Several Questions from a DL Newbie for our 10th Anniversary Trip

[DisneyCruisin']

We are going to DL for our first time at the end of June for our 10th Anniversary Celebration. We are WDW vets with more than 30 trips - however, we are total newbies when it comes to DisneyLand. I'm hoping some of you vets can help me out!!!

1) We want to stay concierge at a DLR hotel. Currently we have PPH booked - not sure if this is the best choice since I've read you can be in a different spot in the hotel vs. near the lounge. Our 9 year old is going with us and I loved AKLV when we stayed there as the lounge was on the same floor and I felt comfortable enough letting him go get a drink or snack by himself at times. Don't know if I will feel comfortable at PPH. Should I change our ressies?

2) I want to do something special for both my husband and son in the room when we get there (and if it covers mom - it would be great too!). Any ideas??

3) Any special tours that anyone can recommend? Even offsite? We've never been to CA and are spending six nights at DLR and then probably a couple of extra nights in the area. Trying to think of things to do. We've thought about San Diego and DS is just zoo'ed out as he's recently been to several with school and us. Anything other neat things to do in the general area? Is renting a car near DLR possible vs. going back to the airport?

Help! TIA!!!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

For our anniversary trip, DH and I did the Segway tour, which was great, but you have to be at least 16 for that one.

DH surprised me with a room full of balloons from a company that came ahead of time and set everything up. There is a pic of the room in my trip report link in my signature. We stayed at Hojos though and I am not sure the Disney hotels would allow them to do that to one of their rooms, since Disney has their own little packages they sell.

 

[DisneyCruisin']

We can't do the Segway tour because of DS's age. We did make the change today to go to a standard room and stay 9 days and just use DLR has home base to do some other things (like the Paramount Tour and the Warner Brothers tour).

I would love for some more ideas. WDW isn't an issue - I can plan a trip in my sleep - but we've never been to CA and I want this trip to be extra special! Thanks!

 

[nana50]

San Diego has more than the zoo. We have legoland only an hour from Anaheim. We have Seaworld, Coronado and it's great beach, La Jolla where all our rich people live, (there and Rancho Santa Fe). There is old town and balboa Park. don't forget Universal Studios, a tour of Holllywood, and the beaches in L.A.

 

[50sjayne]

La brea tar pits, Griffith Observatory, Hollywood walk of fame.

 

[bumbershoot]

The same thing can happen at DLH with concierge, except for it's not just a different floor, but a different building altogether. I hear PPH concierge is really good, I'd stick with it, personally.

 

[Hound 109]

We are going to DL for our first time at the end of June for our 10th Anniversary Celebration. We are WDW vets with more than 30 trips - however, we are total newbies when it comes to DisneyLand. I'm hoping some of you vets can help me out!!!

1) We want to stay concierge at a DLR hotel. Currently we have PPH booked - not sure if this is the best choice since I've read you can be in a different spot in the hotel vs. near the lounge. Our 9 year old is going with us and I loved AKLV when we stayed there as the lounge was on the same floor and I felt comfortable enough letting him go get a drink or snack by himself at times. Don't know if I will feel comfortable at PPH. Should I change our ressies?

2) I want to do something special for both my husband and son in the room when we get there (and if it covers mom - it would be great too!). Any ideas??

3) Any special tours that anyone can recommend? Even offsite? We've never been to CA and are spending six nights at DLR and then probably a couple of extra nights in the area. Trying to think of things to do. We've thought about San Diego and DS is just zoo'ed out as he's recently been to several with school and us. Anything other neat things to do in the general area? Is renting a car near DLR possible vs. going back to the airport?

Help! TIA!!!

I like the PPH alot....but i wouldn't put it in the AKL class. I only mention this so you aren't expecting AKL, WL or GF type theming or amenities. It's nice, & I've stayed there 4 times, but if you want the WDW deluxe ambiance, I'd stay at the GCH (or the DLH).

BUT....if you intend to do alot of touring & plan on returning to the PPH mostly for sleeping, taking a mid day break & for swimming.....then it works great....in fact it's BETTER than most WDW hotels in one (very important) way because it's only a 4 min. walk from the DCA side entrance.

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

 

[skiingfast]

1. I agree with the PP. Only GCH is like a WDW delux. The other two hotels weren't designed by disney. To put it in context DLH and PPH are more like the WDW hotels on Hotel Plaza dr but less business more disney.

2. ? I haven't heard of any of the gifts / room setup things that I've seen at WDW.

3. You'll want a car and I would need someone else to confirm this but I think there is a Alamo desk in DTD.

The SD zoo is not like any other zoo it's the model for them, more like AK then a city zoo, and there is also the SD Wild Animal park ,more like AK than a zoo. But if not interested I would say Hollywood Blvd and The Santa Monica pier venice beach area. Then you can see real surfing.

 

[wasser]

As others have said - the SD Zoo and the Wild Animal Park aren't your typical zoos. Balboa Park has some museums and a fine science center with an Imaxx you may be interested in. At the SD Bay you can also check out the USS Midway and the Maritime Museum. You can also have some fun exploring tidal pools.

 

[Ecboyd]

I agree with other posters if your looking for WDW quality in your room you need to go with GCH. Its Much more to the Disney standard, the other two Seriously need redoing.

I'm not sure 6 days at Disney land is prefect, I always say 4 days is all you need for a leisurely DLR trip. Anything less is too little. any thing more.... your run out of things to do... remember its VERY compact.

Suggestion,
About 10 minutes up the freeway is both Knots Berry Farm, a roller coaster park and along the same road is The movieland wax museum, Pirate's Dinner Adventure, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, and a few others. Its a great area and my kid LOVED!!!!!!!! The Pirate's Dinner Adventure.

Other than that, There are LOTS of things to do in LA, Hollywood is a great place to be a tourist for a day : ) ... See the theater where Snow White was first screened.

Above all remember this. TRAVEL TIMES IN CA are my MINUTES not distance. it may only be 5 miles to your destination.... but that might require 45 minute travel time. Treat it like the bus's at WDW Plan ahead and give your self an hour!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I'm not sure 6 days at Disney land is prefect, I always say 4 days is all you need for a leisurely DLR trip. Anything less is too little. any thing more.... your run out of things to do... remember its VERY compact.

I disagree... 4 days is great and all... we've done 4 before, but I think our 6 day trip was the best, I would never say we "ran out of stuff to do." There are plenty of things we never got to. But, with 6 days, we did get to see Aladdin, EP, Pixar Play Parade, Celebrate Parade, fireworks from the hub, and F! with dessert seating & rode our favorite rides more than once. Could we have done this with 4 days? Yes, but boy, we would have been wiped out!!

 

[Ecboyd]

Could we have done this with 4 days? Yes, but boy, we would have been wiped out!!

Ok I'll take the correction : )

Actually, I guess I must Try it myself to know for sure... I will suffer the challenge : )~

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Ok I'll take the correction : )

Actually, I guess I must Try it myself to know for sure... I will suffer the challenge : )~