Disneyland Fist Timer, Help

[baketank]

I am planning a trip to Disneyland for the first time for next May, 2009. And I have a few questions I hoped you could help me out with. First, is the beginning of May a good time to visit in terms of crowd levels etc? And second, I am trying to decide between which Disneyland hotel to stay at, Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian. What are the pros and cons of each of these resorts? Is it worth it to stay at the Grand Californian over the other two? And lastly, if I was looking to eat one expensive, nice dinner (similar to the Californian Grille at the Contemporary) where would I want to eat? Thanks for all your help. I am planning on booking my hotel this week if possible.

 

[DLR29]

Early May is a very good time for crowd levels. Most schools aren't out yet and it's too late for Spring Break.

As for the hotels, a lot of people would recommend to you some of the offsite hotels instead of the onsite ones. While the onsite ones might be nicer, that's just about it (maybe better pools and onsite dining if those are important). The Grand Californian is way overpriced, but is the closest to the parks. The Disneyland and Paradise Pier hotels are just as close if not further away from the parks than many offsite places. If you're willing to fork over the $$$ then the Grand Californian would be the best choice. If you want to fork over less $$ but want still want a Disney atmosphere either the DLH or the PPH will be fine (DLH has bigger rooms I think).

The Napa Rose in the Grand Californian is nice, as is Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel. Those are the nicest places at the DLR.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We loved the proximity of the Grand Ca. to the parks, don't think I would stay anywhere else after experiencing it either--and yes it is really expensive!

Heard great things about Napa Rose, but haven't eaten there... our favorite dinner was probably Storytellers...

And early May is the perfect time to go... try to get a Mon/Tues in there or a Wed/Thu (as well as weekend days where the big stuff happens) to get more done in a shorter amount of time. We went Mother's day weekend (Sat-Wed) and it was awesome! 5 minute waits or walk-ons for almost every ride.

--Lisa

 

[kaoden39]

Here are some websites that might actually help you. One is the crowd levels for different times of day and year etc.. The other is a map of all the hotels and motels in the Disneyland area. Have fun!

http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/crowds.htm

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

 

[CoolPool]

I am planning a trip to Disneyland for the first time for next May, 2009. And I have a few questions I hoped you could help me out with. First, is the beginning of May a good time to visit in terms of crowd levels etc? And second, I am trying to decide between which Disneyland hotel to stay at, Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian. What are the pros and cons of each of these resorts? Is it worth it to stay at the Grand Californian over the other two? And lastly, if I was looking to eat one expensive, nice dinner (similar to the Californian Grille at the Contemporary) where would I want to eat? Thanks for all your help. I am planning on booking my hotel this week if possible.

One of the primary reasons Walt built WDW was because of the rash of (mostly) motels that were built immediately adjacent to the park on Harbor Blvd. They are serviceable and fine. You will definitely save money by staying at the Best Western Park Place Inn, Tropicana, Carousel, or any of the others on the list. Also the Hojo and Candy Cane Inn get high marks from the crowd. Further afield you can find the big business class chains like Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton, etc. Many hotels/motels are connected to the parks by a bus system called ART (for those that miss the buses of WDW this will feel like home). If you are accustomed to WDW "immersion" and expect that at DLR then you might certainly consider the Disney-owned hotels. The Grand Californian is right on top of Disney's California Adventure and has its own entrance. Its the most upscale and "WDW" in terms of creating a unique environment all its own. This is a beautiful hotel. The Disneyland Hotel has nice large rooms with Mickey/Tinkerbell touches and a great pool area. Its a short walk or monorail ride through DTD from the parks.

Dining at DLR is nothing to write home about for the most part. In terms of an upscale feeling that can be found at Napa Rose in the Grand Californian. If you want more of a Disney atmosphere, then its probably the Blue Bayou inside the DL park. Naturally California (the actual place) provides a wealth of good restaurants; I just don't think Anaheim is the epicenter of good eatin'.

 

[TahoeMom]

It looks like you started 2 almost identical threads - you might want to combine them somehow.

Here is what I posted in the other thread:

have never stayed at Paradise Pier so I cannot comment on that one. Both the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian are GREAT!!!

DLH:
pros - great pool area for kids; the lobby, etc. has a more "classic Disney" feel to it in my opinion; since the remodeling several years ago, the rooms are really nice IMHO; Goofy's Kitchen is a better character-dining experience -more characters and more of a Disney feel (but of course you can eat there regardless of where you stay)
cons - a bit further to walk to the parks

GCH:
pros - rooms, etc. are just a touch classier - it feels a bit more upscale; you are right at the side gate to DCA and it is a shorter walk to DL, as well as to everything in Downtown Disney
cons - the pool area is not quite as "fun" as the one at DLH, but it does have a waterslide

I am sure others can add to this. Either way, staying at the DLR hotels is a great choice - you get the Disney treatment for every step of your vacation!

 

[HydroGuy]

I am planning a trip to Disneyland for the first time for next May, 2009. And I have a few questions I hoped you could help me out with. First, is the beginning of May a good time to visit in terms of crowd levels etc?

From a crowd point of view, yes. From a weather point of view, yes. From the point of view of having access to rides and shows, no. There are current threads here about the folks who "had no idea" that so many rides and shows would be down in Sept or Oct (which is similar to May as far as crowds).

See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

And lastly, if I was looking to eat one expensive, nice dinner (similar to the Californian Grille at the Contemporary) where would I want to eat? Thanks for all your help. I am planning on booking my hotel this week if possible.

While not the California Grille, the Blue Bayou is the signature restaurant at the DL park and is worth considering. I would guess the Napa Rose would be close to the California Grille in terms of quality.

You might also find some useful info here:

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

 

[tinkermell]

From a crowd point of view, yes. From a weather point of view, yes. From the point of view of having access to rides and shows, no. There are current threads here about the folks who "had no idea" that so many rides and shows would be down in Sept or Oct (which is similar to May as far as crowds).

See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

While not the California Grille, the Blue Bayou is the signature restaurant at the DL park and is worth considering. I would guess the Napa Rose would be close to the California Grille in terms of quality.

You might also find some useful info here:

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

Hi! Welcome to the DL boards!!

I've eaten at the California Grille, and would say the the Napa Rose would be your choice. A very cool and contemporary feel. Great wine list. A consecutive 4 or 5 star winner in restaurants.
The Blue Bayou inside DL is alot of fun, and the atmosphere is very unique. Very dark and right on top of the PotC attraction. Everyone should eat there at least once. It does not serve wine or liquor.

Stay at the Grand. Yes it is expensive, but it is so nice. A combo of the Grand Floridian and the Wilderness Lodge, but not near as large. The location can not be beat. Try to get a park or DTD view.

Please read Hydroguys Sticky. He has done extensive research on the differences between WDW and DL. It has so much info for WDW vets coming to DL for the first time.

Have fun in the planning. I think you will like DL. It is very intimate and quaint, with alot of touches that the MK does not have.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Oh, I wanted to add, when we went in May (10th-14th) the only thing that was down was IASW... but we still had to plan the weekend nights for F!, Wishes and the EP... since those didn't run on our weekdays... but all the rides were up and running!

--Lisa

 

[HydroGuy]

Oh, I wanted to add, when we went in May (10th-14th) the only thing that was down was IASW... but we still had to plan the weekend nights for F!, Wishes and the EP... since those didn't run on our weekdays... but all the rides were up and running!

--Lisa

As you know, off-season does not mean automatically that lots of rides will be down. It just means it is more likely.

FWIW, in May 2007 more things were down than in 2008. Here is a list:

Splash Mtn
Fantasmic
Tom Sawyer Island
Mark Twain
Tarzan's Treehouse
Indiana Jones open, but no Fastpass

I see a lot of posts how people are excited to plan for off-season and low crowds. And then later that their trip was "ruined" (I saw that word in a post about a month ago) or they were "devastated" (I saw that word in a post about six months ago). Why? Because of ride and show closures during off-season. Especially a ride or show that was a particular favorite.

I feel it necessary to re-clarify myself on this issue because I am often misunderstood. I am not telling anyone not to go off-season. It has it's advantages - especially for those who go to DLR with some regularity (at least twice a year). For those who are making a "once in a lifetime trip" or only visit every year or two, or less often, off-season is risky and you should be aware of the risks when making your decision on what time of year to visit.

The people who had their trip "ruined" or were "devastated" either did not know the risks or ignored them.

Especially ironic are the folks who plan for off-season and low crowds and show up and it is much more crowded than they expected (something that has been happening much more since year 2005 and the 50th celebration). And then they also have to deal with ride and show closures. Kind of a double whammy.