Three day weekend in DisneyLAND, from east coast??

[MemoryMakers2669]

OK, tell me that is nuts to even consider!?

Editing to simplify this post. I have never flown more than 2 hours. From here to LA it is a 6 hour flight. Plus the time change.

Is it too much to do this for a four day weekend? We would fly out Thursday early and return Monday early. Leaves rest of Thursday and all day Friday, Sat. and Sun to be in the parks, etc.

 

[DisneyGal358]

My 2 cents:
I personally thought DL was a lot more expensive than WDW. I had never been over to the west coast before so I wasn't prepared for that.
We went for two days on our honeymoon (just a short trip since we were in Vegas for our hmoon and we couldn't turn down the opportunity). We used the blue van - Supershuttle I think. It worked out very well. I think we got to see a lot... it was early/mid September and the parks were pretty empty. Also we stayed at the Best Western Park Place and it was simply accross the street from the main entrance. I couldn't get over how close it was.. the disney hotels are farther a walk and much more expensive. I would suggest that hotel. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[atbda]

I live in CA so we go to DL at least once a year and we've gone to WDW about three times in the last 5 years (so very familiar with the long distance flights). I think you would have a great time on the trip you're thinking about. The flights seem long but usually you can catch up on reading, napping, watching a movie and before you know it, you're there. I disagree with DisneyGal that its alot more expensive at DL ... I think prices are very comparable at DL & WDW. Unlike WDW, DL is not spread out so you can easily walk between DL, DCA, and DTD. With 3 and a half days planned for the parks, you'll be able to do and see everything although on the weekend days the parks tend to get crowded so count on longer lines, waiting, etc. Being there is only three Disney Resort Hotels on property, there are not as many discounts offered for them but, as DisneyGal pointed out, there are plenty of good hotels located right across the street from the park entrance which are a shorter walk than some of Disney's. IMHO, I think you have a great trip planned and you'll have a great time if you go!

 

[PattiPB]

I've done it in reserve several times.

Coming West is easy. East is the "jet lag" direction in my experience.

The only way you can return "Monday early" is if you are taking a red eye---those are tough. I wouldn't expect to get much done Thursday---if you land at 3 pm +/-, shuttle, check-in, etc. I'd do a nice dinner and shopping with an early bedtime. Hit it hard Fri, Sat, Sun.

Have fun!!!

 

[cabanafrau]

Sounds like a great idea to me. DL is actually sized appropriately for a quik trip IMO. I think you can do a great deal of it even in that amount of time. For us, WDW is too big for a trip that short.

 

[doombuggy]

We went for a little bit longer trip last August - Thursday to Tuesday. We got there early afternoon on Thursday and left late morning on Tuesday. We flew into John Wyane airport, so the flights were not direct from Orlando (we had to change planes in Dallas, flew American) but it wasn't bad. It's doable.
We stayed at the Desert Inn & Suites and they were great. I believe we used the AAA rate and got a "parlor suite" for $89 per night.

Yes, the coming back is the hard part......

 

[kaytieeldr]

Getting there, no problem. Say your flight leaves at 8 AM; with the time change, you'll arrive around 11 AM. As long as you're not me, and depending which airport you use and what transportation you choose, you could easily be in DisneyLand by maybe 2? Naturally, check the approximate park hours - better to go on a weekend when at least one park is open relatively late (e.g. Veterans Day 2005 DCA closed at 10 and DL closed at midnight).

Of course, get the three-day two-park ticket - the entrances are about 200 feet apart so you can go back and forth as much as you want.

Coming home, especially if PattiPB is right about you taking the redeye - try reserving an aisle and window seat midway or further back in the plane (I'm assuming there are two of you, again I could easily be wrong ). Maybe you'll get lucky and the middle seat will remain empty, and further back in the plane is quieter for sleeping... or trying to.

 

[salmoneous]

I fly from the East Coast to Vegas for 3-4 day weekends all the time. Red-eyes maximize your time and are usually cheaper - but you have to be able to tolerate them.

But while I don't see any problem with flying to the West Coast for a short trip per se, I would only do so for something that doesn't exist on the East Coast. With all due respect to the Disneyland fans, it just isn't different enough from Disneyworld to justify the trip in my book.

 

[salmoneous]

(I'm assuming there are two of you, again I could easily be wrong ). Maybe you'll get lucky

 

[kaytieeldr]

salmoneous! That's NOT what I meant!