Planning an adult trip to CA and DL

[B-rad]

This looked to be a good place for planning advice for an upcoming 15th anniversary trip (4/17-21) for my wife and I. We have been to WDW several times now, but I understand DL is a different beast entirely. It may be a trap, but my wife gave me the thumbs up to plan a Disney Vacation without our 2 and 9 year old daughters. Even weirder, we literally just got back a few weeks ago from our last trip to Orlando.

To the point though, for our week, we planned on Pricelining a hotel and rental car for our first 2 nights and sort of winging it. We have the choice between splurging on our last 2 nights in DLH with the Downtown Disney view or 2 nights at Paradise Pier with a standard club level room. She wants to purchase 3 day park hoppers, so it might buy us some extra hotel time. If anyone has some insight related to the pros and cons here, I'm all ears--pun intentional.

Also, since we have a free day and we're flying all the way from Virginia, I'm certain we'd have more fun doing touristy LA things. However, Universal Orlando was where we first honeymooned, so there's something enticing about cramming that into our free day. The problem is that would mean 3.5 days of amusement parks. It's probably a little ambitious trying to force that kind of itinerary, nevermind the cost. I guess input here would be more subjective, but I'm curious what seasoned vets would suggest.

Lastly, for our 10 year anniversary, I pulled an elaborate stunt that involved her "losing her wedding and engagement rings" only to be surprised they'd been upgraded at our vow renewal ceremony (Vegas...the Bellagio fountain...Elvis...I've gotten good at this). For this one, I've got a similar plan but it involves presenting her with a new crystal--traditional 15th year gift, the romance ain't dead!--ring on this trip. No jewelry heist this time though. Additionally, the cut of the jewels and the design of the ring just scream Frozen to me. I only provide this background as it may help in explaining my hopeful plan: drop to a knee at Elsa and Anna's meet and greet and present it to her with a sappy, Disney-pun filled 3 line speech (I won't bust that out here). Now, I know how the meet and greets typically vary between intimate and rushed at WDW, so I'm assuming the same rules of thumb apply on the west coast. Any suggestions on whether or not this would be too disruptive to the CMs or other guests waiting behind us? What are the chances there'd be a CM besides the photographer available to record on my cellphone? There are only about a million+ other ways to make a similar romantic gesture, but darn it if this one doesn't rank in the top 3.

Thanks in advance from a longtime lurker

 

[princess_jamie]

I don't have much to contribute having never stayed at either hotel (although if I could it would be DLH) but I'm all for cramming in as many park days! My sister and I are headed there in Dec with full a 3.5 park days for our 4 night trip. I think it depends on what you like to do.. I don't think my boyfriend would enjoy cramming as many park hours in as possible, but my sister will love it. If you think you two would like to do Universal for half day and would enjoy it, then go for it. Or if you think you'd rather spend a fun evening around your hotel, maybe drinks at Trader Sams and a nice dinner would be a good way to spend the afternoon.

I really only wanted to comment on your surprise.. I have no idea and am no help on that but excited to see what others have to say!!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I would also go with DLH over PP. Hit up Steakhouse 55, even if just for breakfast. Staying onsite has its perks, you can get in the parks earlier to get your ride on, then relax in the afternoons. Plenty of nice places to have a romantic dinner at the resort hotels and several of the DTD restaurants are pretty nice as well, we prefer Ralph Brennan's and Catal.

I would do a half day at Universal just for the Wizardry stuff, different than the Orlando version. Then you could have the rest of the evening for a nice dinner there or back at the Disney resorts.

I think you should be fine with your plans during the meet n greet, I would try to move ahead a bit and discretely give a CM a heads up.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I would definitely stay at DLH. Universal is just a preference thing. For me, I'd just be content at DL. But if you want to do it, go for it. The surprise you have planned sounds wonderful! I agree with the other poster about trying to give a CM a heads up. I'm sure they will try to be as helpful as possible and hopefully capture the moment with a picture.

 

[Elima2015]

We just got back from DLR sans our children and we had a blast! Seriously, we had a fantastic 3 days. You will have so much fun. Ride RSR at night - watch the fast pass return times on the app and pull them so you get to go after sunset.

At DL, park hoppers are a must. Especially when you are without kids as you can really hop back and forth pulling FPs, riding, dining, etc. I don't have an opinion to provide on the hotels as I haven't stayed at either.

The Frozen meet and greet was not rushed at all when we were there last spring, and that was with a very long line (probably why the line was so long!). When we were there last week the line was very short. So I think that is a great place to have your suprise. There were a few CMs in there as well whom I'm sure would be more than happy to film on your cell phone.

As for your free day - it is totally my opinon, but I would probably hit up the beach instead of trying to get to Universal. It is a bit of a drive through LA traffic, another $ of admission, plus just the exhaustion of non-stop parks. My personal style would be to head to someplace like Newport Beach (we have also been to Laguna Beach recently and it was beautiful!), rent bikes, find a nice outdoor cafe for lunch, sit on the beach in the shade for the afternoon, and then have a nice relaxing dinner. But I know that isn't everyone's preference!

 

[Nevada Jen]

I would lean towards a beach day also. IF the only reason you are doing universal is for the romance factor, I think you have enough planned that it wouldn't be worth the hassle and cost. After the beach head to DLR and ditch the car. You won't need it there. I think for what you are planning, I would go with the DLH or a PPH Theme Park View Room. I personally love PPH club level but it is not luxurious. We always stay club level and it is more family oriented. In fact, I can't recall seeing adults in the concierge lounge without kids. The theme park view is absolutely amazing at PPH. Personally, I think DLH Downtown Disney view would be worse than a regular room. I have heard it is loud and in my mind its like having a view of an outdoor shopping mall. Either way, staying at an onsite hotel should allow you to get in the frozen line earlier than regularly entering guests and should keep your wait low for your big surprise. If it were me, I would do, beach day and stay that night at a hotel within walking distance to the park (return the car) and then stay 3 nights at PPH theme park view no club level if you can make that math work. I think that puts the most romance into it while still keeping park time reasonable.

 

[B-rad]

Thanks for the input so far all. Sorry for the Universal fans among you, but I think that debate is over. My wife and I aren't really Harry Potter fans, and it's so much cheaper to just add another day at DL/DCA. The beach day will probably win me more romantic husband points than the actual anniversary gift. Probably going to go back and forth between the DLH and PPH until we actually book. DLH is currently in the lead because of Steakhouse 55, Trader Sam's, and the overall theme. We missed Trader Sam's at the Poly in October because neither of us were too keen on boozing it up with our oldest and a cranky/passed out 2 year old. The line to get in is still insane too. As for ditching the rental car early, I did the math and cab/Uber/shuttle fare for the duration of the trip far exceeds an economy rental, gas, and parking. A little freedom of movement certainly can't hurt us either.

As for you all who were interested in the "surprise," here's a link to the ring: https://www.swarovski.com/Web_US/en/5257553/product/Festivity_Ring.html. Tell me it doesn't look like it was crafted by the Ice Princess herself! If you're into that sort of thing, I'm happy to share the inspiration for the idea:

In truth, I used our daughter's birthday as a litmus test for something like this. I woke up early, left the girls and my wife at the hotel to sleep in, and went to MK rope drop on my own. Not going to lie, I almost cried as the barrage of "Disney Magic" following that rope down Main St. Talking Mickey almost got me when he greeted me with a big hug too. I was first in line to have nearly all the princesses sign my daughter's birthday card, all done by ~9:30a. The pantheon of princesses were just as enthusiastic as I was about the note we put in the card, in spite of meeting and greeting a grown-man traveling solo. Now, I wouldn't recommend that power walk to anyone, but it was one of the highlights of the trip for me at least. From that experience, I know the difference is like night and day compared to having the 'distraction' of the girls. The wife deserves that moment too!

Again, thank you all for the feedback, and any other suggestions/comments are always welcome.

 

[Nevada Jen]

That ring is awesome. I might need you to drive that car to phoenix and give my husband some lessons! FYI, Trader Sams is not IN the Disneyland hotel. Its on the grounds near the swimming pool. Does the math work to do a regular room at Disneyland hotel for the whole trip if you skip Universal? THat is what I would do if it was just me and the hubby. I really don't think it is worth paying more for a downtown Disney view from your room.

 

[deetman]

Nice job on the plan so far, and that is a cool ring! I'll share my proposal story at SH55 sometime--I think you and I are pretty simpatico.
Anyway, I just wanted to comment that with a DtD view you may be able to see WoC from the room and the audio is available on the TV. That scored me some big bonus points.
Let us know how it goes!