Disneyland HELP NEEDED

[Kellyh123]

I live in Texas. I have been to WDW at least 15 times and I really know WDW.
I just found out I am going to a conference in Costa Mesa and staying at the Costa Mesa Hilton NEXT MONTH. I have never been west of Texas. My husband and I are going to fly in a day early and we want to spend that day at Disney Land. We will soon be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and thought what a great way to do it.
I need help with everything.
We will want to stay at a Disney Hotel that first night then move the next night to our conference hotel.
What hotel should we stay at what are the pros and cons.
Does Disneyland have magical express like WDW?
What are the must dos at Disneyland?
WHat is a for sure restaurant.
Remember we only have one day in the park and I know next to nothing about Disneyland. Oh this is such a strange feeling.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[HydroGuy]

I live in Texas. I have been to WDW at least 15 times and I really know WDW.
I just found out I am going to a conference in Costa Mesa and staying at the Costa Mesa Hilton NEXT MONTH. I have never been west of Texas. My husband and I are going to fly in a day early and we want to spend that day at Disney Land. We will soon be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and thought what a great way to do it.
I need help with everything.
We will want to stay at a Disney Hotel that first night then move the next night to our conference hotel.
What hotel should we stay at what are the pros and cons.
Does Disneyland have magical express like WDW?
What are the must dos at Disneyland?
WHat is a for sure restaurant.
Remember we only have one day in the park and I know next to nothing about Disneyland. Oh this is such a strange feeling.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Staying at a Disney hotel at DLR is not as beneficial as at WDW. GCH is the nice$t and closest (sort of like WL), then DLH and PPH. Cheaper, but still expesnive, and further away (1/2 to 3/4 mile).

(See "DLR Abbreviations List" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520784 )

The DLR good neighbors cost less and there are several closer to DLR than the DLH or PPH. See links here: "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

DLR does not have ME like WDW. But it does have something. I have used ME at WDW but never at DLR so others will need to help you here.

Restaurants? Do the Blue Bayou at DL. Very unique.

Must do's? At the DL park that would be Matterhorn, Space Mtn (puts MK SM to shame), POTC, Alice in Wonderland, Storybookland Canal Boats (may still be closed for refurb), maybe Finding Nemo Subs.

See this link for lots of advice: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

If you decide to get one daty park hoppers ride California Screamin at DCA and Monsters Inc.

 

[ballarinamom]

Alos, IASW and Peter Pan are better at DL. Plus do a walk through Toontown. It is so surreal as it should be. We were very dissapointed with TT at WDW. We went in, rode the Barnstormer Roller coater with DD and left. We were very dissapointed because we love the one at DL so much. Plus do the Caslte walk through. Mr Toad and Pinochio are Dl exclusives. While in line for PP look up to the window and check out the evil queen. Plus Indy is so much better than Dinos
Ditto on BB.
Enjoy a Dole Whip INSIDE the Tiki Room. You can't take food into the one at WDW. And there is no annoying Gilbert Godfry at DL

 

[azlaura]

A special dinner....I would say Napa Rose in the Grand. Best dinner I've had at Disneyland
As far as a place to stay, if it's only one night I would stay at the Grand and splurge, since I am guessing work is paying for the other hotel

I agree with the other posts about the rides and areas you need to make sure to see and do. Also don't forget to ride Pirates(much better at DL) and see the whole New Orleans Square area.

Have a great time!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I also agree with the rides listed. IASW and POTC are much, much better at Disneyland. Truly Night and Day better. I hope that IASW won't be down for the holiday transformation when you're there. Fantasyland in general is beautiful to experience and the Matterhorn and Storybook Canal Boats are a must-see. And as always, Indiana Jones.

I also recommend the Blue Bayou for dining. If you only go to DL once, make the BB a mandatory stop because the food is good and it is such a quintessential Disney experience. Oh, and call ahead soon for priority seating as these slots tend to be taken up quickly. 714-781-DINE (3463)

You may want to use RideMax since you only have one day (and it sounds like a short day since you're flying in that day as well?).

 

[Kellyh123]

Hydroguy, Thanks so much for the wonderful link that is soo helpful. I am going to print that out and take it with us.
Ballarinamom Thanks for all the great advice especially about what to look for in line. I love finding the picture of Mr. Toad handing over the key to WP in the new WP ride at WDW

azlaura, I have heard that the DL Haunted Mansion gets decorated for Christmas. Do you know anything about that? Isn't that in New Orlean's Square?

Kittyskyfish, What is ridemax? We will be flying in one night then doing DL the next day.

Does anyone know if DL has anything like Magicial Express?


Thanks again

 

[HydroGuy]

Hydroguy, Thanks so much for the wonderful link that is soo helpful. I am going to print that out and take it with us.
Ballarinamom Thanks for all the great advice especially about what to look for in line. I love finding the picture of Mr. Toad handing over the key to WP in the new WP ride at WDW

azlaura, I have heard that the DL Haunted Mansion gets decorated for Christmas. Do you know anything about that? Isn't that in New Orlean's Square?

Kittyskyfish, What is ridemax? We will be flying in one night then doing DL the next day.

Does anyone know if DL has anything like Magicial Express?


Thanks again

RideMax is software you can buy that helps create cusotm itineraries. They have a version for DLR and WDW, BTW. See www.ridemax.com.

HM was decorated for its Nightmare Before Christmas overlay in Sept and that will stay until early Jan. It is not my cup of tea but lots of people like it.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Thanks for posting the link, HydroGuy!

DL doesn't have a complimentary Magical Express. There are shuttle services available at Disney property hotels like the Grand Californian, but they are for a not-so-nominal fee. Many people arrange their transportation through shuttle services like SuperShuttle. Here's the link that has the SuperShuttle coupon: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2301312

Staying at a Disney property is great but not a must here. Unlike WDW, there are many non-Disney hotels just outside the park that are about the same walking distance as the Disney property hotels - meaning minutes away! We all have our favorites and mine is the Fairfield Inn Anaheim.

 

[tinkermell]

Hydroguy, Thanks so much for the wonderful link that is soo helpful. I am going to print that out and take it with us.
Ballarinamom Thanks for all the great advice especially about what to look for in line. I love finding the picture of Mr. Toad handing over the key to WP in the new WP ride at WDW

azlaura, I have heard that the DL Haunted Mansion gets decorated for Christmas. Do you know anything about that? Isn't that in New Orlean's Square?

Kittyskyfish, What is ridemax? We will be flying in one night then doing DL the next day.

Does anyone know if DL has anything like Magicial Express?


Thanks again

Oooh......You are going the best time of the year. Hopefully most of the Christmas decorations will be up by the time you come.

Contrary to what Hydroguy says, (sorry Trey), I love the overlay for the Haunted Mansion! I like it better than the orginal. I know, I know......blasphemy! It's a Small World also gets a Holiday overlay! Really fun for a change. Also with admission you get the Holiday parade, fireworks and snow!!! You don't need a special separate ticket to see them!

DL is really quaint compared to the MK. Around every corner you will find something. No wasted space at DL. You will be amazed! That can make it seem quite crowded, especially around the Indianna Jones attraction heading toward Pirates. You will love Pirates at DL........way better than the MKs. Same with Space! Fantasyland is better too, along with Toontown. My favorite place in DL is the New Orleans Square. Just fun, with alot of street performers and pretty spots to sit.

Depending upon which airport you land in, there is a shuttle that I believe is owned by Grayline that DL hires. I believe that it comes every 30 minutes or so to pick up passengers. It goes to most hotels around DL and of course to the onsite hotels. I think it might be around $15-20 each way, or there is probably a better rate for round trip. As DISers have mentioned, there are lots of other shuttles available too.

Finally.........splurge on the Grand Californian!!! It is right in the middle of DTD, with an easy walk to DL. If you were to go to California Adventures, you can walk right into that park from the hotel. It is that close!!!

As a matter of fact, in case you haven't found out yet.......everything is close. You can literally park hop back and forth if you want. But maybe with just one day, that would be too much. Too bad, you don't have at least one more day to play.

Eat at the Blue Bayou for the atmosphere and good food. Some people complain about it, but we have always been pleased. Request a waterside table if possible. Otherwise my other favorites are Cafe Orleans (Pommes frites and beignets, sp?)and Carnation Cafe. (Loaded Baked potato soup) Bengal BBQ for bacon wrapped aspargus.

Favorite snacks would be churros, apple pie caramel apples, Dolewhips and Matterhorn Macaroons from the Blue Ribbon bakery. Also this time of year go for the cream cheese pumpkin muffins. Yummy!

Have fun!

 

[Kellyh123]

Thanks so much everyone for all of the help. I am trying to decide whether we should rent a car for the first two days to go to Disney. Does anyone know about how much it costs for a taxi from DL to Costa Mesa Hilton ( the hotel is supposed to be about 2.5 miles from the Orange County airport).
Thanks so much.
Keep the advice coming. I love to know about all the little things to do and look for (and eat).

 

[tinkermell]

Thanks so much everyone for all of the help. I am trying to decide whether we should rent a car for the first two days to go to Disney. Does anyone know about how much it costs for a taxi from DL to Costa Mesa Hilton ( the hotel is supposed to be about 2.5 miles from the Orange County airport).
Thanks so much.
Keep the advice coming. I love to know about all the little things to do and look for (and eat).

Does that mean you would try to go 2 days into the parks? If you could swing it, that would be great.

I have no idea about the taxi ride. Maybe renting a car would be the nicest way to go, unless you find out about some other kind of transportation.

You might check out the part of this board that goes into Southern California and the Beaches thread. I bet you could find out some more info there.

 

[Kellyh123]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone has anymore suggestions!
Thanks

 

[LavenderPeach]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone has anymore suggestions!
Thanks

Do you have any specific questions? I think it's easier for people to answer if you ask something more specific like "what are your favorite CS restaurants" or something like that.

 

[Judy from Boise]

yes, the sticky threads are a treasure trove of general (and very good) advice. Also we have an entire planning section to read, it is the links in the box at the top of the page.......look for the facebook logo, then look for the words two rows down within the same box