I'm going to Disneyland!

[OrlandoMike]

WOO HOO

Well I cant exactly let Tyler kick drum corps but without being there now can I?

I've been hemming and hawing over this trip, so this morning I said heck, put in for the vacation and see what happens! Well it was approved!

Seeing how finals is in the Rose Bowl I figured I might as well take an extra two days and hit Disneyland and Knotts.

Geesh, I have so much planning to do! Any advice on a cheap Anaheim motel for a lonely old traveler would be appreciated! (All I need is a bed and a TV)

WOO HOO Time to start planning now!

 

[rosiep]

Oh how wonderful for you! There is a Hojo's in the DL that sometimes offers terrific deals through Mousesavers and or the Entertainment Book. I had my 1st visit to DL last year and it was very different than DW...better in some ways..not so in others, but definitely well worth the trip!

Lucky You!

When are you going???

 

[jamieandben]

Luck you... Hope you have a great time.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Not sure of the dates yet, the drum corps show is Thur-Sat Aug 9-11. I have off of work August 5-15th so my plans are pretty flexable with the exception of the 9-11th , I'll need to be in Pasadena all day for that.

Trying to make sure I get to see the Fireworks and all, geesh, so much planning!

 

[Viki]

Woo-Hoo!!!!

 

[grumpy.uncle]

DL is a completely different experience from WDW. It is very small. You could probably fit both DL and DCA parks into the space the MK takes up at WDW. AAA can probably give you some good ideas as to places to stay. I believe we have stayed at the Tropicana which is right across the street from the main entrance. Easy walk to get into the parks. I honestly would not waste my time at Knotts. We went there a few years ago in the middle of a Disney vacation. It was such a disappointment. It's quite rundown and can't even compare to DL. If you love big roller coasters, however, you will probably love it. I'm sure it was great in it's prime, but it's just a little rundown now. While at DL be sure to check out the Disney hotels. The Grand Californian is DL's answer to the WL( only the baby version of WL). It's not nearly as grand as WL but it is still nicely themed. They have a great little counter service place called Whitewater Snacks there. It's always been good value for the money. You can also enter the Grand Californian thru a back entrance near the boardwalk area in DCA. The original DL is very charming. The DCA leaves a little to be desired. It tends to get very hot in the afternoon because there aren't alot of mature trees yet. We have been to DL many times and still enjoy going. Some of the rides at DL are better than their counterparts at WDW and vice versa. Eventhough they may be the same ride, they are themed differently in the two parks.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Ya, I've been to Disneyland before, and Knotts. I'm basically going to Knotts Disneyland is free too. Cant argue with free admission! As far as Disneyland is concerned, I really just want to do the things we don't have here in Orlando, so about half the park.

Looking around at flights and rooms, it's not going to be as bad as I thought!

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Ya, I've been to Disneyland before, and Knotts. I'm basically going to Knotts Disneyland is free too. Cant argue with free admission! As far as Disneyland is concerned, I really just want to do the things we don't have here in Orlando, so about half the park.

So you don't get a discount at any of the DLR hotels? Just free admission to the parks?

If you're going to be up in the Pasadena area, you might also consider Magic Mountain. It's been decades since we've been, but they always had the better roller coasters than either DL or KBF.

As for accomodations close to DLR, I've only heard good things about the HoJo's.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Ya I get a discount at the resorts, and if Shrek were comming along I'd spring for the room, but alas it will just be me and all I need is a bed. Even with the Discount its still Di$ney!

I'd have to pay for Magic Mountain, and it's not out of the question, it just depends on how much time I have.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

HOW FUN!!!!!
I'll be out in the backyard and make sure to wave to your plane(I'll be a little to the left of the Grand Canyon!)

 

[Tony-NJ]

Cool! I've never been to DL - only been in So Cal for an afternoon once. I did just get a client out there, so my plan is to tack on a couple of days when I have to go out and see DL!

No advise here for where to stay etc, but I'm sure you will find something in your price range.

 

[ConcKahuna]

DL is the one place that me and DP really want to go to. One day it'll happen!

Gratz on your trip, have a great time!!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

I was so excited for you that I didn't even read all the way through to the end of your thread. I've never stayed @ the Howard Johnson's @ DL but lots of my friends who have, think it's great!
I used to travel to Costa Mesa (I'm guessing maybe 10 miles west of DL for business) and I generally stayed at a place right off the 405 just north of the Ikea (gotta luv the meatballs ) @ Harbour BLVD. I cannot remember if it was a La Quinta or a Quality Inn. Good rates and a free continental breakfast. Best part is that it's only about 3 miles max to the beach!
Are you flying into LAX (ugh) or John Wayne (smaller, cleaner, much closer)? Personally, unless I got an unbeatable NS fare into LAX, I'd opt for John Wayne.

 

[OrlandoMike]

OOPS


Already booked into LAX. Is it that bad? I've lived in big cities before, so hopefully I can mannage. I've actually got 4 free days, I figure one for Disney, one for Knotts, one for Magic Mountain, any other ideas? Not a big fan of the Universal park in California.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

OOPS Already booked into LAX. Is it that bad?

Probably not if you are used to big cities -- Think Boston-Logan with designer bottled water instead of John Adams beer and begging Hare-Krishnas and Moonies in clerical garb, instead of surly cab-drivers.

If'n I wuz you, I'd take one day or maybe a partial to take the Pacific Coast Highway down south towards San Diego. It is beautiful -- so different from the Atlantic. I really like Santa Barbara (Is that the right place?!? -- wherever Richard Nixon and Bebe Rebozo used to hang out)

There is a also good place (pretty reasonably priced too surprisingly) to eat @ DL's Teensy lil Downtown Disney -- The California Bakery or something similar -- good sandwiches on yummy sour dough bread.

Ooooooh! I think you are gonna have fun!

 

[JohnZ46]

OOPS


Already booked into LAX. Is it that bad? I've lived in big cities before, so hopefully I can mannage. I've actually got 4 free days, I figure one for Disney, one for Knotts, one for Magic Mountain, any other ideas? Not a big fan of the Universal park in California.

August is peak season for Disneyland. Plus the Finding Nemo submarine ride just opened last month so that will draw additional locals.

Personally, I'd recommend spending two days there.

Here's a link to some additional info:

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

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

 

[cybertheo]

I've stayed at HOJO and it is a nice place. The room was clean and you can see the Materhorn from the parking lot. It 's really close to the Park. I may be wrong but it might be as close as the Grand Californian.

We usually go to Disneyland at Xmas time when the weather is cool and the haunted mansion holiday is going on. Don't miss Aladdin at DCA and the TOT, while the TOT lacks much of what makes the ride great in Florida still has some cool effects not at the studios.
You'll get to see the Tiki Room without the "New Management" and Indiana Jones is SO awesome (better than Dinosaur). Plus, The POTC is like 15 minutes long. Peter Pan has a 3d starfield not a the MK, but it is really short compared to the one in FL. And last the building for it's a Small World is much prettier than FL.

Can you tell I wanna to go?

Have fun!

 

[OrlandoMike]

Thanks for the info everyone, it's been a few years since I've been to Disneyland, so things are gonna be new again for me.


One quick question, do they have fast pass at Disneyland?

 

[rosiep]

Thanks for the info everyone, it's been a few years since I've been to Disneyland, so things are gonna be new again for me.


One quick question, do they have fast pass at Disneyland?

Yes they do.....
Now Mike, you're not going to desert us for the DL side of the boards are you???????

 

[OrlandoMike]

Not with those backround colors! UGH Drab greens and browns!