Not been to DL in 10 years. Help please?

[The Hunchback]

We are WDW veterans but have not been to DL in 10 years. Can anyone help with a few questions?

I use an ECV and am renting from Apple due to a special rate. How are they to rent from?

My husband is a photographer and wants good pictures of both nighttime fireworks shows. Where would you suggest he set up his equipment for best views. How early do we need to stake out a place?

We are staying at Alpine Inn. Looks to me like we will need to drive to the park each day. Anyone stay at Alpine Inn in the past? How was it? Did you drive or walk to the parks?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[VandVsmama]

What sort of photography equipment will your DH be bringing with him? According to https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/permitted-items/, "folding tripod stands or monopod stands that can fit inside a standard backpack are permitted." I haven't ever stayed at Alpine Inn, so I can't speak to that. I hope that you and your husband have a WONDERFUL time!

Be sure to download the Disneyland app to your smart phone before your visit. It's very helpful.

If you do drive to the parks each day, you can pay for parking ahead of time through the app or through the Disneyland website. You could also take ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) instead of driving. The ART website is located at http://rideart.org/. You could take a scooter on ART. The nearest ART stop for you would be at the Desert Palms next door to the Alpine Inn. Cheapest ART tickets are purchased online before you get to Anaheim. Most expensive is to pay on the bus. If you pay on the bus, you need to have exact change and I believe it's cash only.

ART passes online cost:
1-day: $5/adult
3-day: $12/adult
5-day: $20/adult

Parking at DL costs $18/vehicle. So you could drive and park and pay $54 for 3 days of parking (this is on top of any parking fees that your hotel charges you) or take ART and spend $24 on 3-day ART passes for the 2 of you!

 

[The Hunchback]

Husband uses a folding tripod and a really big camera. It all fits in his camera bag, so do not expect a problem except that security must check each item. We use it at WDW all the time.

I read that the last ART shuttles leave DL 15 minutes after the fireworks. We are still packing camera equipment 15 minutes after fireworks. That is why we planned to drive and yes, pay more for parking. If you have knowledge that the ART runs later, let me know.

 

[VandVsmama]

Hm...DL fireworks are usually not at the end of the evening. For example, on ART's website right now, it says that the last bus today (Sunday) for line #9 (Katella Ave) is at 12:30 am and usually DL has fireworks around 9-9:30 pm.

 

[mom2rtk]

Have your husband check out the sight lines for fireworks online before going. I love that DL didn't chop down all of their trees like WDW has, but they do cause some issues for fireworks photography, especially if you want most of the castle in your shot.

Space front and center by the castle for fireworks does take a time commitment. Your one advantage (and disadvantage) is that the parade does not come through there, so people won't be able to see MSEP from there. We were there in November and were surprised at how much more of that space was taken up with chairs and benches for reserved VIP viewing.

People will stake out spots hours in advance. How early you need to get a spot really depends on the night. I would pick the day he wants to do it and keep an eye on the area.