New DisneyLander. Have a ton of questions

[TivoQueen]

We have been to Disney World many many times and I am an avid planner. I have decided to try DisneyLand next year and don't even know where to begin. We will be flying in from Pittsburgh, PA so we will rent a car. We will definetly be staying onsite too. How many days do I need to make our way through both parks? Is there a dining plan like they have in Disney World? What onsite hotel is the best? We are a family of 5 with 2 adults and 3 kids that will be ages 3, 7, & 11. Also, does DisneyLand offer discounts regulary like Disney World does? While we are there we also want to spend a few days at an oceanfront hotel in a nice beach neighborhood. Does anyone have any ideas on what beach areas I should check out? We want to drive around L.A. and see all the sites that tourists see. We have never been to California so we want to make the best of it.

Thanks

 

[Hound 109]

See comments below:

We have been to Disney World many many times and I am an avid planner. I have decided to try DisneyLand next year and don't even know where to begin.

Begin here:

- Go to DL early each day & tour & collect FPs (for later).
- Hop to DCA for a ride or two (& pick up a FP)
- Take a mid day rest at your onsite hotel (just a 3-6 min. walk away) & return to
- Either DCA and/or DL each afternoon/evening with the FPs that you collected earlier.

Here's the primer for WDW vets:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

& here are the rest of HydroGuy's tip threads....all should be looked at:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

& MaryJo's differences between DLR & WDW is informative:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084




We will be flying in from Pittsburgh, PA so we will rent a car. We will definetly be staying onsite too. How many days do I need to make our way through both parks?

With your crew.....i'd say 4-5 days for DLR.


Is there a dining plan like they have in Disney World?

Nothing Like it.....leave that expectation (& the size of the castle expectation) at home. Lots of places to eat....but it's not something you have to plan for, nor is it a big deal like at WDW.

What onsite hotel is the best? We are a family of 5 with 2 adults and 3 kids that will be ages 3, 7, & 11.

I'll let others discuss this, but all are good. The DLH is $40 - $80 more than the Paradise Pier.....& the GCH is $50 - $100 more than the DLH. The GCH is obviously "the best". But all are good.

Also, does DisneyLand offer discounts regulary like Disney World does?

Not as dramatic as WDW (not as many beds to fill), but deals can be had.

While we are there we also want to spend a few days at an oceanfront hotel in a nice beach neighborhood. Does anyone have any ideas on what beach areas I should check out?

Malibu? Santa Monica? Newport? Laguna? Do some research....lots to choose from. Also you might consider the hotel that the Grand Floridian was patterned after....the Del Coronado in San Diego. Try to find KC Mike's Trip Report.....lots of pictures & info.

We want to drive around L.A. and see all the sites that tourists see. We have never been to California so we want to make the best of it.

Again, lots to see & do....do some research & post back.

Thanks

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

.

 

[toni1227]

Just hang out here on the boards a little each day for a few weeks and you will learn everything you need to so your trip will be a success. And read all the tips by hydroguy and hound in the stickies.

We stayed at GCH and LOVED it!!! I am spoiled now and will not go back until I can afford to stay there again. It is close but still was a walk for my kids so the other hotels would have been even farther so I vote for GCH. Plus you get into DCA through a special entrance. Very convienent. We got a downtown disney view and I requested upper level with fireworks view and we got it.
It was great to see the fireworks the last 2 nights from our room (with the disney music that goes along with it on our tv).
(the first night we saw them in front of the castle of course!)

We were at Disney for 2.5 days and it was NOT enough for me. I will do 4-5 days next time. We ended up spending 3 nights in San Deigo on our trip too.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I will try my best to help. I don't know all the answers to your questions, though.

I would say 3-4 days is a good amount to work you way through the parks with ease. We usually do a 3 day parkhopper--and that works out great for us. Disneyland is so user friendly because it is so small--and it is literally steps from the entrance of California Adventure. So you won't need to split your days between the parks--you can run back and forth many times! We do that all the time. We will spend the morning in Disneyland, have lunch, and then run over to California Adventure for a while. Then we go back to the hotel (walking distance) and rest and swim in the pool. We go back through California Adventure, eat dinner, and make our way to Disneyland in time for more rides and fireworks.

As for the hotel, we have stayed at both the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand California. They are both walking distance to the parks. The Grand is closer, but honestly--not by that much. It will add like 4 more minutes to your walk if you chose the DH over the Grand. We actually like the DH better, because the rooms are bigger (we have 3 kids) and the view over the pool is very nice. It just feels more comfortable there to us. Other people like the Grand because of the beautiful lobby and the bonus entrance to CA.

The restaurant in the Grand (Storytellers) is very good for dinner. We had only been for breakfast before this last trip, and now I realize what we had been missing! You will need priority seating reservations for most restaurants (unless they don't take them)--so make them 60 days prior to your trip.

Many people like to eat at the Blue Bayou for their first trip (its the restaurant connected to the Pirates ride)--just because it is an experience in itself. The food is only so-so and can be pricey, so go for lunch rather than dinner if possible.

There is no dining plan like at DW. The food is often not that great in the park, actually--but it is okay. The Carnation Cafe is very good for lunch. I love the baked potato soup.

Check out trip advisor for beach hotels. We stayed at the Del Coronado last summer--it was beautiful, but VERY expensive, and I am not sure it was worth it. That is in San Diego. There are other hotels in the L.A. area that might be better for a family vacation. Newport Beach is a nice family beach town.

Have fun!
Lisa