DL newbie. Have ?'s!

[IlliniMouse]

I just booked our first trip to DL and have some questions I'm hoping you can help me with.

My biggest question is how many days does it take to do the parks? (family of 3- DH, myself, and DS11) We are arriving on Memorial Day and leaving on the morning of June 5. We'll have 4 full days and at least half of Memorial Day. One day will be devoted to Legoland. I'm thinking we might go there on June 3 since that's a Grad Night, and the DL parks will close early. Can the parks be done in 2 days? Or would 3 be more realistic? I'd like to do some other things in the area, but don't want to feel rushed or like I missed out on something. (And I plan on going back to CA because there's so many things to do that we can't possibly do it all in one trip!) We're staying at a DL resort if that helps at all.

Getting around the area... By looking at maps, it looks like everything is really close together. Can you walk from CA to DL to DTD? Or do you need to get on a tram of some sort? I've done a little bit of checking into this, but not alot. It doesn't appear to be as complicated as WDW can be for a newbie, but maps can be deceiving!

Dining! If I have this right, at DL it's called PS instead of ADRs? How far out can you book?

Hours! They certainly don't post the hours far in advance, do they? Is there a somewhat "standard" for hours? What is typical for DTD?

I feel like I'm missing some website with all this info on it, but so far I haven't stumbled across it.

TIA!

 

[goofycathy]

I just booked our first trip to DL and have some questions I'm hoping you can help me with.

My biggest question is how many days does it take to do the parks? (family of 3- DH, myself, and DS11) We are arriving on Memorial Day and leaving on the morning of June 5. We'll have 4 full days and at least half of Memorial Day. One day will be devoted to Legoland. I'm thinking we might go there on June 3 since that's a Grad Night, and the DL parks will close early. Can the parks be done in 2 days? Or would 3 be more realistic? I'd like to do some other things in the area, but don't want to feel rushed or like I missed out on something. (And I plan on going back to CA because there's so many things to do that we can't possibly do it all in one trip!) We're staying at a DL resort if that helps at all.

Getting around the area... By looking at maps, it looks like everything is really close together. Can you walk from CA to DL to DTD? Or do you need to get on a tram of some sort? I've done a little bit of checking into this, but not alot. It doesn't appear to be as complicated as WDW can be for a newbie, but maps can be deceiving!

Dining! If I have this right, at DL it's called PS instead of ADRs? How far out can you book?

Hours! They certainly don't post the hours far in advance, do they? Is there a somewhat "standard" for hours? What is typical for DTD?

I feel like I'm missing some website with all this info on it, but so far I haven't stumbled across it.

TIA!

Hello!
1.I would recommend at least 3 days to see everything at DL and DCA.
2.You can definately get from any of the resort hotels to DCA and DL on foot, they are all right around DL DCA and DTD.
3.I believe ADR is only used in WDW (ive never been there) and PS (priority seating) is the term used at DL and if memory serves me right you can made PS 60 days in advanced.
4.As far as the hours, I believe they post 12 weeks out? That might not be right but that is a question another Dis'er can answer....and I think regular hours on the off season is 8a.m. to 8p.m. at DL and 9a.m. to 6p.m. at DCA....again my information could be wrong, I havent been during off season since last year so my memory is fuzzy

I'm pretty sure once you get there you will find it easier than you thought it would be, relax and have a great time!

~Cathy

 

[marcemc]

I agree that you should visit the parks for at least 3 days. June is usually a busy month and that gives you room to enjoy more and not feel like you are in a hurry.

Hours are usually available a month before. I still don't understand why.... There are some sites that have a record of opening times, parades, crowds, etc, based on previous years; if I am not mistaken Hydroguy might be able to give you the links!!!

Good luck & have fun planning your trip.

 

[redboxcar]

(In regards to an earlier reply) Is Memorial Day the off season?

Usually in the off season, I believe the hours are more like DLR 8am to 8 or 9pm and DCA 10am to 6pm. During holidays, though, DLR usually stays open until midnight and DCA possibly until 9pm. The hours for DTD vary because there are restaurants, shops, and more. In general, they're still open at least an hour after the parks close. Typically 10pm in the off season and past midnight during peak times.

I would recommend three days also. I'd say one for DCA and two for DLR. That's if you don't want to feel rushed. As posted earlier, everything is RIGHT within walking distance. The entrance to both parks AND DTD are all in one area, haha. No need to worry about transportation in that regard.

I'm not familiar with Disney dining.

Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[wvnative]

Add one more vote for 3 days. My DD and I go once a year and we usually do 4 day hoppers.

As Cathy mentioned, PS can be made 60 days out by calling 714-781-3463.

Unfortunately, I have no idea about the calendars. I don't normally check until a few days before we leave since our days are set by school breaks anyway.

 

[IlliniMouse]

Thanks for the replies! I will go with your advice and purchase 3 day tickets! I was thinking that was what I needed, but it's always good to ask those in the know!

I can't wait to see the entrances to these parks within walking distance of one another. It's hard to imagine after being at WDW where everything is spread out. I did read somewhere that DL is approximately 1 sq. mile in area and WDW is 47 sq. miles, so that should have clued me in a bit! LOL

I'm sure I'll have more questions! Thanks again! You guys are great!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

1. Definitely 3 days!!

2. They are all very walkable. DCA and DL are directly across from each other and DTD is at the end of the Esplanade.

3. PS can be made 60 days out. Tours, Fantasmic! seating is 30 days. PS isn't nearly as necessary AT 60 days as ADRs are for WDW. We've made them as little as a few weeks out for Character Dining and many have gotten other TS a day or so ahead of time.

4. Hours are posted a month-6 week out. Here is a link to June 2009 hours: June 2009

 

[HydroGuy]

Hours are usually available a month before. I still don't understand why.... There are some sites that have a record of opening times, parades, crowds, etc, based on previous years; if I am not mistaken Hydroguy might be able to give you the links!!!

Park hours:

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

FYI, rumors are that Fantasmic will be down all the way into June in 2010.

Other links you may want to check:

"Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

"The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400

Early June is off-season - see "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

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

"Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098

Have a magical trip!

 

[IlliniMouse]

Awesome! Thanks for the links!