DL Virgin, considering first DL trip.

[dragon300zx]

Thats right, I have been to WDW 4 times.

1st time, School band trip, we performed somewhere at epcot I believe.

2nd trip, girlfriend and family

3rd trip, family

4th trip, just me an my gf.

It has literally been a year since my last trip to WDW and the withdrawls are horrible. However Dear GF made me promise our next trip would be DL as neither of us have been and She has never been to Cali and I have been at least twice.

My first trip to new places is usually a planned trip (planned by someone else), which usually I like because it lets me see the important things and have some sort of structure and get aclimated so that I can plan the perfect second trip.

Seeing as I doubt there is anyway that is going to happen for this trip I have to plan things out on my own, something that can be nerve racking when you don't know the area, the attractions, etc.

So who wants to give the virgin advice?

What time of year?
Where should we eat?
How Many days?
Other things we should do?
What rides are tame enough for someone who gets motion sickness (soaring is good, Tower Of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain are not)?
Where should we stay?

I will be renting a car, I am from michigan, I do not trust public transportation.

 

[KCmike]

What time of year? Early Summer.

Where should we eat? Plaza Inn, Rancho Del Zocalo, Hungry Bear

How Many days? At least four to truly experience it all but can be done on less

Other things we should do? Beach, San Diego, Yosemite National Park but its five hours away and its probably a seperate trip but everyone needs to see it.


What rides are tame enough for someone who gets motion sickness (soaring is good, Tower Of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain are not)? All of Fantasyland, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, IASM, Pooh, etc..


Where should we stay? On Property (DL or GC) Off Property (Fairfield Inn or Hojo)

Go and have a great time. We've been three years in a row and we were WDW vets.

 

[lilsprstr]

Get the book "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland." It is invaluable when it comes to planning. Tons of info on Hotels, food, rides, etc. I always check out a copy at the library. A new edition comes out every year.

 

[wdi2b]

take to it. act like it's the magic kingdom but remember that this one walt built.

california adventures is a must hit also. go soon while aladdin is still around

 

[HydroGuy]

Thats right, I have been to WDW 4 times.

A good place to start is the sticky at the top: **ºoº DLR FAQ-MAPS, HOTELS, DISER HOTEL REVIEWS, HYDROGUY'S TIPS, DINING REVIEWS, ETC

This thread gets lots of mileage around here (last I checked it had been read 27,000 times):

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

What time of year?

That depends. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip then you will probably want to go when all the rides and entertainment is running. That means summer or holidays, or maybe spring break.

If you decide to shoot for lower crowds then be careful what time of year you choose. See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

There is a lot of new stuff coming to DLR - especially DCA. DCA is undergoing a refurb of the entire park. FYI here is some info on that:

Disney's California Adventure Project Tracker VIII

Disneyland Project Tracker

DLR has had some lumpy attendance caused by its AP program. Watch out for that:

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

And finally some weather info:

"Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

Where should we eat?

IMO DLR is just not as good as WDW in the area of dining but it does have some good options. At a minimum eat at the Blue Bayou at DL.

How Many days?

Three minimum. Four is better.

Other things we should do?

At DLR or in SoCal? If SoCal see the final section in "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

What rides are tame enough for someone who gets motion sickness (soaring is good, Tower Of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain are not)?

Similar mix to WDW. If you can handle Dinosaur at AK then you must ride Indiana Jones at DL.

Where should we stay?

Somewhere you can walk to the parks. Either onsite or off. See "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

I will be renting a car, I am from michigan, I do not trust public transportation.

If you take the advice to stay within walking distance you will not need a car at DLR. You may need it if you want to go to Hollywood, the beach, San Diego, etc.

 

[dragon300zx]

So I guess I'm going to miss aladdin cause It won't be this year.

I am thinking either early next year (March) before we move (we will be buying a house next year hopefullY) or may/june right after we move.

HoJo is Howard Johnson?

If we do 4-5 days or more are there other good sit down restaurants in the area? We like table service & will prolly eat once at Mideival Times.

 

[las3888]

I am not a DL expert by far--having only gone once last summer, but I have been to DW at least 35 times. I LOVED DL. We are going again this summer. I don't want to build up expectations, but I hope you have a good time! I recommend many of the sit-down restaurants at DTD. Reservations in general were not necessary.

Good luck!

 

[HydroGuy]

HoJo is Howard Johnson?

Yes, see "DLR Abbreviations List" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520784

If we do 4-5 days or more are there other good sit down restaurants in the area? We like table service & will prolly eat once at Mideival Times.

The sticky thread I posted earlier discusses this:

**ºoº DLR FAQ-MAPS, HOTELS, DISER HOTEL REVIEWS, HYDROGUY'S TIPS, DINING REVIEWS, ETC