Dream planning a trip to Disneyland

[ottawamom]

Roadtrip meet up? I promised myself I would get there one day. 2022 or 2023 seems like a plan.

There are so many different things to consider with a trip to Disneyland I though I might as well put my wandering mind to good use. I know all our peeps here on Dis have a wealth of tips and tricks to share about getting around, where to stay etc. It helps to narrow my internet search.

 

[TammyLynn33]

We may be in on a meet up . If we can fly outta Syracuse thai xmas that I’m leave us with a large westjet bank .. I will have two years to use..
Also will still have a $500 JetBlue to use by June 2022.. so many tough decisions

 

[Nahanni]

We were fortunate to grab a DVC stay at the Grand Californian shortly after Radiator Springs opened. We planned to do 2 days at each park (no hoppers) but ended up going to California Adventure 3 of the days because the direct park access was so convenient. I think we were able to experience Disneyland in the one day but more would be better.

 

[Donald - my hero]

My dream vacay? a SIX park trip ! start at Disneyland since that's where the dream started, spend some time there and then hop over to Disney World to spend more time! Why not right? If I'm gonna dream, I'm doing it up proper like

 

[marchingstar]

is it silly to consider more than 5 days? are there ticket options that would work best?

 

[marchingstar]

My dream vacay? a SIX park trip ! start at Disneyland since that's where the dream started, spend some time there and then hop over to Disney World to spend more time! Why not right? If I'm gonna dream, I'm doing it up proper like

i like how you think!!

 

[tlcdoula]

I have started to think of our next trip back to Land as well. We always do a 5 day park hopper but I can never get enough. When they used to offer a 10 day Canadian ticket we would get those and spend 12-14 days in California.

We stay across the street on S.Harbour Blvd. There are many options. We have stayed at Del Sol, Grand Legacy and Desert Inn and Suites. Tropicana is one that we were suppose to try out but had to cancel due to covid. The biggest thing for us is being able to walk back to the room in the afternoon to change and rest for a bit then go back to the park again in the evening.

We fly in to SNA (John Wayne) It is a smaller airport and have used a Taxi or Uber to get back and forth. If we are going to venture out and need a car we have rented from different places close the Disney and just brought it back when we were done. Saving money on parking fees etc.

I want to be back in the park!!! I hope by fall we will be able to do a road trip and drive down...

 

[tlcdoula]

My dream vacay? a SIX park trip ! start at Disneyland since that's where the dream started, spend some time there and then hop over to Disney World to spend more time! Why not right? If I'm gonna dream, I'm doing it up proper like

I love your thinking!!! We almost did that and now I am thinking post covid craziness it should be on the bucket list!!! Could you imagine starting in one park flying to the other and being able to jump on the same ride on the opposite coast in the same day?????

I think there is some planning to be done here!!!

 

[ottawamom]

@tlcdoula, thanks for the hotel suggestions. More to look at.

 

[cari12]

Roadtrip meet up? I promised myself I would get there one day. 2022 or 2023 seems like a plan.

There are so many different things to consider with a trip to Disneyland I though I might as well put my wandering mind to good use. I know all our peeps here on Dis have a wealth of tips and tricks to share about getting around, where to stay etc. It helps to narrow my internet search.

The Disneyland board here on Disboards is also super helpful and has lots of great tips. I plug into that one every time we have a trip coming up. I have not experienced any nastiness there either.

 

[Aladora]

is it silly to consider more than 5 days? are there ticket options that would work best?

Not anymore. I did the math and a couple of times it made sense to get APs when I knew we were going to be back within 12 months but for tickets the longest ones in DL are 5 days.

 

[marchingstar]

Not anymore. I did the math and a couple of times it made sense to get APs when I knew we were going to be back within 12 months but for tickets the longest ones in DL are 5 days.

thanks for the info! do you get perks with the annual passes like at disney world? resort discounts, merch discounts, etc?

 

[Aladora]

thanks for the info! do you get perks with the annual passes like at disney world? resort discounts, merch discounts, etc?

When we had APs we were still staying offsite so no idea about resort discounts but yes to the merch and also dining discounts.

 

[deedubb]

We are planning a trip next summer as well. We always do 5 day park hoppers. We could easily do more than 5 if it were possible. We also get MaxPass which is far superior to FP+. If you don't plan on going to the LA area, consider flying into John Wayne. It is so much better than LAX and if you need a car, they are right on-site. We always drive to Detroit and take a direct Delta flight from DTW to SNA. We stayed off site the first 2 trips but now stay at the Grand Californian. It's awesome having the direct entrance into DCA as well as the extra morning hour before off site guests can enter.

 

[alohamom]

We did not get bored but did not need 5 days.

Another thing to keep in mind is how close Anaheim is to beaches!

We have been to DL a few times. We never do hoppers at WDW but we always do hoppers at DL, it really just makes sense there.

There is soooo much to see and do in Southern California. @LittleFlounder has a great suggestion to hit the beaches but just know if you are going in May, the ocean water might still be a bit cold. Laguna Beach and Huntington are amazing, even just to hang around and shop a little.

A HUGE hotel tip I have is to look at staying on South Harbour within a block of the Toy Story parking lot.
Basically you can walk into the Toy Story Parking lot and take the shuttle right to the entrance plaza. My kids did that a couple of years ago when they went on their first trip together.
It saved a bunch of $$$ and was fast and easy. I was a little worried that it was kind of bending the rules but it turns out it is a very usual thing.
Here is the link to the DisBoards thread that I got a ton of advice for DL hotel stays and ultimately found out about staying near the TS lot.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/u...distance-or-good-shuttle-times.3740937/page-2This is the hotel they ended up staying at.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-place-at-anaheim-resort-convention-center/anaza

 

[flav]

For hotels, I had found Tom Bricker Disneyland hotels review really helpful.

 

[ottawamom]

We're definitely only in the room to sleep and shower kind of people. I would like a hotel with a decent selection for breakfast.

Debating the options currently for LAX vs John Wayne airports. I can get a direct flight (from Montreal) to LAX but the stops on the way to John Wayne would break up the long trip and allow me to stretch my legs. Plus the flights to John Wayne go into Denver, I've always wanted to see the architecture of that airport. Ah decsions, decisions.

 

[LittleFlounder]

I can get a direct flight (from Montreal) to LAX but the stops on the way to John Wayne would break up the long trip and allow me to stretch my legs.

I’m the opposite, especially on my way to California, I’d rather get there quicker than draw out my travel day with a connection. Plus, being that they’re 3 hours behind Ontario because of the time zones, I can leave Toronto at let’s say 8am and arrive to LAX by 10am!

 

[ottawamom]

And that is what I'm toying with at the moment. How do you get from LAX to Disneyland, rent a car or drive service (of some sort)?

 

[Sue M]

I can't take not planning a trip somewhere any longer. I am now Dream planning a trip to Disneyland for next May. It will be a one and done kind of trip. How many days should I plan on to see and do "almost" everything. I'm thinking minimum 3 day park hopper or possibly a 4 day 1 park per day ticket.

What would you do?

Oh you must go for May the 4th! I always go for a week. I land on Sunday and am usually there by noonish. It’s a relaxing day, check into hotel, The Anaheim Hotel. Unpack. Walk up to the Walgreens or CVS and pick up some wine and room food for breakfast. Enjoy pool time and DTD. Monday morning I’m ready for rope drop. Saturday I fly home. I prefer to miss the weekends!
I get 5 day hoppers. Because the parks are so close together we often go back and forth. I also take midday break. Hotel is short walk from gate.
Hopefully MaxPass will be back by next May. Who knows. I like a relaxed trip, sure you can rush around and get it done sooner, but I’m not a park commando.