Starting to plan first trip....have no idea where to start

[vbarry]

We live in Central IL and last night I decided that next summer we are going to venture out and head to Disneyland and San Diego. My girls will be 10 and 6 at the time of our trip.

First what is the best and cheapest airport to fly into. We will probably leave from either Chicago, Indianapolis or St. Louis and it will require a non-stop flight. We would like to take a shuttle to Disnleyland and then rent a car when we get ready to head to San Diego.

We are DVC member so hopeful to get a reservation at the new DVC resort. How many nights should we stay in DisneyLand in order to spend one day at the resort and touring both parks etc?

How many days in San Diego? We would like to visit the zoo and Sea World. Is there a nice family hotel on the beach??

Also....tickets. Where do I start with these. I think I saw there is a CityPass. Is this the best deal??

Thanks for any help. Many trips to Disney World but this is our first experience out west as a family.

Thanks again!

 

[KRIS10420]

The best place to start is this sticky thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276. I'm thinking John Wayne airport (SNA) may be your best bet. Have fun planning

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

The best place to start is this sticky thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276. I'm thinking John Wayne airport (SNA) may be your best bet. Have fun planning

That is an excellent thread with which to start. Since it sounds like you're very familiar with WDW, do pay special attention to HydroGuy's thread "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets": http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599.

 

[KRIS10420]

That is an excellent thread with which to start. Since it sounds like you're very familiar with WDW, do pay special attention to HydroGuy's thread "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets": http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599.

I wouldn't say I am very familiar with WDW, I've only been there once. The OP seems to be very familiar with WDW though so this thread would be very useful.

 

[aristocat65]

Long Beach Airport is also a great option. It's very small, easy to get in and out of, and about 30 minutes to DLR. I'm not sure about shuttles, but Long Beach taxis operate on a flat rate basis and I think it is about $45. flat to the DLR. We have flown in there on Alaska Airlines, but Jet Blue also flies there and likely has flights from your area. Have fun planning!

 

[dsny1mom]

We live in Central IL and last night I decided that next summer we are going to venture out and head to Disneyland and San Diego. My girls will be 10 and 6 at the time of our trip.

First what is the best and cheapest airport to fly into. We will probably leave from either Chicago, Indianapolis or St. Louis and it will require a non-stop flight. We would like to take a shuttle to Disnleyland and then rent a car when we get ready to head to San Diego.

We are DVC member so hopeful to get a reservation at the new DVC resort. How many nights should we stay in DisneyLand in order to spend one day at the resort and touring both parks etc?

How many days in San Diego? We would like to visit the zoo and Sea World. Is there a nice family hotel on the beach??

Also....tickets. Where do I start with these. I think I saw there is a CityPass. Is this the best deal??

Thanks for any help. Many trips to Disney World but this is our first experience out west as a family.

Thanks again!

I live in the Chicago burbs. In fact I leave for DLR is about 14 hours!

In order to get a non stop out of Chicago you really need to fly out of Ohare. I am flying SW out of Midway for this trip but neither of my flights are non stops. I can't speak to Indy or St L as I have never flown out of either of those locations. We usually fly United out of Ohare as we can get an early flight out and an afternoon flight back, giving us the most time in So Cal.

The cheapest airport to fly into in So Cal is usally LAX. But it is not the closest to DL or the nicest. We perfer SNA as it is 20 minutes from DL and is easy to navigate.

If I were you I'd go to San Diego first. Sea World and the Zoo might be a bit of let down after spending time at DLR, for your children. Fly into San Diego rent a car, see the sights there, then drive to Anaheim and then turn the car in and you can take a shuttle or a taxi to SNA to fly back home.

How many days needed at DLR is pretty subjective. It depends on the time of year, how long of a day your family can handle and how long you feel is enough time to enjoy the Disney magic. I personally wouldn't go for less than 4 or 5 days amd usually stay for 14 or more. Haven't been to SD since I was a kid as Sea World and the Zoo aren't of much interest to our family. I'd take a guess at one day for each of those places and a half day at the beach.

Can't help with tickets as we do APs.

dsny1mom

 

[MAH4546]

In order to get a non stop out of Chicago you really need to fly out of Ohare. I am flying SW out of Midway for this trip but neither of my flights are non stops.

Southwest has like 9 non-stops a day from Midway to LAX.

 

[Koda]

We are planning this same type of trip for Summer 2010 (DLR and San Diego). If we flew into SNA, how long of a drive is it to San Diego?

 

[dsny1mom]

Southwest has like 9 non-stops a day from Midway to LAX.

I'm sure they do. I was talking about flying into SNA.

dsny1mom

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I wouldn't say I am very familiar with WDW, I've only been there once. The OP seems to be very familiar with WDW though so this thread would be very useful.

I was just piggy-backing on your excellent reading material suggestion to the OP and was referring to the OP's self-stated familiarity with WDW. Didn't mean to imply that the poster giving the original thread reading advice was in any way familiar with WDW.

The cheapest airport to fly into in So Cal is usally LAX. But it is not the closest to DL or the nicest. We perfer SNA as it is 20 minutes from DL and is easy to navigate.

This has been my family's experience as well. Definitely look into LAX, John Wayne in Orange County, and Long Beach. But don't forget to check into transportation from each of these airports to DLR. Depending on what type you prefer (Disneyland Express run through Greyhound, Super Shuttle, taxi service, etc.), you may find that the cost of the ground transportation negates any savings from a cheaper flight. We opted for our upcoming trip to fly into John Wayne. It cost a little more for each ticket when compared to LAX, but the ground transportation from Orange County was cheaper. Then there's the added bonus that we'll be a fifteen minute drive from DLR instead of an hour away, as well!

 

[Spixydust]

We always fly into John Wayne, it's such a nice little airport and you walk right out and can grab a shuttle.

If I remember you can book a shuttle online before hand and pay less, but we pay about 10 bucks a person each way.

Obviously it depends which way you go, San Diego first or Disneyland.

The CityPass does seem to be a really good deal, although I save all of my time for the mouse when I'm in Cali!

We can buy the CityPass discounted from Costco here in Arizona, maybe you can look online or check a local Coscto for tix.

Have a great time!

 

[vbarry]

Thank you! Thank you! This has given me a very good start. We may just stay the entire time at DLR and then just do a day trip or two to San Diego.

I am very excited about this!! We have taken several trips to WDW but I just need a change of scenery and I can tell the kids are ready for something new too!