I Think I Need "Disneyland Planning for Dummies!"

[DiznEeyore]

OK, I've been reading (here, guidebooks, MousePlanet, Disneyland site, etc.) and still cannot figure out the hotel/ticket "situation" at DL. I am a WDW planning pro, but for some reason I absolutely cannot wrap my brain around this DL thing. Paid parking at hotels, free parking across the street from the GC, but valet service is included with some packages?

The ticket thing is even worse! Some tickets let you park hop, some don't? Certain tickets are available for off-site hotels versus the onsite ones? Also, on the Disney Club site, there is an offer for DL -- "Premium 2-Park Annual Pass", but it's only good at ONE park!! What's up with that?

What we want to do is fly into either LAX or John Wayne Airport and rent a car. We'll stay for 2 or 3 nights at the Disneyland Hotel, and then switch to the Grand Californian for 3 nights. While we're at the DL Hotel, we want to make a day trip down to Legoland. Can anyone tell me what kind of ticket/package I should look into? TIA!!

Amy
"DiznEeyore"
Offsite '78
ASMu 10/98
PO 2/99
ASMo/Poly/PO 9/99
Contemporary 9/00
Poly 9/01
VWL 12/01

 

[larry_poppins]

I will try to help you based on my understanding of Disneyland Resort tickets. I hope others will correct me if I am wrong.

First off, The Disneyland Annual Passport 2 park pass is good for both parks. It allows park hopping. They sell an annual pass for Disneyland which does not allow entrance to DCA.

I am unclear how many days you plan on spending inside Disneyland and/or DCA. If it is for the majority of your stay (minus your day at Legoland)
you may want to buy a Deluxe Annual 2 park pass and spend your Saturday when you are blocked out at Legoland.

I believe the tickets you can buy at the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian are for your lenght of stay while you are at the hotels.
These passes would allow hopping, but I think an annual would be more economical.

You can buy a 4 or a 5 day (I think they sell 5 days) at the ticket booths but these do not let you hop.

I hope this helps,

Larry

 

[teri]

We just stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and the Fairfield Inn, both for one night each. Parking was free, all day, for hotel guests at both places. You can pay extra for valet parking or have it as part of your package, but self-parking is quite easy, just a bit of a walk, and only a small bit. You will NOT need a car at Disneyland, you can walk from resort to park to park to resort with very little effort. It is very compact. I believe you can also get transportation to Legoland through the tour package, although I don't have details.

You can get park hopper passes from the hotel, if you stay onsite or at one of the Good neighbor hotels.

DIS disABILITIES Discussion Board FAQ under construction!
"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[DiznEeyore]

Thanks to you both. I really appreciate the help. I think I've managed to piece together now what I need to know -- there's still some confusion, but I've got a year to keep reading and learning!

Amy
"DiznEeyore"
Offsite '78
ASMu 10/98
PO 2/99
ASMo/Poly/PO 9/99
Contemporary 9/00
Poly 9/01
VWL 12/01

 

[Michelle]

Hi DiznEeyore! One minor clarification for you, SELF-parking is included in packages, valet parking is extra. I just found that out myself.

Based on the trip you have planned, I'd recommend booking ROOM-ONLY reservations at the two hotels and not a package. You can buy Park Hopper Passes at either hotel that will allow you to hop between both parks for the specified number of days.

Hope that helps a little!

Michelle
Assistant Webmaster
Cruise & Inspiration Board Co-Host
Disneyland Board Co-Host

 

[DiznEeyore]

Thanks Michelle. One more question? Do Disney Club rates for DL come out at the same time as the WDW rates? Thanks!

Amy
"DiznEeyore"
Offsite '78
ASMu 10/98
PO 2/99
ASMo/Poly/PO 9/99
Contemporary 9/00
Poly 9/01
VWL 12/01

 

[teri]

We didn't have a package since we only stayed one night on short notice using our DC discount, and our self-parking at Disneyland Hotel was free. Valet parking was $6 per day. I think the self-parking fee is absorbed by the higher room rates. Last year it was $10 a day additional charged to your bill to park, but the room rates were much lower. It may also have been part of the mandatory resort fee, which was around $5.25 and included newspaper, free local calls, use of spa, etc..

I was able to get that DC rate with less than 2 days notice just by calling direct to the hotel from our car phone, but I would recommend having your travel agent try in advance - I think we got lucky.

DIS disABILITIES Discussion Board FAQ under construction!
"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

[This message was edited by teri on 04-27-01 at 12:25 PM.]