Am I the only Cdn going to Disneyland

[dvcdisney]

Our trip down to California begins in 46 days, 22 hours, 9 minutes and 5 seconds! We're spending a day at Universal Studios Hollywood, touring the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank as well as the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, attending all 3 days of the Disney D23 Expo 2013 and finishing off with an entire 5-day stay at the Disneyland Resort. This will all take place from August 6th - 17th. It will be paradise!

You're leaving 2 days before us but we're going to Hawaii (Aulani) for 2 weeks first before we go to DL for 7 nights (1 day of it is going to Universal). I wish we had more time to tour other Hollywood locations. I guess we'll just have to plan for next time.

 

[Davey Jones II]

I regularly visit BOTH Disneyland Resort and WDW. Each has so much to offer. This time, we will be at Disneyland for five days in September, plus we're planning to do the Halloween party. Add three days at the San Diego Zoo, one day at Universal Hollywood, and one night of terror at Knott's Scary Farm (aka The Haunt) and you've got a California vacation.

 

[Susie63]

What I find interesting after reading the Disneyland threads is that a lot of us who are WDW vets are very nervous about going to DL for the first time. But no matter how many times the DL vets tells us that DL is so much easier to plan that WDW, we are still overwhelmed.

As someone had mentioned in the DL threads, we are so used to overplanning everything for WDW, we don't realize how little we need to plan for DL. I have been waiting for months to book my dining reservations. It's driving me nuts. As well, I am waiting for the park hours to be confirmed (even though historical hours have been posted, I just want to know for sure). My accommodations have been booked and flights as well. Thank goodness for DVC and their constant drive to feed my overplanning addiction . However, I did decide to only book the dinners and just walk up for lunches.

Sorry for rambling on...just excited because I can make my dining reservations in a few days!

I would be sooooo lost trying to plan for WDW. I plan nothing for DL. We travel in the off season and can usually book a dining reservation in the morning, for that evening. I just ask when they have an opening and plan my day accordingly.

 

[dvcdisney]

I would be sooooo lost trying to plan for WDW. I plan nothing for DL. We travel in the off season and can usually book a dining reservation in the morning, for that evening. I just ask when they have an opening and plan my day accordingly.

I can't even imagine doing that anymore. I'd be in complete panic mode!

It took me a few vacations to WDW before I was in "auto" mode. I say it's simple now because I know to book my reservations 11mths in advance (DVC), flights about 8-10 mths in advance, dining reservations at 6 mths in advance. I don't have to research things unless there is something new. I don't plan each ride or anything like that but I do plan which park since I book lunch and dinners.

But when we decided on DL and Hawaii, my head started spinning...but in a good way...too many things to research and reserve.

 

[LSmith]

You're leaving 2 days before us but we're going to Hawaii (Aulani) for 2 weeks first before we go to DL for 7 nights (1 day of it is going to Universal). I wish we had more time to tour other Hollywood locations. I guess we'll just have to plan for next time.

If you have a car I would highly recommend a day in Hollywood. You can get a tour of the stars homes for about $50 for 4 people if you wait until the last minute and then tell them you will go. They hang around the star walk of fame. It's actually a fun way to see some of Hollywood/Beverley Hills. Five days in DL is more than enough, trust me. We have visited DL many times but after 3 or 4 days it's repetitive. Actually, now we only go for 2 or 3 days tops.

California is so much more than DL. It's my favourite state after Hawaii, which can't be beat.

 

[SaraMc]

Im thinking next August if all goes well

 

[ronandannette]

If you have a car I would highly recommend a day in Hollywood. You can get a tour of the stars homes for about $50 for 4 people if you wait until the last minute and then tell them you will go. They hang around the star walk of fame. It's actually a fun way to see some of Hollywood/Beverley Hills. Five days in DL is more than enough, trust me. We have visited DL many times but after 3 or 4 days it's repetitive. Actually, now we only go for 2 or 3 days tops.

California is so much more than DL. It's my favourite state after Hawaii, which can't be beat.

Love, love, love California...I'm going to miss it when it falls into the sea...we were actually in San Diego 4 years ago when an earthquake hit.

I've never had a bad trip to SoCal - no matter how long you stay there's always something else to do. On our most recent visit a month ago we did 1 day DL, 1 day DCA and 1 day Universal Studios. That left us two 1/2 days to sight-see, we went to Hollywood, the Santa Monica Pier and the LeBrea Tar Pits. We'd certainly go more often if we could get airfare out of a border city like some of you can - flights from Calgary average $500.00/pp.

 

[BCmomma]

We will be in southern California August 19-23!! Will be at DL/DCA Aug 20-22 First time as a family, I've had previous trips in 1987, 2000 and 2006. Can't wait!!

 

[alc571]

We will be in southern California August 19-23!! Will be at DL/DCA Aug 20-22 First time as a family, I've had previous trips in 1987, 2000 and 2006. Can't wait!!

We are there the same time! 17-23. Where are you staying?

 

[jsebsirois]

We hope we will be able to go in October.

Totally agree with fellow disboard members about California : such a great state. Last year, we took a two weeks vacation in Southern California (with a long visit to Disneyland of course!) and for the first time, we felt like we were on vacation, not only on a trip!

 

[Mmk1997]

This will be our second trip. The first being in late Aug of 2009, when the kids were only 9, 7, & 5. We are heading out from Vancouver on July 21, stopping in Red Bluff, Ca. for the night then onto Anaheim the next day. There we are staying at the Park Vue Inn for 7 nights. We are buying our SoCa CityPASS from Costco. We will upgrade to the 5 day passes. We will also see Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, and take in the beach. After that we drive to San Diego to see the Zoo and Seaworld. Then off to the Grand Canyon, and Vegas. My wife says that I am more excited then the kids. Less than a month to go.

 

[dvcdisney]

If you have a car I would highly recommend a day in Hollywood. You can get a tour of the stars homes for about $50 for 4 people if you wait until the last minute and then tell them you will go. They hang around the star walk of fame. It's actually a fun way to see some of Hollywood/Beverley Hills. Five days in DL is more than enough, trust me. We have visited DL many times but after 3 or 4 days it's repetitive. Actually, now we only go for 2 or 3 days tops.

California is so much more than DL. It's my favourite state after Hawaii, which can't be beat.

Thanks for the suggestions. We are getting a 4 day DL pass and planning on spending the first and last day at the resort (VGC) since we've never stayed there. That just leaves us with 1 day at Universal. I think we're all in agreement that we will just take it easy at the resort and not bother driving around Hollywood at this time. Plus, I believe I'm the only one interested in touring Hollywood and even then, I'm fine staying at the resort. I think when the kids are older, they may have a better appreciation for the tours. In the meantime, we'll just have to settle with spending time at the VGC resort during our downtime.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

We head down to DL/SoCal at least once a year. Not only is it easier, quicker and less expensive for us to go to CA, we love DL/DCA exponentially more than WDW (and that's coming from people who just spent 16 nights at WDW in March). We love to split two weeks between DL and San Diego (which has turned into my absolute favourite city).

If only we had known about DVC resale when we bought our points at AKV back in 2011, we would have put our money towards VGC and not believed our guide who assured us that there should never be any issues booking VGC at 7 months (and I do take full responsibility for not putting in the research time before we bought).

 

[LSmith]

Love, love, love California...I'm going to miss it when it falls into the sea...we were actually in San Diego 4 years ago when an earthquake hit.

I've never had a bad trip to SoCal - no matter how long you stay there's always something else to do. On our most recent visit a month ago we did 1 day DL, 1 day DCA and 1 day Universal Studios. That left us two 1/2 days to sight-see, we went to Hollywood, the Santa Monica Pier and the LeBrea Tar Pits. We'd certainly go more often if we could get airfare out of a border city like some of you can - flights from Calgary average $500.00/pp.

Airfare from Toronto is more than $500 pp. You can maybe fly out of Buffalo for that price though.

One of my favourite places is Pasadena. I always say that I would love to live there. It's like out of a dream beautiful. Also, a trip up the Pacific coast highway has phenomenal views. San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, IMO.

We still haven't made it to the LeBrea Tar Pits even though it's on our list every year.

Love California.

 

[BCmomma]

We are there the same time! 17-23. Where are you staying?

Best Western Anaheim Inn, you? We leave Vancouver on Aug 17th

 

[mamaCta]

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[alc571]

Best Western Anaheim Inn, you? We leave Vancouver on Aug 17th

We are at Ayres Hotel Anaheim. DH didn't want to be within walking distance for some odd reason. He wanted to be away from the chaos and drive there. We are flying out of Detroit on the 17th.

 

[Sammy Cat]

We were in Anaheim in March and it was wonderful. I have to say, after having been to WDW's Magic Kingdom 2 times before, I actually prefer Disneyland - it just has a more magical feel, somehow. While it is the same in a lot of ways, it has just as many differences and I loved it. Our fave was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - we had so much fun. The weather was perfect (except you had to prepare for cooler mornings and evenings). I did miss the people mover, though.

That said, I highly recommend doing Disneyland at least once in your life! We also really enjoying DCA - California Screamin was our fave rollercoaster of the trip.

We had 8 days in LA and we also went to Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal (with So-Cal pass from Costco), and we went to the Natural History Museum (but wishing we went to La Brea instead). Also visited the Farmer's Market, Santa Monica Pier, and Medieval Times. We had trouble making it on time to places due to Freeway traffic and getting lost once or twice. I would recommend taking at least two weeks to really enjoy the area to the fullest. We ran out of time so we didn't get to visit the Hollywood sign or the Griffith Observatory or Knottsberry Farm. This just makes me want to go back because there was so much to see and do - try not to over-schedule yourself!

We also went to San Diego for 3 nights, but in that time we only got to Sea World, Legoland and Old Town. There was no time for the Zoo. We absolutely LOVED visiting Coronado Beach - we have nothing like that in Canada (well not in the prairies anyway!)

 

[Disneylovers2000]

This will be our second trip. The first being in late Aug of 2009, when the kids were only 9, 7, & 5. We are heading out from Vancouver on July 21, stopping in Red Bluff, Ca. for the night then onto Anaheim the next day. There we are staying at the Park Vue Inn for 7 nights. We are buying our SoCa CityPASS from Costco. We will upgrade to the 5 day passes. We will also see Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, and take in the beach. After that we drive to San Diego to see the Zoo and Seaworld. Then off to the Grand Canyon, and Vegas. My wife says that I am more excited then the kids. Less than a month to go.

WOW! We are leaving Edmonton on the 21st and heading your direction and down the coast! We will be staying at the Park Vue as well!! We will be there from July 24 - Aug 1! We plan on doing the 5 day hopper pass and Huntington Beach as well as I have read that they are having a huge Surf competition as well! Want to take some down time too. Be cautious, I have read that Disneyland won't upgrade the City pass Disney passes. Not sure if this is true, but it would be worth it to call and ask them just to be on the safe side. Have a wonderful trip! Perhaps we will pass in the walkways! Only a couple of weeks now!!

 

[Phoenixrising]

A BC'er heading down to DL from Nov 24 to 29, staying at the Best Western Park Place Inn. I can't wait!