Done a lot of research on upcoming Disney trip... experts plz review my notes/plans?

[MissKristinaLianne]

My best gal friend and I are going to LA and Vegas for 2 weeks (this is our last vacay ever before we both get married next year!) We've specifically extended our trip to include Disneyland (I've been to Walt Disney numerous amounts of times... and she has never been to Disney EVER!)

We'll be arrving to the Anaheim/Disney area from L.A using public transportation. I understand it takes longer... but since we're 2 adults its fine with us. Does the public transporation run frequently? Even on "off" times (i.e on a Sunday?)
Q. I just want anyone's opinions/stories whose done this?


These are our hotel choices (we plan to checkout the Disney hotel's but they dont rub me the same way as the themed WDW hotels do... so its not worth the extra $ to us considering we're staying at the Marmont in LA)
Residence Inn Maingate
OR
Courtyard by Marriott Disneyland Resort
Q. Are both of these hotels walkable to the parks... DD & the Disney hotels? Since we're arriving on public transportation from LA where will be dropped off... is it walking distance to these hotels?

I really want to do a character breakfast.
Q. Which one is comparable to Chef Mickey's at WDW? We want the more "classic" characters... Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy & Donald? All the info I found doesnt seem to list which characters are available? Can someone help me whose been there recently?

We dont really care to see everything... Just the major things (i.e Space Mountain, It's a Small World) I have a lot of the WDW rides on home video which my friend has already looked at and picked the things she's wanted to see. We're also interested in the California Adeventure just for some of the thrill rides. We would stay from open till close.
Q.Has anyone done 2 parks on one day? Any tips?

We can either do Disney on Sunday or Monday.
Q.I checked the park hours and Sunday seems to be longer. Yet, is it crazy busy? Would you recommend a Monday instead?

We're flying out of Orange County Airport to head to Las Vegas
Q. We just want the cheapest way possible to get there. I have found information on "super shuttle" (I believe thats what its called) Does anyone have any experience with them & can that be arranged locally?


Sorry about all the questions... I'm so excited to check out the ORIGINAL Disneyland! Have a magical day!

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome to the left side of the Dis board MissKristina.

Will you only be visiting ONE day at the two parks? (2-3 days would be better).

But if only one day, you should study Hydroguy's tip threads (particularly his "DLR for WDW vets" thread, his "How to use FP on a crowded day" thread, & all the other threads as well. All the threads can be found here:

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

If only visiting for one day, you should definitely "Park Hop"...much easier at DLR than at WDW (no stinkin' busses). You might find my one day trip report link (at the bottom of this post) helpful for the WDW vet "one day commando".

I have other comments below:

My best gal friend and I are going to LA and Vegas for 2 weeks (this is our last vacay ever before we both get married next year!) We've specifically extended our trip to include Disneyland (I've been to Walt Disney numerous amounts of times... and she has never been to Disney EVER!)

We'll be arrving to the Anaheim/Disney area from L.A using public transportation. I understand it takes longer... but since we're 2 adults its fine with us. Does the public transporation run frequently? Even on "off" times (i.e on a Sunday?)
Q. I just want anyone's opinions/stories whose done this?

If you stay at one of the DLR hotels, then I'd HIGHLY recommend Sunday.....if not, then i recommend a Monday. & what are the DATES that you're considering...it makes a difference.

I highly recommend staying onsite if you think you might enjoy Magical Morning (we do)....but if you're late risers, then this becomes less important (& saving the $$ to stay off site may make more sense.

I've never taken public transport....hopefully someone else can help. Have you checked out the train?


These are our hotel choices (we plan to checkout the Disney hotel's but they dont rub me the same way as the themed WDW hotels do... so its not worth the extra $ to us considering we're staying at the Marmont in LA)
Residence Inn Maingate
OR
Courtyard by Marriott Disneyland Resort
Q. Are both of these hotels walkable to the parks... DD & the Disney hotels? Since we're arriving on public transportation from LA where will be dropped off... is it walking distance to these hotels?

Neither are really close walking distance. I would recommend either a Disney Hotel or a hotel/motel ON HARBOR BLVD across from the Main Gate. Check out HG's "walking distance hotels" & get info from folks here. There are a 8-10 options.....but take the advice given here. (If it was my daughter in her early 20s, i'd recommend the Candy Cane with it's dedicated shuttle....if you aren't going to stay on site.)


I really want to do a character breakfast.
Q. Which one is comparable to Chef Mickey's at WDW? We want the more "classic" characters... Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy & Donald? All the info I found doesnt seem to list which characters are available? Can someone help me whose been there recently?


Goofy's in the DLH is probably going to be the closest to Chef Mickey's.....but SoCal Mickey is a late nite party monster & doesn't make appearances at breakfast.


We dont really care to see everything... Just the major things (i.e Space Mountain, It's a Small World) I have a lot of the WDW rides on home video which my friend has already looked at and picked the things she's wanted to see. We're also interested in the California Adeventure just for some of the thrill rides. We would stay from open till close.

Read HydroGuy's & Mary Jo's tip threads. & Read the posts here. Lots of detailed info & opinions here that would be helpful.

Q.Has anyone done 2 parks on one day? Any tips?


Yep....see my link below.


We can either do Disney on Sunday or Monday.
Q.I checked the park hours and Sunday seems to be longer. Yet, is it crazy busy? Would you recommend a Monday instead?

We're flying out of Orange County Airport to head to Las Vegas
Q. We just want the cheapest way possible to get there. I have found information on "super shuttle" (I believe thats what its called) Does anyone have any experience with them & can that be arranged locally?


Sorry about all the questions... I'm so excited to check out the ORIGINAL Disneyland! Have a magical day!

Tell us the dates that you are considering.....& have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

hound

.

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

thanks very much.

This is the Disney part of our itnerary:

Sunday May 31st check out of the Chateau in L.A in the afternoon
(plan to be shopping until the stores close in L.A)
...we would take public transportation to the Disney are in the evening to check in to either the Residence Inn Maingate or Courtyard Disneyland (open to suggestions... how do you get to Disney from the Courtyard? Is it walkable?) I like the Residence Inn but I dont think we need an "apartment" considering we would barely be in the room.

Monday June 1stDisneyland and California Adventure
~ we might do a character dinner on this day if we can find a place that is similar to Chef Mickey's in WDW (in regards to characters)

Tuesday June 2nd
Check out downtown Disney and the Disney hotels in the morning
~ we would do a character breakfast or lunch on this day if we havent accomplished that on the Monday

We would have an afternoon fight (say 3pm ish from Orange County airport to Las Vegas)

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

Great trip report btw....

Thats kinda what we're interested in doing. My friend and I have similar tastes so I know what she would like. Stuff like Nemo, Buzz Lightyear we're a little too old for so we can cut stuff out like that.

We were originally planning to day trip it to Disney... but being a wdw vet I know that rising early and having a close approximity to the parks is a MUST.

 

[Hound 109]

thanks very much.

This is the Disney part of our itnerary:

Sunday May 31st check out of the Chateau in L.A in the afternoon
(plan to be shopping until the stores close in L.A)
...we would take public transportation to the Disney are in the evening to check in to either the Residence Inn Maingate or Courtyard Disneyland (open to suggestions... how do you get to Disney from the Courtyard? Is it walkable?) I like the Residence Inn but I dont think we need an "apartment" considering we would barely be in the room.


I'd dump the Residence/Courtyard plans & go with CandyCane or Hojos (first choices) or one of the other 5-7 hotels on HARBOR BLVD A SHORT WALK FROM THE DLR ENTRANCE.

Monday June 1st

Disneyland and California Adventure
~ we might do a character dinner on this day if we can find a place that is similar to Chef Mickey's in WDW (in regards to characters)

Tuesday June 2nd
Check out downtown Disney and the Disney hotels in the morning
~ we would do a character breakfast or lunch on this day if we havent accomplished that on the Monday

We would have an afternoon fight (say 3pm ish from Orange County airport to Las Vegas)

If you're only going to "do" the two parks on one day, "do" the character meal on Tuesday. You'd probably enjoy Goofy's at the DLH, but no Mickey at any of the character meals.

Comments above.

 

[Hound 109]

Great trip report btw....

Thats kinda what we're interested in doing. My friend and I have similar tastes so I know what she would like. Stuff like Nemo, Buzz Lightyear we're a little too old for so we can cut stuff out like that.

We were originally planning to day trip it to Disney... but being a wdw vet I know that rising early and having a close approximity to the parks is a MUST.

Even more so at DLR. The first 2-3 hours at DLR you can accomplish SO much & pick up 4-5 FPs to use during the more crowded evening.

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

No Mickey?
What has this world come to?
...so where is the best place that GUARANTEES us to see Minnie, Pluto, Donald & Goofy?

....I'm a Marriott employee. And my rates at these hotels are under $50... Im not utilizing my discounts AT ALL on this trip (doing Chateau Marmont in LA and Mandalay Bay in Vegas)
....so out of those two- which is best? Is that area safe to walk around?

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

Even more so at DLR. The first 2-3 hours at DLR you can accomplish SO much & pick up 4-5 FPs to use during the more crowded evening.


Ya, my friend looked at me kinda weird when I firmly told her we need to be there as soon as the gates open....

....I'm excited to do the DL version of the many classic attractions!

 

[Hound 109]

No Mickey?
What has this world come to?
...so where is the best place that GUARANTEES us to see Minnie, Pluto, Donald & Goofy?

....I'm a Marriott employee. And my rates at these hotels are under $50... Im not utilizing my discounts AT ALL on this trip (doing Chateau Marmont in LA and Mandalay Bay in Vegas)
....so out of those two- which is best? Is that area safe to walk around?

There's a Fairfield on Harbor a few steps from the crosswalk. I know that Residence & Courtyard is more upscale (I'm a Rewards member)....but I'd much rather stay at the Farifield so I wouldn't have to depend on the god awful ART shuttles. (Fairfield is a short 4-5 min. walk to the DL front gate)...& there's a McDs right next to it, so you can grab a McBreakfast item & coffee to munch on when you arrive at the security gate & turnstile 30 MINUTES BEFORE OPENING.

After the Hojo's & the Candy Cane, the Fairfield gets ALOT of kudos from posters here on the board. I've stayed there & it's perfectly fine & a typically nice Fairfield with a few Disney touches. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU CAN WALK TO THE PARKS FROM THE FAIRFIELD.

Hopefully someone who's stayed (or is familiar with all 3) can compare the distances....(maybe I'm wrong).

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

For some reason that one is available to me.
hmmm.

I just booked reservations for the Tuesday at Goofy's Kitchen
(whos at that one?)

Also... is there anything similar to the restaraunt they have in MGM Studios (WDW) where you sit in old cars and it looks like a drive in?

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

There's a Fairfield on Harbor a few steps from the crosswalk. I know that Residence & Courtyard is more upscale (I'm a Rewards member)....but I'd much rather stay at the Farifield so I wouldn't have to depend on the god awful ART shuttles. QUOTE]


what is the ART shuttles? Does it service the Courtyard and Residence? Whats the fee? We work out a lot and wont be doing that on our vacation so a 20 minute walk is fine for us.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I just booked reservations for the Tuesday at Goofy's Kitchen (whos at that one?)

Characters can vary, but some that are seen are: Chef Goofy (yep, not Chef Mickey), Chip and Dale, Goofy, Pluto, Baloo, Snow White, Alice, Fairy Godmother, The Mad Hatter, and Minnie Mouse.

...Stuff like Nemo, Buzz Lightyear we're a little too old for so we can cut stuff out like that....

Nemo is cute, but yeah, being "older" myself, if I had 1 day, I'd skip it. However, if you are a kid at heart and like to have fun, give Buzz some serious consideration. It's a fun game within a ride. We have a LOT of fun riding it every visit, bringing out the competitive side of us too. It's a fun ride / game.

I know that you are a WDW vet, which may cause you to walk right by some "same" attractions. I would encourage you not to do this. Pirates is different. Space Mountain is different. Small World is different. The list goes on and on. There are also many attractions at DL that MK does not have at all. HydroGuy gives you the full list in his DLR tips for WDW vets sticky at the top of this board.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[Quilter007]

I would go w/ Courtyard or Residence Inn Garden Grove. I've stayed at every Marriott w/in 5 miles of DL. In my experience, the closer you get to DL, the worse the hotel service is. The Residence Inn Maingate is the worst of the bunch. I stay at Marriotts enough to be a platnium member. I'm always surprised at how horrible the Marriotts are close to DL. The only thing that makes sense to me is that those hotels have enough demand that they don't have to bother w/ the things that generally set Marriott apart (service, bed, etc). So, now we stay at either the Courtyard or Residence Inn Garden Grove & we are much happier! I have to thing Marriott is happier as well, since I fire off an email listing my grievances & then they end up giving me tons of bonus points. Also, I'd rater ride ART then walk from some of the supposedly walkable hotels. Oh -- they are walkable in the am, just not on the walk back!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I know that you are a WDW vet, which may cause you to walk right by some "same" attractions. I would encourage you not to do this. Pirates is different. Space Mountain is different. Small World is different. The list goes on and on. There are also many attractions at DL that MK does not have at all. HydroGuy gives you the full list in his DLR tips for WDW vets sticky at the top of this board.

I agree with Dreams. Pirates at DL is sooooooooo much better than the one at WDW. So is SM, IASW and imo Splash. Some people think Splash at WDW is better, but we like the DL version much better. The drop at the end of WDW seemed lame compared to the DL version.