I need severe help!!!

[astrodrummergirl]

Hi, obviously I'm new to the DLR boards.

I'm planning on visiting DLR and some other attractions around town such as Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm and hopefully the studio store in the first two weeks of September. I've only ever been to DLR once before, 7 years ago when my mum planned it all. It'll be me (18), 2 DSisters (23 & 21) and DMum.

So I've got a few questions:
Are the 1st 2 weeks of september a good time to go?
Will I really miss It's A Small World? (I've been on the Paris and WDW versions)

I know theres more things I want to ask, such as whether we need a car or not, and are there any other attractions that we should visit but I guess I ask those questions on the South California board.

TIA

 

[Danauk]

Hi, we are planning a trip in the summer from the UK (flying LHR to LAX) to do those things as well. Are you planning on staying in one hotel for the whole trip or are you wanting to move around? We have chosen to stay at a few different hotels and to have a hire car (although we are heading over to Las Vegas for a week after our 2 weeks in CA.) We are staying at DLR for 5 days, one of these days we are going to Knotts. Then we are heading over to Six Flags Magic Mountain for 2 nights to ride the coasters. Then we have booked a hotel in Hollywood for 3 nights so we can do the studio tours, visit the Disney Studio Store and go to Universal. I know many people here have used DLR as their base to go to Hollywood attractions for the day, but there were quite a few things we wanted to do there which is why we chose to move hotels. I'm not sure about advice on hire cars. We are using one so we don't have to rely on public transport and we know we want to visit lots of places so for us it is easier.

I would imagine September is a good time to go as schools will be back in session. As for missing Its A Small World, I too have been on the WDW and DLP version and although it would have been nice to do on the origional at DL in the summer it's not somthing I am going to fuss over.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

Well, I think we are going to stick with one hotel for the whole trip. I'm not sure about the hire car thing but i think we may be sticking with public transport as we remember from our previous trip that there were many shuttles between anaheim and various other places. Mind you, that may have changed as we haven't been there for 7 years.

 

[ballarinamom]

September should be great. Its a Small World will still be down for the refurb. Sorry. Have a great trip

 

[astrodrummergirl]

does anyone know any good guidebooks for the area and/or any good websites (except from the dis) that can kind of lead me in the right direction since I have pretty much no idea what im doing...

 

[audrabolster]

You might run into some heavy crowds with Labor Day which is the first monday in September. I went around that time last year and remember it being fairly busy. It's a small world will still be down sadly.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

You might run into some heavy crowds with Labor Day which is the first monday in September. I went around that time last year and remember it being fairly busy. It's a small world will still be down sadly.

Well, I presume since the first monday this september is the 1st, I'll probably be flying out for that entire day but thanks for the heads up.

 

[Danauk]

I am using the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, which I have found very useful. Also posting on the other California boards here on the Dis has given me lots advice and tips. For the Disneyland part of the trip I have subscribed to Ridemax which will help me plan the order I can best do the rides in. I am also using my Passporter to help organise my days so I can keep park tickets, restaurant reservation info etc in one place. Perhaps if you thought about the sort of things you wanted to do on the trip then people could help more. Do you want to go to the beach? Do you want to do other things in Hollywood other than Universal - the Walk of Fame, Studio tours, shopping, seeing the stars homes etc. Do you want to see other coaster parks (I notice you like coasters with your ride count in your sig - we love coasters too which is why a trip to Six Flags MM is a must for us.) How many days do you want to spend at DLR? How long is your whole trip going to be? Do you want to go to San Diego as that isn't that far away to see the zoo, wild animal park, sea world etc?
I hope these questions have got you thinking about the exact possibilities a little more. This is our 1st trip to DLR and the surrounding area and I have actually found it quite easy to plan, and I have done all the planning and booking myself, not using an agent. Once you figure out what you want to do it is actually quite easy! Good luck.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

Thanks guys for the help, but I don't think we will be going now. One of my sisters, who I thought would really like the idea pointed out that it was just too expensive for the time, especially with her finishing uni this summer and me starting shortly after.

Again, thanks for the help, and maybe one day I will make it back to DLR