Completely Overwhelmed!

[glokozar]

I am a WDW expert (I think). My family and I go every year at Christmas for the past several years. My DS(17) and I have always wanted to see DL. A few days ago my DH finally agreed to a trip in December as long as jobs and finances are ok. My DD(11) wants no part of it and says she loves WDW. Here's my dilema: I am a planner, need to know everything when planning a trip. I have been reading the DL boards all week and am now second guessing myself. I know I will not be disappointed in DL because I believe Walt Disney started the magic there and that is my sole reason for wanting to share that with my family. I think it's just the unknown and not sure if I'm booking the right hotel, ticket or location. Please convince me to stay at DL by answering some questions. I am trying to stay on a budget and we will be driving (we do every year). Thanks so much.

1. What are the chances of discounts during Christmas week for on property?
2. Honestly, besides HoJo, what good neighbor hotel do you like the best? (would prefer breakfast and no car charges).
3. What hotels offer a disney view? (something I really enjoy).
4. Compared to WDW how are the crowds during December 21-30?
5. Is a 3 day pass enough time (wanting the California City Pass Ticket)?

 

[glokozar]

Sorry, a few more.

6. Can anyone make priority seating for meals or only DL hotel guests?
7. I love opening the parks and rope drops, is this only for DL guests?
8. How is the weather during that time.

Agian, just answer what you can, I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions and yes, I did read the "guide to WDW vets" posted on the board already. The more info for me the better. Then maybe I can convince my DD she doesn't want to miss this adventure to DL.

 

[teatime]

I will try to answer some if not all your questions ok... and believe me, you do not have to worry. WDW is way more complicated then disneyland. you just walk into the parks, nothing like WDW with buses and monorails etc. its so easy you will laugh when you get to Disneyland .
1. What are the chances of discounts during Christmas week for on property? not much, but again with the motels right across the street from the parks you do not need on property hotels.
2. Honestly, besides HoJo, what good neighbor hotel do you like the best? (would prefer breakfast and no car charges). fairfield inn , and there are two very nice and very inexpensive resturants right next to it!
3. What hotels offer a disney view? (something I really enjoy).on site motels, but then again your going to pay a fortune for that.
4. Compared to WDW how are the crowds during December 21-30? some of ther worst crowds there is. Christmas time is the worst crowd season.
5. Is a 3 day pass enough time (wanting the California City Pass Ticket)?
not during the christmas season !! maybe any other time, but if your wanting to go during christmas then no. I would say go the first week in december, not the last week.

6. Can anyone make priority seating for meals or only DL hotel guests? any one can and 60 days out.
7. I love opening the parks and rope drops, is this only for DL guests? no for everyone
8. How is the weather during that time.

 

[teatime]

Your going to find Disneyland a whole new and the easiest ball game in town!! you stay across the street, and you walk in. nothing like WDW. your worrying for nothing really. but I would say the time you are going is one of the busiest times of the whole year.

here is considered peak season.
Peak Season - Most Crowded
Saturdays
3 day Holiday Weeks
Week Before and After Easter
Summer (Schools are out) through Labor Day
Thanksgiving Weekend
Week Before Christmas through New Years

Off Peak Season - Least Crowded
January Through Late February (Presidents' Day)
April Through the Week Before Memorial Day
Mid-September (After Labor Day) Through Mid-October (Columbus Day)
After Thanksgiving Through The Week Before Christmas

Average Attendence
Late February Through the Week Before Easter
Sundays except for Summer and Holiday Weekends
After Memorial Day Till Schools are out for Summer
After Columbus Day through Thanksgiving

Disneyland is a park you can just walk into from the hotels right out side the gates. there are many to choose from and you can get wonderful deals on them to.
you do not need to stay on property, its nice, but there are hotels right out side the gate that are to me just as nice. the hojo is nice, the fairfield are nice and so forth and there in walking distance to the parks.

 

[medievaldave]

we go to DL the first week of December. You get all the Christmas experience without the crowds. We stayed at the HOJo for the first time last year and it was the best and cheap. We had a room on the 7th floor facing the Matterhorn. By far the best view i ever had.

 

[glokozar]

Thanks for your help. Unfortunatley, I do not have a choice of when I can go, my DH's job closes during Christmas and my children refuse to be pulled out of school (at least my DS(17) does)! The crowds do not bother me as long as I know I can get into the park and not be turned away because it is filled to capcity.

I do like HoJo's (has a Disney View) but no breakfast. I guess we can bring stuff with us. I actually got a pretty good rate of $113 with view.

So, does the park open the same time for everyone? I'm still unclear on that one. Do they have a rope drop like WDW?

Do you recommend booking your trip directly through the individual hotel directly and buying tickets from them or booking through Disney. My problem is, I like having everything paid ahead of time and not having to worry.

Thanks again for your help. More questions to follow I'm sure! Did I mention we are driving from Illinois! Everyone things we are crazy but we've driving to New York, Minnesota, Iowa and basically everywhere. Taken the Amtrak too.

 

[rstamm]

I can tell you about my experience from a wdw expert going to DL for the first time.

We stayed at HoJo's the hotel is really nice and it is about a 10 min walk to the parks.

We did the 8 day park hopper, 3 days in no way would have been enough for us.

You don't need to make ADR's 90 days ahead, the eating situation is not anything like WDW.

It was fantastic not waiting for or taking crowed buses everywhere, here it is just a short walk to the parks or DTD.

Most of the rides and the night time shows are much better then WDW.

Don't be overwhelmed, it is so much easier to plan a DL trip then a WDW tirp.

In August we will be taking our 3rd DL trip and this time staying at Disneyland Hotel.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[glokozar]

Thanks for your help. Unfortunatley, I do not have a choice of when I can go, my DH's job closes during Christmas and my children refuse to be pulled out of school (at least my DS(17) does)! The crowds do not bother me as long as I know I can get into the park and not be turned away because it is filled to capcity.

I do like HoJo's (has a Disney View) but no breakfast. I guess we can bring stuff with us. I actually got a pretty good rate of $113 with view.

So, does the park open the same time for everyone? I'm still unclear on that one. Do they have a rope drop like WDW?

Do you recommend booking your trip directly through the individual hotel directly and buying tickets from them or booking through Disney. My problem is, I like having everything paid ahead of time and not having to worry.

Thanks again for your help. More questions to follow I'm sure! Did I mention we are driving from Illinois! Everyone thinks we are crazy but we've driven to New York, Minnesota, Iowa and basically everywhere. Taken the Amtrak too. 2 day train ride to Florida!

 

[teatime]

I went with get away today.... found it much cheaper then Disneyland.com and you can make payments .
And all down the street there is restaurants to eat at. or you can order grocerys from on line at vons and have breakfast in your room.
and I always make ADR's . at Christmas time its so busy and you do want a sit down Im sure.

 

[medievaldave]

HOJO has a MCdonalds on the way to dl. 2min walk at least. If you buy the entertainment bood you can get the room for like 80 bucks.

 

[glokozar]

I checked the entertainment rate was $134 for Disney View didn't see $80, where did you get that? The lowest I got was $109 for regular view.

 

[Tasscrapper]

I doubt you'll find availability for the Hojo's with the entertainment rate for your time frame. Mayeb the other poster missed when you're planning on going.

 

[medievaldave]

thats true. you're closer to christmas. that rate must be booked

 

[blackjackdelta]

If it has not been mentioned you need to read Hydroguy's sticky above. He has mounds of info that you will get piece in the thread. There are many people here that have great advice and as long as you do not go in with WDW expectations you will enjoy the experience. Your daughter does not want to go, I can't get my kids(teens) to go to WDW.

Have fun planning,

Jack

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... does the park open the same time for everyone? I'm still unclear on that one. Do they have a rope drop like WDW?

DLR has Magic Mornings on Tues., Thurs., Sat., and Sun. (MM is only for DL, not DCA.)

On-site Guests have the MM privilege every day that it's offered.

For off-site Guests: Three-day (or more) parkhoppers come with one MM day.

In late-December, DL's regular opening time will likely be 8:00am.

On non-MM days (Mon., Wed., and Fri.), DL opens the same time for everyone (8:00am). DL doesn't have a fancy opening ceremony like MK. When DL opens at 8:00am, there isn't a true Rope Drop. Guests start going through Security at 7:30am, and then the turnstiles open at 8:00am.

On MM days, Guests with the MM privilege can enter DL one hour before DL's regular opening time. Most of Fantasyland and part of Tomorrowland are typically open during the MM hour. At 7:00am the "Magic Morning" turnstiles will open; the turnstiles on the left side will be clearly identified with a "Magic Morning" sign. At 8:00am the turnstiles will open for everyone else.

I agree with blackjackdelta, there's plenty of helpful information at the following thread:

HydroGuy Tips Compilation
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Which includes the following thread:

"Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

HTH

 

[glokozar]

Thanks to everyone for all your help. I love all the information!

Has anyone stayed at the Anaheim Hilton?

Also, still wondering how often during the week of December 21st- December 30th will the parks close to capacity?

I did read Hydroguys review, I guess I will have to go back and study it some more. I'm starting to get a little excited! I do not expect to have the same experience as WDW, I am very open minded. Justin being where "it all started" makes me want to cry!

 

[dsny1mom]

Thanks to everyone for all your help. I love all the information!

Has anyone stayed at the Anaheim Hilton?

Also, still wondering how often during the week of December 21st- December 30th will the parks close to capacity?

I did read Hydroguys review, I guess I will have to go back and study it some more. I'm starting to get a little excited! I do not expect to have the same experience as WDW, I am very open minded. Justin being where "it all started" makes me want to cry!

We've spent ten or so Christmas holidays at DL and several at WDW. The only time I recall the gates being closed at DL during holiday, and not letting anyone in, was NYE 1999. There may be time periods throughout the day where they stop selling new admissions but generally that stops as people leave DL. If you have your admissions bought in advance you should be good to go. Also DCA doesn't generally reach capacity so you can hang out there if something flukey comes up and you can't get inside DL for a few hours.

One of the biggest differance between the crowds at DL and WDW during the holidays is that at WDW you have many forgien travlers while at DL they will be in the minority. I find it easier to navigate the parks when the majority of the other guests understand how we Americans do things.

Be sure to make ressies for Xmas Eve and day, if you want a sit down dinner those days. Many of the restaurants will offer a special holiday meal Xmas Day. DL closes around 8pm on Xmas Eve so you might want to book a nice dinner at 8:30. We always like Steak House 55 on Xmas Eve.

Just besure to get a handstamp if you leave either park. You'll need to show your handstamp and ticket to re-enter the same day. They have been checking handstamps more often these days and brilling those that say theirs washed off.

I too can relate to having a child that won't go to a park other than their fave. My young adult daughter turned down a free vacation to WDW last summer, yet she can't wait to get back to DL.

You are very brave to make the drive from Il to Ca. I did it back in the early 70's during the summer. I don't think I am brave enough to try it in the winter.

The wheather in So Cal that time of year pretty much can be all over the place. Day time it can be in the upper 70's and nights in the 40's. You can get rain that time of year as well. Unlike Orlando the nights are always considerably cooler than the days. But coming from the midwest 40s-70s feels like a heat wave in Dec. LOL

Like others have said going to DL is sooo much easier than going to WDW. The ease of getting to the parks will spoil you. Plus all the attractions are in DL or just a few steps away in DCA. You can ride TofT and Space the same day without having to take a bus!

IMHO if you can swing it finacially I'd stay at one of the DLR hotels. DLH is my all time favorite. I am an early riser as well and use the MM every day it is offered when I am there. Plus if it is so busy they have to start limiting entrance those that stay on propery are the last to be denied entrance. If you stay on site ay WDW having to walk out into the real world at the end of every day might just taint the magical feeling you are used to.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

dsny1mom

 

[DLR29]

I went this past year for a 1 day trip on the 23rd and it wasn't too crowded. I've been before Christmas (21st and 22nd) and it wasn't bad, but I've also been after Christmas when it is PACKED. My advice on dates is anything BEFORE Christmas Eve is going to be 100x better (crowdwise) than anything after that. If you start on the 21st, you will notice that the crowds increase as it gets closer to the 24/25th, but they will not nearly be as bad as the week between Christmas and NY.

The Anaheim Hilton is supposedly nice (never stayed there), but it is kinda far from the parks and walking to and from the parks every day could be very tiring. I think the best bet will be HOJOs even though there is no breakfast. We had to take that into consideration for our stay in a month (woohoo!), but we chose the HOJOs for the cheap price and the proximity to the parks. By going through Mousesavers, you can get a 15% discount: http://www.mousesavers.com/hojo.html

Oh and weather during that time can be nice to most people in the U.S., but for Californians it is cold. When we went this past year, my uncle and aunt from Oregon were comfortable in shorts, but the rest of us were cold in layers.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks to everyone for all your help. I love all the information!

Has anyone stayed at the Anaheim Hilton?

Also, still wondering how often during the week of December 21st- December 30th will the parks close to capacity?

I did read Hydroguys review, I guess I will have to go back and study it some more. I'm starting to get a little excited! I do not expect to have the same experience as WDW, I am very open minded. Justin being where "it all started" makes me want to cry!

Personally I have never gone that week. I read here capacity is reached most often on New Years Eve but not so much on the other days - even though they are very busy.

My DLR Guide is not exhaustive so by all means continue to post questions. More than anything I wanted my guide to convey the magical spirit that is DLR mixed in with some practical advice and links. I hope my guide gets you and other first timers excited and helps convince skeptics that DLR is not some poor step-child to WDW but rather can stand on its own two feet with a first rate Disney experience.

 

[VallCopen]

My family has gone to Disneyland about 1-2 times per year for the past 8 years now and Christmas to New Years in my opinion is very busy (the most we have seen). We did Christmas in 2004/2005 and it closed to capacity by 11:00 am on 3 of the 4 days we were there. As long as you were there by 9-10 it was no problem at all. We had long waits 90 minutes and more for the bigger rides. The afternoons got so bad we just left the park and went to the beach, but I will be honest we don't like the huge crowds. We love going in Oct., Nov. and early Dec. because the waits rarely are more than 20-30 minutes. If you go that week I would suggest going more than 3 days. I have never been to WDW but Disneyland is small and easy to navigate and the grounds are beautiful. Be sure to check out the Pier prices / sometimes they aren't bad for onsite Disneyland. ($165-245) Have a great time whatever you decided. The best part of the whole thing is you get to spend time with the family (treasured times).