DVC MIKE.....questions about DL

[edk35]

Did you fly into LAX or is there another airport to fly into when one visits DL?? Also, is there a Magical Express type bus for the DL resorts? I haven't finished reading your trip report to see what else you did when you were out there for 1 week but how much time did you spend at Disney Land and the other Adventures park?? I know there is plenty to do out there so I was wondering how many days to stay when one visits DL for a first time. Also, do the restaurants there take ADR's like at WDW? Thanks

 

[whitfamily]

On the airport question I'm not sure abput ME, BUT the closer and more convienient airport is Long Beach/John Wayne. Very limited flights into there (Jet Blue does a few directs from East coast), but much smaller crowds, easier to get luggage and get out of there. Check in and security on return also takes about half the time. When we go to LA we fly into LB, which is almost 30 minutes longer of a drive to the family house, and it is still faster.

 

[edk35]

On the airport question I'm not sure abput ME, BUT the closer and more convienient airport is Long Beach/John Wayne. Very limited flights into there (Jet Blue does a few directs from East coast), but much smaller crowds, easier to get luggage and get out of there. Check in and security on return also takes about half the time. When we go to LA we fly into LB, which is almost 30 minutes longer of a drive to the family house, and it is still faster.

I went on the SW site and they list LAX and LA area airport with towns listed under that category like Orange CA, Burbank and a few others. I wonder if that is the airport you are talking about. We would fly out of BWI but we could fly out of DC or Dulles and I think Jet Blue flies out of one of those. But now my problems looks like not being able to book at the 7 month window.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I went on the SW site and they list LAX and LA area airport with towns listed under that category like Orange CA, Burbank and a few others. I wonder if that is the airport you are talking about. We would fly out of BWI but we could fly out of DC or Dulles and I think Jet Blue flies out of one of those. But now my problems looks like not being able to book at the 7 month window.

Orange County (John Wayne airport) is the closest to DL. LAX and Burbank are too far away. In fact, when you fly into Orange Co., you can see the Matterhorn at DL!

 

[nunzia]

We have always flown SW to LAX..mainly because we really like direct flights and LAX is the only airport that SW flies into direct from here. We then take Super Shuttle (arranged online in advance), and the drive is really fine. Then..we never leave Disney property until the day we leave.

 

[edk35]

We have always flown SW to LAX..mainly because we really like direct flights and LAX is the only airport that SW flies into direct from here. We then take Super Shuttle (arranged online in advance), and the drive is really fine. Then..we never leave Disney property until the day we leave.

How long is drive on the shuttle? Also, how long do you usually stay when you are at Disney Land?

 

[whitfamily]

Direct flight from Dulles to John Wayne! I do it once a year and it is a great flight with almost no hassle on the CA end. Just remeber the airport hasn't been updated in a long time-- yes the luggage carousel is under an awning outdoors right next to the taxi stand!

 

[DebbieB]

If I can get a non-stop into LAX, I usually go that way. I used Disneyland Express last year, it was about a 45 minute ride. It's not operated by Disney and it's not free but they do stop at the 3 DL hotels first.

If I have to make a connection anyway, I will go into SNA. From PIT there are no non-stops to SNA. I took Supershuttle the last time, I think it was about 20 minutes.

 

[tjkraz]

How long is drive on the shuttle? Also, how long do you usually stay when you are at Disney Land?

If you did a side-by-side comparison, I bet there are just as many attractions at DL + DCA as there are in any three of the Walt Disney World parks. The two Magic Kingdoms are fairly comparable. But then the two CA parks also have these attractions mirrored from WDW:

Star Tours
Soarin
Indiana Jones (better clone of Dinosaur)
Innoventions
Tower of Terror
Finding Nemo Subs (similar tech to Epcot attraction)
Toy Story Mania
Muppetvision 3D
Tough to be a Bug
California Screamin (similar attraction to RnR)
Fantasmic
Mulholland Madness (Primeval Whirl)
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Playhouse Disney
Turtle Talk
Redwood Creek playground (The Boneyard)
Grizzly River Run (better version of Kali River Rapids)

...and there are more than a few attractions unique to DL:
Matterhorn
Mr Toad's Wild Ride
Pinocchio dark ride
Storyland Canal Boats
Roger Rabbit
Entire Toontown land has much more to offer
Monster's Inc dark ride
Bug's Land
Sun Wheel / DCA Midway attractions
Aladdin stage show

No, you won't find a World Showcase at DL. There are no golf courses or water parks. But I think you can easily fill 4-5 days without getting the least bit bored.

 

[edk35]

If you did a side-by-side comparison, I bet there are just as many attractions at DL + DCA as there are in any three of the Walt Disney World parks. The two Magic Kingdoms are fairly comparable. But then the two CA parks also have these attractions mirrored from WDW:

Star Tours
Soarin
Indiana Jones (better clone of Dinosaur)
Innoventions
Tower of Terror
Finding Nemo Subs (similar tech to Epcot attraction)
Toy Story Mania
Muppetvision 3D
Tough to be a Bug
California Screamin (similar attraction to RnR)
Fantasmic
Mulholland Madness (Primeval Whirl)
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Playhouse Disney
Turtle Talk
Redwood Creek playground (The Boneyard)
Grizzly River Run (better version of Kali River Rapids)

...and there are more than a few attractions unique to DL:
Matterhorn
Mr Toad's Wild Ride
Pinocchio dark ride
Storyland Canal Boats
Roger Rabbit
Entire Toontown land has much more to offer
Monster's Inc dark ride
Bug's Land
Sun Wheel / DCA Midway attractions
Aladdin stage show

No, you won't find a World Showcase at DL. There are no golf courses or water parks. But I think you can easily fill 4-5 days without getting the least bit bored.

So is Indiana Jones at DL a ride and not a show???? Are there fast passes there? How are crowds there???

 

[drag n' fly]

Indiana Jones is a ride. Last time I was there they had fastpasses. LAX is usually the cheapest to fly into. SNA is the closest and BUR is also ok, only about 25 miles. If you do not rent a car you can reserve the disney express bus at either LAX or SNA through graylineanaheim.com, click the airport transfers box. It is not free however and stops at the Disney hotels first HTH.

 

[tjkraz]

So is Indiana Jones at DL a ride and not a show????

Yes. From a technological standpoint it's a clone of the Dinosaur attraction at DAK, but the theming is obviously quite different. Most consider it to be better than Dinosaur by leaps and bounds. Very impressive queue area, too.

Are there fast passes there?

Disneyland does have many FastPass attractions (including IJ) but they have been leaning against it in recent years. The Disneyland Subs do not have FastPass. Toy Story Mania does not have FastPass. One of the major reasons is that the park pathways and open areas are not a large as at WDW due to space limitations. On the busiest days, DL needs to have a greater volume of guests standing in lines rather than roaming the parks.

How are crowds there???

Varies from one season to another. Disneyland Park's annual attendance is similar to the WDW Magic Kingdom. DCA is only a fraction of that but guests tend to gravitate toward the handful of most appealing attractions (Soarin, TSM, Screamin).

 

[stopher1]

If you did a side-by-side comparison, I bet there are just as many attractions at DL + DCA as there are in any three of the Walt Disney World parks. The two Magic Kingdoms are fairly comparable. But then the two CA parks also have these attractions mirrored from WDW:

Star Tours
Soarin
Indiana Jones (better clone of Dinosaur)
Innoventions
Tower of Terror
Finding Nemo Subs (similar tech to Epcot attraction)
Toy Story Mania
Muppetvision 3D
Tough to be a Bug
California Screamin (similar attraction to RnR)
Fantasmic
Mulholland Madness (Primeval Whirl)
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Playhouse Disney
Turtle Talk
Redwood Creek playground (The Boneyard)
Grizzly River Run (better version of Kali River Rapids)

...and there are more than a few attractions unique to DL:
Matterhorn
Mr Toad's Wild Ride
Pinocchio dark ride
Storyland Canal Boats
Roger Rabbit
Entire Toontown land has much more to offer
Monster's Inc dark ride
Bug's Land
Sun Wheel / DCA Midway attractions
Aladdin stage show
.

Many of the attractions that are at both DL and WDW originated at DL - several are superior versions at DL in theming, length and overall show.

The Dinosaur attraction at AK is actually exactly the same as Indiana Jones at DL except for the theming

The Nemo ride at Epcot was based on the work being done to bring back the Subs at DL... while Epcot's version is cute, DL's is much more immersive

Fantasmic originated at DL in 1992 along the shores of the Rivers of America. It them opened at WDW with a dedicated amphitheatre - but the show at DL is much more impressive and fun. Both the Mark Twain and the Sailing Ship Columbia are used, and it's absolutely awesome. Sure the seating situation isn't as nice at DL as at DHS, but the show pack more of a punch at DL

Other attractions unique to DL include:

Alice In Wonderland
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Davey Crockett Explorer Canoes
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (returns to DL this fall after a few year hiatus)

At DCA...Toy Story Midway Mania may not have Fastpass, but it does have a Single Rider Line which can help speed things along if you are by yourself or willing to ride separately. California Screamin and Soaring also have Single Rider Lines.

At DL there's a Single Rider line at Splash Moutain too.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

Another factor to take into account when setting up your flight arrangements is the traffic conditions in So Cal. Try to arrive at non peak times (esp. if you are going to land in LAX).

I think 5 or 6 days would be good for your first DL visit. When DL gets too crowded for us we head over to DCA which always seems to be less attended than Walt's original.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This thread on the DL board will also have lots of information for you...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276

I've ended up flying into LAX for my last three trips to DL. Once used the Disney bus and the other times Super Shuttle which both times made the stop at GC the first one. It was 40-45 minutes.

I remember years ago flying into SNA and it was afternoon rush hour - 1 1/2 hours to DL for 20 or so miles!!!!!! I now try and take into account the times I arrive at the airport.

 

[helenk]

I flew into LAX for my trip the begining of May and then took the SuperShuttle to my hotel. I only waited just a bit over 10 minutes after getting my bags to when I was picked up outside. I was the first one to be dropped off after leaving the airport and it was 45 minutes from the time I was picked up to the time I was dropped off at my hotel.
I stayed for 6 nights and that was more than enough time to enjoy both parks with some down time included. Some of the shows were not presented every day, and the fireworks were only shown on Saturday and Sunday while I was there. I knew this when I made my plans so I made sure that I fit them into my itinerary.

 

[DVC Mike]

Did you fly into LAX or is there another airport to fly into when one visits DL?? Also, is there a Magical Express type bus for the DL resorts? I haven't finished reading your trip report to see what else you did when you were out there for 1 week but how much time did you spend at Disney Land and the other Adventures park?? I know there is plenty to do out there so I was wondering how many days to stay when one visits DL for a first time. Also, do the restaurants there take ADR's like at WDW? Thanks

I spent 6 days doing things inside the Disneyland Resort, and only 1 day doing things outside it. Since I'm originally from Southern California, I've been almost everywhere there, and seeing an updated Disneyland was the big draw for me. I could see someone easily spending 4 days just at DLR.

I rented a car, but that's because I drove to see my parents every other day. If all you want to see is DLR, then I see no need to rent a car.

I prefer John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, as I think it's the most convenient.

You can book priority seating 60 days in advance.

 

[nunzia]

How long is drive on the shuttle? Also, how long do you usually stay when you are at Disney Land?

It seems like about 45 minutes, but it goes quickly as we are all glad to be there! (never hit bad traffic though) We usually stay about 4-5 days, 3-4 nights, and there is still stuff we haven't gotten around to to doing.

 

[edk35]

I spent 6 days doing things inside the Disneyland Resort, and only 1 day doing things outside it. Since I'm originally from Southern California, I've been almost everywhere there, and seeing an updated Disneyland was the big draw for me. I could see someone easily spending 4 days just at DLR.

I rented a car, but that's because I drove to see my parents every other day. If all you want to see is DLR, then I see no need to rent a car.

I prefer John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, as I think it's the most convenient.

You can book priority seating 60 days in advance.

Thanks!!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We or I have used Ontario ,LAX and OC for flights out from BWI all are within decent drive so Price and time is the only factor.

We like to do the Southern California pass when we go out. it's been 3 years but we are looking at it for next year as well. It gives you 3 days at Disney (Hopper ) ,1 day KnottsberryFarm(I think this may have changed but think 6 flags type place) , 1 day at SandeagioZoo and 1 at Seaworld.

We rented a car and did some beach time as well , San Monica and Venice, then I think Mission down by San D.

We also did a 1 night stay in San D rather then driving back it was a cheapy and we only took a small overnight bag and that worked out great.

I think I would have liked to have maybe 2 more days at DL (3 was plenty but hey I just really like it there) and maybe a day for US hollywood .

It was agreat trip and can't wait to do it again