4th of July trip Help Needed!

[570traveler]

We (DH, DD19 and I) are flying into LAX on July 2nd. We will be spending several days in the area before family meets us and drives us up to Reno.
We are AP holders for DW and would love to visit Disneyland while we are in the area.
Two options...visit the parks July 3 & 4, then sightseeing around LA for a few days OR sightseeing first then visit July 5 & 6. We’ve been to DW several years over Thanksgiving so we are use to crowds! Any thoughts on which dates would be less crowded?
We’ve never been to the area and although I’ve planned many trips to DW I’m finding this trip overwhelming!
What hotels would be the best choice? What kind of discounts might be available? We have AAA and are members of sams club.
My hope is to not have a rental car. Is it possible to use public transportation while we are in the area? (Hoping to only have one suitcase and each a backpack)
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[WonkaKid]

I’d do the 5th and 6th. Saturday’s are nearly always crowded. I suspect being the 4th will only make it more so. Also, I rope drop nearly every Sunday when I’m back in LA. You can usually count on the first 90 minutes being relatively light. Another reason I don’t care for Saturdays at DL are because of Extra Magic Hours/MMs. Even if you’re the first person through the gates after EMH/MM, there will still be 1,000 people ahead of you. As for Monday’s, they’ve got a bad rep. We presume that’s due to many people going for three-day weekends with the expectation of Monday to be quiet. That’s why it often isn’t .

 

[Indiana Scott]

Do the 5th and 6th. The 4th will be crazy busy.

 

[WonkaKid]

Do the 5th and 6th. The 4th will be crazy busy.

Agree 100% . @570traveler - I’ll be back in LA in about two weeks. Let me know if you’d like me to send you a set of park maps.

 

[570traveler]

Agree 100% . @570traveler - I’ll be back in LA in about two weeks. Let me know if you’d like me to send you a set of park maps.

That would be fabulous if you could!

 

[WonkaKid]

That would be fabulous if you could!

Sure. I’ll be back in LA on January 4. Send me your address around that time via direct message and I’ll get a set off to you. Will two of DL and one DCA suffice?

 

[Cindylieu]

As for being overwhelmed with planning your DL vacation, rest easy. I have planned both WDW and DL...in my opinion there is much less planning necessary for the DL trips. You don't need to worry about getting your fastpasses early: just have Maxpass and have the app on your phone and linked to your tickets. You don't need to worry much about dining reservations: there are fewer table-service restaurants and the counter-service as DL has a much better reputation than the counter-service at WDW. Reservations are easier to get as well...for the most part. The hotels in the area are pretty similar to one another and there is less of the "in-the-bubble" effect of the Disney Hotels that we all know and love at WDW. Of course, there are 10,000 opinions on all of these issues and everyone has their own great ideas (myself included), I just don't want you to fret too much over the planning. A trip to DL just takes less advance strategy. The fact that you are HERE and you are getting your ducks in a row nice and early tells me that you will be just fine when you rope-drop those Disneyland gates. ENJOY!

 

[570traveler]

Sure. I’ll be back in LA on January 4. Send me your address around that time via direct message and I’ll get a set off to you. Will two of DL and one DCA suffice?

Yes that would be great! I’ll message you after the new year!

 

[Cindylieu]

As for your specific questions: I'll just tell you my experiences and plans. We usually stay at the Candy Cane Inn; it is a special favorite of ours. But, there are many "good neighbor" hotels that are just as good and within walking distance. I heard that the shuttle from the airport to DL just severed ties with Disneyland, so I guess I would count that out. I would probably Uber to the hotel of your choice and then walk each day to the parks. Buy your tickets in advance (there are several discounted places you can buy from....someone else will have to give you the specifics) and link them to your account on the Disneyland App. I would highly suggest Max Pass as it closely resembles the WDW fastpass system. You won't have magic bands, but you will have fastpass selections from you phone just like in WDW. There are no advanced fastpasses, so you just pick you first one as the parks open on the day you are heading in. Unless you are wanting Blue Bayou or Carthay I am thinking that you won't need really early reservations....but again, someone else will have to fill you in on this. We are WDW table-service veterans, but in DL we typically just do counter-service. Best wishes!!

 

[570traveler]

As for being overwhelmed with planning your DL vacation, rest easy. I have planned both WDW and DL...in my opinion there is much less planning necessary for the DL trips. You don't need to worry about getting your fastpasses early: just have Maxpass and have the app on your phone and linked to your tickets. You don't need to worry much about dining reservations: there are fewer table-service restaurants and the counter-service as DL has a much better reputation than the counter-service at WDW. Reservations are easier to get as well...for the most part. The hotels in the area are pretty similar to one another and there is less of the "in-the-bubble" effect of the Disney Hotels that we all know and love at WDW. Of course, there are 10,000 opinions on all of these issues and everyone has their own great ideas (myself included), I just don't want you to fret too much over the planning. A trip to DL just takes less advance strategy. The fact that you are HERE and you are getting your ducks in a row nice and early tells me that you will be just fine when you rope-drop those Disneyland gates. ENJOY!

I think the fact that we always stay onsite at WDW and will be most likely staying offsite here is making me most anxious. I enjoy the “bubble” when I’m there. There are SO many hotel choices that it’s driving me batty!

 

[Cindylieu]

I have not stayed at one of the DL hotels (we always stay onsite at WDW and LOVE the bubble), but from what I gather, even the DL hotels don't really have the same "bubble" feel that we experience down south. I just pick a nice hotel within a 10min walk to the gate. Any one of the "good neighbors" will be fine. Narrow it down to 2 or 3 and ask for opinions here. You will get good reviews and I am sure you will be happy with your choice.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... We’ve never been to the area and although I’ve planned many trips to DW I’m finding this trip overwhelming!
What hotels would be the best choice? What kind of discounts might be available? We have AAA and are members of sams club.
My hope is to not have a rental car. Is it possible to use public transportation while we are in the area? (Hoping to only have one suitcase and each a backpack)
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

You've gotten good help with your other questions, so here are some threads to help with the rest of your trip planning:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- from the sticky threads at the top of the first page -- SO much helpful information found here!
From that sticky:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- a classic thread and a must read for you!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- a treasure trove of helpful threads for you!
From the above link:
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/ -- at DLR it isn't about on site or off site -- both have pros and cons -- it's all about location and being close walking distance to the gates -- and some off site hotels are closer to the gates than the on site hotels! What you invest in being close to the gates will pay off big in convenience and savings to your sanity and weary legs and feet at the end of the day.
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- DLR doesn't have FP+, we have MP -- read through this very helpful superthread, then ask all your questions there -- you'll get great help! Almost all WDW vets love MP the first time they use it and prefer it strongly over FP+.
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyorewww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- ask all your airport and transportation questions here.
Before your trip, download the free DLR app and start playing with it -- make sure it works on your smartphone/s (some people report trouble on older phones) -- make sure you download the latest version (the app gets wonky before an update). Have a credit card on file so that you can get MP as soon as you activate your tickets at the gate (if you don't pre-purchase MP) and so that you can use Mobile Ordering.
Look over the menus on the DLR website before your trip to narrow down which restaurants will work best for you -- most WDW vets agree that DLR has better CS food than WDW. That said, reservations open up about 60 days in advance (give or take), so if you want dining packages for shows, do some research ahead of time to know what you want and when. We recommend dining packages for F! (a better show at DL and the dining packages have the best views with the least wait time) and for WOC (if you can do the Dessert Party, it's a great treat!).
Discounts: There are AAA discounts at some/most hotels -- make sure to check when you make your reservation. Some restaurants have AAA discounts, too -- always ask! There are discounts at DLR for DVC members, APs (DLR only), Disney Visa, military, AARP (hotels), etc. Always ask -- it can't hurt.
Sam's Club isn't the best place to get your DLR tickets because they charge tax and DLR tickets aren't taxable in CA. (Don't let anyone charge you tax on DLR tickets!) There are better discount vendors for DLR tickets -- check Mousesavers.com for current deals (any vendors listed there are legit), aRes, Getawaytoday, Undercovertourist, LMTC (by phone only right now) etc. for good deals.
Let us know if you have any more questions -- we're here to help! You're going to have a great trip!

 

[570traveler]

You've gotten good help with your other questions, so here are some threads to help with the rest of your trip planning:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- from the sticky threads at the top of the first page -- SO much helpful information found here!
From that sticky:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- a classic thread and a must read for you!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- a treasure trove of helpful threads for you!
From the above link:
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/ -- at DLR it isn't about on site or off site -- both have pros and cons -- it's all about location and being close walking distance to the gates -- and some off site hotels are closer to the gates than the on site hotels! What you invest in being close to the gates will pay off big in convenience and savings to your sanity and weary legs and feet at the end of the day.
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- DLR doesn't have FP+, we have MP -- read through this very helpful superthread, then ask all your questions there -- you'll get great help! Almost all WDW vets love MP the first time they use it and prefer it strongly over FP+.
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyorewww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- ask all your airport and transportation questions here.
Before your trip, download the free DLR app and start playing with it -- make sure it works on your smartphone/s (some people report trouble on older phones) -- make sure you download the latest version (the app gets wonky before an update). Have a credit card on file so that you can get MP as soon as you activate your tickets at the gate (if you don't pre-purchase MP) and so that you can use Mobile Ordering.
Look over the menus on the DLR website before your trip to narrow down which restaurants will work best for you -- most WDW vets agree that DLR has better CS food than WDW. That said, reservations open up about 60 days in advance (give or take), so if you want dining packages for shows, do some research ahead of time to know what you want and when. We recommend dining packages for F! (a better show at DL and the dining packages have the best views with the least wait time) and for WOC (if you can do the Dessert Party, it's a great treat!).
Discounts: There are AAA discounts at some/most hotels -- make sure to check when you make your reservation. Some restaurants have AAA discounts, too -- always ask! There are discounts at DLR for DVC members, APs (DLR only), Disney Visa, military, AARP (hotels), etc. Always ask -- it can't hurt.
Sam's Club isn't the best place to get your DLR tickets because they charge tax and DLR tickets aren't taxable in CA. (Don't let anyone charge you tax on DLR tickets!) There are better discount vendors for DLR tickets -- check Mousesavers.com for current deals (any vendors listed there are legit), aRes, Getawaytoday, Undercovertourist, LMTC (by phone only right now) etc. for good deals.
Let us know if you have any more questions -- we're here to help! You're going to have a great trip!

Thanks so much for this additional information! I’m off of work till the new year so I have plenty of time to read this over and get planning!