Planning at trip to DL

[Dismom55]

So my kids and I are planning a first time trip to DL for next spring (2010)to celebrate my 55th b'day. Now we have done WDW several times and just going to the web site is to say the least, challenging. I know I can not make reservations for some time, but would like to be informed and know what I can and can't do and what I really want to do before the time comes. To make matters more confusing I am in the middle of planning a Sep 09 trip to WDW.

So finally the question, what are some recommendations for hotel? How many days should I realistically set aside for DL/CA? If we decide to do Sea World or the Zoo, is it better to rent a car, or is there alternate transportation, if so would it not be better just to check out of hotel near DL and get something in San Diego. Then last does that mean I will have to travel back to the same airport or is it easier to just get a flight out of SD instead of traveling back down to LA area.

I know lots of questions and I am sure I am not done yet as there are so many differences I was dumb with amazement, thought some things would be the same, but NOT!

Thanks for any advice!

 

[specialks]

Last September was our family's first trip to DL. We went for a week (Sept 13-20). We flew into SNA (John Wayne/Orange County) and picked up our car (a minivan) which we rented through priceline. We drove to San Diego and stayed at a La Quinta Inn and spent 2 nights there - visiting SeaWorld one day and the San Diego Zoo another day. After SeaWorld on Day 2 we drove to our hotel near Disneyland (Homewood Suites in Garden Grove). We then spent 3.5 days visiting DL and DCA. Our last day we packed up and drove back to SNA for our flight home. We were definitely busy but we had a blast and we all enjoyed our trip. My mom was with us to help with our daughters who were ages 4 and 1.5 at the time. Many people recommend taking a break from theme parks and going to a local beach so you may want to do that one day.

We are going again and we are only visiting DL & DCA. We are staying at the Homewood Suites and renting a car again. We choose to drive to the parks each day but you can take the ART or walk if your hotel is close enough. We booked our package this year through AAA so we will get free parking at the DLR (saves $12/day).

Hope this helps.

 

[Dismom55]

Of course all info helps. I do agree that a day off from the parks is a good idea. I will be stressed when going from DL to SD area. Is it a long drive? I have not even checked that yet, just was thinking it would be a good idea to drive. Was thinking I would not rent a car until we were done with DL, but not to sure after reading info on the site.

One of our party will be our house guest and she has a close friend who is a CM at DL, hoping this friend helps with the confusion.

Thanks!!

 

[ksbean]

Hi Dismom55. All I can say is DL is different. Not different as in bad but different as in it isn't like WDW from my point of view. We're WDW veterans and I was used to WDW plan plan plan. DL I read the boards here, mousesavers and on allearsnet. Looked at the menus but never premade dining plans. Our one and only trip to DL was May 10-15th spending 3.3 days in DL and DCA. (We're still on vacation currently up by Sequoia National Park ) In our days there we only got one fast pass as we found a lot of rides didn't have FP or the FP machines were not available that day. Some rides we walked right on with the longest wait being 30 minutes for the more popular attractions. Not sure if this was just the May timing or if it's usual. We munched through the parks when hungry but we did enjoy a meal at the DL Plaza Inn (cafeteria style but the food was hot and good) and at DCA Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery (the lasagna was good). The oddest feeling is when you walk to DL and your are in a square of sorts. To the right is the gates for DL, to the left are the gates for DCA and straight ahead is Downtown Disney if you come in off Harbor Blvd.

We started out in San Diego and drove up to Anaheim. We didn't do a direct drive but on the weekend if we did it might of taken 2 hours or less. DH wanted to put his feet in the Pacific Ocean and we visited a former co-worker of mine.

By DL we stayed at the Howard Johnson's (aka HoJo's) using the Entertainment rate $79/night w/o taxes for a deluxe disney facing 2 queen bed room. The room was kind of skinny and oddly shaped with 2 individual sinks one in the bathroom and one out with little counter space. It was clean and the beds were comfortable. We walked from the hotel to DL each day. Took maybe 10-15 minutes depending on the light and how fast we were walking. It's quite different from WDW staying on site. There are many hotels that you can walk there from that are equal distance than staying at one of the Disney hotels onsite. Mimi's Cafe by HoJo's has good food and you can sign up for a free breakfast entree before arriving. There is a McDonald's on the way walking to DL too. Once arriving at the hotel minus am unexpected stop at the local ER we didn't move the car until we left on the 15th. You didn't mention how many of you there are but Grayline Bus of Anaheim has tours to the popular destinations where they pick you up from the hotel. We went to Universal Studios with a slight LA tour that way. AAA members get a 10% discount. If it's in your budget you can visit the San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, Legoland, etc that way. They also have transportation only options to those destinations and to/from the airport. We'd definitely do a bus tour again. It was easier than driving around an unfamiliar area. Since there is only two of us it worked out for us.

Disney Hint: Check on when things are available. For example when we were just there fireworks was only on Sunday evening. The Aladdin Show at DCA only played on Thur - Sun (Very Good!).

Have fun!

 

[Cali_Sparrow]

I am a local so I can give you some advice, I go to DLR almost once a week.
If you can book a hotel anywhere on/by Harbor Blvd it will save you a lot of money on parking, and the huge hassle of walking from the structure to the tram, and waiting in line for the tram. I have done it many times and it can really be a killer when the park closes and the lines to get on a tram are super long.

California Adventure can easily be done in a day, and since it closes earlier than Disneyland you can either park hop after closing, or shop at Downtown Disney or better yet, relax for the evening/go to dinner offsite.
Disneyland will take at least one day, most people seem to prefer two. It's a compact park compared to the Magic Kingdom. Spring is a great time to visit for good weather and easy crowds! You'll have a fantastic time!

The drive between Anaheim and San Diego will be at least 2 hours, just so you can plan for that. I suggest getting a rental car if you will be including San Diego so that you can have more freedom when planning.
The San Diego Zoo in incredible, but if you are looking for a more unique experience I highly recommend the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. It's in Escondido which is about 30 minutes north of San Diego, but if you have time for it, definitely go! Both the Zoo and the WAP will take an entire day, they are huge and very different from each other!
Sea World will also require an entire day, but will be worthwhile. I suggest the night-time dolphin/pilot whale show "Ignight" and Shamu's show "Believe".

 

[Boo Bear]

It seems practical to me that if you wish to do some things in San Diego too, that you begin your trip by flying into LAX and renting a car instead of using DL transportation since you wish to do other things like Universal and Sea World. Then you can check out of HoJo and drive to San Diego, check into another hotel there if you wish, and then return your rental car at the SD airport. I have heard that it is small but it gets the job done. That's just my 2 cents.

 

[IBLarsen]

Hi, I am not a veteran at all, however I had similar questions when we went for our first DLR trip last fall. Here's what we ended up doing.... We flew into SNA (I believe this is the closest airport to DL and easy in and out). We rented a car at SNA and drove to the central coast (San Luis Obispo area) to visit a relative and do the beach thing. We spent a few days there and then drove back to DL. We kept our car the whole time, although it wasn't necessary, it was easier. We stayed at the Marriott Fairfield, across the street from DLR. There are a string of hotels along Harbor that are all across the street essentially. Keep in mind when renting a car, if you choose to return at a different location than you rented from, the majority of the time it cost a lot extra. (for us it was going to cost double to return at a different location). We had our 3 year old and 5 year old with us, and we took our time going thru the parks and seeing characters. We had shorter hours due to the fall schedule. We spent 5 days in the 2 parks and did not feel like that was too much at all. Mid week was slow and we did a lot, by the weekend it was crowded and we had waits. Good luck with your planning!

 

[Dismom55]

Thanks for all the information.

We will be a party of 4, myself, my 21 yr old daughter, 17 yr old son and a co-worker who is also a house guest for now. Still thinking either two rooms or one suite, it is me who desires privacy, the others don't care one way or the other.

The no ADR's surprises me greatly, I was wondering about that. Being older I do enjoy the time taken to eat a sit down meal after a lot of walking all day at the parks.

From what I have read it does sound like getting a car at the airport and arriving and departing from the same airport might be the best.

We do expect things to be much different than WDW, but to me that is part of the charm of doing DL, plus SD Zoo and Sea World are appealing to me. We used to have a Sea World here in Ohio, but sadly it is gone and it has been many years since we saw it anyway, so another shot at it sounds good.

When at WDW we do not do anything but purely WDW. Anymore info, I am all ears.

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome to the left coast disboards, DisMom.

Many of us are WDW vets who are megafans of the Original. This is the WDW Vet primer:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

& here are the rest of HydroGuy's tip threads....all worth a read:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

& here is a good thread outlining the differences between DLR & WDW from Mary Jo:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[Dismom55]

Thank you, I will be giving them all a read!

 

[specialks]

Just a note, I am not sure if you want to stay in walking distance to the parks but it you don't mind driving & parking then you might consider the Homewood Suites. They have 2 BR/2 BTH suites and a great free breakfast. They also give AAA and Senior discounts.

 

[HydroGuy]

Welcome to the left coast disboards, DisMom.

Many of us are WDW vets who are megafans of the Original. This is the WDW Vet primer:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

& here are the rest of HydroGuy's tip threads....all worth a read:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

& here is a good thread outlining the differences between DLR & WDW from Mary Jo:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

I have heard that HydroGuy is all wet. Be careful about his posts!

 

[Dismom55]

So much information I have started a file in my computer so I can reread all this great info when I actually can start the reservation process.

I am a believer one can never start educating themselves to soon when planning any adventure.

I have already made up my mind to NOT compare the two parks, they are to be enjoyed simply as Disney adventures that stand alone.

I am really looking forward to seeing the differences and the things that DL has to offer that WDW does not.

I am looking forward to celebrating my 55th at DL, we were both born in 1955 and turning 55 next year, I think it fitting to be there that year.