Disneyland - full vacation packages?

[Dano13]

Hi .... We have been giving thought to going to Disneyland instead of the yearly Disney World trip next summer, mainly to see Cars Land and maybe some LA based sites as we have never been to Cali (outside of an LAX layover on the way to our honeymoon). At WDW we always book the "full package" with on site hotel, park tickets, park hopper, and meal plan. Is there the ability to get a meal plan in Disneyland? I don't think we will consider it if it becomes a fully a la carte trip.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

There IS a meal plan, but it's not recommended at Disneyland.

 

[scrappymel]

We are going to DLR for the first time in October. You can book a package on Disneyland's website that includes hotel (onsite or good neighbor), tickets, and transportation from the airport to your hotel. There are a couple extras included too... maybe a lanyard or picture or something? Do a little research on their dining plan b/c it's a lot different and looks like you might LOSE money doing it. We went with the package deal just b/c it's our first time, but if you're staying offsite you can probably save a little doing it all separately. We are excited to see all the different things!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Here's info from The DIS on what's included in packages:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/packages.htm

 

[goooof1]

Do a search for Hydroguy's thread for WDW vets coming to DLR. Sorry, don't know the exact title or link for it. It is mentioned a lot on here and is chock full of great info.

 

[sunflare]

Is there the ability to get a meal plan in Disneyland?

As of this year (or maybe last)...recently, at least.... Disneyland Resort no longer offers a meal plan.

 

[SMD]

As of this year (or maybe last)...recently, at least.... Disneyland Resort no longer offers a meal plan.

I think it was as of the recent price increase, but I've also read that it's been discontinued.

Just to enumerate why it wasn't a good plan, you paid face value for a series of vouchers which were designated snack, meal, character meal, etc. If the snack voucher was $5 and you order something that is $4.69, you would get no change. Since almost nothing is going to come out to exactly $5, the only way to get back the value that you paid was to order more than $5 and pay the difference. So really you were just pre-paying a portion of your food cost.

At DLR there are so many off-site options for food that they really don't try to keep people in the park for all three meals. You can save a lot of money by booking a hotel that includes breakfast, eating outside the parks and brining in snacks or packing lunch, so the meal plan wasn't very popular.