Disneyland Trip Advice

[Disneylover1970]

im thinking about a trip to Disneyland, might not be until spring 2020(or maybe fall 2019). Flying into John Wayne Airport has been recommended and taking Super Shuttle to Hotel. The Candycane Inn has been recommended as well. I’m thinking maybe Monday(arrival) to Friday(departure) ? Any other hotel recommendations? Any other advice or recommendations? Thank you

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We love the Candy Cane Inn -- never had a bad stay there. They offer various discounts, so call to see if you qualify for something. This thread has good info on hotels at DLR: www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/. If you come during summer, all weekdays should be fine since DLR should be on the peak schedule with entertainment every night. If you come in fall, you may hit a non-peak (NB that does not necessarily = low crowd) time with nighttime entertainment on weekends only (Fri., Sat., Sun.). By Fall 2019, SWGE is expected to be open, so crowds will reflect that. Good planning will be essential, so good for you for starting early!

 

[lalasmama]

A first visit--how fun!

We prefer LGB (Long Beach) for our airport. It's smaller, quicker to navigate, and equally close to the parks. We do Uber/Lyft from airport to resort and back.

Candy Cane Inn gets good reviews. I haven't stayed there. We enjoy Tropicana which is up closer to the pedestrian entrance. They do NOT have a free breakfast, but they are seriously close, and renovated in 2017. The prices are often a little lower than Candy Cane as well.

Have a great trip!

 

[Disneylover1970]

Thank you. Is Long Beach closer then John Wayne? We usually fly Southwest. I’ll check out the other thread too. I’ll check out Tropicana too.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you. Is Long Beach closer then John Wayne? We usually fly Southwest. I’ll check out the other thread too. I’ll check out Tropicana too.

"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

 

[lalasmama]

Thank you. Is Long Beach closer then John Wayne? We usually fly Southwest. I’ll check out the other thread too. I’ll check out Tropicana too.

LGB to the pedestrian entrance at Disneyland is approximately 19 miles.
SNA to the pedestrian entrance is about 13 miles.
In my experience, they both take about 20 minutes.

Southwest flies to both, and price is often pretty comparable.

 

[Disneylover1970]

Thank you for all the information. It definitely helps trip planning easier.

 

[cinnaminny]

I would, as you probably are, checking the cost to fly to Long Beach over SNA. John Wayne is relatively the same distance as Long Beach but, at least where I am flying from, Long Beach is over twice the cost. I've personally found John Wayne to be easy to navigate.

If you're WDW vet one thing to consider, depending when you go, there might be less of a crowd in the spring, BUT in the fall they change the overlay for the Haunted Mansion to Nightmare Before Christmas. Its pretty awesome, like really great. It's something to see, if you've never experienced it.

 

[Disneylover1970]

I would, as you probably are, checking the cost to fly to Long Beach over SNA. John Wayne is relatively the same distance as Long Beach but, at least where I am flying from, Long Beach is over twice the cost. I've personally found John Wayne to be easy to navigate.

If you're WDW vet one thing to consider, depending when you go, there might be less of a crowd in the spring, BUT in the fall they change the overlay for the Haunted Mansion to Nightmare Before Christmas. Its pretty awesome, like really great. It's something to see, if you've never experienced it.

Thank you. I checked and it’s cheaper and more flights into John Wayne, there was only one flight to Long Beach. Is it November 1st like WDW when they have Christmas up?

 

[smartlabelprint]

Thank you. I checked and it’s cheaper and more flights into John Wayne, there was only one flight to Long Beach. Is it November 1st like WDW when they have Christmas up?

I think it was 11/9 this year. I could be wrong. There is a historical calendar.

 

[MonocularVision]

I think it was 11/9 this year. I could be wrong. There is a historical calendar.

You’re correct, it was the 9th.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Why Monday through Friday? I'm asking because often the entertainment only runs on the weekends.

 

[Disneylover1970]

Why Monday through Friday? I'm asking because often the entertainment only runs on the weekends.

Sorry, didn’t read about entertainment on weekends only. I read someplace else that it’s best to go during the week because it’s packed on weekends. What is the entertainment on the weekends

 

[smartlabelprint]

Sorry, didn’t read about entertainment on weekends only. I read someplace else that it’s best to go during the week because it’s packed on weekends. What is the entertainment on the weekends

That’s what everyone’s thinks. In the off season some Mondays are busier than weekends because annual passes are blocked on some weekend days.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I read someplace else that it’s best to go during the week because it’s packed on weekends...

I'm guessing you didn't read that here and that the info wasn't recent because it's been repeated here often that Mondays over the last year have become very busy days pretty consistently and that weekends, especially Saturdays, have been pretty good. Wednesdays have been pretty good, too. Always check your days against the AP blockout calendars and the ticket pricing charts. Lower APs good to go + Value Price Tickets (lowest price) = crowded day. Lower APs blocked + Peak Price Ticket (highest price) = lower crowd (not necessarily uncrowded, but definitely less busy).