Looking for some help please!

[MPHARJ]

Hello, new to DL, WDW vet, so here are a few things I need some help with please. Just a few notes, we are going June 9-16 it is myself and my 2 youngest, DD 11 and DS 6. Our first trip to CA and DL.

Are there any places with in walking distance to DPP hotel to see or do?

We have a day trip planned to LA, we have the typical places on our list, Hollywood sign, Rodeo Dr, Santa Monica Pier, Walk of fame, anything else that we must see or do?

Is there any where to get park brochures prior to our arrival so I can plan our parades etc...?

I opted for conceirge and the dining plan since we will probably not go back to DL for quite some time, I wanted to spoil the kids, what will concierge help me plan? What needs to be planned before I go? I have a travel agent working on the dining options.

What should be not miss? What can be skipped for a first trip?

Best time to enter parks, early morning?

Sorry for so many questions, I really have no clue, I am entering unfamiliar territory not like I am going to WDW again. I am so excited, but nervous I want to make sure we get to see and do it all but still enjoy ourselves. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[hlbtimes2]

From PP you'll be able to walk to Downtown Disney and to both parks. There isnt much with in walking distance other then that.

Because you are staying onsite and conc. level, you have a few options for help. Before your trip vacation planning will help you with PS (priority seating) for meals, booking tours, seating for Fantasmic, and ordering any in room gifts/goodies to be delivered. Once you arrive, conc. can help you with any other needs you have or if you want a most last minute option booked.

You can get PDF file maps at disneyland.com, look at the top of the page. You can also click on calendar and get the schedule for parades and shows. Right now they are up through July.

You'll want to plan on being at the gates before opening in the morning. I would try for at least 1/2 hour. Then, plan a break back at the hotel mid day when the park is crowded and its hot out. Go back in the evening for parades, fireworks and F!.

Dont get to stressed over dinning. Its not like WDW where you need to plan out each meal. Dinning in DL is not as big of a deal, there are not as many options, and from what I've heard, not the quality (havent been to WDW, so I can't personally compare). We usually only make a couple PS for our entire trip. The rest of the time we just wing and find places as we go. I do recomend booking any character meals you want to go to, and Blue Bayou if you want to go there.

Dont be afraid to plan on park hopping. The parks are close together and it just takes a few minutes to get from one to the other.

You should do a search and find Hydroguys guide for WDW vets. He's got great info!

 

[Jestocost]

DLR has schedule information available on their Web site, so see if this link works to show you your dates. If not, just go to the site, get to the calendar page and use the Get Schedule feature to plug in the days you'll be there.

Not sure if you mean what non-Disney things are within walking distance of PP, but the both the GC and DL hotels are within walking distance as is the entire DTD. The two parks are within walking distance, for that matter.

We were just there for the first time after many trips to WDW and loved it. Never left the Disney property, however, so I can't help you with anything beyond that!

 

[HydroGuy]

Here are some links to which hlb referred that might be helpful:

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

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

"HydroGuy's Fireworks Rule"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199851

Also be aware that the dates you chose overlap with the re-opening of the submarine ride (June 11) which will have an atypical effect on DL traffic patterns - unfortunately in a mostly negative way. It will be better you grasp what to expect beforehand so you are at least mentally prepared. Read this entire thread for more info:

"Opening date for Nemo's Submarine Voyage confirmed"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1412015

 

[Harvestdj]

We are DL vets who just got back from our first trip to WDW.
If you like the Lion King show in WDW do not miss Alladdin in the California Park. Both shows are awesome.
POC in DL is better and much longer in DL than WDW.
If you have seen fantasmic in WDW with it's theatre seating, avoid it in DL. The show itself is as good, but there is no seating but the ground and you have to be there at least an hour and a half early to get a good position.
As you have a rental car, there are grocery stores just a short drive in either direction along Harbour Blvd.
The Tiki Tiki Room in DL is a much different show and better than WDW.
On our last trip to DL we drove to downtown LA, and did the star walk, chinese theatre, etc. While interesting and it looks great on TV under the lights, the area in reality is run down. Hopefully they will clean it up as it is a neat area.
You will find DL much easier to get around than WDW as it is a smaller more intimate area. We have generally found the CM's in DL friendliar than at WDW but that is a personal thing.
Have a great time and even though I just got back I am jealous and want to go again.

 

[MPHARJ]

Hmmm, well that is good to know ahead of time, oh well we will just go and enjoy what we can with the time we are there. Thanks everyone for your help.

I just thought of 2 more questions, Is it easy to add days to your tickets at DL like at WDW?

With the package through Disney, I believe you are entitled to priority seating at select shows, where do I find out about that and how far in advance must I make those?

Sorry a third, Disney dollars can be used through out DL?

Thanks so much!

 

[MPHARJ]

We are DL vets who just got back from our first trip to WDW.
If you like the Lion King show in WDW do not miss Alladdin in the California Park. Both shows are awesome.
POC in DL is better and much longer in DL than WDW.
If you have seen fantasmic in WDW with it's theatre seating, avoid it in DL. The show itself is as good, but there is no seating but the ground and you have to be there at least an hour and a half early to get a good position.
As you have a rental car, there are grocery stores just a short drive in either direction along Harbour Blvd.
The Tiki Tiki Room in DL is a much different show and better than WDW.
On our last trip to DL we drove to downtown LA, and did the star walk, chinese theatre, etc. While interesting and it looks great on TV under the lights, the area in reality is run down. Hopefully they will clean it up as it is a neat area.
You will find DL much easier to get around than WDW as it is a smaller more intimate area. We have generally found the CM's in DL friendliar than at WDW but that is a personal thing.
Have a great time and even though I just got back I am jealous and want to go again.

Thanks for the great advice on the shows etc.. We have seen Fantasmic and loved Lion King so we will plan on seeing Aladdin. I am sure we wil be met with crows, but we are all so excited to be heading out west, I really can't wait. Like our first trip to WDW, we will learn from it I am sure and if we make it back out we will be all that wiser. I am hoping to start planning our next WDW trip soon too. I hope you enjoyed your trip to the world!

 

[Harvestdj]

The trip to WDW was like anything Disney. I wanna go again!!!!!!!!
As long as you still have days on your park hopper I was told by the CM's you can upgrade or add days to it. Just don't use it up before you decide.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you have seen fantasmic in WDW with it's theatre seating, avoid it in DL. The show itself is as good, but there is no seating but the ground and you have to be there at least an hour and a half early to get a good position.

Yeah, WDW Fantasmic visitors are spoiled with their theater. It does not sound like you will be limited with time so I would recommend seeing Fantasmic at DL. It is more like watching fireworks or a parade where you have to stand or sit on the ground. It has never bothered me. If you can get that out of the way you should be aware that most people - myself included - have found the Fantasmic show itself to be better at DL than at MGM. The setting on Tom Sawyer Island gives the show a different feel. Note that Fantasmic at DL went dark last month and will re-open on June 14. After three down months it will be in especially high demand when it re-opens (while you are there), but I would still recommend you see it.

 

[Harvestdj]

Sorry, didn't mean to be so negative about Fantasmic in DL, but the theatre in WDW was so great to watch a show I dearly love. I do agree, I think the show itself in DL is better. The boats used in the finally in WDW is just a shell, and sort of phoney in such a high class show. The boats in DL are more in keeping with the class of the show.
WDW is so lucky to have unlimited room to expand and have a theatre like that, but in the end I still like the original Disneyland best.