
) We were told on Wednesday that Tuesday's attendance surpassed 65,000 people. Not sure if that is accurate, but it sure felt like it. I also remembered why I don't go to Disney in the summer. Another .Anyway, on to the hotel. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, which was nice, but really not worth the money. We were upgraded to a fireworks/themepark view, which was really nice. I've never stayed at the GCH or PP hotels, so I can't comment on their value, but I really felt like they are seriously overcharging for the rooms at DLH. The hotel is obviously very old, and I expect things to not be as modern but they really have to compensate for that with lower prices. It was pretty, but not anywhere near what I am used to at SSR. Again, I am spoiled.
Food is way way way more expensive at DL. I know theme park food is expensive, but I always feel a lot of value for my money at WDW, the portions are huge so at least I feel like I'm getting something. The mickey bars were $4 and the frozen lemonade was $5! crazy.
I loved being able to walk to the monorail and get right into Disneyland, that rocked.
The second and third days at the parks were less crowded and therefore less frusturating, but I did notice a surprising lack of "niceness" on the part of the CMs the entire trip. I don't know if they were just really burnt out from the Nemo crowds or if it is a pervasive attitude at DL (I hope it is the former), but that Disney Magic was a bit lacking in many, in fact there were quite a few that were downright grumpy. I don't remember that from my previous DL visits. They also don't have the communication thing down, they cancelled early entry on Thursday without passing that on to the hotel guests (when we checked in Monday we were given a sheet that stated it was a selected day). We got up early and basically just waited outside of DL for an hour and a half (well, an hour outside Disney and 1/2 hr on Main St) when we all could have used another hour of sleep. I thought the least they could have done was put a sign in the elevators or doors, maybe a note with the morning paper?
That really perturbed me.I think I was more susceptible to feeling frustration given the heat, the crowds, and the aforementioned drive. Did I mention that I am never going on another road trip again?
Just want to make that clear. All in all we had a fun time, but I do have a bit of buyer's remorse now - which I never ever feel after coming back from WDW. I think the vast majority of our trips are going to be to Florida from here on out, and if they ever build a DL DVC, I will have 1. FLY there, 2. stay a minimum of a week, and 3. not go in the summer or around the opening of any ride. I really didn't do my homework this time!
We were very big on not being touched by the other person (but "accidentally" nudging the other one was fine). Since driving then was less expensive than flying, my poor mom and dad (separately) had to put up with quite a bit! The fave drive, I'm sure, was my dad (6'2"), stepmom (5'11"), pre-teen me and 2 years younger than me brother, AND our under 1 year old half-brother in an 80s massive carseat. In summer. With no air conditioning. From the Bay Area to Montana (Yellowstone). 
) but this still is the most memorable, and the oldest DD talks about it all the time!! Would I do it again?? 
Maybe. 
