Anyone here been to or planning a trip to Disneyland, CA?

[Danauk]

OK so I know this is supposed to be a forum for UK Disers planning trips to WDW but I figured one thread on the origional Disneyland would be OK!!

So have any of you either been to or planning a trip to DL? We are planning a 5 night stay there next year as part of our 18 night US holiday and have not been before. We are staying at the Grand Californian, I can't wait to be that close to the parks!!

So if you have been lucky enough to visit DL already what did you think? Any must do's and tips? (I've been reading the DL forums here a lot recently!). Or if you are planning a trip there what are your plans?

I'm really excited about planning our trip, I just wish it was this summer and not next!!

 

[Claire L]

We went to DL in 2003 and loved it. I have also been to DL in 1991 and 1998 but 2001 was great as had time to explore DL and DCA. The castle is the major wow it is so small compard to the castle at WDW but the park itself is cute. DCA is different and has some great rides.

Where else are you staying besides DL?

Claire

 

[pigginpink]

I am planning to go August Next year, 1 week anaheim, 3 days san diego and 3 days somewhere else, not decided yet but off to florida 90 days and counting, so any advice and help would be appreciated.

 

[mungo]

We also went in 2003, and we loved it

The parks are much smaller, but you get to see all the best rides with a few special to California as well. We also liked Knotts berry, and every time i hear the beach boys i think of there

 

[Danauk]

Where else are you staying besides DL?

Claire

We are going to Six Flags Magic Mountain for a few days (we love coasters we will spend a day at Knotts Berry Farm whilst at DL), then to Hollywood for 3 nights to do the studio tours, then 7 nights in Vegas staying at the Bellagio. We have been to Vegas a few times before though so we know we will love that!!

pigginpink, we will be there next August too! We think we will fly Maxjet as they have just put a new route in to LAX, they are a business class airline and the prices are the same as BA and Virgin economy!!!

 

[jockey]

We went back in 2001 and loved it. We were there for 4 days and found that was plenty of time. There were a few different rides compared with WDW. You will have a great time!

 

[Claire L]

Dana, we stayed at the Bellagio last year Do make a visit to the Grand Canyon it is a great place to see. Universal in Hollywood is very good, much prefer it to Orlando's smaller studios.

Claire

 

[CustardTart]

So have any of you either been to or planning a trip to DL? We are planning a 5 night stay there next year as part of our 18 night US holiday and have not been before. We are staying at the Grand Californian, I can't wait to be that close to the parks!!

Hi, we stayed at the GC for 5 nights over New Year in 2005/2006! We had a wonderful time - the hotel is gorgeous and being so close to the parks and DTD is fab. My only suggestion would be to make some ADRs as it seems the on-site restaurants are popular with locals and get booked up v quickly. BTW I recommend Napa Rose inside the GC - it's gorgeous! We spent the day at Knotts Berry - the thrill-seekers in the party loved it! That wooden roller-coaster is amazing...

We're going back to the West Coast in August 2008 too - we're booked on the DCL Mexican Riviera cruise and planning to see more of LA (Universal Studios etc) and San Diego too. Very interested in the Maxjet suggestion - the flights have been the only fly in the ointment as looking sooo expensive - but this seems a great alternative...

 

[Danauk]

Yeah, we plan to make several ADR's. We are going to use the vacation planning team at the hotel to help us book everything. We were thinking of the Plaza Inn for a character breakfast, then Blue Bayou for lunch one day and dinner at Nappa Rose, the Vineyard Room and Cafe Orleans. Hopefully vacation planning will be able to get us seats for the Fantasmic Balcony seating too as well as a place on the Walk in Walts footsteps tour.

Custardtart, when in San Diego you must go for a meal at the Hotel Del Coronado, it is the hotel that the Grand Floridian is based on and it is so beautiful. We also loved the zoo and wild animal park in San Diego too. As for Max Jet it is working out at £1300 cheaper to fly with them for the 2 of us as opposed to Virgin PE which we were going to book. With that price difference we can have 2 more nights in Vegas!!

ClaireL, I have been to the Grand Canyon a few times too. We have both driven out there (I have a friend who lives in Arizona who we stayed with once and she drove us there) plus have done the Vegas helicpoter tour thing. We will definately be doing that again though as I agree it is amazing.

 

[CustardTart]

Custardtart, when in San Diego you must go for a meal at the Hotel Del Coronado, it is the hotel that the Grand Floridian is based on and it is so beautiful. We also loved the zoo and wild animal park in San Diego too. As for Max Jet it is working out at £1300 cheaper to fly with them for the 2 of us as opposed to Virgin PE which we were going to book. With that price difference we can have 2 more nights in Vegas!!

My DH wants to stay there! I showed him a photo and he's very keen! We'll have to see - tho', as you say, the price of the Maxjet flights makes it all more affordable. We flew VA UC when we went to LA before but looking at the prices for this summer - they seem insane!

I'm interested that you're visiting Las Vegas as I thought it would be too hot in August so excluded it from our itinerary. My DS would love to do that so if we could fly into Vegas and out of LAX that would be brilliant...

 

[Danauk]

We have been to Vegas in August 2 times before and although it was hot it was a dry heat and was quite nice. Plus all the casinos are cool and they have mister jets coming off the front of a lot of the casinos as you walk along the strip!! I actually prefer Las Vegas August weather to Orlando August weather due to the lack of humidity. We are planning on flying into LAX and out of Las Vegas using Maxjet. I see you live in Kent so getting to the airport will probably take you a little longer as Maxjet fly from Stansted (this is much better for us living in the midlands.)

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

In 2005 I stayed at the Grand Californian at Disney great location, and for a pre DCL Cruise in 2008, I hope to stay at DL resort for three days.

DL park is great, I didnt rate the Californian adventure park though, requires only half a day.

 

[CustardTart]

That's so good to know! We're used to WDW in August so I'm very excited that we can add-on a Las Vegas trip. I love it when a plan comes together!!! TBH I'd actually thought about cancelling the Mexican Riviera cruise as flights were looking so awkward and horrendous price-wise...

Stansted is OK for us - we live in SE London, near M25 so 50/60 mins away - sooo much better than getting to/from LHR. Plus the flight to Vegas with VA is from LGW, which is a mere 35 mins away from us but the return flight from LAX goes to LHR which would be an absolute pain. Maxjet rule! I can't thank you enough for the info!

 

[Danauk]

Your welcome Custardtart I guess now you have to start thinking about Vegas hotels as well!! I recommend the Bellagio or Venetian, the Wynn is nice too but the others, especially the Bellagio have a better location. Or if you have kids/teens the New York New York is a good choice (we loved the rollercoster and Colney Island arcade there, plus the casino floor theaming is really cool!)