Lot's Of Questions About Upcoming Trip

[sunking]

My wife and I will be visiting Disneyland March 14th thru March 21st. We will be staying at The Grand Californian for the entire stay. Plan to spend 4 days in the parks and then a couple of days in the surrounding area doing "tourist" stuff. Have a couple of questions:

1) I was wondering if there were certain days of the week that was better to visit a specific park like there is at WDW.

2) Wondering if there is a comprehensive site (like wdwinfo) for Disneyland. I'm interested in finding Restraunt menus and show schedules.

3) Any discounts on admission that I might be able to make use of. We are DVC members and Annual Passholders for WDW.

4) How far in advance can you book dining such as the Fantasic Dessert Seating and Blue Bayou?

5) Any suggestions for a romantic dinner in either California Adventure or Disneyland?

6) I have two free roundtrip tickets that I will be using for the flight to and from Disneyland. I have flown into both LAX and John Wayne in the past for business. Is one better then the other for Disneyland? Is there a shuttle that you can take from either airport to Disneyland?

7) Because we want to do some "tourist" stuff during the second half of our trip, is it possible to rent a car someplace on Disney property? We would then return the car to the airport when we leave to return home.

That's all for now. Thank you all for your help in advance!
Dave

 

[DLR29]

1) If you are staying at the GCH, you are eligible for Early Entry every day that it is offered (M, T, Th, Sa). So technically, you could use your 4 day hopper, and every day get in 1 hour early (15, 17, 18, 20th). But if you don't want to get up that early every DLR day, I would advise you to not go to the parks on the Saturday or Sunday of your trip. Locals make up a large portion of DLR's visitors and weekends are significantly more crowded than weekdays.

2) While http://allears.net/ is a huge WDW site, it also has a ton of info on DLR, including DLR restaurant menus.

3) You won't get any discounts on 4-day park hoppers with a WDW AP or DVC membership. But buying in advance can save a lot. Here's a site that is frequently updated with the latest discounts on everything Disney: http://mousesavers.com

4) 60 days in advance

5) I'd recommend Blue Bayou, but if you want to do that another time I'd try the Napa Rose at your hotel. It's supposedly really good. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/hotels/dining/detail?name=NapaRoseDiningPage

6) Sorry, can't help you. We drive.

7) No place on property to rent (the property is very small: both parks, DTD, and all 3 hotels are within walking distance). I'd rent one from the airport.

 

[kelmac284]

1) I was wondering if there were certain days of the week that was better to visit a specific park like there is at WDW. Typically the middle of the week is always better to visit Disneyland or DCA. DCA is always less crowded than Disneyland any day of the week. Weekends are going to be your worst days for Disneyland and as such so will Mondays and Fridays. My suggestions is early entry and if not get there around park opening. Do as much as you can before noon and collect fast passes. You can then take a mid day break if you wish and then come back later and use your fast passes in the evening. We usually try to do Disneyland on Tues or Wed or Thurs and save DCA for the more crowded Disneyland days but you do any day with good planning.

2) Wondering if there is a comprehensive site (like wdwinfo) for Disneyland. I'm interested in finding Restraunt menus and show schedules. I agree All ears is the best with the most info however this site is very good as is Mouseplanet.

3) Any discounts on admission that I might be able to make use of. We are DVC members and Annual Passholders for WDW. I am not sure of any discounts other than say Getaway today or AAA.

4) How far in advance can you book dining such as the Fantasic Dessert Seating and Blue Bayou? 60 days

5) Any suggestions for a romantic dinner in either California Adventure or Disneyland? Inside CA is the restaurant above the Trattoria. The name escapes me but it is supposed to be excellent. In Disneyland the best is Blue Bayou. Outside the parks is Napa Rose or Hook's Point. Also Steakhouse 55 is nice.

6) I have two free roundtrip tickets that I will be using for the flight to and from Disneyland. I have flown into both LAX and John Wayne in the past for business. Is one better then the other for Disneyland? Is there a shuttle that you can take from either airport to Disneyland? Orange county is much closer and smaller so I prefer that. There are several shuttles and a Taxi is actually a cheap bet and from the GCH you can get a certificate from the Concierge to guarantee your price on your return.

7) Because we want to do some "tourist" stuff during the second half of our trip, is it possible to rent a car someplace on Disney property? We would then return the car to the airport when we leave to return home. There is an AVIS rental agency at the Park Vue in on Harbor right across from Disneyland. You can rent a car there or I would ask the concierege at your hotel and I am sure they can arrange something. But the one at the Park Vue is the closest.

Have a GREAT time!

 

[cheesemouse]

I would definitely recommend flying into SNA (Orange County). It is much smaller and a lot less wasted time and hassle. A taxi is really quick and inexpensive. My family has gone into both several times and we always kick ourselves when we choose LAX (usually because it's sooo much cheaper).

 

[Albort]

I would definitely recommend flying into SNA (Orange County). It is much smaller and a lot less wasted time and hassle. A taxi is really quick and inexpensive. My family has gone into both several times and we always kick ourselves when we choose LAX (usually because it's sooo much cheaper).

Also note that There is not a lot of direct flight into SNA, so your round trip ticket might not work too well with SNA.

 

[staley7580]

there is an Alamo rental agency in DTD. It is right next to the WDTC office.

 

[kikiq]

I like the atmosphere in the Blue Bayou but for a romantic dinner that is more adult and quiet, I would spend the money and go to Napa Rose, excellent food and atmosphere.

My vote is to fly into John Wayne airport. There is a bus to the Disney hotels. You can rent from Alamo in DTD. it's easier to drive and return the car to John Wayne than LAX.

Have a good time!

 

[sunking]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I do appreciate them.

If you have more, keep them coming!!!

 

[tmli]

If you can, avoid Saturday/Sunday at Disneyland park. DCA wasn't terrible but DL was intolerable.

Goofy's Kitchen was a nice surprise for me. Experienced some of the best character interaction I have ever seen. I have only been to Disneyland once, but have been to WDW more than 30 times.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I do appreciate them.

If you have more, keep them coming!!!

If you have not read them already, read the sticky's at the top of this forum, a wealth of knowledge.

Jack

 

[brergnat]

Fly into SNA if you can. LAX is a huge hassle.

You can rent a car from Alamo office located right next to the Disneyland Hotel (sort of between downtown disney and the hotel, in a side building which also houses the Walt Disney Travel Company).

I think your best bet for tickets would be a 4 day hopper. If you buy online in advance you can save $$$ from the gate price.

For a romantic dinner, Blue Bayou is great in the parks. In DCA, try the Vineyard Room (italian cuisine).

In the hotels, Napa Rose is supposed to be excellent, but it's VERY pricey. Steakhouse 55 in the DLH as well as Hooke's Point are good options as well.

In Downtown Disney, my favorite is Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen for DINNER. It's very romantic and cozy and the food is great.

 

[audrabolster]

If you call the reservation line, and tell them you want a special dinner for an anniversary, etc. they will really pull out some nice stops (usually) and give you a nicer table!