Planning my first Disneyland trip

[Typhoon Guy]

I normally stick to the DCL boards since I live on the East Coast and cruise more often than visit DL. I am now starting to plan my first trip to the Disneyland Resort for either October or November 2005. A couple questions, please bare with me as I'm sure these topics have come up before.

1. Transporation from LAX to DL
2. Is four days enough at the resort? (I am a Disny nut so I'll want to ride almost everything and see every parade/show)
3. What hotel would you choose and why?
4. I hate saying this because I am true to Disney, what about off property resorts as well?
5. Where to get the best deals for air/ground transportation.

Thank you all for you help!

 

[Disneyland1084]

When you arrive at the airport, try to get on an airport shuttle bus. They usually only charge around $10 per person. If possible, fly into Orange County Airport. It's only 15 miles from Disneyland. LAX is 45. If you go to Disneyland in October, 4 days should be plenty. Same with going in November, as long as it's not Thanksgiving weekend. If I could afford it, I would stay at the Disenyland hotel. You have the convienience of the monorail taking you right into the park. I've stayed at many of the good neighbor hotels, and so far I think Howard Johnson hotel was the best. This summer I'm giving Tropicana Inn and Suites a try since it's located adjacent to the pedestrian walkway to Disneyland and CA Adventure. As far as where to get the best deals on air transportation, there are several options. You can try a travel agent, or go online to priceline.com or just type in airline deals and something should come up. Good luck!

 

[Dobie]

I agree with DL1084--if you can, fly into Orange County. Depending on how many there are of you, it may be cheaper (it will be definately easier and quicker) to take a cab--break even is 3 or 4 passengers. Four days is plenty. Don't miss Fantasmic, or Indy, or Soarin.' I would stay at the GCH, because it is by far the closest, and it is just a beautiful hotel. The piano player in the lobby, the fireplace and hot buttered rum at night, the theme park view from your balcony, Whitewater Snacks, running from the pool to use your Fastpass on Grizzly River--I could go on but I don't want to bore you!

 

[Buckimion]

#1 - Transportation: If you don't wish to rent a car, there are Super Shuttles and the Airport bus that are as efficient as the Mears busses in Orlando.

If you're planning on seeing anything OTHER than DL - rent a car. I've never seen LA traffic any worse than Orlando's rush hour. (Not to say it >can't< be worse...but I haven't had to dodge Ma and Pa Kettle in a Roadmaster Wagon in LA.) LA is just so spread out most people can't believe how long they have to drive to get anywhere.

#2 - 4 days >could< be enough depending on how much of a park commando you are and the days you select to go. If you go in mid-summer then leave the parks every day from noon-evening you may need more than 4 days. (We've planned 3 days in the park based on pervious June visits. We see all of the parades and fireworks at least once and all of our favorite shows comfortably.)

#3 - With an unlimited budget and choice, I'd insist on the Sierra Tower in the DL Hotel. I love the historical connection to 'Old Disney' and the Neverland pool is by far the best.

#4 - Numerous posts have pointed out that staying off property in DL is not as disadvantageous as in Florida. HoJo's and Candy Cane Inn are considered superior in some ways to the Disney properties.

#5 - I rely on Expedia.com for airfare and to get an idea on hotels. I have mixed results when booking hotels through Expedia though. When its someplace I'm not familiar with (And you can't get someone's opinion on a board like here), I rely on reviews of a place on tripadvisor.com.

 

[crazymomof 4]

If you go in November you will be able to see Small World Holiday. If you go in October you should not go in the middle to end because you will miss it due to refurb. You will also miss Pirates both of these months. It is closed Oct. 3- Dec 12. GC is the closest hotel and the most expensive. My only problem was that the rooms are small. But you can't beat the location. DH is quite a walk. We stayed there last year and were not that impressed for the money. The beds were comfortable though. People have told me and we are going to try this one. PP it is said to have big rooms it is newly refurbished and you can upgrade to a theme park view. You can watch the EP from your room and they pipe music in through the t.v.. Also it is the most reasonable of the three. If you go to Disneyland.com you can book your package and flight or at least get quotes. They have a good deal that beats AAA for price this year with the 4th night free. I know that feeling about not wanting to stay off site. I keep saying I will next year to save some money but just can't quite do it yet.

 

[CalGal]

Hi Typhoon Guy,
I'll mostly just back up what others have said:
1. A shuttle from LAX to Anaheim is usually a safe bet, especially if your party is fairly small. I tend to avoid the Airporter Bus; I've had some uncomfortable rides and it can take a long time.
2. 4 days should be OK if you are avoiding Thanksgiving, but you might want to consider 5. You'll need to schedule some weekend days to be sure that the parades and shows are available (some are only shown weekends during slow periods). You might also keep in mind that most holiday decorations go up early in November, so mid November is a lovely time to go. Keep in mind that Veteran's Day can be a bit crowded though.
3. Which hotel depends a bit on your wallet, your party, and what deals might be available. You should be able to work a 4th night free at the Disney hotels. Like others, I like the GC for it's style and location. The DLH is less expensive, has bigger rooms, but is further from the parks. It's pretty festive, and is a good bet with kids. You should be able to get in some pool time in Oct. and even November, and as pointed out, the Neverland Pool is fun. PP is nice, but farther still. It doesn't feel much like being on-sight to me unless you have a park view room.
4. I could not imagine going to WDW without staying onsight. The benefits are significant, the resorts are so much closer, and some of the resorts are so lovely. The benefits of staying onsight at DL are limited. You do not have the EE benefit, and can still be within walking distance staying off-site. Aside from the places directly across the street, there are several very nice hotels and suite hotels with shuttles every 1/2 hour (although the ART system gets mixed reviews). Nevertheless, like some of the others, I still find that I stay onsite most of the time. It's very nice being submerged in the magic, the Disney pools are more fun than off-site hotels, and I think the Disney properties are significantly nicer than anything else within walking distance (<1/2 mile or so; you don't want to have to walk back to the Hilton after walking the park all day). Since you should be able to pick up a 4th night free deal with off-peak season rates, on-site may be worth it.
5. Like Buckimion, I usually price things on Expedia or other travel website, but then tend to book things separately. I've tended to get the best airfare deals using the airline web-sites. Shop around. You shouldn't need to prepay for ground transportation if you choose a shuttle, airporter bus, or taxi.

 

[LucyKate]

1. Super Shuttle is $15 plus tip from LA, and $10 plus tip from the other aiports. We thought it worked well and was worth the price.

2. 4 days will be fine - we did 4 days and found it gave us plenty of time to see every ride in both parks and then revisit our favourites. 3 days lets you see everything, 4 gives you thance to redo the best bits

3 & 4. Unlike WDW, offsite hotels at Dl are just as close, if not closer, than onsite hotels (apart from the GC). So unless you have a special need to stay in a Disney hotel, you will get a better rate, and probably a better hotel staying off site. Surveys rate the top 3 as GC (which is also by far the most expensive) then Candy Cane and HoJos, which are very affordable. We stayed in HoJo and loved it - 10 minutes walk from the parks, clean, safe and great staff.

 

[Typhoon Guy]

Thanks everyone you have made planning this trip a lot eaiser, It did not even occur to me about night time shows possibly only being done on weekends during slow periods. I should have known that from WDW though. I don't have much desire to do any sights off property this is strickly going to be a DL vacation. Thanks again for everyones help if you have and W#DW related questions please shoot em my way.