First trip to DL in May 2005-hotel and park info needed

[trampslady]

Hello. We are considering a four or five day trip to DL over Memorial Day weekend next May. We've never been, but we are prepared to experience Disneyland differently that WDW. That said, I need help with hotel advise and park info. Particularly, we want to stay on property, and I'd like to know which of the three hotels you would recommend for a couple of 30-something adults with no children. With regard to the parks, are there any rides that will still be closed in May 2005? I remember reading that Space Mountain was undergoing a huge overhaul, and I'm wondering if Big Thunder is still down as well.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

With the birthday celebration kickin off earlier that month You *should* see pretty much everything open except Space as that wont be ready till about Nov. That weekend has typically been rather crowded so prepare

Of the three Diz hotels the Grand Calif is the best but also the most $$$ I would think itd be over 200 a night that weekend. The DLHotel is the flagship is also the most "disney" of the three and falls in the middle price wise. THen the Paridise brings up the rear as an "expensive moderate" as rooms still typically fall in over 100 a night. Its also the furthest away of the three but only a few hunderd feet different.

-em

 

[daannzzz]

If you have visited or stayed at the WDW resort hotels, the Grand Californian is most like those. It is new and themed to the Craftsman style and the architect was the same as on the WL and the AKL. Its location surpases any of the oreintations of those at WDW as it is located "in" the DCA themepark and just across the walkway from Disneyland. The rooms are the same size as AKL and WL and are nicely decorated.
The Disneyland hotel is an older 3 tower hotel built by another company in phases from the late 50's - the early 70's.It was purchased by Disney in the early 90's. The rooms, in general are very large and filled with great Disneyland References. The grounds are pretty here and fairly extensive.
The Paradise Pier Hotel is a newer tower hotel also built by someone else and was purchased by Disney in the late 90's. The rooms just complete exnrensive remodeling as did the public areas but it is still more like the moderates at WDW though this does have nice interior corridors but no balconies or dsliders to open, only windows that open an inch or so. The views from one side of this hotel are awesome as they overlook the DCA park.

 

[WDWPsychoALice]

Honestly it really isnt worth staying on proprty as it is at WDW but that is coming from a locals view point. Also expect that weekend to be PACKED with HORDS of people. Expect LONG LONG lines.

When I stay over night (not very often as I am 109.8 miles from Disneyland, not that I have counted lol.......) I stay at the super 8 on Disneyland Drive. Turn right out of the driveway over the over pass and you are at the Mickey and Friends parking structure. Its a cheaper alternative and they are just rooms but very clean. Also you can watch the fireworks from the balcony!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I agree that would be a very busy time to visit.....do you have any other options?

 

[WDWPsychoALice]

I would sooooo avoid it like the plauge!

 

[Buttercup26]

I would really try to plan your trip for another time. That will be an extremely crowded time. I strongly recommend you do your first DL trip during a less busy time of year.

 

[JC Butterfly]

Let me start with agreeing with the posters who tell you it will be very busy; longer than usual lines and possibly not the ideal time for a first visit. However, if your dates are not flexible I wouldn't let that stop you from coming to experience all that DL has to offer, just be prepared to deal with crowds.

Also DL is different than WDW in the proximity of hotels. If you have seen "off-site" hotels at Disney World you know that can be a few to quite a few miles away from the parks. At DL, some of the "off site" hotels are literally closer to the park entrance than the on-site ones. So proximity would not be a reason to choose on-site and there are several cheaper hotels in the area: Candy Cane, the Ho-Jo, the Carousel that get consistently rave reviews on this site and you can book a room for $80 a night or substantially less.

But, that doesn't mean there are no merits to staying on site. Most Disney cast members do such an amazing job of helping you experience the magic everywhere you go and staying onsite will keep you surrounded in it the whole time you are there.

If money were "no object" to you, the Grand Californian would be such a unique experience. Especially if you pay for the park view and literally look out over the theme park, there's nothing like this even at Disney World! It is somewhat similar to The Wilderness Lodge and definitely the most "Disney" as far as theming.

The Paradise Pier to me has the least amount of Disney touches. Has been recently renovated (and I haven't seen it since it was) to have a beach like atmosphere. Here you could have a view of California Adventure as well.

I am going to be at Disneyland next Memorial Day weekend as well and I have chosen the Disneyland Hotel. I have wandered through this hotel but never stayed there. It has tropical "gardens" and waterfalls. The Neverland themed pool of Peter Pan just says Disney magic to me and the rooms have "pixie dust" in them. I am also 30 something and my husband and I plan to enjoy and have no kids.

We chose to book our package through AAA. I wouldn't say that's the cheapest way to do it, but we will get to take advantage of unlimited fast pass and early entry so that seemed like a perk for a holiday weeekend. Good luck with your deciding!

 

[NejTheLion]

We'll also be visiting DL for (practically) the first time that weekend. My parents took me when I was about one-year old, and we haven't been back since. We're taking the DCL repositioning cruise from FL to CA and figured we'd visit DL while we were there since we're east coasters. Worth it in the long run not to pay airfare for another trip to CA. Knowing that it's Memorial Day weekend as well as the anniversary celebration, we're prepared for long lines and crowds. Not ideal, but since we'll be in CA already, what the heck! We arrive Saturday morning, May 28, and are planning on leaving Wednesday, June 1. Does this sound like the right amount of time (considering crowds) to see and do most everything? We're also planning on doing a day at Universal.

Does DL employ the Fastpass system like WDW? That's a godsend on crowded days. And Universal in FL does something similar. What about Universal in CA? Thanks for the help!

 

[iceskatejen]

It's probably enough time. Yes, DL has fastpass, but not on as many rides as at WDW. None of DL's Fantasyland rides have FP, just Indy, Splash, Big Thunder, Star Tours, Roger Rabbit, and the Autopia in DL. Buzz will be open then and that'll have FP of course. At DCA TOT, Soarin' CA Screamin, Grizzly River, and Muholland Madness all have FP.

At Universal you can get a front of the line pass with park admission for what is about double the normal admission price.