Oh my Goofy!

[Cinderella89]

So, my first vacation planning experience ever is happening right now. My room mate and I are cast members at Disney World and have just decided that we're going to go to Disneyland witin the next couple of months. Any hints or tips for first time vacation planners? =)

 

[onelilspark]

Check here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276 Especially Hydroguy's links. I'm in the process of planning my first trip and the links in that thread are so helpful!

(Also, my friend was DAK ODF. I actually know what that means! )

 

[raftislander]

There is also an excellent thread called "DLR for the WDW vet" that you should find and read. Here are my top 5 EARLY planning distinctions between DLR and WDW that you should be aware of:

1. Airports: I assume that you will be flying. You have more airport options than WDW to hunt for the best fare. John Wayne (also called Santa Ana or Orange Co. - SNA is the airport code) is the closest but usually the most expensive. Long Beach is next closest. LAX and Ontario are slightly more distant and driving times can be affected greatly by traffic. I have never flown into Burbank, but I think it is probably the least used airport for DLR travel.

2. Hotels: While staying at a Disney resort hotel is wonderful, you pay $$$ for it. There is no "value" resort at DLR. For value price ranges you have to go off-site. Staying onsite at DLR is not as critical as it is in WDW. Many off-site hotels are closer (or just as close) to the entrance gates as the Disney owned properties. But never EVER trust the hotels web site as to how close it is to DL. It may be one block from the park, but not one block from the entrance plaza on Harbor Blvd. Some, like BWPPI are directly across from the entrance plaza. My personal range of acceptable distance is the HoJos to the north(?) and Candy Cane Inn to the (?) south. I do not like have to rely on the ART shuttle system to get to and from my hotel and do enough walking in the parks- so I have a fairly narrow range of acceptable distance. If you have an entertainment card, HoJo has an entertainment rate of $59 for a room with two queen beds available on certain dates. A bargain that is hard to beat! If the rate is not available, then I look for a hotel that offers a free breakfast as this helps save time and $$ inthe mornings.

3. Park Passes: In many ways planning a trip to DLR is much simpler than WDW. Due to the fact that DLR covers a relatively compact area you do not need to worry about which park to visit on which day-you will parkhop. Parkhopping is easy as it is less than five minutes walk from the turnstiles of DL to the turnstiles of DCA. Many DLR regulars go back and forth between the parks more than once in a single day. There are no EMH at DCA (or technically at DL either). The only "extra" hours available are Magic Mornings (MM) formerly called Early Entry(EE) and this happens only at DL. On days starting with an "T" or an "S" you can get into DL one hour before the regular opening time. Every parkhopper pass of three or more days includes one MM entry. If you are staying at one of the three Disney resort hotels you can make use of MM on every day that it is available during your stay. During MM the whole park is not open. Most of the rides in Fantasyland are open and some in Tomorrowland are open. There are no fastpasses for the attractions in Fantasyland so this is an excellent way to hit all of these rides without significant wait.

4. Transportation: There is no equivalent to Magical Express at DLR resort providing free transportation from airport to resort. There are plenty of transportation/shuttle options to get you to and from the aiport & hotel. A rental car is not necessary if you are just touring the parks as you can walk everywhere you need to go (if you choose the right hotel). If you want to see other So. Cal sights, a rental car is needed. If you are getting a rental car, make sure that you choose a hotel with free parking.

5. When to go: Like WDW attendance at DLR goes up during school breaks and holidays. Weather-wise, summers are a lot easier to handle in So.Cal than Florida. While there are higher crowds at these times there is also a full entertainment schedule and few attractions will be down for refurbishment. If you are going in off peak times you may (likely) will not have fireworks scheduled every night and attractions may be down. One thing that is very different in DLR than WDW is the impact of annual passholder blackout dates. There are a HUGE number of annual passholders at DLR- I think the last number I heard was around 900,000. There are several types of annual passes and all but the Premium pass have some blackout dates; the least expensive passes do not allow entry during the summer peak periods. If you schedule a trip right before the blackout period goes into effect or right after it ends you will likely face parks filled with passholders. Hydroguy- the Jedi Master of DLR touring- also has a great thread on this. The World of Color (WOC) show at DCA is expected to open the first part of May. Disney is trying to figure out a way to handle the hoards of annual passholders that will come to DCA to see this new and much anticipated event. So this year, contrary to what you might expect, you will probably face lower crowds waiting until school is out and the blackout dates are in effect than going in May, when lots of passholders are going to try to see the new WOC show.

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[Cinderella89]

We're cast members over at WDW so we get a discount on DLR rooms (525 for Paradise Pier for 3 nights!! Yay!) and we get free admission (WOO!!). We're also going in the middle of a week.

Now I read something about the Disneyland Express. How much is that?

 

[HydroGuy]

Now I read something about the Disneyland Express. How much is that?

Looks like $15-20

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

http://www.coachamerica.com/graylineanaheim/tours_shuttles.cfm

There is also an excellent thread called See "DLR for the WDW vet" that you should find and read.

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

5. When to go: Like WDW attendance at DLR goes up during school breaks and holidays. Weather-wise, summers are a lot easier to handle in So.Cal than Florida. While there are higher crowds at these times there is also a full entertainment schedule and few attractions will be down for refurbishment. If you are going in off peak times you may (likely) will not have fireworks scheduled every night and attractions may be down. One thing that is very different in DLR than WDW is the impact of annual passholder blackout dates. There are a HUGE number of annual passholders at DLR- I think the last number I heard was around 900,000. There are several types of annual passes and all but the Premium pass have some blackout dates; the least expensive passes do not allow entry during the summer peak periods. If you schedule a trip right before the blackout period goes into effect or right after it ends you will likely face parks filled with passholders. Hydroguy- the Jedi Master of DLR touring- also has a great thread on this. The World of Color (WOC) show at DCA is expected to open the first part of May. Disney is trying to figure out a way to handle the hoards of annual passholders that will come to DCA to see this new and much anticipated event. So this year, contrary to what you might expect, you will probably face lower crowds waiting until school is out and the blackout dates are in effect than going in May, when lots of passholders are going to try to see the new WOC show.

For more info see

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

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

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

 

[wdwfan22]

Do you mean $525 for 3 nts at Paradise Pier? If so, that is not a huge disount. It might be somewhat of a discount, but many of the off property hotels are closer than the Paradise Pier. It is about a 10 min walk to the DL gate from Paradise Pier. You could stay, for example, at HoJo's for $59 a nt with the entertainment discount, and have about the same distance to walk. That would leave you guys a lot of money for shopping, etc.

Just a thought, but of course it is your trip. I suppose if money weren't an object to me, then I would stay at one of the Disney hotels also for the experience. Although, I have stayed at DL hotel twice, and just wasn't that impressed. I much prefer the DW hotels to the DL ones. (except GC, which I can't afford to stay at). They are so much more themed at DW.

 

[Cinderella89]

We did our home work last night and found the Quality Inn that's only 1/2 a mile from DLR! Yay!! And 245 for the three nights which will be awesome and more spending money.

Y'all are sooo healpful!!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

We did our home work last night and found the Quality Inn that's only 1/2 a mile from DLR! Yay!! And 245 for the three nights which will be awesome and more spending money.

Y'all are sooo healpful!!

Awesome! Which QI did you choose?? The one on Manchester, the one on Harbor or the one on Katella??

 

[Cinderella89]

Manchester. It was the only one listed on the Disneyland site as a good neighbor.

 

[Leofoenget]

We're cast members over at WDW so we get a discount on DLR rooms (525 for Paradise Pier for 3 nights!! Yay!) and we get free admission (WOO!!). We're also going in the middle of a week.

Now I read something about the Disneyland Express. How much is that?

Be aware of Spring Break crowds. If $$ is an issue, you can get much cheaper hotels across the street
http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp, HOJO being a board favorite, Anaheim Plaza all walking distance

Walking distance to the park is huge, plus many offer free breakfasts. This link is very helpful. Anaheim plaza is sometimes as low as $49 and NO it's not a total dive. Hojo Ent rate is sometimes $59.

 

[HydroGuy]

Manchester. It was the only one listed on the Disneyland site as a good neighbor.

I think what the PP was getting at is that many of the hotels are creative with their published distances. If you are walking the only important distance is the distance to walk from the hotel to the DLR entrance. It does not do you any good if the hotel is near the edge of DLR but there is no entrance there and you have to walk around the block.

This link shows where the QI is just north of the Pumbaa parking lot.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30832784&postcount=1

I have never stayed at QI there but it appears to be right next to a major interstate freeway (I-5). Would not surprise me if it is very loud there.

Also, I cannot see the walking path but from the map it appears to be along Manchester up to Harbor Blvd - potentially a walk closer to 3/4 or even a full mile than the 1/2 mile you are thinking.

You may want to do a little more homework to be sure that is the hotel you want.

There are more hotel links and maps in this thread:

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

 

[Cinderella89]

They had a map on their website and I googled it, there's an enterance right there. But I'll double check.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

The walk from the Quality Inn on Manchester is not that bad, only slightly more than HoJos.

I've stayed there a few times (and will again this week) and have never had a problem with freeway noise.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

The walk from the Quality Inn on Manchester is not that bad, only slightly more than HoJos.

I've stayed there a few times (and will again this week) and have never had a problem with freeway noise.

Here's some pics from the Quality Inn on Manchester from our stay a couple of weeks ago: