I'm confused... any help?

[katied]

Let me start by saying I've never been to Disneyland. I've been to WDW many times. But I have developer points from buying a BLT which I've used to book my brother for 4 nights at Disney's Grand California Hotel & Spa. My sister lives in N. CA, and will buy his tickets at Costco for him. So, here are my main questions...

1. What is the closest airport to Disneyland?
2. How do you get from the airport to the hotel?
3. How do you get from the hotel to the 2 parks?
4. Are there other places to visit, and if so, how do you get to them?
5. Do you need to make advance dining reservations, or can he just show up and get tables?
6. He'll be arriving the Sunday of Labor Day weekend (Sept. 6th) - will it be very crowded Sunday/Monday? Should he plan to save park trips for Tuesday/Wednesday?
7. Anything else important for them to know?

DBrother will be there with his girlfriend for 5 days/4 nights, and no one in the family has every been, so we're not much help figuring all of this out. Any help is hugely appreciated.

Thank you!!!

 

[Sherwin]

John Wayne Airport is the closest to DLR but hardest to get into without paying much higher in terms of airfare. LAX is cheapest but many people don't like dealing with the hassle of all the traffic, along with having to drive around an hour to DLR on the busiest freeways in America. LGB (Long Beach) is the next closest, but again, you might have to pay a little higher to fly in. It's much quieter though.

For the two close airports, a taxi might be viable if you have a party of 3 or more. For LAX, there are two major shuttles- the DLR express operated by Greyline, and Super Shuttle.

If you are staying at the Grand Californian, then there is an entrance that goes right into DCA, otherwise there's a tram that will lead you to the main esplanade.

ADRs at DL are called Priority Seatings (PS) and it never hurts to make one.

I'll see if anyone else will answer your other questions.

 

[nunzia]

I hope to be there at the same time with VGC DP..since the 7th is my birthday and I'd love the gift card.
We take Super Shuttle from the airport to the hotel ..we go into LAX just because it seems easiest.
You can make PS 60 days out..you will need them at some places, like Blue Bayou or character meals. You'll want to discover Whitewater Snacks at GC..You'll be amazed at going between parks..it is literally steps..and as the OP said, there is a very close back entrance to DCA.
That is a very busy weekend..the 1/2 marathon is also that weekend.
I don't know what else you'd want to visit..there is tons to do in So CA of course, but we generally just stay on site. I think you can pretty easily take a bus around, DLR is close to an AMTRAK station, cabs, etc.
I hope there is avilability by the time I finally get my DP!
You'll love it.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I have to disagree about LAX being the cheapest ~ LGB is for me and even if it wasn't the cheapest, I'd pay more (but not that much more) to fly there over LAX ~ I love LGB. We use a car service to get us from LGB to DLR ~ $45-50 each way, I'll give you more info if you're interested.

? #3 ~ I have not stayed at GCH but if I had or ever do I'd walk, you can't get any closer!

 

[Sherwin]

I have to disagree about LAX being the cheapest ~ LGB is for me and even if it wasn't the cheapest, I'd pay more (but not that much more) to fly there over LAX ~ I love LGB. We use a car service to get us from LGB to DLR ~ $45-50 each way, I'll give you more info if you're interested.

? #3 ~ I have not stayed at GCH but if I had or ever do I'd walk, you can't get any closer!

It depends where you're coming from and what airline you take. From Seattle on Alaska, LAX is almost always cheaper. Sometimes, LGB will have very low fares though, but generally not in the peak season. If you're coming from a major city far, maybe Boston or New York, then chances are, LGB will be more expensive.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

That's why I said "for me" ~ and even if it was just a bit more than LAX I'd still fly there. I've paid no more than $69 from SLC to LGB for my last 3 or 4 trips. I'd pay probably $79 maybe I could get $69 into LAX.

 

[avalon451]

If you're a WDW vet who needs to know more about how to do DLR, please read Hydroguy's tips compilation here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483
Especially "DLR for WDW Vets"

Most of the info you're asking is explained there-- it's very helpful!

 

[katied]

Thanks all - this is very helpful. My brother will be flying from San Jose (he'll be visiting family), so it looks like a Southwest ticket won't be too expensive it seems to some of the airport options. Walking to the parks means he won't have to rent a car.. park tickets are less expensive, so that makes up for the fact there is no Magical Express...

I think as I work on sorting out all the details for him, I'm going to want to visit DLR myself... (but will probably wait until the DVC resort opens there, as I prefer a kitchen and space with a toddler vs. a regular hotel room).

 

[nunzia]

I have to disagree about LAX being the cheapest ~ LGB is for me and even if it wasn't the cheapest, I'd pay more (but not that much more) to fly there over LAX ~ I love LGB. We use a car service to get us from LGB to DLR ~ $45-50 each way, I'll give you more info if you're interested.

? #3 ~ I have not stayed at GCH but if I had or ever do I'd walk, you can't get any closer!

Does SW fly there? I'd certainly rather not go to LAX, but I wonder if there are no direct flights or something with SW, because the prople we usually fly with always go to LAX

 

[Leofoenget]

Let me start by saying I've never been to Disneyland. I've been to WDW many times. But I have developer points from buying a BLT which I've used to book my brother for 4 nights at Disney's Grand California Hotel & Spa. My sister lives in N. CA, and will buy his tickets at Costco for him. So, here are my main questions...

1. What is the closest airport to Disneyland?
2. How do you get from the airport to the hotel?
3. How do you get from the hotel to the 2 parks?
4. Are there other places to visit, and if so, how do you get to them?
5. Do you need to make advance dining reservations, or can he just show up and get tables?
6. He'll be arriving the Sunday of Labor Day weekend (Sept. 6th) - will it be very crowded Sunday/Monday? Should he plan to save park trips for Tuesday/Wednesday?
7. Anything else important for them to know?

DBrother will be there with his girlfriend for 5 days/4 nights, and no one in the family has every been, so we're not much help figuring all of this out. Any help is hugely appreciated.

Thank you!!!

SNA/ John Wayne Orange county airport
I always rent a car and drive
I always book a hotel walking distance to the park
Read Hydroguys Tips in the sticky invaluable for first timers
Yes it will be very crowded Labor day, re-read Hydroguys Tips
After Labor Day it should be pretty nice

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Does SW fly there? I'd certainly rather not go to LAX, but I wonder if there are no direct flights or something with SW, because the prople we usually fly with always go to LAX

I don't think SW flies there, I've always flown JetBlue in to and out of LGB.

 

[prncssmel]

LGB (Long Beach) is the next closest, but again, you might have to pay a little higher to fly in. It's much quieter though.

I have to disagree about LAX being the cheapest ~ LGB is for me and even if it wasn't the cheapest, I'd pay more (but not that much more) to fly there over LAX ~ I love LGB. We use a car service to get us from LGB to DLR ~ $45-50 each way, I'll give you more info if you're interested.

Does SW fly there? I'd certainly rather not go to LAX, but I wonder if there are no direct flights or something with SW, because the prople we usually fly with always go to LAX

If you can fly Jetblue, the rates for LGB from almost anywhere are really good, compared to LAX and SNA. From San Jose, I bet it's $39 each way. LGB and SNA are much better than LAX. I would not fly to LAX unless it is a really good deal just because it is so much further and so much more crowded.

Southwest doesn't fly to LGB, I believe. The ones I know are Jetblue, Delta (assuming United too), Alaska and US.

As far as what days in the park, yes, Labor Day will be crowded. But he may want to go to the park on Sunday, as sometimes the weekends are the only days with nighttime entertainment.

 

[tink_lover]

DisneyMomma - what car service do you use?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

DisneyMomma - what car service do you use?

Our drivers name is Ron and his business card says VIP Service (Kim Sontha Transportation). The number is (562) 396-8106 (company number) OR the number where he has always answered is 562-895-6713. We've had a Toyota Highlander & Lexus SUV for our past trips.

Last Thurs. 3/5 he picked us up at DLH to take us to LGB (last Mon. 3/2 when we flew in my cousins husband picked us up at LGB and took us to our hotel, that was free hopefully they'll help us out in the future) ~ I only had $48 in cash and that was fine with him. He's a great guy. I think we were in the Lexus.

 

[tink_lover]

Thanks!!!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

John Wayne Airport is the closest to DLR but hardest to get into without paying much higher in terms of airfare. LAX is cheapest but many people don't like dealing with the hassle of all the traffic, along with having to drive around an hour to DLR on the busiest freeways in America. LGB (Long Beach) is the next closest, but again, you might have to pay a little higher to fly in. It's much quieter though.

For the two close airports, a taxi might be viable if you have a party of 3 or more. For LAX, there are two major shuttles- the DLR express operated by Greyline, and Super Shuttle.

If you are staying at the Grand Californian, then there is an entrance that goes right into DCA, otherwise there's a tram that will lead you to the main esplanade.

ADRs at DL are called Priority Seatings (PS) and it never hurts to make one.

I'll see if anyone else will answer your other questions.

Sherman has some great tips - let me expand on a couple of his.

1) LAX - take the DLR Express straight to the GCH. PRE-PURCHASE your tickets on their website for a discount and also to make sure you don't get hassled by rip-off DL Express pretender companies. They are trying to steal the business of the official company and they lie to customers. The DLR bus is a huge tour bus and they would not need to bring car seats if they have little one. It is probably the safest way to get there, too, if you uncomfortable with Los Angeles traffic.

2) There isn't a tram from the GCH to the esplande. Those trams only serves the Mickey and Friends parking structure or the Timon and Pumbaa lot. It is only a very short walk.

3) PSs are available 60 days out. You don't need to make them that far ahead.

 

[jolynda]

we fly out of the Bay Area too. Of the 3 airports, I prefer to fly Alaska out of Oakland into SNA airport. Both airports are easy in/out and flights are VERY reasonable.... Also, Virgin American now has flights from SFO to SNA for around $58 one way - they are just FUN to fly with and that's a great price!

when we get to SNA, we almost always take the Supershuttle, just because we tried it once and it was fine. Honestly we've never tried another service, so I don't know if there are better alternatives.

To avoid parking fees at the airport, we rent a car ONE WAY from our home to the airport and vice versa coming home - WAY cheaper than airport parking - easy too.