First Time Back to DL in YEARS!!

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

OK, I just read about all yout gosh darn nice people, so I expect some gosh darn nice answers.

Well, we lived in Oceanside when I was a kid, and we did DL all the time. However, it's been a long time since we've been back. I've never even seen CA!

I'm contemplating a March trip during Spring Break. We'll be visiting family, doing a couple other parks (looking at the SoCal City Pass), and I'm thinking three days at Disney. Probably staying on-site, as I would never dream of staying off-site at WDW, so I figured, hey, do the same at DL.

I'm a mega-planner, and I love planning our WDW trips. I guess it looks like DL doesn't take as much planning, but I just can't go in blind, so...

What is your best tip for a "newbie" headed to Disney?

 

[DangerMouse]

Well, the BEST tip is for you to start by reading Hydroguy's Sticky at the top of this page. You especially need to read the one about DLR for WDW Vets and the Hotel Rule.

Links below:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862


They'll both guide you in the right direction!

 

[jlmarr]

Probably staying on-site, as I would never dream of staying off-site at WDW, so I figured, hey, do the same at DL.

As Hydroguy says, you don't need to stay on-site since off-site is literally across the street. Might save some $$$ that you can use for a dinner at Napa Rose.

 

[sonnyjane]

As Hydroguy says, you don't need to stay on-site since off-site is literally across the street. Might save some $$$ that you can use for a dinner at Napa Rose.

Just echoing what the others said, you don't *have* to stay on-site at DL, as it's a bit different than WDW. There are even some off-site hotels that can be a closer walk than on-site! If you can afford the expensive rates, then certainly splurge for on-site, but if not, as others suggested, it might be better to just pocket those savings for meals and gifts at the parks.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We just love to be surrounded by the magic 24/7!! Are the GN hotels equally magical? Resort rates aren't really an issue, as we always stay deluxe at WDW, so the DL prices are actually a break for us!

 

[jlmarr]

We just love to be surrounded by the magic 24/7!! Are the GN hotels equally magical? Resort rates aren't really an issue, as we always stay deluxe at WDW, so the DL prices are actually a break for us!

Cool - Grand Californian for you.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Cool - Grand Californian for you.

I was thinking Disneyland Hotel, but it would be nice to be connected to a park. We love staying at the Beach Club at WDW. Just walk over the hill, and there's Epcot! Decisions, decisions...

 

[Princess Row]

Although the GC is connected to DCA we love DL s much more. YOu can always just take the monorail (short walk from DLH) and it takes you strait into tomorrowland. We have never stayed off site, its always onsite for us, but DLH is the best way to go we feel. Hope this helps!

 

[Judy from Boise]

If you can afford GC I would do it in a heartbeat!

 

[quantumottle]

I think you're going to be blown away by what DL is now compared to years ago. My BIL went for the first time since the late 80's and said he couldn't believe the difference in what he remembered it being as a young man in his 20's. He now prefers DL over MK.

 

[50sjayne]

Don't go on spring break. It's too close to Easter this year-- I don't think you could understand how crowded it has become these days. Also Rivers of America will be drained- no Fantasmic and you will miss the new show which is HUGE in CA. We're going late June when the annual passes are blocked.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I think you're going to be blown away by what DL is now compared to years ago. My BIL went for the first time since the late 80's and said he couldn't believe the difference in what he remembered it being as a young man in his 20's. He now prefers DL over MK.

I'm excited. I mean, I haven't even been back to CA since I was, maybe, 10? 11? We may end up going back to Florida in March instead, but right now they're neck and neck. Flights to Florida are $118 RT on a few dates around our travel time. We'd drive it to CA since that's another nostalgic thing for us. The kids have never done a long road trip, and I'm as excited about that as I am nervous. I'm hoping we all can make a final decision before New Year's.

 

[DLR29]

I'm excited. I mean, I haven't even been back to CA since I was, maybe, 10? 11? We may end up going back to Florida in March instead, but right now they're neck and neck. Flights to Florida are $118 RT on a few dates around our travel time. We'd drive it to CA since that's another nostalgic thing for us. The kids have never done a long road trip, and I'm as excited about that as I am nervous. I'm hoping we all can make a final decision before New Year's.

Our family has some friends in Norman who have driven out to Disneyland to meet us for a couple trips! I would definitely recommend going to DLR as something new instead of going to WDW. Not that WDW isn't one of the greatest places ever...it's just fun to have a different thing once in a while.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Don't go on spring break. It's too close to Easter this year-- I don't think you could understand how crowded it has become these days. Also Rivers of America will be drained- no Fantasmic and you will miss the new show which is HUGE in CA. We're going late June when the annual passes are blocked.

Spring Break is the only long break I get where I wouldn't have to take time off work. Besides, Easter is two weeks after we'd be leaving.

Our family has some friends in Norman who have driven out to Disneyland to meet us for a couple trips! I would definitely recommend going to DLR as something new instead of going to WDW. Not that WDW isn't one of the greatest places ever...it's just fun to have a different thing once in a while.

How funny! Small world.

We're going to WDW next December, so it would be fun to shake things up. I'm leaning a bit toward DL, but WDW keeps sending me codes.