Going next week - please help!

[Nut_Meg]

Hi there! I'm going to Disneyland next week and have been busy researching to make the trip great for my family. We went once when I was 10 (I'm 24 now) but have never been able to afford another trip, until by a miraculous, Disney-esque twist of fate my mom's nursing conference was booked at the Disneyland convention center! They're paying for our hotel and we got discounted tickets! I want to make the trip really special for my family, especially my mom. She raised us on her own and has worked so hard; she deserves this. And the first time we went, she had to sit out a lot of rides because my little brother was too small.

Anyway, there's still a few things that I'm confused about and can't seem to find a clear answer to. This forum was listed in a guide book so I thought you guys could help! (Really glad I discovered this site, it looks so fun!) Sorry if some of these questions are silly or obvious - all the details can get a little overwhelming!

1.) We're staying at the Disneyland Hotel and will be taking advantage of the early entry. What's the best way to enter the parks? I understand that there's a special entrance into DCA through the Grand Californian Hotel - does that get overwhelmed during early entry? Is it quicker to use the main entrance? As for Disneyland, I read that there are two entrances, the main one and the monorail entrance. Which would you recommend? If we use the main one, do we have to walk all the way from our hotel, or is there a tram/shuttle available? It looks pretty far away from our Fantasy Tower.

2.) Is the only taxi stand the one on Harbor Blvd? Would it be possible to ask the front desk to have a taxi pick us up from the hotel?

3.) What's the policy for exiting and re-entering the park during the day? Is it much of a pain to deal with the lines/security again? And if the park reaches full capacity while we're out, will we not be allowed to re-enter? Does that happen often?

I might have a few more questions within the next few days, lol. We're leaving on Wednesday. Thank you SO much for having the patience to read all this and for helping me! I would really appreciate any advice you can offer!

 

[BradChristian]

I've never heard of parks reaching capacity (especially DCA) unless its a really special event going on... Many folks park hope between DCA and DL several times a day.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

The front door of the hotel will have cabs available at all times or will be able to call for you, just see the bellman at the door.

Yes the private entrance to dca from the grand Californian can get really busy at open, use the main entrance.

Yes you will have to walk through Dtd to the esplanade to get into the parks, it's not a bad walk. I wouldn't use the monorail for your first entrance into Disneyland because it stops by the nemo subs and you'll miss the experience of walking down Main Street USA.

 

[Nut_Meg]

Thanks so much guys! I'm unfortunately the kind of person who stresses over little things but I feel much better now.

 

[realrellim]

We'll be there for the same conference, though a bit later in the week. (The kids had can't-miss events at school on Thursday, so we're flying out Friday, which is also the day DH is presenting his paper at the conference.)

1.) We're staying at the Disneyland Hotel and will be taking advantage of the early entry. What's the best way to enter the parks? I understand that there's a special entrance into DCA through the Grand Californian Hotel - does that get overwhelmed during early entry? Is it quicker to use the main entrance? As for Disneyland, I read that there are two entrances, the main one and the monorail entrance. Which would you recommend? If we use the main one, do we have to walk all the way from our hotel, or is there a tram/shuttle available? It looks pretty far away from our Fantasy Tower.

Use the main entrance for both. We used the monorail entrance one afternoon when we weren't in a hurry and wanted to ride the monorail anyhow, but it's not all that time effective otherwise. It's also not that long of a walk. I think it took us about 15 minutes or maybe 10 if we were really moving quickly.

3.) What's the policy for exiting and re-entering the park during the day? Is it much of a pain to deal with the lines/security again? And if the park reaches full capacity while we're out, will we not be allowed to re-enter? Does that happen often?

It's not at all an issue. It's pretty easy to hop back and forth between the parks, and the process isn't much different for re-entering a park after you've gone back to the hotel. I'm also not sure there is such a thing as "at capacity." In any case, it won't be a problem in April.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Agree with above posters. Always use Main entrances for early entry. They are the most efficient. And hop to your heart's content! It's easy, and I've never heard of the parks reaching capacity issues outside of Christmas to New Years week and 24 hour event days. Neither of which you have to worry about! It's easy to return to your hotel for a nap or a swim or conference stuff. The DCA entrance is handy starting later in the morning if you are already in that part of DCA (say at Soarin) and want to head back to DLH.

You already have the taxi answer but I wanted to add that Uber & Lyft operate in the area as well FYI. They can be more affordable than taxis, you can find info online if interested.

Hope this is an amazing trip for you! Awesome that the conference is being held in the right place to make it all come together for your family. (And don't hesitate to ask any more questions you might have here on the DL board!) Oh and !

 

[Nut_Meg]

We'll be there for the same conference, though a bit later in the week. (The kids had can't-miss events at school on Thursday, so we're flying out Friday, which is also the day DH is presenting his paper at the conference.)

Oh wow! Cool coincidence. Good luck to your husband. I'm guessing DH is slang for Disney Husband around here? Still learning the lingo.

It's not at all an issue. It's pretty easy to hop back and forth between the parks, and the process isn't much different for re-entering a park after you've gone back to the hotel. I'm also not sure there is such a thing as "at capacity." In any case, it won't be a problem in April.

I read that if the park gets too full, you have to wait until enough guests have exited to be allowed back in. It's at the discretion of the fire marshal. Happy to hear it isn't an issue!

 

[Nut_Meg]

You already have the taxi answer but I wanted to add that Uber & Lyft operate in the area as well FYI. They can be more affordable than taxis, you can find info online if interested.

I'll look into that, thanks! Never tried those before. We're meeting a relative for dinner one night about 15 minutes away. He's getting up there in age and has some health issues so we were beginning to worry we wouldn't get the chance to visit with him again. Like I said, the stars totally aligned for this trip! Thank you so much for the advice and warm welcome. One more thing I just thought of - any good exit strategies for leaving the park around closing time? Thanks again!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The shops in the parks (on Main Street in DL and on BVS in DCA) stay open one hour after park closing, so we take our time window shopping, stopping at Starbucks (Market House on Main Street in DL, FF&P at Carthay Circle & BVS in DCA) for a last beverage or snack, and leaving once the initial crush has lessened. Since you will be staying at the DLH, you won't have to worry about the crowds at the tram stop. If the monorail is running, you can take that to DtD, but often the line at closing is really long. It can be a fun walk back to the DLH through DtD, window shopping and listening to the big band music on the PA.
As stated above, the parks closing for capacity crowds really only happens during Christmas week and for special events (24 hour parties, last fall Dapper Day). Usually the closures are only for a few hours until enough people leave (usually after a parade or fireworks) so that other people can come in. You shouldn't have anything to worry about in this regard next week.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'll look into that, thanks! Never tried those before. We're meeting a relative for dinner one night about 15 minutes away. He's getting up there in age and has some health issues so we were beginning to worry we wouldn't get the chance to visit with him again. Like I said, the stars totally aligned for this trip! Thank you so much for the advice and warm welcome. One more thing I just thought of - any good exit strategies for leaving the park around closing time? Thanks again!

Definitely look into them. I was converted after a trip to Orlando last fall.

#1 strategy for me is patience. My bed isn't going anywhere! And FWIW the rush of people who leave at closing is much less hectic to me than the post-fireworks exit. People get seriously pushy with all their cranky kids after fireworks! If you're feeling night owlish wander through the main st shops. They stay open an hour after park closing & it's a really relaxing walk through DtD that late at night. There's almost something magical about being in the last group of stragglers out of the park at night.

Sometimes our exit strategy is the monorail when our feet are killing us because it saves a good chunk of walking back to DLH- but you must be at the Tomorrowland station before park closing.

 

[Nut_Meg]

Thanks for the tips about the shops you two! That's really helpful. I splurged on a dining package for World of Color one night, so we'll be in DCA when they close - do most people just migrate over to Disneyland afterwards or do a lot of people leave the parks? I'm hoping that comfortable insoles, ibuprofen and pure adrenaline will push us all through the pain. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

 

[theluckyrabbit]

A lot of people head right over to DL after DCA closes. Don't worry if it looks like the turnstiles are crowded then. The lines go pretty quickly. Don't forget to pack 2 pairs of shoes and keep switching them throughout your visit. Also moisture wicking socks. That, in addition to what you will already by bringing (don't forget moleskin, blister bandaids, Bodyglide, etc.) will really help keep the pain to a minimum.

 

[Nut_Meg]

Is the main entrance also the best bet when entering the parks at around noon, or is the GCH entrance better at that time? We'll definitely be taking advantage of the early entry on the following 3 days but on our first day we won't be checking in until about 11:30 am. We have to have our photos taken for the multi-day passes, so does that affect which entrance to use? Thank you so much for being so patient with me!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For your first day, I would use the main entrance only because it will give you the experience of walking down BVS for the first time. DCA is very different from DL, and it is such a nice experience to go through the turnstiles right into 1920's California. Oswald has a M&G by the entrance and his namesake store is there, too. One thing about the GCH entrance to DCA: everyone who enters there will have to go through the metal detectors, whereas guests are picked at random for the detectors at the DtD bag checks. If anyone in your party has issues with the metal detectors, it might be better to avoid the GCH DCA entrance.

 

[Geemo]

Once we arrive at one of the Disney Hotels we never use a Taxi until it's time to go back to the airport.
Are you flying in? If you are coming into JohnWayne-Orange Co (SNA) or Long Beach (LGB), you can get a taxi for a flat rate to the DLH. From SNA it's about $40 to $45 and LGB is about $50 Flat Rate. We have used a mini-van taxi for up to 6 people without an issue for luggage and carry-on items.

I would like to . Being new to the board I'll give you a few links I found helpful when I joined.

DLR Abbreviations List
http://www.disboards.com/threads/dlr-abbreviations-list.1520784/

Wikimapia for distance measuring between points
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=3...m=h&gz=0;-1179264414;338089271;74673;2696;0;0

2016 Calendar of Events
http://www.disboards.com/threads/historical-dlr-park-hours-entertainment-and-refurbs.2291124/

Pizza delivery
http://marrispizza.com/
We love to order a large pizza at the end of the day and hang out at the hot tub pool area. A large pepperoni pizza is around $20 delivered. Many times we'll call about an hour before we will be back at the hotel. That way we don't have to wait too long for it to arrive. They deliver it to Bell Service.

Historical DLR Park Hours
http://www.disboards.com/threads/historical-dlr-park-hours-entertainment-and-refurbs.2291124/

Enjoy your trip.

Geemo

 

[Nut_Meg]

Thank you so much for the warm welcome! We're landing in SNA and were hoping to get a taxi, glad to know there are flat rates. Thanks for all the links and info, especially about the pizza!

We're leaving on Wednesday and I am SO excited! I've been watching Disney movies all day! I have Aladdin on right now. Thank you so much to everyone for all your help to make this trip magical for our family. I'll probably have a few more last-minute questions that pop up... And if anyone has any more tips/advice to offer I'd sure appreciate it!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Have you downloaded the free DLR app? It has lots of info to help you make the most of your days.