Oh the questions I have!! :)

[fly girl]

Since I haven't been to DL since I was in the 8th grade on a student of the month school trip back in *cough, cough* 1988 I am a clueless wonder! ... Disney's California Adventure, what's that?!?



I have WDW down pretty well, but we are changing it up and decided to go to DL in the fall. I have read lots of great information, but still I need fellow Diser's who know all the ins-and-outs of DL to guide me in the right direction.



Tickets:

If we have used our 2012 Military Salutes tickets at WDW, can we buy the DL 3 day park hopper too? And can you buy the tickets at a DL ticket booth? (Dh's base doesn't have a sales outlet and we always buy them at the ticket windows at WDW -- I know, we pay the tax, but it is just easier that way for us.)




Hotel:


At WDW our preference is the Boardwalk Inn CL. I am debating between Grand Californian CL or Disneyland Resort CL. I am sure we would be happy at either resort, but if anyone has a personal preference and why I'd love to hear it! (and I think from what I read both CL's offer beer and wine in the afternoon, so I want to confirm it and find out if anyone knows the beer selections offered in particular --- nothing beats a cold beer after walking the parks all day!)




Parks:

I am trying to find out what rehabs and closures will be in September, but I couldn't find any detailed info. Maybe it is too soon? From what I have found it looks like the Haunted Mansion will be undergoing decoration, but will it be closed? And I also saw some rehabs to Alice and Wonderland and Gadget Coaster, is that confirmed or just speculation?




Misc.

If anyone has any helpful hints about what days are best for which park I'm all ears! Excited to start planning. BTW, our tentative plan is getting there on a Sunday afternoon, leaving on Thursday morning. So our park days would be M, Tu, W.


Thanks! Can't wait to get back to the Happiest Place on Earth!!

 

[skiingfast]

fly girl;45472422Disney's California Adventure, what's that?!?

Another whole park 150 feet from Disneyland Park.

I have WDW down pretty well, but we are changing it up and decided to go to DL in the fall. I have read lots of great information, but still I need fellow Diser's who know all the ins-and-outs of DL to guide me in the right direction.

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

Tickets:

If we have used our 2012 Military Salutes tickets at WDW, can we buy the DL 3 day park hopper too? And can you buy the tickets at a DL ticket booth? (Dh's base doesn't have a sales outlet and we always buy them at the ticket windows at WDW -- I know, we pay the tax, but it is just easier that way for us.)

Have you used all 6 ticket packages you can get with the militrary salute? If not DLR tickets do not have a tax on them, and the military provides the discount with disney. Can you buy from another base, I'm not sure how this works but there are bases near DLR.

Hotel:


At WDW our preference is the Boardwalk Inn CL. I am debating between Grand Californian CL or Disneyland Resort CL. I am sure we would be happy at either resort, but if anyone has a personal preference and why I'd love to hear it! (and I think from what I read both CL's offer beer and wine in the afternoon, so I want to confirm it and find out if anyone knows the beer selections offered in particular --- nothing beats a cold beer after walking the parks all day!)

The GCH is lodge style like the WL but in the GF class. GCH is super close, built against Disney California Adventure Park. The Disneyland Hotel is close, like walking from the Boardwalk to Epcot, it has a modern style but chock full of Disney elements. I'd suggest the Disneyland hotel because you can't find something like it at WDW.

Parks:

I am trying to find out what rehabs and closures will be in September, but I couldn't find any detailed info. Maybe it is too soon? From what I have found it looks like the Haunted Mansion will be undergoing decoration, but will it be closed? And I also saw some rehabs to Alice and Wonderland and Gadget Coaster, is that confirmed or just speculation?

Right now everything is a rumor. However Haunted Mansion will be closed until the 14th to receive a Holiday layover. Space Mountain will be closed the week of the 14th to reopen on Friday the 14th. Other rehabs are typical in September as it's an offseason month.

Misc.

If anyone has any helpful hints about what days are best for which park I'm all ears! Excited to start planning. BTW, our tentative plan is getting there on a Sunday afternoon, leaving on Thursday morning. So our park days would be M, Tu, W.

DLR doesn't have the wild EMH crowd pattern that WDW does. It may have a small one but thing tend to even out later morning since the EMH is only for opening.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Can you buy from another base, I'm not sure how this works but there are bases near DLR.

Yes you can. A friend's husband is stationed in NC, but bought DL tickets at the base in Sand Diego.

 

[fly girl]

Thank you, skiingfast!

Another whole park 150 feet from Disneyland Park.

I actually did know what California Adventure was, but since it was not in existence when I went I was being silly. I really want to see the World of Color water show, I have only heard good things about it!




DLR Guide for WDW Vets.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599
The link has a lot of info that will really help me out.




Have you used all 6 ticket packages you can get with the militrary salute? If not DLR tickets do not have a tax on them, and the military provides the discount with disney. Can you buy from another base, I'm not sure how this works but there are bases near DLR.
The military park tickets have become rather confusing to me when they extended the 2011 into the 2012 season. I used 3 tickets in '11, 3 tickets in '12 -- both at WDW for the 4 day park hopper option.
I really am curious if you can buy the tickets at the ticket counter at DL like you can at WDW. I really don't want to drive far away if not needed.




The GCH is lodge style like the WL but in the GF class. GCH is super close, built against Disney California Adventure Park. The Disneyland Hotel is close, like walking from the Boardwalk to Epcot, it has a modern style but chock full of Disney elements. I'd suggest the Disneyland hotel because you can't find something like it at WDW.
Oh, great advice about the resort!! It's always nice to take advantage of something not offered at the other park.





Right now everything is a rumor. However Haunted Mansion will be closed until the 14th to receive a Holiday layover. Space Mountain will be closed the week of the 14th to reopen on Friday the 14th. Other rehabs are typical in September as it's an offseason month.
So both HM and SM will reopen on the 14th? That makes my selection of late September vs. early September an easy one!

 

[fly girl]

Yes you can. A friend's husband is stationed in NC, but bought DL tickets at the base in Sand Diego.

Thanks. I knew we could buy tickets at another base, but dh won't be at another base with a sales office anytime soon.

And I don't even know if we would be able to get them since we already used WDW tickets this year?

 

[Disney Dreams]

I am excited for you and for your upcoming trip. I just want to quote your own comment for you: "It's always nice to take advantage of something not offered at the other park."

As you begin planning your trip, please please please keep your own very wise comment in mind. WAY too often people who are comfortable with WDW come to DLR and want a west coast WDW. That is NOT what DLR is. It is different. It is similar. It is wonderful. It is not WDW. And it is indeed nice to take advantage of something not offered elsewhere.

Embrace the differences, don't be afraid of them. And enjoy your trip!

- Dreams

 

[skiingfast]

Are you thinking of using this again? You can buy them at the gate. You can get 12 over the promotion lifetime.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-ticket/

After the 14th both will be open and since these layovers are exclusive to DLR you may want to aim for that.

It's covered in that big thread but the fireworks and F! only run on Friday through Sunday in this time of year.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Have you used all 6 ticket packages you can get with the militrary salute? If not DLR tickets do not have a tax on them, and the military provides the discount with disney. Can you buy from another base, I'm not sure how this works but there are bases near DLR.


I might be wrong on this one but I thought that with the Military Salute offer you were allowed a total of 12 tickets for the entire promo..if that is the case then yes, you can get them and yes, you can purchase them at a ticket booth on property...just have to have the military person with you to show id and also with you when you initially activate the passes



The GCH is lodge style like the WL but in the GF class. GCH is super close, built against Disney California Adventure Park. The Disneyland Hotel is close, like walking from the Boardwalk to Epcot, it has a modern style but chock full of Disney elements. I'd suggest the Disneyland hotel because you can't find something like it at WDW.


I 100% agree with this...GCH reminds me quite a bit like WL...I know the same architects did it but if I was coming to stay and never have been to either 2 properties and also being a wdw vet I would totally do DLH


Right now everything is a rumor. However Haunted Mansion will be closed until the 14th to receive a Holiday layover. Space Mountain will be closed the week of the 14th to reopen on Friday the 14th. Other rehabs are typical in September as it's an offseason month.

is IASW closing in Sept as well?

 

[skiingfast]

is IASW closing in Sept as well?

ITASW only gets a Christmas Overlay. It will close about October 22nd to reopen November 12th for the Holidays.

ETA. The Space Mountain overlay is Halloween only. The Haunted Mansion is for both Halloween and the Holidays.

 

[fly girl]

I am excited for you and for your upcoming trip. I just want to quote your own comment for you: "It's always nice to take advantage of something not offered at the other park."

As you begin planning your trip, please please please keep your own very wise comment in mind. WAY too often people who are comfortable with WDW come to DLR and want a west coast WDW. That is NOT what DLR is. It is different. It is similar. It is wonderful. It is not WDW. And it is indeed nice to take advantage of something not offered elsewhere.

Embrace the differences, don't be afraid of them. And enjoy your trip!

- Dreams

I will try to remember that! Just like I have to remind the family every WDW trip: at one point we are all tired, hot, and cranky ... and that "magical" feeling is a distant memory ... and someone has a melt down. (all 3 of us are guilty of it!) That's when we have to step back and remember that this is a vacation and we are supposed to have fun.


As I am reading threads I am already "geared up" for a new Disney experience. I am ready to show my dh and dd the original! (both have never been)


I am so excited to ride the Matterhorn again -- I loved that ride when I was there eons ago! As well as Mr. Toads Wild Ride.


Woo Hoo -- WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!!

 

[fly girl]

Are you thinking of using this again? You can buy them at the gate. You can get 12 over the promotion lifetime.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-ticket/

After the 14th both will be open and since these layovers are exclusive to DLR you may want to aim for that.

It's covered in that big thread but the fireworks and F! only run on Friday through Sunday in this time of year.

Yes, those are the tickets we wanted. Sweet, I believe we are still eligible and we can get them at the gate!


Hmmm....well I had September 24-26 as park days but as I read the threads it seems I may need to switch it around so we don't miss both the fireworks and F! I'll have to come up with a new plan of attack.


DLR strategery is very different than what I am used to. lol

 

[smiles33]

I loved our mid-September trip last year! We had 1 day before the Halloween decor went up and the park was nice and empty that Thursday. It got more crowded Friday (a huge number of radio stations set up booths to broadcast live from HMH) and lots of locals showed up Fri and Sat but they hadn't started the Halloween parties yet so we didn't get kicked out early. Check when they start the parties, as if you don't buy the party tickets (extra fee on top of admission) each party night you're there, you'll have to leave! I think they are usually weekend nights, but definitely double check. Have fun!

 

[fly girl]

Wow, radio stations at DL? That's something I wouldn't expect to see!

If I remember correctly, the first Halloween party kicks off on the 28th. We will be home by then.

We went to MNSSHP last year and it was a madhouse at MK, so although I would love to see it done at DL, I'd take the lower crowds and skip it this year.