First Time Tips

[jerzeystar09]

I have been going to WDW since I was a kid and know it like the back of my hand. I recently got engaged and we have decided to do DL for our Honeymoon as neither of us have been there before.

Any tips or hotel recommendations?

 

[alvernon90]

The main tip is use the search bar in the upper corner of the page to search previous threads. Your question is super broad, you'll need to narrow it down before you get any useful advice.

 

[TC&WDW]

The main tip is use the search bar in the upper corner of the page to search previous threads. Your question is super broad, you'll need to narrow it down before you get any useful advice.

Eh... I think your questions was perfectly wide open for interpretation and improvisation! I certainly don't have as much experience here as some other posters, but I've been to both WDW and DL many times.

First of all... relax. DL SHOULD BE, and usually is, much more relaxed than WDW. The MAXPASS system is fantastic, and I highly recommend the extra $15 per day per person purchase. With a good touring strategy and effective use of MAXPASS, you can likely get a ton of stuff done each day.

Don't stress about Dinner Reservations. If you want to do something fun and fancy for the honeymoon, cool... you should. But other than that, don't feel the need to book things all over the place. The counter service options at DL are very very good, especially compared to those at WDW, and when my GF and I are there we like the sense of freedom to just grab what we want to eat when we want it. Unlike WDW, you can usually just walk in to most DL restaurants and get seated without much of a wait. Obviously there are some exceptions when this won't be possible, but generally, I don't worry about ADRs.

Finally, try to get a hotel right across the street on Harbour BLVD if possible. We like the Tropicana, and we've had no problems with Desert Inn and Suites either. I can't explain how much it is worth it to pay a little extra to be right across the street with a five minute walk to both parks. It takes so much stress out of the equation and makes taking a mid-day break feel much less like you're wasting Disney Time and Disney Money.

Have fun, congratulations, and see you at the parks!!

 

[caylene44]

Agreed with PP. I would do some Google searches/search the DIS and then narrow it down to more specific questions.

Also, since you have been to WDW, this thread is helpful: https://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

Since this is your honeymoon, I would opt to stay at a Disney hotel (Grand Californian particularly) but I'm not sure if that is in your budget. DL hotels are on par with WDW deluxe prices. There are MANY hotels in the area that are nice and a fraction of the price. We are staying at Grand Legacy at the Park on our next trip, $155/night and it's a 5 minute walk from the parks.

ETA: I would do Blue Bayou for dinner (restaurant inside Pirates ride), it's a very unique experience. Carthay Circle is a fancy choice if you wanted to dress up and do a romantic dinner. Also, look into the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour.

 

[BigBlueWho]

Don’t let anyone steal your joy. On our first trip to the Land, a common refrain was “oh you’ve been to World? You won’t like it as much here”. We loved it.
The land mass of DL is smaller but I’ve read it has more rides.
Pick out the rides that are unique to DL...Mr. Toads Wild Ride, Storybook Land Canal boats, etc. Focus on those.
Characters walk around way more frequently in the Land.
There are not as many restaurants, and I found some of them to be a bit cheaper than World.
Have fun!!!

 

[avalon451]

Your best source for all the tips are the sticky tip threads at the top of this forum. Somebody already referenced the DLR guide for WDW vets, but others are Hydroguy's tips, the hotel thread, etc. It's all up there! Then come back with any other questions, we're always happy to help. By the way, I wouldn't use the search function; it's not that helpful.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have been going to WDW since I was a kid and know it like the back of my hand. I recently got engaged and we have decided to do DL for our Honeymoon as neither of us have been there before.

Any tips or hotel recommendations?

See "Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

OP: could you give us your trip dates? There are certain times of year when DLR is much more crowded, so planning for those times is a bit different than the norm. With SWGE opening next month, no one knows for certain yet how that will affect trip planning. (Although when SWGE opens, you'll find all the news, tips, strategies, etc. here on this board!) One tip I would give you is to tuck away any WDW auto-pilot knowledge -- that can trip you up more than help you at DLR. Seeing DLR as a totally different (similar, but different) animal will help you have a more enjoyable experience -- and isn't that the point of a honeymoon?

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Eh... I think your questions was perfectly wide open for interpretation and improvisation! I certainly don't have as much experience here as some other posters, but I've been to both WDW and DL many times.

First of all... relax. DL SHOULD BE, and usually is, much more relaxed than WDW. The MAXPASS system is fantastic, and I highly recommend the extra $15 per day per person purchase. With a good touring strategy and effective use of MAXPASS, you can likely get a ton of stuff done each day.

Don't stress about Dinner Reservations. If you want to do something fun and fancy for the honeymoon, cool... you should. But other than that, don't feel the need to book things all over the place. The counter service options at DL are very very good, especially compared to those at WDW, and when my GF and I are there we like the sense of freedom to just grab what we want to eat when we want it. Unlike WDW, you can usually just walk in to most DL restaurants and get seated without much of a wait. Obviously there are some exceptions when this won't be possible, but generally, I don't worry about ADRs.

Finally, try to get a hotel right across the street on Harbour BLVD if possible. We like the Tropicana, and we've had no problems with Desert Inn and Suites either. I can't explain how much it is worth it to pay a little extra to be right across the street with a five minute walk to both parks. It takes so much stress out of the equation and makes taking a mid-day break feel much less like you're wasting Disney Time and Disney Money.

Have fun, congratulations, and see you at the parks!!

Nice first post.

 

[Malcon10t]

Finally, try to get a hotel right across the street on Harbour BLVD if possible. We like the Tropicana, and we've had no problems with Desert Inn and Suites either. I can't explain how much it is worth it to pay a little extra to be right across the street with a five minute walk to both parks. It takes so much stress out of the equation and makes taking a mid-day break feel much less like you're wasting Disney Time and Disney Money.

Have fun, congratulations, and see you at the parks!!

Desert Inn is ok if you are using it as a shower and place to crash after you spend the day in the park.

However, if it were my honeymoon, I'd probably opt for something a little nicer. Staying on site if it is in the budget. While most will say the Grand, I prefer Disneyland Hotel.

If not, Candy Cane Inn is very nice, as is Hojos. And if you do Candy Cane, if you can go for a premium room, they are well worth it. Candy Cane is a 10 min walk, and they have a dedicated shuttle. The breakfast is a step above the others on Harbor.

 

[avalon451]

However, if it were my honeymoon, I'd probably opt for something a little nicer. Staying on site if it is in the budget. While most will say the Grand, I prefer Disneyland Hotel.

You know, this is a great point. Can you budget for an onsite hotel?

I'm of two minds about this; most trips I've taken, I just can't bring myself to pay 3-4 times the cost to stay onsite, instead of a budget motel on Harbor. Our go-to is Desert Inn and Suites, which is right at the crosswalk, clean, plain, boring, but the cheapest on the "across-the-street" motels. Booked far enough ahead, you can often get the basic room for $109 a night. You have to pay for parking. There's a lame continental breakfast that is adequate (but microwave and fridge in the room, so we usually have groceries in-room for breakfast).

However. HONEYMOON!? I'd stay onsite if at all possible, and nevermind the cost. I've stayed at the Grand Californian and it was amazing. They'd probably upgrade you to something nice for free if you checked in early in the day and you showed up in your bride and groom Mickey ears or something. Or, the Disneyland Hotel. Our upcoming trip I just couldn't resist (whole family for first time in 11 years!) and we booked it, and I'm really psyched. Plus I'm hoping it will help with having Early Entry priveleges and who knows, maybe some kind of advantage to entry to SW:GE (it's in mid-September, so I'm hoping the hype is under some kind of control by them and there's strategies out there).

Sounds like an amazing honeymoon, though! Keep us posted! You should do a trip report.

 

[azdisneylover]

I have been going to WDW since I was a kid and know it like the back of my hand. I recently got engaged and we have decided to do DL for our Honeymoon as neither of us have been there before.

Any tips or hotel recommendations?

Congrats! Wishing you the best on your upcoming special day and a happily ever after! My recommendation for a hotel would be either the GCH or DLH and make it club level. Have a special honeymoon gift delivered to the room.

 

[tarheelalum]

If the Disneyland Hotel is not in your budget, do try to stay within walking distance at one of the hotels on Harbor Blvd or near the intersection of Harbor and Katella. The Hotel Indigo is more of a modern hotel that is more for adults than kids. My wife and I stay there a lot and we like it. It takes us 10 minutes to walk to Disney in the morning and 15 minutes to walk back at night. Also they do not charge for parking.

Wherever you stay off property, make sure it is within walking distance. You do not want to rely on the ART bus or any hotel shuttle. They will just slow you down and they are always packed in the morning. And getting to Disneyland early in the morning before rope drop is key!! Also max pass will save you tremendous time and stress. It is worth every dime it costs. And you really need park hoppers. WDW people never seem to want to get park hoppers and that is a huge mistake. The parks are 100 yards apart and you do not have to go through security to park hop. At times one park can be very crowded while the other one has very light crowds. Have a great trip.

 

[jerzeystar09]

Thanks for all the hotel tips! We will be going in December around the 8-12th. Not sure the on site hotels are in our budget as this is just one portion of our trip. The other being a cruise(not Disney). I’ll definitely check out the recommendations though!

 

[disneycat321]

Congratulations! We did the opposite - we're DLR vets and did WDW for our honeymoon. No matter what you do, you'll love it!

I think DLR is great for a honeymoon because it doesn't have to be as heavily planned.

Quick TS dining recommendations - we love Carnation Cafe on Main Street for breakfast, Blue Bayou is fantastic for food and atmosphere, and we loved Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel. I do agree with the PP who said counter service is better at DLR.

Have a magical trip!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks for all the hotel tips! We will be going in December around the 8-12th...

Holiday Time at DLR is a wonderful time to visit! But it is definitely one of the more crowded times of the year. Read through the threads linked above and come back with your trip planning questions. We're here to help!
ETA: Read through the Holiday Time Superthread from last year to get a basic idea of what happens and when: OFFICIAL 2018 Christmas & Holiday Time at DLR Superthread!!. This will give you some idea of what to expect.

 

[tarheelalum]

Thanks for all the hotel tips! We will be going in December around the 8-12th. Not sure the on site hotels are in our budget as this is just one portion of our trip. The other being a cruise(not Disney). I’ll definitely check out the recommendations though!

Please note its not like WDW in that you don't really need to stay on property. The vast majority of park goers stay off property at Disneyland. And disregard the notion that a good neighbor hotel means anything. Disney will hand that designation to any dump that will pay their fee. Also booking any sort of package deal at Disneyland is usually not much of a deal. In fact its usually a worse deal then you can get by just booking everything yourself individually. Just note the earlier the better and try to book directly with the hotel at a rate you can cancel without penalty. You also don't have to plan everything out in advance here. Its more of a go with the flow type place. Have a great trip.