Help! First time going to DL

[Legendofthehawk]

DH and I decided this year for vacation that we would do Disneyland instead of WDW. I think we're still both kind of scarred from the 20+ hour drive down to FL. Plus, since leaving SD I've always want to go back to SoCal and DL is a perfect excuse.

However, I am completely out of my element.

We are trying to decide between these two times Oct 30-4th of Nov, or Dec 3-7th.

We've always hit disney on halloween. It's a great time, lots of fan fair and not just about the candy. So this is a plus. Dec will be our 5th wedding anniversary, so that would be a nice time to be there for it.

Problem being that if we choose Dec, we are going to be staying over the weekend which we all know is more expensive.
We are also looking at places to stay.. I *really* want to stay at the Grand Californian.. but I saw something on the boards that said that you are not allowed to use points anymore for this? We had been planning on renting points which would make it affordable, but if not.. it's not an option for us.


I've read good things on here about the HoJo, and even the DL.

The one thing I really really liked about the GC was their use of a trundle.. Does anyone know if any other hotels do this?

Help me out Mouseketters.

Also.. which would be better .. going to SD first, then going to DL? Or going to DL and driving down to SD?

 

[HydroGuy]

Good places to start:

* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I would say it does not matter if you do SD first or second. Don't know about DVC points at GCH. It does have DVC villas now so you can use points for those.

As for dates, the dates over Halloween will be fun but probably more crowded. The dates in early Dec should be less crowded (especially on weekdays) and have all the holiday decorations up.

HTH

 

[Legendofthehawk]

Good places to start:

* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I would say it does not matter if you do SD first or second. Don't know about DVC points at GCH. It does have DVC villas now so you can use points for those.

As for dates, the dates over Halloween will be fun but probably more crowded. The dates in early Dec should be less crowded (especially on weekdays) and have all the holiday decorations up.

HTH

Thank you for all that information!! It's great!

As far as visiting first or second. What we are looking at is likely the drive. I know from SD to LA last time I went was a horrible, eye poking experience. I am not sure if the same in reverse is true?

Or if the kids will be coming down from the DL vacation and be open to SD, or if we take them there first if the whole trip will be "turn this car around and go back to DL!"

 

[Mister Toad]

DH and I decided this year for vacation that we would do Disneyland instead of WDW. I think we're still both kind of scarred from the 20+ hour drive down to FL. Plus, since leaving SD I've always want to go back to SoCal and DL is a perfect excuse.

However, I am completely out of my element.

We are trying to decide between these two times Oct 30-4th of Nov, or Dec 3-7th.

We've always hit disney on halloween. It's a great time, lots of fan fair and not just about the candy. So this is a plus. Dec will be our 5th wedding anniversary, so that would be a nice time to be there for it.

Problem being that if we choose Dec, we are going to be staying over the weekend which we all know is more expensive.
We are also looking at places to stay.. I *really* want to stay at the Grand Californian.. but I saw something on the boards that said that you are not allowed to use points anymore for this? We had been planning on renting points which would make it affordable, but if not.. it's not an option for us.


I've read good things on here about the HoJo, and even the DL.

The one thing I really really liked about the GC was their use of a trundle.. Does anyone know if any other hotels do this?

Help me out Mouseketters.

Also.. which would be better .. going to SD first, then going to DL? Or going to DL and driving down to SD?

Last year my fiancee and I went out to Disneyland from Chicago several times. I was sent to SoCal on business and rather than come home, she flew out and we stayed the weekend and went to Disney. We were there in late Sept. and it was great, the weather was warm, the crowds were small and it was a fantasic trip. The decorations for Halloween are top notch, Space Mountain was redone, Haunted Mansion was redone and the whole park had phenominal decorations.

We also went in early December. I was out there on business and it happened to be the same weekend as the Candlelight Processional. Which is one of the busiest days of the year. While still a lot of fun, it was quite a bit cooler out, had crazy crowds and all in all was a lot more hectic of a trip as a result.

As far as the drive from SD to DLR, I made it in under an hour and a half, given this was early in the day on a Saturday. I have heard traffic can be a nightmare, but I don't have first hand experience. I would say make the drive really early or really late and not worry about the traffic.

With hotels, I was there on business and my company covered the hotel. As a result, I really couldn't book a 300/night room sadly. We ended up staying in the Anaheim Hilton and the Anaheim Marriott, both right next to each other a short distance from the park. Rooms are really nice, hotels are really nice, and we just woke up and walked to the park, took all of 20 minutes tops each way.

If I was paying out of pocket, unless I had my heart set on staying at a Disneyland hotel, I would look at other options, you can save potentially hundreds by staying off site, which is very different than off site at WDW, since there are hotels surrounding DLR that are only a few minutes away.

 

[wasser]

Thank you for all that information!! It's great!

As far as visiting first or second. What we are looking at is likely the drive. I know from SD to LA last time I went was a horrible, eye poking experience. I am not sure if the same in reverse is true?

Or if the kids will be coming down from the DL vacation and be open to SD, or if we take them there first if the whole trip will be "turn this car around and go back to DL!"

I see a few factors in timing:

1. SD activities - going to fun places or relaxing or what have you
2. Does changing schedule put your DL days in a more favorable part of the week?

A couple years ago we took a trip that started with one day at DL, and then continued the next several days in SD. The kids, 3 and 5 at the time, were a bit down about leaving DL, but really enjoyed their time at the SD Zoo, the SD Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park, and the ships in the ships in the bay. However, we did also hit DL for 3 more days on the way out. Traffic wasn't a problem from SD to Anaheim on that day, but it was probably somewhere about 2-3:00 PM on a Tuesday.

 

[specialks]

What you probably read about not using points for the GCH is because they now have the Grand California Villas which are part of the DVC points program. So points can be used at the DLH, PPH, and GCV. The villas are a part of the GCH (a whole wing). Hope that makes sense.

Based on previous dates it is thought that the Candlelight Processional will be on Dec 4th and the Cast parties will be on Dec 6 & Dec 7. When they have the cast parties the DL park closes quite early in the evening so you would chance missing out on some park time. Halloween is supposedly becoming an extremely busy time at the DLR and I have heard that getting tickets to the MNSSHP on Halloween night can be tough. I think I would be tempted to go during halloween time so you only have 2 days of craziness and then perhaps the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd would be less busy.

 

[Legendofthehawk]

What you probably read about not using points for the GCH is because they now have the Grand California Villas which are part of the DVC points program. So points can be used at the DLH, PPH, and GCV. The villas are a part of the GCH (a whole wing). Hope that makes sense.

Based on previous dates it is thought that the Candlelight Processional will be on Dec 4th and the Cast parties will be on Dec 6 & Dec 7. When they have the cast parties the DL park closes quite early in the evening so you would chance missing out on some park time. Halloween is supposedly becoming an extremely busy time at the DLR and I have heard that getting tickets to the MNSSHP on Halloween night can be tough. I think I would be tempted to go during halloween time so you only have 2 days of craziness and then perhaps the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd would be less busy.

Okay. Very awesome! So we can still rent points to see if we can grab a VCG if available? That would be out of this world.

I didn't see that they had MNSSHP at DL? Good to know! I know that when we went to DW, they were sold in advance but the halloween night sold out very quickly. They also have done it a few days in a row (but not the 30th, which I always thought was weird!) including the 1st of Nov. I


It is also a relieve to hear about the traffic! Although it sounds more like the luck of the draw there?

So any good recommendations on HOW to get out there?

Flights seem to be running around 285 per person there and back. It charges for both the kids who are 3 and half, and 2. So it totals out to a bit over 1k. Amtrak is 708 for all of us, coach... 42 hours is the shortest.

And then of course... there is driving... *twitch*

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you for all that information!! It's great!

As far as visiting first or second. What we are looking at is likely the drive. I know from SD to LA last time I went was a horrible, eye poking experience. I am not sure if the same in reverse is true?

Or if the kids will be coming down from the DL vacation and be open to SD, or if we take them there first if the whole trip will be "turn this car around and go back to DL!"

Traffic can be horrible in either direction and, illogically, any time of day. There are times you know traffic will be bad - weekday mornings and evenings - and other times you hope it will be good (Saturday and Sunday) - but sometimes it is still bad. That is why I prefer to drive to of from SD late in the evening the night before so you do not have to fight it in the morning.

As for kids, as others have said it might be a let down to leave DLR. My kids are always good if we DLR first or last in a trip. If you are worried about it then schedule DLR last. YMMV.

 

[Mister Toad]

Okay. Very awesome! So we can still rent points to see if we can grab a VCG if available? That would be out of this world.

I didn't see that they had MNSSHP at DL? Good to know! I know that when we went to DW, they were sold in advance but the halloween night sold out very quickly. They also have done it a few days in a row (but not the 30th, which I always thought was weird!) including the 1st of Nov. I


It is also a relieve to hear about the traffic! Although it sounds more like the luck of the draw there?

So any good recommendations on HOW to get out there?

Flights seem to be running around 285 per person there and back. It charges for both the kids who are 3 and half, and 2. So it totals out to a bit over 1k. Amtrak is 708 for all of us, coach... 42 hours is the shortest.

And then of course... there is driving... *twitch*

Not sure of where you live in the Chicago area, but depending on where you are looking at flying out of, look into Milwaukee as an option. Fiancee lives pretty far north and she flew round trip direct from Milwaukee to LAX (Yea, I know, airport sucks) for slightly over $200. When buying 4 tickets, it can add up. I think AirTran, Midwest and Southwest operate out of there to LAX without connecting. Added to saving on parking and all that, it may be worth it.

 

[Legendofthehawk]

Not sure of where you live in the Chicago area, but depending on where you are looking at flying out of, look into Milwaukee as an option. Fiancee lives pretty far north and she flew round trip direct from Milwaukee to LAX (Yea, I know, airport sucks) for slightly over $200. When buying 4 tickets, it can add up. I think AirTran, Midwest and Southwest operate out of there to LAX without connecting. Added to saving on parking and all that, it may be worth it.

Thank you so much for the advice! I completely forgot about this!

We're in the NW burbs of Chicago, so its not that long to drive to Milkwaukee. If I switch the airport to SD instead of LAX, we're looking at just over 200 per ticket! That's excellent.

 

[Mister Toad]

Thank you so much for the advice! I completely forgot about this!

We're in the NW burbs of Chicago, so its not that long to drive to Milkwaukee. If I switch the airport to SD instead of LAX, we're looking at just over 200 per ticket! That's excellent.

I grew up in the NW burbs, by the time you factor in traffic, time to park and all that for O'Hare, Milwaukee is possibly quicker.

Another thing I found, if its on Midwest Airlines and you book on a Monday using a mastercard, there is a coupon code for $50 off. Worked for us when we booked her ticket. Code is "MCMO." Only applies to one ticket, so do several transactions

 

[nana50]

Thank you for all that information!! It's great!

As far as visiting first or second. What we are looking at is likely the drive. I know from SD to LA last time I went was a horrible, eye poking experience. I am not sure if the same in reverse is true?

Or if the kids will be coming down from the DL vacation and be open to SD, or if we take them there first if the whole trip will be "turn this car around and go back to DL!"

I LOVE San Diego, I live here, but do Disneyland first. That is what they will want to do. When you head down to San Diego don't go on a Friday afternoon or evening. Go after 6:00 or 7:00 or late in the morning. During the week avoid early morning or late afternoon also. Have fun

 

[specialks]

Wanted to share the link blackjackdelta posted with the GCV point rates:

http://www.dvc-resales.com/grand-californian/index.htm

 

[Legendofthehawk]

Wanted to share the link blackjackdelta posted with the GCV point rates:

http://www.dvc-resales.com/grand-californian/index.htm

Thanks so much for the help everyone!

I think for sure we settled for Oct now.

Still not sure how we are going to get there just yet. Thanks to the great help here, we found our flights for cheaper.. like 219 dollars but plus 4, thats still a bit. We have time to figure out the hows later.


Now to settle down the dates and search the boards for the points.


Does anyone have any good hotel recommendations for SD? The only thing I remember from my time there was Hotel Circle that I used to pass by on the way to work!
I also remember the small motels off of OB, but never stayed there since we lived right off the beach.

 

[thaysfam]

We will be flying out of Milwaukee, we live closer to Madison, but would consider flying out of O'hare, but Milwaukee is cheaper and with direct flight to boot

 

[Mister Toad]

Thanks so much for the help everyone!

I think for sure we settled for Oct now.

Still not sure how we are going to get there just yet. Thanks to the great help here, we found our flights for cheaper.. like 219 dollars but plus 4, thats still a bit. We have time to figure out the hows later.


Now to settle down the dates and search the boards for the points.


Does anyone have any good hotel recommendations for SD? The only thing I remember from my time there was Hotel Circle that I used to pass by on the way to work!
I also remember the small motels off of OB, but never stayed there since we lived right off the beach.

Just remember to take advantage of that coupon code if you can. One of the best things about Midwest in my opinion, $50 off for any flight booked on a Monday using a mastercard (if you have one, hopefully you do!). Code is mentioned above.

 

[HydroGuy]

Does anyone have any good hotel recommendations for SD? The only thing I remember from my time there was Hotel Circle that I used to pass by on the way to work!
I also remember the small motels off of OB, but never stayed there since we lived right off the beach.

How many people? Kids? How close to the water do you want to be? What do you want to do in SD? How many days in SD?

 

[Legendofthehawk]

How many people? Kids? How close to the water do you want to be? What do you want to do in SD? How many days in SD?

4 people total. 2 adults.. kids ages 2 and 4 (he will be for by the time we get there at any rate!).

I dont think we have to be super close to the water, would be nice. We will plan on hitting up sea world or the San Diego zoo. Likely 2 days in SD... that should be enough?

 

[HydroGuy]

4 people total. 2 adults.. kids ages 2 and 4 (he will be for by the time we get there at any rate!).

I dont think we have to be super close to the water, would be nice. We will plan on hitting up sea world or the San Diego zoo. Likely 2 days in SD... that should be enough?

Hotel Circle in Mission Valley is central and has lots of options. It also near SW and the zoo and has lots of restaurants. We stayed here once on Shelter Island - http://www.islandpalms.com/