Tips for DLR trip on Mar19 -Mar 24

[craftymomco]

I have been reading the boards for the past of days and picking up some really greats tips. I am traveling with four kids, 5, 10, 14 and 16. We booked the trip thru Costco. So any tips on how the extras like the character dining, magic mornings and reserved seating for shows work in a package deal would be great. I have also posted some general questions I still have below.

1. What is an estimate of the rate for van/taxi from John Wayne to DLR(Hyatt Orange County)? What is a good rate for a Tip?

2. Good, but inexpensive places to eat near hotel or DLR? Going to bring snacks and breakfast stuff but still would like to keep eating cost down as much as possible.

3. Any ideas of a beach to see or a mini morning/evening tour of the area? I know the kids would like to see a little of the area but we won't have car.

Thanks in advance for any information

 

[clairabell29]

Only questions I can answer are Magic Mornings get you into Fantasyland 1 hour earlier then park opening on Sunday, Tues, and I belive Thurs and Saturday, but other DISers can tell you for sure. You want to arrive at least 30 min prior to MM and park opening especially since you are there over spring break.

A couple good places to eat are Mimi's and Millie's. They both have coupons on thier websites, but don't sign up til just before your trip since mimi's is only good for 2 weeks. These are both by the howard johnson on Harbor Blvd. There is also a McDonalds there and the newbie sticky has a link to coupons for 10% off there. You can always order grocieries from von's and have them delivered. This is a great way to keep food and drink costs down to a minimum!

Other then that Use fastpasses and childswap if you need/want it and have a WONDERFUL trip!

 

[aristocat65]

It looks like Magic Morning is Sat, Sun and Tues during your visit. You just need to decide which day you'll do. The park opens at 8am during that part of March, so MM will be at 7am.
Here is a link to the calendar fro Disneyland that you can customize to your dates and see when the shows are with preferred seating.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...onthly?name=CalendarMonthlyPage&date=20100321

I imagine you will get preferred seating vouchers for Aladdin, but maybe someone else can help you there

I've never flown into John Wayne I'm not sure on that either.

There are a number of restaurants near the Hyatt OC. We like Buca de Beppo which is a short walk for you in the Embassy Suites Parking lot. It seems expensive initially, but all is served family style so you can have a really nice meal for a reasonable cost.

You will also have Target across the street to pick up snacks and drinks.

If you want a Mcdonalds, there is one across the street from DL on Harbour Blvd. There is also Millies which is ok too.

Huntington beach is about 20 minutes away and very nice, but getting there or site seeing will be difficult without a car.

HTH

 

[craftymomco]

Thanks for the great tips. Only 24 days until Disneyland.

 

[TeaToo!]

I wasnt aware that Huntington Beach is so close! Anyone have directions for the best way to get there? We will staying on Harbour. We will have a rental car but dont know our way around well. Much thanks!!

 

[Hound 109]

If you're staying off site then you'll only be entitled to ONE day of Magic Mornings. (Which are available Tue/Thur/Sat/Sun).

If you haven't already done so check out the stickys at the top of the first page....especially Hydroguy's "tip threads".

Here's a bus service to the beach. I don't know anyone who's used it....but the busses look kind of cool.

http://www.anaheim411.com/OC_Beach_Tours.htm

Have fun!

 

[craftymomco]

Thanks for the tip on the buses. They do look cool. Does anyone know if there might be discount on those somewhere? With a family of five it is a little expensive for just a few hours.

 

[Hound 109]

I agree that for a family of 5 it would probably be cost prohibitive.

It's definitely a better fit for 1 or 2 people. I'm just hoping someone would try it sometime & post a review. I like the idea of being able to visit 2-3 beaches (& areas) on a "hop on & off" basis.....& I LOVE the "Woodie" look of the buses.

Maybe there's an "el cheapo" city bus that would take you to down to Huntington beach & back.....or maybe a taxi?

Hopefully someone will chime in.

 

[craftymomco]

Thanks for the info. I agree if it was just two of each I would probably do the bus to the beach. I'll have to research it a little more. I just hate the thought of being so close to the beach and not seeing it. Not a big deal to me, but the kids keep asking if we are going to walk on the beach.