Ok Thinking 6/2018 for the 1st time ever! What am I missing?

[dsnycrzy]

Hello all, Im going to try something new. I'll be going to my 20th trip to WDW this August, so Im familiar with Disney. But I have been curious about Disneyland for years and now Im determined to get there. So I did "dummy" dates for August 7th-12th of this year with CITYpass (3 day hopper) and staying at Paradise Pier with Transportation to and from LAX for myself and DD15 and DS5 for about $3500. Besides Airfare and spending money, am I missing anything? TIA

 

[Zooey]

First, Disneyland is AWESOME, and I'm glad you're giving the west coast a try!
If you can, John Wayne is the better airport for Disneyland. Could save you a lot of time depending when you're coming so you don't have to deal with LA traffic.
I wouldn't doubt if there are discounts on hotels around that late summer time, so you might want to go a little later than your current dates? Last year this was the discount from 8/14-9/26:

Save 25% Sun-Thur on Premium rooms at Disneyland Hotel & Grand Californian, 20% Sun-Thur on standard rooms at Disneyland Hotel & Grand Californian or 10% Sun-Thur at Paradise Pier

If there is a discount and you can swing it I recommend the Disneyland Hotel over PP. it's a wonderful place and a very unique Disney hotel compared to those at WDW.
That's all I can think of right off the bat.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread will fill you in on lots of helpful information (most of it is up to date): A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

SNA (John Wayne) is definitely the most convenient airport for DLR. LGB (Long Beach) is also close. There are smaller airports than LAX, so you might still find cheaper fares from LAX. Trade off: convenience or lower fare? I'd take convenience, within reason, of course. A closer airport will also save you headaches with transportation to/from.

While staying on site is fun and comes with a few perks (like EMH -- one hour early entry at alternating parks on alternating days, for example), you can save a LOT of money by staying off site. The off site hotels are very close. Some of them are closer walking distance to the gates than the on site hotels. Just something to think about. Because who doesn't want to have more spending money in the parks?
If you can add a day or two to your DLR tickets, I would. (I believe CityPass tickets can be upgraded. And get park hoppers, for sure! Park hopping is so easy at DLR!) For a first trip for a Disney lover, 5 days is ideal. That will give you plenty of time to do everything (rides, parades, fireworks, shows, etc.) at a relaxed pace while enjoying all the atmosphere of Walt's original park. You could do some dining packages for shows like WOC and F! And you would have extra time for re-doing favorite things and seeing the fireworks again in case they get cancelled (this is not uncommon at DLR -- be prepared!). Extra days also allows you to go with DLR's more spontaneous flow and not get overwhelmed by the summer crowds.

 

[lalasmama]

The biggest "am I missing anything" question is what is most important to you--luxury? The so-called "Disney bubble?" Proximity to the main gates?

$3500 is about what we just spent for a 4 days/5 nights off-site without a thought about spending budget; it is near what we spent last week. More commonly, we plan $1000 for the first person in the group, $750 for the second, and $500 for anyone beyond that, for a 3-4 day trip.

If you are looking for keeping the Disney bubble or some luxury, then staying on-site is a good idea, either at Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel. Paradise Pier means you will actually be crossing a fairly busy street. All 3 hotels will take you through Downtown Disneyland if you are counting closest point to front gates. You get early access to the parks (one hour early each day, alternating parks), the ability to send your packages to your room, "Disney bubble" continuation, and a few other minor treats.

If you are more interested in staying as close as possible, or any thoughts about budgeting, then you might want to consider off-site motels. For instance, Best Western Park Place Inn and Park Vue are both closer to the main gates than any Disney-owned hotel. Sure, there's no Mickey soaps, and the shampoo bottles don't have mouse ears, but the are both reasonably nice, very comfortable, and very close. Did I mention closer to the main gates? Clearly, we see where my priority lies! Bonus points: they are about 50% of the cost. When you are talking about a $400 room at Paradise Pier, or $170 for Park Vue, that $200+ difference would be 40 churros, 28 dole whip floats, a 3-person Main Street Electrical Parade dining experience at Blue Bayou, or an extra night at the hotel EACH DAY. I mean, after 2 days at an off-site hotel, you would have the price difference to add another day to your trip!

For airports, we prefer LGB, SNA, and then LAX, in that order. LGB is tiny, only has like 4 airlines, but is easily navigated, and close to the parks. $45 for a taxi to the resort area. SNA is a little larger, but still relatively small, equally close, and same price for a taxi. LAX is large, and while easy to navigate (great signage!), the transportation costs and time are twice as much as SNA or LGB. The airfare savings quickly dissipate when you add in additional time and cost. We've spent more than 2 hours from plane touchdown to front door of our hotel on a Sunday afternoon in July when flying into LAX. Just not worth it for us!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Just a question: your title says June, but your post says August. If you want a June trip, make sure to check for Grad Nite dates (usually run from early May through mid June). Some people don't mind them and some avoid them at all costs. Check to mske sure you won't have multiple GNs during your visit. For August dates, you want to check the Annual Pass Blockout Calendar to see when the lower 2 passes are allowed back (usually the last week or two of Aug.). You definitely want to visit before those dates.

 

[gottalovepluto]

In your budgeting remember hotel taxes (can run just under 20% at disneyland).

 

[dsnycrzy]

In your budgeting remember hotel taxes (can run just under 20% at disneyland).

So that tax is not included in the cost on the website?

 

[dsnycrzy]

Just a question: your title says June, but your post says August. If you want a June trip, make sure to check for Grad Nite dates (usually run from early May through mid June). Some people don't mind them and some avoid them at all costs. Check to mske sure you won't have multiple GNs during your visit. For August dates, you want to check the Annual Pass Blockout Calendar to see when the lower 2 passes are allowed back (usually the last week or two of Aug.). You definitely want to visit before those dates.

I was looking to go to Disneyland in June 2018 and I am going to WDW this August (and was thinking about going next August as usual) But I will look into the Grad Nites, I don't need anymore confusion.

 

[gottalovepluto]

So that tax is not included in the cost on the website?

Not in the $$$/day rate they advertise up front. Make sure you click on the room you want and then it will show you the subtotal and that should include the tax. (Bright side: no tax on theme park tickets out here)