First timer's to DL...need your advice! : )

[taben]

Hubby and I are planning our first trip to CA. We plan on going when we can use two of our floating holidays which will be the end of Feb. So, with that said, I need your advice.

We both do know this is a cooler time of the year, crowds are lighter and could possibly be some major attractions down for refurbs. We were thinking about MAYBE staying onsite at DH but not sure the $ really justifies the steep price for a closer walk and an hour early to get in. : ( We have been to DW 5 times and just got back a couple weeks ago. We want to experience the ORIGINAL park where it all begin. We do know there are just two parks out there and DTD and there is NO comparison between the two locations. DL has its own charm and personality as does DW.

We have a friend who lives out there who will be kind enough to drive us around to all the attractions of the area. We plan on staying 5-6 days and will get a 5 day PH so we can come and go at our leisure. Of course DH is the highlight of the trip but will plan on going to the ocean to check it out (I know, no swimming...water always cold!) Just to say we dipped our footsies in the ocean is good enough for us.

We do realize it may be a little rainy as well and are prepared for that too. Have our Disney ponchos all packed away again ready for the next adventure.

We did contemplate staying at Park View because of the location and the great reviews we have read. Do know now they stopped the light dinner they used to offer...dang, go figure. Will there be fireworks on Sundays in February? I know not in the week but on weekends the fireworks and the entertainment will be going. (Guess that means parades and street performers?)

So, with two adults, we want to get the best bang for the buck knowing it could be our only trip out there and be happy that we did and saw as much as one could on their first trip. We plan on flying into LAX from STL so am prepared the airfare is really quite expensive. But, this is the big trip of the year so bring it on CALI!!! LOL

Any tips/advice............HELP would greatly be appreciated.

 

[madigraham]

i recommend staying on property. (Disneyland Hotel or Paradise pier is awesome. Grand CA is $$$ but super nice).
You seem like you know how to work a disney vaca from DW.

i recommend looking at disneyland.com before you leave to see attraction closures and refurbishments and show times.

 

[sonnyjane]

If you haven't already, definitely read this thread: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

If you're looking into Disneyland Hotel because it's a magical hotel, that's one thing, but don't look at it because of location! It is actually, as far as step counts go, the farthest of the three Disney on-site hotels from the main gates, and is much farther than many of the Harbor hotels like Park Vue, Best Western, Tropicana, etc.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

We said at the Fairfield Inn, which isn't super fancy, but it was clean and comfortable. It has a little Disney theming as well. The main perk though was that it was across the street. A five minute walk to the gates!

 

[taben]

Thanks everyone for the replies....would def. like to save some $$ on this trip so really am considering not staying on property. Didn't know that the DH is further to walk. HMM? What do you think about the time of the year and the crowd levels....no matter what, we should just plan and go.

 

[ShaunaM]

Hubby and I are planning our first trip to CA. We plan on going when we can use two of our floating holidays which will be the end of Feb. So, with that said, I need your advice.

We both do know this is a cooler time of the year, crowds are lighter and could possibly be some major attractions down for refurbs. We were thinking about MAYBE staying onsite at DH but not sure the $ really justifies the steep price for a closer walk and an hour early to get in. : ( We have been to DW 5 times and just got back a couple weeks ago. We want to experience the ORIGINAL park where it all begin. We do know there are just two parks out there and DTD and there is NO comparison between the two locations. DL has its own charm and personality as does DW.

We have a friend who lives out there who will be kind enough to drive us around to all the attractions of the area. We plan on staying 5-6 days and will get a 5 day PH so we can come and go at our leisure. Of course DH is the highlight of the trip but will plan on going to the ocean to check it out (I know, no swimming...water always cold!) Just to say we dipped our footsies in the ocean is good enough for us.

We do realize it may be a little rainy as well and are prepared for that too. Have our Disney ponchos all packed away again ready for the next adventure.

We did contemplate staying at Park View because of the location and the great reviews we have read. Do know now they stopped the light dinner they used to offer...dang, go figure. Will there be fireworks on Sundays in February? I know not in the week but on weekends the fireworks and the entertainment will be going. (Guess that means parades and street performers?)

So, with two adults, we want to get the best bang for the buck knowing it could be our only trip out there and be happy that we did and saw as much as one could on their first trip. We plan on flying into LAX from STL so am prepared the airfare is really quite expensive. But, this is the big trip of the year so bring it on CALI!!! LOL

Any tips/advice............HELP would greatly be appreciated.

On when you mean by end of February...presidents day week is plenty busy.

We have stayed off site three times and on site once. disneyalnd hotel will make it hard to go back across the street. Pretty nice but not necessarily closer just feels closer because you go back through downtown disney. The EE is pretty nice but likely not a deal breaker
IMO. We have gone that week twice, once we had great weather the second time a bit of rain and cooler. We just wrapped another trip and the weather was hot , have to say I enjoy warm more than cool...

 

[taben]

SHAUNA M

We were tentatively planning on going Feb. 24th - Mar. 1st. So, with that said, we miss President's week...WOO HOO! LOL What is EE???

 

[ShaunaM]

SHAUNA M

We were tentatively planning on going Feb. 24th - Mar. 1st. So, with that said, we miss President's week...WOO HOO! LOL What is EE???

Is early entry , the extra park hour for hotel guests....I know when we have been there the week prior there are fireworks every night , I don't think that is the norm in low season...not sure..., fantasmic only runs on weekends so you will need to time accordingly if you want it.