DLR in June instead of WDW

[George Banks Esq.]

Background:
After trips to WDW the last two Junes and loving every minute of it, but hating the heat, we are thinking about trying Disneyland this time around.

My wife is a teacher, so the dates we can get our Disney fix are limited. We figure that of the times that kids are out from school, the best time for us to go is the first week they are out, which is usually the first full week in June.

We have 2 kids: At the time of the trip 4yo girl and 9mos old boy

Questions:
We normally spend a full 7 nights at WDW. It seems like people spend less time at DLR as a rule. Will 6 or 7 nights be overkill, or will it be great because we can take our time and really enjoy everything that both parks have to offer?

Disnelyland Hotel, Candy Cane Inn, or HoJo? We always stay on site at WDW, and love the feeling of being immersed in Disney for a full week. Will staying off site take away some of the magic? Also, how does the walk from Disneyland Hotel compare to CCI or HoJo?

ADR's? We are used to needing ADRs for all our sit down meals and planning 6 months in advance. Is that necessary? How about DTD restaurants?

Universal Hollywood: Worth the trip? How many days? Shuttles from DLR? Cab or Rental car?

Crowds. Are the crowds at DLR as big as WDW? We plan on using the new Lines App and Touring Plans to minimize wait times.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Disney Dreams]

You won't need 7 nights at DLR; however, it would give you time to soak everything in, take your time, not rush, not worry about summer crowds, etc....

With seven days, you may find you want to spend 4-5 days doing DLR leisurely and then take a few days to see other things in the area, such as Universal Studios Hollywood. You can rent a car, take a shuttle, there are options. It's little ways a way from DLR, but not too far to be a one day excursion.

ADRs (called Preferred Seating, PS at DLR) are no where near as necessary as they are at WDW. If you want to eat at some of the more popular restaurants, Blue Bayou, Napa Rose, etc... it wouldn't hurt to make a PS.

Now, as for hotels.... On site at DLR is not as "necessary" as on-site at WDW. In some cases, off-site can actually be closer to the Main Gate than on-site. I know - puzzling! But, true.

If you like the total immersion feeling, I would suggest staying at one of the three on-site hotels. While walking back to CCI or HoJos at the end of the night is not far, it does "break the illusion" as you cross Harbor Blvd and walk along a city street, passing McDs, on the way back to your motel.

If pricing is not a major issue and you like never leaving the Disney "bubble," I would suggest staying on-site. It's just more... magical.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[HydroGuy]

The weather at DLR in June is so much nicer than at WDW. See

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

Also pay attention to grad nights...

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

Finally, pay attention to some of the different crowd trends at DLR:

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

 

[disneyprin91]

The Disneyland Hotel is nice because you can get early morning entry to the park and have your own entrance to the park. You board the monorail in Downtown Disney and get dropped off in the park. When you check into the hotel every member recieves a card which is your ticket to ride the monorail for an early morning entry. If you want to stay emersed in the Disney magic the whole time then I really recomend staying in the Disney Hotel because though it is in a mature design with a lot of hidden Mickeys and disney refrences. The rooms are really nice and the one I had was jungle cruise themed.

I haven't stayed at Disney Californian but I have heard its beautiful. With that hotel you get your own entrance into DCA and can just walk right in versus using the monorail.

These are both, however, if money is not an object.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I would definitely do DL for that many nights and use it as a home base.

There are a lot of great things to do as side trips in Los Angeles. Griffith Park has several attractions - LA Zoo, Autry Museum of Western Culture, The LA Live Steamers, Griffith Park Observatory, and Travel Town - a transportation museum with full sized trains, etc. It's straight up the 5 to the Burbank/Glendale area. Depending on how you get off the freeway, you can see the Walt Disney Studios right next to it. (No tours, but a cool drive-by and they will let you stop and walk into Legends Plaza to take a photo.

Universal isn't for folks with kids in the age bracket you have. I haven't taken mine there yet (5.5 and 4) and we live 3 miles from the place. Just not enough for them to do and most every ride has the theme of being "put in peril". Not kid friendly.

There are plenty of great things to do in a short distance from DL, though. The Discovery Cube Museum in Santa Ana is wonderful for kids and they often host travelling exhibits. The Block at Orange is pretty fun for shopping and you could catch an Angels baseball game just down the road.

I have to double check, but I believe that you can also have one of Mrs. Knott's Famous Chicken Dinners without having admission to Knotts Berry Farm.

Having a pool day at the resort is pretty cool, too.

Anyway, that's a starter. I'm sure more folks have other good ideas, too!

 

[yupikgal]

The beauty of DL is the fact that you have the option of walking across the street and paying a LOT less than staying onsite, and yet still be CLOSE! We have stayed at the Fairfield Inn a couple of times, and it works nicely for us. It's a large hotel, plenty of rooms, so it's never fully booked. You get decent prices, there is a McD's right in front for an early morning breakfast/late night snack, there is a great restaurant called Mimi's behind it, and each day when you return from the parks all hot and thirsty, there is lemon/lime water in the lobby for the taking! It's a great place...You may also be interested in the Howard Johnson because of your kids ages, they have a cute water park on property, and the rooms are comfortable and clean! It's a longer walk then the Fairfield, on the other side of Mimi's, but still doable. We only stayed there for one night though, then moved to the Paradise Pier concierge, because they had a special going on. That is a cute hotel, and you are on disney property then. You can use the private entrance to DCA via the Grand Californian hotel, which is a short walk from the PP. You will definately enjoy the cooler temps of California compared to the brutal humidity in Florida! Enjoy!!

 

[yupikgal]

Oh and by the way, we have stayed at the Candy Cane Inn before too, and loved it! They offer an expanded continental breakfast, a dedicated shuttle, and beautiful grounds full of flowers! Nice clean, comfortable rooms too! We stayed there with the kids in 1999 when they were a lot younger, now they are teens!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Besides watching out for Grad Nights and Socal APs in June, I remember in years past the summer schedule didn't start until mid June. I don't know what the schedule is this year but that might be something to consider too.

Several years ago we went at the end of June. Some days were before the Socal APs were blocked and some were after they were blocked. The difference was like night and day. It was so much less crowded once they were blocked. This is why we prefer July sometime after the holiday.

 

[Funball]

P.S.~the link for the maps is at the bottom of my sig. click on that that and it will take you to the 1st post of the thread, then at the bottom of that post is another link-click that to get a photo of what the christmas maps look like! that is the only photo i have available till i get new maps for this month!