Gone solo to DL? Any tips?

[Simba's Mom]

I've gone solo to WDW 6 times, but I've never even been to DL (don't even know what airport or how to then get to DL). But since DH has no interest, guess I'll just go solo-maybe! What tips does anyone have about hotel, getting around, etc.?

 

[Lynn-Marie]

If I were to go to DLR by myself I would stay in the GC (make DH pay for making you go on your own!) But also, you would want to be within walking distance of everything - so you wouldn't have to get into a rental car/shuttle to go off property at night/early morning by yourself.

As for getting to/from the hotel, there is a service called "Super Shuttle" - but if if you go during peak seasons, I'd recommend you use a taxi instead. During off-season, Super Shuttle will only stop at 2 hotels. During peak season there's no limit - so you can be on the shuttle for an hour or more. (Ugh!)

Whatever you decide, have fun!

--LM

 

[CalGal]

Simba's Mom--
If you can fly into Orange County (John Wayne Airport, airport code SNA for Santa Ana), it is your best bet. It's much closer than LAX and less hectic. I would especially try to avoid LAX during heightened security alerts. Supershuttle costs $11.25 each way from Orange County, and is easy to catch. You can get a reservation online, but you don't usually need one arriving except during busy periods. You do need a reservation returning from the hotel to the airport, but you can call that in from your hotel. A cab costs around $36 each way. (Neither figure includes tips). I Just got back, arriving at the beginning of the holiday rush and returning the 23rd. We had 4 stops on Supershuttle coming (we were stop 3), but it was still quick. Returning we ended up splitting a cab with another couple because we decided to go to the airport earilier than the time of our Supershuttle reservation due to the heightened security alert.

Have a great trip

 

[daannzzz]

I have done numerous solo trips to Disneyland and 2 to WDW and I love it. As far as where to stay at DL it is very, very different than at WDW. Check out the two links below. One is a photo and you can see how Disneyland is surrounded by suburbs and doesn't feel anything like WDW. It (as well as the second link) shows the location of the 3 Disney Hotels as well as others. There are many motels surrounding the property and some are closer than 2 of the Disney Hotels. The Grand Californian is most like the WDW hotels and is located better than any of the Disney Hotels in Florida. We could be in the new California Adventur park in about one minute, from our room. The Disneyland hotel has 3 towers that are just like many hotels around the country but many of the rooms are large and the decore is very fun and still classy. The grounds at the Disneyland hotel are nice. The Paradise Pier hotel is the least interesting but , one side has incredible views of California Adventure.
My Favorite offsite hotels are The Howard Johnson which is about a 7 minute walk to the front gates of the parks, The Candy Cane Inn which is about the same amount of walking as Howard Johnson. We just got back from as Stay at the Best Western Park Place Inn. The decore was nice and the room comfortable and quite. It has no ambiance on the outside at all but is located at the crosswalk over to the parks and if the light was green could be a 4 minute walk to the front gates.
There are not nearly as many fun restaurants as at WDW but you should get a PS for the Blue Bayou which is at the edge of the Pirates of the Carribean. The food is fins, though not outstanding (except for the Monte Christo sandwich) but the atmosphere is awesome.


http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

[Tina]

What great links! Thanks for sharing Daannzzz!
We just spent 4 night at the Grand Californian 2 weeks ago. I would never want to stay anywhere else. It was a simple 3 minute walk from the room to the gates of either park. Also, Downtown Disney is right outside the hotel as well. When my DH wanted to take a nap, no problem, I just headed out to Downtown Disney for a little shopping (and snacking!). One afternoon, DH was feeling a little ill and had to visit the restroom several times. Staying at GC made it SO easy. Rather than have to go in a public restroom in CA, we just walked back up to the room, using the GC park entrance. Since you will be traveling solo, staying at GC wil keep you safe and comfortable. I used to live near Anaheim about 8 years ago and I definitely wouldn't want to be wandering around after dark alone outside the park area.