Disneyland First-Timer - A few Q's !

[Rascal1003]

Hi All,
Through a bit of fortune, we (Me, Wife and DS who will be 1y10mths) might be able to book a week in Anaheim in April, but have a few questions that you fab people might be able to help us with.

We are DVC members and WDW regulars, but never been to the West Cost of the USA, so this is all a little ground-breaking for us....but as you would expect, totally exciting!

Firstly, hotels and surrounding area...we dont plan to stay in a Disney Hotel, so have a couple of options for nearby hotels through Virgin Holidays. Is there plenty of options for dining etc in the area like you find in Orlando? (Chain restaurants etc)

Would you recommend a rental car? We will have to pay for transfer from LAX to the area anyway, so were thinking of getting a car and driving around a bit. Also, will this help for generally getting about in the Disney area for evening meals etc?

Weather in April - looks to be cool, low to mid 60's - how does everyone find this? shorts and T-shirts might not be enough I wonder?

Any other info that might be useful before we make the booking would be very much appreciated....and apologies if it has all been mentioned before here!

Many thanks in advance.
Russ (and the Cook Family)

 

[HydroGuy]

Firstly, hotels and surrounding area...we dont plan to stay in a Disney Hotel, so have a couple of options for nearby hotels through Virgin Holidays. Is there plenty of options for dining etc in the area like you find in Orlando? (Chain restaurants etc)

Take it FWIW, but IMO one of the common mistakes WDW vets make at DLR is not understanding how DLR transportation differs from WDW. Many WDW vets are used to driving to the parks or using shuttles or buses. So they too quickly accept this mode at DLR. When they do this they give up one of the major advantages that DLR offer over WDW which are the many onsite and offsite walking distance hotels. My advice is summer up here: "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862. DLR is much closer to DLRP in this regard, but with the difference that there are more walking distance offsite hotels and restaurants than DLRP has.

Yes, there are many offsite restaurant options near DLR as it is a major metropolicatan area. Some of the options very near DLR are listed in "Bret's Lodging" link in the Hotel link above. Plus there are many options at DTD just next to DL.

Would you recommend a rental car? We will have to pay for transfer from LAX to the area anyway, so were thinking of getting a car and driving around a bit. Also, will this help for generally getting about in the Disney area for evening meals etc?

You do not need a car at DLR. If you want to use it for transport from the airport and to other SoCal locations then you will need it for that. But not DLR. If you get a walking distance hotel you can walk to a dozen or more restaurants offsite and at DTD while avoiding traffic and potential parking headaches.

Weather in April - looks to be cool, low to mid 60's - how does everyone find this? shorts and T-shirts might not be enough I wonder?

Hard to say. If I went in April I would pack for cool weather although it will likely be shorts/tee shirts in the day and probably sweaters at night. But rain is also a possibility that time of year.

Any other info that might be useful before we make the booking would be very much appreciated....and apologies if it has all been mentioned before here!

Lots of WDW vets have benefitted from this lengthy thread. Hope it helps:

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

Have a great trip. You will love DLR.

 

[Sherry E]

I live in Southern California, and April is a sketchy month for weather. Sometimes it is beautiful and sunny and hot all month long, and other times it is pouring rain, and sometimes a combination of both in one day! Rather than shorts, you might want to go for the t-shirt and jeans and keep the shorts and a jacket in a locker so you can change if it gets too hot or cold. But people wear shorts out here in SoCal even when it is 50 degrees, for some reason, so you wouldn't look ridiculous! As for dining, have you totally ruled out eating in the two parks, the three hotels or in Downtown Disney? If so, then yes, there are many restaurants right outside the gates of Disneyland on the main boulevards bordering it. You can walk right across the street. No need for a car while in the Disney area.

 

[meglovesbelle]

We are also going to be first timers to DL we are staying in Palm Springs and going to be driving to Anaheim to visit. Are there better days of the week to visit we will there from May 2 to May 9th. So any day is good, we will probably dedicate 2 to DL and 1 or 2 to San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park any other Local areas a must see for those of us who have never been to the West Coast, mind you we have a 4 year old princess with us. We used Tour Guide Mike for WDW. Any other tips for DL park tours ? I did go to the archive posted above THANKS !

 

[Sherry E]

First of all, as a side note, if this is your first trip to the west coast and you are seeing the best sights, try to be sure to take the Catalina Express over to Avalon for a day. It is beautiful and scenic and the people are nice and it is a great day trip. You'll see dophins on the way over. Rent a golf cart and drive around the island for three hours and look out over the ocean. Take the boat that goes out to where the seals are. If the flying fish tour is running, do that and take the tour over to the other side of the island so you can see all the buffalo roaming.

And in Disney's California Adventure, there is a Catalina-inspired restaurant called Avalon Cove, FYI.

Now, as for Disneyland. If you go on a Friday, it is less crowded than a Saturday. I think weekend nights are open slightly later than the weekdays. California Adventure closes early and opens later than Disneyland, but the ride Soarin' is worth it to go on. If you go to the parks mid-week, right around Tuesday - Thurs., that is probably the best time and least likely to be crowded. Mondays are sometimes iffy because people extend their weekend trips to Monday sometimes.

 

[Rascal1003]

Big thanks to all for your replies, some really excellent info there...I shall browse through those links with interest for sure!

 

[DisneyFans4]

I will be a first timer as well in August and am so lost in planning as I know nothing about California!!!

We're starting out in San Fran and then onto Hollywood and then ending the trip in DL.

I'm also debating on the car. Our travel agent has us picking one up when we get to Hollywood for use there and then drive to DL but I think after that we should just drop the car off because everyone says it won't be needed in DL. Should I hold onto the car so we can drive to the airport?

Is car rental expensive as far as being hit with all the insurance fees, etc? That is usually how they get you.

 

[meglovesbelle]

Thanks everyone for the information so far and thanks for starting this thread I hope you are getting the information you need too ! Have fun in April !!!!

 

[Hound 109]

We are also going to be first timers to DL we are staying in Palm Springs and going to be driving to Anaheim to visit. Are there better days of the week to visit we will there from May 2 to May 9th. So any day is good, we will probably dedicate 2 to DL and 1 or 2 to San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park any other Local areas a must see for those of us who have never been to the West Coast, mind you we have a 4 year old princess with us. We used Tour Guide Mike for WDW. Any other tips for DL park tours ? I did go to the archive posted above THANKS !

It's DLR.

Will you be driving in each of your two days? Or spending the night. (& if spending the night....where?)

Read HydroGuy's tip thead for WDW vets. It's essential reading, for WDW vets who are DLR newbies.

 

[Hound 109]

I will be a first timer as well in August and am so lost in planning as I know nothing about California!!!

We're starting out in San Fran and then onto Hollywood and then ending the trip in DL.

I'm also debating on the car. Our travel agent has us picking one up when we get to Hollywood for use there and then drive to DL but I think after that we should just drop the car off because everyone says it won't be needed in DL. Should I hold onto the car so we can drive to the airport?

Is car rental expensive as far as being hit with all the insurance fees, etc? That is usually how they get you.

It's DLR.

All rental car companies offer insurance. I decline it.

Are you flying from SF to Hollywood or driving?

Once you get to DLR, you probably wouldn't need or want your car. (unless you day trip it someplace).

 

[Sherry E]

I guess people feel comfortable using 'DL' rather than 'DLR'! It just seems to be habit. No harm done!

 

[meglovesbelle]

we will be driving in both days, that is why I asked what days are better so I can split them up so I am not driving two days in a row. I did ready Hydroguys tips any others ???

 

[DisneyFans4]

Are you flying from SF to Hollywood or driving?

From SF to Hollywood we will be flying. TA says it's cheaper because driving it would be about 7 hours. Then the plan was driving from Hollywood to Disney but our TA has us keeping the car while at Disney and I don't think that makes sense since everyone has been telling me the car would just be sitting in the hotel lot. The only time I would use the car is to go from Disney to LAX.

 

[Sherry E]

I still say go mid week, like Tuesday and Wednesay or Wednesday and Thursday.

 

[meglovesbelle]

Thanks we drive an hour to work every day so driving is not an issue for us although how bad is traffic really ???

 

[Hound 109]

I still say go mid week, like Tuesday and Wednesay or Wednesday and Thursday.

I would avoid EE days.

So if driving in, I would suggest a Monday & Wednesday.

But.....if it was me, I would drive in, spend a day at the parks, spend the night at a DLR hotel, go to EE the next morning & enjoy a second day at the parks. (then drive home).

gas & time in traffic would easily exceed the price of a hotel room.

 

[Sherry E]

Traffic can be hideous in the rush hour time, and in the morning drive to work time. But it is bearable unless there is an accident or pile-up on the freeway.

 

[meglovesbelle]

Ok were coming from palm springs along the ca91 is that as bad as coming in from LA ?? We usually like to get to the opening of the park, do they have special opening ceremonies like at WDW ??

 

[bumbershoot]

Hound, you're crackin' me up. DL vs DLR, but you're still saying EE....

Regarding the rental car insurance...have a long talk with your insurance agent, find out just how much you are protected, and then make your decision. When I had Geico, I ALWAYS got the extra insurance. But my Allstate plan now lets me breathe a bit easier, and I don't plan on getting the extra insurance, when I rent a car in the future.

To the original poster, about the weather. You're from the UK, I live in western WA. Similar weather. When I go to southern CA, I expect that I'm going to broil the whole time. And each time I've been shocked that I'm not. There's something about the difference in the area (more desert than rain forest), humidity, and whatever else that makes it feel COLD when it gets cold, and I have a hard time remembering that. So definitely bring some warmer clothes, even if just for the nighttime, when it generally DOES cool down. And if you've been hot during the day, that sudden chill can be quite shocking, even if you're using to living under a rain cloud!

 

[Hound 109]

Hound, you're crackin' me up. DL vs DLR, but you're still saying EE....

Regarding the rental car insurance...have a long talk with your insurance agent, find out just how much you are protected, and then make your decision. When I had Geico, I ALWAYS got the extra insurance. But my Allstate plan now lets me breathe a bit easier, and I don't plan on getting the extra insurance, when I rent a car in the future.

To the original poster, about the weather. You're from the UK, I live in western WA. Similar weather. When I go to southern CA, I expect that I'm going to broil the whole time. And each time I've been shocked that I'm not. There's something about the difference in the area (more desert than rain forest), humidity, and whatever else that makes it feel COLD when it gets cold, and I have a hard time remembering that. So definitely bring some warmer clothes, even if just for the nighttime, when it generally DOES cool down. And if you've been hot during the day, that sudden chill can be quite shocking, even if you're using to living under a rain cloud!

Bumbershoot, is it official?

EE (early entry) in now MM (Magic Mornings)?

hound <--- the EE....er...MM geek.

& to the OP, you should pick a non-MM day (a mon/wed/fri) if you want to make the most out of your visit at ropedrop. Most FL rides (is it still FantasyLand? ) as well as SM, Buzz & Nemo will have lines (some of them long) at general admission ropedrop on Tues/Thur/Sat/Sun because the folks with EE.....er....MM priviledges will already be there. :