Our first Disneyland trip

[DMRick]

I had posted this at the end of my San Pedro questions..and decided to move it to it's own thread.

I think all the plans are in place!

Well, we changed how we are doing this some..I think this will work.
Our cruise ship has an excursion from San Pedro for 5 hours of site seeing of the Hollywood area after our cruise is done. We are taking that tour, and it will drop us at the airport when it's done.

From the airport we will get a shuttle to Disneyland ($28 each round trip) and we are staying at Howard Johnsons (that's a great coupon Mousesavers has for 15% off the internet price!).

We plan on going the first night to Downtown Disney, then spending two days at Disneyland (we don't do any fast rides..will that be enough time?). We were told we could use our park hoppers from Disney World we have left over, although someone posted once that's not the smartest thing to do, since DW costs more. Any thoughts on that? I hate to spend money on two days worth of tickets, since we have a dozen or so days of park hoppers. Will our DW park hoppers get us into both parks?

Then we hope to take a shuttle for a day to Universal (The $64 deal through the gray line, will that put us in both parks?)..does anyone know if they do any taping there? Again, we're not big ride people, but I had heard they have more studio stuff than Florida..and that part we like.

Then we'll shuttle to the airport at the end of our vacation. Although we get a car each time we go to DW, I don't know that we're comfortable finding our way back and forth to LAX and Universal, and of course Disneyland.

Now, I just have to read up on what's different about DL compared to DW. We've been to DW 37 times, and I've got it pretty well memorized..but this is all greek to me!

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome to the DL Disboard DMRick,

I don't know the answer to using WDW tickets at DLR, hopefully someone will offer an opinion.

First off, since you're familiar with the WDW, I strongly suggest you read all of Hydroguy's "Tips" on his sticky at the top of the first page, but particularly the "DLR for WDW Vets" thread. Essential reading.

Secondly, It would be helpful to know the dates (& days of week) that you are staying. (it makes a difference at DLR).

Finally, if not able to use the WDW tickets I strongly advise you get park hopper tickets that include EE. (Typically 3 day tickets or more.) & btw, you really need 3 days to do DL & DCA justice on your first trip with kids.

Have a great time at Walt's park.

 

[Kae]

All I can add is don't miss the Afternoon Parade at Magic Kingdom Or Fantasmic. We are WDW vets also & I got to go to DL 2yrs ago. & We thought the Afternoon parade was awesome & Fantamic was incrediable. The queen peeking out of the window at the Snow White ride was cool too.

Kae

 

[tink2dw]

Then we hope to take a shuttle for a day to Universal (The $64 deal through the gray line, will that put us in both parks?)..does anyone know if they do any taping there? Again, we're not big ride people, but I had heard they have more studio stuff than Florida..and that part we like.

will that put us in both parks?

Universal Studio's Hollywood is only 1 park, 1 admission and. There is an upper area, then a lower area, which is accessed by a 5 or 6 flights of escalators, down and up. There is a not to be missed tram ride [like the wdw parking lot trams]that shows you the working studio's and what is filming there. Plus it takes you thru a few movie sets. Really fun. They have several shows you can enjoy. Backdraft is a walk thu set. Don't miss the tribute to Lucy of I Love Lucy, it was really truely worth it! There are a couple of How they Make the Movies Shows. And alot, alot more!!
http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/po_movie.html

 

[ter-moo]

I think your plan sounds good. If you don't like thrill rides, a day and a half at DL and a half a day at CA, with one day for Universal, will be perfect.

Yes, they do film stuff at Universal. If not a movie, then you'll often see a rock video or commercial, etc. being shot.

 

[DMRick]

No kids, and we don't do any ride that goes faster than a merry go round, so that's why we hoped two days would do it. We'll be there the first week of February.

Finally, if not able to use the WDW tickets I strongly advise you get park hopper tickets that include EE. (Typically 3 day tickets or more.) & btw, you really need 3 days to do DL & DCA justice on your first trip with kids.

Have a great time at Walt's park.

 

[Hound 109]

2 days should do it, if you're not riding 10-12 of the E ticket rides.

BUT....advise what days of the week you are going. (& if planning for '08, avoid the weekend & one of the EE days - which we hear will be Tue/Thur/Sat/Sun.) You'll want to do FL on a non-EE day.

Given your ride preference, do (in order) at rope drop on non - EE day (imo):

- PP (try to be one of the first few families on)
- Dumbo (if you want to)
- Alice
- Toadie
- Storybookland Canal Ride
- Pinocchio
- Snow White

You can do these rides in one hour at rope drop (non EE day)....BUT if you stroll into FL in the afternoon (or on a weekend) these essential "Walt" rides could take 3 + hours.

Have fun.