Help with Disneyland

[Jenbear]

I have never been to Disneyland (always Disney World) and we were thinking about going in June or July of this year. Is this a good time with crowds and weather? What hotels would you recommend at the parks? Can you do both parks in one or two days?

 

[FWDisFan]

Jenbear -- I would try posting your question under the Disneyland forum. There is a spot on these boards specifically for DL. We leave MONDAY ( ) and I have read the DL section daily since we booked our trip. Very helpful, friendly folks over there (here too! )

www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

GOOD LUCK planning! We are totally excited about our impending trip but my DS (7) has already stated his desire to return to WDW in '07!

 

[Stacerita]

I have never been to Disneyland (always Disney World) and we were thinking about going in June or July of this year. Is this a good time with crowds and weather? What hotels would you recommend at the parks? Can you do both parks in one or two days?

The weather that time of year is really nice. A little on the hot side sometimes, but nice. The crowds will be huge. Its the time of summer and almost all kids are off and the place is almost always packed. Im local so I can't recommend a hotel. But staying onsite isn't as necessary as at WDW. There are a lot of "good neighbor" hotels that are well within walking distance to both parks. DCA can mostly be done in a day. But DL would take a couple. Especially if you want to see and do everything.

Like FWDisFan stated, try posting in the Disneyland forum. You will get a lot more help there. Good luck.

 

[Jenbear]

Thanks for your info.

 

[disney longhorn]

Hello Jenbear,

We just returned last week for our first trip to DL. We stayed at Embassy Suites South off of Harbor Blvd (main street by DL) and we really enjoyed our stay there. You get a full breakfast every morning, which was a nice way to start out the day. They also have a shuttle service that runs to and from the parks which made it very convenient -- very easy to use.

I can't comment on crowds or weather for summer as this was our first trip out there. As far as how much you can see, we spent 1/2 day monday, all day tuesday, and all day thursday. Most of our time was spent at DLP and we only got to do a little of CA. To really do it all, I would devote at least 2 full days at DLP and one full day at CA. If only adults are in your party, you will easily be able to do it all (probably in less time), but we have a DD 5yo so we were not able to go as fast.

I highly recommend the breakfast at the Plaza Inn (great character interaction) and food was pretty good. For princesses, Ariel's Groto was the best (food was subpar, but the princesses made it worth the while if you have a little girl).

Overall, we had a great (though exhausting) first time trip.

Hope this helps -- from one DL newbie to another.

 

[Jenbear]

That's some great info on food and time. My kids are a little older now at 8 and 11 but sometimes they don't move very fast either!! We are thinking about staying 3 days in DL before heading south to San Diego. I Feel like I know WDW so well since I have been the last 5 times in 3 years but DL is a big ?????

 

[Blackunicorn]

Jenbear, June and July are going to be hectic. Disneyland has a lot more locals going every day than WDW does, and the park itself is much smaller than the MK. While I personally love the Disney hotels, there are many non-Disney hotels which are as close if not closer to the main gate, with much better prices. You are going to get some great advice on which hotels are best on the Disneyland forum.

If you're on limited time, you might consider trying to do the rides at DL that are different than the rides at WDW. From what I hear, Splash Mountain is much better at WDW, so that one might be one you choose to skip, for example. But if you're focused, two days at DL and one at California Adventure should be plenty. The parks are located literally right next door to one another, so it is extremely easy to walk from one to the other. My family usually spends 5 or 6 days there, but that's because we love it so much.

My absolute favorite dining experience is the Blue Bayou, which is located near the beginning of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and overlooks the boats as they float through the bayou. Definitely call for priority seating. You can request a water-side table, which is my favorite, but you're not allowed to call out warnings to the riders when they go by. It's crowded, and dark, though, and not for everyone, but I'd recommend at least looking into it.

Anyway, the Disneyland forum is a great place for into, and I think it's very easy to use.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I grew up in San Diego and have visited DL many times. June at DL is extremely crowded, huge lines just to drive into the park. On the plus side, the weather is not nearly as hot as at Disney World.

 

[jenndisney]

Mouseplanet.com has a great section with reviews of the different hotels in the area. That is how we decided where to stay.

Have a great time.

 

[Jenbear]

You guys are great!! I have received wonderful info that makes my decisions so much easier!!! I can't wait for this trip to happen. I have decided to stay on sight however at the GC. (mainly for my kids!! and me to walk!!ha)

 

[Ginarella]

You've gotten a lot of great responses already.

I have to agree with what Blackunicorn said. June is very hectic because Graduation parties take place during that month. So, both parks I imagine will be very crowded.

June and July are very good summer months. Check the accuweather forecast online. I found this to be site to be very accurate and helpful when I went to WDW in Florida. CA. gets what we call June gloom which is overcast climate. So, I would dress accordingly.

If I were you, I'd plan my trip mid July because grad parties are over and the 4th of the July will be over.

Any hotel you stay at will be fun!

Have a great time!

 

[phyllis1966]

We took our first DL trip this past June/July and we loved it!!! We went to San Diego first, because we were afraid that it might be a bit of a let-down for our DD(6) after being at DL. Our 3 days in San Diego were fantastic: first day sightseeing, second day Seaworld (we liked it more than Orlando), third day the Zoo. On the fourth morning, after breakfast, we drove our rental to DL (about 1 hour and 45 minutes using Mapquest's easy directions - very direct route). We had decided to stay at the GC and were we ever glad! DMIL, DD and I checked in while DH and DFIL drove to the airport to drop off the rental. By the time they returned, we were checked in and were exploring the stunning lobby (they were only gone about 40 minutes). It's a beautiful resort, Downtown Disney (better than DTD in WDW in our opinion!) is literally outside the door, and it's a 5 minute walk to DL and CA.

I agree with the poster who said Blue Bayou is a must - what a beautiful ambience and the food was great! Kids get a paper pirate hat (their menu) and they'll love seeing the boats float by. Also high on our dining list was Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD. They seat you upstairs on kind of a wraparound veranda, and the combination of good food, a warm breeze and the view makes it a very special meal. The GC's character breakfast, in the Storyteller Cafe, was very enjoyable, with Chip & Dale, Pluto, Kenai, Coda and Turk walking around. We also enjoyed the character breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel (about a 10 minute walk from the GC). It is comparable to Chef Mickey's, with lots of singing and dancing, and many standard as well as interesting food choices.

The dates that we visited DL and CA were from June 27 - July 1, and although it was busy, we saw everything , sometimes 2 and 3 times, thanks to the touring plans in the Unofficial Guide to DL. We arrived early for the EMH (we were only allowed once for the visit - don't know if that will be the same this year), and were able to leisurely stroll through the parks while following the plan (2-day plan for DL). By 10:15, we had seen all of Fantasyland and stopped for a nice peaceful breakfast, while the park filled up and most people were now running to Fantasyland. So, we follwed the plans and headed to other sections of DL. The next morning, we arrived before opening and were able to see everything else! I can't recommend that book enough! It does get packed at night, though.

Well, sorry this was so long, but we had a great time and I love sharing it! You'll have a great time, too - enjoy!

 

[Jenbear]

Hello Ginarella and Phyllis1966,
Do you think mid to late June would be better with grad parties over before the 4th of July crowd hits? I've been to WDW at that time and it was a nightmare!!! It sounds so much like DL is much different from the world and DTD is too. My daughter who will be 12 loves WDW and doesn't want to go to DL. I keep telling her people say its different and not the same and that she would like it. So, do you think going to San Diego before DL is better? I was thinking of going after so that I could rest there!! (my kids are older at 9 and 12 so that won't be an issue) Is Sea World different there than in Orlando? Some people have mentioned Legoland but I didn't know if it was more for smaller kids too.
Jenbear

 

[DisneyElf]

One word of warning about DL KEEP YOUR MAP WITH YOU .. it's a smaller castle -- and you can't orient yourself in the park by looking for the castle, plus the layout is MUCH different than MK.


Have fun ... don't miss Pirates, Buzz, Space Mountain (much better at DL now) and the Matterhorn.

 

[Jenbear]

Thanks for the information about the map. I wouldn't have realized that but you are right about the castle being smaller and not being able to orientate myself by that.

 

[phyllis1966]

Hello Ginarella and Phyllis1966,
Do you think mid to late June would be better with grad parties over before the 4th of July crowd hits? I've been to WDW at that time and it was a nightmare!!! It sounds so much like DL is much different from the world and DTD is too. My daughter who will be 12 loves WDW and doesn't want to go to DL. I keep telling her people say its different and not the same and that she would like it. So, do you think going to San Diego before DL is better? I was thinking of going after so that I could rest there!! (my kids are older at 9 and 12 so that won't be an issue) Is Sea World different there than in Orlando? Some people have mentioned Legoland but I didn't know if it was more for smaller kids too.
Jenbear

I honestly don't know anything about the grad parties, but there didn't seem to be any from 6/27 - 7/1 this past summer. As for your DD not being sure she'll like DL, I'll bet she'll love it. If she likes the MK at WDW, then DL is like the MK and then some - although it's smaller, it's more quaint and there are actually more attractions. Pirates is longer, better and there are 2 drops; the Matterhorn is an awesome coaster! And CA is lots of fun, too.

 

[munchkinsmom]

Do you think mid to late June would be better with grad parties over before the 4th of July crowd hits?

There was a discussion about Grad Nite parties on this thread and I posted the dates there (#20):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=995967&highlight=grad+nite

You'll hit crowds at the DLR all through the summer, but during Grad Nites, They close the parks early (around 9PM, I recall) to get ready for the parties. They normally close much later (around Midnight) during the Summer months.

HTH!

 

[Jenbear]

Thanks for the thread and link about the grad parties. I need to decide if grad parties and fog in June (in San Diego) versus higher crowds in July. I don't know which month is really better.

 

[munchkinsmom]

Thanks for the thread and link about the grad parties. I need to decide if grad parties and fog in June (in San Diego) versus higher crowds in July. I don't know which month is really better.

I've been to Disneyland both months and if I had to choose when to go, it would probably be June. There are only a few dates in May and June that are designated as Grad Nites, so chances are you'll be there on a non-Grad Nite. If you do end up going during one of the Grad Nites, you'll probably see all you want to see by 9PM. Then after the parks close, head over to Downtown Disney to hang out.

June in San Diego isn't really that bad (I should know...I live in SD! ). It can get foggy on the coast, but it usually burns off by mid-morning and the weather ends up being fine, and the fog isn't really an huge issue a few miles inland. So unless one wants to spend all day at the beach or if one is in dire need of sunlight all the time (LOL!), the weather in June is ideal for checking out all all the major tourist spots here. I know I don't tire as much from walking all day when it's a bit cooler and slightly overcast, but that's just my preference.

Have a wonderful time no matter which month you decide!

 

[Jenbear]

I glad to get some info from someone that lives in the area. In your opinion is the area of Carslbad or Oceanside better? Three resorts are there we are interested in. They are theTamarack Beach Resort and the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara in Carslbad and the Worldmark Oceanside Harbor in Oceanside. Looking online, I didnt feel the Four Seasons was as "kid friendly" as the others. What do you think?