First Timer for Disneyland! Point me in the right direction!

[Disneynutbsv]

Hi all! My daughter and I are starting to plan a trip to Disneyland next April! So, the only things I know are this:
1. I will not be driving and will be needing transportation to and from the park (which hotels provide free transportation?)
2. Want to plan a side trip to San Diego Zoo with transportation included. Anyone done this and can explain, when picked up, dropped off and picked up again? How long do you have at the zoo?
3. If I am flying in from New England, when should I leave? Like what time of day?
4. Is the Disneyland Dining plan worth it?
5. Will 3 days be enough?
6. Anything else you can help me with would be wonderful.
7. Which airports do southwest fly into?

Long time Dis'er, been to wdw many times and the dcl twice. Looking for something different

 

[akmomesq]

We've only been twice but I'll try to help...
1. If you stay close enough, transportation isn't necessary. A lot of hotels are in walking distance. Otherwise, there is a city shuttle that runs all day.
2. We didn't do a side trip to the zoo, but we did go to Seaworld. There is a package that I believe grayline offers. Your ticket to the park and bus ride are all included in one price. You're picked up at your hotel and dropped off there at night, after spending the day at the zoo.
3. I live in Alaska and regularly fly home to New England. I'd leave first thing in the a.m.
4. The disneyland dining plan is not worth it. (I have heard it's worth it at other Disney locations.)
5. The answer to this question depends on you - and how old your daughter is. We did 5 days and loved it.

Southwest flies into Orange County/John Wayne airport. You can take the Disneyland Resort Express Shuttle from there to your hotel. We found that was the most economical way to get too and from and was very convenient.

good luck!

 

[krispin41]

Even though I live in northern California, we added shuttle transportation to and from the airport when I booked our package. It wasn't that much more. I opted to fly into LAX, not my first choice, however the tickets on Southwest were considerably cheaper than flying into John Wayne.

I've never tacked on a San Diego trip, maybe next time.

Weather should be pretty nice actually, but I would dress in layers for sure. You might be able to wear shorts, I'd probably wear capris, short sleeved top, and then layer either a sweatshirt or cardigan. I always keep a lightweight scarf with me as well, it packs really easily.

 

[jlmarr]

First off, you really need to read Hydroguy's DLR tips for WDW vets, as well as some of his other topics under the sticky notes at the top of the forum. Lots of useful info there.

Southwest flies into SNA and LAX, and both are served by the Disneyland Resort Express. I don't think Southwest has any non-stops from New England though, so you might consider JetBlue, which flies into LAX and LGB. The latter isn't served by the DL Express, but it's close enough (14 miles) that a taxi ride isn't too costly.

I think 3 full days would be plenty for DLR.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Thanks everyone!

 

[GenGen22]

I would look at getawaytoday.com they usually have good deals on hotels (I have gotten like the 4th night free before) They also offer transportation to and from airport, San Diego etc. I would read up on the hotels as some offer free transportation to Disney and surrounding parks. I stayed at a few places that offered free buffet breakfast and transportation to Knotts Berry Farm and the Disney parks. Two that I have stayed at are Radisson Suites Hotel Buena Park and Embassy suites Anaheim South. I prefer Embassy suites.