Planning a trip to Disneyland

[lovindiz]

My wife and I have been to WDW several times and we have always considered visiting DL, but now we have a plan .:banana: We are going to start planning for September, 2008 . So, I will need a lot of help making this trip as magical for my wife as WDW . I've already heard , :rolleyes1 the castle is smaller, the park is one , the whole negative comparison . :lol: My question is when you go , what airport is best to fly into , Southwest flies into both Burbank & LA . Which is closer to DL ? We do not want to drive, so can you take a limo to and from the airport and how much ? We are staying off site at either Ho Jo's or The Convention Hotel, which I've read is right across the street from DL . How many days is enough time to see everything ? I want to go to Universal also . Is there shuttles or taxis ? Does DL celebrate MNSSHP ? I know I asked a lot of questions in one post . Any and all information, will be gravely appreciated . :woohoo:

[Goofster57]

My question is when you go, what airport is best to fly into, Southwest flies into both Burbank & LA
Which is closer to DL ?


LAX is about 35 miles from the park

Burbank is about 40 miles from the park

Southwest also flies into John Wayne Airport which is about 14 miles from the park.



We do not want to drive, so can you take a limo to and from the airport and how much?

Here are some links to shuttle services

http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/

http://www.supershuttle.com/default.aspx

http://www.orangecountyairportlimo.com/?mark_chan=20



We are staying off site at either Ho Jo's or The Convention Hotel, which I've read is right across the street from DL


Both are within walking distances to the park



How many days is enough time to see everything?


Depending on the time you are coming and the crowd level 2-3 days


I want to go to Universal also


I would plan on one full day for Universal



Is there shuttles or taxis?


Same as above



Does DL celebrate MNSSHP


Yes, here is some info for this years party

This "spirited" event at Disney's California Adventure® Park includes:
• Amazing attractions to get you spinning, looping and free-falling!
• Lively music to boogie your bones!
• Special treat stations where you can scare up some goodies!
• Creepy crafts and activities for some frightful fun!
• Plus lots more spook-tacular entertainment for little boys and ghouls!
• Complimentary parking for one vehicle at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure — larger vehicles may require an additional fee.
Available Event Dates
October 5, 12, 19 and 26 — 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
October 4, 11, 18, 25, 29, 30, and 31 — 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Ticket Prices
Passholder Advance Ticket: $24
Day Of Event Ticket: $39

[hlbtimes2]

"Across the street" is not always as it sounds. Hojo's is about a 10-15 min walk. The convention center hotels are further, and not would I would consider walking distance. You could walk, I just wouldnt want to!

Yeah the castle is small- but the parks offer a lot to see and do! I would say at least 3 days, more are better. We just spent 5 days there in April and didnt see and do everything. But, we have children and a couple days we had elderly people with us, so at times we were moving slow and taking breaks. You'll want to be sure to be there on at least one or two weekend days so that you can see F! and the fireworks.

We really like Long Beach airport, but we can get direct flights for a great price from Seattle. Our next choice would be SNA. Its about 12 miles away and pretty easy to get shuttles. LAX is going to be about an hour and $100 each way.

[allissimmo]

If it's just the two of them, the shuttle should only cost around $30 from LAX...I went to Anaheim from LAX in October and it was $15 per person each way

[lovindiz]

Are the fireworks only on weekends ? And what is F ? As I said, 1st timers to DL . OK, I got John Wayne Airport , Shuttles run about $15.00 per person . Is that one way or round trip ? Ho Jo's 10 - 15 minute walk from DL . I will check out the difference in price between a DL resort & Ho Jo's . Which DL resort is cheaper ? There is only two . Is that correct ? Is there a monorail ? A DTD Marketplace ? And the Halloween party is cheaper than WDW . Thank You for all the quick responses . :wizard:

[VegasMike21]

Are the fireworks only on weekends ? And what is F ? As I said, 1st timers to DL . OK, I got John Wayne Airport , Shuttles run about $15.00 per person . Is that one way or round trip ? Ho Jo's 10 - 15 minute walk from DL . I will check out the difference in price between a DL resort & Ho Jo's . Which DL resort is cheaper ? There is only two . Is that correct ? Is there a monorail ? A DTD Marketplace ? And the Halloween party is cheaper than WDW . Thank You for all the quick responses . :wizard:

Fireworks I believe are nightly at least during now they are. Paradise Pier the cheaper DL resort. Grand California is the most expensive and DL Hotel is the tweener. So there are a total of 3 DL resorts. Yes there is a monorail that runs, yes there is a marketplace which would be Downtown Disney.

[limace]

Are the fireworks only on weekends ? And what is F ? As I said, 1st timers to DL . OK, I got John Wayne Airport , Shuttles run about $15.00 per person . Is that one way or round trip ? Ho Jo's 10 - 15 minute walk from DL . I will check out the difference in price between a DL resort & Ho Jo's . Which DL resort is cheaper ? There is only two . Is that correct ? Is there a monorail ? A DTD Marketplace ? And the Halloween party is cheaper than WDW . Thank You for all the quick responses . :wizard:

F! is Fantasmic.

A big difference between DL and WDW is that it's not so important to stay in WD owned property at DL-you won't be missing a lot if you don't, unlike WDW.

And check out Hydroguy's thread on DL for WDW veterans. He has lots of fabulous advice.

[HydroGuy]

Here are some links that may help you:

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599)

What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889)

HydroGuy's Hotel Rule
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862)

[squirrel]

There are lots of hotels on Harbor, some that are closer to the parks than the disney hotels. BW-Park Place Inn is right at the crosswalk on Harbor. Most offer a continental breakfast. Many have a refrigerator so you can save some $ by bringing or buying some food.

Yes, there is a DTD in DLR.

Keep checking the boards and you will learn a lot about Disneyland. I am!

[Diva of Dragons]

F! is Fantasmic! If you are coming in October, fireworks will probably only be on the weekends.

Regarding MNSSHP: At DL it is Mickey's Halloween Treat and it is not nearly as elaborate as MNSSHP. No special parade etc... It really is geared more toward kids.

[blackjackdelta]

Hydroguy's links are great advice. The time of the year dictates what is up and what is down.

Jackpirate:

[wvnative]

Are the fireworks only on weekends ? And what is F ? As I said, 1st timers to DL . OK, I got John Wayne Airport , Shuttles run about $15.00 per person . Is that one way or round trip ? Ho Jo's 10 - 15 minute walk from DL . I will check out the difference in price between a DL resort & Ho Jo's . Which DL resort is cheaper ? There is only two . Is that correct ? Is there a monorail ? A DTD Marketplace ? And the Halloween party is cheaper than WDW . Thank You for all the quick responses . :wizard:

We just used supershuttle from SNA (John Wayne) to the Desert Inn a few weeks ago. It was $10 +tip per person each way (my bill was like $46 for the two of us). It was super easy and pretty quick.

[pppiglet]

My wife and I have been to WDW several times and we have always considered visiting DL, but now we have a plan .:banana: We are going to start planning for September, 2008 . So, I will need a lot of help making this trip as magical for my wife as WDW . I've already heard , :rolleyes1 the castle is smaller, the park is one , the whole negative comparison . :lol: My question is when you go , what airport is best to fly into , Southwest flies into both Burbank & LA . Which is closer to DL ? We do not want to drive, so can you take a limo to and from the airport and how much ? We are staying off site at either Ho Jo's or The Convention Hotel, which I've read is right across the street from DL . How many days is enough time to see everything ? I want to go to Universal also . Is there shuttles or taxis ? Does DL celebrate MNSSHP ? I know I asked a lot of questions in one post . Any and all information, will be gravely appreciated . :woohoo:

Yeah the castle is smaller, but prettier I think. Also the rides are better...TOT at CA, POTC, and HM are better here also.