Help a DL newbie!

[azarine]

I'm planning our first DL trip after an awesome WDW trip (and a year of obsessive planning and I feel like a total newbie now!

Okay, April 2016, probably 4 nights at DL then 4 nights on a beach somewhere.

Biggest questions right now:

-What weather to expect? Will we be able to swim in the pools in April? Is staying near the beach worth it in April?

-Where (when?) can I find park hours for April? I'm concerned that I see that both parks sometimes don't open until 10 am... we have early rising kids who will be bored by then!

-Is staying onsite worth it for the EMH? I would so rather have a suite with a separate bedroom for the kids at a nearby hotel (looking at the Howard Johnson), but also don't want to miss out on perks.

-We rented a double stroller for WDW - our kids will be 6 & 3 this time, will we need a double for DL?

I was a EasyWDW and WDW Prep junkie... I can't find the DL equivalents!

 

[figment_jii]

I'm planning our first DL trip after an awesome WDW trip (and a year of obsessive planning and I feel like a total newbie now!

I highly recommend taking a look at HydroGuy's A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It'll help give you a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

-What weather to expect? Will we be able to swim in the pools in April? Is staying near the beach worth it in April?

Another helpful HydroGuy thread: Detailed Weather Data for DLR.

-Where (when?) can I find park hours for April? I'm concerned that I see that both parks sometimes don't open until 10 am... we have early rising kids who will be bored by then!

Operating hours are generally released 6-weeks/45-days in advance. Entertainment and EHM information is often not added until closer to the 30-day mark. Dining reservations can be made 60-days in advance. Yes, the park will often open "later" on weekday mornings during the non-peak season. Depending on when you go in April, you may either catch the tail end of the Spring Break-season or you may miss it.

-Is staying onsite worth it for the EMH? I would so rather have a suite with a separate bedroom for the kids at a nearby hotel (looking at the Howard Johnson), but also don't want to miss out on perks.

EMH is really the only "major" perk (aside from being able to charge to the room) at this point. In some ways, EMH is very useful (usually it's at DL on Tue, Thu, and Sat and at DCA on Sun, Mon, Wed, and Fri) because you get earlier (1 hour) access to select attractions. DL's EMH is on the same morning as DL's MM (for guests with certian 3-day or longer ticket) and it's only FL and TL. DCA only has EMH, so only on-site guests have access. For me, I would make use of EMH if I stayed onsite, but I don't think it's long enough to really make it worth changing hotels just to get it.

-We rented a double stroller for WDW - our kids will be 6 & 3 this time, will we need a double for DL?

I think the 3 year old will need a stroller, but it's harder to say with the 6 year old. I went with a 5 year old last Christmas. She only used the stroller on the walk to and from the rental house. I don't think I would rental a double in most cases because trying to maneuver one of those is tough, especially in crowds or narrow aisles in stores.

I was a EasyWDW and WDW Prep junkie... I can't find the DL equivalents!

There is really no equivalent sites for DLR.

 

[HydroGuy]

-What weather to expect? Will we be able to swim in the pools in April? Is staying near the beach worth it in April?

See "Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

-Where (when?) can I find park hours for April? I'm concerned that I see that both parks sometimes don't open until 10 am... we have early rising kids who will be bored by then!

See

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

-Is staying onsite worth it for the EMH? I would so rather have a suite with a separate bedroom for the kids at a nearby hotel (looking at the Howard Johnson), but also don't want to miss out on perks.

Depends on who you ask but I believe most would say no.

-We rented a double stroller for WDW - our kids will be 6 & 3 this time, will we need a double for DL?

If you take it easy there can be less walking at DLR because the parks are smaller - so maybe not. But some people use the smaller space and often longer park hours to max out so walking may not be less. YMMV.

I was a EasyWDW and WDW Prep junkie... I can't find the DL equivalents!

No real equivalents because DLR draws about half the visitors as WDW and of those, a much higher percentage are SoCal locals not on vacation. Fortunately DLR does not require anywhere near the planning as WDW can demand and it is much easier to go with the flow.

Hang around this forum and you will pick up most of what you need.

This also may help: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Disney Kidd]

As far as the beach . . . you can definitely stay near it, but don't expect to swim. The water will be very cold in April. I have a hard enough time getting in the water even during the summer. I think the temperature averages about 60 in April.

 

[AZpharmacist]

I agree that the ocean is way too cold to get into in April but I'm sure you can find lots of nice places to stay at.

I purchased a Disneyland planning book (the unofficial guide) and read through that. I also read a lot of stuff on this board and get info.

I would get a single stroller. Disneyland is compact. It's hard enough pushing a single through the park.

Many of the hotels in the area have heated pools which is nice bc it's sometimes cool in April. I haven't stayed onsite but it may be worth it if your kids will be bored in the morning. I have an early riser too and we're staying offsite next month when the parks open at 10. Hopefully, she'll just play with her toys in the morning

 

[azarine]

Thank you all! Those links were very helpful - I'm putting the pieces together. Reading the Unofficial Guide as well which has been really helpful.

I'm choosing between the closest offsite hotels right now. Will a nice pool (Howard Johnson) be worth it in April? Will the water be warm enough to swim?

 

[Winnowill]

dlrprepschool.com is helpful, though not comprehensive or always up-to-date. If you're an EasyWDW veteran, you know Kenny the Pirate - he's got character info for both of the California parks on his site. Touringplans is not as useful as it is for Florida, but the Unofficial Guide sure is.

 

[AZpharmacist]

Thank you all! Those links were very helpful - I'm putting the pieces together. Reading the Unofficial Guide as well which has been really helpful.

I'm choosing between the closest offsite hotels right now. Will a nice pool (Howard Johnson) be worth it in April? Will the water be warm enough to swim?

Most of the hotels in the area have heated pools