HELP! I know everything about WDW but nothing about DL!!!!

[lynn46356]

We are in the beginning stages of planning a family trip out west next summer. We hope to begin our trip around June 14th and arrive in Disneyland June 19th (yes we're driving from NW Indiana). I'm hoping I haven't bit off more than we can chew. My husband's brother (who lives in Santa Maria) is retired military also and I'm hoping he can join us for some of our trip and we can use some of his military perks. Where do I begin? How soon before I should book a room? Which Disney hotel will suit our needs the best. I would love to factor in 3 days at Disney but we also want to do other things in California. Am I being unrealistic? My head is spining! Is June a terrible time to visit i.e. crowds and heat? I'm rambling! So Sorry!!!!! Just so many questions. Its so easy to go to Disney World. Any help would be so appreciated!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

We are in the beginning stages of planning a family trip out west next summer. We hope to begin our trip around June 14th and arrive in Disneyland June 19th (yes we're driving from NW Indiana). I'm hoping I haven't bit off more than we can chew. My husband's brother (who lives in Santa Maria) is retired military also and I'm hoping he can join us for some of our trip and we can use some of his military perks. Where do I begin? How soon before I should book a room? Which Disney hotel will suit our needs the best. I would love to factor in 3 days at Disney but we also want to do other things in California. Am I being unrealistic? My head is spining! Is June a terrible time to visit i.e. crowds and heat? I'm rambling! So Sorry!!!!! Just so many questions. Its so easy to go to Disney World. Any help would be so appreciated!!!!!!!!!!

At the top of this forum is a bunch of "sticky notes." One of them includes tips from Hydroguy, with DLR tips for WDW vets. He explains it in amazing detail.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Any chance you can go in August instead? Carsland is supposed to open next summer. I would try to hedge my bets and shoot for August if you can swing it, go before the lower tiered annual passes become unblocked.

 

[Hootch]

Driving West from TN next July. Our trip is more of a skip out and back with only one day at Disneyland. I will second the Hydroguy recommendation. He has several posts that are helpful. The fastpass system is not nearly as extensive and wouldn't consider staying offsite at WDW but amlooking at that in Anaheim.

 

[mrswh]

How fun! Like a PP said, make sure to read the stickies at the top - there is some fantastic info in there! I'll try to help a little with your specific questions, though.

You can book as far ahead as you want, that will guarantee that the hotel where you want to stay is available; but the promotions only come out a few months in advance. Once the summer promotions come out, the hotels book up fairly quickly. If you are doing hotel only, you could always reserve one now and then ask them to change your rate if it goes down, since you can cancel anytime up until 5 days prior to your trip with no penalty. I don't know how the vacation packages work but I think they have a stricter cancellation policy. As for which hotel to book, you'll get the best info in the stickies. As far as staying onsite, there are three hotels, and I think it's generally agreed upon that as far as quality, proximity to the parks, and highest price, they go in this order: Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel and then Paradise Pier Hotel.

I think anytime is a great time to go to DLR! June can be hot. You can look at historical weather data for your exact dates at http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner to give you a good idea of what to expect. June is also crowded, but nothing you can't manage if you do it right. We have been in the summer several times and our M.O. is to go early, leave the parks around noon or 1:00 when it gets hot and crowded, get some lunch and a pool/rest break, then head back to the parks in the early evening when it's a bit cooler and some of the daytrippers are packing up. However, if you do this, you'll probably want more than 3 days. We usually go for 4 or 5 so that we can be a little more leisurely and avoid big crowds, long lines and heat. Everyone has a different style, that's just ours.

I think it's so funny to hear people say "it would be so much easier to plan a trip to WDW!" I've been there several times and I still think it's a LOT more hassle and so much more to learn and figure out than there is for DLR. You'll see how easy everything is at DLR once you get there. Have fun planning!

 

[lynn46356]

Thanks for the information Everyone! I'll definitely being checking that thread out. As for going next August.................school starts around August 23rd or close to it and if our youngest son decides to play football again next fall August will be a definite NO. If not, well it might be something to think about. Is there a definite date for that to open? I'd really like to stay on property even if it costs a bit more. I'm not sure yet if that's a good idea or not. I've got a lot of reading to do!!!!!! Thanks Again!

 

[Scribble Kitty]

Carsland doesn't have a set date yet, but I believe the general consensus is Disney is aiming for a June opening.

I personally have only stayed at the Paradise Pier, but all of the onsite hotels seem really great and are a very short walk to the parks. Also, there are tons of hotels/motels on Harbor that are just as close to the main gates if you decide to go that route.

 

[skiingfast]

The DLR guide for WDW vets this will help you plan greatly and bring up lots of good questions.

As far as time, I would delay as much as possible even if the 30th of July so it butts up to your need to be home for school sports. If you happen to book far out and are there right when Carsland opens it's a catch22. New land, tons of crowds of crowds and oddities with media events effecting operations. Weekday crowds during the summer are much nicer than in WDW.

 

[happysummer]

It will be crowded and very long lines. If you can I would book a disneyland hotel it gives more of a disney expierence. Have fun.

 

[GenGen22]

We are in the beginning stages of planning a family trip out west next summer. We hope to begin our trip around June 14th and arrive in Disneyland June 19th (yes we're driving from NW Indiana). I'm hoping I haven't bit off more than we can chew. My husband's brother (who lives in Santa Maria) is retired military also and I'm hoping he can join us for some of our trip and we can use some of his military perks. Where do I begin? How soon before I should book a room? Which Disney hotel will suit our needs the best. I would love to factor in 3 days at Disney but we also want to do other things in California. Am I being unrealistic? My head is spining! Is June a terrible time to visit i.e. crowds and heat? I'm rambling! So Sorry!!!!! Just so many questions. Its so easy to go to Disney World. Any help would be so appreciated!!!!!!!!!!

I have been to DL many times during the summer and I wouldn't worry about the crowds. It's not all that bad especially with fastpasses. July & August are much hotter times on the year to go. June is cooler. I think the crowd is worse during christmas. I would read hotel reviews like tripadvisor.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

June will be busier than July & early August *you mention football* - I vote for July - you should read *this*

From experience - I visited DLR over the 4th of July weekend last year *DD's B-day is 7/3* our park days were the 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th - all blockable APs were blocked, I think most non locals think - "It'd be too crowded" - same idea and experience with Thanksgiving weekend last year. Both times - holiday weekends - we had a fantastic time, low to moderate crowds.

If I were you I'd wait for blockouts to kick in and Carsland to be not so new - a month or 2 not a week

 

[mrswh]

Who knows what Carsland is going to do, or when it is going to open - I'd plan for whenever it works for your schedule. In 2007, we went to DLR for 4 days in June, the first of which (unbeknownst to us) was the very day Nemo opened in 2007. We used our summer strategy of going early, leaving midday, and going back in the evening to use FPs and see shows. We added "stay as far away from Nemo as possible" to our strategy and it was fine. We have also been when the AP holders first come unblocked in August (again, unbeknownst to us) and though it was painfully crowded, we still did OK with our strategy. Go when you want - if Carsland is a mess (assuming it's even open), you might want to just avoid it altogether and check it out next time.

 

[elaw]

As far as Hotels go, It depends on your budget. Each of them is unique just like WDW.

Grand Californian is like a deluxe at wdw ... my fav .... literally right on the park (California Adventure)

Disneyland Hotel is more like a cross between a Deluxe and a Mod at WDW. the refurbished rooms are really nice and a very good size. We spent 4th of july weekend there and with a park view were able to watch the fireworks from our room (they pipe in the music from your tv)

Paradise Pier Hotel is more like a cross between a mod and a value at WDW. It's got decent rooms and the Park View rooms are really nice with good beachy theming.

 

[ZoZo]

I think anytime is a great time to go to DLR! June can be hot. You can look at historical weather data for your exact dates at http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner to give you a good idea of what to expect.

Thanks so much for the link! I'm going for a couple of days next month, and had no idea what the temps would be like. Now I know what to pack! Thanks again!

 

[lynn46356]

Thank You to Everyone who responded. I've been doing so much research for all aspects of this trip that my head is spinning! When we visit DW we have always stayed at one of the on site resorts and rely on Disney transportation. Reading about the Good Neighbor Hotels has me questioning what to do but I really would lean the most towards staying on site. I'd think I was cheating on Disney if we didn't. Also, the more I read sometimes the more confused I get. This trips looks wonderful on paper but planning it is becoming a full-time job. Its really helpful to read everyones thoughts. Again, thanks for all the great information.

 

[disneybride96]

Oh my! I can't imagine driving from Indiana. I am dreading the 6 hours on a plane, I couldn't face that long in a car.

I am in the same situation though on WDW vs. DLR. Read anything you see from HydroGuy. Great information.

 

[sasywtch]

I'm probably an oddball, but I like road trips. I had to drive from Oklahoma City to Sacramento twice a year and back.

In the 5th year, we got smart and left the night before we planned to right after work and drove 4 hours. It just seemed to cut the rest of the drive shorter even though it was only 4 hours out of 17 we had to go. I figured since we were packed, it was a waste to sit at home from 4:30-bedtime so might as well start driving.

In WDW, we felt the need to stay on property but at DL, we stay across the street on Harbor to save money and it's closer to the gates (minus GC).
I second July. Seems to be less people as it's a block out month (I believe?)

Read some old trip reports, especially the ones that were from WDW and doing DL the first time and see where they stayed, what they thought and how much less planning it takes.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[lynn46356]

I'm probably an oddball, but I like road trips. I had to drive from Oklahoma City to Sacramento twice a year and back.

In the 5th year, we got smart and left the night before we planned to right after work and drove 4 hours. It just seemed to cut the rest of the drive shorter even though it was only 4 hours out of 17 we had to go. I figured since we were packed, it was a waste to sit at home from 4:30-bedtime so might as well start driving.

In WDW, we felt the need to stay on property but at DL, we stay across the street on Harbor to save money and it's closer to the gates (minus GC).
I second July. Seems to be less people as it's a block out month (I believe?)

Read some old trip reports, especially the ones that were from WDW and doing DL the first time and see where they stayed, what they thought and how much less planning it takes.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

I'm glad someone's like me and likes road trips! I think we're a rare breed. We always drive to WDW (10 times and straight through). Yes, we are crazy. I know it will be a LONG drive out there and back but we hope to be able to see a lot of the U. S. that we have never seen before. I'm surprised about July being the better month for weather. From what I've seen investigating this it says June is in the 80s with July and August being hotter than that. Maybe I missed something! The other thing I'm having a hard to wrapping my head around is that staying off property is actually closer to DL/CA. That's just not something I can imagine but I believe what I'm reading. One thing I do know by reading so far is I need to visit during the week and not the weekend! I've got SO much to figure out! Thanks Again for everyones help!!!!! I need all of it I can get. I'm the planner in the family. With this trip I think I need to pass some of the planning out to the DH and son.

 

[elaw]

... The other thing I'm having a hard to wrapping my head around is that staying off property is actually closer to DL/CA. That's just not something I can imagine but I believe what I'm reading...

The Grand Califorian Hotel is attached to California Adventure ... if you have a park view (rooms 341-355), you are literally in the park. Our balcony overlooked the Grizzly River Run and it made us feel likewe were staying in the park ... its awesome!!
You cannot get any closer than that. I will be back there in two weeks ... hopefully the same room location as last time.
The DL Hotel and Paradise Pier hotel are a bit of a walk though, but its not too bad.
I suggest using Google Maps and/or Google earth for some perspective.

 

[GrandBob]

The other thing I'm having a hard to wrapping my head around is that staying off property is actually closer to DL/CA.

How Far Is It? - from Mouseplanet. I can always find this link by going to the stickies, finding HydroGuy's Tips Compilation, and choosing HydroGuy's Hotel Rule (a great thread itself) and finding the link to How Far Is It.

Bottom line - distance to the gates depends on where in the hotels your room is located. But the closest GN hotels on Harbor can be just as close or closer, compared to the Disney properties.

-Bob