First Time Back to DL in YEARS!! - The DIS Discussion Forums

PolyndianPrincessJes · 11-18-2009, 01:55 PM

OK, I just read about all yout gosh darn nice people, so I expect some gosh darn nice answers.

Well, we lived in Oceanside when I was a kid, and we did DL all the time. However, it's been a long time since we've been back. I've never even seen CA!

I'm contemplating a March trip during Spring Break. We'll be visiting family, doing a couple other parks (looking at the SoCal City Pass), and I'm thinking three days at Disney. Probably staying on-site, as I would never dream of staying off-site at WDW, so I figured, hey, do the same at DL.

I'm a mega-planner, and I love planning our WDW trips. I guess it looks like DL doesn't take as much planning, but I just can't go in blind, so...

What is your best tip for a "newbie" headed to Disney?

DangerMouse · 11-18-2009, 02:18 PM

Well, the BEST tip is for you to start by reading Hydroguy's Sticky at the top of this page. You especially need to read the one about DLR for WDW Vets and the Hotel Rule.

Links below:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

They'll both guide you in the right direction!

jlmarr · 11-18-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolyndianPrincessJes

Probably staying on-site, as I would never dream of staying off-site at WDW, so I figured, hey, do the same at DL.

As Hydroguy says, you don't need to stay on-site since off-site is literally across the street. Might save some $$$ that you can use for a dinner at Napa Rose.

sonnyjane · 11-18-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmarr

As Hydroguy says, you don't need to stay on-site since off-site is literally across the street. Might save some $$$ that you can use for a dinner at Napa Rose.

Just echoing what the others said, you don't *have* to stay on-site at DL, as it's a bit different than WDW. There are even some off-site hotels that can be a closer walk than on-site! If you can afford the expensive rates, then certainly splurge for on-site, but if not, as others suggested, it might be better to just pocket those savings for meals and gifts at the parks.

PolyndianPrincessJes · 11-19-2009, 12:15 AM

We just love to be surrounded by the magic 24/7!! Are the GN hotels equally magical? Resort rates aren't really an issue, as we always stay deluxe at WDW, so the DL prices are actually a break for us!

jlmarr · 11-19-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolyndianPrincessJes

We just love to be surrounded by the magic 24/7!! Are the GN hotels equally magical? Resort rates aren't really an issue, as we always stay deluxe at WDW, so the DL prices are actually a break for us!

Cool - Grand Californian for you.

PolyndianPrincessJes · 11-19-2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmarr

Cool - Grand Californian for you.

I was thinking Disneyland Hotel, but it would be nice to be connected to a park. We love staying at the Beach Club at WDW. Just walk over the hill, and there's Epcot! Decisions, decisions...

Princess Row · 11-19-2009, 01:25 AM

Although the GC is connected to DCA we love DL s much more. YOu can always just take the monorail (short walk from DLH) and it takes you strait into tomorrowland. We have never stayed off site, its always onsite for us, but DLH is the best way to go we feel. Hope this helps!

Judy from Boise · 11-19-2009, 09:31 AM

If you can afford GC I would do it in a heartbeat!

quantumottle · 11-21-2009, 11:21 AM

I think you're going to be blown away by what DL is now compared to years ago. My BIL went for the first time since the late 80's and said he couldn't believe the difference in what he remembered it being as a young man in his 20's. He now prefers DL over MK.

50sjayne · 11-21-2009, 12:41 PM

Don't go on spring break. It's too close to Easter this year-- I don't think you could understand how crowded it has become these days. Also Rivers of America will be drained- no Fantasmic and you will miss the new show which is HUGE in CA. We're going late June when the annual passes are blocked.

PolyndianPrincessJes · 11-21-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quantumottle

I think you're going to be blown away by what DL is now compared to years ago. My BIL went for the first time since the late 80's and said he couldn't believe the difference in what he remembered it being as a young man in his 20's. He now prefers DL over MK.

I'm excited. I mean, I haven't even been back to CA since I was, maybe, 10? 11? We may end up going back to Florida in March instead, but right now they're neck and neck. Flights to Florida are $118 RT on a few dates around our travel time. We'd drive it to CA since that's another nostalgic thing for us. The kids have never done a long road trip, and I'm as excited about that as I am nervous.

I'm hoping we all can make a final decision before New Year's.

DLR29 · 11-21-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolyndianPrincessJes

I'm excited. I mean, I haven't even been back to CA since I was, maybe, 10? 11? We may end up going back to Florida in March instead, but right now they're neck and neck. Flights to Florida are $118 RT on a few dates around our travel time. We'd drive it to CA since that's another nostalgic thing for us. The kids have never done a long road trip, and I'm as excited about that as I am nervous.

I'm hoping we all can make a final decision before New Year's.

Our family has some friends in Norman who have driven out to Disneyland to meet us for a couple trips! I would definitely recommend going to DLR as something new instead of going to WDW. Not that WDW isn't one of the greatest places ever...it's just fun to have a different thing once in a while.

PolyndianPrincessJes · 11-21-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50sjayne

Don't go on spring break. It's too close to Easter this year-- I don't think you could understand how crowded it has become these days. Also Rivers of America will be drained- no Fantasmic and you will miss the new show which is HUGE in CA. We're going late June when the annual passes are blocked.

Spring Break is the only long break I get where I wouldn't have to take time off work. Besides, Easter is two weeks after we'd be leaving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLR29

Our family has some friends in Norman who have driven out to Disneyland to meet us for a couple trips! I would definitely recommend going to DLR as something new instead of going to WDW. Not that WDW isn't one of the greatest places ever...it's just fun to have a different thing once in a while.

How funny! Small world.

We're going to WDW next December, so it would be fun to shake things up. I'm leaning a bit toward DL, but WDW keeps sending me codes.

11-18-2009, 01:55 PM	#1
PolyndianPrincessJes Alias: TotalSnowWhite I'm a Snapfish/Shutterfly/Winkflash addict Yes, you totally can do that, and I do!!! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 848	First Time Back to DL in YEARS!! OK, I just read about all yout gosh darn nice people, so I expect some gosh darn nice answers. Well, we lived in Oceanside when I was a kid, and we did DL all the time. However, it's been a long time since we've been back. I've never even seen CA! I'm contemplating a March trip during Spring Break. We'll be visiting family, doing a couple other parks (looking at the SoCal City Pass), and I'm thinking three days at Disney. Probably staying on-site, as I would never dream of staying off-site at WDW, so I figured, hey, do the same at DL. I'm a mega-planner, and I love planning our WDW trips. I guess it looks like DL doesn't take as much planning, but I just can't go in blind, so... What is your best tip for a "newbie" headed to Disney? __________________ Jess "Don't be trashy. Be Marvelous!" We lost our PINK SONY CYBERSHOT at the Poly or on the monorail on October 2. Any DISers happen to find it? eBay ID - PolynesianPrincessJess Etsy ID - UponAStarDesigns I'm totally ok with the fact that my signature probably only looks right on my screen. =)

11-18-2009, 02:18 PM	#2
DangerMouse Dangerously Addicted to Disneyland I guess they saw me coming at full throttle and decided I meant business I'm in a bit of an evil mood today Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Posts: 7,204	Well, the BEST tip is for you to start by reading Hydroguy's Sticky at the top of this page. You especially need to read the one about DLR for WDW Vets and the Hotel Rule. Links below: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862 They'll both guide you in the right direction! __________________ DLR trips: 3/98 (Stovalls); 12/99 (Islander); 12/02 (DI); 12/03 (DI); 12/04 (Portofino); 4/05 (HoJo); 6/05 (GCH); 9/05 (HoJo); 12/05 (HoJo); 2/06 (DLH); 1/07 (HoJo); 11/07 (HoJo); 2/08 (HoJo); 4/08 (HoJo); 6/08 (Ramada Ltd.); 10/08 (PPH); 3/09 (HoJo & Club 33 Baybee!) Next trip: 2/10 with the Divas at the HoJo

11-19-2009, 12:15 AM	#5
PolyndianPrincessJes Alias: TotalSnowWhite I'm a Snapfish/Shutterfly/Winkflash addict Yes, you totally can do that, and I do!!! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 848	We just love to be surrounded by the magic 24/7!! Are the GN hotels equally magical? Resort rates aren't really an issue, as we always stay deluxe at WDW, so the DL prices are actually a break for us! __________________ Jess "Don't be trashy. Be Marvelous!" We lost our PINK SONY CYBERSHOT at the Poly or on the monorail on October 2. Any DISers happen to find it? eBay ID - PolynesianPrincessJess Etsy ID - UponAStarDesigns I'm totally ok with the fact that my signature probably only looks right on my screen. =)

11-19-2009, 01:25 AM	#8
Princess Row His Disney girl! <3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The little town in California. <3 Posts: 165	Although the GC is connected to DCA we love DL s much more. YOu can always just take the monorail (short walk from DLH) and it takes you strait into tomorrowland. We have never stayed off site, its always onsite for us, but DLH is the best way to go we feel. Hope this helps! __________________ -Me-Rochelle -DBF-Trevor Disney Magic Cruise line 4/11/09<3 Where it all began!

11-21-2009, 12:41 PM	#11
50sjayne DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 953	Don't go on spring break. It's too close to Easter this year-- I don't think you could understand how crowded it has become these days. Also Rivers of America will be drained- no Fantasmic and you will miss the new show which is HUGE in CA. We're going late June when the annual passes are blocked. __________________

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11-19-2009, 09:31 AM	#9
Judy from Boise Watch out – might take away your birthday Not superfluous in the least! DIS World Traveller Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Beautiful Boise,Idaho Posts: 8,435	If you can afford GC I would do it in a heartbeat!

11-21-2009, 11:21 AM	#10
quantumottle ...at least my kids think I'm Mr.Incredible. Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 477	I think you're going to be blown away by what DL is now compared to years ago. My BIL went for the first time since the late 80's and said he couldn't believe the difference in what he remembered it being as a young man in his 20's. He now prefers DL over MK.

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