First trip back to DL in 25 years!! Help

[fam4jc]

Hi. My DH would like to see the state where I grew up, so we are planning a trip to California. We can't go all the way there without going to DL. Tell me what I should be reading, where to get discount information, what not to miss, etc. We usually go to WDW (it's on our coast). We like to stay on-site at WDW. Is it the same type of experience at DL or is a close hotel just as good?
Thanks,
Shellie <><

 

[iceskatejen]

You're going to find that the DL area has changed big time. I live fairly locally, so I've never stayed at a hotel there, but I think it's not as important at DL to be on-site as it is at WDW. In fact, except for the Grand Californian, there are many off-site hotels closer to the front gates that the DL hotels. I think others can help you more with discount sites, but I hear Mousesavers is a good one. I think there are others also.

You don't say when you plan to make the trip, so I can't guess as to what might be open when you get here (DL is doing A LOT of refurbishment in preparation for the 50th Anniversary next year). Generally everything at DCA is open, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Don't miss these rides/attractions/shows if they're running--
DL:
Indiana Jones
Pirates of the Carribean (much superior to the WDW version)
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn
Fantasmic! (far superior production to the WDW version)

DCA:
Soarin' Over California
California Screamin'
Grizzly River Run
Tower of Terror (a bit different than the WDW version)
The Aladdin show
The Electrical Parade

 

[Judy from Boise]

As a starting place,we have a lot of good information "stuck" at the top of the page.

 

[Tantor]

are very close. And the price is right. With in 5 minutes walking distance of parks

 

[fam4jc]

Thanks everyone! I'm thinking about going the first week of May, or maybe even Spring Break which is April 1 through 9 2005. I am concerned about the crowds though. With the 50th anniversary, wow, I actually forgot about that! We are pretty flexible with dates, other than school schedules and my girls are still young (2nd and Kindergarten) that I don't feel bad pulling them out for a little fun.
Are there any starwood hotels in the area? We have points we can transfer for free nights.
I've been reading, but still have more questions than knowledge. Thanks for your help!

 

[Firefly777]

There is the Sheraton Anaheim nearby. I haven't stayed there myself, but it is a starwood.

 

[disneybeachbum]

I am visiting DL for the first time next year and would love any advice. My husband lived nearby but that was 25 years ago. I would especially love some restaurant ideas for off-park. We would like to eat at a seafood restaurant with an ocean view and an authentic mexican restaurant. Any help is appreciated.

 

[rockin_rep]

Hi Shellie! So excited for you! We live closer to WDW too and while we absolutely love it, imho i think disneyland *might* have more magic. A totally personal (and debatable) issue LOL but to me, its smaller and just so sweeeeeet! Having said that, there is nothing like RnR coaster at MGM and we adore epcot, too.

Since disneyland is always part of a much longer road trip, we haven't been able to afford to stay on site, but i would recommend it if possible. While most of the motels in the DL *are* within walking distance, its amazing how much more difficult it is walking back after long fun days in the park (and i'm a runner!) Also, while they all say they're within walking distance, and the maps appear that way, imho many aren't. We always said we'd never use the shuttle but it sure did feel good a couple times!

Wherever you stay i'm sure you'll have the best time!! <><

 

[rockin_rep]

Hi Disneybeachbum!

The best beaches IMO near anaheim are laguna beach, huntington beach and newport beach. We try to stay in one of them before or after our stay in anaheim. I don't think staying there is a good idea for the days you're planning on going to the parks however, especially with metro-LA traffic.

Eating is low on our priority list on our long road trips (that include DL) so i can't help you with restaurants. I do know the Ruby's chain in california is great and moderately priced. A cross between Fridays and Johnny Rockets, with much better food and fun atmosphere. Their burgers are usually voted best in orange county! There's a ruby's at the end of the newport beach peir with 360 views, and a ruby's across the street from the pacific in laguna.

Have fun!

 

[iceskatejen]

I love Ruby's, especially their fries--yummy. For Mexican, there's a pretty good one if you go east on Katelly Ave into Orange called Juana Marias (I believe it's still there--I actually haven't been there in several years), but the food is pretty authentic. It's probably 8 miles from DL or so. You need to go past Angel Field and the Arrowhead Pond to get there.

 

[TravelingJen24]

My DH and I go to DL regularly because we only live 3 and 1/2 hours away. When we go, we always go to fashion island in Newport beach. It is an outdoor and beautiful mall with a lot to offer. They also have a couple of restraunts, including HardRock, Cal. Pizza Kitchen, etc. We also try to make it to the Irvine Spectrum to eat at the CheeseCake Factory. It is about 20 min. south of DL on the freeway. I'm sure they would have directions for you.
As for the hotels, I find that it is not the same experience for us if you do not stay at one of the hotels. I love the DL hotel because it is classic to me, but the Grand California is also nice and the closet to the parks.
Typically you can get pretty good rates at expedia.com and also if you are AAA they sometimes have pretty good rates also. Good luck on your research.

 

[rockin_rep]

Hi Travelingjen,! I would absolutely love to stay on site at DL! However as part of a 3 week road trip, i don't think it's at all possible....

I just did an expedia check with our days and the Grand Californiian is $335. There's nooo way for us, but wondered if that was consdiered a *good* rate?

BTW, our DL days are the week of the 50th anniversary ~ are we going to regret it? Do you think the crowds will be just too too much?

TIA!!

 

[Firefly777]

I just did an expedia check with our days and the Grand Californiian is $335. There's nooo way for us, but wondered if that was consdiered a *good* rate?

When we were planning for our last trip (early August), We saw a $245 rate for the Grand Californian on Expedia. I guess it would be more expensive during your dates for obvious reasons.

BTW, our DL days are the week of the 50th anniversary ~ are we going to regret it? Do you think the crowds will be just too too much?

I think it would be fun to go on the exact anniversary. Not sure what they have planned for that day, but I'm sure there will be something going on.

 

[TravelingJen24]

That week will be extremely crowded. For one thing, the actual day of the 50th aniversary, which I can't rememder exactly, but I think is mid July, has been so booked that they are releasing days at the hotel in groups. There will also be increased crowds because of the DCL departing from LA at that time. I don't know a lot about surrounding hotels, but would say that the best thing to do is make a back up reservation and then keep checking closer to your date because DL tends to discount things when dates get closer. For example on Expedia.com right now for Sept. if you buy three nights (at a very cheap rate), then you get the fourth night free. So it's not hopeless. Your Grand Cali. price is not that far off the mark. How many days do you plan on going to the park, because if it is more then three, then you may want to get an annual passport for just one of the adults. If you do then you get much better rates at the hotels and practically 10% off everywhere else including restraunts and stores. It can be beneficial in the end. For example, tomorrow we are going to the DL hotel and are getting a rate of $119.00 a night. Good Luck

 

[SKFamily]

We stayed at Howard Johnson's this past July. We were really impressed. The walk took about 10 minutes, and even dh didn't find it to be a big deal even with a bad knee. We did it twice a day some days and he had no problem. We found it good to be able to get away from the park and crowds when we wanted to, but we were close enough that we could see the fireworks from our balcony and hear the train whistle, which just thrilled our 3 year old train freak. You could also watch the fireworks from the pool or hot-tub if you don't feel like walking over for them every night.

We talked to some guests at the hotel who had friends staying at the Grand Californian. What they paid just for accommodations covered our entire trip for four people.... didn't make sense to us.

BTW - the actual anniversary is July 17th.

 

[disneycrazzzy]

I'm also an ex-Californian who started visiting DL again in 2003. If money is an issue, I would stay at one of the Good Neighbor hotels across the street -- either Howard Johnson's or Candy Cane Inn on Harbor Blvd. These hotels can be booked for $100 per night or less. If money is less of an issue, I would stay on-site at any of the three hotels (in order of preference -- Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier). These on-site hotels cost $300+ per night. If you decide to stay on-site, I would recommend getting a package via AAA and get the unlimited fastpass perk if your family likes to ride rides. If you family doesn't like to ride rides, I would stay at a Good Neighbor hotel.

Other thoughts:

-The Aladdin show at California Adventure is awesome!
-We always go to Matterhorn first since it doesn't have Fastpass.
-We always have lunch at the Blue Bayou on one day.
-We like to stay 4 days. Seems the right amount of time.
-We like the character breakfast at Storytellers at the Grand Californian.
-We wait to Grizzly River Run for when we are heading back to the room, so if we get wet we can change our clothes. You don't want to be soaked and still have more to do.
-Legoland is awesome if your kids like Legos. It is a slower, less hectic park than Disneyland.
-Bring some cheap pins to trade. Kids love that.
-Make sure to get to DL before it opens to take advantage of the short lines first thing ... especially if you don't have unlimited fastpasses.
-Figure out how to use Fastpass before your vacation and then maximize their use.
-Space Mountain will not be running until late 2005
-I would recommend the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland for 2005 as a guide book.

You can't book a regular package using the DL website for 2005 yet. You can call either DL or AAA however to get a package.

Happy planning!