Spring Break - Disneyland Road Trip

[crownprincesslexi]

Howdy All! I usually hover over at the WDW forums, but for this I need the expertise of my west coast friends! My roommates and I are planning on road tripping (flying, but it's all semantics) for our Spring Break. Our dates as March 15th - March 21st. We just decided to make this trip to California this spring, but have no clue where to start! We've all been Professional Interns at the World and know that area like the back of our hands, but I've only been to Disneyland as a day trip from Los Angeles after my Sophomore year of college. I have a few questions, hopefully someone can help us out!

If I don't use my parents' DVC points, what are some Good Neighbor Hotels that people would suggest?

How many days should we spend in the two parks (we also want to go up to the Walt Disney Family Museum so want to factor that in)?

What's the best airport to fly into? I know there's about three or four options.

We know we'll need a car to drive up to San Fran, but do we need one in Anaheim?

What are some other things people can just give me general advice on?

THANK YOU AND PIXIE DUST!

 

[MikeRx]

We will be there at the same time and unfortunately not able to use points (we rent from a friend) for the stay. The VGC studios were all booked, so we are on the wait list. We've booked an AP rate at the DLH for the trip. We've also used the Camelot Inn as it was safe, clean and an easy walk to the parks. If we have time we try to do 2 days in DL and at least 1 full day at DCA. Ideally we do 2 at DCA and 3 at DL. We never feel rushed and can do what we like multiple times. We always make rope drop and take advantage of the first few hours to maximize the rides and slow down at lunch and into the evening. Search the boards for other hotel reviews. touring Plans just did a review of the Camelot in the last. 2 weeks.

I hope this helps.

Mike

 

[MikeRx]

Howdy All! I usually hover over at the WDW forums, but for this I need the expertise of my west coast friends! My roommates and I are planning on road tripping (flying, but it's all semantics) for our Spring Break. Our dates as March 15th - March 21st. We just decided to make this trip to California this spring, but have no clue where to start! We've all been Professional Interns at the World and know that area like the back of our hands, but I've only been to Disneyland as a day trip from Los Angeles after my Sophomore year of college. I have a few questions, hopefully someone can help us out! If I don't use my parents' DVC points, what are some Good Neighbor Hotels that people would suggest? How many days should we spend in the two parks (we also want to go up to the Walt Disney Family Museum so want to factor that in)? What's the best airport to fly into? I know there's about three or four options. We know we'll need a car to drive up to San Fran, but do we need one in Anaheim? What are some other things people can just give me general advice on? THANK YOU AND PIXIE DUST!

We use SNA as it is easy and the best airport for us.

 

[Live2Travel]

Hello,
This is our Spring Break as well. So we are thinking about going March 14 - March 18.
How busy are the parks? In the past, we always went mid-Summer and it was doable.
Also, I find some conflicting information about what rides might be closed. Some websites say that Soarin' will be closed . But other sites say that no official info is available yet, so closures are anybody's guess.
Thank you in advance for your insight.
L2T

 

[disneycat321]

I can't answer the hotel question - used to be a local and have family down there now so I have no knowledge.

I would say as many days in the parks as possible, of course. At least 3. Absolutely get park hoppers!

You actually are taking a road trip - SF is a good 7+ hour drive from Anaheim at least. The Walt Disney Family Museum is amazing, though. Just very far.

Car in Anaheim - depends how close to the parks you're staying or whether you plan to leave the parks to go elsewhere.

The best airport is John Wayne (SNA) in Orange County, but it's likely also the most expensive. LAX is probably the worst to fly into (because of the traffic getting out of it), but likely also the cheapest. Another great option is Long Beach. Lastly, there's always Ontario. Since you're flying from Orlando, LAX will be your best bet. DH and I did the reverse trip - LAX to Orlando - twice for Disneyworld. Virgin America has direct flights and tends to be the cheapest. Even though LAX might be the "worst" airport choice (it really is all because of driving out of there, but that's not a deal breaker), we would choose that flight again in a heartbeat. You're less likely to get as cheap and direct of a flight into Orange County.

 

[jamminlion]

It's our spring break in Texas, too. In fact, practically everyone in Texas is on spring break that week. We're coming out and staying with friends, so hotels are not a big deal to us. Crowd levels however, ARE!

Gosh, it's not even Christmas yet, and we are talking spring break!

 

[crownprincesslexi]

I can't answer the hotel question - used to be a local and have family down there now so I have no knowledge.

I would say as many days in the parks as possible, of course. At least 3. Absolutely get park hoppers!

You actually are taking a road trip - SF is a good 7+ hour drive from Anaheim at least. The Walt Disney Family Museum is amazing, though. Just very far.

Car in Anaheim - depends how close to the parks you're staying or whether you plan to leave the parks to go elsewhere.

The best airport is John Wayne (SNA) in Orange County, but it's likely also the most expensive. LAX is probably the worst to fly into (because of the traffic getting out of it), but likely also the cheapest. Another great option is Long Beach. Lastly, there's always Ontario. Since you're flying from Orlando, LAX will be your best bet. DH and I did the reverse trip - LAX to Orlando - twice for Disneyworld. Virgin America has direct flights and tends to be the cheapest. Even though LAX might be the "worst" airport choice (it really is all because of driving out of there, but that's not a deal breaker), we would choose that flight again in a heartbeat. You're less likely to get as cheap and direct of a flight into Orange County.

I think we'll do four or five days in Anaheim! And yeah thinking about San Fran, maybe we'll do a quick southwest flight up there on our last day and fly out the next morning?

 

[crownprincesslexi]

We will be there at the same time and unfortunately not able to use points (we rent from a friend) for the stay. The VGC studios were all booked, so we are on the wait list. We've booked an AP rate at the DLH for the trip. We've also used the Camelot Inn as it was safe, clean and an easy walk to the parks. If we have time we try to do 2 days in DL and at least 1 full day at DCA. Ideally we do 2 at DCA and 3 at DL. We never feel rushed and can do what we like multiple times. We always make rope drop and take advantage of the first few hours to maximize the rides and slow down at lunch and into the evening. Search the boards for other hotel reviews. touring Plans just did a review of the Camelot in the last. 2 weeks.

I hope this helps.

Mike

That helps a lot!!!

We're so used to touring at WDW with FP+ that it's gonna be a huge difference in DLR. Is using FP common in DLR?

My parent's also have Marriott points that they buy (they're travel junkies) so maybe we'll look at the Wyndham around the area.

 

[crownprincesslexi]

It's our spring break in Texas, too. In fact, practically everyone in Texas is on spring break that week. We're coming out and staying with friends, so hotels are not a big deal to us. Crowd levels however, ARE!

Gosh, it's not even Christmas yet, and we are talking spring break!

I'd say it's the excitement, but it's really necessary to do trips to the west coast from Texas! lol

 

[disneycat321]

That helps a lot!!!

We're so used to touring at WDW with FP+ that it's gonna be a huge difference in DLR. Is using FP common in DLR?

Yes, but they're the "old" paper fastpasses. DLR also has FAR less FP attractions than WDW. The first time we went to WDW, DH and I laughed and laughed when we saw even Winnie the Pooh had FP.