few questions

[dmband]

hi guys
i am trying to plan a trip to DL Cali based off of a wedding i'll be at in Vegas and some assistance would be great
(i know I can search but figured someone might be able to help me save a lot of time too)

How far is Vegas from DL via rental car?
(the car would be a one way rental if it matters as far as drop off, which leads me to the next question)
is there any Magical Express or anything from LAX if we fly in?
Can a child under 3 stay in the room like they can at WDW? ie 6 people in a 5 person room or will i need two rooms
Is Paradise Pier hotel ok as far as walking/roads with 4 little kids or is it worth the cost upgrade to DL Hotel?
does DL normally have discounts that come out like WDW does?
planning "winter break week" in Feb if that matters on a discount

i'm sure i'll think of other things as I try anf figure this whole thing out but tia for any info or direction you guys and give me

 

[sonnyjane]

How far is Vegas from DL via rental car? - This REALLY depends on what day of the week and what time of day you'll be making the drive. It could be 4 hours. It could be 6 hours. It could be MORE. Leaving Vegas on a Sunday is a nightmare.

is there any Magical Express or anything from LAX if we fly in? There is not a free service, but there is the Disneyland Express shuttle bus.

Can a child under 3 stay in the room like they can at WDW? ie 6 people in a 5 person room or will i need two rooms - I've read conflicting reports on this. Some say that the 5-person maximum is FIRM, others say that infants don't count. I'd call the hotel to confirm. It's a tight squeeze though if you have 6 in a standard room!

Is Paradise Pier hotel ok as far as walking/roads with 4 little kids or is it worth the cost upgrade to DL Hotel? As far as phsyical walking distance goes from the door of the hotel to the park gates, DLH is actually a teeny bit farther than Paradise Pier if you take the shortcut through the Grand into Downtown Disney.

does DL normally have discounts that come out like WDW does?
planning "winter break week" in Feb if that matters on a discountIf you're hoping for discounts, then chances are good that something will be available in February as it's a slower month. The discounts probably won't be announced until close to or after Christmas, however, which is something that often frustrates planners used to doing things far in advance at WDW. You can always book a room-only reservation and then call back to get the discount if they offer one.

i'm sure i'll think of other things as I try anf figure this whole thing out but tia for any info or direction you guys and give me

Above

 

[Stitch35]

It sounds like you are a WDW vet and this is your first trip to DL, is that right? If it is, know that dl is a whole different experience and you don't have to stay on property unless you want to. There are across the street hotels that easily sleep 6 that are actually closer walking distance then pp or dlh!

 

[sonnyjane]

Let me be a good boardie and share this link with you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

hi guys
i am trying to plan a trip to DL Cali based off of a wedding i'll be at in Vegas and some assistance would be great
(i know I can search but figured someone might be able to help me save a lot of time too)

How far is Vegas from DL via rental car?
(the car would be a one way rental if it matters as far as drop off, which leads me to the next question)

It depends on the time of day that you go, but it is about 4.5-5 hours to get to Vegas. If you go during a busy time (morning/afternoon), it will take you longer to get out of Los Angeles.

is there any Magical Express or anything from LAX if we fly in?

There is the Disneyland Express, SuperShuttle, and other shuttles, however, none of them are gratis. You will need to pay. There are coupons available online usually, so you can save a bit there.

[/quote]Can a child under 3 stay in the room like they can at WDW? ie 6 people in a 5 person room or will i need two rooms[/quote]
You will need two rooms or a 1-bedrooms suite for more than 5 people. That is the case for all of the hotels in the area. Standard rooms hold up to five people.

Is Paradise Pier hotel ok as far as walking/roads with 4 little kids or is it worth the cost upgrade to DL Hotel?

In my opinion, the walk to the PPH is not much more than DLH, and so if you want to save costs, don't upgrade.

does DL normally have discounts that come out like WDW does?
planning "winter break week" in Feb if that matters on a discount

Yes, they do, but they aren't announced until later in the year, and it isn't guaranteed.

i'm sure i'll think of other things as I try anf figure this whole thing out but tia for any info or direction you guys and give me

 

[LizzyS]

I can concur that the drive from Las Vegas to Anaheim is 4.5-5 hours, but that is IF you are not traveling to SoCal on a Sunday afternoon. The traffic is a nightmare. Avoid that time like the plague. It's well known around here that you do not attempt to go to Southern California on a Sunday afternoon.

 

[dmband]

Thanks guys, great help
We would be traveling on Sunday early afternoon or monay morning
I'm also to against going half way on sunday

Yes basically a first timer to dl, been once
Was looking into some of the other hotels close by last night too

 

[larina]

I vote you travel Monday morning after reading the replies here!! LOL I had no idea not to do that drive on a Sunday, but I'm glad to know!!

 

[sonnyjane]

I vote you travel Monday morning after reading the replies here!! LOL I had no idea not to do that drive on a Sunday, but I'm glad to know!!

Oh yeah. Bad bad bad. Like, put the car in park on the highway bad. Sunday afternoon is the worst time. Sunday morning EARLY EARLY could work, or Sunday after 9 PM, but "Sunday afternoon" is never advised.

 

[mama2dutchies]

Oh yeah. Bad bad bad. Like, put the car in park on the highway bad. Sunday afternoon is the worst time. Sunday morning EARLY EARLY could work, or Sunday after 9 PM, but "Sunday afternoon" is never advised.

Yes IF you have to drive on sunday.. aim to get into SoCal LATE like midnight-2am.. which has you leaving vegas at like 8pm..

otherwise leave early monday