Thinking of Disneyland in 2010...some questions...

[onelilspark]

I've been to WDW more times than is probably healthy, but I've never been to DL. Next year I've decided not to go to WDW so I can do something "different."


...DL is "different." Right??

So I have some questions since it was just this past year that I went to California for the first time and it was up north, not in the south. So I'm new to SoCal. Help please! First: I'm really only interested in DL. Since I'm flying out from the East Coast (and from a small airport, I will have to do a layover.) How many days should I allot? When I went to San Fran, the entire last day of my vacation was dedicated to traveling home. Second: What time of year is good to go? I'm guessing I should avoid all the big holidays. My birthday is Feb 28. For some reason Disney considers that "peak." Does DL? It'd be great to go over my birthday again, but I don't really want to pay peak prices. If I go, I'll probably travel over a weekend so I don't have to take as much vacation time

Anything else you think I should know, I'm game.

 

[Sherry E]

Well, first of all, you should definitely check out HydroGuy's Tips Compilation: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483.

It is pretty much essential reading for newcomers to DLR - and you will find another link to a thread (see the first page) for WDW vets visiting DLR for the first time. You will get a lot of the info you need from his tips alone.

Out here, February is considered off-peak season at DLR. (Holiday weekends aside, of course.) You will get different responses as to how many days in DL you should spend. Some folks want to see and do every last thing in the park, and others can do a few select things and be happy. It depends on what your interests are - do you only want to ride rides, or do fireworks, parades and shows interest you as well? Are you interested in character meals? Staying onsite at one of the DLR hotels? Is visiting Disney's California Adventure totally out of the question, or are you willing to consider it? Are you mainly just interested in doing the things that are unique to DLR and different from WDW?

Fortunately, people here are very helpful and informative and can help you with every step of your trip planning. Here are just a sampling of some of the great Trip Reports from some of our DIS-ers, just so you can get a taste of DLR from others' perspectives. There are so many, but these are a few (note: Pmama is a WDW vet who just visited DLR recently):

Mariezp: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2021554

Bumbershoot:
old: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1986475
New: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2159388

DizNee Luver: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2088835

WazowskiLOVER: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1986026

Prettyprincessbelle: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1998221

Belle Ella: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2103191

Momto2nenas: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2172156

Merrrydeath: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2094450

Disneygrl36: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2035488

Travelmel: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1891146

Jennifer03: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2003747

Wendylady36: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1950941

Pmama: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2096377

And mine!: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1979268



And here are some great Photo Threads to give you a sense of special details to look for and photo opportunites to seek out:

Post Photos of Hotels Here...DLH, HoJo, BWPPI, DI&S, CCI...etc. thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1745747

Character Dining photos: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2170088

Disneyland Dining Reviews and Pictures: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888

Favorite Character Photo thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=996742

Photopass Poses: The Cheesier the Better thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1954446

Favorite Nighttime and Fireworks photos thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=996738

Favorite DLR Holiday Photo thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=996737

Favorite Spirit of DLR photo thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=996748

Disneyland Picture of the Day #2 thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1862861

Disneyland UNO game thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1906107

Disney Nostalgia Pictures thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1988546

 

[onelilspark]

Oh wow! That's a lot of info, it'll certainly keep me busy for a while Thank you so much for posting that!

I want to see a lot, since I'm not sure when I'd get back. But at the same time, my motto for doing WDW is not to sweat what you don't see, it just gives you an excuse to come back!

I'd like to stay at a Disney owned property. I was just playing around on the Disney site and the Disneyland Hotel really appeals to me, but I can't find a chart on prices, so I might have to wait and play with that, or perhaps one of the links you just gave me will be able to help out...there's always budget to consider!!

Thanks again!

 

[Sherry E]

Oh wow! That's a lot of info, it'll certainly keep me busy for a while Thank you so much for posting that!

I want to see a lot, since I'm not sure when I'd get back. But at the same time, my motto for doing WDW is not to sweat what you don't see, it just gives you an excuse to come back!

I'd like to stay at a Disney owned property. I was just playing around on the Disney site and the Disneyland Hotel really appeals to me, but I can't find a chart on prices, so I might have to wait and play with that, or perhaps one of the links you just gave me will be able to help out...there's always budget to consider!!

Thanks again!

You are very welcome! I hope you are able to get some good tips to use.

Well, we always need an excuse to come back! You are right about that! You will be busy with HydroGuy's Tip thread for a while before even getting to any of the other stuff I posted! But, since you are interested in the Disneyland Hotel (DLH), make sure to check out Bumbershoot's new Trip Report - that one involves a recent stay at the DLH with concierge level service and lots of pictures.

I find that when you go to the Disneyland Resort website to the section where you book a hotel and enter in dates you want to travel, you can get a price. You just have to pick some random dates to see what kind of rate they give you for that time frame. It doesn't have to be exact, but it is something to go on. And there may be special deals or discounts by the time you need to actually book, too!

 

[onelilspark]

Oh...and I should mention that it'll either be just me, myself & my boyfriend (if I can get him to go to Disney again ...it'll help if it's over my birthday!), or myself & my Mom. So just adults, no kids.

 

[pycees312]

tip about off season. it does rain in sunny california sometimes. ive gone in Oct, Early Dec, Nov, Feb and March off season. and had a lil bit of rain( note the parks clear out and it's like having the park to yourself lol)
I had been 5 years in march in a row and never had rain. then the one trip 2 years ago i convince my family ( it was like 50 of us) to go with us since it's such a good time weather wise and crowd wise.. and it rained... 3 out of the 5 days we went. My huge group of family were so dissapointed and upset with me for choosing that date.So just wanted to put that out there for the most part Cali is Dry and sunny but we do see rain sometimes.

 

[Sherry E]

That is a good point Pycees312 mentioned - though we don't get a LOT of rain in a year in SoCal (hence, the current water crisis and subsequent rationing), when it rains in winter months, it tends to rain a lot in a short period of time (which causes all kinds of mudslide issues and storm drain overflow). February happens to be one of those months that sees a lot of rain WHEN it rains. And that may not be every year, but if we do have a rainy season, a lot of it will likely fall in February. But, the parks clear out as Pycees312 said. Many see that as a blessing because you can walk on almost any ride with no wait. I find it to be a nuisance trying to manage my bags and my cameras and other things while trying to stay dry, so I am not fond of being caught in rain at DLR, but I think I am in the minority!

But price-wise (as far as DLR hotels and character meals) and crowd-wise, February is considered off-peak, so that is a plus.

 

[onelilspark]

Haha, ohhh I'm used to the rain in WDW, so I'm okay with that. I looked at the weather tips from HydroGuy and it looks like on average FL gets more rain in February than CA. And February is my favorite month to go to FL...it's not that bad there. So unless I'm unlucky (quite possible!) I think February might work. Though I might look at early February instead of going for my birthday. It's a better time work wise...but that's just the practical part of me coming out!!

 

[onelilspark]

Oh! So the other thing...I turn 25 on my next birthday. Which means I can finally rent a car without stupid fees. So if I go by myself and decide to rent a car, it might be best to wait until after my birthday. Then...perhaps May? Doesn't DL have their F&W festival then? ...hmmm, I do like F&W.


...and this is why I'm starting to "plan" now.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh! So the other thing...I turn 25 on my next birthday. Which means I can finally rent a car without stupid fees. So if I go by myself and decide to rent a car, it might be best to wait until after my birthday. Then...perhaps May? Doesn't DL have their F&W festival then? ...hmmm, I do like F&W.


...and this is why I'm starting to "plan" now.

I didn't go to the F&W Festival, but yes, I think it is in May! The DLR hotel fees may be higher at that point because it is close to Memorial Day/summer season, so be forewarned. But plenty of DIS-ers stay offsite at non-Disney hotels because the rates are cheaper so you may find that is a better option for you if the Disney hotels are too $$$.

Oh, you are not unusual for planning now. We have had some folks on here post a couple of years before their intended DLR trips, just to start weighing all the options and tackling each aspect of the trip one step at a time!

 

[MAH4546]

September, February and May are the slowest months at the DLR, but weekends in late February can still be very busy.

If you don't mind getting wet, then hope for rain. SoCal'ers are freaked out by rain and don't go outside when it rains. Last year, on a rainy day in December, only 4,000 people came to DL the entire day. Its like having the park to yourself. Its a good trade-off.

 

[onelilspark]

I talked to the bf last night about possibly going to Disneyland. To my utter amazement, he said yes. So we started looking around. Unless Disney runs another special, we'll be off-site. Thanks for all those great links!

I travel a lot for work. Usually at Hilton properties because I love Hampton Inns, but I can also usually stay at a Marriott property (either Courtyard, Fairfield, or Residence Inn.) From what I can gather, it looks like the Fairfield is right next to the HoJo, which a lot of people stay at, right? And we're looking at going either the beginning of Februrary, or more likely the end of May (week before Memorial Day.) Between now and then, I can rack up enough Marriott points for a free night or two, which really makes that Fairfield look enticing. Is there anyone with any experience there??

 

[Sherry E]

That's great you got the okay from your boyfriend! So full speed ahead with the plans!

I know there are folks on DIS who have stayed at Fairfield (and I have seen threads about it before), but just in case they miss or overlook this thread, you may want to start a separate thread asking about Fairfield so people who know about it will be sure to see it - or if there is a better offsite hotel to stay in, they can point you in that direction.

People on the DIS love HoJo's because they can often get the great Entertainment rate (with the Entertainment card in the Entertainment book), and the price is sometimes as low as $59 per night. I personally love to stay onsite at one of the 3 DLR hotels for the extra perks you get and the overall feeling of magic from beginning to end - and I have stayed at all three of them, but they are expensive. No doubt about that. The last several trips I have ended up at the PPH because it is the least expensive one of the three, but I want to eventually get back to the GCH. Fortunately, even if you stay offsite, since everything at DLR is so close together and walkable (unlike at WDW), you can easily stroll around the beautiful grounds of the DLH and the GCH and eat at restaurants in the hotels and enjoy the ambience.