East Coasters thinking of coming to the Land!

[Lees3rwe]

Hey Everyone,

We have done 2 trips to DisneyWorld in the past year and are thinking of switching it up with a trip out West for the Summer!

I know NOTHING about California, but my thoughts are that we would fly in on a Friday in early June, spend Saturday and Sunday at Disneyland then driving to San Diego and doing the the Zoo and hopefully seeing the football stadium, maybe some other things.

I have a couple of logistical questions-

1. Do you really need to stay onsite at Disneyland? I know at DisneyWorld you pretty much do need to.

2. Are 2 days enough to do both parks?, we would probably do 1 day in each park, no hoppers.

3. What do you think of the dining plan? We usually do it at DW, but we usually do the quick service plan, I didn't see that option for DL.

4. Is 1 day enough at the Zoo?

5. What else would you plan on?

Thanks so much for any info. I am getting excited!

 

[furb & dez]

I know NOTHING about California, but my thoughts are that we would fly in on a Friday in early June, spend Saturday and Sunday at Disneyland then driving to San Diego and doing the the Zoo and hopefully seeing the football stadium, maybe some other things. You are picking the wrong days. Do the zoo and that jazz on the weekend, then go to Disneyland on Monday/Tuesday for slightly smaller crowds (it's summer, you know... not a huge difference)
I have a couple of logistical questions-

1. Do you really need to stay onsite at Disneyland? I know at DisneyWorld you pretty much do need to. NO. Stay offsite and save a LOT of money and walk LESS.

2. Are 2 days enough to do both parks?, we would probably do 1 day in each park, no hoppers. DCA is a 3.5 hour park at best. If you're not parkhopping, don't bother going to DCA. Spend both days in Disneyland.

3. What do you think of the dining plan? We usually do it at DW, but we usually do the quick service plan, I didn't see that option for DL. Don't bother, waste of money.

4. Is 1 day enough at the Zoo? Possibly. Keep in mind that it's hilly, and very tiring to get all the way through.

5. What else would you plan on? Go the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It and the Zoo are World-Class zoos. Also, Balboa park (where the zoo is...) is good for a half day or more. You'll also pass LegoLand on the way to the zoo.

Comments in orange...

 

[skiingfast]

First I would read the DLR guide for WDW vets. It will answer most of your questions and break down some preconceptions you may have from visiting WDW.

Also I would ignore the PP's advice on days and times.

June this year is a mystery. While in the past I would suggest 3 or 4 days and include part of a weekend because early June has limited hours and entertainemnt. Also early June can have big crowds because of AP blockouts, this happens in the days preceding summer long SoCal AP blockouts. Annual Passholder Blockout Calendar.

Here is the big question that can't yet be answered. This summer DCA will finish up a major overhaul and expansion. Carsland is greatly anticipated. When it opens it will cause major crowds and change park operation hours.

 

[DLR29]

1. I prefer to stay offsite. There really aren't that many perks of staying onsite, and for me personally they are not worth it to justify spending an extra $200+ a night. I think the biggest advantage of staying onsite at WDW is the convenience and transportation. At DLR, you don't have that advantage. There are many hotels that are just as close to the parks as the onsite hotels, and the main mode of transpotation is walking. That being said, there are many people who love staying onsite because of the "immersion factor". A lot of WDW people will come over looking for that immersion thing that they expect from a Disney trip, so onsite would be a good choice for them. It depends on your priorities.

2. 2 days will give you a glimpse of the parks. I will highly recommend that you get park hoppers. The parks are literally separated by a 500ft long esplanade. It's VERY easy to park hop here. I don't really see DLR as having 2 parks---more like 1 GIANT park with a little space in between. Also I highly disagree with the idea that DCA is a 3.5 hour park. There's tons of stuff to do there. I wouldn't write it off at all.

3. Unlike WDW, DLR's dining plan is not worth it because:
a) It doesn't save you any money; the best you can do is break even.

b) You do not get a set amount of meals, you get a set amount of $5 ("snack") and $15 vouchers and when you use those vouchers you don't get change. So for example if you want to pay for something that costs $4.95 with a $5 voucher, you will lose 5 cents. That's not a big deal, but if you have run out of $5 vouchers, you need to either pay in cash (which defeats the purpose of a dining plan) or pay with a $15 voucher and lose $10.05 (which can add up significantly). Disney also prices the dining plan so that you pay exactly for the amount of voucher $ that you get. So by buying that thing for $4.95, you are already losing money. You would have to buy things that cost exactly $5 or exactly $15 in order to stay even. Or you can buy things that cost more and you can break even, but you would have to be paying out of pocket.

c) You can't use the vouchers at Downtown Disney restaurants, which is where a large variety of the DLR restaurants are.

Instead, if you still want to prepay for meals, the recommendation is to put money on Disney gift cards. That way, you know you won't be losing money. You can use them at DTD or snack carts too, so you'll have a wider variety to choose from also.

4. I think 1 day at the zoo is good, but yes it is very hilly so it's a workout.

 

[KCmike]

Hey Everyone,

We have done 2 trips to DisneyWorld in the past year and are thinking of switching it up with a trip out West for the Summer!

I know NOTHING about California, but my thoughts are that we would fly in on a Friday in early June, spend Saturday and Sunday at Disneyland then driving to San Diego and doing the the Zoo and hopefully seeing the football stadium, maybe some other things.

The weekends are the absolute busiest times to go. I would add at least one day and make it a 3 day park ticket to make sure you see everything. Plus Carsland opens in late summer and its going to be crazy. If I had a dollar for every person that is usually a WDW person that is going next year I would be a millionaire. I was a WDW vet and Disneyland officially has my heart and dollars now.

I have a couple of logistical questions-

1. Do you really need to stay onsite at Disneyland? I know at DisneyWorld you pretty much do need to.

Yes stay on site. Its worth it to feel like your in the magic the whole time. Off site is cheap and motel-ish. Grand Californian is the way to go for sure. Where do you stay at WDW?

2. Are 2 days enough to do both parks?, we would probably do 1 day in each park, no hoppers.

3 days at least especially in the summer.

3. What do you think of the dining plan? We usually do it at DW, but we usually do the quick service plan, I didn't see that option for DL.

Don't do it. Not worth it. Food is not as important as it is in WDW nor as good.

4. Is 1 day enough at the Zoo?

Yes. If you have the $$$ you should stay at the Hotel Del Coronado on the ocean.

5. What else would you plan on?

What else do you plan on doing in California? So much to see and do. Any kids? SeaWorld in San Diego is very nice as well. How long do you plan on your trip being?

Thanks so much for any info. I am getting excited!

Have Fun!!

 

[buyerbrad]

Hey Everyone,

We have done 2 trips to DisneyWorld in the past year and are thinking of switching it up with a trip out West for the Summer!

I know NOTHING about California, but my thoughts are that we would fly in on a Friday in early June, spend Saturday and Sunday at Disneyland then driving to San Diego and doing the the Zoo and hopefully seeing the football stadium, maybe some other things.

I have a couple of logistical questions-

1. Do you really need to stay onsite at Disneyland? I know at DisneyWorld you pretty much do need to.

2. Are 2 days enough to do both parks?, we would probably do 1 day in each park, no hoppers.

3. What do you think of the dining plan? We usually do it at DW, but we usually do the quick service plan, I didn't see that option for DL.

4. Is 1 day enough at the Zoo?

5. What else would you plan on?

Thanks so much for any info. I am getting excited!

I suggest the SoCal Pass... 3 days Disney, 1 Universal, 1 Zoo and 1 Sea World. Use one of the 3 disney days when you first get there to scope out one of the parks on the day you arrive for a few hours.

We did the zoo in one day. Take the bus tour to see all of the sights and only walk back to what you really want to see. We just walked toward the back area and took the gondola to the front.

 

[DebbieB]

I am an east coaster and have grown to love DL. I've done both onsite & offsite. I would do onsite, especially with only 2 days or a hotel within easy walking distance.

Early June will be before Carsland opens at DCA, you probably will not need a full day there. I would get a hopper and spend half the day at DL.

 

[skiingfast]

I suggest the SoCal Pass... 3 days Disney, 1 Universal, 1 Zoo and 1 Sea World. Use one of the 3 disney days when you first get there to scope out one of the parks on the day you arrive for a few hours.

Unfortunately the Zoo is not a part of citypass in 2012. So unless also going to Universal, which may be worthwhile, it wouldn't be worth getting.

Early June will be before Carsland opens at DCA, you probably will not need a full day there.

There are only rumors, not facts on when Carsland opens. It is progressing very well, so it may open earlier than summer.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I believe 4 days with hopper passes is ideal especially if you stay onsite and intend to enjoy your resort pool, or you plan on doing character or lots of sit down dining.

DCA has plenty to do and enjoy.

 

[owensamo]

Citypass just added Zoo options to their SoCal card, so that may be worthwhile. With a 1 day zoo *or* Safari park entrance, it ends up being $311/adult instead of $279.

We're doing a similar trip next summer as well - I actually priced out AA tickets, direct tickets from Sea World (Single and multi-day at same price) and a Go Select card to be less than the SoCal Citypass and the Go Select. I want to try to have at least 4 days of tickets at DL, and it doesn't make sense to upgrade there to gate prices when I'm trying to save money.

 

[skiingfast]

Citypass just added Zoo options to their SoCal card
, so that may be worthwhile. With a 1 day zoo *or* Safari park entrance, it ends up being $311/adult instead of $279.

Where did you hear this? It's not on the official site, where you can choose a CityPass for 2011 with the Zoo or Safari park, or the 2012 that does not have the zoo or safari park option.

http://www.citypass.com/southern-ca...itypass socal&mkwid=bYE1TLMl5&pcrid=178332245

 

[owensamo]

Where did you hear this? It's not on the official site, where you can choose a CityPass for 2011 with the Zoo or Safari park, or the 2012 that does not have the zoo or safari park option.

http://www.citypass.com/southern-ca...itypass socal&mkwid=bYE1TLMl5&pcrid=178332245

It was just announced - I got it in my Facebook newsfeed. Details are at:

http://www.citypass.com/california/san-diego-zoo-option

 

[skiingfast]

It was just announced - I got it in my Facebook newsfeed. Details are at:

http://www.citypass.com/california/san-diego-zoo-option

Thank you. That is good to see, though it's too bad the price is so high.

 

[owensamo]

Thank you. That is good to see, though it's too bad the price is so high.

I agree. With this price, I can get discount tickets for DL somewhere else, and get tickets for the other places through the Go Select card and spend less money. But we're not planning on going to Universal - so maybe that makes a difference.