Starting to plan first DL trip....A few ?'s

[lildeb724]

It will be me, DH, DD 7.5 and DS 5. We are thinking of October 2008 (around columbus Day) We are coming from NY so we would spend a week in CA. How long should I plan for the two parks. Usually I would spend 8-10 days at WDW. My favorite hotels at WDW are Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian. So get me started....Where should I stay and for how long? What is the weather like in early October? Is there an Unofficial guide for DL.
Appreciate your responses

 

[sunking]

Greetings!

I am also a vet when it comes to visiting WDW. We are also planning a trip to Disneyland for 2008. We will be going in March.

I can answer your question about the hotel. The Grand Californian is the most like Wilderness Lodge. Heck, it is the same "style" and will feel very familar to you. As a matter of fact we are DVC owners at Wilderness Lodge Villas and we will be spending 6 nights at the Grand Californian. The Grand Californian even features an entrance in the hotel to California Adventure. Very cool!

Regarding how long to stay...My daughter and I took a trip a couple of years ago and we stayed for four nights/five days. That was enough for us to do everything that we wanted to. We will be staying six nights/seven days this time.

Hope someone else can help with your other questions.

Have fun planning!
Sunking

 

[DLR29]

For a first time visitor, I recommend 4 days at the parks. This will guarantee enough time to do what you want (most likely more than once) and get a feel for the resort.

Here are my top #10 tips for WDW vets

•#1 tip. Get there EARLY! There are NO long lines in the first hour-hour and a half. Pick up a FP and enjoy some rides without lines

•Use FastPass! (same kind of system as WDW)

•Do not expect WDW size. DLR is so compact it is very easy to get around. Park hopping (or going to Downtown Disney) takes a grand total of 1 minute to cross the large plaza separating the two parks. It also makes walking the main transportation here, as opposed to buses.

•I do not recommend staying onsite for a combination of two reasons. Cost and closeness. There are many many many offsite hotels with much cheaper prices. Also there are a handful of hotels that are closer to the parks than the Disneyland or Paradise Pier Hotels. With cheaper prices and shorter/equal walk, I have always stayed offsite. While the quality may not be as good, it's just a place to sleep right? However if you intend to spend a lot of time at the pool or lobby or hanging around the hotel, you might be the kind of person who will want to shell out the dough, though I highly discourage it. More money for the parks!

•Buy admission in advance definitely. Nothing like standing in another long line just to get into the park.

•Eat breakfast at your hotel, or while waiting for the gates to open. Plus, breakfast in the park is mucho $.

•Don’t miss spectacular shows such as the Aladdin Musical at DCA and the nighttime shows Electrical Parade at DCA (both unique to DLR) and the nightly fireworks show and Fantasmic! at DL.

•Do not eat lunch and dinner at normal hours to avoid food lines and take advantage of shorter ride lines

•An alternative to carrying around all your stuff all day is to rent a locker. They’re about $5 each and can hold a little more than a backpack size. Perfect for storing sweatshirts during the middle of the day (especially in October when it can get a bit chilly at night). Lockers are located about half way down Main Street to the right in a little corner at DL. At DCA they are just to the right of the entrance

•Have fun!

 

[flipturngirl]

For a first time visitor, I recommend 4 days at the parks. This will guarantee enough time to do what you want (most likely more than once) and get a feel for the resort.

Here are my top #10 tips for WDW vets

•#1 tip. Get there EARLY! There are NO long lines in the first hour-hour and a half. Pick up a FP and enjoy some rides without lines

•Use FastPass! (same kind of system as WDW)

•Do not expect WDW size. DLR is so compact it is very easy to get around. Park hopping (or going to Downtown Disney) takes a grand total of 1 minute to cross the large plaza separating the two parks. It also makes walking the main transportation here, as opposed to buses.

•I do not recommend staying onsite for a combination of two reasons. Cost and closeness. There are many many many offsite hotels with much cheaper prices. Also there are a handful of hotels that are closer to the parks than the Disneyland or Paradise Pier Hotels. With cheaper prices and shorter/equal walk, I have always stayed offsite. While the quality may not be as good, it's just a place to sleep right? However if you intend to spend a lot of time at the pool or lobby or hanging around the hotel, you might be the kind of person who will want to shell out the dough, though I highly discourage it. More money for the parks!

•Buy admission in advance definitely. Nothing like standing in another long line just to get into the park.

•Eat breakfast at your hotel, or while waiting for the gates to open. Plus, breakfast in the park is mucho $.

•Don’t miss spectacular shows such as the Aladdin Musical at DCA and the nighttime shows Electrical Parade at DCA (both unique to DLR) and the nightly fireworks show and Fantasmic! at DL.

•Do not eat lunch and dinner at normal hours to avoid food lines and take advantage of shorter ride lines

•An alternative to carrying around all your stuff all day is to rent a locker. They’re about $5 each and can hold a little more than a backpack size. Perfect for storing sweatshirts during the middle of the day (especially in October when it can get a bit chilly at night). Lockers are located about half way down Main Street to the right in a little corner at DL. At DCA they are just to the right of the entrance

•Have fun!

I totally agree!!! Also there are stores such as Target and Food 4 Less near by so you can buy things you need to eat.

 

[farmfresh]

Yes there is an unoffical guide to DL, and you can do it all in four days. ON or off site is personal preference - as others have said, you be offsite and still close.

 

[tink2dw]

This Map shows exactly where hotels are located althou the names may have changed on 1 or 2 hotels. You can see how close every thing is to the parks.
It is easy to find the DL Enterance.
http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

[Hound 109]

I can answer your question about the hotel. The Grand Californian is the most like Wilderness Lodge. Heck, it is the same "style" and will feel very familar to you. As a matter of fact we are DVC owners at Wilderness Lodge Villas and we will be spending 6 nights at the Grand Californian. The Grand Californian even features an entrance in the hotel to California Adventure. Very cool!

I agree, if you prefer a WL / Poly experience at WDW, I would definitely choose the GCH for your first trip to DLR. Plus you will get EE each day it's offered (if you're staying at a DLR hotel). Using EE is the BEST way to enjoy Fantasyland Rides (& SM & Buzz).

Aside from Lodging, I agree with every suggestion that DLR29 makes above.

Also, if you haven't done so, I recommend that you read each of HydroGuy's threads in the sticky on the first page (espcecially the DLR for WDW Vets thread).....& read the MaryJo sticky on differences between DLR & WDW.

Have a great time planning a trip to Walt's park.


hound -

 

[lildeb724]

So I am a DVC member, WL is my home resort. I am trying to conserve points but don't want to stay where I would be unhappy. How do the disneyland and paradise pier compare in the Deluxe, Moderate, value range. I could handle a deluxe with no great theming.

 

[HydroGuy]

To all of the good advice already given I would add that early October is off-season at DLR - which does not automatically mean lower crowds as many have found out in recent years.

In any case, there will likely be a number of ride closures while you are there. I am not telling you to change your preferred October visit, but just want to make sure you know about off-season at DLR so you are not surprised later on.

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

"HydroGuy's High Season/Off Season Tradeoff Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199852

 

[DLR29]

So I am a DVC member, WL is my home resort. I am trying to conserve points but don't want to stay where I would be unhappy. How do the disneyland and paradise pier compare in the Deluxe, Moderate, value range. I could handle a deluxe with no great theming.

If you were comparing the DLR hotels w/ the WDW hotels, ALL 3 of DLR's hotels would be deluxe (in terms of rooms, quality, restaurants, and price).