DisneyLAND questions? Can anyone help?

[GusGush]

I wasn't sure where to post DisneyLAND questions (as in the California parks), but we're going on Tuesday, and I figured someone here would know. My apologies if this is the wrong forum! I will try somewhere else if no one seems to know....

1.) Getting to Paradise Pier Hotel from Orange County (John Wayne) airport?

I am flying there with DD (4) and DS (2) to meet up with DH, who will have just finished two days of meetings for work. We are going only to Disneyland and CDA and otherwise have no need for a rental car. Should I simply take a cab from the Anaheim Airport to Paradise Pier? If so, about how long will this be in the cab? ANY idea of how much this will cost?

2.) Getting from Paradise Pier to the parks each morning?

Do we simply walk? Is there a shuttle? How far is it?

3.) I was at Disneyland for one evening, years ago, as part of an outing at a large convention. I couldn't get a good sense....Can we expect to enjoy ourselves as much (but on a smaller scale) as we do in WDWorld? Or will we be constantly reminded that we're smack-dab in the middle of suburban Los Angeles? At WDWorld, you immerse yourself on property and really escape to a magical place. I wonder if the smaller-ness of it and the proximity to a bustling suburb is too distracting?

Thanks!

 

[Allison]

Did you notice there is actually a forum for Disneyland. I bet somebody there can help.

Good luck.

 

[MissRoseRed]

Hi! There is a Disneyland section if you go to the main page and keep scrolling down -- the folks there should be able to help you out.

Have fun!!!

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

 

[GusGush]

I totally see it now (the LAND forum). Sorry! Thank you for redirecting...

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'll move this thread over there for you. ..

Knox

 

[fairycat]

Ok I will start helping you

First I live local but have heard that the Shuttle is great. Some one can help you I am sure.

Unlike WDW you will only take a Bus/Shuttle getting from the Airport to your hotel and back. Everything is within walking distance.

I believe PPH is at the back of DTD (I have never walked over their I hate to admit), from their you walk DTD (which is more compact then WDW's) to the Entrance to DL and DCA. The parks look at each other from a center area.

Read HydroGuy's Stick post, they have some good stuff for WDW's coming to DLR for the first time.

My additions are, go expecting to have a great time and you will, if you spend all day comparing you might be disapointed. Not because DLR is some how less then WDW its that you have one expectation of a Disney park and this will in many ways give you another.

Disney did a great job Hiding the city view and I find outside the view on the the Roller Coaster (Screamin) and Maliboomer in DCA you really dont see the outside world.

My last bit of advice is to not look for the Castle. We DLR natives always look fondly first on the Matterhorn. As a child I knew we where almost their because of that peek. Then check out the Castle. It is very special and unique to the park. If you look for the castle first and expect the HUGE fixture of WDW you will be disappointed. Treat it as a whole new world and it will be a blast.

BTW look for the light in the window above the Fire Station as you enter the park. That is the apartment that Disney and his family used to stay in. It is just how he left it all those years ago. Remember this is the only park Disney walked in, that alone makes it special!

 

[cirquelovers]

Seeing as you will have children with you just take a taxi, it will cost about $35(not including tip) ask the driver for a flat rate.

You will have to walk to the parks. You can use the DCA entrance in the Grand Cal hotel when you go to that park. Otherwise to get to DL use the monorail in DTD or walk trough DTD to get to the main entrance of DL.

I don't think you will "feel" like your in LA, especially staying at PP. You don't walk down main streets to get to the park or anything. You really won't see any everyday traffic. If you go out on Harbor BLVD then you know you're in a city with Dennys, and McD's and the like.

I think you can have a great time and get to enjoy the things DL has to offer that WDW doesn't.

Check out the other threads on DL to get some ideas of places to eat or things to check out. Ask any questions you have and I'm sure someone will be glad to offer any help we can!

Have a great trip!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I just used Super Shuttle from SNA, and it was great. It's $10 each way per person 3 and over. Your little one will be free. If you have the Entertainment Book, there's a $2 each way coupon in it.

But a cab would be good too. Ask for a flat rate, and when you go back to the airport, negotiate for the flat rate as well (when you call for the cab) or you'll pay more.

Getting to the parks from PP!

The way NOT to go is the way PP wants you to go. Their signs point you to leave the hotel through the back, then over towards Disneyland Hotel, then All The Way Through Downtown disney. Don't do that.

Rather, leave through the front entrance, and you'll see a crosswalk, pretty much just in front of the restaurant. Cross that street, then go into the Grand Californian entrance (follow the cars going in there, but on the sidewalk). Go into the big entrance with the gorgeous doors (or where all the activity is, if the doors are open), turn left down an insignificant looking corridor (there are ramps if you have a stroller with you), and follow the herd. Soon you will go through doors to the outside, and follow a little path which will put you out into Downtown Disney in between Libby Lu and Sephora (with Haagen Dasz in front of you. Turn right, and you'll be at security/bag check in no time!

I know that sounds complicated, but it will shave quite a bit of walking off of your days, at the crucial times of excitement in the morning and exhaustion in the evening.


I don't notice the city at all, even when I stay off site (which I prefer). I've been there 3 times since September, and this last trip was the only one where I've really looked around as I sat on the shuttle from John Wayne airport. I get a bit tunnel-visioned.



Any other questions, we're here for you!

 

[Hound 109]

I wasn't sure where to post DisneyLAND questions (as in the California parks), but we're going on Tuesday, and I figured someone here would know. My apologies if this is the wrong forum! I will try somewhere else if no one seems to know....

1.) Getting to Paradise Pier Hotel from Orange County (John Wayne) airport?

I am flying there with DD (4) and DS (2) to meet up with DH, who will have just finished two days of meetings for work. We are going only to Disneyland and CDA and otherwise have no need for a rental car. Should I simply take a cab from the Anaheim Airport to Paradise Pier? If so, about how long will this be in the cab? ANY idea of how much this will cost?

2.) Getting from Paradise Pier to the parks each morning?

Do we simply walk? Is there a shuttle? How far is it?

3.) I was at Disneyland for one evening, years ago, as part of an outing at a large convention. I couldn't get a good sense....Can we expect to enjoy ourselves as much (but on a smaller scale) as we do in WDWorld? Or will we be constantly reminded that we're smack-dab in the middle of suburban Los Angeles? At WDWorld, you immerse yourself on property and really escape to a magical place. I wonder if the smaller-ness of it and the proximity to a bustling suburb is too distracting?

Thanks!

First off read all of these Tip Threads. Read the DLR for WDW Vets first (after printing the abreviations page).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

1) Take the cab.

2) You walk to DL & DCA from the PP. Best through the GCH. Be aware of the walking route to the DL front gate (through the GCH & then into DTD) & also to/from the super secret GCH entrance into DCA. No Buses, no shuttles. 6-8 minutes & you're in the park.

3) I would edit (remove) this question...since you are addressing the DL board. I've been to WDW 3 times & I don't miss the immersion of bus rides, the immersion of humidity, nor the immersion of inferior MK rides.

Seriously, you'll have a great time at Walt's Park.

(but do read/print most of HydroGuy's tip threads.)

 

[ctamama]

will we be constantly reminded that we're smack-dab in the middle of suburban Los Angeles?

It is??????? heh! heh! Sorry, I couldn't resist!! Nope, I don't think you'll even notice. I think you'll feel immersed in DL magic here as well!

 

[Quest4fun]

You'll be a good 25 miles from Los Angeles so I wouldn't worry about it. Anaheim is in central Orange County which is a far cry from the urban clutter of Los Angeles.

 

[Jenn1116]

"DisneyLAND questions? Can anyone help?" I'm SOOOO sorry but I just couldn't help myself!!!!!

In reality, DISBoards confused the heck out of me when I first started looking at stuff. The screen is very busy with lots and lots of links on all the pages. Now a day doesn't go by that I don't jump on to get my dis fix.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

You'll have a wonderful time! You don't notice the outside world at all. And you'll love how easy it is to park hop or get back to your hotel! NO long bus rides!

And after a long day at the parks, I guarantee it won't feel a bit like it was small at all!!