New to DL! Have a few questions!!

[KigerKat]

Hello! DH and I are considering going to DL for the first time this December for a few days. We're looking at December 10-13 at DL, then a day in Hollywood and then rent a car and drive to Vegas and fly back home from there. While looking at everything online, I have a couple of questions for some of you DL pros!!

1. Is there any kind of transportation from LAX to any of the Good Neighbor hotels? If not, does anyone have any suggestions?

2. I noticed the hours are not yet posted for December. What have they been like in the past?

3. How are the holiday decorations? We haven't been to WDW during the holidays, so I don't really have anything to compare it to. DH is a camera nut, so I'm sure he's going to want to see everything done up in good old Disney fashion!

I think that might be all for now...if I come up with some more, I'll let you know!

 

[Sherry E]

Hello there! Welcome!

I'm sure someone else will help with question #1.

I can tackle questions #2 & #3 by referring you to this thread - the Disneyland at Christmas Time Superthread.

Don't be intimidated by the size of the thread, as it's really just the first 3 posts on Page 1 that you need to start you off.

Post #1 of the Superthread is a Welcome/Intro post, with thumbnails of some seasonal highlights.

Post #2 of the Superthread is a photo Table of Contents/Index, with a breakdown of all the categories of seasonal highlights and links to all the photos of those highlights in the thread. This will be a great way to see what the decorations are like all around the Resort.

Post #3 of the Superthread is the Information post, featuring descriptions of goodies, links to Trip Reports, blogs, press releases, articles, info on handmade candy canes, links to Check-In threads for November and December, and a Q&A section featuring commonly asked questions about the holidays at DLR, including links to the park hours and entertainment for November and December of last year, which is what you want!! That will give you a general idea of what the hours should be like this coming December.

And then, of course, feel free to jump in and ask any questions in that thread if you'd like to - we have many DLR holiday veterans there, ready to help!

 

[A Small World]

Hi there

You are going to be following us - we are arriving at DL on 10th (also flying into LAX) and spending about 4 days there - then flying to Vegas for a few days.

We used Grayline Disneyland express shuttle last yr to get from LAX to Hojos - its not free like the WDW transportation is but its not expensive.

 

[KigerKat]

Hi there

You are going to be following us - we are arriving at DL on 10th (also flying into LAX) and spending about 4 days there - then flying to Vegas for a few days.

We used Grayline Disneyland express shuttle last yr to get from LAX to Hojos - its not free like the WDW transportation is but its not expensive.

How funny is that??? DH really wants to get some nice sunset desert shots between LA and LV, so that's why we're driving. We couldn't believe the hotel prices in Vegas that week! We're kind of bummed that we can't really book any show tickets just yet, or even see what shows are playing then.

I found a coupon for Grayline for $5 off per person, so that would make it $17. Not bad!!

 

[A Small World]

How funny is that??? DH really wants to get some nice sunset desert shots between LA and LV, so that's why we're driving. We couldn't believe the hotel prices in Vegas that week! We're kind of bummed that we can't really book any show tickets just yet, or even see what shows are playing then.

I found a coupon for Grayline for $5 off per person, so that would make it $17. Not bad!!

Weve been looking at shows and there seems to be a lot not showing at that time - we are considering `Penn and Teller. They have a show on TV here in the UK at the moment which we have been watching.

Where are you staying? - we havent booked the hotels yet (just flights) but are probably going to the Bellagio in Vegas and Hojos in DL

 

[KigerKat]

Weve been looking at shows and there seems to be a lot not showing at that time - we are considering `Penn and Teller. They have a show on TV here in the UK at the moment which we have been watching.

Where are you staying? - we havent booked the hotels yet (just flights) but are probably going to the Bellagio in Vegas and Hojos in DL

I saw a P&T show scheduled on 12/17, but you can't buy tickets yet. We really like them a lot, but would also like to see a Cirque show. I guess we'll see what they have posted over the next couple of months.

We haven't decided yet where we are staying at DL, but definitely one of the "Good Neighbor" hotels across the street. As far as Vegas, I have stayed at the Luxor in the past and their rates are $37 a night. Can't pass that up!! We also haven't booked anything yet, just pricing everything out and lining it all up with DH's "Western US Photo Tour".

We'll keep in touch over the next few months and maybe we'll go see the P&T show together!!

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

Have you been in the Luxor lately? In the last few years it's kind of turned into a pit, and since it's so far down on the strip it's hard to get anywhere. It's also hard to get to shows.

 

[HydroGuy]

1. Is there any kind of transportation from LAX to any of the Good Neighbor hotels? If not, does anyone have any suggestions?

2. I noticed the hours are not yet posted for December. What have they been like in the past?

See

"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

 

[KigerKat]

Have you been in the Luxor lately? In the last few years it's kind of turned into a pit, and since it's so far down on the strip it's hard to get anywhere. It's also hard to get to shows.

No, I haven't. I've only been there once, and it was about 13 years ago. We read some reviews on Trip Advisor, and it looks like we might book Paris instead, although DH is wanting Mirage. Both of those are in the middle of the strip, so hopefully it will be easier to get to stuff!

I've noticed a lot of people here staying at HoJo @ DL, so that must be a good choice. Are there any others that anyone here might suggest?

 

[skiingfast]

No, I haven't. I've only been there once, and it was about 13 years ago. We read some reviews on Trip Advisor, and it looks like we might book Paris instead, although DH is wanting Mirage. Both of those are in the middle of the strip, so hopefully it will be easier to get to stuff!

I've noticed a lot of people here staying at HoJo @ DL, so that must be a good choice. Are there any others that anyone here might suggest?

If you do Paris don't go with the base room, they tend to be a lot worse than the premium rooms. I like center strip and would aim for staying there too.

Park Vue Inn, Candy Cane Inn, BW Park Place, Tropicana.....

 

[Club33forme]

I am not knocking the suggested express shuttle as I have used it myself but the smaller shuttles get you to DL much faster as they will have just one or two stops compared to the many stops of the big bus. We use Mickey's Space Ship Shuttle and Super Shuttle. I have the phone numbers and web sites. Does anyone know if it is OK to post that info? Mickey guarantees the lowest price. Last time Mickey charged 50 dollars for a family of four.

 

[skiingfast]

I have the phone numbers and web sites. Does anyone know if it is OK to post that info? Mickey guarantees the lowest price.

As long as you don't have a business interest in them post away.

BTW in here http://www.anaheimoc.org/Articles/Archive/Webpage10153.asp you will find a coupon for Mickey's Space Shuttle and the Disneyland Resort Express.

 

[Pinocchio #1 Fan]

I can tell you that the very best show in Las Vegas in the Beatles: LOVE. It plays at the Mirage, and it is not only the best Cirque show, it's the best period. Even if you're not a Beatles fan. My brother lives in Vegas, and gets a ton of freebies, and that's the only show he's gotten free, then paid to see again.

 

[KigerKat]

As long as you don't have a business interest in them post away.

BTW in here http://www.anaheimoc.org/Articles/Archive/Webpage10153.asp you will find a coupon for Mickey's Space Shuttle and the Disneyland Resort Express.

Thanks for all the coupons!

However, I went to the website for Mickey's Space Ship Shuttle, and just based on their website alone I would not book them. They have so many pictures posted of burned and wrecked buses, saying "this is what happens when you ride on a big bus", I just have no respect for companies who want to scare people into buying their services. The entire website just seems cheap and very unprofessional. I'm sorry, but when that is your first impression for people who live thousands of miles away, you should really put a little more thought, money and effort into it.