HELP! 65 days out and I feel like nothing is planned

[kamik86]

So I'm 65 days out from my CA trip for DH and I. Our plan is to fly to San Diego spend 4 days there on the San Diego zoo and sea world then drive up to Anaheim and spend 4 days a Disneyland.

We have never been to Disneyland although I have done WDW many times. It may be the WDW planner in me (I mean food reservations would have been done months ago and I would now be planning rides for WDW) but I feel like nothing is done!

We have flights, We have the rental car which we will be returning as soon as we get to Anaheim (We are staying at the Fairfield Inn across the street. Hotels are booked and the Disneyland one was a package with park hoppers.

We have some suggestions on food from all of you not long ago. But still need the following:
1) What activities do I need to do reservations for if I'm going to book them? How far in advance should I do that? Am I too late?
2) I am flying home out of LAX. What do you recommend for transportation there?
3) Since the hotel isn't a disney hotel will they have my tickets? Do I have to go somewhere else to get those?
4) Is there anything else I need to know or do now?

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

DLR is totally different than WDW, and one of the big ways is that 65 days out is still plenty of time. Heck, you can't even make dining reservations yet! It sounds like you've got the big stuff taken care of, so you're doing fine.


1) The only things you might want to consider are a dining package for WOC or Fantasmic! Restaurants are much easier to get into at DLR, so we usually just book a couple "can't miss" places and play the rest by ear.

2) There are shuttles, but I highly recommend booking a towncar. Much more relaxing and not that expensive.

3) You will need to pick up your tickets at the gate. It's super easy, though. Just show them your confirmation and they give you a ticket to sign.

4) Enjoy! DLR and WDW are completely different experiences. DLR is much more compact, so you don't have to plan quite as intensely, and everything is within easy walking distance. There are fewer dining experiences to be had at DLR, but some of them are amazing, like Carthay Circle. 4 days is more than enough time to see and do pretty much everything you want.

 

[kamik86]

Is Disneyland Fantasmic different then WDW? We definitely want to do WOC but not sure if I should do Fantasmic too.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is Disneyland Fantasmic different then WDW? We definitely want to do WOC but not sure if I should do Fantasmic too.

Yes. I haven't seen the WDW version but I hear it is missing the Peter Pan part (that's my favorite part) and DL uses the Mark Twain for the finale. The large majority here on the boards and elsewhere seem to think DL has the superior show so I highly recommend checking it out even though it doesn't have the stadium seating.

 

[DahliaRW]

Yes, DL Fantasmic is different (and we think it's better). It's neat how DL uses the Rivers of America and the boats they already have to put on the show rather than just an amphitheater.

 

[bellazachmom]

As a HUGE WDW lover and veteran who has seen the version of Fantasmic there many times and love it, the DL version (in my opinion) is far superior in EVERY way, except one. The seating

I much prefer the tiered seating at WDW just because it makes it so much easier to see everything. However, the "everything" to see is better at DL

The DL version includes some scenes not possible at WDW and uses the actual Mark Twain River Boat for the finale vs. the "production" version used at Hollywood studios.

Definitely make a point to see this show while at DL.

And, again, as a HUGE planner for our trips to WDW, our DL trips are so much simpler -- you really are able to just go with the flow and still get everything done

Hope you have a magical trip!

 

[SweetAlex]

DLR is totally different than WDW, and one of the big ways is that 65 days out is still plenty of time. Heck, you can't even make dining reservations yet! It sounds like you've got the big stuff taken care of, so you're doing fine.


1) The only things you might want to consider are a dining package for WOC or Fantasmic! Restaurants are much easier to get into at DLR, so we usually just book a couple "can't miss" places and play the rest by ear.

2) There are shuttles, but I highly recommend booking a towncar. Much more relaxing and not that expensive.

3) You will need to pick up your tickets at the gate. It's super easy, though. Just show them your confirmation and they give you a ticket to sign.

4) Enjoy! DLR and WDW are completely different experiences. DLR is much more compact, so you don't have to plan quite as intensely, and everything is within easy walking distance. There are fewer dining experiences to be had at DLR, but some of them are amazing, like Carthay Circle. 4 days is more than enough time to see and do pretty much everything you want.

Exactly this. We book only a character meal each trip and "wing" the rest (although we did book a WOC meal the first time too). There are tons of counter service restaurants all throughout the park. We tend to stick to those as it means less time eating and more rides and shows . Plus I'd prefer to spend my money on all the fabulous snack options (chirros, ice cream, pretzels, Dole whip... DROOL) and eat lighter meals. We also find it easier on our tummies.

I second a town car. Shuttles are awful. We hated every trip we ever took on one. Booked a town car last time and will never do shuttle again. Its SO worth the extra bit of money.

We're staying at the same hotel! We've never stayed there before but have read great reviews. The gates are just outside the entrance to DLR to pick up your tickets. We're going to go the night before our first day at the parks to pick our up, just to make sure everything is set. We always had ours before hand before so this is our first trip where I'm going with just a confirmation so I'm a little nervous about that too.

Like I said, we never plan. We generally have an idea of what we want to accomplish (which shows, rides, etc) each day but if that doesn't happen, we couldn't care less. It's so easy to visit DLR that way. That one of the reasons I love it so much!

 

[sc426]

You can't book more than 60 in advance anyways. From personal experience, wait unitl 58-59 days before and you should be okay. WOC and Fantasmic reservations you need to call. But all dining reservations can be done online.Makes it much easier!

 

[DahliaRW]

You can't book more than 60 in advance anyways. From personal experience, wait unitl 58-59 days before and you should be okay. WOC and Fantasmic reservations you need to call. But all dining reservations can be done online.Makes it much easier!

No, you can book WOC and F! dinner packages online as well.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

Rumour has it WOC will be closed from January to March 2015 for big refurb, so best check that out, before getting your hopes up.

It was the one thing I was really looking forward to seeing and we may miss out on it, it it is indeed closed.