WDW Vet, New to Disneyland

jsmla

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 19, 2001
We'll be attending a wedding in Las Vegas in late April 2016. Neither DH nor I are huge on Vegas so I was thinking about making a side trip to Disneyland either before or after the ceremony. I've begun a bit of research and so far have:

Avoid the parks on the weekends

The DL/DCA hotels are going to be a bit too $$$ for this trip



I still have a TON of questions!

How is late April crowd-wise?

What would be the appropriate number of days? We have been to WDW many, many times. I'm thinking three days in the parks?

We're looking for a non-Disney hotel within walking distance. I'd like to keep it in the $150-175/night area. We'd like some sort of included breakfast or a mini kitchen but don't care about the pool.

Best airport using Southwest?

Do we need a car? I'm not sure we'll want to eat with Mickey for every meal.

World of Color Dining Package-do y'all recommend this?


Any tips or advice deeply appreciated!
 
I would start by taking a look at HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets. That should really help you get a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

How is late April crowd-wise?
Easter is in late March in 2016, so you should miss most/all of the Spring Break season crowds at DLR. So, the crowds will probably be fairly manageable at that point. It's worth noting that because it's not considered "peak" season, fireworks and F! will probably only be presented on weekends (Fri to Sun) at that point. WoC will likely be nightly. We do not yet know what the non-peak season schedule for Paint the Night will be (the new parade).

What would be the appropriate number of days? We have been to WDW many, many times. I'm thinking three days in the parks?
It depends on whether you want to get a sense of the parks, try to do everything, etc. For a cursory overview of the parks, I think three days is good. If you really want to explore the parks, I think you need five days.

We're looking for a non-Disney hotel within walking distance. I'd like to keep it in the $150-175/night area. We'd like some sort of included breakfast or a mini kitchen but don't care about the pool.
Most of the accommodations within walking distance of DLR are motels, not hotels. There are several hotels down near the convention center. Of the motels near DLR, I like the BWPPI because of proximity. It's a pretty standard motel, but it's location cannot be beat.

Best airport using Southwest?
I would avoid LAX if at all possible just because that airport is always undergoing major construction! SNA is closet to DLR, so I would probably look into that one.

Do we need a car? I'm not sure we'll want to eat with Mickey for every meal.
If you're going to dine off-site, I would consider a car. There is GardenWalk within walking distance of DLR.

World of Color Dining Package-do y'all recommend this?
If you want to see WoC and not deal with getting a FP, then sure. You will still need to get to the viewing area early if you really want to see the show.

Any tips or advice deeply appreciated!
Some other random thoughts (in no particular order):
  • Proximity: The two parks are very close to each other (about 110 yards apart), so park hopping is very easy. Think of DL as being Epcot's FW, DCA as Epcot's WS, and DTD as being just outside International Gateway. The distance between the two parks is less than then length of Main Street.
  • Fastpass: DLR still uses the "legacy" FP system, but they do enforce wait times. The two parks are "disconnected" from each other (meaning you can get a FP in one park and then immediately go get a FP in the other park). You only have to use the ticket in one park to be able to get FPs in both parks (so you can send a runner to get FPs in the other park if you want). You can find more information on the Fastpass Encyclopedia thread.
  • Dining: Disneyland Dining reservations open 60-days in advance. Unlike WDW, it's not nearly as crazy/hard to get ADRs. You can often still score prime ADRs with only a week or so to go. I still recommend making ADRs if you know you want to eat somewhere, but you don't have to be online/phone right when the system rolls to a new day. For photos of the food, check out the Disneyland Dining thread.
  • Payment Methods: Balloon sellers and coin press machines only take cash. Most of the third-party locations in DTD do not accept Disney Gift Cards (different from WDW's DTD).
  • Tickets Verification: DLR does not use a "biometric" scan system to avoid ticket fraud. They will take your photo when you enter the park for the first time and that photo will pop up every time you use the ticket.
  • Photopass: DLR has Photopass, which you can pre-purchase at a considerable savings. Like WDW, they have Magic Shots, ride photos, etc. Check out the Photopass SuperThread for more information.
  • Misc: DLR does not use FP+ or MagicBands at this point. They are rumored to be coming at some point, but no date has been announced.
 
I'm a WDW vet too, but I've gone to DL a few times (with another one coming in June).


You're going to love that you can walk to DL, DCA, and DD! It's so nice!!! Given the fact you're going when schools are still in and after spring break, I think 3 days is just about perfect! (Then again, I'm not a slow mover and I cannot imagine over 7 days at WDW so take that into consideration.) ;)


And a big :thumbsup2 YES, to WOC dining package. We do Carthay Circle for lunch because we don't want the potential get wet section of Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country Trattoria.


We are trying the BB F! Package for our upcoming trip. So excited, as I hear it's better at DL. :goodvibes


Sorry I can't help with other questions, but I'm excited for your upcoming trip! :banana::banana:
 
Thanks for the replies!

I think we will try the WoC dining package. We'll need to eat anyway and DH can only do so much quick service.

We don't mind motels if they're clean. This won't be our big vacation, I'm just trying to get in a sneaky DL visit tacked onto to our Vegas trip. The DL hotels are sooooo expensive!

I asked in another thread but got nada-Does anyone know if the Good Neighbor hotels are included in the Disney Visa 6 months interest free package financing deal?

Thanks again!
 


Good neighbor hotels are included in the 0% interest for 6 months. If driving between Disney and Vegas, do NOT travel from Disney to Vegas on a Friday and do NOT drive from Vegas to Disney on a Sunday. (Unless you love traffic and a trip taking several more hours than it should!) It seems that everyone from California goes to Vegas for the weekend.
 
3 days will be good. Long enough to do everything, but not too long that you are looking for things to do. It is the right amount of time that may leave you wanting to come back again in the future. I would consider going to the parks on the weekends, or at least Friday. Fireworks and Fantasmic are typically weekends only during non peak times. Fantasmic at Disneyland is pretty awesome. If they are showing the DL Forever fireworks, it could be a very different experience than fireworks anywhere at WDW as well.

As far as hotels/motels... There are plenty that are walking distance that will fall into your price range or maybe even below it. You will be able to find something that is clean and simple. If you want bells and whistles you might pay a little bit more.
 


Hi,

I would highly reccomend doing the WoC package at Carthay Circle Restaurant in DCA, it is the best. I would reccomend the Best Western Park Place inn for a great good neighbor hotel. If you are looking for places to eat outside of the park, there is an IHOP right across the street from DLR on Harbor Blvd next to the Best Western Park Place inn. I would recommend eating at Café Orleans in DL, it is a wonderful sit down resturant! I would be happy to answer any other questions. Have fun!
 
I forgot you asked about southwest Airlines. Yes, Southwest Airlines is a great airline to use coming into to the Southern California Area. Their flights are reasonable and you do not need to pay for two of your checked bags.
Hi,

I would highly reccomend doing the WoC package at Carthay Circle Restaurant in DCA, it is the best. I would reccomend the Best Western Park Place inn for a great good neighbor hotel. If you are looking for places to eat outside of the park, there is an IHOP right across the street from DLR on Harbor Blvd next to the Best Western Park Place inn. I would recommend eating at Café Orleans in DL, it is a wonderful sit down resturant! I would be happy to answer any other questions. Have fun!
 
I forgot you asked about southwest Airlines. Yes, Southwest Airlines is a great airline to use coming into to the Southern California Area. Their flights are reasonable and you do not need to pay for two of your checked bags.


You dont have to pay for checked bags..... right now. I have some information from people in that industry that they expect that to change very soon.
 
Yes I think 3 days is good.... IMHO you dont need a car if you stay close by (which you have tons of options) if you get sick of dining in DL or DCA (which I would never get tired of) you can always take the free bus to Gardenwalk and have great options like Bubba Gump Shrimp, California Kitchen Pizza, McCormick and Schmidt, Cheessecake Factory, PF Changs, McFaddens, etc... its so close (right next door to Pumbas parking lot)...

Yes, I do recommend WOC dining package, go with Carthay Circle, love the place!
 
I've been reading this and really enjoying it http://www.amazon.com/West-Young-Mouse-Disneyland-Experienced-ebook/dp/B00THRTPM6
I'm doing my first lengthy DL trip this summer. I've been for day trips, but never to DCA and never for more than a weekend.
We're planning on 4 days in the parks (We have some little ones, so I'm thinking they'll slow us down.)


Thank you for the book recommendation. It was even free since I have Unlimited, yay!

Thanks soooo much everyone for all of the help. Now I just have to convince DH that he really does want to go to DL ;-)

We have free flights on Southwest so we'll be flying with them-free bags or no. I'm also glad to hear that an off site stay without a car will be fine. I really need to watch the budget on this trip.
 

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