First Trip to DL - NEED HELP...fast

[Dchef]

Oh boy, we just jumped right into this trip I'd say. We have a weeks lodging in Monterey but are leaving 4 days earlier so we decided to do the DL thing for 2-3 days. Oh my.
Have done DW 2 years ago and LOVED it--stayed at the WL and just had a blast. I am so afraid this whirlwind, won't stack up and I will wish I just went to the beach Hope not. I figure anytime at any Disney is time wel spent. I need to book lodging and get discount tickets HELP Get the car, buy new Crocs, and somewhere in the next 2 weeks lose 50# because did I mention that we are leaving on the 22nd. After this winter in Colorado I so need me some sunshine. HELP ME...Where do I start, what can I expect????

Calling all of my Dis friends

 

[disneyaggie]

Here's what I did on my "speedy" trip to DL . . . .

1) Called Disneyland Travel (don't remember the number but Disney Travel in Florida will help you find this number. Disney Travel's number is (407-939-6244).

2) I found out from a Cast Member of Disneyland Travel that there is a hotel (not a Disney hotel but one that he stayed at) that was only 2 blocks (walking distance and on the same side of the street) from Disneyland! It was awesome!
It was called the Desert Palms Hotel and Suites (888-788-0492). I sweet-talked the guy on the phone and he gave me an incredible rate (told him I had not been to DL since I was a small child and I am in my now 40's -- which is all true. He was so nice and gave me The Manager's Special which was extremely reasonable. On top of that, my room had a leak and they put me in a $600-a-night suite for the same price I was paying for the other room (I think it was like $75 a night!).

Also, if you are a AAA member, you might also get a better rate.

At the Desert Palms Hotel, they played Disney music outside, there was a small store for emergency items next door and a darling trolly took you to DL. I bought the trolly tickets and my Disney park tickets all at the hotel! Of course you can just walk to and from DL it really is that close!

Hope this helps! I had an awesome time -- hope you do the same!

 

[HydroGuy]

Here are some links that might help...

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Hofmanns4]

Great info!

 

[DisneyDotty]

DL is amazing! I hope you will love it as much as my family and I did! Enjoy it for its history, its unique rides, its ambiance.
Here's what we loved about DLR--
1. Everything is close. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, and loved the ten minute walk through DTD to the parks. Even quicker was the monorail.
2. We did a tour our first night there--something like "Walk in Walt's Footsteps." It gave us lots of history and put us in the right magical mindset for the rest of our days there. Plus--great viewing spot for the evening fireworks! I highly recommend a tour of some sort.
3. Book an ADR for Blue Bayou (is that the right name? It's been a while--sorry)--the restaurant in Pirates. And for character interaction, you can't beat Goofy's Kitchen. It's the best Disney character meal we've ever had. And we've had a lot!
4. Keep an open mind and enjoy the differences between DL and WDW. We loved comparing rides and trying all the rides we don't have at WDW. DL's Fantasyland ROCKS, by the way.
Enjoy your trip! Now I want to go back!

 

[Dchef]

Thanks Everyone. Don't know if we will be able to pull in the full effects...but its worth what ever we can get out of it. Hotels are my biggest worry I guess now--Spring break is upon us and the rooms are filling up fast and its always the biggest deal for me--I don't know why, we aren't there much

We can only stay the weekend as we have a condo reserved in Monterey for Monday night (be there for a week) And since we are flying into San Jose--its a bit of a trek. BUT I JUST HAD TO GO--I know everyone here understands. I am going to try and squeeze part of Monday in as well.

Thanks again, and keep the advice coming.

 

[saffy]

If you loved the Wilderness Lodge, and aren't trying to keep to a budget, then the Grand Californian Hotel is awesome, too! There's an enterance from the hotel into the CA Adventure park, which is an added plus!

 

[Lostgirlz]

Yeah if you are not worried about budget when I just called Disneyland Travel Company I was told the Grand California is going for 350-400 a night. It's a more adult hotel is what I ws told by the Disney Travel Company as they offer spa experiences and all. If you want more classic go with the Disneyland Hotel, if you are looking for budget which price difference was not much couple hundread maybe paradise pier is also disney resort, but it's considered more of their budget. Grand is going to be the more luxary of them. I would call disney travel right away about rooms, as the website was saying everything was full. call soon

 

[grimgrningghost]

DisneyDotty-
How does a tour get you a great viewing spot for the fireworks? This is probably one of those disneyland things everyone knows but beings a WDW girl I feel so lost trying to play our disneyland trip. I feel like there is so much to learn.

 

[DisneyDotty]

DisneyDotty-
How does a tour get you a great viewing spot for the fireworks? This is probably one of those disneyland things everyone knows but beings a WDW girl I feel so lost trying to play our disneyland trip. I feel like there is so much to learn.

I can't remember the name of the tour--maybe something to the effect of "Walt's Footsteps," but I know that it was in the evening, included the history and tour of DL, and ended with primo seating for the fireworks (and a snack ).
It was the perfect introduction to DL.

 

[Dchef]

Both of those Hotels look really NICE--But, I think since it was such short notice that we will do budget. Was able to get a room at the Holiday Inn Anaheim Park for 119.00.
I think when we did the WORLD, it was for 10 days and the benefits of staying in a Disney Resort far out wieghed the price off site. I think it is more worth it in DW than in DL. The conviences are HUGE. PLUS we went in Jan. and were able to get an incredible price of 139.00 a night for the Wilderness-- what can you say about that. Thanks everyone for the advice.