Need Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CTDis4]

We have been to WDW numerous times and last night we decided to take a trip to where it all started....Disneyland! We know nothing about where to stay, (we have stayed at the Poly, CR, WL, AKL, POR, POFQ and our favorite CSR) how different WDW is than Disneyland, how many days to stay...we never go to WDW for less tha 8 nights - nine days. It will be just the DH and I. So anyone have any suggestions???????????????

 

[avalon451]

Look up at the top of the forum page, at the sticky threads. There are a bunch of really helpful ones there. In particular, look at Hydroguy's compilation of tips and tricks. There's one in there titled "DL for WDW Vets." Very helpful!

Have a great time planning! You'll love DL.

 

[Janomi]

First off, Welcome home!

I'll go ahead and direct you over to hydroguy's tips:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

This compilation of information is invaluable and well organized too!

That being said, Disneyland resort is a lot smaller than WDW and most will say that it can be accomplished in a 3-4 day trip.
The idea of park hopping is also a possibility (and recommended) since all you have to do is walk across the Esplanade.

In terms of hotels, being off-site is definitely an option, considering the layout and how close the walking distance is to the parks.

I'm sure you'll have plenty of more questions as you plan your trip, and the board will be here

 

[CTDis4]

Thank-you both so much. Very excited about this trip! Now off to do my research....

 

[Lady V]

I am in the same boat as you!!! I decided to book the Grand Californian for the trip!! so excited and I know you are too!!

 

[disney-inspired]

We have been to WDW numerous times and last night we decided to take a trip to where it all started....Disneyland! We know nothing about where to stay, (we have stayed at the Poly, CR, WL, AKL, POR, POFQ and our favorite CSR) how different WDW is than Disneyland, how many days to stay...we never go to WDW for less tha 8 nights - nine days. It will be just the DH and I. So anyone have any suggestions???????????????

Disneyland is WAY different from WDW in terms of planning. If you want to stay onsite it's either the Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Californian Hotel, or Paradise Pier. There is no dining plan and the Blue Bayou is the only nice, sit down restaurant in Disneyland. If you go to California Adventure, it would be Wine Country Trattoria. Since you are first-timers, I would think 4-5 days would be sufficient (to do both parks). When are you planning to go? If it's summer than that should be a good amount of time to see everything at DL and be able to take a midday break at your hotel.

Go to Disneyland.com and start looking at the on-site hotels and see which one meets your fancy. I've never stayed on-site at DL because I'm a local but I hear good things about all of them.

Check allearsnet.com and see what quick service places you think you might be interested.

Have fun!

 

[mousiemom]

We have been to WDW numerous times and last night we decided to take a trip to where it all started....Disneyland! We know nothing about where to stay, (we have stayed at the Poly, CR, WL, AKL, POR, POFQ and our favorite CSR) how different WDW is than Disneyland, how many days to stay...we never go to WDW for less tha 8 nights - nine days. It will be just the DH and I. So anyone have any suggestions???????????????

let me tell you what we are doing: me, dh, and 7yrdd are going to DL june 5th for the 1st time. i can write a book on wdw and like you only know the disney resorts and the adrs for the best restaurants. i started on this board to find out all i needed to know. we go to wdw during value season and usually stay @ pop so i knew i didn't want to pay that much for our hotel. we are staying 7 nights @ howard johnson that is located in walking distance to the front gate. all of the onsite disney hotels were too much for us. the rooms @ the hojos are so much bigger than pop and por!!! we are getting a disneyview, refrig, microwave for $74 a night!!!(that's with the ent. rate) you will learn about that too. we are flying in so we bought the 4 day unlimited pass for grayline buses for $126ea. this is going to take us to seaworld, san diego zoo, universal studios/hollywood tour, and our roundtrip ticket from the airport. i didn't want to rent a car cause of gas prices, getting lost, and having to pay for parking. you need to go to costco.com and purchase the so.cali city pass. this is a ticket booklet with all of these places and a 3 day hopper for disneyland for $218 ea.
we are so excited about this trip!! we didn't make any adrs for the restaurants but we do have them picked out. we usually stay @ wdw for 8 nights and do disney the whole time and one day universal but DL we are doing for 3 days and i think by reading these threads that's all we will need. we are early risers so we will see everything. if you have anymore questions feel free!! we have 1 month and 1 week!!!
oh, by the way, we are staying @ CSR in Jan for the 1st time! which bldg. do you stay in?
thanks,
mousiemom

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

With just the 2 of you I would plan for at least 3 full days if not more. I prefer 5 but that is with 2 little ones in tow.

 

[Hound 109]

We have been to WDW numerous times and last night we decided to take a trip to where it all started....Disneyland! We know nothing about where to stay, (we have stayed at the Poly, CR, WL, AKL, POR, POFQ and our favorite CSR) how different WDW is than Disneyland, how many days to stay...we never go to WDW for less tha 8 nights - nine days. It will be just the DH and I. So anyone have any suggestions???????????????

I agree with all posts above (& read HydroGuy's DLR tips for WDW vets thread first..... but you might want to first print his Abreviations Page for quick reference).

If you're looking for more of a WL/Poly experience, try the GCH (but you'll pay for it ). The CR would probably compare more with the DLH. The PP (which is a $50 drop down in price & experience to the DLH imo) really doesn't have a comparable property, but is nice.

If staying off-site (which i have half the time), I highly recommend staying at one of the dozen properties on Harbor Blvd. (Which makes walking is SO easy at DLR). In quality, the Candy Cane would compare with the PO resorts (but it's not a resort...more of a cute/nice motel).

I also HIGHLY recommend you plan a min. of 3 days, for many reasons. (3 day Park Hoppers are a good deal & get you one day MM). & you'll need at least 3 days to DO DLR right. (4 or 5 days would be better).

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park!

 

[CTDis4]

let me tell you what we are doing: me, dh, and 7yrdd are going to DL june 5th for the 1st time. i can write a book on wdw and like you only know the disney resorts and the adrs for the best restaurants. i started on this board to find out all i needed to know. we go to wdw during value season and usually stay @ pop so i knew i didn't want to pay that much for our hotel. we are staying 7 nights @ howard johnson that is located in walking distance to the front gate. all of the onsite disney hotels were too much for us. the rooms @ the hojos are so much bigger than pop and por!!! we are getting a disneyview, refrig, microwave for $74 a night!!!(that's with the ent. rate) you will learn about that too. we are flying in so we bought the 4 day unlimited pass for grayline buses for $126ea. this is going to take us to seaworld, san diego zoo, universal studios/hollywood tour, and our roundtrip ticket from the airport. i didn't want to rent a car cause of gas prices, getting lost, and having to pay for parking. you need to go to costco.com and purchase the so.cali city pass. this is a ticket booklet with all of these places and a 3 day hopper for disneyland for $218 ea.
we are so excited about this trip!! we didn't make any adrs for the restaurants but we do have them picked out. we usually stay @ wdw for 8 nights and do disney the whole time and one day universal but DL we are doing for 3 days and i think by reading these threads that's all we will need. we are early risers so we will see everything. if you have anymore questions feel free!! we have 1 month and 1 week!!!
oh, by the way, we are staying @ CSR in Jan for the 1st time! which bldg. do you stay in?
thanks,
mousiemom

Thanks for all the great advice...at CSR we like either Cabana's 8B or Rancho's 7A...close to main pool...close to bus stop 4....really not far from the main building....Have a great time...1 month and 1 week...how I envy you!!!!