Canadians in Disneyland? and some questions

[MellieluvsDisney]

Hello all!

I've been to Disney World 2 times, and this year will be our 3rd trip. Next year, we are planing on going to Las Vegas for a couple of days, and we would like to fly out of Las Vegas to LA to visit Disneyland. We've never been there, and I was wondering if many Canadians have gone to Disneyland? Can you give me some advice on how to get from LAX to Disneyland?

Is it better to stay on-site or off-site? If so, any recommandations?

Also, we were planing on staying there 5 days, is that too much or not enough?

Thank you on the info you can give me!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hello all!

I've been to Disney World 2 times, and this year will be our 3rd trip. Next year, we are planing on going to Las Vegas for a couple of days, and we would like to fly out of Las Vegas to LA to visit Disneyland. We've never been there, and I was wondering if many Canadians have gone to Disneyland? Can you give me some advice on how to get from LAX to Disneyland?

Is it better to stay on-site or off-site? If so, any recommandations?

Also, we were planing on staying there 5 days, is that too much or not enough?

Thank you on the info you can give me!

Hmmm, I do believe that Canadians are allowed at DLR and do go.

If you are flying from Vegas consider going into SNA - much closer and nicer. Check this link: "Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

On-site is more fun but much more expensive. Many folks are like me and stay on-site at WDW but (usually) off-site at DLR. Wherever you stay you should stay close. See HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Five days is enough. We have never done five - usually 3-4.

Also see "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[aristocat65]

Most of the Canadians on the west coast only go to Disneyland. For us it is only 2.5 hours away. I don't know anyone aside from our family (and other crazy BC DISers) who goes to WDW. It takes an entire day of travel with no non-stop options to get there.

5 days is certainly enough. You may want to take a day off in the middle to sight see around LA. Most people also stay offsite at DLR as the offsite hotels are often as close as the Disney ones. Sheraton Anaheim and Candy Cane Inn are both good options and walking distance. (Sheraton a little further as it is 'behind' DLR).

I agree with Hydroguy that SNA (Orange County) is the airport you want to go to. We always have to use LAX as we have no other non-stop options and I hate it. Too far, too dirty, and too busy.
Another great option is LGB (Long Beach). Its a cute little retro airport and only about 25 minutes from DLR. Car Rental is right across the parking lot in a trailer-so easy. They also have flat rate cabs to DLR. I think Southwest flies to Orange County and Jet Blue flies into Long Beach.

Good Luck.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Another Crazy Canuck checking in! I can highly recommend Howard Johnson Anahiem. They give us fellow DISer's a 15% discount on their hotel rooms, they have a great Pirate play area for the kids, and our family love to stay there. IMHO 5 days is more than enough time to visit both parks. Both DL and CA are alot closer together than you think, and it's easy to "hop" between the parks. Both Super Shuttle and the Disneyland Express are the two main shuttles from LAX, and are reasonably priced. I haven't used either, but have booked Super Shuttles Execucar service with a Honda Odyssey for my solo trip, as being a solo traveller, want to travel a direct route to and from the Airport. This service is non stop, but alot more expensive than Super Shuttles van service. I hope that this answers some questions that you may have.

 

[smiley_face2]

well for the Canadians not living out east which believe it or not is a few million of us... Disneyland is the park of choice due in most part to it's proximity. We drive down from BC every year, some years twice! Vegas is only a 4 hour drive from DL so you could think about renting a car & driving too. We have stayed in severaly hotels in the area, including the Disneyland Hotel. We particularly like Howard Johnsons, for it's proximity, beautiful grounds, super comfy beds, super friendly service.... and at certain times super prices by using either an annual Disneyland pass (which we have had for years) or the entertainment book. 5 days is a good amount of time, but we have regularly spent a full 2 weeks down there and been to Disneyland nearly every day during that time. One time was 3 weeks, but we did a lot of other things as well, like going to San Diego for Sea World and the zoo, Knotts Berry farm, Universal studios etc. We have never gone for less than 7 full days and would not like to do that little amount of time again.

 

[jasy]

Another Canadian here! We are in AB and go a couple of times a year at least.

We have stayed both onsite and off. If you can afford it I would vote for on. But if you can't the Hojo is really great too.

Flying in and out of LAX is a breeze, so I wouldn't be concerned BUT if you can I would highly suggest flying into or out of SNA it is an awesome airport, if I could get a direct flight it would be my airport of choice.

As for the number of days I find more than 3 or 4 to be too many for me but since this is your first time 5 days should give you lots of time to explore.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[glendalais]

Hmmm, I do believe that Canadians are allowed at DLR and do go.

Most of the Canadians on the west coast only go to Disneyland. For us it is only 2.5 hours away. I don't know anyone aside from our family (and other crazy BC DISers) who goes to WDW. It takes an entire day of travel with no non-stop options to get there.

well for the Canadians not living out east which believe it or not is a few million of us... Disneyland is the park of choice due in most part to it's proximity.

Indeed, many Canadians do visit the Disneyland Resort. Some of us (with prior work authorizations) even work or have worked there *raises hand* :.

Most do come from points west of Manitoba, but even some Quebecers come, and again, even work there (Montréal-bred and raised) from time to time.

But yes, 5 days should be more than enough time to visit DLR as well as other Southern California points-of-interest.

Staying at a Good Neighbour ("offsite") hotel is certainly cheaper, and some of them are indeed closer to the Theme Parks than some of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, but for the full immersion experience, you might want to consider splurging a little and staying at a Disney Hotel. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is certainly very nice, complete with it's own private entrance into Disney California Adventure Park.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a discount and are a CAA-Québec member, you can present your membership card for discounts at many local hotels and merchants (those that accept AAA Cards). In addition, you can contact a local Voyages CAA-Québec Service Centre to discuss special offers and vacation packages (in English) with an agent.

For more information about the Disneyland Resort in general, visit http://www.disneyland.ca/ or http://www.disneyparks.ca/

 

[albertamom]

I don't have a whole lot new to add, but wanted to welcome another Canadian to the wonderful, fabulous, magical world of Disneyland!

As others have said, LAX is our only option from the west, in terms of a direct flight, but we have had absolutely no problems with it. An airport is an airport, and the travel day is such a small part of the trip that I try not to obsess over it.

We love DLR so much, because we don't need a rental car! We have always used Supershuttle, and have never been disappointed.

We always stay 7 nights (giving us 6 full days there). Usually, 5 of those are at DLR and one is a day trip (Seaworld, Knott's, Universal). Personally, I would never do less than 5 days...it gives you all the time you need to see absolutely everything you want to, and not feel rushed. It's also nice to be able to have a little downtime at the hotel, and not feel pressured to get back out there.

Definitely stay onsite, if you can, but there are so many excellent Good Neighbour Hotels, that you can't go wrong there either.

Again...welcome, and have a wonderful trip!

 

[MellieluvsDisney]

Thank you all for all the information you have provided me with. I will sure get information from my local CAA-Québec service center on the different hotels around Disneyland.

And it seems that SNA is the best option to fly to. I will also look into that.

Thank you, and I cannot wait to visit Disneyland next year!

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Another Canadian checking in and saying !! We're planning our stay at the HOJO in November and we're also doing 5 days. HydroGuy's tips are priceless, I have used them to plan our trip and I think our trip will be awesome because of them!!

Good luck and have fun planning!!

 

[jtown]

Just adding another "SNA's closer and much smaller" comment. You'll get in and out much more quickly there. To get to a nearby hotel, you can take the Disneyland Resort Express (tho a shared taxi van may be a better choice depending on the number of people). "Off-site" can be as close as "across the street" depending on where you stay. Some people swear by the immersive Disney experience but there are a bunch of okay places in the $60USD/night or less range within easy walking distance. Fancy hotels don't do anything for me so I tend to go with the cheapest place with good reviews when I have to stay in a hotel.

5 days should be more than enough time for both parks.

While there is currently a small tax of approximately 3% for Canadians, y'all are certainly welcome to visit. And that tax is much lower than it used to be. Just 10 years ago, it was approaching 40%. Wait. That's not good.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

While there is currently a small tax of approximately 3% for Canadians, y'all are certainly welcome to visit. And that tax is much lower than it used to be. Just 10 years ago, it was approaching 40%. Wait. That's not good.

Ya know, I was really enjoying the days of no tax at all but I guess 3% is better than 40%

 

[guarian22]

Not a Canadian here, but I live awfully close. Here's some additional info to check out as far as flying goes. If you are within driving distance of Bellingham, WA, check out Alaska Airlines. It's not a direct flight, you have a stop over in Seattle, but many of the flights, especially a couple months out or more, are going for $89 each way into SNA. Just don't plan on going in September 2010, cause the airport will be completely closed for rebuilding of the runway so it can handle larger planes. If you haven't flown out of BLI before, it's great. You can park, get through check in and security and be ready to board the plane in less than 30 minutes at most times.

 

[Dobie]

I can't speak for Canadians in Disneyland, but a group of (presumably) Canadian girls serenaded us with a rousing rendition of "Oh Canada" in a Metro station in Paris at midnight last week. They were adorable and received much applause!!!

 

[aristocat65]

Not a Canadian here, but I live awfully close. Here's some additional info to check out as far as flying goes. If you are within driving distance of Bellingham, WA, check out Alaska Airlines. It's not a direct flight, you have a stop over in Seattle, but many of the flights, especially a couple months out or more, are going for $89 each way into SNA. Just don't plan on going in September 2010, cause the airport will be completely closed for rebuilding of the runway so it can handle larger planes. If you haven't flown out of BLI before, it's great. You can park, get through check in and security and be ready to board the plane in less than 30 minutes at most times.

OP is from Quebec, but flying to DLR from Las Vegas during a trip there, so luckily they can use SNA. I agree about BLI though. I'm excited to use it for our Alaska flights to Las Vegas in November. Alaska just needs a direct flight to SNA for us now.

 

[guarian22]

OP is from Quebec, but flying to DLR from Las Vegas during a trip there, so luckily they can use SNA. I agree about BLI though. I'm excited to use it for our Alaska flights to Las Vegas in November. Alaska just needs a direct flight to SNA for us now.

It would be nice to be non-stop from BLI to SNA, but then they would probably have to raise the price. It costs more to fly from SEA to SNA ($99 min) then from BLI to SNA, even though you stop over at SEA from BLI. Go figure how that works out.

 

[jtown]

It would be nice to be non-stop from BLI to SNA, but then they would probably have to raise the price. It costs more to fly from SEA to SNA ($99 min) then from BLI to SNA, even though you stop over at SEA from BLI. Go figure how that works out.

Don't try to figure it out. You'll just get a migraine. The first time I booked a flight years and years ago, I was flying from the west coast to the east coast. I got prices going from my little podunk town to another little podunk town. Not bad. But how much would I save if I knocked that last leg off and drove up from the big airport on the east coast? Oh. That's way more expensive. For the exact same two legs of the trip minus the third leg. Same with removing a leg on the west coast. And just flying from big airport to big airport was even more expensive. So the more flights I had on my trip, the lower the total cost.