Bunch of trip questions

[lfwebb]

We are going to Disneyland, Universal Hollywood, and Legoland from March 9-15. Planning to fly into Orange County and rent a van. We have two children, ages 7 and 4. We're also going with another couple, who have a 7 year old. We've been to Disneyworld twice before, but needed some help on the California thing. I'd love to hear any suggestions on:

1. Should we stay at DLH or GC? We typically spend very little time in the rooms. We get to the parks 1st thing in the morn and tend to go straight to bed when we get back. Since we're coming home with tired kids, we don't want a long haul back to the room. Is DLH just as convenient? Or should we spring for GC?

2. We will be arriving on a Saturday and going to Disneyland that afternoon. We will then have Sunday through Thursday to spend: 1 day at Universal, 1 day at Legoland, 1 day at GCA, 1 days at DL, and 1 day revisiting favorites at DL and GCA. Any suggestions on where we should spend what day? We don't care if our Disney days are split up.

I understand DL has early entry all days except Wed and Sun, that GCA has no early entry, and that Universal has no early entry. Correct? How does that play in with what schedule we should pick?

3. There seem to be no specials on rooms or packages now. I was told that there never are any for the Spring. Is that true???

4. Any sense for how long it will take us to drive from the hotel to Universal and from the hotel to Legoland?

Thank you SOOO much for your help. I've been trying to figure this out by reading old posts but still am a bit lost.

Lucie

 

[preshi]

1) Both are REALLY close to the exit's GC is closer however DLH is at the end of the walk but it's no more than 100 yrds away I would say.

I can't help you much on the rest sorry I am sure there are lots of others who will though

Have fun planning and Welcome to the DIS

 

[lfwebb]

Thanks for the info. I can live with 100 yards! Sounds like all arrows are pointing to DLH!
Lucie

 

[LuvTigger]

Congrats on your DL trip!


#1 First of all, I'm not sure how familiar you are with DL and the surrounding area, but in DL, it is more "acceptable" to stay off site than it is in WDW. (This coming from someone who MUST stay on site when going to WDW!) DL is a park that is smack in the middle of a city, so the atmosphere is not the same as WDW which is a city in itself. I mentioned that because I get the impression that you feel that you must stay at a DL Hotel. Not that that's a bad thing! If you can afford to stay at one of the DL hotels, I say go for it!

Okay, that being said...GC is very convenient to DCA, but DLH and PP are also close enough to walk (there are also lots of off site hotels which are walking distance). I don't think the distance is a significant factor. I suppose whatever appeals to you and your family. If the pool is important, DLH has a themed pool. GC is supposed to be kinda like WL in WDW, but the pool doesn't sound as spectacular as DLH.

(I'm so excited, I'll be at GC in one month!!! I'll definitely post lots of notes after my visit!!!)

#2 I'm not sure how busy any of those parks is on a Sunday. I know Saturday is a bad day for any park though. My guess is that because it's still a weekend, Sunday may be busy, and you might want to do one of the parks that is generally lower in attendance on that day. I have heard that Sunday mornings are great though! However, park hours are a factor too. Sunday's park hours at any of those parks may be longer than Mon-Thu. Perhaps someone who is a CA resident can better answer this one? Also, someone may want to address the topic of Sunday traffic. My guess is that it would be minimal, but I'm not sure. If it is minimal, it might be a good day to do Universal since that's where the traffic is on weekdays.

Also, I would take advantage of EE. Keep in mind though that EE is not only for onsite guests. Those staying off site with certain types of passes may be allowed EE as well. You may want to consider doing a non-Disney park on Sunday and Wednesday.

#3 Discounts in general are harder to come by at DL, unlike WDW. However, they did have some pretty good room-only rates on sites like Travelocity, but mostly at PP, and sometimes DLH. I didn't see any significant discounts at GC. However, it might be a little early to search for discounts. I got a DC discount at GC (10%) during the second week of October. AAA might offer discounts too. You could always ask for a quote from DU (I booked thru them, they've been great!), and ask them your questions about discounts and packages.

I'm not sure about your question regarding availability of special packages during the spring.

#4 Universal is about 45 min - 1 hr. 15 min., depending on traffic. Legoland is closer to San Diego, my guess is to allow a minimum of 1 hr. 30 min.

I know I've left gaps yet to be answered, but hopefully that'll get you off to a start!!

Happy Planning!!!

 

[WDW2002]

Originally posted by LuvTigger
You may want to consider doing a non-Disney park on Sunday and Wednesday.

I am not so sure this is the greatest stratagey. Any park you go to is going to be busy on Sunday, disney or non-disney. But Weds. is the least busy day at Disneyland (partly because of no early entry). I would go to Disneyland on Weds.

 

[daannzzz]

Some of the offsite motels are a closer walk than the Disneyland Hotel!!! Grand Californian is the closest. The walk from Disneyland entrance to the Disneyland hotel would be like from the Magic Kingdom to The Copntemporary (maybe a hair closer). You can take tha Monorail from tomorrowland to the station near the hotel which would make the walk alot less.

 

[lfwebb]

Thanks for all of your tips. We can't wait for our trip!

 

[trishamg]

Just another tip for you! If you are planning on visiting Legoland I would probably make that my trip on Sunday. If you end up driving there on a weekday it could take up to 3 hours depending on traffic. If do plan on going on Sunday it may take 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Since I live here in Southern Calif. I know for fact the traffic to and from San Diego are on the 5 fwy is tough. Don't forget about the Buena Park are when you travel on Beach Blvd. there is Knotts Berry Farm, Movieland Wax Museum, Ripleys Believe it or not, Medevil Times, Wild Bills and Adventure City (great for kids!). Hope you have a great trip.

 

[lfwebb]

Trishamg: Thanks for that tip. One more question, if you don't mind. Since we're driving over to Universal as well, which has worse traffic on a weekday? Do you think we're better off going to Legoland or Universal on Sunday? If Legoland, what day (Monday-Thursday) would you suggest we drive over to Universal? Does it matter from a traffic perspective? Thanks for your help.

 

[trishamg]

if webb, I think its a toss up to which is worse. You might be better off going to Legoland during the week if you can plan to drive in off peak traffic times. Going to Universal can be just as bad sometimes on the weekend as it is during the week depending if there are concerts or special events. I would recommend going to both on weekends because of traffic time but there will substansially less crowds at the parks during the week. I guess its a give and take type thing going on. More time in traffic or more time in lines at the park? Anyway, I'm sure it will work out fine whichever you pick! Have a nice trip.

 

[lfwebb]

Thanks for the info. We can't wait for our trip!