I know nothing.....

[pigletforever]

I know WDW inside out. We moved to CA a month ago and are planning a trip from Dec 30-Jan11 to DL. My AAA travel agent has been a great help but of course I know where to come to get the real truth.

We are debating between a split stay Dec30-Jan4 at the Hyatt and the rest at a disney property or the whole thing on a Disney property. I have it narrowed down to Disneyland Pier or Disneyland Hotel. I have 2 boys ages 19 and 6. This trip is really for the 6 year old but the 19 year old would never turn down a free trip. Suggestions?

I do know I am upgrading our passes to annual passes once we get there.

I am not sure I understand the meal plan but I think I got it. So where are good places to eat esp. for New Years Eve/New Years Day? I don't even know what restaurants are there. We prefer sit down meals if possible for dinner. When can I make reservations for the restaurants?

We are also spending a day at Knotts berry farm, Legoland and 2 days at Universal.

Any advice you can give a NUB would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mousemom11]

I strongly recommend this thread by HydroGuy. It's a DL guide for WDW veterans.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

It will answer many of your questions about hotels and touring. Actually, I recommend the entire thread of his that has been stickied at the top of the board.

For dining, this thread at allearsnet is a great compendium. It even has all the menus for the park, hotel, and DTD restaurants.

http://www.allearsnet.com/dlr/din/dining.htm

 

[HydroGuy]

I know WDW inside out. We moved to CA a month ago and are planning a trip from Dec 30-Jan11 to DL. My AAA travel agent has been a great help but of course I know where to come to get the real truth.

Well, here is a good place to start:

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

We are debating between a split stay Dec30-Jan4 at the Hyatt and the rest at a disney property or the whole thing on a Disney property. I have it narrowed down to Disneyland Pier or Disneyland Hotel. I have 2 boys ages 19 and 6. This trip is really for the 6 year old but the 19 year old would never turn down a free trip. Suggestions?

Hmmm. You will only need 3-4 days to see DLR. Some would say 5 but most would say 3-4. I would suggest you think carefully about the Hyatt. WDW vets get accustomed to longer transportation times to the parks but at DLR it is unnecessary and gives up one of DLR's big advantages over WDW - walking distance hotels. With the DLH or PPH you will be fine. Here is some more food for thought:

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

I am not sure I understand the meal plan but I think I got it. So where are good places to eat esp. for New Years Eve/New Years Day? I don't even know what restaurants are there. We prefer sit down meals if possible for dinner. When can I make reservations for the restaurants?

PS (Priority Seating) is like an ADR at WDW but in general much less necessary and in much lower demand. You can make them 60 days out.

Here is a link with dining info:

http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dl/dl_rest.htm.

Blue Bayou at DL would be a no-brainer IMO. It is special.

I have never tried the DDP at DLR but almost everyone says it is not worth it.

 

[avalon451]

Ditto Mousemom's advice-- Hydroguy's tips compilation will tell you just about everything you need to know.

A couple things in particular are different about WDW and DL. One is that staying offsite is a very good alternative, unlike WDW. Many of the offsite hotels are just as close as PP or DLH. Plus they cost about 1/2 to 1/3. If you don't mind shelling out the bucks, on-site is great-- but many WDW'ers don't realize how viable the offsite alternative is.

Another thing is that the dining plan is very different from WDW and not as good a deal. Many veterans of these boards don't use it, because it holds no advantage over just hauling out your own credit card or buying gift cards ahead of time to budget for food.

Hope that helps! Have fun planning. You will love Walt's park!

 

[casaazul]

4 days at Disney/Calif Adventure, 1 day at Legoland and 1 day at Universal. We found Universal was a 1/2 day park with smaller kids. Nothing like the one in Florida.

You may want to spend some of your trip in San Diego at Sea World and the zoo, maybe 3 or 4 days.

That is a long trip to just be at Disneyland.

 

[pigletforever]

We will be at Lego Land for one day, Universal for 2, one at Knotts Berry farm as well. We are also reserving time to do silly stuff like Gramans Theatre and the Star Walk etc. Very Touristy. My 6 year old is a roller coaster fiend. The faster and bigger the better. (He rode ToT at WDW when he was 4)He was furious he couldn't ride Rockin'Roller Coaster with his brother and dad.

HydroGuy you have done amazing work on those "Rules" I have so much to absorb now. Thanks everyone for heading me to those pages.

You are right I am used to the submersion of WDW so this should be interesting.