Disneyland Newbie! How long and where to stay?

[WannabeAriel]

OK... I consider myself quite the Disneyworld expert... but I've only been to Disneyland once!!! I feel like I'm starting from scratch!!! We are going for my BIRTHDAY at the end of July!!! (I've always wanted one of those Birthday buttons!)

First question... How long? Since it's so much smaller than WDW I was originally thinking only 2 days... one for each park... but do you think I'll regret it? Maybe 3 days?

Secondly... WHERE to stay??? The last time we were there we were at my parents time share so we didn't have to pay for lodging. I don't think we can afford "on property" but would like something nice and clean and close. (Is that too much to ask???) It's just DH and I so no kids. Romantic wouldn't hurt but it's not a requirement!

And lastly... when we go to WDW we never rent a car... but I'm thinking that may be a litter harder in DL right?

Thanks guys!

 

[HydroGuy]

OK... I consider myself quite the Disneyworld expert... but I've only been to Disneyland once!!! I feel like I'm starting from scratch!!! We are going for my BIRTHDAY at the end of July!!! (I've always wanted one of those Birthday buttons!)

Well, for someone who was starting from scratch for a July visit here are a couple threads that should help.

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

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

First question... How long? Since it's so much smaller than WDW I was originally thinking only 2 days... one for each park... but do you think I'll regret it? Maybe 3 days?

Three days is considered the minimum to visit DLR and four is better. If you can do three, then do three.

Also, DLR vets figure out pretty quickly that the WDW approach of "two days for two parks - one day in each park" is not the best way to do DLR. The two gates are literally 100 yards away from each other. Parkhopping at DLR is an entirely different animal than parkhopping at WDW. At WDW we never parkhop. At DLR we do it several times every day.

For more info on this see:

"Why I ParkHop at DLR" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

Secondly... WHERE to stay??? The last time we were there we were at my parents time share so we didn't have to pay for lodging. I don't think we can afford "on property" but would like something nice and clean and close. (Is that too much to ask???) It's just DH and I so no kids. Romantic wouldn't hurt but it's not a requirement!

Not everyone here, but most of us (including me), are sold on staying at walking distance hotels. You have 12-15 to choose from.

See this thread and the hotel links within for more specific info on walking distance hotels at DLR:

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

And lastly... when we go to WDW we never rent a car... but I'm thinking that may be a litter harder in DL right?

Unless you decide to stay far away from DLR and need to drive there (a colossal mistake IMO) then you will not need a car for DLR. You may want it for other SoCal visits you plan, but not for DLR. In fact, a car is drawback for visiting DLR IMO unless you are on a single day trip.

HTH.

 

[WannabeAriel]

Awesome! I love your "Hotel Rules" post!

So... I'm convinced I need a "Walking Distance" hotel. Is there a post somewhere with reviews? With so many of the close ones being things I've never heard of (Tropicana, Carousel, Candy Cane, etc) it's hard to know what they would compare to in terms of a "chain" hotel.

Plus... it's so strange to me that so many people rave about the HoJo but there are MANY HoJo's I've seen in other towns that I wouldn't dream of staying in!

I'm looking for something very clean and close... but reasonable. Pools, slides, etc aren't that important to me. Continental breakfast would be nice. Any ideas?

 

[lntsmom]

If you're just going to DLR you don't need a car as long as you stay at a resort that is within walking distance or one that has a shuttle. If you need a car for a day at the beach or whatever you can rent one right there on Harbor. I know Budget has an office there. I think National does, too.

As for how long, in July I'd give it 3 days unless you're planning to skip areas (for example, and adult's-only trip so you don't want to see Fantasyland or Toontown) If you are planning sit-down meals for a couple meals a day you might want to tack another day on to that.

HoJo's doesn't have a continental breakfast, but I'd still say to go with them. You might look on various websites and guides to see what they suggest. The Annabelle gets rave reviews in the guides, but I don't know anyone who's stayed there.

As for park-hopping. It's a different animal at DLR. At WDW we park hop when we have a specific reason to go to a park for a short time...such as when the boys wanted to ride Soarin' and Mission Space and go to Innoventions, but also wanted to ride Buzz and Pirates again.

What worked for us last time was to spend a day in each park. On our third day we went to DL and did some rides, then when CA opened we went over there to ride Soarin' again. After a couple rides on Soarin' we went back to DL.

I'm no expert...I've been to WDW and DL two times each...but what I've shared is what my limited experience has taught me!

 

[pixiewings71]

About the HoJo, the one in Anaheim is really the only one I'll stay in. It's not your typical HoJo, it's clean, the rooms are great, the staff is wonderful. It's my first pick when we are staying walking distance. The Tropicana is nice, the BWPPI is nice, the Candy Cane Inn is nice. But my first choice is the HoJo.

 

[Hound 109]

If you're just going to DLR you don't need a car as long as you stay at a resort that is within walking distance or one that has a shuttle. If you need a car for a day at the beach or whatever you can rent one right there on Harbor. I know Budget has an office there. I think National does, too.

As for how long, in July I'd give it 3 days unless you're planning to skip areas (for example, and adult's-only trip so you don't want to see Fantasyland or Toontown) If you are planning sit-down meals for a couple meals a day you might want to tack another day on to that.

......

As for park-hopping. It's a different animal at DLR. At WDW we park hop when we have a specific reason to go to a park for a short time...such as when the boys wanted to ride Soarin' and Mission Space and go to Innoventions, but also wanted to ride Buzz and Pirates again.

What worked for us last time was to spend a day in each park. On our third day we went to DL and did some rides, then when CA opened we went over there to ride Soarin' again. After a couple rides on Soarin' we went back to DL.

I'm no expert...I've been to WDW and DL two times each...but what I've shared is what my limited experience has taught me!

But...but......Fantasyland is for adults.....the kids can come along too.


(& cool disers in the know ...... park hop every day at DLR )


& if you want to avoid .... follow HydroGuy's tips.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Three days??? I said last time our 6 days was maybe 2 days too long...BUT look at me, I'd doing it all over again in a few weeks, SIX more days. It works out perfect though. The park closes earlier and we have time time go back to the room and rest and recoup if we want. We would miss so much in only 3 days.

 

[HydroGuy]

Three days??? I said last time our 6 days was maybe 2 days too long...BUT look at me, I'd doing it all over again in a few weeks, SIX more days. It works out perfect though. The park closes earlier and we have time time go back to the room and rest and recoup if we want. We would miss so much in only 3 days.

To be fair, I did not say "3 days is enough". I said "3 days is the minimum". For me personally four days is the absolute maximum. Other people can do 6 or even 8 days. I think Amy (of Amy&Dan fame) did 12 days last year.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

To be fair, I did not say "3 days is enough". I said "3 days is the minimum". For me personally four days is the absolute maximum. Other people can do 6 or even 8 days. I think Amy (of Amy&Dan fame) did 12 days last year.

Holy Moly ...that's a whole lotta churros!

 

[avalon451]

HoJo's big attraction is the Entertainment book rate. If you can get it, it makes it the nicest hotel for the best price within walking distance. If you can't, it's still a good place-- better than other HoJos I've seen. I might stay at BWPPI or Desert Inn if the price was right and the Ent rate wasn't available. But we loved HoJo.

HoJo Ent rate info: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14

As far as number of days: we went for 5 each time. More specifically, 1/2 day on arrival, 3 full days, and 1/2 day our last day before flying out in the late afternoon. We take big ol' breaks midday, and plan carefully so that our touring plans are relaxed and fun, rather than "fit it all in!" That's worked out great for us!

And, of course, as every DISer knows, Hydroguy rocks!

 

[DWFan4Life]

Lots of information coming. I just wanted to say Hi and may you have a great trip, have fun and enjoy.

Have a nice and safe trip coming.

 

[WannabeAriel]

HoJo's big attraction is the Entertainment book rate. If you can get it, it makes it the nicest hotel for the best price within walking distance. If you can't, it's still a good place-- better than other HoJos I've seen. I might stay at BWPPI or Desert Inn if the price was right and the Ent rate wasn't available. But we loved HoJo.

HoJo Ent rate info: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14

Woah... that WOULD be a great deal. Unfortunately we're going to be there in July. No discounts available for July listed. I was shocked at the prices for a "HoJo" when I looked yesterday at July rates!

As far as skipping things... we LOVE Fantasy land and wouldn't dream of skipping it! But Toontown... I could live without!

You've got me convinced that I need to stay an extra night and have 3 full days in the parks... plus whatever we can squeeze in on arrival and departure days. I'm guessing the hoppers are a lot like WDW in that adding on extra days isn't that expensive once you pass the 2 or 3 day mark.

And I agree... HyrdoGuy is the bomb! I've loved reading his big huge info post for WDW vets!!! That took a lot of work and it's greatly appreciated!

I still wish there was a place with a review of all the walking distance hotels... is there one and I just haven't found it yet? I'm confident now that the HoJo would be a good choice... but have no idea for the rest of them!

 

[pixiewings71]

Don't give up on those July dates.....they tend to add rooms very last minute at that rate so just keep watching!