A WDW gal who wants to go to DL...need your help:)

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

I have always wanted to go to DL. Have been to WDW 10 times and many people that I talk to say I will be disappointed in DL after WDW. I really don't think I will. I do love WDW but it is so big and overwelming (sp? I am a bad speller- forgive me). I would love a smaller park. I welcome it. Would also love to see that part of the US. Here are my questions:

Best time to visit?
How many days do we need to see DL? (I would like to take my time)
Best Hilton brand or Marriot brand hotel near DL (have lots of points to use).
Fly into LAX or San Diego (also want to see that area)
DL tickets or that pass that you can use for other parks too

So may questions! I know WDW like the back of my hand but this is all new to me. Thanks and have a magical day!

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

Best time to visit?
How many days do we need to see DL? (I would like to take my time)
Best Hilton brand or Marriot brand hotel near DL (have lots of points to use).
Fly into LAX or San Diego (also want to see that area)
DL tickets or that pass that you can use for other parks too

So may questions! I know WDW like the back of my hand but this is all new to me. Thanks and have a magical day!

We live close by Disneyland and go often. We love it there even after years of multiple visits. We have also been to WDW going annually for the past 5 years and many times as a kid too.

DL is much smaller do in part to there being two parks vs 4 plus water parks at WDW.
Are you planning to do more than Disney in Anaheim? If not, you should be fine with about 4 days total in the parks.

There is a Hilton and Marriott walking distance to the parks. It is about a 15 minute walk but honestly not a bad one - I do it with the kids.
Fly into LAX or San Diego - it would depend on the price of the flight for me.

Time to visit - weekdays are the slowest and I think usually Tuesday - Thursday are slower than others. Month can vary. The more popular months the park is opened longer, the slower months the park opens later in the day and then closes earlier too...

Any more questions?

 

[mechurchlady]

DLR is way smaller that WDW but it is unique. Disneyland has the Canal Boats and Casey Jr. and the Bobsleds. Disneyland is like that small cafe with fine dining that is just as good as the 300 seat restaurant, special and charming.

You will need at least 3 days and preferably 5 days to make sure you get everything done and take a tour or two.

 

[avalon451]

Hi, Wisconsin! Welcome to the left coast boards!

(I went to high school in Eau Claire, btw!)

One of the best collections of info for WDW vets who are doing DL for the first time is by our very own Hydroguy, in his sticky thread at the top of this forum: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483 He tells you the tradeoffs of visiting during high/low season, how to maximize your time at the parks, everything.

About the airport: don't fly into San Diego unless you're planning on spending time at a hotel down there, as well, and go to Sea World, etc. There are four airports around DLR: LAX, Ontario, Long Beach and SNA (Orange County aka John Wayne airport). SNA is closest (12 miles, I think?), but sometimes more expensive to fly into. Long Beach is closer (15 miles?), limited flights, but often quite cheap. LAX is cheap and probably has more flight choices, but it's 35 miles away and your typcially huge, dirty international airport. Ontario is also 35 miles away and not that convenient or cheap. Check on all four before you make a decision.

It sounds like you're going to love DL. You're right that it's compact, everything is walkable, and it's beautifully maintained.

Have a great time planning!

 

[MPHARJ]

I can't answer all of your questions, actually maybe none of them,lol. I just wanted to say there are some differences that have kept us going back for three years. We go to WDW every year and have so for thhe past 7 years. I love WDW, well 2 years ago I broke down and took the kids to the west coast, not very cheap for us from the east coast. Although there are not as many parks, there are some things that are unique and only at DL. We love it as well for our own reasons. When we have gone, we go for several days, if I 'm going on vacation I am going for as long as I can afford. The first year was 10 days we added LA and Legoland in there as well. Last year ws the same but we spent the first 3 days in San Francisco, this year we are going for 9 days and have Legoland, Knotts Berry and a day trip to San Diego planned. the past 2 years we went in early June, first year was great, last year was crowded, school was out by than. This year we are going in early November, no clue what it wiill be like, usually we do WDW in the fall but jumped on the 4/3 deal. For us LAX is much cheaper, but we are also coming from PA so it might not be too much of a difference for you, however for us there are no direct flights in San Diego, but there are into LAX. Good luck with your planning and just remember that yes it is smaller but there are so many difference you will enjoy it just as much!

 

[pmama]

Orange County (John Wayne) Airport is the closest to DLR.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

mechurchlady posted:DLR is way smaller that WDW but it is unique. Disneyland has the Canal Boats and Casey Jr. and the Bobsleds. Disneyland is like that small cafe with fine dining that is just as good as the 300 seat restaurant, special and charming.

Beautifully stated!
DL was the first park we visited - it was open just 2 yrs and I was about 10 - we lived in So Ca back then.
Nothing will ever compare to the charm and enchantment of Disneyland. Walt's dream still feels so alive there.

Am not a fan of California Adventure - wish they'd never built that place! But it is what it is and lots of folks enjoy that too.

My children are Bostonians, but when they were young teens/teens, we made annual trips to DL (as well as our regular WDW trips, going on 30+ yrs worth now).

We would make Anaheim our home base most years as DL was our primary place to visit, but when they were older teens we moved the hotel to Sunset Blvd (what was I thinking? ) and went back to Anaheim from there - I could only tolerate two visit this way and it was back to Anaheim for our base.

Driving in So Ca is a nightmare, so although not usually a fan of big bus tours, we did take a few when staying in Anaheim and it worked out great. We used these to visit San Diego Zoo, Universal, Six Flags Magic Mountain, did tours of LA.... During the travel time on the bus, the driver would chat about "historic" or "interesting" tidbits and the kids ate it up - would talk about it during/after our trips.We definitely enjoyed these bus tours.

Because I had lived in SO Ca for several years growing up, I could fill in for the kids with other information, but it would still be fun for a family.

In the '80's we always flew into LAX, but would fly into SNA now, if possible.

Have fun planning and have a wonderful visit to DL!

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

Thanks for the great info! I feel like a fish out of water planning for a DL trip as it is quite different from WDW. I love the fact that it is smaller and that you can actually stay closer and not have to stay on site! There is so much that I did not know about the area. I love the boards and will keep reading and learing from you "pros". Thanks agagin

 

[Melynny]

HI WisconsinDisneygirl! I am serious WDW fan, DVC member there and take about 4 WDW trips per year. That said, I am on my 3rd day of my 1st DL trip in 30 years. Let me say, WE ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME!. I am NOT disapointed AT ALL! It rained yesteday in the morning so we got a late start, but it's been wonderful.

There is a very nice mix of "Familiar and New". It is so much fun, comparing the similarities and enjoying the newness! We are staying a the DLH and I am very pleased with our room, the quality of the bedding, cleanliness is all there. Castmembers are all great.

We have 7 more nights here, We have not been to California Adventure, that's today. Can't wait for that. Food has been REAAAALLLY GOOD! We had dinner our first night at the Uva Bar at DTD. YUM. Last night we had an absolutly wonderful meal at Hooks point here at the DLH. good quality and great service. Lunch was soso at the Tomorrow land terrace, we were hungry and that was the 1st place we saw when we got off the monorail.

I was worried that we would miss the size of WDW, but no, this is good and different..don't worry!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Another DISer just posted this on another thread - it is GREAT!!

You'll love it and be sure to save it! Map of hotel locations at DL.

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

[Skylarr29]

Driving in So Ca is a nightmare, so although not usually a fan of big bus tours, we did take a few when staying in Anaheim and it worked out great. We used these to visit San Diego Zoo, Universal, Six Flags Magic Mountain, did tours of LA.... During the travel time on the bus, the driver would chat about "historic" or "interesting" tidbits and the kids ate it up - would talk about it during/after our trips.We definitely enjoyed these bus tours.

Hi, do you have any more info on the bus tours, company etc.? We will be there in Nov and wanted to visit the Zoo but we will have a baby with us and I think it would be so much easier this way.

TIA!

 

[Husker Mickey]

I have always wanted to go to DL. Have been to WDW 10 times and many people that I talk to say I will be disappointed in DL after WDW. I really don't think I will. I do love WDW but it is so big and overwelming (sp? I am a bad speller- forgive me). I would love a smaller park. I welcome it. Would also love to see that part of the US. Here are my questions:

Best time to visit?
How many days do we need to see DL? (I would like to take my time)
Best Hilton brand or Marriot brand hotel near DL (have lots of points to use).
Fly into LAX or San Diego (also want to see that area)
DL tickets or that pass that you can use for other parks too

So may questions! I know WDW like the back of my hand but this is all new to me. Thanks and have a magical day!

The best time to visit is really up to you. Do you do well in hot weather? Summer is good because the parks have all (or most) of the shows and parades going, plus the park hours are at their peak.

We like to go for 4 days. It works good for us. We try to do everything once and then go back to do all the "fun" things again.

We have stayed at the Fairfield Inn by Marriot several times and have never been disappointed. It is within a very reasonable walk to the parks. (7 minutes)

We have flown into LAX - big and congested and SNA (orange co./John Wayne) - not sure why there are so many names for the same place - anyway it is a great little airport, but as stated before, it can be more expensive to fly in and out of.

I would get a parkhopper pass. There are only two parks and each have some unique attractions. Don't miss the Alladin show in Cal. Adventure.

Good luck in the planning process. We are looking at going in late October. We have done that several times when our kids have had Fall Break. It's a great time to go weather wise - shorts and t-shirts, not too hot.

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

Minnie&Nana- great site that you posted. Really helped me to know where the hotels are located!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

It's been awhile since we've done the bus tour, but I'll do some checking and post some links soon!

 

[msmith07101]

I had the same feelings...that I would be so disappointed in Disneyland...quite the opposite happened. I LOVED it!! I loved that it was smaller and so much easier to navigate. I really loved California Adventure...it is just gorgeous and there are a few attractions there that you won't see in WDW. We went in April, 2 years ago. The weather was fantastic...not hot and humid like Florida. There really wasn't anything that I did not like!

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

OK, so I talked to the family and they love the idea of going to DL! So, now the planning starts! I will look at booking for next year. Will give me time to build up Hilton and Marriot points (DH travels alot) and save up the $. Would love to go this time next year. What about Easter? My kids get spring break every year starting on Good Friday. Will it be a mad house? It would be nice to leave that Fri. and stay till the following Sat or Sunday. We will want to do Legoland and the SD Zoo. Also want to do a few days in SD. Seeing that we want to do both areas where should we fly into? Thanks for alll the help!

 

[msmith07101]

I am not sure where you should fly into. We flew into LAX and took one day and drove down to Legoland. If memory serves it was 45 minutes to an hour away?? We went on a Sunday morning to Legoland, so there was no traffic. Didn't go to San Diego, just Carlsbad for Legoland...it was so pretty there...loved it. You can't even see Legoland from a distance...we thought we were lost because we couldn't see it! You'll have a fantastic time!