First Timer!! Appreciate Any Info.

[mom_rules]

I have the opportunity to spend 9 days in DisneyLand end of
September/beginning of October. Can anyone give me any info? Best Place to stay, passes, places to eat. I was thinking to split my stay between GC and DLR-4 nights each. I was also thinking the Grand Plan-anyone have any info on this one? How far from LAX? As you can see I'm just full of questions.
Thanks.

 

[mom_rules]

Oh yes-and the weather at the beginning of October?

 

[roypar]

The weather at the beginning of October is actually quite warm. usually in the 80's. From July til the end of October it never rains here in So Cal and the temps usually range from the mid 80's to 100 degrees, depending on where you live. I live near Magic Mountain and the temps NEVER dip below 90 up here during this time. Disneyland is usually about 10 degrees cooler though.

Unfortunately I live close by so I've never actually stayed at one of the hotels. The Grand Californian does get a lot of positive recommendations though.

Depending on traffic, LAX is usually about 30 to 40 minutes away. I believe it's close to 30 miles away.

Are you asking about places to eat onsite or nearby. There's this one restaurant on Harbor called Buca Di Beppo's which me and my family like. It's about a few blocks down, not that far.

Also the Haunted Mansion will be transforming to it's Holiday version in the middle of October. If you have a chance to delay your trip by a few weeks, I would wait til it goes up. If you've never seen it before, it's very good.

If you have any more specific questions I'd be happy to reply some more.

 

[mom_rules]

Thanks so much-what great information. Unfortunately I can't delay my trip as we are mixing business (conference at the Anaheim Convention Centre) and pleasure (all of us are going for an extra week).
As far as restaurants go, we will be renting a car any suggestions onsite or off are appreciated.
We also plan to visit Knotts and Newport Beach-any reviews?

How about outlet type malls-Disney Warehouse stores nearby etc.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Hi Mom_rules,

Both GC and DLH are great hotels to stay at. In my opinion, the Resort Magic package should be fine, but if you like concierge services, then go with the Grand Plan.

The Disneyland Resort is about 40 miles from LAX. The car rental places are offsite from the airport, but it's easy to get a shuttle that will take you to whatever rental place you are using. Once you get your car, go to the 105 freeway east (the rental place will give you a map), take the 105 carpool lane, all the way to the end, then get the 605 south for about a mile or two, and get on the 91 east - get in the carpool lane, stay in the carpool lane, and get on the 5 fwy south - stay in the carpool lane, and get off on Disneyland Drive.
105E - 605S - 91E - 5S - Disneyland Drive

There are several places to dine at Downtown Disney and the Hotels. Also, across the street on Harbor is Tony Romas, and off of Ball you have the Spaghetti Factory. If you go west on Harbor (past Katella), you'll run into more restaurants.

You can also go to Mrs. Knotts Chicken Restaurant at Knotts Berry Farm (located about 10 minutes via the freeway, on the 91). There is also the dinner shows Medieval Times and Wild Bills.

If you'd like to go to the Beach, then Newport is an excellent choice - there's Joes Crab Shack there, as well as other restaurants - you can watch the sunset over the Pacific. Of course, for dining, I prefer Tony's Restaurant at Redondo Beach Pier, but that's a drive back towards LAX. You can rent bikes and Newport Beach, and take the ferry to Balboa Island - makes for a nice day.

If you go about 4-5 miles north on Harbor (towards the mtns) and past the 5 fwy, there is a character warehouse on the south-west corner of Harbor & Orangethorpe - they do have items there that you can get at a discount, but from what I've heard, it's not quite on par w/the one near WDW.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[mom_rules]

Great information!!! Thanks.

 

[Friend Owl]

How do the crowds at Easter compare to the crowds at WDW at Easter? We are going to DL during Easter break and would like to get an idea on how bad it will be.

 

[Dizzie]

I would suggest also looking at flights into Orange County/Santa Ana. The airport code is SNA. It is a lot closer to DL than LAX. It took us about an hour to get to DLH from LAX last October, but it was a Friday afternoon.

Have Fun!

 

[mom_rules]

We've booked a flight on America West to SNA.
Land on a Monday morning at 11:00am.

Have you heard of America West and also, where is the Budget car rental located in SNA and approximate travel time to DL.

Thanks again.

 

[Elly]

The airport is about 20 minutes from Disneyland if I recall. Orange County airport is quite compact and you will easily locate the car rental desks when you pick up your bags.

 

[jordanyosh]

Good hotel choices. Newport Beach ok. Knotts just ok.

Since you have a rental car, you have more choices for restaurants in the area. Most are national chains down on Harbor Blvd .you have Buca di Beppos, Red Robin, Joe's Crab Shack, Outback Steakhouse. If you go to this mall called the Block, there are several more restaurant choices. At the Block, there is also a great day spa, Burke Williams.

I don't know where the Budget counter is at SNA,but 20 mins is about right to DL, but that is without any traffic. So it depends when you come into town.

 

[Goofydiane]

You will enjoy flying into SNA so much better than LAX. Smaller airport and everything is signed nicely.

If you are checking luggage, you will go down the escalators by security and I think America West comes in at claim #2. Follow the signs for Ground Transportation. Due to work, I only rent from National, but I think I recall seeing Budget in the same area.

Being on property is not as important at DL as it is at WDW. Many very nice hotels are just as close to DL. Connected to the convention center are the Hilton Anaheim Convention Center (my personal favorite) and the Marriott. Both are very nice hotels and offer a shuttle to the parks. Another option to think of. That said - I still enjoy both The Disneyland Hotel and The Grand Californian, both are wonderful hotels to stay at.

SNA to DL is about 15 miles, and at the time you noted your flight is arriving, about 20 minutes. Exit the airport following signs for Hwy 55 North, then merge to Interstate 5 North (take advantage of the carpool lane if able). Exit Katella and go left. Follow signs to hotel if at Disney or Convention Center hotels.

Enjoy your trip!
Diane

 

[mom_rules]

Alright!! Thanks so much for all the information.

 

[mom_rules]

Me again!
We want to try: ESPN, Blue Bayou, Ariels, Goofy's Kitchen,
Napa Rose, The winery in CA?, Hard Rock Cafe in Fashion Island, where else do you suggest and what are the best times to go ?

 

[#1MMFan]

Hi mom_rules!

I was in DLR in October last year. We had a ball. It was our first time, after eight trips to WDW so I'm probably in a similar position to you. If you want to PM or e-mail me I'd be happy to provide info on my family's experience. I can say that, maybe atypically, the weather was rather cooler than we expected. By the evening one night, I was running around frantically to buy a sweatshirt/ hoodie because I was freezing! And I come from Scotland!

Please PM me if you'd like any more info. I'd be very happy to oblige!

John

Go Blue Jays, Go.

 

[msteddom]

mom_rules:

You mentioned some resurants you wanted to try, so here are some of my opinions on them for you:

ESPN Zone: Fantastic!!!! I eat there every time I go (about once a month). I never would have guessed that a theme based chain resturant could put together such a good menu. This is a great place for any sports fan!!! Try to sit in the screening room, the booths each have a flat panel TV on them with speakers built in to the back of the booth and you can can choose from about 20 different sports channels. Also, you must not leave without trying the chocolate cookie sundae. I would suggest going there for lunch as it is less crowded, especailly if you have a large group, but the down side to that is that the TV offerings are not as good.

Blue Bayou: The atmospere of this resturant is fantastic!!! I love watching all of the POTC boats going by. I have never been impressed with the food though. I also think it is overpriced. I say defelity go though, as it is worht the money to have the experience. You might want to think about splitting entrees as well because they are huge. Make sure to make a PS for this one!

The Vineyard Room: This is absolutly the best Disney resturant I've eaten at at either WDW or DLR. Make sure you eat in the upstairs dining room. If memory serves the meal is prix fixe and it is fantastic! Make sure you get a PS for about an hour before the Main St. Electrical Light PArade. There is not a better seat in the house! I wouldn't do this resturant with kids, as it is very expensive. Try the wine pairings too!

Those are the resturants on your list that I have been to. Hope this helps.

 

[mom_rules]

Thanks for the advice. How about Granville's, Goofy's Kitchen, Ariel's and Napa Rose?

 

[Dizzie]

We ate at Goofy's Kitchen in Oct 02, once for breakfast and once for dinner. The kid's loved it both times, the characters were good and they did a Macarena dance. The food at breakfast was good but it is hard to make a terrible breakfast. The dinner wasn't good, but edible. You definitely pay for the atmosphere, not the food. We will probably eat there again on our next trip because it is so fun for the kids.

 

[daannzzz]

We have been to Goofy's kitchen for breakfast a few times and really liked it. The food is good. The breakfast pizzas are great. They have an omlet station and lots of different things to try. They even have a small salad station, there's nothing like salad with Blue cheese dressing for breakfast! The character interactions has been very good and it is fun when the music comes on and they all invite the kids out for a dance.
I have been to Ariel's Grotto a few times for lunch and dinner. All my food has been good to great. I love the meatloaf, which is only served at dinner. They have a good hamburger and fish and chips. It is is a one price deal. You pay one price and get to choose your meal off of a not real large menu. It is less expensive at lunch but you don't get your desert or drink included. After you are done eating they bring out cotton candy with the bill. The caracter interaction is not quite as good here but they also have a musical parade where they invite the kids to come along.

 

[almostGoofy]

Napa Rose is a very good restaurant; it rates very high in the Zagat guide as one of the better dining establishments in Orange county. It is also very expensive. Fine dining, white table cloth, you probably get the picture. You'll find an unusal mix of locals out for a special evening in after five clothing to people who've been at the park all day in shorts.

Food and service is exceptional. Our party of 8 averaged about $75/person for dinner. Perhaps a bit less if you drink less wine, we had about 5 or 6 bottles that evening. For us, it's a place for a special celebration. We can't afford to go there on a regular basis.