If you were only going to Disneyland ONCE probably in your WHOLE life...

[Lady_Gracey999]

I turned 28 recently and for my 30th birthday I would like to go all-out and do Disneyland. I have been to WDW in Florida several times, but I have always yearned for Walt's original DL.

I will probably go with only one other person either in summer or maybe wait til early fall (I'm a teacher so I have to try to go on a school break). I want to fly in on a Sunday and out on the following Friday. Based on this info what kind of package would you suggest? What restraunts? I'm not huge on characters so character meals really don't matter to me. Also what are your opinions on resorts? I was thinking of staying at the Grand Californian. Is the GC (and preferred view rooms) worth the extra $$? How nice is the DL Hotel?

I could add a million more things, but I'll stop here. Feel free to throw in any other info you think might be helpful! I'm super excited about planning this trip. I feel the perfect way of celebrating my journey into further-adulthood is by giving my inner-child a romping good time!

 

[TheZue]

I'd stay at the Grand hands down! It's a nice hotel and it's nice to be right in the middle of everything. I really enjoyed the downtown disney view when we stayed there. For food I would go do the Napa Rose chef's table. I've never done it but it's definitely on my bucket list when I don't have all these tiny people who have little patience, bad taste in food, and are quite vocal about it. Blue Bayou is also quite nice. Fantasmic seating would be cool. You could always do some tours as well.

 

[IBLarsen]

For a once in a lifetime trip, I would make sure to do Blue Bayou, which is inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and very cool ambiance. I would love to do the Fantasmic seating and maybe one of the tours. GCH is by far the best onsite hotel, however, if you would like to save some money, I don't think you would be disappointed in the DLH.
If you want to see and do as much as possible just come in with a good plan and take advantage of the morning hours, you will get so much done those first few hours!

 

[chrissiecutie]

Ok- if you're going ALL OUT, you must stay at the GCH with a view room! That is assuming price is no object.

I can't help you with package info because I find it much cheaper to just do things separately.

I can suggest that you NOT buy any sort of DLR dining plan. They just plain suck!

Look into purchasing the photopass online before you go, $69 online vs. $99 in the parks.

My preference is to NEVER go in the summer. So I lean towards the Fall, but keep in mind shorter hours & possible refurbs during the Fall. But if you time it right, you might see Halloween decor!

As far as restaurants go...there's nothing that really stands out. IMO, it's more about the individual food items at DLR that you might try vs. the restaurants themselves. For example, I would put these items on my must try list: corn dog from Main St cart, Tigger Tail from Pooh's Corner, Dole Whip, Baked Potato Soup from Carnation Cafe, Lobster Nachos from Cove Bar at DCA, Fritters & Mint Julep from NOS...

Hope that helps!

 

[Zzizzy]

Stay at the Disneyland Hotel!

This is by far the best resort hotel on property and is arguably the best resort hotel of all Disney properties (including WDW). The renovations are now fully completed and the room are simply amazing. The hotel property is wonderful and there are so many extra things to do within the hotel complex itself. The new E-Ticket pool with the Monorail Waterslides is great (you've got to take a dip at least once). The new Trader Sam's lounge is an attraction in itself and the food and drinks are unique and exotic. And then there is always Goofy's Kitchen for the best character meal at DLR (great food even if you don't care for the character aspect), and Steakhouse 55 which now has a breakfast that is getting rave reviews.

I can't say enough good about the new rooms at the Disneyland Hotel. There are many pictures available, but overall most agree that this is a huge improvement over the old classic style rooms. (You have to see the Castle headboard with the lighted fireworks!) The rooms are large and comfortable. Most views are good with either a view of Downtown Disney (my favorite, which also provides an excellent view of the fireworks), or a view of the pool area. (Note that some of the "standard" views do face the parking lots.)

I wrote several blogs on the construction and refub. Check out the last one on the completed Hotel. http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/02/...ent-completed/

Disneyland Hotel guests (and all DLR hotel guests) have access to Magic Mornings, early entry to Disney California Adventure (through the Grand Californian entrance). You can also take the nearby monorail if you like.

I really recommend staying at the Disneyland Hotel if you have the chance. You absolutely will not regret it!

-Wayne

 

[skiingfast]

Zizzy I agree with your reasoning.

The DLH is very unique. The GCH is like WDW resorts. It's like saying should I ride the Matterhorn or Big Thunder Mountain when I come to DL.


I'd also suggest "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour.

 

[Lady_Gracey999]

For a once in a lifetime trip, I would make sure to do Blue Bayou, which is inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and very cool ambiance. I would love to do the Fantasmic seating and maybe one of the tours. GCH is by far the best onsite hotel, however, if you would like to save some money, I don't think you would be disappointed in the DLH.
If you want to see and do as much as possible just come in with a good plan and take advantage of the morning hours, you will get so much done those first few hours!

There's a restaurant INSIDE of POTC???? How AWESOME!!

I just priced the DLH and DGC and there's QUITE a price difference lol. I may have to "plan" two different stays and then when it's closer to the actual trip see if I can get a deal.

Speaking of... does Disneyland do specials like WDW? Like free DDP in Sept and room discounts, etc. Anyone have a link to a schedule of those discounts?

 

[Lady_Gracey999]

Zizzy I agree with your reasoning.

The DLH is very unique. The GCH is like WDW resorts. It's like saying should I ride the Matterhorn or Big Thunder Mountain when I come to DL.


I'd also suggest "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour.

This was what I was wondering... I like the idea of DLH because of the history. And that tour is exactly one I was planning on!

If I know my Disney correctly, Walt's old apt (over the firehouse) is now Club 33 correct? Is there any way to see part of the apt w/o being a member? I know you can't see the whole thing but I was wondering if you could see any of it at all.

 

[skiingfast]

If I know my Disney correctly, Walt's old apt (over the firehouse) is now Club 33 correct? Is there any way to see part of the apt w/o being a member? I know you can't see the whole thing but I was wondering if you could see any of it at all.

Club 33 is over POTC, not to be confused with Blue Bayou the restaurant along the beginning of POTC. Walt's Apartment is only open to tours for Club 33 members and some seasoned employees.

 

[larina]

Once in lifetime and you don't care about character meals, make sure you catch dinner at Napa Rose. Leave plenty of time to enjoy this dining experience. It is my family's favorite meal of a Disney vacation now.

 

[AndyR]

Stay at the GCH - Park view. Beats walking from DLH any day.
Do the F! Dessert Buffet
Do the WOC dining package
Do Blue Bayou for lunch
Do Napa Rose for dinner
Get a long massage at the Spa

Do: Space, Indy, Matterhorn, HM, IASW - Better than WDW

Rinse, lather, repeat.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Here's my "thing" about staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

As a kid, I would visit the DH the day before my family went to Disneyland. We always bought our souvenirs in the hotel gift shop, drove the boats in the lagoon thing, walked around the waterfalls and rode the monorail. This was way before the huge expansion & DL was really a one day park. So we always spent the afternoon before our DL visit at the DLH.

As far as history goes, personally, I feel they got rid of alot of the history when they remodeled it. It's just so sad to have all the things that I enjoyed the most as a child, missing from the hotel now. Sometimes progress isn't progress at all but one giant step backwards, kwim?

It's become just too much like any other Disney property. IMO, the things that made the DH truly special are now gone. So if I were going to choose, I would pick GCH for the view & location.

 

[Lady_Gracey999]

Stay at the GCH - Park view. Beats walking from DLH any day.
Do the F! Dessert Buffet
Do the WOC dining package
Do Blue Bayou for lunch
Do Napa Rose for dinner
Get a long massage at the Spa

Do: Space, Indy, Matterhorn, HM, IASW - Better than WDW

Rinse, lather, repeat.

These all sound great! Except the massage. I don't let strangers touch me lol.

So is the walk from DLH bad? I know the GC has a DCA entrance, so is it basically two steps away from DL as well? (Guess I need to check some maps lol. Where's Robo from the Theme Parks board when I need him??)

 

[KCmike]

Alright here we go...

Stay at Grand Californian. You can't beat location.
Do the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour
Ride the Lilly Belle (ask a person at the train station)
See Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (Gold Team with Elvis Billy)
Ride the Storybook Canal Boats at night
Get a dole whip and enjoy the Tiki Room
Obviously see World of Color, Remember Dreams Come True, and Fantasmic!
Ride the Canoes on the Rivers of America
See Aladdin at least twice
Ride Radiator Springs Racers at night
When watching World of Color see it from the railing and prepared to get wet and love it! (first see it from a few levels back)
Get the Filet at Steakhouse 55
Relax in the huge chaisse lounge chairs at the Grand Californian pools
--- This should get you started

 

[lisachrystine]

Here's my "thing" about staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

As a kid, I would visit the DH the day before my family went to Disneyland. We always bought our souvenirs in the hotel gift shop, drove the boats in the lagoon thing, walked around the waterfalls and rode the monorail. This was way before the huge expansion & DL was really a one day park. So we always spent the afternoon before our DL visit at the DLH.

As far as history goes, personally, I feel they got rid of alot of the history when they remodeled it. It's just so sad to have all the things that I enjoyed the most as a child, missing from the hotel now. Sometimes progress isn't progress at all but one giant step backwards, kwim?

It's become just too much like any other Disney property. IMO, the things that made the DH truly special are now gone. So if I were going to choose, I would pick GCH for the view & location.

I totally get this! I loved the lagoon/boats, the waterfalls, the water show (which would probably look really dumb now next to WOC)... Last time I went it felt like - gasp - a hotel. It certainly still has its special features and I haven't seen the remodel, but if I could spring for it, we'd do GCH next time.

OP, I would definitely do Blue Bayou. I'd been going to DL my whole life and finally went to BB for the first time last year. There's nothing quite like it.

 

[larina]

Ride up top with the captain and "steer" the Mark Twain!!! You get a certificate and it really is a special experience.

 

[sonnyjane]

OP, I apologize if this was already mentioned...I scanned the other replies and didn't see it... but if you are going for a "once in a lifetime" trip, please don't go in September unless it is before Labor Day. After Labor Day is when multiple rides can go down for refurbishment, and I'd hate for you to miss some of the signature rides that make DL famous. Yes, summer is more crowded, but if you're going for almost a week, you'll have time to see it all even with the crowds. Also, after the summer, the entertainment schedule (Fantasmic!, fireworks, etc.) will go back down to weekends only, so if you're planning on a Sunday night to Friday trip, it would be possible to miss all of those things!!! You'll want to go during the summer to maximize the trip.

 

[Brancaneve]

I believe you asked if there is a dining plan or free dining offered with a package. Unfortunately, Dlr does not have dining packages like in wdw. In fact you will find a lot less dining options than in wdw. It doesn't make it bad! Nonetheless, you will have a great time!!
My husband and I celebrated our tenth anniversary in Dlr and it was an experience we will never forget. We stayed at the gch and had a great view into downtown Disney where we could step out onto the balcony and see the violinist playing in the evening. We also ate at the Napa Rose. We still talk about that meal three years later. Have fun!

 

[Flynn_Rider]

If you only had to go once... Grand or DLH are both good choices.

I'm a huge fan of the Napa Rose and doing the chef's table would be at the top of my list.

I love World of Color so I'd also throw in a dinning package to Carthay Circle to boot.

Blue Bayou is good. Food is a bit over-priced but the atmosphere can't be beat (though some complain that it's a bit dark and damp smelling).

Dole Whip, Corn dog off main street, cupcake from the hungry bear, carnation cafe to see Oscar. That's my food must do's.

I loved the Walk in Walt's Footstep tour because they showed us the lobby of Club 33.

And I'd go during Christmas time.

 

[jonahsmommy]

Once of a lifetime trip
Here is my list:

1. Stay at the Disneyland Hotel (we just got back yesterday, LOVED it) we stayed in the Frontier Towers and had a balcony. We watched the fireworks from our room everynight, while eating a Tigger Tail of course

2. Go during the Christmas holidays (Magical) - if you can take a few days off from work go the first 2 weeks in Dec. * I am a teacher as well and I always take 3 days off to go

3. Buy the Fantasmic Package (you get preferred seating and a dessert box) and during the holidays you get to watch the Holiday fireworks after Fantasmic. They play holiday music and it "snows" in Disneyland, its truly magical