Just Confirmed 1st Disneyland Trip!

[dragitoff]

This Georgia boy is excited. I'm a Disneyaholic and go to WDW at least once per year, but I've never been to DL. This October, I'll be attending a convention in Anaheim and will get to visit DL for the first time. I just confirmed my room at the Disneyland Hotel. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a room at the Grand Californian with the convention discount. I had a few questions for DL experts.

Is the Disneyland Hotel a pretty nice resort? We normally stay at the WDW value resorts, but I have stayed at their premium resorts before. How would your rate this one? What kind of view is their from the standard rooms?

I know park hours won't be posted for a few months, but what kind of hours is DL generally open during early October?

From my understanding, I will be there during Gay Days. How busy should I expect crowds on a weekday in early October?

Does anyone know when they will post the dates and times for the Trick or Treat Party? I went to MNSSHP last year and would be interested in the Trick or Treat Party.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome to the DLR board, dragitoff.


Here's the primer for WDW veterans:

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


& the rest of Hydroguy's tip threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


& a great thread on WDW/DLR differences from MaryJo:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084


I have other comments in your quote below:

This Georgia boy is excited. I'm a Disneyaholic and go to WDW at least once per year, but I've never been to DL. This October, I'll be attending a convention in Anaheim and will get to visit DL for the first time. I just confirmed my room at the Disneyland Hotel. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a room at the Grand Californian with the convention discount. I had a few questions for DL experts.

Is the Disneyland Hotel a pretty nice resort? We normally stay at the WDW value resorts, but I have stayed at their premium resorts before. How would your rate this one? What kind of view is their from the standard rooms?

I've never stayed there, but I would put the DLH as a combination of the Poly & the Contemporary. It's very close to DL & is older & has Goofy's meal (similar to Chef Mickey) like the Contemporary is to MK.....but it also has a nice pool & common areas like the Poly.

The GCH would be like a combination of the GF & the WL (looks like the WL, but ultra deluxe like the GF).

I have no idea on the views.

I know park hours won't be posted for a few months, but what kind of hours is DL generally open during early October?

My guess would be that DL would be open from 9am-10 or 11pm during the week & from 8am - 12am on Fri-Sun. (But you'll get MM on T days & S days)

From my understanding, I will be there during Gay Days. How busy should I expect crowds on a weekday in early October?

Hopefully others will offer an opinion.

Does anyone know when they will post the dates and times for the Trick or Treat Party? I went to MNSSHP last year and would be interested in the Trick or Treat Party.

Hopefully others will offer an opinion. When my boy & I visited last October we avoided the T&T party (in DCA) & spent the evening in DL instead.

Thanks in advance!

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[Disney_Villain]

You might want to consider a Downtown Disney view at the DLH. Here are some pics of this view, taken from our 2nd last DL vacation in 2008:

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

The dates for the Trick or Treat Party at DCA are usually announced during the middle of May, so we should know within a few weeks.

 

[KCmike]

Great time to go as you will get the Haunted Mansion overlay of the Nightmare Before Christmas!!! It is amazing.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We loved the DCA Halloween party... it was the highlight of our October trip... no (or very short) lines for rides, and a chance to see all the villians... it was very cool! DD was 3.5 at the time, so we didn't really trick or treat (she could care less for candy), but the few stations we did hit we got dried apples and carrot sticks--which made us all happy! It was a really fun night!!

 

[dragitoff]

Thanks for the great feedback. The links to other threads were also extremely useful. I can honestly say I'm so excited. I know I'll be there for business, but I'll have 1 full day, 1/2 day and possibly a night at the Trick or Treat Party to take it all in. I'm going to WDW for a week next month, so I'm bummed Space Mountain is currently down for the refurb, but at the same time, I'll be glad to see what it's supposed to be like once I ride the DL version, which has already been refurbed. I'm also excited to see the original versions of 2 of my faves HM and POTC. I will also see the changed It's a Small World, which was one of my faves as a kid at WDW. There's so much to look forward to. I'm really excited. Any other info is welcomed.

 

[Boo Bear]

Congrats on your 1st time to DL! It'll be my 1st to DL soon as well. I'm moving to Cali in July so I bought an AP. If you want to jot down my user name feel free to bombard me with questions after July 5th. I have two trips planned for July alone. I'm going to be there in October as well and I'm also seeking some of the same info as you about the Halloween events. Good luck and have fun!