Looking for advice for a possible DL trip

[scubamouse]

We're pretty seasoned WDW travelers and are looking at a southern CA trip next spring. I have a bunch of mostly DL questions and any advice is welcome. I've done a fair bit of reading here already but haven't found answers for the following:

1. We're looking at Easter week next year. How bad will crowds be if we do a Tues/Wed/Thurs trip to DL?

2. How do peak mid-week crowds compare to WDW?

3. Can we get early entry if we stay at a good neighbors resort?

4. We'd like to walk to DL/DCA - what are the absolute closest good neighbor hotels. We'd look for moderate or higher and prefer suites but don't absolutely need them.

5. At WDW we always stay onsite, is it really that different at DL where you don't need to stay onsite in the same way?

6. Is there are site that's comparable to TGM or touringplans.com for DL?

7. A non-disney question - My kids will be 8 and almost 6, do we need to do Legoland? We'd look to do SD Zoo and Animal park and maybe Seaworld.

TIA

 

[Vala]

For 3. the answer would be yes, if you buy a three day park hopper. This come with one early entry (two if you buy from GAT if I remember correctly).

 

[scubamouse]

What is GAT?

 

[julw]

We're pretty seasoned WDW travelers and are looking at a southern CA trip next spring. I have a bunch of mostly DL questions and any advice is welcome. I've done a fair bit of reading here already but haven't found answers for the following:

1. We're looking at Easter week next year. How bad will crowds be if we do a Tues/Wed/Thurs trip to DL? It will be VERY busy even mid week. But, if that is the only time you can visit DL, then I'd go for it!

2. How do peak mid-week crowds compare to WDW? Don't know, as we've never been to WDW. Mid-week crowds are typically lower than Friday and Saturday and Sunday. But, with so many people on Easter break that week, the difference may be very slight.

3. Can we get early entry if we stay at a good neighbors resort? Yes, if you buy a package you usually will get EE with your parkhopper tickets, one for sure, maybe two? Not 100% sure since we are AP holders.

4. We'd like to walk to DL/DCA - what are the absolute closest good neighbor hotels. We'd look for moderate or higher and prefer suites but don't absolutely need them. We LOVE the Best Western Park Place Inn for the closest location possible. I also really live The Carousel Inn, it is just two or three hotels down from the BWPPI. Both are clean, and nice, but the beds at The Carousel are a little bit comfier, that is why I prefer it. But we usually always stay at one or the other when we go. Both have suites and mini suites available. You can check out this map to see the different hotel locations http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

5. At WDW we always stay onsite, is it really that different at DL where you don't need to stay onsite in the same way? You don't need to stay on site to be just as close. Actually, the BWPPI is just as close or closer than the DLH I believe (at least that's what I've read once). We've stayed at all three on property DL hotels and we loved the DLH, and the GCH, but not so much the PP. But for our family, we just really can't justify the extra cost since we spend all day at the parks. You do get some extra Disney Magic when you stay on property though.

6. Is there are site that's comparable to TGM or touringplans.com for DL? Not sure what this is? sorry.

7. A non-disney question - My kids will be 8 and almost 6, do we need to do Legoland? We'd look to do SD Zoo and Animal park and maybe Seaworld. Well the are at a perfect age for Legoland, too much older and they will probably not care for it. My kids love Seaworld, we loved the zoo more than they did and all of us didn't really care for the wild animal park, but that is just us. Just keep in mind that these San Diego attractions are quite a drive from DL and you'd probably so better with a different hotel in the SD area if planning to do all of them.

TIA

 

[julw]

What is GAT?

I believe it is Get Away Today.com travel agency for Disney vacations.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

There are many offsite hotels/motels near Disneyland that are much closer to the two DLR parks than some of the deluxes are to WDW parks. So, I would go with a good neighbor hotel unless you're set on staying onsite.

 

[Sy-]

There are many offsite hotels/motels that are closer to the entrance to Disneyland than the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier!

 

[Gisele]

Based upon my experiences last April, for I did not contemplate, the ramifications of going during Easter break, well I do now!!
OMG! never, never, never, again, shall I make that most grave error! My goodness, I had to wait until the evening, so as not to have to wait almost an hour, if not an hour plus, for any of my favorite, or pretty much, any ride.
I had people bumping into me, cutting in front of me, stepping on my feet, rolling over my toes with their commando baby strollers, all the while, being completely oblivious to the before mentioned rudeness.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, AGAIN, I SAY,unless of course, my trip is being paid for, in full, by someone other from myself, then, I might consider it, otherwise, no way in hades! seriously!

 

[avalon451]

I would read Hydroguy's tips thread, a sticky at the top of this forum. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483 It contains several articles that will be very helpful to you, including the difference between WDW and DL. Especially about the advantages of staying offsite at DL. You can book your tickets through GetAwayToday and get 2 MM instead of just one (if you do this, use the discount code "podcast" which will waive the $10 processing fee). If you do stay at one of the 3 onsite hotels, you are able to use every MM during your stay. But they're two or 3 times more expensive than the offsite places.

HTH!