First DLR Trip in Six Years...Help!

[mjaclyn]

DH and I just booked a 3 day trip to DLR the first week of March and I need some planning help! We haven't been to the West Coast for six years and I've only been to DLR/DCA twice and those trips were without kids. Now we have two young children (4 and almost 2) and since we probably won't get back to DLR for awhile I'd like to do as much as possible without burning ourselves out. We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel and have purchased 3 day park hopper passes. My priority would be to do everything that we don't have in MK since we get to WDW multiple times per year, and definitely see WoC as many times as possible. What are your recommendations? We'll be there March 8th - 10th and are wondering what the crowds will be like. I'd also like to squeeze in a character meal if possible.

A few questions I have:
How far are DLR and DCA from the Disneyland hotel? Can we walk?

If we want to see WoC all three days, should we go into DCA first each day and get Fast Passes for it?

Has anyone done the WoC Meal package? Is the seating area for that any good?

We were thinking of doing 2 days at Disneyland and 1 day at California Adventure. Will that be enough time or should we do 1 and 1/2 days at each to get more time in at DCA?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[CrazyDuck]

A few questions I have:
How far are DLR and DCA from the Disneyland hotel? Can we walk?
About 2000 feet... Yes you would walk... it would be farther to drive! Also you may want to reconsider Disneyland Hotel with all the construction going on!

If we want to see WoC all three days, should we go into DCA first each day and get Fast Passes for it?
You can go to DL first then just send your husband to get the tickets for you... as long as you are in one of the parks you can get WOC tickets... You may also want to look into WOC lunch boxes.

Has anyone done the WoC Meal package? Is the seating area for that any good?
I Haven't... pretty sure they sure the same area as those who wait for FP's in the morning

We were thinking of doing 2 days at Disneyland and 1 day at California Adventure. Will that be enough time or should we do 1 and 1/2 days at each to get more time in at DCA?
If you only have 3 days then that's how I would divide up the 3 days...(2/1)

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[skiingfast]

My priority would be to do everything that we don't have in MK since we get to WDW multiple times per year, and definitely see WoC as many times as possible.

You will definately want to read this thread. It's for WDW vets coming to DLR. After you read this you will ask very different questions.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[cloudconnected1039]

Has anyone done the WoC Meal package? Is the seating area for that any good?

I've done a WOC dining package and I would say it's worth the money. Reasons being: a nice dinner, whether you go with Wine Country Trattoria or Ariel's Grotto, no having to get to DCA as SOON as it opens to get a FP, and no waiting in horrendous lines to wait in another line to go to your viewing section to wait another hour even though I'm more than willing to do that if I'm not getting the dining package. That's how much I love WOC!! The seating is the best I've ever had, but you can honestly get great seating anywhere. If you're lucky and quick enough to get a spot right on a railing, you're good The biggest advantage to the reserved dining area is that there are less people and it's in the middle portion of the viewing platform which causes for a fantastic panoramic view

Any way you go though will be amazing!!!

 

[EverAngel]

I must say that I agree about the Disneyland Hotel. I would reconsider. If you're on a budget than that's probably the best one.

I've never done a character package so I can't answer that question.

Especially with the changes taking place at DCA I would say that maybe a full day there would be enough, but they do close I think it's an hour earlier than Disneyland so you might want to consider the 1 1/2days at each park.

Sorry I can't be more help, this year will be my first year at Disneyland after not being there for 3 years.

 

[HydroGuy]

We'll be there March 8th - 10th and are wondering what the crowds will be like.

Let me try to catch some of the things not answered yet.

Mid-week in off-season? Probably some of the lowest crowds you can ever find. That is confirmed by the greatly reduced park hours.

How far are DLR and DCA from the Disneyland hotel? Can we walk?

Here is info on walking distance from many hotels:

"How Far Is It?" (shows actual distances in feet from hotels to DLR entrance plaza) www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

If we want to see WoC all three days, should we go into DCA first each day and get Fast Passes for it?

That is the way to do it. If you go first thing you will always get the blue section. I would try to vary arrival time for FP so you can see it from different sections.

Has anyone done the WoC Meal package? Is the seating area for that any good?!

WOC does not have any "seating". Is the preferred "viewing area" good? That was my favorite place to see WOC - however only because we showed up early enough to be in front at the rail.

Every WOC viewing area has good spots and bad spots, and a good spot anywhere is better than a bad spot in the "best" section. I would not worry so much about which section you are in, but in getting a good spot in that section.

As for the food at Ariel's Grotto, it was extremely good.

See "World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

We were thinking of doing 2 days at Disneyland and 1 day at California Adventure. Will that be enough time or should we do 1 and 1/2 days at each to get more time in at DCA?

With young children that will be plenty of time. But the idea of 2 days at DL and 1 at DCA is really not the best way to think of it. You should think of the two parks as one big park. See "Why I ParkHop at DLR" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

 

[disneyfan67]

I have to say that doing the WOC dinner package was expensive, but it was great getting a spot without waiting and all the hassle. I did the Wine Country Trattoria and found the setting to be nice, but the food is so so. It is Disney dining after all and you're paying for the location, name, and theming. The fast passes you get and the spot reserved was just awesome though. The view was fantastic and I can't imagine doing it any other way. It is definitely worth doing the WOC dining package once. I plan on doing it again this August. There is nothing like the WOC in any other Disney theme park around the world. It's a unique Disney only experience that is a must do when visting the DLR.