Disneyland For A Day

[lovetigger]

My husband and I will be visiting DL in mid September just for one day following a conference in SF and Mexican Riviera cruise out of LA. We plan to spend the day at DL, spend the night and then head for LAX for our flight back east. Does anyone have recommendations for a hotel? GCH seems wonderful ( we just returned from the Yacht Club at Epcot earlier this month) and enjoyed all the amenities. This trip will not allow for us to utilize any of the amenities and not sure we want to pay resort fee. Also, any recommendations for a nice restaurant in the park would be great as well. If we choose a restaurant in the GCH, can we reenter the park following dinner? That's it for now... I'm sure I'll have many more questions in the future. Thanks

 

[Jenn1116]

Just get your hand stamped and you'll be fine! I'm sure someone will post the link to the menus. If you don't want to pay resort rates there are some really nice off-site choices near-by. The Tropicana and others are right across the street and are easy walking distance. I can't tell you the nicer ones off the top of my head though.

 

[DangerMouse]

The following are generally the most recommended (walking distance) off-site hotel/motels [in no particular order]:

Howard Johnson's
Tropicana
Best Western Park Place Inn
Candy Cane Inn
Carousel
Desert Inn & Suites
Camelot

Make sure you read Hydroguy's tips sticky at the top of the board for touring advice.

 

[mmmears]

We love the YC, the GF, and the GCH. It is really really pretty, and oh so convenient for walking into both parks. If you can afford it, it's worth a one-night stay to check it out!

As for entering the parks, DL is a short walk away, while there is basically a hallway that leads you directly into DCA. Just need your pass and a hand-stamp!

 

[spaceace510]

if i can suggest a place to eat in DTD. I loved Jazz Kitchen. It was amazing. The food was good and the service was excellent.

 

[spaceace510]

here is a link to all the menus! Have fun choosing!
http://www.allearsnet.com/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm#dl

 

[lovetigger]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions!! At the moment, Blue Bayou appeals to us for dinner although Napa Rose in GCH is interesting as well. My husband thinks we should stay at the GCH but we're only going to sleep there and then head for LAX in the am so Candy Cane Inn works for me. We'll see....

DangerMouse: Where do I find Hydroguy's tips sticky at the top of the board for touring advice? I looked at DL Theme Parks but can't locate it.

Thanks again!

 

[DangerMouse]

DangerMouse: Where do I find Hydroguy's tips sticky at the top of the board for touring advice? I looked at DL Theme Parks but can't locate it.

Thanks again!

Here's a link to his tips thread:

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

 

[lovetigger]

DangerMouse: Wow, he certainly has alot of information and I'm sure I'll keeping referring back to it. Thanks for the link.

 

[avalon451]

There are some big fans of Howard Johnson's here on the boards. They have an Entertainment book rate for their deluxe rooms (just renovated, balcony, Disney view, new pillowtop mattresses) for just $74 a night. It's the nicest hotel in walking distance at that rate. Here's a link to their websites with the available days: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14

You can get an Entertainment book for $10. right now and free shipping, because the year is half over. You can get your local area one; the card gets you the discount, and it more than pays for itself, as you'd save like $40 over the rack rate.

Just one lil' suggestion! Good luck and have fun planning!

 

[lovetigger]

avalon451

Thanks... these boards are great! People are so willing to share their experiences!

 

[stacymomof2]

My suggestion for Hydroguys tips, read through it and then print it out.

The read it in bits and pieces and often!

I read his tips and the "Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" and was very overwhelmed...but I kept reading them over and over.

When I got to the park, I was momentarily overwhelmed and then it all kicked in and I felt very comfortable with the info I had stored away in my brain!

Have fun!

 

[Hound 109]

My husband and I will be visiting DL in mid September just for one day following a conference in SF and Mexican Riviera cruise out of LA. We plan to spend the day at DL, spend the night and then head for LAX for our flight back east. Does anyone have recommendations for a hotel? GCH seems wonderful ( we just returned from the Yacht Club at Epcot earlier this month) and enjoyed all the amenities. This trip will not allow for us to utilize any of the amenities and not sure we want to pay resort fee. Also, any recommendations for a nice restaurant in the park would be great as well. If we choose a restaurant in the GCH, can we reenter the park following dinner? That's it for now... I'm sure I'll have many more questions in the future. Thanks

I agree with all posts above. And after reading thru HG's tip threads the second time (with a DLR map & HG's abbreviation list handy for quick reference) it will start to click for you. A few random thoughts given your comments above:

- Pros & cons can be made for staying on site AND off site, but....
- Mid September is "off season"....you might be able to snag a deal at one of the Disney Hotels.
- (you'll also need to be aware of the hours of operation on your day(s) at DLR)
- What day of the week will you be arriving (& what time?) & what time will you be heading "to LAX" the next day.
- MM (which you could enjoy if staying on site) might come in VERY handy for you.
- Also put the Trattoria on your list of considerations if you want nice casual dining (as opposed to fine dining at the Napa Rose).

I have three times visited DLR on shortened 2 day visits & have gotten alot done each time. (but one must zig when others are zagging).

Have fun planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[Barbday62]

With only one day in the park I would think twice about a sit down meal. You have to check in so much ahead and still wait. Then by time your done your probably at least an hour or more of time used up. They have wonderful counter restaurants in DL such as the Plaza on Main street or the place over in New Orleans. You grab your food and find a table to eat it at.

I would opt to eat fast while the park is open then go find a nice sit down after it closes. Or maybe you can get very late seating somewhere? I do disney a lot with a day and a half or ocassionally 2 days and once I did it in one day. You will need as much time as possible to catch as much as possible, especially if you plan to hit twoparks in a day

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Just to add...

For a general idea, here's a link to last year's Entertainment and Hours Calendar:
www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-dlr2-200709.asp

Sept 2008 Calendar (Sept 2008 entertainment info should be available sometime in June or July?):
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...onthly?name=CalendarMonthlyPage&date=20080923

IMO these description from the DISboards are more helpful than the Unofficial Guide to DL:
www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/disneyland-theme-parks.htm#gold-disneyland-themeparks

HTH