Another 1st time planner here - need advice!

[mickeymom629]

My 21 year old son lives in L.A. I haven't flown in 23 years , but I really want to plan a trip for me, DH and my DS 17 (will be a senior in high school) to visit next April during the high school spring break. It will be the first week in April. DS 24 may come, too.

We have all been to WDW numberous times (it's our home-away-from-home) and we are DVC members, so I would like to stay 3 nights at one of the resorts using our points. Don't want to use more points than that will cost! Which resort would you recommend?

I have no idea about the best place to get tickets or what attractions we will want to see.

Which 3 nights should I plan for? Are there 3 day passes? Is it going to be crazy crowded for spring break? Will park hours be extended during that time and will the night shows be nightly so we don't miss fireworks/Fantasmic?

Who knows when/if we will ever get to the west coast again, so we will be doing other minor site-seeing (suggestions welcome) during the week besides Disney and I think 3 1/2 days is all I can think we'll have time for.

DS21 who lives in CA wants to go to 6-Flags Magic Mountain, also. He and DS17 are ride-fanatics!! Not sure the rest of us want to go there.

Also, I was thinking about staying near DL with a package deal including tickets (if I can find any good ones) for other nights of our trip but only using the tickets during our DVC stay. Does that make sense?

Thanks!
Debbie

 

[scion5220]

I think that since the DVC Villas opened at the GC that you can no longer use points to stay at the hotels at Disneyland.

I don't know that for sure, just something I read somewhere...can't remember where right now.

So you may want to check on that and make reservations soon because there are a smaller than usual amount of DVC Villas at the GC.

 

[mickeymom629]

Thanks for the response, but my membership book shows the allotment for points at PP and DLH as well as GC. In fact, there's a choice between standard and park/premium view.

 

[skiingfast]

My 21 year old son lives in L.A. I haven't flown in 23 years , but I really want to plan a trip for me, DH and my DS 17 (will be a senior in high school) to visit next April during the high school spring break. It will be the first week in April. DS 24 may come, too.

Start by reading the DLR guide for WDW Vets, it will help you plan greatly.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

We have all been to WDW numberous times (it's our home-away-from-home) and we are DVC members, so I would like to stay 3 nights at one of the resorts using our points. Don't want to use more points than that will cost! Which resort would you recommend?

GCH is the most WDW like and very close to the gates, but costs the most. DLH will be almost fully remodeled. PPH is great but a limited hotel ameneties wise. You can save the most money staying offsite, and that has many super close, sometimes closer options.

I have no idea about the best place to get tickets or what attractions we will want to see.

You will want to see the night shows, and most of the rides. Some rides are Unique, some are different than the WDW counterpart.

Which 3 nights should I plan for? Are there 3 day passes? Is it going to be crazy crowded for spring break? Will park hours be extended during that time and will the night shows be nightly so we don't miss fireworks/Fantasmic?

3 weekdays. Yes you can get a 3day park hopper. Hours should be long since it's peak season.

Who knows when/if we will ever get to the west coast again, so we will be doing other minor site-seeing (suggestions welcome) during the week besides Disney and I think 3 1/2 days is all I can think we'll have time for.

The guide linked above will give you some ideas, but if you are staying by the area's number one attraction, you may not want to venture too far.

DS21 who lives in CA wants to go to 6-Flags Magic Mountain, also. He and DS17 are ride-fanatics!! Not sure the rest of us want to go there.

If you aren't sure, you probably don't want to go. Magic Mountain is a sort of cheap, mediocre park with lots of rollercoasters.

Also, I was thinking about staying near DL with a package deal including tickets (if I can find any good ones) for other nights of our trip but only using the tickets during our DVC stay. Does that make sense?

It should turn out cheaper using your point you already have. If you stay DVC I believe you can get discounted tickets, but don't know the details.

 

[mickeymom629]

Thanks skiingfast! Lots of great advice and suggestions. I was hoping to go on the weekdays, especially Tu and Th for the early morning entry, and I'm glad to hear that hours will be extended like they are in WDW. We are used to touring with crowds during peak times. I just have to get my plan organized.

What do you mean offsite has many close, even closer options?

I appreciate the info about Magic Mountain. Definitely not for me.

I have added HydroGuy's link to my Favorites so I can read it all.

Can my son buy our tickets using his in-state discount? Is that the cheapest way to go?

 

[skiingfast]

What do you mean offsite has many close, even closer options?


I have added HydroGuy's link to my Favorites so I can read it all.

In that link it will describe it. Generally at WDW staying onsite is preferred. At DLR it's very different. Since the east side of DLR is a public street across from the park it's lined by hotel/motels. The gates into DL and DCA have a wide walkway between them. The walkway goes to Harbor Blvd on the east side, DTD, the GCH and DLH on the west end.

On Harbor you have a couple places that are closer than most of the GCH rooms. A bunch closer than the DLH and PPH. So lots of options at roughly 1/3 or 1/2 price. But they are fairly basic places, think WDW Value's with no themeing.