Help, I have no idea where to start

[Miniefan]

Hi, I am a WDW veteran but have never been to DLR. We are considering skipping WDW in 2009 and going to DLR and SoCal, but I have no idea where to start. I have been playing around with the disneyland.com website but it seems a little harder to navigate than the wdw one and I have no clue which hotels to choose. I got a quote from Dreams unlimited but since I have no real comparison I don't know if the package rate is reasonable. This will also be the first time we will fly and we don't know how to search for airfare. Please help guide me cause I am definitely lost.

Kim

 

[heatherleigh]

One of the first places I checked was mousesavers.com. They have some helpful tips about travel.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

The first thing you want to do is check out this thread from Hydroguy. He writes specifically about DL for WDW veterans.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

 

[Mugglemama]

getawaytoday.com might be a good place to check, as far as getting an idea for what hotels are around. when you punch in your travel information, it will spit out a list of different packages you could choose, sorted by hotel. this way, you can figure out which ones are in which price range, and there are photos of the rooms/suites, too. then, if you want to save a little more money, pick the hotel you are intersted in and go to their website to check the rates they are offering. i found that last year, buying a package through getawaytoday was less expensive, but this year it was cheaper to buy the tix separately and make the hotel reservations myself.

 

[HydroGuy]

The first thing you want to do is check out this thread from Hydroguy. He writes specifically about DL for WDW veterans.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Here is the specific thread being suggested:

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

 

[avalon451]

Hi, Miniefan, welcome to the left coast bunch!

A good place to start is Hydroguy's Tips compilation, a sticky thread at the top of this forum. In it, he has 2 thread links specifically for WDW vets who are wondering how to do Walt's Park. However, the whole thread is very helpful! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Big difference between DL and WDW: offsite hotels are a much more convenient and affordable option. If money is no object, then the 3 onsite Disney hotels are great; GCH is especially fabulous and right there, with a private entrance to California Adventure and to Downtown Disney.

However, if you would rather spend one-half to one-third as much and just have a clean, quiet place to sleep and shower, offsite is for you. Many people on these boards are big fans of the hotels that are located on Harbor, right across the street from the main entrance. Hydroguy's hotel rule addresses this: those "crosswalk hotels" are as close or even closer than DLH or Paradise Pier; they're cheaper, and you don't need a car at all. You can go back to your hotel for a midday break easily.

Favorites on these boards include Best Western Park Place Inn, Desert Inn, Howard Johnson, Candy Cane Inn, Fairfield... off the top of my head. Here's a map that shows the hotels around DL, with links to their websites: http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

There are a lot of HoJo fans around here because they have a really great rate you can get with the Entertainment coupon book. Right now it's $59 a night for a standard room, $74 for a deluxe, park view room. It's only good for certain days, and those days are often updated or added last minute, so it's good to keep checking. here's the website: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14

As far as packages, it's been noticed around here that you can usually save a bunch of money by booking hotel, airfare and park tickets separately. If you purchase 3-day or more parkhopper tickets from GetAwayToday, you will get 2 magic morning (early entry) days instead of just one like usual. MMs are Sun, Tue, Thur and Sat. GAT tickets usually cost the same as most everywhere else http://www.getawaytoday.com/TicketListing.aspx?dest_id=2 (sometimes AAA has them for $5-10 cheaper depending on your local AAA office). GetAwayToday has a discount code, "Podcast" that if you call them on the phone, you can ask to use it and they will waive their $10 processing fee, making the tickets the same price as from DL travel and most other places.

Those are all my best tips and links condensed in one place! Hope that helps!

 

[ballarinamom]

I think the Dl site is harder than the WDW site because you actually have more options at DL. WDW offers the three different price ranges so you pick a price then pick a hotel. When are you planning on going? How long will you be there and tell us a little about your touring style. Some folks like to stay in the park all day or take breaks/naps. That will help with hotel recommendations. Lucky you! You've come to the right place for help!!!

 

[IBLarsen]

Hi, I have recently completed the booking of our first Disneyland trip as well. For airfare, you can check on the different sites like cheaptickets.com, and ortbitz.com are a few that I've used personally. We are flying into SNA airport. I was very confused about which airport. SNA (John Wayne airport)is closest to DLR. You can also fly into LAX. SNA is going to be easier to navigate, but you may get better deals into LAX, I would check both.

We are renting a car and I kept checking prices for the past month and ended up booking the car through hotwire.com. We saved well over $100 over the cheapest pricing I had seen elsewhere. They only use major agencies, but you don't know which agency you get until you book and pay. You see the pricing for the type of car you want, then if you book and pay they email you all the details.

I just purchased our tickets from Disneyland.com sight directly, you can see there online pricing on the sight if you choose tickets only. I know getawaytoday is another favorite for tix.

We are staying at an off site hotel, the Fairfield. We have little ones and want to be able to walk back for a rest in the afternoon. Someone else listed a lot of the other popular close hotels. Like someone else mentioned, there are a lot of hotels within walking distance.

What I've learned from this board has been really helpful. I too was lost as to where to start. But it's all come together. I read through a lot of the tips suggested already (hydroguy's are very helpful). I also ordered the Unofficial guide to Disneyland, which was suggested by several people of the board. The book is very good to have, not knowing what to expect at DLR.

Hope that helps a little bit

 

[ballarinamom]

Getaway Today gives 2 Magic Morning/ Early Entries if you buy a 3 day or more park hopper. This may be important to you if you are staying off site. The other companies, including Disney, only give one entry. You'll also receive the lanyard/ pins, coin, and scrapbook. You may want to look at the overview map of the hotels in the area to pick your top 5 and then narrow down from that. We actually are flying into Long Beach because of the better rate nad times. But it is only about 3 miles more than SNA. We have flown into SNA and love it. Just thought I would give an extra air option

 

[Miniefan]

Thanks so much for your replies, I am wondering if we will do a car rental or not and I have no idea how many days to plan at each park. We usually do 7-10 days in wdw but not sure how to plan our time for DLR. I have a lot of research to do, and at least now which direction to go. Thanks again!!

Kim

 

[JaneJetson]

Hi, I am a WDW veteran but have never been to DLR. We are considering skipping WDW in 2009 and going to DLR and SoCal, but I have no idea where to start. I have been playing around with the disneyland.com website but it seems a little harder to navigate than the wdw one and I have no clue which hotels to choose. I got a quote from Dreams unlimited but since I have no real comparison I don't know if the package rate is reasonable. This will also be the first time we will fly and we don't know how to search for airfare. Please help guide me cause I am definitely lost.

Kim

I usually search for airfare at www.orbitz.com or www.expedia.com You can also rent cars through them. Sometimes you can get discount codes for car rentals from places like costco.com if you're a member. Oh, and the best airport (in my opinion) is John Wayne (also called Orange County or Santa Ana. Airport code is SNA.) It tends to be more expensive but it's super close and a really easy airport.

Do you want to stay onsite? there are only three onsite hotels and they are pretty expensive. I have never stayed at any of them because we always travel on a budget. There are many, many offsite hotels within walking distance to both parks. They aren't fancy, or themed...but if you aren't going to be in the room much, it doesn't matter.

Thanks so much for your replies, I am wondering if we will do a car rental or not and I have no idea how many days to plan at each park. We usually do 7-10 days in wdw but not sure how to plan our time for DLR. I have a lot of research to do, and at least now which direction to go. Thanks again!!

Kim

If you plan on doing other things in the area besides Disney, a car is a must. For a first timer, I would do at least 3 days in the parks (with a park hopper because you can literally walk back and forth between the two parks.) That way you can have time to see everything you want at a somewhat leasiurely pace.

 

[JaneJetson]

Oh....if you plan on going between January 6th - April 30th, you can get some good ticket prices at www.disneyland.com.

Adults get in for the kids price for the 3, 4, and 5-day hoppers. And each one comes with 1 early entry day.

3-day hopper
special price = $149 (the rest of the year it's $179 for adults)

4-day hopper
special price = $164 (the rest of the year it's $194)

5-day hopper
special price = $174 (the rest of the year it's $204)

 

[PinkBudgie]

I like getting hotel info and reviews from tripadvisor.com. I just put in Anahiem, CA. I'm using it now to figure out where to stay in June. We decided we could stay for more days if we stayed off site.

 

[ballarinamom]

We did 8 days at WDW to do just the 4 parks. We did no waterparks as we have so many here in San Antonio. We do 5 nights at DL with an early flight which gets us in the park around 12:00 noon. We also takethe latest flight so we can stay in the park until 5:00ish. So we get almost 6 full days in the park. We get everything done and never feel rushed. We don't rent a car as when we do Disney, we do Disney and nothing else. But that's just us!

 

[JaneJetson]

I like getting hotel info and reviews from tripadvisor.com. I just put in Anahiem, CA. I'm using it now to figure out where to stay in June. We decided we could stay for more days if we stayed off site.

I will add to this....
Take everything you read at tripadvisor.com with a grain of salt. Some people are NEVER satisfied with hotels. And a lot of people expect an amazing hotel when it's a cheaper place. You usually get what you pay for. If you pay $70 a night, don't expect an amazing $400 suite or anything.

 

[Miniefan]

I will add to this....
Take everything you read at tripadvisor.com with a grain of salt. Some people are NEVER satisfied with hotels. And a lot of people expect an amazing hotel when it's a cheaper place. You usually get what you pay for. If you pay $70 a night, don't expect an amazing $400 suite or anything.

Agreed. I have stayed at some hotels that I read bad reviews for in the past, including some at wdw, and some people are just never satisfied. Thanks so much for the eagerness to help out your fellow diser, all the information is helping loads.

Kim

 

[JaneJetson]

Agreed. I have stayed at some hotels that I read bad reviews for in the past, including some at wdw, and some people are just never satisfied. Thanks so much for the eagerness to help out your fellow diser, all the information is helping loads.

Kim

If you have any more questions or anything....be sure to ask! We all love to help people enjoy their Disneyland trips.

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks so much for your replies, I am wondering if we will do a car rental or not and I have no idea how many days to plan at each park. We usually do 7-10 days in wdw but not sure how to plan our time for DLR. I have a lot of research to do, and at least now which direction to go. Thanks again!!

Kim

Lots of great information in the posts above.

I'll re-iterate the need to read all of HG's tip threads (& probably print some of them).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

I recommend 3 nights / 4 days....or 4 nights / 5 days. But unlike WDW GO ON YOUR ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DAY. (Get a Park Hopper for each day)

& regarding how many days in each park......Park Hop EACH day. Unlike WDW.....it's easy & it's effective touring.

General rule of thumb:

- At the DL gate 30 min. before rope drop or MM opening.
- Tour & collect FPs for 2 - 4 hours.
- Hop to DCA. Tour (& possibly collect FPs) for 2-3 hours.
- Mid day rest / nap / swim / etc.
- Back to DL (or possibly DCA) in the late afternoon/evening with 4-5 FPs in your pocket.

Rince & repeat each of the following days.


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

(& read HydroGuy's & MaryJo's tip threads - stickys )

 

[JaneJetson]

....And if you want info from someone that's been to Disneyland close to (maybe more than) 200 times...let me know. I'm not much help when it comes to touring with children (have only done that a couple times) or staying onsite (never done that.) But I can help with a lot of other stuff so let me know. Or if you want to see any photos...I have thousands...haha.

 

[Quest4fun]

Hi, I am a WDW veteran but have never been to DLR. We are considering skipping WDW in 2009 and going to DLR and SoCal, but I have no idea where to start. I have been playing around with the disneyland.com website but it seems a little harder to navigate than the wdw one and I have no clue which hotels to choose. I got a quote from Dreams unlimited but since I have no real comparison I don't know if the package rate is reasonable. This will also be the first time we will fly and we don't know how to search for airfare. Please help guide me cause I am definitely lost.

Kim

You've come to the right place. There are some extensive guides out there to keep you busy for hours. If you're like me and want quick answers to your questions you need only ask in a thread as there are countless people who go to the parks religiously and have it down to a science.

Here is the short but sweet guide to a Disneyland trip.

-Book it all via Orbits or Expedia.
-Fly into Santa Ana (John Wayne) airport.
-Rent a car at the airport. Off-sites are a pain.
-Stay at a hotel within walking distance to the park. Anaheim Plaza is my favorite.

Ta Daaaa!