Anyone been to DL ...?"s

[hockey mom]

Hi all we just booked our first visit to DL for Nov. We are staying in the GCV. Can't wait.

Anywhoo i was wondering if anyone can help me out with a few things.

1-which airport is it better to fly into Lax or Sna

2- how did you get to the resort from there- cab or shuttle

3-how many days did you need to do it all

4-any other great tips would be helpful.

 

[irisesareblue]

We drove, so can't help you with the air questions, but can tell you that you will need 3 days to do Disneyland parks well. Two days for Disneyland proper, and 1 day for Disney's California Adventure. Downtown Disney is so close and the parks can be accessed from one another quite easily - each entrance is just across the entrance plaza from the other. If you're staying at the Grand Californian, you will be so close to the action - how exciting! A 3 day pass will get you early morning entry as well. Just remember that everyone who buys a 3 or more day pass gets these early morning entries - it isn't something that is just unique to DL onsite guests.

You can also buy a package that includes a shuttle (through Grayline I think) to Universal Studios - very reasonable. Universal Studios has a tram ride that is awesome and unique to that park.

If you get a chance, have lunch at the counter service French Market - it is a Stouffer's Restaurant in New Orleans Square - best meal we ever had on a vacation and the portion sizes were so huge we couldn't eat it all.

I consulted the Unofficial guide to Disneyland when we went and it was very useful.

 

[hockey mom]

Excellent- thank-you - i jotted down French Market on my to do list.

 

[squirrel]

We flew into LAX. We purchased the transfers before we went - it was a bus like the ME, but you have to pay for it. It drops people off at several hotels. They may have a seperate bus just for the Disney resorts.

I ate at a TS restaurant in New Orleans (Cafe Orleans) that was really good. They have Monte Cristo sandwiches and Parmessan French Fries.

IHOP is near by and offers kids eat free after 4pm with an adult entree. Millie's is also up the street from IHOP and it's like a Denny's with kids eat for .99. Mimi's Restaurant is near HoJo's and it has large sizes and is inexpensive.

I think it depends on what ages you have and what time of year you are going. I took my niece in 2007 and we had 3 full days and 2 half days.

Check out the Disneyland section of the DisBoards

 

[almacdonald]

If you can fly into SNA, that is a far better choice! The airport is much smaller and less hectic AND much closer to Disneyland!

 

[DeannaMKB]

Hi, we flew into LAX and rented a car. We used Budget and it worked well (the shuttles run right from baggage claim to the various car rental agencies). We had a GPS thank goodness so we didn't have to worry about where we were going but LA traffic is pretty awful (a little different than here on the Prairies!) I agree that you need 3 full days in the parks. Have fun!!

 

[Oshawa]

You will love the Grand Californian. We stayed there last August.
We flew into LAX and decided the next trip we would not do that again. We would try SNA.
We went through a private shuttle company because it was cheaper for all of us than the Magical Express they have. I can send you the name of the company...I would recommend them to anyone.
We purchased a 5 day hopper and got the 6th day for free. It was great because we did not feel rushed to see everything and could go back to room for a rest or swim when we wanted to.
If you need any more info just let me know. Love to help out.

 

[c&m]

We go to DL almost every year - though last year was probably our last time for a long time. Our daughters are older, and they enjoy WDW so much more.

We've flown into LAX, SNA, and LGB (Long Beach). LAX is too big, and the traffic to get from LAX to DL is horrid, unless you land later in the evening. SNA is OK and closer - don't mind that one. Out of all 3 airports, we prefer LGB the most. It is a smaller airport that is 20 min. from DL. You literally get off the airplane, walk a few steps to the baggage carousel, and the car rental is steps away. I also find it costs me less to fly into LGB from the west coast.

We always rent a car, so can't really tell you about the cab or shuttle. Don't really recommend the cab though. That would cost you a small fortune, esp. if you get stuck in L.A. traffic. Have you looked into renting a car? If you do decide on a shuttle, pick a smaller shuttle van (like a Mears shuttle van) so there are less passenger drop-offs along the way.

We always buy the 3-day hopper. That seems to be just enough for us to do all the rides and shows we want.

Other tips...
1. When you go to DL, don't forget to get your coffee at the Main Street Market (near the fruit stand) and then keep your receipt. You get free refills the rest of the day - that is, if you can stomach the Nescafe stuff.
2. Make ADRs for Cafe Orleans. Their gumbo soup, pommes frites, montecristo sandwich, and beignets are really yummy. Their food comes out of the same kitchen as the Blue Bayou, which is really nice in terms of ambiance but really pricey. Af Cafe Orleans, you pay slightly less for some of the same food items.
3. If you do end up renting a car, hit the Target store on S. Chapman and S. Harbor Blvd. for bottled water and other things you may have forgotten or need. Also next store to the Target store is a Dollar Store that sells Disney-themed souvenirs for $1.
4. Go to Mimi's Cafe for breakfast/lunch/dinner. It's across the street from the Disney front gates on S. Harbor Blvd. Huge menu, good food, and good prices. They have a website if you want to check out the menu.
5. Go to the Anaheim Garden Plaza for shopping/eating. It's on Katella, near S. Harbor Blvd. There's a Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gump's, CPK, PF Chang's.

Have a great time at DL and enjoy GCV!

 

[smeecanada]

rental is steps away. I also find it costs me less to fly into LGB from the west coast.

Which airlines do you usually use into LGB? From Vancouver or Seattle? Just looking into booking our July trip and as it's just the kids and myself, I'd rather navigate LGB or SNA instead of LAX without DH.

Also, a fun place to eat in DL is The Golden Horseshoe - counter service with a great little show by Billy and the Hillbillies. A must for our family each time we go. Times are listed on the schedule you get at the gate.

 

[hockey mom]

Thanks everyone

We wont be renting a car so I will look into some shuttle places.

Glad to hear some food reviews also.

 

[ABCanada]

We too love LGB. Alaska air flies Vancouver or Victoria thru Seattle. Just booked Victoria LGB for the fall and the connections were good.

Delta also flies to LGB and I believe Jet Blue as well. Not certain about the other airlince.

If you are looking at shuttles ensure you take the bus rather than the vans. The vans imply they are leaving immediately but drive around the airport until they are full and I mean very full.

We have taken a cab from LGB and it was not too bad but that was a few years ago and an off time. Check the airport websites they generally list transportation and costs.

 

[c&m]

Which airlines do you usually use into LGB? From Vancouver or Seattle? Just looking into booking our July trip and as it's just the kids and myself, I'd rather navigate LGB or SNA instead of LAX without DH.

We used Alaska Air flying out of Seattle. Last year during March, we bought airfare for $59 each way SEA-LGB. That was cheaper than the airfare SEA-LAX which was $69 each way and SEA-SNA which was $99 each way. We tried LGB for the first time and just loved it for its simplicity and retro way of doing things.
Also, we got to see AirForce One while we were getting on our plane on the tarmac. Obama was in town and they landed at LGB.

 

[smeecanada]

We used Alaska Air flying out of Seattle. Last year during March, we bought airfare for $59 each way SEA-LGB. That was cheaper than the airfare SEA-LAX which was $69 each way and SEA-SNA which was $99 each way. We tried LGB for the first time and just loved it for its simplicity and retro way of doing things.
Also, we got to see AirForce One while we were getting on our plane on the tarmac. Obama was in town and they landed at LGB.

Thanks, we usually fly out of Seattle - but with DH not going this time around - I'm looking at flying from Vancouver or Victoria (if I can get a decent price). Was hoping for a lead on something from Vancouver.

 

[snickerboo]

We flew into San Diego because we spent half of our trip in SD and half in Anaheim. SD is a smaller airport. It took about an hour to 90 minutes to drive to Anaheim from SD. We rented a car (Alamo-cannot recommend Alamo @ SD airport!!!)

DL is much smaller than WDW and everything is right close together. In a day, we saw almost all of the DL park. I'd think 3 days of park touring would get most of it done. But you're close to so many other great attractions, you might want to do more than just the DL Resort. We did a half day @ Aquarium of the Pacific, 1/2 day of driving the coast and seeing some beaches, Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, etc.

If you're going in Nov-we were there the first week of Nov- (unless it's right @ Thanksgiving) the parks are dead during the week so you'll be able to hop on most of the rides you want. It's also cooler at that time of year (highs about 72ish but the sun takes a long time to come up and sets early so it's not that temp for most of the day). You want to be sure to pack hoodies and pants. If you have kids who want to swim, make sure the pool is heated. Also, be very aware that, in November, many tourist attractions outside of DL are closed midweek. We ran into this w/ Santa Monica Pier and a few other smaller attractions. Double check their operating hours before you go. However, we were at SW San Diego on a Sunday and there was no wait for anything. That rocked!

We really enjoyed our time in Southern California. Hope you do, too!