Help me plan our first DL trip! Updated: NEW ?'s!

[FreeTime]

We are planning on going for 4 nights next May. Which resort should we stay in? I am leaning toward the GC however, the kids love Peter Pan so is the DL hotel a better choice because of the pool? Is the dining plan worth it? I usually don't get it at WDW but at DL it is $81 for 8 meals over 3 days. This seems cheap to me. What am I missing? We often visit WDW. Should we plan on skipping all of the similiar attractions and focus on those that are different? Is three full days enough time? We will probably visit DTD the night we arrive. Also, I am nervous about visiting the So. Ca. area as I am a small town gal. (Don't laugh) Can you tell me where to stay that is safe? If we plan on eating offsite, is everything within the vicinity of DL okay to go to? I am sure I will have more questions later and I appreciate your responses. Also, please feel free to add anything else that I may need to know.

 

[iceskatejen]

I can't really help you with hotel choices or the meal plan because I've never stayed overnight as I live locally. As for the legnth of stay, 3 days would be the minumum, 2 for DL and one for DCA. The common attractions are for the most part different enough from the WDW counterparts (except for Star Tours) to warrant riding them. For example, Pirates of the Carribean is about twice as long at DL and is so much better I thought the WDW version was a joke (I wondered why they even bothered putting it in). Fantasmic (which I expect will be running in May) is also way better at DL, though the seating is on the ground instead of in a stadium (bring blankets). I am not kidding when I say people claim their Fantasmic spots 4 hours or more before showtime at DL. And the Haunted Mansion is also worth a ride, just to see why the stretching room was put in in the first place (plus it's also a bit different). Also the Tower of Terror at DCA is different from the MGM version, so it's also worth a ride.

I really wouldn't bother too much with off site restaurants. Across the street there's an IHOP and a Mimi's Cafe. I have not eaten at that particular Mimi's, so I don't know how their prices, food, service compare to others (though those I've been to are generally good), but the IHOP there is way overpriced (about 25-50% higher than other IHOPs) and the service is lousy. And other than a McDonalds across the street (who's prices are also a bit higher than other McDonalds) there's really nothing else within walking distance. But between the hotels (assuming you decide on an on-site hotel), DTD and the parks, there are a lot of food choices and some are a very good value.

 

[daannzzz]

The Grand Californian is a beautiful Disney Hotel and great fun and location, BUT the DLH is a bit more fun for kids, particularly if they like Peter Pan. The GC rooms are smaller though very nice and have a woodsey craftsman theme with a slight reference to Disney Characters. The DLH has the Neverland Pool and fun, though classy rooms with loads of references to Disneyland (in the bedspread) Mickey and Friends in the bathroom and Tinkerbell in the border paper. Most of the rooms at the DLH are bigger than at the GC. The GC rooms have full balconies. The DLH has sliders that open against a railing.
As Jen said there isn't much need to go far for food. There are enough places right across the streets to eat at. If you need to venture farther out it is, in general, safe feeling.
As far as the attractions go, it is wise to focus on the rides and shows that are not at WDW but if you can fit most everything in you will find loads of differences in even the simplest rides. In general though don't skip Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

[LuvTigger]

Congrats on your upcoming trip! I think 4 nights is perfect.

As for which resort...I am partial to GC. I am a big fan of WL at WDW, so GC really reminds me a lot of WL. However, DLH is nice too. I haven't stayed there in a long time, but if the pool is important to you, DLH's is the best in terms of theming. Also, I'm not sure how much you know about DL, but keep in mind (esp. if budget is a factor) that you can walk from many non-Disney hotels to the parks, so it's not necessarily a "must" to stay onsite.

As for the meal plan, I've never done it myself, but the reason is that I don't really think it's worth it. Unlike WDW's plans where you can save money by ordering more expensive items, DL's plan is kind of a voucher system -- so you might get one breakfast voucher per day, a $10 voucher, a $5 voucher etc. (there's another post around here somewhere with the specifics), so in some ways, you can actually lose out if you don't use the full amount. I think the primary reason people might use them is to be able to budget and pay things in advance.

I assume you're travelling with at least one other person? You should be fine walking in the immediate vicinity of DL, like across Harbor Blvd (still use caution and keep your eyes peeled though). The most we've ever encountered there was an occasional homeless person asking for money or food.

However, there really are lots of food options in the hotels and Downtown Disney, and prices pretty reasonable.

As for the attractions, I agree with iceskatejen...go to the ones that have WDW counterparts, there is a definite difference! With 3 full days, you should be able to hit just about everything.

Oh, and one more thing regarding Fantasmic! If it interests you and it fits within your budget, you might want to consider the dessert buffet. There is a thread about it with the details. It's pricey, but you're guaranteed a seat, and you get dessert and drinks. Like iceskatejen said, if you don't find yourself a spot hours ahead of time, you will probably be standing somewhere craning your neck to see the show.

Happy planning!

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks!

I got the Unofficial Guide to read up on the attractions. My kids will be 4 & 5. It seems that the only thing that they won't be tall enough to ride at DL is Indiana Jones. Is this correct? (provided that they want to ride everything). Is the Matterhorn scary?

At DCA there are quite a few things that they won't be able to do. So my dliemma is should we go in 2005 or 2006? They probably still won't be tall enough to ride the other stuff, but will we enjot the trip more because they may be better behaved and understand when they can't ride stuff?

Also, I have been watching airfare and can't find it from OH for less than $400. I am waiting for SW to release their fares. What is a reasonable fare from OH? I am used to paying lest than $120 RT to WDW and less than $200 RT to Las Vegas. We are considering flying to LV and driving. And suggestions?

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Matterhorn isnt bad in the scary dept- its more scary at night but still lodged in the fun section

Mulholland is 42
Tuck n Roller 42
GRR is 42
Jones is 46-
Screamin is 48
Stinger is 48
Maliboomer is 52

One thing about most of the DCA versions is that they are Carnival rides in Disguise and not Disney originals if that helps


As for 05 vs 06 how tall are they now?

As for airfare- If you check multiple airports ie LAX, SNA, San Diego, Burbank, Longbeach you might have luck- I usually pay about 180 RT from Salt Lake City


-em

 

[LuvTigger]

I don't have kids, so I don't know for sure, but I thought there are a few other rides in DL with height requirements like Splash Mountain, Space Mountain (closed right now), and BTMRR? However, I don't know the height of the average 4-5 year old, so maybe they're already tall enough for those...

Ad for DCA, you could always get hopper passes and just spend half a day in DCA. I think there are quite a few things the kids would enjoy though. The Aladdin show is really a must-do, and there is a Bug's Life. They also have some "kiddie" rides, for lack of a better term.

I think the key is to explain to them before you leave that there are some rides they might not be able to go on, so they understand before they get there that they won't be able to ride everything they might want to. Again, I don't have children, but several of my friends have taken their children to DL for the first time around the ages your children are, and they all thought it was the greatest thing to be able to see how happy they were, and they're at the age where they'll probably have some memory of it. I guess it depends on whether you think you'll be able to manage with them (and if you'll have another adult with you), etc.

As for the airfare, ditto the above advice. However, if you do decide to drive from Vegas, we've done it many times, and it's about a 4 hour drive.

 

[FreeTime]

My kids are both 40 inches now and most of the cut offs in DL were 35. Now I am starting to think that I should wait until they are much older so we can all enjoy DCA. Guess I'd better make a decision. Thanks everyone!

 

[Tink's_Club]

I as well as my sister used the meal vouchers and even though it seems like a good deal, DON'T DO IT! It was the biggest hassle. Not all restaurants would accept them, Disney and even the vouchers themselves state that the vouchers include the gratuity however, we went to the "Blue Bayou" restaurant and they said the vouchers did not cover gratuity. Also, if your meal ends up being let's say $40.00 and you use 2 meal vouchers (each being $28.75 in value) you don't get that money back. You end up losing $7.50 in one meal. That adds up in a day especially if you have kids. Unless they've changed there policy within the last few months I would highly NOT recommend them.

As for Anaheim and the area, I am an annual passholder and go quite often to the park and I can reassure you it is very safe and clean. The restaurants aren't bad either but they can be pricey but alot of them have buffets and deals going on. Hope all this helps you. Have fun at Disneyland...