Help for a First-Timer....

[Dolce27]

As of 3 hours ago I'm planning a trip to DL. The idea just popped into my head and I'm going with it. ;) It will be my first time. I've been to WDW several times but I do not know what to expect of DL. I'm planning to go the week-end before Thanksgiving (Nov 17&18). Based on a thread below I'm considering staying at the Carousel Inn & Suites. Is this in walking distance of the main gate? The price difference is enough that I can't justify staying at a Disney hotel for a week-end trip. Advise please! Do I understand correctly that at that time of year they may not have the parades or fireworks? What do you think the crowd level will be like during that week-end? Are the parks small enough that I ought to be able to see pretty much everything at least once during the two days that I'm there?

Sorry for all the questions. I can tell you anything about WDW but when it comes to DL I know nothing. So, if I really am going I need to book my airfare and hotel soon and I just want to be certain that this is what I want to do.

Thanks!

[casaazul]

You will have a great time. Visit the Disneyland website and get more info.

They haven't posted the November dates yet, but I think on the weekends they still do fireworks and parades.

Carousel Inn is right across from the main entrance plaza. It is actually closer to the actual park entrance than the DL Hotel! Carousel has a free breakfast, not a lot, but enough food to get you going. The rooms were nice, but we were not there much, just to sleep. Pool is on roof and has a good view of the park.

The parks are much smaller than WDW and we like it much better than MK. In 2 days you should be able to see and do most things. Must do's are Indiana Jones, Pirates Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn, Roger Rabbit, and all the Fantasyland rides (just plain old fun and much different than MK)

Calif Adventure has Soarin, Calif Screamin, a great Aladdin show and much more.

Have fun.

[DLR29]

I am pretty sure that all of the live entertainment (Fantasmic, fireworks, parades) are shown on the weekends and not the weekdays, so you should be fine. Weekends in the off season are a toss up I think, but because the weekend of the 17th is in between 2 VERY busy weekends (Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving) I would say the crowds will be moderate but not horrible.

Most likely you will have enough time to see what you want at DCA. Maybe not DL but by getting there early and using FP you should be able to see a lot. Here are some don't misses for a DL newbie/WDW veteran:

DL: -Indiana Jones (similar to Dinosaur at AK, with a different theme)
-HMH and IASWH (Haunted Mansion and IASW should both be decorated for the holidays)
-Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Rioger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin (3 FL rides and 1 TT ride WDW does not have)
-Matterhorn (old steel roller coaster, although it is often down for refurb in Nov.)
-Space and Splash (different ride with different seating arrangements)

DCA: -Monster's Inc. (a fun dark ride)
-California Screamin (fun, fast, launched roller coaster)
-ToT (different ride experience)

Take a look at Hydroguy's guides. They are very useful. I believe there is a long, informative one for WDW vets. Have fun planning!:)

[Hound 109]

You will have a great time. Visit the Disneyland website and get more info.

They haven't posted the November dates yet, but I think on the weekends they still do fireworks and parades.

Carousel Inn is right across from the main entrance plaza. It is actually closer to the actual park entrance than the DL Hotel! Carousel has a free breakfast, not a lot, but enough food to get you going. The rooms were nice, but we were not there much, just to sleep. Pool is on roof and has a good view of the park.

The parks are much smaller than WDW and we like it much better than MK. In 2 days you should be able to see and do most things. Must do's are Indiana Jones, Pirates Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn, Roger Rabbit, and all the Fantasyland rides (just plain old fun and much different than MK)

Calif Adventure has Soarin, Calif Screamin, a great Aladdin show and much more.

Have fun. I agree with everything Casaazul has said. Please consider (do) the following to ensure a great trip.

- read (print) Hydroguy's tips on 1) DLR for WDW Veterans. 2) FP rules

- Consider buying a 3 day park hopper instead of the 2 day. It will give you ONE day of Early Entry (EE) which will ensure you see everything. (and another 1/2 day - one day at DLR is always a good thing. :thumbsup2

After your read Hydroguy's threads you'll post back with "now that I have a good background on DLR, give the the details" type questions.

Have fun. :thumbsup2

[brenda1966]

I agree with the above -- I'd try to get a 3 day hopper, even if one day is partially used for travel. I'd plan to spend 2 days at DL and one at DCA.

Staying on Harbor is fantastic (as long as you don't mind motels, because that's essentially what these are).

I think all WDW vets should visit DL at least once. Fantasyland there is just so magical. Also the HM overlay is really neat. Enjoy!

[Misskitty3]

We were at DLR last November and they had the parades (2x a day) and fireworks on the weekends.

[Dolce27]

Thank you to everyone who responded. :goodvibes I was trying to sneak on at work so I was unable to do any serious research today.

Thanks for the tip to check out Hydroguy's threads. I'm currently reading through some of them but since the search engine doesn't work I have to wait until I stumble across them.

[HydroGuy]

Thank you to everyone who responded. :goodvibes I was trying to sneak on at work so I was unable to do any serious research today.

Thanks for the tip to check out Hydroguy's threads. I'm currently reading through some of them but since the search engine doesn't work I have to wait until I stumble across them.This should be easier... (not all links are mine FWIW)

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

The Joy of FASTPASS - details and secrets
www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5720 (http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5720)

Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132)

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)

[Dolce27]

This should be easier... (not all links are mine FWIW)

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

The Joy of FASTPASS - details and secrets
www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5720 (http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5720)

Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132)

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)

Awesome! Thank you!

[Hound 109]

Bumping for folks in need of Hydroguy's links for FP rules & for how the Guru (HydroGuy) effectily used FP on a "busy day".

These links saved my family hours of time at DLR.

[yipee]

We stayed at the Carousel last year, and they were fine. One tip: We had a 5th floor room near the front of the hotel, so we could see DCA from the balcony (walkway). That was awesome! Of course, that meant waiting for the elevator, or taking lots of stairs, but...:thumbsup2

[jtoast]

One thing to remember that I didn't see mentioned in Hydroguy's writeup (Apology in advance if I he mentioned it and I missed it) is that although you can get a fastpass for DCA's "Grizzly River Run," it's not tied into the rest of the network. This means that you can get the fast pass for GRR and then immediatly get a second fastpass for something else in DCA. This tip allowed us to ride GRR 5 or 6 times a day for the 4 days were were there last week.

[HydroGuy]

One thing to remember that I didn't see mentioned in Hydroguy's writeup (Apology in advance if I he mentioned it and I missed it) is that although you can get a fastpass for DCA's "Grizzly River Run," it's not tied into the rest of the network. This means that you can get the fast pass for GRR and then immediatly get a second fastpass for something else in DCA. This tip allowed us to ride GRR 5 or 6 times a day for the 4 days were were there last week.Yes, it is in there under the "two most important FP tricks". The most important, IMO, is the acceptance of expired FPs. The second most important are the disconnected FPs.

[BraMax]

There is no longer an enhanced fastpass offered by AAA is there?

[disneyscootergal]

There is no longer an enhanced fastpass offered by AAA is there?

No, unfortunately that has been discontinued.