Help me plan our first DL/So. Cal Trip

[whamma]

We (DH, DS15, DD9 and I) will be making our first trip to Cali in early April. We arrive the Thursday before Easter and leave the Thursday after (I work for the school district---so we have to travel then. Not to worry--we're used to going to WDW at busy times too--Easter, Christmas, etc.) We are staying at the Grand Californian.

I'm planning to get 5 day park hoppers and want to do some other LA area things. Here are my thoughts about a schedule.
Please give me your opinions:
Thurs. plane lands at noon at LAX--possibly do a park or DTD in the evening
Friday-- DL &/or DCA (this is also DS's 15th birthday)
Saturday-- Southern Grayline Tour= LA/Hollywood Experience
Sunday (Easter)-- DL &/or DCA
Monday-- Southern Grayline Tour= Universal Studios/Front of the Line Tour
Tuesday-- DL &/or DCA
Wednesday-- DL &/or DCA
Thursday-- Home

I'd like to do a World of Color dinner package--any suggestions for which day to do this and which restaurant (Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country Trattoria)? Maybe Tuesday??

Also want to eat at Blue Bayou--do you think this would be a good place to celebrate DS's birthday on Friday? Lunch or dinner?

Would like to do a character meal too--for those who have been, would you choose Plaza Inn, Goofy's Kitchen or Storyteller's Cafe?

Any strong feelings for or against Southern Grayline Tours? I plan to use their transportation to/from LAX too. I also looked at VIP Tours of CA but they got really bad reviews on the Trip Advisor website.

We are regular WDW visitors and I get grief from my family for planning too many activities--I'm thinking that this is a manageable, slightly slower paced trip than our usual WDW trips since our last 2 days are wide open.

Please share your advice! I'd really appreciate it.

 

[HydroGuy]

We (DH, DS15, DD9 and I) will be making our first trip to Cali in early April. We arrive the Thursday before Easter and leave the Thursday after (I work for the school district---so we have to travel then. Not to worry--we're used to going to WDW at busy times too--Easter, Christmas, etc.) We are staying at the Grand Californian.

I'm planning to get 5 day park hoppers and want to do some other LA area things. Here are my thoughts about a schedule.
Please give me your opinions:
Thurs. plane lands at noon at LAX--possibly do a park or DTD in the evening
Friday-- DL &/or DCA (this is also DS's 15th birthday)
Saturday-- Southern Grayline Tour= LA/Hollywood Experience
Sunday (Easter)-- DL &/or DCA
Monday-- Southern Grayline Tour= Universal Studios/Front of the Line Tour
Tuesday-- DL &/or DCA
Wednesday-- DL &/or DCA
Thursday-- Home

I'd like to do a World of Color dinner package--any suggestions for which day to do this and which restaurant (Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country Trattoria)? Maybe Tuesday??

Also want to eat at Blue Bayou--do you think this would be a good place to celebrate DS's birthday on Friday? Lunch or dinner?

Would like to do a character meal too--for those who have been, would you choose Plaza Inn, Goofy's Kitchen or Storyteller's Cafe?

Any strong feelings for or against Southern Grayline Tours? I plan to use their transportation to/from LAX too. I also looked at VIP Tours of CA but they got really bad reviews on the Trip Advisor website.

We are regular WDW visitors and I get grief from my family for planning too many activities--I'm thinking that this is a manageable, slightly slower paced trip than our usual WDW trips since our last 2 days are wide open.

Please share your advice! I'd really appreciate it.

See this link:

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

If you go to Blue Bayou try to get a waterside table. And that is easiest to do at lunch if you make a reservation when it opens at 11:30 and then show up by 11:15 and request waterside.

For WOC, if you want a dinner package most folks prefer AG to WCT but both are fine. Just know that it will not get you a better viewing spot unless you work at it. See "World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

The night you see WOC does not matter. Choose any night which works best for you.

 

[whamma]

Hydroguy you rock! Your "DLR Guide for WDW Vets" is wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to write it AND keep it updated.

 

[disfan07]

Have you thought about doing 4 or 5 days in DL and then going to LA and staying there for the last 2 days?

I've never done any of the tours into LA (we always used to split up our trips when we would go on vacation and now we live here) but we always thought of those tours as a waste of money because they always just seemed to go to places where all you do is eat and shop.

I would personally do Thursday-Monday at DL/DCA and then go to LA for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night.

In LA, some of our favorite things are the Getty Center (the views are AMAZING!!), Griffith observatory, The GROVE/farmers Market, Rodeo Drive is just fun to walk around to see how expensive things are...lol. The beaches are nice but are probably going to be packed around easter.

Are you interested in actually going to Universal Studios (MUCH different than in Orlando adn not as good IMO) or are you interested in doing a studio tour?

If you are interested in a studio tour, the Warner Brothers VIP tour is MUCH better and more worth the money.

You can get some great hotels in the Bevelry Hills/West LA area for less than $300/night (many have been around $250/night....we were just looking recently for family members)...Hyatt Regency and Beverly Hilton are both good deals right now.

I don't know if you can/are willing to change your plans, but this is obviously JMO. But I looked up those tours that you mentioned, and I just personally think there is so much more to do (and some better things to do) than just where they are stopping so I just wanted to give you a different suggestion.

 

[whamma]

Have you thought about doing 4 or 5 days in DL and then going to LA and staying there for the last 2 days?

I would personally do Thursday-Monday at DL/DCA and then go to LA for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night.

In LA, some of our favorite things are the Getty Center (the views are AMAZING!!), Griffith observatory, The GROVE/farmers Market, Rodeo Drive is just fun to walk around to see how expensive things are...lol. The beaches are nice but are probably going to be packed around easter.

Are you interested in actually going to Universal Studios (MUCH different than in Orlando adn not as good IMO) or are you interested in doing a studio tour?

If you are interested in a studio tour, the Warner Brothers VIP tour is MUCH better and more worth the money.

Your idea to stay in LA is a good one but we are using DVC points to stay at GCR so if we stay in a hotel, that's an extra expense we weren't counting on. I'll remember your advice for next time!

Surprisingly, we have never been to Universal Orlando (it is on our bucket list)--so we have no expectations or anything to compare it to. I'll check out the Warner Bros. tour though! Thanks!!!

 

[QueenBeeMB]

[/B]

We (DH, DS15, DD9 and I) will be making our first trip to Cali in early April. We arrive the Thursday before Easter and leave the Thursday after (I work for the school district---so we have to travel then. Not to worry--we're used to going to WDW at busy times too--Easter, Christmas, etc.) We are staying at the Grand Californian.

I'm planning to get 5 day park hoppers and want to do some other LA area things. Here are my thoughts about a schedule.
Please give me your opinions:
Thurs. plane lands at noon at LAX--possibly do a park or DTD in the evening
Friday-- DL &/or DCA (this is also DS's 15th birthday)I vote for DL this day, watch fantasmic after or before the special bday dinner
Saturday-- Southern Grayline Tour= LA/Hollywood Experience
Sunday (Easter)-- DL &/or DCA I would do DCA this day because the crowds might be higher at Dl and if you can have a more relaxing day at DCA because you can get the whole park done in one day. also try to make your WOC dining reservations for this day.
Monday-- Southern Grayline Tour= Universal Studios/Front of the Line Tour
Tuesday-- DL &/or DCA
Wednesday-- DL &/or DCA
Thursday-- Home

I'd like to do a World of Color dinner package--any suggestions for which day to do this and which restaurant (Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country Trattoria)? Maybe Tuesday??I would say Ariel's if you have kids because they have the characters and the menu is way more kid friendly

Also want to eat at Blue Bayou--do you think this would be a good place to celebrate DS's birthday on Friday? Lunch or dinner? if you want it to be special, make reservations for his Bday dinner and let them know you are celebrating. show up 15-30 min before your reservation and request a water side table. this will allow you to view the ride while you eat. plus you get the added birthday dessert.

Would like to do a character meal too--for those who have been, would you choose Plaza Inn, Goofy's Kitchen or Storyteller's Cafe?I prefer storytellers but I like the menu there better and the overall look of the dining area.

Any strong feelings for or against Southern Grayline Tours? I plan to use their transportation to/from LAX too. I also looked at VIP Tours of CA but they got really bad reviews on the Trip Advisor website. i am no help here sorry

We are regular WDW visitors and I get grief from my family for planning too many activities--I'm thinking that this is a manageable, slightly slower paced trip than our usual WDW trips since our last 2 days are wide open.

Please share your advice! I'd really appreciate it.

Have fun !

 

[DLR29]

^ In regards to the previous post, a couple things.

1. On your Friday and Sunday I wouldn't restrict yourself to doing 1 park per day. The convenience about DLR is that the parks are so close together that hopping is so easy. So the best way to use that to your advantage during a crowded time is to go to DL in the early morning, ride a bunch of rides and collect FP before it gets too crowded, then hop over to DCA which is generally less crowded. Then in the evening you can choose your park based on FPs or nighttime shows.

2. I would also recommend Ariel's for the WoC package, but there are no characters at dinner.