First Trip to Disneyland! On Own or with Adventures by Disney?

[Believing is Seeing.]

Hello Fellow DIS-ers!

I'm hoping to plan my first trip to Disneyland for next year and I've started budgeting and such and came across the Adventures by Disney trip for California. And I wanted to know for those who have already been to Disneyland what would you suggest to a first timer? I live on the east coast by WDW so this is a big deal, I dont know if I would ever get over to DL again.. What suggestions do you have?

Is Adventures by Disney worth it? Including the VIP tour of Imagineering (which I assume cannot be done otherwise? Correct? They dont have daily tours for the public??)

What would you suggest!?! I'm at your mercy here, I have no clue where to start but I really would love to do this!!!!

Thanks so much!

 

[Eeee-va]

I've never heard of that Imagineering tour so I don't think it's generally open to the public.

Even if you'll never get to DL again, you really don't NEED to stay on-site--some of the off-site hotels are actually a shorter walk to the gates than some of the on-site hotels.

Then again, if you're looking at Adventures by Disney to begin with, it sounds to me like money is no object! In which case, do whatever sounds best to you!

If money were absolutely no object to me I would stay in the Grand Californian Hotel for at least one trip (and/or an on-site hotel Concierge)...but I just can't do it. If money were slightly less of an object I'd stay at the Disneyland Hotel, but again, I personally just can't spend 2-3 times more for a room than I could get by staying on a non-Disney property, even if it would be really cool. (Of course, I live within a day's drive of the parks, so I'd rather have two or three cheaper trips to DL than one all-out trip!)

I HAVE read that "theme park view" in the GCH can be rather disappointing, as some of the rooms basically let you see a little sliver of the park but charge considerably higher prices than "standard view." Some people argued that Downtown Disney view was a better option. So even if you do want to go top of the line, I'd keep the whole "theme park view" thing in mind.

What time of year are you thinking of?

Have a great trip!

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

I've never heard of that Imagineering tour so I don't think it's generally open to the public.

Even if you'll never get to DL again, you really don't NEED to stay on-site--some of the off-site hotels are actually a shorter walk to the gates than some of the on-site hotels.

Then again, if you're looking at Adventures by Disney to begin with, it sounds to me like money is no object! In which case, do whatever sounds best to you!

If money were absolutely no object to me I would stay in the Grand Californian Hotel for at least one trip (and/or an on-site hotel Concierge)...but I just can't do it. If money were slightly less of an object I'd stay at the Disneyland Hotel, but again, I personally just can't spend 2-3 times more for a room than I could get by staying on a non-Disney property, even if it would be really cool. (Of course, I live within a day's drive of the parks, so I'd rather have two or three cheaper trips to DL than one all-out trip!)

I HAVE read that "theme park view" in the GCH can be rather disappointing, as some of the rooms basically let you see a little sliver of the park but charge considerably higher prices than "standard view." Some people argued that Downtown Disney view was a better option. So even if you do want to go top of the line, I'd keep the whole "theme park view" thing in mind.

What time of year are you thinking of?

Have a great trip!

I havent heard of a tour at the studios either, that's why I have looked into the Adventures by Disney only because of that, that is something that could only happen once, meaning I wouldn't be able to vacation for years!! Hahah!

I'm just trying to look at options and if saving to splurge a little. I wouldnt mind staying at Grand Cali or Disneyland Hotel, I kinda like the DL Hotel more because of the magic of the hotel. Grand Cali looks a whole lot like the wilderness lodge here at WDW so I would enjoy having a new experience at somewhere new.

Thank you for the tip about the views. I would rather have a standard room and spend most of my time using that money in the parks than looking out the window... HAHA

I'm hoping to go right at the end of May somewhere around the week of the 22nd. When do schools get out for the summer there?

 

[sonnyjane]

Thank you for the tip about the views. I would rather have a standard room and spend most of my time using that money in the parks than looking out the window... HAHA

I'm hoping to go right at the end of May somewhere around the week of the 22nd. When do schools get out for the summer there?

Regarding schools, you're safe until June

And that's how I feel about paying for "views". I haven't stayed at the Disney properties, but I've stayed at plenty of places in Vegas and other cities that offer to upgrade my "view" for $50 plus a night and unless I plan on sitting in front of the window for a few hours, I'd rather use the $50 for fun stuff!

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

Regarding schools, you're safe until June

And that's how I feel about paying for "views". I haven't stayed at the Disney properties, but I've stayed at plenty of places in Vegas and other cities that offer to upgrade my "view" for $50 plus a night and unless I plan on sitting in front of the window for a few hours, I'd rather use the $50 for fun stuff!

Woohoo! Thanks! GREAT to hear!! How are the crowds otherwise being the week just before labor day?? We are planning on going during the week and leave before the weekend comes..

Glad to hear someone with the same ideals!

 

[sonnyjane]

Woohoo! Thanks! GREAT to hear!! How are the crowds otherwise being the week just before labor day?? We are planning on going during the week and leave before the weekend comes..

Glad to hear someone with the same ideals!

Do you mean Memorial Day? "High Season", when it is most crowded, is usually classified as the summer, between Memorial and Labor Days, so if you go prior to that you should be okay. I'm don't know anything about specific ride times or numbers during that particular week though.

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

Do you mean Memorial Day? "High Season", when it is most crowded, is usually classified as the summer, between Memorial and Labor Days, so if you go prior to that you should be okay. I'm don't know anything about specific ride times or numbers during that particular week though.

Haha, woops. Yes, Memorial Day. Well I'll will be there right before MEMORIAL day so thats fantastic!

 

[knewton64]

Hello Fellow DIS-ers!

I'm hoping to plan my first trip to Disneyland for next year and I've started budgeting and such and came across the Adventures by Disney trip for California. And I wanted to know for those who have already been to Disneyland what would you suggest to a first timer? I live on the east coast by WDW so this is a big deal, I dont know if I would ever get over to DL again.. What suggestions do you have?

Is Adventures by Disney worth it? Including the VIP tour of Imagineering (which I assume cannot be done otherwise? Correct? They dont have daily tours for the public??)

What would you suggest!?! I'm at your mercy here, I have no clue where to start but I really would love to do this!!!!

Thanks so much!

...I have chosen to go with Adventures by Disney for my very first trip to Disneyland due to their level of customer service. Good luck with your choice and if ya want, ya can follow along reading my trip report dated 03-28-2010 to 04-03-2010 as these are the dates I am leaving for Disneyland and other Disney related places.
And another reason why I chose to go with them is for the extra added touches /surprises along the vacation that you won't receive if you were to purchase something similiar to this on your own.
PLus, after a long (but nice) day at the parks, nothing like relaxing on your balcony (overlooking the park) with your fav beverage and or snack.

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

...I have chosen to go with Adventures by Disney for my very first trip to Disneyland dur to their level of customer service. Good luck with your choice and if ya want, ya can follow along reading my trip report dated 03-28-2010 to 04-03-2010 as these are the dates I am leaving for Disneyland and other Disney related places.

Thank You very much! Enjoy your trip!! I look forward to your trip report!