Just starting to think of DL for 2002

[jamsmom]

I am just starting to read the boards for DL, so forgive me if these are repeat questions.

1) Would you say that DL or WDW is more expensive?

2) Do you feel as safe at DL as WDW?

3) IS there anything like Tiffany Cars at DL?

4) I see that DL has early entry days. Is it worth it? Are there value resorts at DL?

5) I am PETRIFIED to drive in traffic and new areas. With this being said, how far is is some of the other attractions?

6) At WDW, you can easily stay 7-10 days. What about DL?

7) Do you feel the busses are safe transportation means or taxis?

8) What airport do you fly into?

9) Is DCA a separate park? If so, does that mean DL has 2 parks? What is the closing water park?

THANK YOU!!!

 

[lucky1]

1) Would you say that DL or WDW is more expensive?
Depends on where you stay. You can stay offsite and not really lose too much of the disney majic at DL.
DH and I have felt that WDW is a better deal, but then the air fair and travel time adds to the cost of a WDW vacation.

2) Do you feel as safe at DL as WDW?
Yes.

3) IS there anything like Tiffany Cars at DL?
I haven't found it yet. Heard that a Limo can cost $90 one way from LAX. We use airport bus or supershuttle.

4) I see that DL has early entry days. Is it worth it? Are there value resorts at DL?
I think the early entry days are worth it. Allows you to get to some of the fantasyland attractions that general never have a short queue. DL Resort only has 3 hotels (DCA, DLH, PPH). None of them would be considered value. But since offsite is just a short walk from the entrance to DL, DD or DCA or most hotels offer shuttles, that what Disney considers the "Good Neighbor Hotels"

5) I am PETRIFIED to drive in traffic and new areas. With this being said, how far is
is some of the other attractions?
Knott's Berry farm is only about 10 miles away. Universal Studios is a long drive (over 1 hour). There are buses that run from the DL hotel area to Knott's and Universal. I am unsure of the cost.

6) At WDW, you can easily stay 7-10 days. What about DL?
Depends on what you like to do. We generally stay at WDW for 7-14 days and DL for 3-5 days. That is probably because we generally plan DL trips as last minute getways. Most people like to plan 2 days for DL and 1 day for DCA. We generally will park hop and go back to the room and rest, so 5 days is just about right for us.

7) Do you feel the busses are safe transportation means or taxis?
I haven't taken public transportation, but I would assume that it is safe. We take the airport bus or supershuttle from the airport and felt they were very safe.

8) What airport do you fly into?
SNA (Orange county) is closer and transportation from this airport is cheaper, but we can rarely find bargin flights into this airport. We haven't had any problems flying into LAX and then transferring to DL resort area. Also lots of bargin flights.

9) Is DCA a separate park? If so, does that mean DL has 2 parks? What is the
closing water park?
DCA is a seperate park. DL Resort consists of DL, DCA, Downtown Disney, and 3 hotels. It is a 2 minute walk from the entrance of DL to entrance of DCA. Very cosy place.
Sorry I don't know about the water parks.

 

[LuvTigger]

Hi Jamsmom,

Okay, I will attempt to answer your questions, hopefully someone else will give their opinion as well...

1. As a whole, discounts notwithstanding, WDW is more expensive. Mainly because DL does not require as much time. However, DL Hotel discounts seem to be a lot harder to come by than WDW and all the codes that they have now. The best I was able to find for my October trip was a DC discount. BUT, at DL, IMHO, it's not as important to stay "onsite" because an "offsite" hotel is literally across the street from the entrance. Staying offsite can also save a lot of $$$.

2. I feel safe at DL and the surrounding areas, but don't expect it to have the same atmosphere as WDW. We feel comfortable walking at night from DL to a hotel down the street.

3. As far as I know, there are no "common" towncar/limo services. The most common shuttle service (i.e. big blue van) is Supershuttle. Maybe a CA resident can shed more light here?

4. I plan to take advantage of EE, and have in the past. It's different at DL because there are only 2 parks, and DCA doesn't offer early entry. It's not like WDW where you have to use "reverse psychology" and go to a park without EE. At DL, it's pretty much use-it-or-lose-it! That being said, I think only Fantasyland and parts of Tomorrowland are open, so if you have kids, it's great, and you can probably catch Space Mountain a couple of times too. Plus, you can have breakfast there without rushing.

And no, there are no value resorts at DL. The lowest price I've ever seen for a Disneyland Resort Hotel (there are 3) is $150, and that was a special price. Regular price is $200+. If you want value, stay at one of the hotels across the street. IMHO, it's nice to stay at a DL Resort Hotel, but it's not a "must" as in WDW (I'm one of those WDW onsite or bust people).

5. Knott's is pretty close, maybe 10 minutes away. Universal is 45 minutes to 1 hour, and Magic Mountain 1-1 1/2 hours drive, depending on traffic. And CA freeways can get pretty busy during rush hour.

6. DL and DCA can probably be done in 3 days. However, if you stay for 7 days, you can easily find other things to do in the area (see #5). If you go down to San Diego (1 1/2 to 2 hours drive), there are even more things.

7. Can't answer this one, we always have a car. However, I don't think there is a really good bus system there. Again, a CA resident could explain better.

8. LAX (LA International) is the largest airport, about 40 minutes to 1 hour away (depends on traffic), but Orange County (where DL is) has an airport also. You may need to see if your airlines fly there.

9. DCA is a separate park, so yes, there are 2, DL and DCA. I'm not sure what the closest water park is, I think it might be where Knott's Berry Farm is.

Good luck, hopefully you will get some other responses as well!

 

[jamsmom]

WOW! Thanks for the info. If we didn't stay on site, what are some of the closest off-site hotels that are nice and safe. It would be just me and DS (11 this summer).

 

[LuvTigger]

My two favorites are Best Western Park Place in and Howard Johnsons.

BWPP is RIGHT across the street from the entrance, so it's a quick walk. It is however, a little more expensive than some of the other nearby hotel/motels, but still way less than a Disney Hotel. (Less than $100/night) Rooms are large and nicely appointed.

The Howard Johnsons is a little further down the road, but still walking distance. They also have a shuttle, so we usually catch the shuttle back after a long day at the parks. It's bigger, and a little more like a hotel than a motel (which BWPP is like). There's a nice pool, and a restaurant onsite (Coco's). Rooms are pretty nice here too. There's also a good Mexican restaurant (Acapulco) across the street too. (I would expect to pay between $60-$80 per night here.)

I've also stayed at Carousel Inn which is pretty good too, large rooms and good location. This is around the same price as HoJo.

I've been hearing some great things about Desert Inn too. Try doing a search on this board or trip reports board for info on that one.

If you want something a little more upscale, Sheraton Anaheim (via themeparks.com) is something like $115/night, and it's supposed to be pretty nice. I've also heard good things about one of the area Hiltons, about $120/night.

 

[minnieandmickey]

We stay at the Desert Inn and Suites every year and love it. Depending on how many people there will be in your party you can get anything from a reg. room to a 2 bedroom suite. The rooms also come with a fridge,microwave, and a iron/ironing board. We ususally stay in the parlor suite which is a room with a small living room attached. They run anywhere from 99-129 a night depending on what time you go.
The best thing about this hotel is that it is right across the street from Disney, some distances in the parking lot could be farther from this hotel. They do have a web site, www.anaheimdesertinn.com:pinkbounc

 

[larry_poppins]

Fairfield Inn by Marriott is across the street and you can earn Marriott Reward points there.
Also the closest Water Park is at Knotts. It is called Soak City USA.
About 8 miles from Disneyland.

Hope this helps!

Larry

 

[Amusement Park Junkie]

Another water park nearby is Wild Rivers. This is the one DD has had a summer pass for the last two years. It's about 16 miles away in irvine.

http://www.wildrivers.com

 

[phins_jazy]

Just linking......
http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/index.html

This is the hotel that we were going to stay at but we decided to cut costs and camp at Canyon RV Park instead.