Need lots of help! Planning 1st trip to DL!

[Snoozan]

After 16+ trips to WDW, we've earned a free skymiles ticket from Delta so we're using it to go to Disneyland! Now, lots of questions from a WDW expert, but a complete DL novice:

Is the end of Oct/beginning of Nov a good time to visit?
Are there ever any "deals" like the resort codes I'm used to?
Do people have DVC points to use at DL? (I'm always renting points to stay at BWV so I can enjoy my deluxe hotels at a moderate price.)

Where is the best place to buy DL tix? Is 3 park days enough for 2 adults?

Is there any reliable transportation from John Wayne airport(SNA)? Did I read someplace about a Disneyland Express bus? If we want to rent a car for a day trip, is there anywhere near DL to do so?

What do people recommend for a hotel - not sure I want to spend the $$$ for an "on-site" hotel, but maybe one of the Good Neighbor hotels? We want to walk to the parks/DTD, but a complimentary breakfast and a refrigerator in the room would be really nice, too!

 

[B9erSteve]

1. Yep, end of oct and beginning nov will be fairly light and temps will still be very nice. Warm days and cool nights.

2. Annual passholder discounts are not quite as nice as they are at WDW. WDW has a lot of rooms to fill in the slow periods, DLR only has three properties and they are usually in demand. Annual passholder disc is about 10% except for special promotions. Can't really count on them. I'll get a flyer from Disney on occasion that offers a deal that sounds pretty good, but the dates are usually pretty bad (I'd have to pull a child out of school) or if I add things up, its not much of a deal (unless you are willing to suffer through a stay at the Jolly Roger -I'll never do that again!)
3. DVC has not opened yet in DLR, you could use points to stay there, but I have heard that it turns out to not be such a good deal.
4. Three days is good. Two days at DL and one at DCA. Credit unions usually have a deal on Disney tix. Your local AAA may also be able to score you a deal.
5. I don't know about car rentals. But be advised, Travel in LA is a major drag! You can get caught on a freeway for over an hour and only go a short distance. If you get a rental, plot your path carefully and listen to traffic reports. Used to be rush hours down there but now days every hour is rush hour. I've heard of some sort of shuttle from SNA to DL but I have no direct knowledge of it.
6. Don't spend the money on-site unless you really want to do it. Hojo's is a favorite amohg DIS'ers. Candy Cane Inn is very nice. Avoid Jolly Roger.

 

[HydroGuy]

After 16+ trips to WDW, we've earned a free skymiles ticket from Delta so we're using it to go to Disneyland! Now, lots of questions from a WDW expert, but a complete DL novice:

This lengthy thread was written just for you:

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

It will answer most of your questions plus many more you did not know you had.

Is the end of Oct/beginning of Nov a good time to visit?

Depends on what your priorities are. Halloween has become very popular at DLR. Early November is low season but low season works differently at DLR than WDW. See:

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

Are there ever any "deals" like the resort codes I'm used to?
Do people have DVC points to use at DL? (I'm always renting points to stay at BWV so I can enjoy my deluxe hotels at a moderate price.)

Yes, and yes. But DLR onsite hotels have an extremely high occupancy rate (which is why they are planning to build more) and pressure to reduce rates off season is not as high as WDW.

Where is the best place to buy DL tix? Is 3 park days enough for 2 adults?

Ares travel and getaway.com seem to have the best deals. I have used Ares several times.

Three days is considered the minimum for DLR. Four days is usually a better choice for a first trip (or any trip). But if all you have is three days don't sweat it. It will allow you to do a lot - especially if you stay at one of the DLR hotels or another walking distance hotel.

Is there any reliable transportation from John Wayne airport(SNA)? Did I read someplace about a Disneyland Express bus? If we want to rent a car for a day trip, is there anywhere near DL to do so?

There is nothing really equivalent to WDW's Magical Express. DLR is much more of a locals resort and they have a much smaller percentage of people flying in to visit. Hence they are not as well organized in this area.

I have never used this type of thing at DLR but others have so I will let them respond with their feedback.

What do people recommend for a hotel - not sure I want to spend the $$$ for an "on-site" hotel, but maybe one of the Good Neighbor hotels? We want to walk to the parks/DTD, but a complimentary breakfast and a refrigerator in the room would be really nice, too!

My recommendations are summarized here:

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Personally we like the off-site BWPPI as it is close, quiet and clean. And it has mini-suites with three queen beds and a microwave and fridge. But others here will have lots of other recommendations.