Need some tips from DL veterans.

[bookgirl]

I'm about to go on my third trip out to WDW and my folks have been talking about going out to California. I think I may go with them and make a hit and run vacation, with a stop at a few different attractions. I've actually done a similar trip before.

I've was in California, once over a decade ago to present a paper in Anahiem and I drove to DL for the day (also did a day in LA/Studio City and a trip down to the SD zoo). I stayed way offsite, and they were in the process of building DCA so I feel like the park, is a whole new ball game since it's been so long and so much has changed.

We will probably fly into Anahiem and rent a car. I know we will go to Studio City one day (parents want to go watch the Price is Right), and we will drive down to San Diego one day to visit a cousin.

I think we will stay offsite as they don't like to do EMH (Magic Mornings?), we don't use the pool really and they will not want to do the price of the three Disney offereings (seem comparable to the Deluxes at WDW). But since we're talking a winter trip, I thought DL might be like WDW and have slashed prices in the cooler months (Jan/Feb maybe 1st week of March). If not onsite we'll stay at Fairfield or a good neighbor hotel, we are pretty comfortable at anything in the Hampton/Holiday Inn/La Quinta range. Comfort/Best Western/Motel 6/Super 8 not an option.

I can't compare prices as it won't let me even pretend to book past 12/31. And I'm still trying to decide between 1 or 2 days at DL. (I and my mom have been but step dad has not, they both went to WDW with me twice so they have rode most of the major rides there and they are not park commandos at all)

Do any of you DL veterans have any tips? Any recomendations?

 

[skiingfast]

I would give yourself two days. Also go on a weekend if you want to see the nights shows. DCA's World of Color has played nightly, and may continue to do so. DCA only has a few attractions that are the same as in WDW, so it's mostly very unique.

Close to Christmas deals for the Winter should be out. You might like staying onsite so you could do extra magic hour and your parents can meet you afterward. I would take the FFI because it's so close and not both with shuttles or parking staying at the other chains you listed. Try making a cancellable reservation so when the after Christmas deals come out you can change if desired.

 

[HydroGuy]

Lots of tips here:

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

 

[bookgirl]

Thanks, I'll go look.

Feel like I'm starting the whole Disney Adventure all over again. Last time I didn't even have mapquest, my gps, or the internet. I planned everything with two books on california (not even DL books) and actual maps with driving directions written out on notecards. 12 years ago, I didn't even ride Pirates of the Carribean. How I managed that I don't know. Honestly we just followed the signs to park, walked in and made a big circle. We did however wind up in the front row for the parade and we had fun, but I didn't even realize till I started on the DIS with WDW how much I had probably missed in DL.

I'm feeling a little behind the curve if you know what I mean. But I want to make up some for missed opportunities. So I'm going to mock up a plan and see if we can pull this off but with only 6 months or so, I want to do a good job of planning. Hopefully it will work out and we'll get to the west coast home of Mickey.