Disney World Veteran, Disneyland Rookie....HELP!!!

[SnoweyWhite]

I absolutely love all that is Disney, and I have been to WDW more times than I can remember. However, I've never been to Disneyland and am seriously considering a trip for either December 3-6 or December 10-13. It seems kind of last minute for me because I tend to plan about a year out, but I just got the idea and think it might work out.

I'll take all the help I can get, but I do have some basic questions for any Disneyland Veterans. Thanks so much in advance for your help!!!!

1. I know that we won't be there for a very long time, but if we get to Disney Property by 12 noon the first day, will we have enough time to really experience Disneyland?

2. Where should we stay? It will be my husband (29) and me (26). I am interested in staying on Disneyland property, so that leaves me with The Grand Californian, The Disneyland Hotel, or Disney's Paradise Pier, right?

3. According to the website, it looks as though there are Dining Plans. Are these similar to the dining plans at WDW?

4. Is there transporation from the airport to the resort similar to Disney's Magical Express for WDW?

5. What airport is the best to fly into? I've found a pretty good price for a flight into LAX.

6. Is there a special Christmas celebration at Disneyland?

Looking forward to planning a Disney vacation!!!!

 

[glendalais]

I absolutely love all that is Disney, and I have been to WDW more times than I can remember. However, I've never been to Disneyland and am seriously considering a trip for either December 3-6 or December 10-13. It seems kind of last minute for me because I tend to plan about a year out, but I just got the idea and think it might work out.

I'll take all the help I can get, but I do have some basic questions for any Disneyland Veterans. Thanks so much in advance for your help!!!!

1. I know that we won't be there for a very long time, but if we get to Disney Property by 12 noon the first day, will we have enough time to really experience Disneyland?

2. Where should we stay? It will be my husband (29) and me (26). I am interested in staying on Disneyland property, so that leaves me with The Grand Californian, The Disneyland Hotel, or Disney's Paradise Pier, right?

3. According to the website, it looks as though there are Dining Plans. Are these similar to the dining plans at WDW?

4. Is there transporation from the airport to the resort similar to Disney's Magical Express for WDW?

5. What airport is the best to fly into? I've found a pretty good price for a flight into LAX.

6. Is there a special Christmas celebration at Disneyland?

Looking forward to planning a Disney vacation!!!!

1. The Disneyland Resort recommends at least two days each to fully experience the Magic of both Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park. However, it seems like you'll have more than enough time.

2. Yes. The three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort: Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel allow our Guests to stay in the Heart of the Magic, just steps away from the Theme Park Entrances. The Grand Californian is the closest to the Theme Parks though, so if time is an issue, I would recommend there.

3. Disneyland Resort Dining Plans are available for Guests staying on a Walt Disney Travel Company Vacation Package. Unlike the system in place at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, these consist of several $10, $15 and Snack Vouchers which may be redeemed at any Disney-Owned and Operated Restaurant or Snack location at the Disneyland Resort.

4. There is no Disney-Operated transportation to and from Southern Californian airports. However, a wide variety of services do serve the Disneyland Resort from these areas. I'm sure someone will be along to explain the wide variety of options available.

5. The nearest airport to the Disneyland Resort would be the John Wayne Airport (SNA) located in Santa Ana, Calif.. However, LAX tends to be cheaper.

6. The Holidays are a truly Magical Time at the Disneyland Resort, The Merriest Place on Earth. To see all the wonderful offerings available during the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort Special Event, click here.

 

[QueenDoOver]

1. You should be able to see and do most attractions/shows, but you will not have enough time to truly experience the parks. That's okay, you can plan a trip back.

2. Go with the one that fits your budget, as they are 3 different prices. If you can swing the Grand, then do it

3. Dining plan is way different from WDW. It does not represent value, but rather convenience, if vouchers are convenient to you. I would rather do gift cards or cash myself. You do not get change on vouchers, so if you underspend, then you lose money.

4. Greyhound has a big bus, like Magic Express from LAX and also SNA, but not from LGB, but at an additional cost. Also there are many shuttle companies that will take you there for about $10 each way from SNA or LGB, but more like $18 each way for LAX, with discounts for roundtrip.

5. I love the size and convenience of either LGB or SNA, but will do LAX if there are more convenient times for flights.

6. I agree, Christmas is wonderful and magical at Disneyland. The tour is particularly enjoyable at that time of year.

Hope that you have a wonderful trip.

 

[tinkermell]

HI and welcome to the DL boards!!

As far as hotels go, if it is just you and your DH, I would stay at the Grand. Especially during the holidays. I would say it is a cross between the Grand Floridian and the Wilderness Lodge. The lobby is beautiful and has a huge fireplace and hearth area to sit and relax around. Every afternoon the Dickens Carolers perform in the lobby accapella, which is one of me favorite things about staying there. The lobby also will have a huge Christmas tree, and Santa comes to visit too. Another thing I love about the Grand is location, location, location!! As guests, you can go out the back, and walk right into California Adventures! And just a short walk out the front door through DTD, and you are at Disneyland. Everything is walkable. No busses needed at all!!

About DL during the Holidays. DL does not have a special Christmas party. But every guest still gets to see the Christmas parade, the special fireworks and snow, unlike the MK where you have to buy the hard ticket.
The Haunted Mansion has the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, and It's A Small World gets an overlay also. The Storybookland ride also gets cute little decorations added to it. Of course the whole park is decked out, much like the MK. The castles are beautiful and different in their own ways too. Sleeping Beauty's Castle is supposed to look like there is snow on it. I hear that this year, the snow is going to continue down Main Street. We will see.

One of my all time favorite spots in DL is the New Orleans Square. I love it there all year, but at Christmas it is decorated just beautifully. Big Thunder Ranch gets a nice sprinkling of Christmas cheer also.

I think you will find DL very charming. It is way smaller, and literally everything is crammed into every nook and cranny possible. You get alot of bang for your buck there.

The dining plan at DL is not good compared to WDW's, unless you want to buy it ahead of time, just so you don't have to fork out the money later. Otherwise save your money and just buy outright. If you have AAA, you can get some discounts too.

From LAX you can use the Disneyland Express. It is not free, but it comes every 30 minutes as far as I know. There are also many other shuttles available too.

One more thing that I should have mentioned first. Please check out Hydroguys Stickey at the top of this board. He has a section just for WDW vets coming to DL for the first time. Very very informative!! An absolute must read for you.

Have fun planning!

Oh and one more thing. Dec 3-6th is the Candlelight Processional at DL. It will be a mad house then. Just a warning. But I've heard it is very beautiful, and this year our family will be braving the crowds just to see it. We saw the Candlelight at Epcot and loved it.

 

[Hound 109]

Here's Hydroguy's "DLR for WDW Vet's" thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


& here are the rest of his threads (all worth a read):

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



I agree with the all the posters above. Other random thoughts:

- Get to the park EARLY each day.
- Know FP & how to work it.
- Take a break each day.
- Park Hop each day.
- the Dining Plan is a WDW thing....not worth it at DLR.
- Buses are a WDW thing....stay near the parks & use your feet. (you don't need no stinkin' busses!)
- Humidity is a WDW thing.....enjoy the glorious SoCal weather.
- The time zone difference is your friend for getting up early....so GET TO DL 30 -40 MIN. before Gen. Adm. opening (or MM opening) EACH DAY.

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I did Disneyland once as a small child and then the rest of my life was a dedicated Walt Disney World girl. A few years ago we moved within driving distance (a long drive, but possible) and suddenly things changed.

We now visit both parks regularly. They are each very similar and yet have their own flavor and special perks.

When we are in "The World" we ALWAYS stay on property. When you said you wanted to stay on property....I wondered if you were using Walt Disney World logic for your visit to "The Land."

There are several hotels which are "off property" which are actually closer to the front gates of Disneyland. Many of the close hotels are lovely places to stay and have become our favorites.

I suggest you take a look at Candy Cane Inn, Ramada Inn Maingate, HoJo...

So, if you want to be close to the front gates, but would like a nice breakfast included in the price, or some other perk not offered by the "on site" hotels, then you are in luck.

Oh, you also get one Magical Morning "early entry" for any 3 day or longer ticket. So, you don't need to stay on property to get that perk. If you do stay on property then you can use every Magic Morning offered.

Have a great trip! Oh, and make sure to make an ADR (or whatever they are calling it these days) at the Blue Bayou. I just love the atmosphere at this restaurant and for the life of me can't figure out why they didn't build something like it in WDW.

 

[ter-moo]

I absolutely love all that is Disney, and I have been to WDW more times than I can remember. However, I've never been to Disneyland and am seriously considering a trip for either December 3-6 or December 10-13. It seems kind of last minute for me because I tend to plan about a year out, but I just got the idea and think it might work out.

I'll take all the help I can get, but I do have some basic questions for any Disneyland Veterans. Thanks so much in advance for your help!!!!

1. I know that we won't be there for a very long time, but if we get to Disney Property by 12 noon the first day, will we have enough time to really experience Disneyland?

You've picked my FAVORITE time of year to visit Disneyland!!! At You'll have plenty of time to really see the parks. I've found 2 1/2 to 3 days is just fine, and I like to do EVERYTHING! I go right at opening and make sure to use FastPass on the big stuff.

2. Where should we stay? It will be my husband (29) and me (26). I am interested in staying on Disneyland property, so that leaves me with The Grand Californian, The Disneyland Hotel, or Disney's Paradise Pier, right?

As others have said, staying onsite at DL is not as essential as it is at WDW. HOWEVER, since it's a special trip for you and your husband, I'd go for the Grand CA in a heartbeat if you can afford it! It's a stunning hotel and the location is fabulous. My second choice would be Candy Cane Inn.

3. According to the website, it looks as though there are Dining Plans. Are these similar to the dining plans at WDW?

I wouldn't bother with the dining plans at DL. You don't have the same sorts of choices there, and the dining plans aren't all that good. You should book an early lunch at Blue Bayou and share a Monte Cristo Sandwich and maybe have a late dinner once the parks are closed at one of the hotel restaurants as a special romantic dinner (Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55 would be good choices.)


4. Is there transporation from the airport to the resort similar to Disney's Magical Express for WDW?
5. What airport is the best to fly into? I've found a pretty good price for a flight into LAX.

The closest airport to fly into is John Wayne/Orange County (SNA). It's only about 10-15 minutes from DL. There are various shuttle services for around $10-12 each way and cabs are about $35. There's also a bus which is cheap (I want to say $3) but it takes quite a while. There isn't a free shuttle like Magical Express.

Flying into LAX is fine, but the drive can be long (I've made it in 25 minutes, but generally it takes about 40 or more if there's traffic) Renting a car can sometimes be cost effective when you're only staying a few days. You pay the parking fee in your resort fee at the Disney hotels anyway, whether you park a car or not.


6. Is there a special Christmas celebration at Disneyland?
Nothing like what they have at WDW, but they do have beautiful decorations, a Christmas parade and other nice Christmas overlays on attractions as many of already mentioned.

Looking forward to planning a Disney vacation!!!!

Enjoy our charming park!!!

 

[quantumottle]

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one more thing that i should have mentioned first. Please check out hydroguys stickey at the top of this board. He has a section just for wdw vets coming to dl for the first time. Very very informative!! An absolute must read for you.

 

[lcasa]

The Candlelight Procession is BEAUTIFUL. Only 2 nights at DL, and they don't reveal the guest speaker ahead of time. They do offer (and quickly sell out) combination reserved seating/meal deals for the shows. I've never tried that, but dinner at Napa Rose followed by seating for the CP would be a very special evening. If you don't get seating, you'll need to reserve a place REALLY early. Sometimes I try for the 2nd show instead and wait for the first to clear out - last year there was a line up for that.

Enjoy our park! It's very charming. You'll be shocked at how easy it is to get around ( I'm shocked the opposite way every time I got to WDW ).

Surprisingly sometimes SNA is cheaper than LAX, but not a lot of non-stops to it unless you're coming from a hub. Long Beach is a good option too. But LAX is still only about 1 hr away when traffic isn't too bad.
And if you can afford the GCH, go for it. Absolutely beautiful ( never seen a room, but the rest of the hotel is great). Like someone else said, kind of Wilderness Lodge but the elegance of a GF.And I'm not sure why the suggestion non-disney hotels are closer - maybe they are as the crow flies (although I doubt it), but not for a nice walk - through downtown disney vs across busy Harbor Blvd.