DL questions from a newbie

[britterbell]

My family and I have been to WDW many times. DL though, we've never been. When my oldest DD13 gets into high school (2010) she won't be able to miss school and go during off season. We were cosidering going to DL her FM year. A couple of questions:

1) Downtimes: when are they? Also, how crowded is March Break? Christmas Break? Thanksgiving Break?

2) Which hotel? We LOVE AKL at WDW and pretty much love a clean hotel.

3) How many days at which park? Other than DL what else to do/visit in Cali.?

4) Is there a Dining Plan or something similar to it? Best food places?

5) Is there a book/website that I can visit to give me more of an idea of what I should now?

Thanks for any help. I really appreciate it. A year without Disney, I think my DD's (and me) would die. Again, TIA!

 

[DizNee Luver]

You've come to the right place!!! WELCOME!

First things first, read the "stickys" at the top of these forums. They are full of information that will cover a number of your questions.

As for the dining plan, DL doesn't really have one. If you book thru Disney Travel you can get their Disney Dining plan which are vouchers for character meals, dollar amts ($15, $10 & snacks). These don't save you any money & in fact complicate checking out your food purchases. You don't get change & don't want to lose money on them, so you stand there & figure which voucher(s) to use so you'll only have to pay a little in change/cash.

Once you've had a chance to review the information topics, come back & ask more questions. Lots of people here to help!!!

 

[Sherwin]

5) Is there a book/website that I can visit to give me more of an idea of what I should now?

Yep. Here.

Seriously, you'll learn here and from the unofficial guide than any Disney-sponsored site.

 

[mikayla73]

2) Which hotel? We LOVE AKL at WDW and pretty much love a clean hotel.
The hotel that would be closest to AKL, would be the Grand Californian. Although it's really more like the WL.

3) How many days at which park? Other than DL what else to do/visit in Cali.?
I'd go for 4 days, 5 would be better. We also go to the beach, baseball games ... there's tons of stuff to do.

Be sure to check out the sticky's at the top!

 

[britterbell]

Thanks for the tips! I still have the question of which break do you think would be best to go:

Thanksgiving
Christmas
March
Summer

TIA!

 

[DizNee Luver]

After Thanksgiving thru Mid-December I've heard is a great time to go. Everything is all decorated up for Christmas, but the crowds are less.

We're going in March & this time, we're missing most of the California spring breaks, so looking forward to a little less chaos this trip. Last March, we hit during the spring breaks & it was super crowded (record crowds).

Christmas time I image the week prior thru the new year would be busy, but have never gone at this time.

Summer is busy unless you can come early June..... not as bad as it would be say July & August.

 

[avalon451]

Read Hydroguy's Tip threads, he answers pretty much all your questions!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

It's especially helpful for WDW vets... he has several threads especially for discussing the differences between WDW and DL.

Have a great time planning!