Is it worth it?

[Emiems20]

Hi all,

I have never been to DL but have been to WDW several times. We recently got word that my husband has to go to Cal. for training in December. We knew this was coming for quite some time and hubby knows how much I have always wanted to visit DL so we toyed with the idea of me flying out to meet him at the end of his training and taking a few days and going to DL. Well we just found out that his training isn't over until the 19th. Now the only way we could do this is for me to fly out the 19th and then for both of us to come home on the 22nd. So my question, is this worth the time and expense? We are military so we would be able to take advantage of the ticket discount, but I don't know if there is a hotel blackout. Also I know how crowded WDW is right before the holidays, but I know nothing about DL so would we even be able to do most of the major rides? I know we will not be able to ride every little thing, but if I'm going, I want to go on the HM!

I am at a loss here so any help you can give would be extremely appreciated! This is probably our one and only shot for several years perhaps our lifetime. I can't justify the cost of flying my family out to DL when WDW is only 5.5 hours from us. I can justify it this time because part of hubby's trip is already paid for.

 

[sharonabe]

The Disneyland blockout doesn't begin until Dec 25 for tickets and Dec 24 for hotel discount, so you're good to go as far as your dates are concerned.

My vote is to go for it, stay off-site to save a little money, and begin tracking airfare NOW.

 

[KCmike]

Definitely worth it! This WDW vet went for a long weekend back in 2007 during Halloween Time and now its our favorite Disney park/resort!

 

[Emiems20]

Well I sent a request to a travel agent just to check prices. Since I have no idea what I'm doing I feel like this is the best way to go. I asked for on resort prices, since I have no idea how staying at a good neighbor resort would work. If anyone has suggestions about good neighbor hotels I would love to hear them!

 

[Lights_Out]

If it's just the two of you, I say go for it! Disneyland is so cozy and magical during the holidays. I know how you WDW vets like to make fun that our resort is tiny, but that's what makes it so cozy and wonderful during the Christmas season (at least in my opinion ). You will definitely be able to do the big rides (I'd recommend skipping rides that are already at WDW - such as, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain).

If you're going, at DCA you definitely do not want to miss World of Color. So grab a fastpass for that and Radiator Springs Racers. Watch Aladdin.

At Disneyland, you definitely do not want to miss HM with the holiday overlay (usually don't need an FP for this). Indiana Jones (FP this). Matterhorn. Alice. Toontown/Roger Rabbit. You should also try our Pirates if you have the time (I think our version is a lot better! But I think WDW's Haunted Mansion is better).

It'll be busy. But at least it's not the 23rd, 24th, 25th, or New Years Eve.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

Yes, yes, and yes, it's worth it!

It will be packed but Disneyland is amazing and if this is your best (and maybe only) chance to visit I say do it. Your biggest problem may be figuring out how to afford the return trips once you fall in love with DLR.

I prefer WDW for longer getaway vacations but as far as the theme parks are concerned DL and DCA are superior to every park in WDW in my opinion.

 

[Lights_Out]

Well I sent a request to a travel agent just to check prices. Since I have no idea what I'm doing I feel like this is the best way to go. I asked for on resort prices, since I have no idea how staying at a good neighbor resort would work. If anyone has suggestions about good neighbor hotels I would love to hear them!

I don't know much regarding Extra Magic Hour (perhaps someone else can answer that). But we always stay at a good neighbor hotel. Especially the ones on Harbor Blvd. It's literally like a 5 minute walk to the gates.

But if you can afford the luxury to stay on-site, definitely do that! Plus, you get EMH if you stay on site!

 

[HydroGuy]

Well I sent a request to a travel agent just to check prices. Since I have no idea what I'm doing I feel like this is the best way to go. I asked for on resort prices, since I have no idea how staying at a good neighbor resort would work. If anyone has suggestions about good neighbor hotels I would love to hear them!

You will get a ton of suggestions on hotels. I usually choose BWPPI (Best Western Park Place Inn) or CCI (Candy Cane Inn) for offsite stays.

For more info see

"Walking Distance Hotel List w/ discussion & details of hotels" by OnTheRoadAgain http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2796786

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Also check out this commonly linked thread:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Stitch35]

Well I sent a request to a travel agent just to check prices. Since I have no idea what I'm doing I feel like this is the best way to go. I asked for on resort prices, since I have no idea how staying at a good neighbor resort would work. If anyone has suggestions about good neighbor hotels I would love to hear them!

Go for sure!! We are military too and you'll never get a better deal then the 3 day tickets plus having his trip mostly covered.

It's so easy to stay at a good neighbor hotel. The ones on Harbor are CLOSER then the DL resort hotels, except the Grand Californian. There's no need to take any transportation other then your feet.

Our favorite two are Best Western Park Place Inn and Park Vue Inn. Both of these have a pretty decent military discount. They both have nice rooms, hot breakfasts and are less then 500 steps to Disneyland property. Our go to budget hotel is the Del Sol inn and Suites. It's cheap with the military discount (we got $81/nt + tax in August) but its bare bones. It is set back from the street behind Denny's and is about 1000 steps to Disneyland.

I like to check both Orbitz and the hotel website. Ebates usually has a cash back for hotels and orbitz usually has a good coupon on top of that. Park Vue can only be booked direct.

 

[sharonabe]

Best Western also has a military rate. It may not be better than the discounts mentioned above, but you can check.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I've stayed at HOJO's, Best Western Park Place Inn (BWPPI), and the Hilton Anaheim. If you are looking for a no frills hotel really close to the parks, the BWPPI is a really good hotel. It's got a decent free breakfast and is right across the street from the parks. The only negative is their WIFI is minimal at best, but it's the only thing negative I can say about the hotel.

 

[Shih-Tzu]

Go for it!!! Especially if DH is already going to be there. We were there Nov 2013 and it was all decorated for Christmas. I enjoyed the smaller sized parks (a lot less walking and no time spent waiting for transportation) - we just made sure we had the hopper passes so we could go from one side to the other.

As far as accommodation, we stayed at the Tropicana which is across the street from DL. We found it was fine and we could sit out in front of the hotel at night and watch the monorail going and see the higher fireworks. There was a McDonald's two driveways down one way, and an iHop two driveways the other (and where the cross walk is to cross over to DL). There was a Denny's another couple buildings from there.

If I had my choice between the two, I would probably pick DL again - it's just so far away for me being on Canada's east coast that the cost of airfare and travel time (8 hours alone in planes not counting travelling to airport day before and time spent in airports). We managed to get a real good fare on Delta out of Bangor. You may want to look at flying out on the Wed or Thurs as that may be cheaper and more than make up for the extra two nights. I loved how things were closer to each other.

You might need to get used to a few things being in different spots though....like Star Tours being in Tomorrowland in DL and Soarin' being in DCA and not very far from Grizzly River Run (much the same as Kali River).

If $$$ spent on hotel is not a concern, then I would personally pick the Grand Californian - they have an entrance that goes right into the park between Soarin' and Grizzley River and is very close to Downtown Disney.

Hope you go and enjoy your trip.

 

[GatorChris]

I can speak from experience here (check the signature). Disneyland is a great place to visit, but only if you get to hit California Adventure. CarsLand is what makes DL such a different place to visit. If there's a way to make it BEFORE the business trip, that would be better. But if this is all you take advantage of, do it. Don't know where you live, but how often do you actually get out to SoCal?

DL is definitely smaller, so you'll feel the crowds of the Holidays a lot more than at WDW. But DL has a lot more attractions in it, so it tends to absorb the people. Just remember that the Castle you see was what Walt built on a very limited budget. It's the original so give it a little respect when comparing.

 

[2tinkerbell]

One thing to keep in mind is that if you are getting the Military tickets is that they don't have MM with them. So if you stay off-site at a good neighbor hotel, you don't get MM at Disneyland. If you stay on-site then you can get in early every morning.

You would just need a room only reservation, am I correct in this? Oh, and airfare. I think that you can do a great job yourself without a travel agent. People here recommend certain "good neighbor" hotels and just keep checking airfare - start now so you get an idea of what it costs and watch for sales or promotions. Usually airfare goes up and down either in Wednesday mornings for some airlines and Thursday mornings for others. If flying Delta, watch how many seats are available. If it starts filling up then the price isn't going to go down and you should grab it. Your biggest issue is going to be the airfare because of it being so close to Christmas. Flying to CA will be a lot cheaper than flying back home.

Good luck, and yes, it is totally worth it.

 

[HydroGuy]

DL is definitely smaller, so you'll feel the crowds of the Holidays a lot more than at WDW. But DL has a lot more attractions in it, so it tends to absorb the people. Just remember that the Castle you see was what Walt built on a very limited budget. It's the original so give it a little respect when comparing.

All true. But do not forget about the Matterhorn! It is right next to the castle and much taller. The Matterhorn has always represented the visual center of DL - not the castle.

Think about it in reverse. A DL vet goes to MK for the first time and they are unimpressed with the castle there because they can't get over the fact that MK does not have a Matterhorn right next to it.

The two parks are different! Don't let DL be a downer just because it is different! Taken as a whole most folks would rate DL as a better park than MK. Just keep an open mind.

 

[hootey]

We have went to DL the week before Christmas for several years Yes, by all means , do it. The week before Christmas is our favorite time of year to be at DL. We look forward to seeing you there

 

[Emiems20]

Ok, you have convinced me.....We're Going!!!!

Now we just have to decide on a hotel!

 

[lucysmom]

I would seriously consider staying on site at a DLR hotel. That way you will get early entry into a park every day.Iin the morning you can get on the rides. Then have some down time at the hotel. In the evening you can enjoy the shows and holiday ambience. That is how we beat the crowds and we will be there when you are there. My favorite time of year