Just dont' know where to start

[diskids2]

I have to admit I am an intensive pre-trip planner and am not afraid to pour over millions and millions of facts, reviews, opinions, etc regarding a trip. With that out of the way.......

I just don't know where to start. I want to go to Disneyland, etc. My family of four (2 kids 18, 14) has several special occasions in 2009: My 20th Wedding Anniversary, A highschool graduation, A Middle school graduation, and a 50th birthday.

We are huge Disney fans....in fact the kids love amusement parks too. We have been to WDW about 5 times as a family and we were going to go again in 2009 when I thought....wait....how about California.

So, the quest begins....here are some minor details:

We want to go from July 1 to July 11. We will be flying in from New York. Our knowledge of Disneyland and vacationing in California for that matter is very slight. I went to SanFrancisco once on a business trip and my DH went to San Diego and Universal Studios for a week about 25 years ago.

I can't say that money is no object, but I know I will pay a bit for this vacation. I usually look for good deals but being that we have never been will be willing to pay more for certain things as well.

To give you some sort of comparison...we usually stay at the Dolphin at WDW but that is because my DH has a government discount and we have stayed at the CBR as well. This lenght of time in WDW usually costs our family about $8000.

So I need help.....where do I start....what do I do...suggestions on anything is welcome. I need to know the best airport to fly into....the hotels to consider....how much time in each park....a good sample itinerary...anything and everything.

HELP!

 

[tzuhouse]

You've got your dates. That's 10 days. From what I've read, you don't need more than 4-5 to do all of Disney enough, although you'll be there during a busy time so waits would be longer than other times of year. I'd look at what else do you want to do on the other days. That time of year would be Blue and Humpback whale migration, so you might look at driving 90 miles to Oxnard and going on a watch with Island Packers. http://www.islandpackers.com/whalewatch.html

You could do some of the other local theme parks or leave early one morning and go to San Diego to the zoo. Day at the beach?

I've never been to the Dolphin, so I'm not sure if that would be consistent with a moderate or deluxe hotel at WDW. Disneyland has 3 hotels, all of which are deluxe, at least according to the cost per night. There are a lot of good neighbor hotels within walking distance that would be more like a moderate and some even a value hotel.

I think choosing your hotel would be the next step. I know that from what I've read, WDW is busy with tourists all the time, but Disneyland tends to be a local park. It's busier during the weekends than during the weekdays because the locals are working on the weekdays. So we are planning our upcoming trip for full days at that parks on weekdays. Not sure how much of a difference that would make in the summer, though. Those who live there can answer that.

We are staying at the Candy Cane Inn, which gets good reviews and is suppose to have a great free breakfast. Others like HOJOs and others prefer to pay the extra money and stay in the Disney hotels.

Sorry I can't help more. We've done 25 nights at WDW and this will be our first trip to Disneyland.

Mary

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Well, I can give you my 2 cents.... I am sure that there are others that can help out too...

First, hooray! You are going to Disneyland!


In terms of airports, I fly into LAX and SNA often. I prefer SNA, just because it is smaller and much closer to Disneyland. In addition, I live in a little city now and I have totally blocked out LA traffic from my memory banks "Traffic" to me is taking 10 whole minutes to get to my local target store on the other side of downtown....


There is a ton to do in California. Some close options to DL are the beach (of course), Angels baseball game, and San Diego. In my opinion, you can leisurely do most of DL and DCA in 5 to 7 days, although I have never been over Fourth of July.


There is a good thread here (I think it is Hydroguy) that compares WDW to DL. You might find that informative.


And finally the hotel. There are tons of places to stay. Our family loves to stay at the GCH. Unlike WDW though, you do not need to stay on resort property. There are hotels that are closer to the parks than PP or DLH and at a better price. But, I like the ability to use the Vacation Planning Office. It is part of the benefit of staying at a resort hotels. They make all of my dining reservations, purchase our Fantasmic tickets and tour tickets and then it is all waiting for me with an itinerary when I check in. That seems to have worked out well for us. We only go a few times a year to DL, so we try to make it a vacation experience and reduce as many hassles as possible. The easier the better.


I hope that helps. There are lots of people here with different perspectives and lots of DL experience, so you should get some great suggestions.

 

[jakoky]

Hi there, first, WOW, your year sounds like mine....we are a family of 5, and this year, we are celebrating my 40th, my dh and I's 20th, my oldest dd's graduation and 18th, my son's 16th, and my youngest dd also "grads" from middle school...all i see this year is $$$$$, and we are also going to DL but in may and also for 10 nights...( i didnt include this year is also my MIL's 80th, my inlaws 50th(on my 40th), and my dad's 65th)...YIKES!!!

On our trip this years, we are doing DL for 5 days, a day at newport beach(this was a hit with all my kids in 07), a day of shopping, and then a couple of "whatever" days...
On our last couple of trips here is stuff we have done

Knotts soak city (highly recommend this is you like water parks, we would be going again but it wont be open for the season)

Universal Studios-we are really enjoyed it

Hockey Game-the boys on the trip did this and truly enjoyed it...

I havent been to disneyland in the summer since i was 13, so i am not sure about the crowds and weather....No matter what, you will have fun....I will think of you in your "celebration" year ....

sharon

 

[HydroGuy]

There is a good thread here (I think it is Hydroguy) that compares WDW to DL. You might find that informative.

Here is a link FWIW

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

And here is another one relevant:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Here is a link FWIW

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

And here is another one relevant:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Thanks....

 

[diskids2]

Thank you all SOOOOOOOOOOOO much. I am going to start with the threads you recommended and will begin to look into other things to do as well. I know we want to do Universal and I know we will go to SanDiego for at least a day.

I am starting to get so excited

 

[Disney Dreams]

Okay, first, yay! You're going to Disneyland!!!

We are Disneyland vets and recently returned from a 10 year wedding anniversary trip to WDW - our first visit in 12 years - so I know how you are feeling.

Do not try to compare WDW to DL. They are not the same. WDW is 4 very separate parks (plus the water parks). DLR is 2 parks (most will say more like 1 and a half parks) which can very easily be crossed back and forth between, no shuttle needed. If you want a comparison, look at the MK to DL.

Disneyland has a magic to it that MK does not seem to have. Some attribute this to DL being the one park that Walt saw through its completion, others say it's due to it being the original. I don't know why or what it is, but it is definitely a different feel that we noticed.

There are many motels and hotels within close proximity to DLR that are NOT Disney owned or run (unlike WDW), but if you are accustomed to staying at the Dolphin, I would say, go ahead and splurge and stay on-site at DL. It's your first visit, why not make it extra special? You can research the hotels, but I would suggest either the DLH or GCH, depending upon your style.

10 days is by far MORE than enough time to see DLR. If you like beaches, I would check out some of So. Cal's amazing beaches (if people watching if your thing, Venice Beach is not to be missed!), if Hollywood interests you I would plan a Hollywood day, same for Beverly Hills, The Wild Animal Park and the San Diego Zoo are amazing and very do-able as either a day trip or make it an overnight side trip and include Sea World. In my opinion, your kids are probably too old to truly enjoy LegoLand, but just thought I'd mention that it's do-able too. You have Magic Mountain to the north, along with Universal Studios, which could also be day trips.

Not sure if this helps or overwhelms you, but you have plenty of time to actually have a So. Cal. vacation with DLR as part of it.

As you start planning, feel welcome to post here with more questions. There is also a section of DIS that discusses Southern California. It might be worth checking out. I would also suggest reading HydroGuy's (a fellow DISBoard member) Guide to DLR for WDW regulars. It's here.

What an exciting trip you have ahead of you! So many possibilities!

Planning is half the fun,
Dreams

 

[bumbershoot]

My brain just shut down when I read "From what I've read, you don't need more than 4-5 to do all of Disney". Check out my sig.



If you like that sort of resort fancy schmancy feel, then go for the Grand. If you're willing to branch out, go for DLH. If you want a normal hotel and are willing to drive (hydro guy has a thread in his main sticky thread about hidden time losses when driving, it's worth a read) there's a Hilton over near the Convention Center. If you want a plain old hotel that can be fun with a waterplay area for kids and a pretty pool, there's HoJo (a disboards favorite) that's about a 10 minute walk away from the esplanade.


When I first started planning for our first trip, I checked out the most recent guidebooks from the library. Read them, took notes. Looked online. I read the Dis before I joined, but I can't remember really when I looked at it...but especially after the guidebooks, threads like HydroGuy's were very very helpful to me. With all that under my belt, so to speak, individual threads were very helpful!