Disneyland Newbie, WDW last year - HELP me plan DL!

[HappieMommie]

Hi guys!

We went to WDW last Sept and had the best time of our lives! I planned and planned and got all of the help from here!

We are addicted and want to try out Disneyland this fall. We have a 5yr old and a 2 year old, and our own double stroller that we will bring.

We don't know where we're staying, but I have heard a billion good things about HOJO here. What are your suggestions? Where can I find the discount codes for planning?

Car or no car? Apparantly a car helps since things are more spread out, unlike WDW?

When to go? How will crowds be in the Nov. 5 - 25 range? We'd love to see the christmas stuff up! We saw the Halloween stuff up at WDW, and it was COOL!

How long to go for? We went to Florida for 11 days, and spent THREE full days in the Magic Kingdom! We absolutely loved it there, and so did the kids.

Oh my gosh, I am so excited!! I think we'll do the whole secret thing and not tell our kids till we're on the way. (I couldn't hold it in last year and blurted it out months before!!)

Thanks for the help!!

 

[HydroGuy]

We don't know where we're staying, but I have heard a billion good things about HOJO here. What are your suggestions? Where can I find the discount codes for planning?

First, here is a thread that gets a lot of mileage around here: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Lots of people like Hojo. I am one of them. You will get a ton of advice to this question. Whatever you do I tell people to stay closeby within walking distance. See

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

Car or no car? Apparantly a car helps since things are more spread out, unlike WDW?

Once you are at DLR you will not need a car if you stay closeby (which I recommended already ). In fact a car is a hindrance.

When to go? How will crowds be in the Nov. 5 - 25 range? We'd love to see the christmas stuff up! We saw the Halloween stuff up at WDW, and it was COOL!

Be careful with choice of dates. Early November is off-season which has downsides. See

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

How long to go for? We went to Florida for 11 days, and spent THREE full days in the Magic Kingdom! We absolutely loved it there, and so did the kids.

Three days minimum. Four is better.

HTH

 

[WannabeAriel]

I can't answer many of your questions because I'm more of a WDW vet and a DL newb! But I can give you the HoJo entertainment rate link:

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

Be sure when making reservations to call their IN HOUSE reservations at 714-776-6120. (Make sure to ask for "In House Reservations" and not central reservations)

I think if you spent 3 days in the Magic Kingdom alone at WDW - I would plan on doing a 5 day hopper at DL.

 

[DSNY4ever]

1. Hojo is a good choice. Other hotels I like are the Carousel and Anabella. I have heard good things about the Candy Cane Inn too.

2. A car is not necessary (unless you are not staying in walking distance of the parks or if you would like to visit other areas of California during your visit). You can book a shuttle from the airport.

3. You should listen to the recent Disunplugged podcast- they had a special Disneyland episode and a email question show that answered questions about Disneyland and there were many tips for doing Disneyland with young kids.

4. Christmas is an amazing time to see the DLR. The week after Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to go.

5. In my opinion, you need at LEAST 3 full days in the theme parks. Then if you want to stay longer there are so many amazing nearby areas such as Laguna Beach, San Diego, Catalina Island, Hollywood etc. Try exploring around there if you want a longer trip.

6. The DLR is actually much less spread out than WDW. The two parks are just across from each other and park hopping and going back to your hotel is much easier and faster in DL than in WDW. And Downtown Disney is right there too, so you can walk to everything easily and head back to your hotel easily for breaks/naps (as long as your hotel is in walking distance).

Good luck with your trip planning, I hope you have a great time!

 

[HappieMommie]

Wow, thanks! I had actually read through your tips up in the stickies! You're practically famous! Thanks for the tips!

First, here is a thread that gets a lot of mileage around here: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Lots of people like Hojo. I am one of them. You will get a ton of advice to this question. Whatever you do I tell people to stay closeby within walking distance. See

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

Once you are at DLR you will not need a car if you stay closeby (which I recommended already ). In fact a car is a hindrance.

Be careful with choice of dates. Early November is off-season which has downsides. See

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

Three days minimum. Four is better.

HTH

I can't answer many of your questions because I'm more of a WDW vet and a DL newb! But I can give you the HoJo entertainment rate link:

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

Be sure when making reservations to call their IN HOUSE reservations at 714-776-6120. (Make sure to ask for "In House Reservations" and not central reservations)

I think if you spent 3 days in the Magic Kingdom alone at WDW - I would plan on doing a 5 day hopper at DL.

Oooh, those are good tips! Thanks! I think 5 days would do it, too!

1. Hojo is a good choice. Other hotels I like are the Carousel and Anabella. I have heard good things about the Candy Cane Inn too.

2. A car is not necessary (unless you are not staying in walking distance of the parks or if you would like to visit other areas of California during your visit). You can book a shuttle from the airport.

3. You should listen to the recent Disunplugged podcast- they had a special Disneyland episode and a email question show that answered questions about Disneyland and there were many tips for doing Disneyland with young kids.

4. Christmas is an amazing time to see the DLR. The week after Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to go.

5. In my opinion, you need at LEAST 3 full days in the theme parks. Then if you want to stay longer there are so many amazing nearby areas such as Laguna Beach, San Diego, Catalina Island, Hollywood etc. Try exploring around there if you want a longer trip.

6. The DLR is actually much less spread out than WDW. The two parks are just across from each other and park hopping and going back to your hotel is much easier and faster in DL than in WDW. And Downtown Disney is right there too, so you can walk to everything easily and head back to your hotel easily for breaks/naps (as long as your hotel is in walking distance).

Good luck with your trip planning, I hope you have a great time!

Thanks so much! When is American Thanksgiving again? Oh, and how is Catalina Island? When is the "summer time" with hot sun and beaches there? (I am up near the Rockies in Canada, and we're still covered in snow. The sun and beach is a HUGE thrill right now!)

Thanks guys!

 

[TinkSassy]

I'm a WDW vet and just got back from my first DL trip. You'll want at least 4 days - we did 3 and had to really push it to see everything.

Be sure to research your meals - if we hadn't we'd have had trouble finding places to eat in our price range. Restaurants are not as plentiful.

We stayed at the Tropicana as it was closer, but I saw the HoJo and it had a great pool for the kids. Just a slightly longer walk (about 2 more blocks).

I wouldn't rent a car the whole time - just the days you will leave the Disney parks (beach, shopping) The park is so close and hopping between them is like getting on the ferry outside MK. There is a car rental place in Downtown Disney (pick up at an odd time - they are not fast at turning people over). We went there before breakfast at 7:30 and the line was super long - came back after a leisurely meal at Goofy's Kitchen at 9:30 and we were the only ones there. We did this our first day and went to the beach and Target to stock up on supplies - we wouldn't have used it any other day.

I'll post my trip report soon and hopefully that will help too. Have fun we did!

 

[DSNY4ever]

Thanks so much! When is American Thanksgiving again? Oh, and how is Catalina Island? When is the "summer time" with hot sun and beaches there? (I am up near the Rockies in Canada, and we're still covered in snow. The sun and beach is a HUGE thrill right now!)

Thanks guys!

Oh haha, I forgot that since you aren't American you probably don't pay attention to when thanksgiving is In 2009 it is on November 26th. So From Sun November 29th through the first week of December could be a good time. But if you want a hot sunny beach day, this is not the time to go. The "normal" time of year for hot days down there would range from May-October. But you can have cool days in June and hot days in December, you never know! I have boiled there in April and worn shorts in December...and I have worn my ski jacket in December!

But year round the water at the beaches down there is pretty cold. It can be refreshing to run your feet in on a hot day, but you better have a wet suit if you plan to swim- it's no Hawaii! Catalina Island is beautiful. I have only ever taken the ferry over there for a day trip so I am no expert, but it is a beautiful place to walk around and get an ice cream and enjoy the beaches, shops and the view. With the ages of your kids I would highly recommend San Diego. The zoo, the wild animal park, Balboa park and Sea World are all great, or you can just have a picnic day at the beach, or go to Coronado- lots of options there.

Have fun with your planning!

 

[HappieMommie]

Oh haha, I forgot that since you aren't American you probably don't pay attention to when thanksgiving is In 2009 it is on November 26th. So From Sun November 29th through the first week of December could be a good time. But if you want a hot sunny beach day, this is not the time to go. The "normal" time of year for hot days down there would range from May-October. But you can have cool days in June and hot days in December, you never know! I have boiled there in April and worn shorts in December...and I have worn my ski jacket in December!

But year round the water at the beaches down there is pretty cold. It can be refreshing to run your feet in on a hot day, but you better have a wet suit if you plan to swim- it's no Hawaii! Catalina Island is beautiful. I have only ever taken the ferry over there for a day trip so I am no expert, but it is a beautiful place to walk around and get an ice cream and enjoy the beaches, shops and the view. With the ages of your kids I would highly recommend San Diego. The zoo, the wild animal park, Balboa park and Sea World are all great, or you can just have a picnic day at the beach, or go to Coronado- lots of options there.

Have fun with your planning!

Ooooh. I want to go NOW. I seriously almost melted in Florida. It was way too hot and sweaty for me. I don't mind cooler temps. No jackets is desirable, though. And shorts and tees/tanks. Our alternate date was in October, so maybe that will do. Although, I am used to swimming in cold mountain lakes, so it may just be balmy to me!

Thanks for all your help! Do you know if Disneyland has a Free Dining promo like WDW?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks so much! When is American Thanksgiving again?

"List of American Holidays" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1937849

When is the "summer time" with hot sun and beaches there? (I am up near the Rockies in Canada, and we're still covered in snow. The sun and beach is a HUGE thrill right now!)

Thanks guys!

June-September are plenty warm. See "Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158