Newbie help please!

[Happy Tappy]

Hi guys and gals!

I'm an avid Dis user but am new to this section of the Dis website!

I'm from the UK and I've never visited Disneyland Anaheim before so it's all a bit new to me. I've visited WDW a couple of times and Disneyland Paris more times than I can count!

I'm going to be in Vegas from the 8-15th on business (CES). I'm trying to sneak in a quick trip to Disneyland if possible as it's unlikely I'll get the chance to visit it again.

The show runs from the 10-13th of January but I don't need to be there on the last day. My plane back to the UK is on the 15th at around 2pm.

I'm thinking of getting a greyhound bus to Anaheim for $70:
Arr @ Anaheim: 1/13 @ 2pm
Dep Anaheim: 1/14 @ 9pm

I've found a hotel: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Anaheim (1 BLK/Disneyland) for a decent rate and it appears to be near Disneyland. = $100

I guess I'd then need passes for 2 days. They're $150 on the Disney website, can you get them cheaper anywhere?

If anyone has any better (cheaper!) suggestions for hotels/travel etc... I'd love to hear them!

I'm also keen to gauge whether you think it'd be worth it for such a short trip.

This will be a solo trip so I'm also keen on any tips for solo travellers!

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer

Dave

 

[DisneyMomof2inSLC]

Ramada Maingate has their room on that date for 88.00 and it is right across the street. I stayed there last May and found it to be a decent place to stay and would stay there again.

http://www.ramadamaingate.com/specials/

 

[Happy Tappy]

Ramada Maingate has their room on that date for 88.00 and it is right across the street. I stayed there last May and found it to be a decent place to stay and would stay there again.

http://www.ramadamaingate.com/specials/

Thanks

Do you think it'd be worth it for such a short time? I guess if I get to Anaheim at 2pm I could be in the parks for 3pm. I'd probably have to leave at about 7:30pm on the Saturday.

Are the parks busy this time of year? I saw the thread about it being busy on the 1/2, is it likely to be quiet by the time of my quick trip?

The more I think about this, the more questions I have!

 

[TwingleMum]

I would definately encourage you to go. Its mecca for any Disney an, Just thinking I'm walking where Walt walked. Walt designed this ride. Its tear inspiring. Also there are rides at DL that aren't at WDW ~~ Indy is fabulous and I love Monsters Inc. The Alaadin show is Broadway worthy. And you must have lunch (a Monte Cristo ) at the Blue Bayou which is located inside of the POC ride. The parks are much closer and you are able to accomplish a lot more in less time so I say GO FOR IT!!! I would think of the trip as a reconnaisance mission. Please let us know if you decide to go. I think you never regret the things you do in the life its the things you don't do you regret. If you really doubt you'll get back then I strongly urge you to go and at least try it. You won't regret it.

 

[Happy Tappy]

Thanks Twinglemum.

I'm certainly swaying towards a yes! It seems it's going to cost me around $300 which doesn't seem too bad and as you say, I'm sure I'll regret it if I don't go.

As I'm on my own I'll just eat at counter service outlets so I probably wont spend too much. I'm not sure how I'd explain to my children that I went to Disney without them!

From what I can gather, the resort seems a similar size to DLP (only 2 parks, close together etc...). At DLP I could probably get a lot done in the 2 half days I have so I'm DL will be similar. With a bit of planning and good use of FP I'm sure I'll get to do most of the E tickets. Do you have single rider lines?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks

Do you think it'd be worth it for such a short time? I guess if I get to Anaheim at 2pm I could be in the parks for 3pm. I'd probably have to leave at about 7:30pm on the Saturday.

Are the parks busy this time of year? I saw the thread about it being busy on the 1/2, is it likely to be quiet by the time of my quick trip?

The more I think about this, the more questions I have!

The parks are usually fairly busy on weekends and in case you did not know this is a holiday weekend in the USA (see "List of American Holidays" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1937849) which is likely to make it a bit busier.

Regarding hotel locations like Holiday Inn, be very careful about interpreting their claimed distance to DLR. "One block away" or "across the street" is technically true but practically misleading in many cases. Holiday Inn is quite far to the DLR gates. See the links in this thread for actual hotel distances:

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Since it sounds like you will be solo then educate yourself on the DLR's single rider lines:

Fastpass & Single Rider Information

Also consider flying from LV to (hopefully) SNA airport to save more time and give you more time potentially at the parks.

Is it all a good idea? Since you are a big Disney fan I would say yes.

This thread is popular around here for WDW vets at DLR -

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I hope you can make it and that your trip is magical!

 

[Happy Tappy]

Thanks Hydroguy, lots of useful information.

I was hoping to fly but the prices seem expensive. A round trip to SNA is $400. I can get to LGB with Jetblue for around $160 but it flies back on the morning of the 1/15 so I'd need an extra night in Anaheim. It'd put the price of the trip up around $200 which starts to make it a bit expensive and if the flight was delayed I'd possibly miss my flight back to the UK.

I suppose the other option would be for me to hire a car and drive. Google maps suggests it'd take around 4hrs which isn't too I suppose.

 

[TwingleMum]

I know you said you are alone but Blue Bayou was soo cool you felt like you were part of the POC ride. You sit at these tables on a pretty terrace and watch the boats for POC ride by. And of course the signature Monte Cristos are delish. We are going back in Aug and my family is demanding at least 2 meals here.

 

[Happy Tappy]

I know you said you are alone but Blue Bayou was soo cool you felt like you were part of the POC ride. You sit at these tables on a pretty terrace and watch the boats for POC ride by. And of course the signature Monte Cristos are delish. We are going back in Aug and my family is demanding at least 2 meals here.

Sounds a bit like the Blue Lagoon restaurant we have at Disnayland Paris. The atmosphere in there is amazing and it's beautiful but unfortunately the food isn't!

Tbh, I'll probably want to spend as much time as possible around the parks and on rides. Plus I think I'd feel a bit strange eating a meal in a restaurant on my own!

 

[GrandBob]

Thanks Hydroguy, lots of useful information.

I was hoping to fly but the prices seem expensive. A round trip to SNA is $400. I can get to LGB with Jetblue for around $160 but it flies back on the morning of the 1/15 so I'd need an extra night in Anaheim. It'd put the price of the trip up around $200 which starts to make it a bit expensive and if the flight was delayed I'd possibly miss my flight back to the UK.

I suppose the other option would be for me to hire a car and drive. Google maps suggests it'd take around 4hrs which isn't too I suppose.

Try Southwest Airlines. I just priced it for you -- leave LAS 8:35a arrive SNA 9:40a on the 13th. Leave SNA 5:50p arrive LAS 6:55p on the 14th. $230 round trip. Better hurry, though; prices will rise as time gets closer.

HTH,
Bob

 

[indimom3]

If I were you, I'd consider hiring a car and driving. It is a longish drive from Vegas, but if you've never seen that part of the world I think it would be very interesting for you to cross the desert by car. I've done it several times and enjoyed it. We had a tradition of stopping to take a picture at the World's Largest Thermometer in Baker, CA on the trips.
But I also avoid Greyhound at all costs, so perhaps I'm biased.

 

[HydroGuy]

If I were you, I'd consider hiring a car and driving. It is a longish drive from Vegas, but if you've never seen that part of the world I think it would be very interesting for you to cross the desert by car. I've done it several times and enjoyed it. We had a tradition of stopping to take a picture at the World's Largest Thermometer in Baker, CA on the trips.
But I also avoid Greyhound at all costs, so perhaps I'm biased.

FWIW, I have been to many countries that drive on the opposite side of the road from the USA and am very reluctant to drive there myself. the OP likely has similar issues.

 

[HydroGuy]

Try Southwest Airlines. I just priced it for you -- leave LAS 8:35a arrive SNA 9:40a on the 13th. Leave SNA 5:50p arrive LAS 6:55p on the 14th. $230 round trip. Better hurry, though; prices will rise as time gets closer.

HTH,
Bob

FYI OP - Southwest is not listed on aggregate sites like Expedia. So GB's suggestion is worth investigating.

 

[indimom3]

FWIW, I have been to many countries that drive on the opposite side of the road from the USA and am very reluctant to drive there myself. the OP likely has similar issues.

Oh, good point. Had not thought of that!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks Hydroguy, lots of useful information.

I was hoping to fly but the prices seem expensive. A round trip to SNA is $400. I can get to LGB with Jetblue for around $160 but it flies back on the morning of the 1/15 so I'd need an extra night in Anaheim. It'd put the price of the trip up around $200 which starts to make it a bit expensive and if the flight was delayed I'd possibly miss my flight back to the UK.

I suppose the other option would be for me to hire a car and drive. Google maps suggests it'd take around 4hrs which isn't too I suppose.

If you decided to do this you should be in decent shape for traffic. The traffic typically is quite bad from SoCal to LV on Fridays and on Sundays in the opposite direction. It is quite strange to sit in stop-and-go bumper-to-bumper traffic jam in the middle of the desert with nothing around for miles...(or kilometers ).

 

[Happy Tappy]

Thanks again for all the responses.

I've no problem with driving on your side. I've driven a lot in the rest of Europe where they drive on the right hand side.

I'll have another look at pricing up a rental car. Google maps says it's 520 miles (round trip) gas buddy suggests $3.65 is about the price is that gallon or litre? Gallon would equal around $60 in fuel which sounds a bit cheap (it'd cost around $120 in the UK!).

I'm trying to keep the cost of the trip down as much as possible so whilst the Southwest Airline is a good price, I'd probably rather stay on the coach and save $150.