First Time Disneylander-- Questions!

[DisneyBamaGirl08]

Hi guys!

I am hoping to take my first trip to Disney in December (14-18)! I am so excited, I have been to DW many, many times, but never at Christmas . So I have a few questions..

Has any one stayed at the Quality Inn? How was it? I know it's a Good Neighbor Hotel.

Is it withint reasonable walking distance?

I am also looking at flying into Orange County. What is the best mode of transportation from there to the hotel? Are the cab rates outrageous?

At DW, I love Chef Mickey's (breakfast), Crystal Palace (breakfast) and Hollywood and Vine (Dinner), does anything compare at DL?

Are there Fantasmic dinner packages?

How do extra magic hours work out there? I have read about the Toontown Fair hours? Is it similar to DW? I never miss an extra magic hour at DW.

Is there something like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party there?

Finally, is three day park hoppers enough to see/do everything within reason?


Thanks in Advance!!

 

[Jenn1116]

First expect crowds. I hear DL is absolutely magical at Christmas, so I think it's worth it. You might want an extra day though, just in case.

I don't know about Quality Inn. I have heard good things about the Tropicana, which is right across the street - very easy walking, and Howard Johnson, just a 7 minute walk.

They have Fantasmic desert packages that include special seating.

Flying into OC, cabs are an easy choice. I think I've seen people estimate the cost at around $45... I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Like PP mentioned, DL has a Fantasmic Dessert Buffet (wdwinfo calls it a "buffet," but the more common term is "dessert package" ), but it’s not like the Fantasmic Dinner Package. The dessert buffet is a splurge – it costs $59 – but it does save you some waiting time. I’m sure others can tell you more, but here is a link:
www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland-california/disneyland-fantasmic.htm
If you’re looking to save waiting time,etc., you might want to go to the second F! show (at 10:30 p.m.). Like WDW, the second F! show is less crowded than the first.

DL has Magic Mornings, which are similar to morning EMHs. Guests with a 3-day or more park hopper ticket get one MM. Also, on-site guests can attend MM on each day that it is offered. MM is offered on the days that start with S and T (Sat, Sun, Tues and Thurs).
Here is a link to the MM Super Thread, by DLR29:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

Mickey’s Toontown usually opens one hour after DL’s regular opening time. But Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness (MTTMM) is on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat, and on those days Mickey’s Toontown opens at DL’s regular opening time. (MTTMM is available to guests who buy their tickets through Costco or WDTC.)

Re taxis from SNA, my experience is similar to the PP. Last October I took a taxi from SNA to the Howard Johnson (on Harbor Blvd) and without tip it cost $38. But with gas prices these days , I’m guessing that it’s probably higher.

Three days for DLR is pretty good. For most people, three to five days is about right. Be sure to check out the HydroGuy Tips Compilation, especially this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

HTH

 

[DLR29]

Has any one stayed at the Quality Inn? How was it? I know it's a Good Neighbor Hotel.

Is it withint reasonable walking distance?

I am also looking at flying into Orange County. What is the best mode of transportation from there to the hotel? Are the cab rates outrageous?

At DW, I love Chef Mickey's (breakfast), Crystal Palace (breakfast) and Hollywood and Vine (Dinner), does anything compare at DL?

Are there Fantasmic dinner packages?

How do extra magic hours work out there? I have read about the Toontown Fair hours? Is it similar to DW? I never miss an extra magic hour at DW.

Is there something like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party there?

Finally, is three day park hoppers enough to see/do everything within reason?


Thanks in Advance!!

Looking at all of the DLR material, it seems as though the Quality Inn is a new Good Neighbor hotel. It does look like it's within walking distance. It's very close to the HOJOs which everyone on here loves and says is within walking distance.

Don't usually fly, so I can't help there.

If you like Chef Mickeys, you will probably like Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel which is just a short monorail ride from inside DL or a quick walk through Downtown Disney. As for Crystal Palace, there is a character breakfast in Disneyland at the end of Main Street at the Plaza Inn. There's nothing really comparable to H&V.

There aren't Fantasmic dinner packages, but there are Fantasmic dessert packages where you get good seats for F! and a box of dessert goodies for like $60 or something around that. However, make sure you see Fantasmic on the 14th because it might not be showing during the middle of the week. Fireworks however will probably be shown daily (based on past year's entertainment schedules)

Magic Mornings are different than EMHs. MM is only for DL, not DCA (although DCA opens every day 30 minutes before park opening for guests to ride Soarin or line up for Toy Story Midway Mania). MMs are Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday (days with S and T). Unlike WDW, MMs do not have a huge impact on the crowd size of that day. Fantasyland, Nemo, Space, and Buzz (occasionally other Tomorrowland rides) are open for MM. You get one MM if you purchase a ticket of 3 or more days long and are staying offsite.

Toontown Morning Madness is only for people buying packages (onsite or good neighbor). It is offered Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and it is admission into Toontown at park opening (TT usually opens an hour after the rest of the park for all guests) to ride the 2 rides or visit the characters or explore.

There is no separate ticketed event like MVMCP.

3 days is a good amount of time, but if you wanted to do Fantasmic that first night, I would recommend getting 4 days. The price differential for adding an extra day is minimal and that might be the only time for you to be able to see F! It's definitely worth it to go to the park the first night for such a small price (it's like $15).

Phew that was a lot, but I hope it helps!