1st timer to DL, NEED HELP!!!

[MBD1215]

Starting to plan first trip to DL,have been to WDW many times, but kids want to see the origianl(so do I ). I have no idea where to start.What airport do you fly into? Want to stay on site but don't know the differance in the hotels.What hotel has best pools,best Disney atmospher, does the monorail stop at any hotels like at WDW? Can anyone help?Kids are 17 and 13.Any discount codes for hotels, what else is there to see..Planning on july 03.

 

[hookedup]

Okay here are my tips -
IF you can fly into the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana (SNA) it is WAY closer than LAX and so much easier to deal with too!
Go to the DL website and look and the hotels - there are 3 "on property" but unlike WDW the off property ones on Harbor Blvd across the street are walking distance.
I love the Grand Californian Resort but it is the most expensive so most folks stay at the DL Hotel - it is the original hotel built for the park by Disney. There is also the Paradise Pier and it tends to be less expensive than the DL Hotel. Both the Grand CA and DL Hotel have very nice pools. If you are staying at PP (it too has a pool just not a big themed one) you can also walk across the street to use the "Neveland Pool" and the DL Hotel. The last time I stayed there only guests of Grand CA can use their pool - but can also use the other resorts pools - although I dont know why you would want to. I love the Grand CA it is "kinda" like the Wilderness Lodge at WDW - not the surrounding theming or landscape but the building itself is a beautiful "Arts & Crafts" deisgn period lodge. It has a warm and welcoming feeling and quite special. The rooms and not huge though!
Also consider the Paradise Pier -if you can get a resort view room there it maybe less expensive than the DL non resort view room and an option to consider. I like the Paradise Pier myself esp when I can get a much cheaper rate than DL Hotel. But for someone who has never been there and wanting to experience "Disney Magic" then I think you would be pleased with the DL Hotel. Hope that wasn't too confusing!
The monorail goes to Downtown Disney which is near the DL Hotel and PP hotel. It only stops at DTD and Tomorrowland inside the park. Unlike WDW the monorail does not actually go directly to the hotels.
The GC Hotel has a private entrance into Disney's CA Adventure which is nice and the PP does too, but you have to walk across the street to it.

As far as discount codes I don't think DLR uses these but others here may know more - we usually request a AAA rate or you can check the rate they quote against Expedia offerings just to see what's the best deal.
Well have fun planning your trip! I am sure you will love Disneyland it is Very Magical!

 

[Snurk71]

We just returned from our first DL trip (after a few WDW trips). We stayed at DLH, and we thought the hotel was great. The rooms were large, in great shape, and themed very well. We thought DLH was very well themed throughout, well laid out, and located well. DTD is right next door, and the parks seemed like a closer walk than Contemp to MK at WDW. We got a DC discount on our room. There were some pretty good Expedia rates right before we took off.

Second the John Wayne (Santa Anna) recommendation. It was very easy to get in and out.

No monorails to the resorts - everything is so close you don't need it. You can ride the monorail from DTD to Tomorrowland, but you don't need it.

Any more specific questions, just ask.

 

[MBD1215]

thanks for the help, i was looking into grand ca, but had heard cast members at DH were more into it,but wondered about the age of DH. we have stayed at cont,coronado,caribbean, all star over the years,just returnred fron poly concierge level, loved it and was looking for something similar.priced out grand one bedroom suite.

 

[Snurk71]

I wouldn't worry about the age of DLH. It didn't look to be showing any age to us. And just for background, we stay at GF when at WDW. We thought DLH would easily fit into the deluxe category at WDW. In fact, we thought the rooms at DLH were even better than the rooms at GF (seemed bigger, better theming, liked the bathroom better). And there were a number of dining options right at the resort, and DTD is right across the street.

If you can't tell, we were very impressed with DLH. We weren't expecting much from it for some reason. But it was really great. And I didn't even mention the CMs - they were all great too.

 

[Dana_Buckley]

If you are considering an extended trip, beyond DL, you may want to fly into/or out of San Diego. You could visit the zoo, seaworld, wild animal park, beaches etc, either before or after you visit DL.
I really like the DLH, I think they remodeled it, because it was different than I remembered from 2 yrs ago.

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[hookedup]

The very best trip I have ever had at DLR was staying at the Grand CA in a King Room - theme park view - 6th floor - concierge level. It was awesome! That room is sized better than the other rooms there. I agree the GC rooms are not spacious - some of the DLH's rooms are bigger. I love the GC so much. It is pricey though!!
The GC King resort view rooms are wonderful - the bathrooms are much bigger and so is the room itself.

I have not stayed at the DL Hotel in more than 5 years so if they did remodel it then that's good because our room then was looking quite "tired" I was very dissappointed that trip because we spent a lot on our room!!

 

[Sonya in Boise]

When you are pricing your airline tickets, keep in mind transfers to and from hotel is you are not renting a car.

John Wayne (SNA) was more expensive than LAX but it is only about 35.00 for a taxi from SNA to DLR, from LAX to DLR it's 65.00 The only inexpensive transportation I have found is Airport Bus and I haven't heard very postiive reviews about them. So I'm torn. My Airline tickest were 100.00 per person and it might cost me another 100.00 round trip to get my family of 3 to and from airport/DL. Seems a little excessive to me. Even though we won't need a car, I might rent one to keep the transportation cost low. A bit crazy that I can rent a car for 5 days cheaper than round trip shuttles for 3.

Sonya