First Time Disneyland Visitor - Help!!

[bubba]

Hi everyone! My husband and I have decided that we want to travel to Disneyland for our 30th anniversary in 2021 (yes, we like to plan early!) We have travelled to Walt Disney World many times, both together and with our sons so we have planning for that resort down to a science! I’ve just started looking at the Disney site and feel like I’m in a whole new world! Packages are different, seemingly no dining plan, not as many accommodation choices... can anyone give me the Cliffs Notes version of planning for our special vacation? What should we look for? How to plan for dining? Budgeting? Any and all help is VERY appreciated!!

 

[katyringo]

There is a thread called Disneyland for WDW vets somewhere here. That would be a good read for you.

These are my cliff notes

No dinning plan.

Three on site Disney hotels but they are pricey. There aren’t perks for staying on site at Disneyland like there is for world. Most of us stay across the street within walking distance. Some of people’s favorites that are the closest at best western park place, hojo, Fairfield inn. The only perk for staying on site is early access to the parks. You can get 1 day early access to Disneyland park by purchasing a 3 or more day ticket in advance, regardless where you stay. The only way to early access DCA is to stay onsite. I don’t feel the price of staying on site is worth that. Early access isn’t as big a deal at land.

Fastpass- maxpass is 15 per person per day or you can buy tickets with already having it. It gives you access to all your photos and the ability to book fastpasss on your phone. Fastpassses are not booked ahead of time like world, they are day of and you have to be in the park. However, most report They prefer maxpass to fast pass plus. It allows for flexibility and many more rides in a single day, and getting the most
Popular is not hard at all- in fact many of us ride them multiple times a trip.

Dinning- reservations open at 60 days out and it’s not as cut throat. The ones that go quicker are the fantasmic and world of color dinning packages. We also don’t has ad many table service. The QS options are really good. Mobil ordering is your friend.

Budget- will Purely rely on how you do the parks. For my family we don’t do Disney on the cheap. We do dinning packages for the shows and a couple character meals plus we always do lamplight lounge. So what I do is add the cost of those and then add an addition 15 per person per meal for the Quick service meals we will do. Then I budget like $50 a day for snacks. I always end up over budgeting but that’s better than under. Spending money is strictly what you want to spend.. some hotels have free breakfast.

Here is the thing. Disneyland is a lot more “go with the flow” it will be hard not to plan out your whole trip, but really it’s the way Disneyland is designed. We actually like to have 1-2 days of our trip with not dinning reservations and just go where the Disney winds and fastpasses take us.

 

[smartlabelprint]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599
Our budget for 4-5 days in park. $100/day per person for food/souvies. We eat lunch, dinner and snacks in the park. Usually one table service meal and/or experience like WOC dessert. We don’t buy much stuff. One thing per person per trip-sweatshirt or bubble wand, etc.

Weather can be cold. I’ve been in November and December. If it’s windy that’s what gets me and I freeze even though it’s not “cold”. I have bought gloves in the park due to cold. Bundled with sweatshirts and coats and hoods and still cold.

I went in The first week Of December this year. I wasn’t cold. It rained the days before we got there. Light sprinkle while we were there. Didn’t need the raincoat I brought. Didn’t need gloves. I had a Light down coat and it was perfect during WOC dessert party. I was just right.

 

[smartlabelprint]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-dlr-area-hotel-for-you.3656512/
We have to stay in hotels. In dec I stayed at bwppi. Too loud. White noise helped but I’m too old for motels now. They were fine when we were in the parks open to close.

We love homewood suites convention and if it’s just adults you can uber to the parks. But it’s a 20 min walk.

I’m interested in Hyatt house, Spring Hill suites and courtyard by Marriott theme park entrance

 

[theluckyrabbit]

What are your trip dates? This can make a big difference at DLR.
For your trip planning:
This sticky thread from the top of the first page has TONS of great information for you: * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!. Start researching there.
From that sticky:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- a classic thread! Pre-SWGE, but still has so much helpful info!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- a gold mine of great threads with super helpful info!
From the above thread:
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/ -- at DLR it isn't about on site or off site -- it's all about location, location, location!
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- ask any questions about airports and transportation here!
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- ask all FP/MP questions here -- you'll get great help from our resident experts!

This is from another thread which was posted today, but all the links are just as helpful for you, too!
As pp have noted, there is no official dining plan at DLR. People who like to use a dining plan often use Disney gift cards to budget for meals. That way they know exactly how much they are spending on food and how much is left. It is easy to load more money on the cards if they need to do so. Just know that non-Disney restaurants don't accept Disney gift cards, e.g. Patina group locations in DTD, Ghirardelli in DCA, Starbucks in DTD, etc., so you would need separate gift cards for those company locations. And certain ODV carts don't take gift cards.
Many people here don't book packages through Disney because they can save money booking things separately by themselves. Look at Costco or AAA for packages, Mousesavers.com for discount offers and coupon codes (all vendors listed there are legit), LMT Club for tickets, etc. If you aren't sure about a vendor, ask here first.
If you plan to focus mainly on DLR, you won't need a car. Many people use Uber or Lyft to get around the area. Tell us what your plans are and we can make suggestions on whether a car or something else would work better.
You've come to the right place for help!

 

[azdisneylover]

Staying onsite does give you one decent perk, MM/EE to the parks each day. MM is Disneyland Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. EE is Disney California Adventure Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. EE is especially awesome because it is just onsite guests that are in the park for that early hour, while MM includes people with a 3 day or longer pass.