1st Trip to DL...major budget trip!

[jenanderson]

Well, I just found out that I will be headed to San Diego at the end of June (June 24-27, 2012) for a conference. We are huge Disney fans and just did a huge WDW/Cruise trip this summer. Next summer was suppose to be our year without a vacation to save for our 2013 trip - but with my airfare, the hotel in San Diego and some other expenses paid - we are debating flying the family out and then adding a couple of days at DL at the end of the conference.

Here are some of the questions I have to help us decide what to do:

1. Can you really see enough of DL if you only go for 2 days or will you miss out?

2. I will be honest...we love to be immersed in the Disney experience and staying off site just seems wrong to me. Is this as big of a deal at DL as it is at WDW?

3. At WDW, we always book a package that includes our hotel and meals. This way I know everything is paid for (except tips if it is a sit down place). Does DL have something similar to this? Is it worth it?

4. If we go, we are looking to spend as little extra as possible. Any hints on how to have a tight budget trip to DL but still experience the magic?

Thanks everyone in advance! We really feel lost trying to even think about where to start planning a DL trip and I will be reading these threads for a while!

Jen

 

[MotoWifey185]

Well, I just found out that I will be headed to San Diego at the end of June (June 24-27, 2012) for a conference. We are huge Disney fans and just did a huge WDW/Cruise trip this summer. Next summer was suppose to be our year without a vacation to save for our 2013 trip - but with my airfare, the hotel in San Diego and some other expenses paid - we are debating flying the family out and then adding a couple of days at DL at the end of the conference.

Here are some of the questions I have to help us decide what to do:

1. Can you really see enough of DL if you only go for 2 days or will you miss out?

Yes, in two days you can get a lot of the major stuff done at DL. On a budget I think it would be good for you to get the two day one park tix, do Disneyland all day the first day, and do DCA the next. It saves money and you don't lose any time (even if it's just 10-15 minutes) to park hop. We have done this lately and we like not going from park to park.


2. I will be honest...we love to be immersed in the Disney experience and staying off site just seems wrong to me. Is this as big of a deal at DL as it is at WDW?

I know what you mean, but no it is not that big of a deal. There are great offsite hotels and will help the budgeting part a lot. I've been to DLR 50+ times and have not stayed onsite once. But I've always had very magical trips regardless!

3. At WDW, we always book a package that includes our hotel and meals. This way I know everything is paid for (except tips if it is a sit down place). Does DL have something similar to this? Is it worth it?

Yes I know they have the dining plan. They also have the package deal with "Good Neighbor Hotels" So you can still book everything all into one. I don't know how the dining plan works though.

4. If we go, we are looking to spend as little extra as possible. Any hints on how to have a tight budget trip to DL but still experience the magic?

Definitely stay offsite, eat at some of the offsite reseraunts, like Quizno's, Millies, Mimi's, and also make a trip over to Target or Ralphs for groceries to save money on drinks and snacks in the park!

Thanks everyone in advance! We really feel lost trying to even think about where to start planning a DL trip and I will be reading these threads for a while!

Jen

My answers are in bold. I would consider myself a pretty skilled budget traveler. and the DIS vets will have lots of their insider info to give I am sure.

 

[skiingfast]

First off read the prerequite reading, A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

Here are some of the questions I have to help us decide what to do:

1. Can you really see enough of DL if you only go for 2 days or will you miss out?

It may be busy it may be very busy. DLR is smaller than WDW but it has almost just as much to see and do. I would suggest that 4-5 days would be better this June. If Carsland, a brand new land opening this summer is open, you won't want to miss it and will need a lot of time just for it and the crowds it will bring in.

2. I will be honest...we love to be immersed in the Disney experience and staying off site just seems wrong to me. Is this as big of a deal at DL as it is at WDW?

At WDW I'm a full convert to onsite only. At DLR it's nice but far from mandatory. I like the extra time gained staying offsite at locations with a continental breakfast, short walks to the parks, and the money you can easily save. 1/3 to 1/2 as much as staying offsite. Look at the choices of Motels and Hotels right across Harbor Blvd.

Some quick picks for offsite hotels that are in walking distance in order of price.
Park Vue Inn, Candy Cane Inn, Best Western Park Place, Hojo Anaheim, Ramada Maingate, and cheapest and closest the Anahiem Plaza Hotel.

3. At WDW, we always book a package that includes our hotel and meals. This way I know everything is paid for (except tips if it is a sit down place). Does DL have something similar to this? Is it worth it?

Yes, but don't consider it. Use Disney gift cards if you need to pay ahead. you can pay for the hotel and tickets ahead of time(with tickets it's probably going to be a money saver as well). The Disneyland meal plan can save you a tiny bit of money, but it many more times likely to cost you money.

4. If we go, we are looking to spend as little extra as possible. Any hints on how to have a tight budget trip to DL but still experience the magic?

Stay at a hotel with breakfast included. Other than that you can use the same techniques you can at WDW, such as carrying in a water bottle and snacks.

 

[rentayenta]

1. Can you really see enough of DL if you only go for 2 days or will you miss out?

Even a day at Disneyland is worth it to be in Walt's original park. It's truly the best of the DL/WDW parks.

2. I will be honest...we love to be immersed in the Disney experience and staying off site just seems wrong to me. Is this as big of a deal at DL as it is at WDW?

I am an on-site junkie and really don't like staying off site. In order I prefer the GCH/V, the DLH, and then the PPH for resort hotels. Having said that, if it was between staying off site and not going, I'd stay off site.

3. At WDW, we always book a package that includes our hotel and meals. This way I know everything is paid for (except tips if it is a sit down place). Does DL have something similar to this? Is it worth it?

The DLR offers packages that come with meal vouchers in different demoninations You don't save money but if you like pre-paying it might be the way to go.

4. If we go, we are looking to spend as little extra as possible. Any hints on how to have a tight budget trip to DL but still experience the magic?

The only real variables are food and souvenirs. Share food and go light on the souvenirs.

Thanks everyone in advance! We really feel lost trying to even think about where to start planning a DL trip and I will be reading these threads for a while!

Jen

Jen, Disneyland is amazing. You will love it!

 

[ssuriano]

These are my personal opinions.

1. Can you really see enough of DL if you only go for 2 days or will you miss out?
Yes, if you plan out your trip knowing which rides you want to do and know how to work the FP system you will be fine.

2. I will be honest...we love to be immersed in the Disney experience and staying off site just seems wrong to me. Is this as big of a deal at DL as it is at WDW?
I've never stayed at a DLR hotel, when I visited WDW I stayed on property and it was nice. However out here there are hotels on par with the DLR hotels with in walking distance of the park and are a bit cheaper.

3. At WDW, we always book a package that includes our hotel and meals. This way I know everything is paid for (except tips if it is a sit down place). Does DL have something similar to this? Is it worth it?
DLR does not have a dining plan, however you can book reservations are a sit down dinning location up to 60 days out.

4. If we go, we are looking to spend as little extra as possible. Any hints on how to have a tight budget trip to DL but still experience the magic?
Eat breakfast at your hotel, run across the street to McDonald's for lunch, and save your in the park meal for dinner. Carry a backpack full of snacks and water, remember there are tons of water fountains and you can get a free cup of ice water at any counter service dinning location.

Again these are just my personal opinions but I hope they help.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Well, I just found out that I will be headed to San Diego at the end of June (June 24-27, 2012) for a conference. We are huge Disney fans and just did a huge WDW/Cruise trip this summer. Next summer was suppose to be our year without a vacation to save for our 2013 trip - but with my airfare, the hotel in San Diego and some other expenses paid - we are debating flying the family out and then adding a couple of days at DL at the end of the conference.

Here are some of the questions I have to help us decide what to do:

1. Can you really see enough of DL if you only go for 2 days or will you miss out?

Easy. DL is much more compact, but full of attractions. Take your WDW fastpass experience and use to your advantage at DL.

2. I will be honest...we love to be immersed in the Disney experience and staying off site just seems wrong to me. Is this as big of a deal at DL as it is at WDW?

One of the best things about DL is not having transportation issues. Everything can be reach by foot. With this in mind, many off site hotels are actually closer to the action than onsite. Your biggest savings could come from staying off site. Plus you will only be there for two days so much of your time will be spend in the parks. I wouldn't spend $$$ for so little resort time.

3. At WDW, we always book a package that includes our hotel and meals. This way I know everything is paid for (except tips if it is a sit down place). Does DL have something similar to this? Is it worth it?

No, and you wouldn't need it. There are many out of park options within walking distance. Eat breakfast in your room, or run to Mimis or McDonalds for breakfast. Many off site hotels offer breakfast. DL counter service meals are big and easily can be shared.

4. If we go, we are looking to spend as little extra as possible. Any hints on how to have a tight budget trip to DL but still experience the magic?

Eat some meals out of the parks. Bring snacks in your bag. Also, remember California water tastes great. No worries with asking for ice water or using fountains.

Thanks everyone in advance! We really feel lost trying to even think about where to start planning a DL trip and I will be reading these threads for a while!

Have a blast!

Jen

Enjoy your trip!

 

[jenanderson]

WOW! Thanks for all the answers so quickly! You guys have so much great information.

We know that we can do at least 2 full days but I am hoping for 3-4 days. We won't know if we can swing that until we are much closer to our travel dates.

At WDW we usually splurge on the hotel and then make do with primarily counter service meals. We have no problem sharing meals or having the adults eat kids meals. It is great to know there are cheap places to eat right outside the park as well. We also are fine with buying things we can eat for breakfast at our hotel to start the day.

I think we will try to see what the cheapest price is for a DL hotel but if that seems too high, we will feel better looking offsite.

Our big concern about the whole thing is that DS has medical issues that require him to be in a wheelchair while we are at WDW (and I assume DL). His medications cause him to have weak muscles, sun sensitivity and other side effects. This is why when we are at WDW we try for a monorail resort to make it easy to get to parks and back to the hotel if we need a quick mid-afternoon break. We also usually do WDW in August, so we know how to deal with the heat, sun and his issues.

We know that trying to pack it all into 2 days might be way too much for him so if we end up with 2 days, we will be prepared not to see it all.

Any suggestions for a hotel that makes it simple to get back and forth?

Also, we are great with DS and his medical stuff at WDW. We have no clue what to expect at DL. We usually use a hotel wheelchair at WDW (they have some on hand for guests to use for free) - does anyone know if DL has this as well?

We rarely buy souvenirs and the kids don't mind. We would love to do one night DL dinner if people feel there is one that it worth it. If not, we will just do fast food and use the extra time for exploring the parks.

Thanks again for all the advice so far! As I said, I have a lot of reading and learning to do.

Jen

 

[skiingfast]

Any suggestions for a hotel that makes it simple to get back and forth?
Jen

Some quick picks for offsite hotels that are in walking distance in order of price.
Park Vue Inn, Candy Cane Inn, Best Western Park Place, Hojo Anaheim, Ramada Maingate, and cheapest and closest the Anahiem Plaza Hotel.
.

All of these are within a 10 minute walk. The GCH is within 10 minutes as well.

The Park Vue Inn and Best Western Park Place are closer than most GCH rooms. Both offer simple breakfasts.

Park Vue Inn also has a evening light dinner.

The Monorail stops near the DLH, but does not offer any of the convinience similiar to the Monorail Resorts in WDW.

 

[rentayenta]

The GCH literally steps out into Cal Adventure. You cannot get any closer. It's even closer than the BC is to Epcot.

 

[jenanderson]

Just looked at the price of the DL hotels and am pretty sure we will be staying offsite for this visit to save money. While we do love a nice hotel, we also have no problem with something cheap as long as we are at Disney.

 

[ArchOwl]

Just looked at the price of the DL hotels and am pretty sure we will be staying offsite for this visit to save money. While we do love a nice hotel, we also have no problem with something cheap as long as we are at Disney.

Yeah, I would plan on staying offsite to save cash. But keep an eye out for deals a couple of months before your visit. Sometimes you can snag a decent rate. A lot depends on when Carsland opens as I am assuming no discounts once it opens.

 

[elgerber]

Seriously Jen?!?! We will be there on the 24th, we fly home on the 25th!

 

[jenanderson]

Seriously Jen?!?! We will be there on the 24th, we fly home on the 25th!

Hello Erika! This is just to funny! It is a shame that we won't be there at the same time. I am going for a conference and then we will extend it into a vacation for a few days.

I feel so totally lost after all the years at WDW. You will have to share all your planning tips with me...and then send me updates while you are there!

 

[elgerber]

Hello Erika! This is just to funny! It is a shame that we won't be there at the same time. I am going for a conference and then we will extend it into a vacation for a few days.

I feel so totally lost after all the years at WDW. You will have to share all your planning tips with me...and then send me updates while you are there!

Total bummer that we don't overlap! We fly into San Francisco on the 15th and fly out of LA on the 25th. I am pretty lost too!!

Of course we could get together some other time, you know, since we live nearby and all...

 

[Eeee-va]

I would totally go for just 2 days! As others have said, if Carsland is newly opened it could be very crowded. If it's not opened yet, then maybe not so bad. You probably can't do everything in 2 days but I'm sure you can do a lot.

Depending on your party size, when you have a better idea of how many days you can go, you may want to look into doing part-days. The cost to add a third day to a 2-day hopper is substantial, but half the price of a one-day, one-park ticket. When you add days to a 3-day hopper, the cost per day becomes low enough that you may be able to justify spending a day to primarily just see the afternoon parade, fireworks, evening shows, etc.

From the Disney website, which saves you money on your tickets, too (you might double-check my numbers):

1 day hopper (adult) - $105
2 day hopper - $173 (+$68)
3 day hopper - $214 (+$41)
4 day hopper - $234 (+$20)
5 day hopper - $246 (+$12)

A 3-day hopper will also get you one Magic Morning, which is an uncrowded hour in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland an hour before the parks open (generally offered Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).

I would suggest park hoppers unless you absolutely positively 100% cannot spend the extra money. The parks are so close together, I think it would be difficult to stay in one all day long. I would definitely stay off-site too, unless you have enough money to get an on-site room with a view of the parks. I don't.

Have a great trip!