Just Started the Planning for our October Trip

[Bell30012]

A little background. We visit Walt Disney World on a regular basis but this will be our first, and maybe only trip to Disneyland. It's just going to be the two of us. My DD13 and me, 48-year-old single father who tends to spoil her.

I've got a lot of planning to do. It looks like we'll be flying in 11:35 PM to LAX on 10/17/2014 (Saturday) and flying back out LAX on 1:40 PM on 10/23/2014 (Friday). Yes, I know Tony recommends any airport but LAX but the price is $238 including taxes and fees for both of us! I'm planning to rent a car and am I'm currently considering the SoCal CityPass. Three day hopper passes to Disneyland/California Adventure, one day at Universal Studios, and one day at Seaworld San Diego. Obviously, flying in that late, there we'll get some sleep and start fresh on Sunday.

What are your recommendations for where we should go each day? Where should we stay? I'd prefer not to pay for parking, breakfast being included would be great. I'm concierge level with Club Carlson but not married to the chain, especially not if there is a cheaper alternative. I'm thinking that I'd rather not drive to Disneyland because then I'll have to pay for parking. I've also not decided on the rental car company.

Lots of room for locals and regulars to offer advice.

Thom Bell
(but not that Tom Bell)

 

[Bell30012]

How about recommendations on rental cars at LAX. We're arriving at 11:35 PM. I want to book everything ahead of time so that this vacation is all enjoyment.

I'll have to determine where we go and where we stay on which days.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday are our full days. Saturday we're arriving way to late for anything and we leave Friday at 1:40 PM. With the CityPass we'll have 3 days at Disneyland, 1 day at Universal and 1 day at SeaWorld.

 

[Jane VanTassel]

A little background. We visit Walt Disney World on a regular basis but this will be our first, and maybe only trip to Disneyland. It's just going to be the two of us. My DD13 and me, 48-year-old single father who tends to spoil her.

I've got a lot of planning to do. It looks like we'll be flying in 11:35 PM to LAX on 10/17/2014 (Saturday) and flying back out LAX on 1:40 PM on 10/23/2014 (Friday). Yes, I know Tony recommends any airport but LAX but the price is $238 including taxes and fees for both of us! I'm planning to rent a car and am I'm currently considering the SoCal CityPass. Three day hopper passes to Disneyland/California Adventure, one day at Universal Studios, and one day at Seaworld San Diego. Obviously, flying in that late, there we'll get some sleep and start fresh on Sunday.

What are your recommendations for where we should go each day? Where should we stay? I'd prefer not to pay for parking, breakfast being included would be great. I'm concierge level with Club Carlson but not married to the chain, especially not if there is a cheaper alternative. I'm thinking that I'd rather not drive to Disneyland because then I'll have to pay for parking. I've also not decided on the rental car company.

Lots of room for locals and regulars to offer advice.

Thom Bell
(but not that Tom Bell)

World of Color is a must for my family when we visit: I combined this with the "Dinner Package": Ariels Grotto is my kids favorite: but there are other choices. I would like to try Carthay Circle Restaurant.

 

[Jane VanTassel]

World of Color is a must for my family when we visit: I combined this with the "Dinner Package": Ariels Grotto is my kids favorite: but there are other choices. I would like to try Carthay Circle Restaurant.

I also love all the shows that DL has: ie "Mickeys Magical Map", Aladdin show, the Pixar Parade if my favorite. These are great times to sit back, rest for 30-45 min and enjoy the show. Check out DL schedule on the website for times to each show, parade in each land etc.

If any of your days interfere with "Mickeys Halloween Party" DL will close early to "gen public" and remain open till midnight for special ticket holders. However, DCA will remain open, so if you have hoppers you can finish your day over there.

 

[Bell30012]

World of Color is a must for my family when we visit: I combined this with the "Dinner Package": Ariels Grotto is my kids favorite: but there are other choices. I would like to try Carthay Circle Restaurant.

As veterans of WDW we will be planning this trip out. I've heard the World of Color mentioned on the podcasts, it's duly added to our must do list. Thanks.

I also love all the shows that DL has: ie "Mickeys Magical Map", Aladdin show, the Pixar Parade if my favorite. These are great times to sit back, rest for 30-45 min and enjoy the show. Check out DL schedule on the website for times to each show, parade in each land etc.

If any of your days interfere with "Mickeys Halloween Party" DL will close early to "gen public" and remain open till midnight for special ticket holders. However, DCA will remain open, so if you have hoppers you can finish your day over there.

I hadn't thought of the MNSSHP. I think we are going to have CityPass tickets so we will have hoppers.

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Right now, I'm working on the order of days. With five days of activities, I've got to get them in the right places.

Thom Bell
(but not that Tom Bell)

 

[TeresaR]

Just an FYI, most hotels in Anaheim will have a parking fee. And as you stated you prefer not driving from the airport there are two shuttles the I recommend, the Super Shuttle (http://www.supershuttle.com) at $17/person and Prime Time Shuttle (http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/) which should be under $20/person. Then rent a car for the days you want to go to Universal and Sea World. I believe that there is an Alamo Rental kiosk in Downtown Disney.

Some of my not to be missed attractions in DCA are Radiator Springs Racers, Tower of Terror, the Animation Building. Then over at Disneyland park I love Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. And if you do the Monorail here, ask to ride up front the driver.

 

[Sherry E]

I moved this thread over to our main Disneyland planning forum.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

We very much enjoyed our recent stay at Park Vue Inn, right across from the parks, free parking, great free breakfast. We no longer park hop, it's not worth it IMO, now that FP have to be used in their printed time *we actually used very few FPs last week* and DCA is so cool, it's worth a full day for sure. Consider single rider lines, Splash, Matterhorn, RSR, Screamin'. Sea World is pleasant enough, have you visited one of the others? What about Universal? If you've been to the FL US perhaps just focus on DLR for your visit. Hang around here for awhile, you'll be a pro in no time.

 

[corinne76]

The City Passes with the parks you mentioned are expiring on June 2nd

The new City Pass gives you admission to DLR, Sea World and Legoland
http://www.citypass.com/southern-california-new

 

[Bell30012]

Just an FYI, most hotels in Anaheim will have a parking fee. And as you stated you prefer not driving from the airport there are two shuttles the I recommend, the Super Shuttle (http://www.supershuttle.com) at $17/person and Prime Time Shuttle (http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/) which should be under $20/person. Then rent a car for the days you want to go to Universal and Sea World. I believe that there is an Alamo Rental kiosk in Downtown Disney.

Some of my not to be missed attractions in DCA are Radiator Springs Racers, Tower of Terror, the Animation Building. Then over at Disneyland park I love Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. And if you do the Monorail here, ask to ride up front the driver.

We'll drive to the hotel from the airport but not to the parks each day. I'm going to factoring parking into our decisions for where what resorts or hotels we book.

I moved this thread over to our main Disneyland planning forum.

What a good idea. If only, I'd thought of that, I'd have got more posts early on. Thanks.

We very much enjoyed our recent stay at Park Vue Inn, right across from the parks, free parking, great free breakfast. We no longer park hop, it's not worth it IMO, now that FP have to be used in their printed time *we actually used very few FPs last week* and DCA is so cool, it's worth a full day for sure. Consider single rider lines, Splash, Matterhorn, RSR, Screamin'. Sea World is pleasant enough, have you visited one of the others? What about Universal? If you've been to the FL US perhaps just focus on DLR for your visit. Hang around here for awhile, you'll be a pro in no time.

I've added Park Vue Inn to our short list. I was actually hoping to get into the DVC studios at Grand Californian... ROFL. I know.

The City Passes with the parks you mentioned are expiring on June 2nd

The new City Pass gives you admission to DLR, Sea World and Legoland
http://www.citypass.com/southern-california-new

So, I've heard. Change plans.