Need help with planning

[Raidergx]

We are Disney world experts, know each hotel, know where to stay ect ect...

Now we are going to Disneyland and we are totally confused with meal plans, where to stay and all that.

Here is my questions,

Where to stay, since there is no Magical Ex, or on property shuttles what is the point of staying on property?

So then I need hotel suggestions, need a suite for 5 with good early morning transport to the park.

Dinning plan, heard they are lame at DLR, so just buy some gift cards for food only, is that the way to go?

What airport to fly into?

What planning websites or travel agents are good to talk to?


Thanks all in advance.

 

[goldies 5]

If you don't plan on coming often I would reccomend staying onsite if affordable. Are you booking a package? Getaway was the cheapest for us this year (our AP's are expired.) Costco.com is a better deal than the DL website. Same price but you get a character breakfast.
You won't pay much more for PP than a package offsite, and 5 people can feel very comfortable there. If you have to have shuttle service this probably won't work for you. You would have to cross one street but it is not Harbour Blvd., which is busy and loud.
Dining plan won't save you any money. If you have a AAA card you can save at many locations.
If you have a Disney Visa you can save 10% on fifty or more spent on mercandise at most stores, but they have changed the rules ad now you have to use it instead of just showing it for the discount.

 

[kari12177]

We always fly from SMF to SNA and take a taxi to the GCH so we dont have to walk as far to the park. The taxi cost us 40 bucks last year.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

The first thing I suggest is to read HydroGuy's "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets":http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Second, check out "HydroGuy Tips Compilation": http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483, paying special attention to the link for "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule".

There are a few advantages to staying on property: you can get Early Entry on all days that it is offered (T and S days), you never leave the DLR "bubble" because you walk from your hotel room straight to the entrance of either park through Downtown Disney, and if you get the package deal you would be eligible for tickets to Toontown Morning Madness and preferred seating at shows at DCA. I saw on your signature that you've been to Disneyland once before, well before DL became one of two parks (and thus) the Disneyland Resort. If your visits are going to average fifteen to twenty years apart, I would definitely look at the affordability of staying on-site!

That being said, my family will be staying at the Anaheim Howard Johnson for our next visit because HOJO is a relatively close walk to the parks, we get to stay in one of the really nifty, new, pirate-themed kid suites, and I read rave reviews of HOJO's that span pages on the DIS Boards. There are lots of other favorites as well (I see Fairfield Inn and Best Western Park Place Inn mentioned frequently).

The dining plan is really the pits. Can't wait to see what the fuss is about when we visit WDW plan in a couple of years, but definitely don't bother with it at DLR. It can end up costing you money since a "Five Dollar" voucher spent on a $3.75 item would end up costing you the entire five dollars...you don't get change back from the vouchers! Pretty silly, IMO.

The Orange County/John Wayne (SNA) airport is the most convenient. Los Angeles (LAX) has the most flight options and might have cheaper flights, but then you have to deal with a potential traffic nightmare during the 35 mile drive to DLR. I've never flown into Long Beach (LGB), but I've seen positive mentions of this airport on previous threads and it's almost as close as SNA to DLR.

I definitely think this is the best planning site (with definite emphasis on HydroGuy's tips). You might want to check out package deals (as mentioned by previous posters) offered by AAA and Costco.

Hope you have a wonderful time planning and an even better time at the truly magical DLR!

 

[Hound 109]

The first thing I suggest is to read HydroGuy's "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets":http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Second, check out "HydroGuy Tips Compilation": http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483, paying special attention to the link for "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule".

There are a few advantages to staying on property: you can get Early Entry on all days that it is offered (T and S days), you never leave the DLR "bubble" because you walk from your hotel room straight to the entrance of either park through Downtown Disney, and if you get the package deal you would be eligible for tickets to Toontown Morning Madness and preferred seating at shows at DCA. I saw on your signature that you've been to Disneyland once before, well before DL became one of two parks (and thus) the Disneyland Resort. If your visits are going to average fifteen to twenty years apart, I would definitely look at the affordability of staying on-site!

That being said, my family will be staying at the Anaheim Howard Johnson for our next visit because HOJO is a relatively close walk to the parks, we get to stay in one of the really nifty, new, pirate-themed kid suites, and I read rave reviews of HOJO's that span pages on the DIS Boards. There are lots of other favorites as well (I see Fairfield Inn and Best Western Park Place Inn mentioned frequently).

The dining plan is really the pits. Can't wait to see what the fuss is about when we visit WDW plan in a couple of years, but definitely don't bother with it at DLR. It can end up costing you money since a "Five Dollar" voucher spent on a $3.75 item would end up costing you the entire five dollars...you don't get change back from the vouchers! Pretty silly, IMO.

The Orange County/John Wayne (SNA) airport is the most convenient. Los Angeles (LAX) has the most flight options and might have cheaper flights, but then you have to deal with a potential traffic nightmare during the 35 mile drive to DLR. I've never flown into Long Beach (LGB), but I've seen positive mentions of this airport on previous threads and it's almost as close as SNA to DLR.

I definitely think this is the best planning site (with definite emphasis on HydroGuy's tips). You might want to check out package deals (as mentioned by previous posters) offered by AAA and Costco.

Hope you have a wonderful time planning and an even better time at the truly magical DLR!

I agree with every word of this post.


Definitely start with the HG tip threads in the links.....after reading & re-reading (with a DLR map in front of you), you'll have enough info to come back here & ask ALOT of specific questions.

If you are used to staying at a MOD or Deluxe at WDW & enjoy the "immersion" aspect of WDW, then i suggest one of the 3 on-site properties. If you're more of a Value WDW visitor.... then the 3-4 hotels listed in 3 Tinks post (& I'd also include the Candy Cane Inn in this group of "walking distance" preferred Harbor Blvd. Hotels) are all good choices.

Have a great time visiting Walt's Park.