Help...Disney World Regular...no so much Disneyland..HELP!

[Jlynn00]

I have been to Disney World many times with my family. I have only been to Disneyland once as a kid. I am planning a trip back in June. I need hotel suggestions.. I am leaning towards Disneyland Hotel..not sure why.. it just sticks out at me. Where do you stay? park location and entrance? dining? Also, any must do activities at Disney Land or California Adventure? I know in Disney World there are always the few must do's that each family must do. Please help me out as I adventure to a new land!!

 

[xlsm]

I'm a WDW vet heading on my first trip to DLR, too!

One of my favorite resources is DLRPrepschool.com. The Disneyland website itself was actually pretty helpful too, and will give you details on the attractions, meet and greets, etc...


I was intimidated when I began planning our trip, but I'm getting the hang of things now!
I used Google Maps to see where all of the on and offsite hotels are located - there's lots of nice ones within walking distance, and many are closer than the onsite hotels. (The Disneyland Hotel is where I wanted to stay at first, too!!) It's all a matter of what you're looking for, and how you plan to travel.

HERE is the June group thread, too!

I'm sure you'll find lots of helpful people on here...digging through the posts is fun, and check out some trip reports, too. They can give you an idea of how a park day works for certain travelers.

Good luck making your decisions and have fun planning

 

[JoMarch]

I go to WDW almost every year. I've also been to DL a few times. I loved staying at the Candy Cane Inn. It's a 5+ minute walk to DL. I love having NO buses!!!

For DL, I don't make a big deal over restaurants (at WDW I do!) the casual eating at DL is really yummy - and there's no reservations needed!

CA - I'm sure you already learned you need to get to Radiator Spring Racers at park opening! I also like the single rider option.

DL - at park opening, head to fantasyland and do those rides first. Most don't have a fast pass. If I arrive after park opening, I like to work myself from the opposite direction - New Orleans Square.

Enjoy!!

 

[ktlm]

We are WDW vets too, but we fell in love with DLR and have now had several trips there. If you are leaning toward the Disneyland Hotel, then do it. That is our favorite because it is different than any of the resorts at WDW. The rooms are great. Don't let the DLR regulars talk of it being a long walk from the parks sway you-- it is a long walk by DLR standards, NOT by WDW standards at all. The hotel sits on one end of DTD, and you take a nice walk straight through DTD to the park. We loved the walk. The Grand Californian is nice, but being WDW vets, to us it is just a scaled down version of WL.

Dining reservations there are 60 days out. It is much easier to get reservations there, but we still book our favorites at 60 days out. Our favorite character meal is Minnie's Breakfast. It is better than any of the WDW character meals. We have seen a minimum of 7 characters there, and as many as 12, and you never know who might show up.

Here is a great thread by Hydroguy for WDW vets that are planning a DLR trip that will help you get started:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

 

[MikeRx]

some more obvious observations: different fastpass system and attractions, monorail is an attraction more than transportation, World of Color is awesome, do the dinner package to get a great spot to stand, some rides ar far better others are not, some rides are only in WDW and some only in DLR.

In addition, I echo everything above, especially Ktlms post , we hesitated a few years ago about going to DLR, but now love it more than WDW for some of the same reasons listed by others. We've been to both coasts many many times and I'm currently a Premier Passholder. The DLH is our favorite, but the pools at the DLH are closed when we are there so we are giving the PPH a try. It will complete our tour of the DLR hotels. The pool should be back in business in June for you. The hotels history and awesome room and pool complex is what makes it for us. Take the Wednesday history tour of the hotel, it's really well done and a chance to come back to the hotel for the tour and enjoy the pool and slides.

I'd also recommend a late am breakfast at Carnation Cafe after you've done several rides during the Magic Morning. Get a table outside and you will have a chance relax and enjoy the details of Main Street. The Dapper Dans sing every time while we eat, add to the mood. Minnie's at the Plaza is the best character breakfast as you see up to 10 characters each time...yes 10 Ktlm is spot on. We struggled to see 4 at any of the WDW breakfasts in October.

You will love the proximity of everything, Downtown Disney is actually...downtown with the parks, no bus or car ride to a parking garage and long, humid walk!
Have a great trip and remember to slow down and enjoy the unique magic of Disneyland.
Mike

 

[snowybelle]

Tagging for interest...

 

[texasgingerbread]

What I've learned so far off these boards and planning that I thought were of interest for my dates is as follows. I go in March for first time so I am not an expert, just a first timer so I feel ya at the beginning planning process! I was going to post this when I got back, but since I saw your request I thought I'd type it up so here you go.

Definitely read HydroGuy's thread for WDW Vets as well as Mary Jo (the moderator of this site) has podcasts that are super helpful to listen to. Also, figment has some awesome threads...2016 School Breaks/convention/dates (helps with planning dates) as well as a dining thread with yummy food pictures. Just use the search for these.

1. Musical Chairs with Alice and Mad Hatter not on entertainment list online, but will show up on daily schedule. Probably 1:00pm.
2. EMH for onsite guests and MM guests get in early to DL on Tues, Thur, Sat. At DCA it's Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun. If you stay offsite and get one MM you can ONLY use this at DL. NOT DCA. idk why...weird.
3. Minnie's Character Breakfast at The Plaza Inn reservations can be made on a Tues, Thur, or Sat when DL opens early for onsite guests or for those using a MM 50 minutes before regular park opening. This really only helps if you are staying offsite and aren't using your MM that morning if you want to eat before park opens to the masses.
4. You can make a 4:30/5:00 res at Wine Country Trattoria and be able to see the Pixar Parade go by around 5:20 while you are eating in DCA. Specifically ask for this view.
5. If venturing into Los Angeles, El Capitan theater has Disney movies and they sometimes include the characters being there prior to showtime. Parking validation is available across the street at 1755 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028.
6. Mickey and the Magical Map doesn't happen on Tues, Wed, or Thur.
7. Red Car Trolley News Boys show includes Mickey Mouse!
8. I would make reservations for Cafe Orleans. Do you have to have them? No, but then you won't wait.
9. If you choose to stay offsite and not right across the street, pick a hotel close to the Toy Story parking lot and you can walk to and hop on it to get to park.
10. According to the experts don't meet Olaf when Frozen Singalong gets out...time accordingly. And Anna and Elsa are a non-issue at this park...easy to meet with minimal waits. So different!
11. DCA has a "Screamer of the Day" at the Monsters Inc ride.
12. Pixie Hollow has a Water and Light Show after dark but not during parade/fireworks. Approx every 15 minutes.
13. If staying offsite free package check is available at Elias & Company in Disney California Adventure Park, Newsstand at Disneyland Park, The Star Trader at Disneyland Park, and Pioneer Mercantile at Disneyland Park.
14. In Blue Bayou (restaurant) you can ask for a table so you can see POTC boats go by. This is also available for a PTN package (what WDW calls electrical parade). At DL people are staking out their spot EARLY on Main Street and apparently it's crazy packed. IMHO I wouldn't go and not do this! Totally worth the money to me, especially since I wanted to eat here anyway. No brainer.
15. Photopass plus (like MemoryMaker) is currently under construction...details supposedly announced tomorrow. We shall see what the new packages are. They do have magic shots.
16. FP is paper not electronic. You can get a FP every 2 hours. The only ones that are "disconnected" which means you don't have to wait out the 2 hours before the next one and you can hold it at the same time as another are Buzz & WOC. Fantasmic did but now on hiatus and Anna & Elsa used to but no longer at present.
17. If you are doing other things outside of Disney there is a forum for California and the West you can post in.
18. 5 Day Park Hoppers (unless you are from Australia) are the longest tickets you can purchase...if you want more days you have to pay full price starting over at Day 1.
19. Crowd calendars can be found at isitpacked.com as well as rmhtravel.com. Touring plans has one as well but you have to pay.

Good luck! It was definitely a learning curve but we are so excited!!! We are just waiting out the time now.

 

[Kimberly1]

What I've learned so far off these boards and planning that I thought were of interest for my dates is as follows. I go in March for first time so I am not an expert, just a first timer so I feel ya at the beginning planning process! I was going to post this when I got back, but since I saw your request I thought I'd type it up so here you go.

Definitely read HydroGuy's thread for WDW Vets as well as Mary Jo (the moderator of this site) has podcasts that are super helpful to listen to. Also, figment has some awesome threads...2016 School Breaks/convention/dates (helps with planning dates) as well as a dining thread with yummy food pictures. Just use the search for these.

1. Musical Chairs with Alice and Mad Hatter not on entertainment list online, but will show up on daily schedule. Probably 1:00pm.
2. EMH for onsite guests and MM guests get in early to DL on Tues, Thur, Sat. At DCA it's Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun. If you stay offsite and get one MM you can ONLY use this at DL. NOT DCA. idk why...weird.
3. Minnie's Character Breakfast at The Plaza Inn reservations can be made on a Tues, Thur, or Sat when DL opens early for onsite guests or for those using a MM 50 minutes before regular park opening. This really only helps if you are staying offsite and aren't using your MM that morning if you want to eat before park opens to the masses.
4. You can make a 4:30/5:00 res at Wine Country Trattoria and be able to see the Pixar Parade go by around 5:20 while you are eating in DCA. Specifically ask for this view.
5. If venturing into Los Angeles, El Capitan theater has Disney movies and they sometimes include the characters being there prior to showtime. Parking validation is available across the street at 1755 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028.
6. Mickey and the Magical Map doesn't happen on Tues, Wed, or Thur.
7. Red Car Trolley News Boys show includes Mickey Mouse!
8. I would make reservations for Cafe Orleans. Do you have to have them? No, but then you won't wait.
9. If you choose to stay offsite and not right across the street, pick a hotel close to the Toy Story parking lot and you can walk to and hop on it to get to park.
10. According to the experts don't meet Olaf when Frozen Singalong gets out...time accordingly. And Anna and Elsa are a non-issue at this park...easy to meet with minimal waits. So different!
11. DCA has a "Screamer of the Day" at the Monsters Inc ride.
12. Pixie Hollow has a Water and Light Show after dark but not during parade/fireworks. Approx every 15 minutes.
13. If staying offsite free package check is available at Elias & Company in Disney California Adventure Park, Newsstand at Disneyland Park, The Star Trader at Disneyland Park, and Pioneer Mercantile at Disneyland Park.
14. In Blue Bayou (restaurant) you can ask for a table so you can see POTC boats go by. This is also available for a PTN package (what WDW calls electrical parade). At DL people are staking out their spot EARLY on Main Street and apparently it's crazy packed. IMHO I wouldn't go and not do this! Totally worth the money to me, especially since I wanted to eat here anyway. No brainer.
15. Photopass plus (like MemoryMaker) is currently under construction...details supposedly announced tomorrow. We shall see what the new packages are. They do have magic shots.
16. FP is paper not electronic. You can get a FP every 2 hours. The only ones that are "disconnected" which means you don't have to wait out the 2 hours before the next one and you can hold it at the same time as another are Buzz & WOC. Fantasmic did but now on hiatus and Anna & Elsa used to but no longer at present.
17. If you are doing other things outside of Disney there is a forum for California and the West you can post in.
18. 5 Day Park Hoppers (unless you are from Australia) are the longest tickets you can purchase...if you want more days you have to pay full price starting over at Day 1.
19. Crowd calendars can be found at isitpacked.com as well as rmhtravel.com. Touring plans has one as well but you have to pay.

Good luck! It was definitely a learning curve but we are so excited!!! We are just waiting out the time now.

Wow! Planning my first trip and this is a great list! Thanks!