Please tell me what I need to know ... totally lost

[ccgirl]

Hi there...I consider myself a Disneyworld veteran; we have been going twice a year. However, we are getting a little sick of it. We are thinking of going to Disneyland during my DD's February school break in 2012. It is President's week.

Is that week as crazy as it is at Disneyworld?

We would be staying at Dolphin's Cove on W. Orangewood Ave. Is that a good location?

Is there a stroller rental delivery place like Orlando Strollers or Magic Strollers? I hate paying the park prices for stroller rental. So sad they no longer give free rentals to Disney Visa Card holders.

We have both AAA and a Disney Visa. Are there any discounts we should be aware of?

What airport is easiest to fly into?

Thank you all for your help. It is much appreciated.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Welcome to the DLR side of the boards ~ start *here* and then come back. As for Pres day weekend crowds - I'm not sure but we visited over 4th of July & Thanksgiving weekends last year and had a fantastic time - DLR is very much a locals park *lots of people live in S CA and they have cheap AP + monthly payment plans - well they're blocked pretty much every weekend especially holiday weekends so that helps with crowd levels, I also think non locals assume that the parks would be crazy crowded over holiday weekends so they wouldn't dare go ~ and since I went over two big holiday weekends I suppose I have some experience

We love LGB airport *Jetblue is great* - haven't tried SNA *LGB is always the better price - we avoid LAX!

 

[cloudconnected1039]

Definitely the easiest airport to fly into is John Wayne (SNA). Compared to LAX it's TINY and alot easier to figure out. Essentially it's a 2 minute walk from your gate to the Disneyland Express . Can't get much better than that!!

As for how busy it's going to be, I'm really not sure. Granted, when I was in school, there was no President's Week And it's possible not all SoCal schools have the week off yet, but I know for sure some do. My best guess would be that it won't be as crowded as spring break weeks. But, it's VERY possible to get everything done that you want to in a busy/crowded week. That's the joy of DLR!!

 

[tlovesdis]

Long Beach airport is another great option if you can fly Jet Blue! It's super small and so easy to get in and out and only about 18-20 miles from DL!

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks...looks like I have some reading to do. I looked at the prices of April vacation on Jet Blue and OMG!!! They are like $270 each way. I usually pay that round trip. She will be in 3rd grade though and I think she may have trouble missing a week of school so we are sticking to her scheduled vacations.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Hi there...I consider myself a Disneyworld veteran; we have been going twice a year. However, we are getting a little sick of it. We are thinking of going to Disneyland during my DD's February school break in 2012. It is President's week.

Is that week as crazy as it is at Disneyworld?

We would be staying at Dolphin's Cove on W. Orangewood Ave. Is that a good location?

Is there a stroller rental delivery place like Orlando Strollers or Magic Strollers? I hate paying the park prices for stroller rental. So sad they no longer give free rentals to Disney Visa Card holders.

We have both AAA and a Disney Visa. Are there any discounts we should be aware of?

What airport is easiest to fly into?

Thank you all for your help. It is much appreciated.

Can't help with all your questions but will take a stab at a few.

We have been for President's Day weekend once. One of the days was also Valentine's Day. We didn't find the crowds too bad compared to other peak times of the year such as spring break, summer, Thanksgiving, and the week between Christmas and New Year's. We don't visit during the true off-season, so I can't make a comparison to that.

There are a few Disney Visa discounts. 10% off merchandise purchases of $50 or more. Half price stroller rental. Free Meet & Greet and photo in California Adventure. 10% dining discount in certain restaurants. I don't which restaurants are currently on this list; you will need to check the list on the Disney Visa website. I believe Storyteller's, Goofy's Kitchen, PCH Grill (all hotel restaurants) are currently on the list. I think Rancho del Zocalo (in Disneyland) is also still on the list. I know there are others, but I haven't needed to keep track of them since becoming an AP holder.

I believe AAA discounts for Disneyland restaurants and stuff have been discontinued. I think though you can still pre-purchase park tickets through AAA at a discount, and they come with the extra perk of free parking.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Thanks...looks like I have some reading to do. I looked at the prices of April vacation on Jet Blue and OMG!!! They are like $270 each way. I usually pay that round trip. She will be in 3rd grade though and I think she may have trouble missing a week of school so we are sticking to her scheduled vacations.

Bummer ~ I had the same experience when we tried JetBlue to Orlando - super $$$ Southwest & Delta were much cheaper. Luckily for us it's pretty cheap flying JetBlue to Long Beach. But we drove for the 1st time last Nov. ~ it was easy/pleasant, we might do that from now on.

 

[cloudconnected1039]

Bummer ~ I had the same experience when we tried JetBlue to Orlando - super $$$ Southwest & Delta were much cheaper. Luckily for us it's pretty cheap flying JetBlue to Long Beach. But we drove for the 1st time last Nov. ~ it was easy/pleasant, we might do that from now on.

We've had the same experience. Flights from Sacramento to Long Beach on Jet Blue are usually cheaper than Southwest ones if you catch them ahead of time. Strange that those are such much more expensive!!

 

[HydroGuy]

OP, I would totally consider waiting until summer of 2012. By that time the new CarsLand will be complete. Summer at DLR is totally doable and the weather is way more tolerable than WDW.

For airports check out this thread:

"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

For hotels, I would strongly recommend you stay within walking distance. Too many WDW vets accustomed to long commutes to the parks and buses give up too quickly on one of DLR's greatest advantages over WDW - the walking distance hotels. See

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[ccgirl]

Can't help with all your questions but will take a stab at a few.

We have been for President's Day weekend once. One of the days was also Valentine's Day. We didn't find the crowds too bad compared to other peak times of the year such as spring break, summer, Thanksgiving, and the week between Christmas and New Year's. We don't visit during the true off-season, so I can't make a comparison to that.

There are a few Disney Visa discounts. 10% off merchandise purchases of $50 or more. Half price stroller rental. Free Meet & Greet and photo in California Adventure. 10% dining discount in certain restaurants. I don't which restaurants are currently on this list; you will need to check the list on the Disney Visa website. I believe Storyteller's, Goofy's Kitchen, PCH Grill (all hotel restaurants) are currently on the list. I think Rancho del Zocalo (in Disneyland) is also still on the list. I know there are others, but I haven't needed to keep track of them since becoming an AP holder.

I believe AAA discounts for Disneyland restaurants and stuff have been discontinued. I think though you can still pre-purchase park tickets through AAA at a discount, and they come with the extra perk of free parking.

Half price stroller rental and free parking...I will definitely take those! Every little bit helps. Do you find there to be as much walking as WDW? My DS will be 4 so I am wondering if I will even need a stroller?

OP, I would totally consider waiting until summer of 2012. By that time the new CarsLand will be complete. Summer at DLR is totally doable and the weather is way more tolerable than WDW.

For airports check out this thread:

"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

For hotels, I would strongly recommend you stay within walking distance. Too many WDW vets accustomed to long commutes to the parks and buses give up too quickly on one of DLR's greatest advantages over WDW - the walking distance hotels. See

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Thanks for the tips! There are definitely a lot of hotels withing walking distance. We own timeshare so I am looking to trade with RCI. Plus, being used to 2 BR timshares we just don't do well in hotel rooms. They just feel so cramped for me.

Thank you to the poster that suggested summer 2012. We might just end up doing that. What is Carsland?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you to the poster that suggested summer 2012. We might just end up doing that. What is Carsland?

Just by coincidence I posted on the WDW forum this morning some CarsLand info. Here is a link:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39874642&postcount=6