Disneyland for the 1st Time in May

[RevDisney]

My family is planning a trip to DL in May (9-15) and I have some questions. The first is where to stay? We have stayed at AKL, POP, and FW at WDW. We love the escape that Disney offers in Orlando. Staying onsite only adds to the magic. Is it the same at DLR? Is it worth the extra dough?

Is the dinning plan a good thing? We have used it the last two visits to WDW and got our money's worth (the 2nd time we got it for free).

We are planning a 6 nights trip and I wonder how many days should we plan for the parks. We are also thinking about a day at Universal (gasp!).

We take food very seriously at WDW and need some pointers on good places to eat. We like just about everything.

How are the crowds in May?

I guess that would be enough to get started. LOL. Any tips in these areas would be greatly appreciated!

Blessings

 

[dopeyfanatic]

Having been to both places, Disneyland MANY times, I can say personally that the extra money to stay onsite is not worth it. You can easily walk across the street from another hotel to visit the grounds of the onsite hotels if you wish, but many offsite hotels are in fact closer than the onsite ones and less money! They don't have the expansive grounds that WDW has either, so I would stay offsite. It's all centrally located so it's easy to stop by and see the waterfalls at DL hotel on one of your days....

 

[tinkychloe]

i agree.. we stayed @ a hotel that was about 2 blocks away, and we could see the rollercoaster from CA from our window. it is definitely a good idea 2 stay @ a hotel close 2 the park and walk, but still offsite. u can go visit the other hotels, and c what they have 2 offer. but ultimately, it's your trip.

 

[honeymom]

We have gone to WDW and stayed at POFQ and WL onsite. They were truly magical. We have stayed at DLH and GCH at DL. We failed to see the magic in DLH although many people do. We had specifically wanted to stay there having walked the grounds many years before. However, it was such a disappointment - theming very weak, more of a plain hotel with some Mickeys and Tinks thrown in for theming, pool was freezing and overcrowded.

GCH, however, we did enjoy. Did we enjoy it to the tune of the $400 or so a night that it ran. Hard to say. I had a lot of Disney Rewards dollars to spend, so it didn't make that much of an impact. And, as much as we did enjoy it, I did feel that it could lighten up its atmosphere a little. It was similar to WL, but darker, more upscale and serious - lacking the whimsy of WL. What it did have going for it was a great location and service, the fact that it felt themed and a relaxing environment at the pool, and some great restaurants.

 

[princess@heart]

My family is planning a trip to DL in May (9-15) and I have some questions. The first is where to stay? We have stayed at AKL, POP, and FW at WDW. We love the escape that Disney offers in Orlando. Staying onsite only adds to the magic. Is it the same at DLR? Is it worth the extra dough?

Is the dinning plan a good thing? We have used it the last two visits to WDW and got our money's worth (the 2nd time we got it for free).

We are planning a 6 nights trip and I wonder how many days should we plan for the parks. We are also thinking about a day at Universal (gasp!).

We take food very seriously at WDW and need some pointers on good places to eat. We like just about everything.

How are the crowds in May?

I guess that would be enough to get started. LOL. Any tips in these areas would be greatly appreciated!

Blessings

Hi RevDisney! We'll be there the same time. We are staying at DLH May 11th-15th.

 

[utahkennedys]

See you there, we'll be there from May 6-11. We are staying at DLH on DVC points, otherwise I don't personally think it would be worth the $. We are staying the first night free with Marriott Rewards Points at the Fairfiled. On our last trip (and first) to DL, we stayed at HoJo's and really enjoyed it. BUT, we only paid $30/night because when we bought our delta tickets they let us add the hotel for that low price. I would not pay $140+ for HoJos which is the rate I was seeing. I would personally either try the Candy Cane Inn or try Priceline. We have had friends get the Hyatt Grand Regency for $32-61 night, but it requires a shuttle. The only other possibility is if Disney runs the buy 3 nights get 1 night free I have seen on Expedia as the dates sometimes get closer, so you could book something and then wait and see.

 

[serendipity]

My family is planning a trip to DL in May (9-15) and I have some questions. The first is where to stay? We have stayed at AKL, POP, and FW at WDW. We love the escape that Disney offers in Orlando. Staying onsite only adds to the magic. Is it the same at DLR? Is it worth the extra dough?

Is the dinning plan a good thing? We have used it the last two visits to WDW and got our money's worth (the 2nd time we got it for free).

We are planning a 6 nights trip and I wonder how many days should we plan for the parks. We are also thinking about a day at Universal (gasp!).

We take food very seriously at WDW and need some pointers on good places to eat. We like just about everything.

How are the crowds in May?

I guess that would be enough to get started. LOL. Any tips in these areas would be greatly appreciated!

Blessings

I have a bit of advice. I have been to Universal in Orlando MANY times and for the first time went to the one in California last year. Doesn't come CLOSE to comparing, really, its a joke. There's hardly any attractions!!!! Go to the beach, see hollywood, etc, but DON'T go to universal.

 

[HydroGuy]

My family is planning a trip to DL in May (9-15) and I have some questions. The first is where to stay? We have stayed at AKL, POP, and FW at WDW. We love the escape that Disney offers in Orlando. Staying onsite only adds to the magic. Is it the same at DLR? Is it worth the extra dough?

Is the dinning plan a good thing? We have used it the last two visits to WDW and got our money's worth (the 2nd time we got it for free).

We are planning a 6 nights trip and I wonder how many days should we plan for the parks. We are also thinking about a day at Universal (gasp!).

We take food very seriously at WDW and need some pointers on good places to eat. We like just about everything.

How are the crowds in May?

I guess that would be enough to get started. LOL. Any tips in these areas would be greatly appreciated!

Blessings

Wherever you stay, stay close by! Check out this thread and the links it contains for hotels - "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Never tried the dining plan at DLR, but almost everyone says it is not worth it. Note that DLR is weaker than WDW in the area of food. There are less table service places.

For sure eat at the Blue Bayou at DL. The other high end places there are Napa Rose at the GCH and Vineyard Room at DCA.

You may also like the table service Cafe Orleans at DL. There are places in DTD which is very close to the DLR gates. And then there are the counter service places like Taste Pilots Grill at DCA and Redd Rockets at DL.

Crowds in May are considered moderate. Weekdays will be less crowded than weekends, but pay attention to show schedules which may only be on weekends.

Lots more tips here: "An Introduction To WDW For DLR Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16541636

 

[Lissete]

I am no expert on Disneyland. We have only been once, last year in June. Although it was quite busy being that it was the premiere of POTC 2, we saw & did everything in about 2 1/2 days. Plus we took it very easy, not commando at all.

As for where to stay, we stayed at the Candy Cane. We were very happy with it. We live in Florida, so we have been to WDW a gazillion times. We have stayed at practically every hotel on property. Here, I think that it is essential to stay on property. I would venture to rate the Candy Cane Inn on par with WDW's Moderates. Their shuttle runs every 1/2 hour & is very reliable. You can also walk if you like, it's a quick walk to the main entrance.

Whatever you choose I'm sure you will have a great trip.

 

[Leofoenget]

My family is planning a trip to DL in May (9-15) and I have some questions. The first is where to stay? We have stayed at AKL, POP, and FW at WDW. We love the escape that Disney offers in Orlando. Staying onsite only adds to the magic. Is it the same at DLR? Is it worth the extra dough?

Is the dinning plan a good thing? We have used it the last two visits to WDW and got our money's worth (the 2nd time we got it for free).

We are planning a 6 nights trip and I wonder how many days should we plan for the parks. We are also thinking about a day at Universal (gasp!).

We take food very seriously at WDW and need some pointers on good places to eat. We like just about everything.

How are the crowds in May?

I guess that would be enough to get started. LOL. Any tips in these areas would be greatly appreciated!

Blessings

Well thats when we are going too btw. Just be aware, that Sunday the 13 is Mother's day so it may be a bit more crowded. I am staying across Harbor walking distance. I have done this twice before and find it's the best, so easy to walk back to the room. Best Western Park Place, Best Western Anaheim, Desert inn and FairField Inn by Marriott are all good places.



have fun

 

[Rob_b]

Our first trip to DL will be from May 5 - 11. Using DVC points to stay at DLH. Dining is also important to us. Our restaurant options so far are:
- Carnation Café (Breakfast)
- Las Brisas (On the way back from San Diego)
- Mrs Knotts Famous Chicken Diner (Day at Knotts)
- Napa Rose
- Blue Bau
- ESPN Zone

Rob