Tried figuring it out on my own, but I need help!

[GoofItUp]

I've been to WDW numerous times and thought going to DL would be a comparative breeze to figure out. However, the more I read the more I realize NONE of the same principles apply to how you plan vacations. I'm completely confused! Can some of you help me out? (We'll be there Oct 28-31, then leave on a cruise for a week.)

1. Where to stay: We will have my grandparents (one of whom has mobility issues and will be using a wheelchair or motorized cart), my mom, DH, myself, and our 2 kids (almost 3 and 1 yr at time of trip). So, we need something that is very convenient to get in and out of the parks. Cost is an object, but I will spend the money is one place really gives us a location advantage. I thought we would HAVE to do GC for location, but now I'm reading that other places can be just as good.

2. Characters: Are the character meets as plentiful as at WDW? This is my 3 yo's favorite thing, and someone told me that there were almost no characters to meet in the parks. Of course, I don't know how long it has been since they've been there and found this hard to believe.

3. Renting motorized chair: Is there a medical equipment place or something that will deliver a chair to the hotel for use the entire time we're there? Possibly even take it on the cruise with us and have it picked up when we return? This would really help getting to/from the hotel/parks rather than having to rent one for the parks only each day.

4. Dining: We're not too picky. Are there any absolute must-do's with the 2 kids, or can we just do whatever once we get there? (This is really scaring me as I've made ressies at the outermost date for each of my WDW trips. But I'm trusting those who have posted here!)

5. Other tips/advice? We aren't the type that feel like we have to do EVERYTHING, but would appreciate any good info that you have, tips to these parks, must-do's, etc. I know I'll have more questions the more I plan, so maybe you can answer them before I ask!

Thanks! GoofItUp

 

[bumbershoot]

First, check out Hydroguy's tips, especially his DL for WDW vets one.

There are offsite scooter rental companies, and I really should keep it in my head, but others will have to chime in. I know at least one delivers and picks up at the hotel, and has the battery power to make it to, around, and from the parks each day!

Where to stay? So many good choices! Many of us here love the HoJo on Harbor, especially with the Entertainment Book rate that's available on some dates. Hojoanaheim.com is their site, they have discussion boards where you can see the dates (it is updated often!) and what that rate is all about. It's a walking distance hotel (one of the further out ones, but still only around 10 minutes from the parking lot if you're not rushing), and it's scooterable too.


If you want to go to Blue Bayou (very cool place as it is "inside" the POTC ride's beginning, BUT very expensive and not all that great food-wise) then you'd want to make your Priority Seating arrangement well ahead of time (60 days in advance at DLR). Carnation Cafe is also a fave and can fill up. The rest are not as worrisome to book later, or try for walk-ups.

For characters? ToonTown of course has Mickey Goofy Pluto Minnie...I see Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale all the time in DCA. Stitch is in DCA too. The Incredibles, Frozone, Sully, those are all often in DCA as well, in the Hollywood area.

Princesses are at Ariel's character meals in DCA, but are also found at the Princess Fantasy Faire meet/greet in DL.

The last two trips I've taken I see characters like crazy in DL on Main Street, after you go through the "tunnel" under the train tracks.

Buzz comes out routinely throughout the day in Tomorrowland, and he signs autographs, unlike in WDW (where I hear he stamps his signature?).

Character meals, of course, are good for characters. We've enjoyed the Lilo and Stitch breakfast in Paradise Pier Hotel...Daisy Duck makes her appearance there (she's otherwise a rare sighting).

 

[nancy drew]

Another character jackpot is the Minnie and Friends breakfast in Disneyland. It's only breakfast, but they seat until 10:30ish, so it could be a brunch. There are SO many characters at that meal, we couldn't really go get food because we were going to miss someone.

As far as where to stay, any of the hotels on Harbor across from the park should be fine. Park Vue is OK, I wasn't that happy with it but many people are. This map shows where each hotel is in relation to DLR. http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

As a WDW "vet" (not really, but someone who was used to WDW) who has recently learned DLR, I compare it to learning a foreign language when you are fluent in another. I spent 10 years learning French, and I was able to understand a lot of Spanish because the two languages are similar enough. Some words are the same, some patterns are the same, etc. Same goes for WDW and DLR. There are enough similarities that when you already "know" one of them, it is fairly easy to "learn" the other.

 

[wvnative]

1. Where to stay: I just checked the HOJO entertainment card thread for your dates of stay. It is currently still available your first two nights but not the last two. We stayed here on our last trip and it was great. The walk really wasn't that bad, the rooms were big, and the beds were comfy. Our other hotel of choice is the Desert Inn. I'm not suer how well that one will work if you have scooter t hough. They only seem to have one elevator and it's always been pretty busy when we've been there.

2. Characters: We've only done the dinner at Ariel's Grotto. There were 5 princesses. We've never had much of an issue seeing characters on Main St or in the Hollywood backlot of DCA though. We always see Cruella, Mickey, Alice and the Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins and Bert and at least two princesses without having to look for them. Of course, there's also the Faeries in Pixie Hollow. You should meet at least two in there.

3. Renting motorized chair: I'm sorry, I can't help with this one.

4. Dining: I'm sure you're kids would enjoy the mickey shaped pancakes from Riverbelle Terrace. I think Carnation does Mickey shaped waffles too. I'll agree with bumbershoot though. If you want Blue Bayou or Carnation, call ahead for priority seating (714-781-3463). You can call 60 days out. If you've never been, you should take them to the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. It has a neat decor and the food is decent even if a bit overpriced.

5. Other tips/advice? Use your magic morning to do Fantasyland. You're 3 yo will love it and the lines will be way shorter. I've heard the Aladdin show in DCA is very good. I've just never been willing to stand in line for an extended period of time with toddlers. Sorry, I live with a teenager. Oh, and I throughly enjoyed my one and only ride on Toy Story Midway Mania even if I did have to wait in line for over an hour. They do face painting at Pixie Hollow as well. Your 3 yo might like that.

 

[ballarinamom]

Our hotel referred us to an ECV rental. They had the EVC at the Hotel when we checked in and they were there to get it when we left. I'm sorry I don;t have the name and number as DMIL rented it and she hasthe number. I am sure if you speak to them directly, they can drop it off at your hotel and pick it up from you at the pier. We stayed at the Desert Inn and it was very close and a very good price. Plus we requested first floor. They had rooms away from the parking lot so no cars at our windows. DMIL was able to get the EVC through the door easily and plug it in at night. It was much closer than CGH or DLH where we usually stay.
As for fun meals, your kids will be free at any of the buffets. Unlike WDW, many of the restaurants give AAA discounts. Goofy's and Minnie's might be best for your little ones.
My expereince was that DL had better character interaction. At WDW, you have to stand in that line in Toontown to meet any characters. At DL, Mickey and Minnie are in the house and you can find Goofy, Chip and Dale there most of the time. There are alot of characters mid day out by the turnstiles by the tunnel and by the "Bank" in Main Street. Princesses are At PFF and Tink and freinds at Pixie Hallow. At DCA, They have a show near the animation studio. After each show you can get autographs. Alos back by the Alladin theater are characters. We saw Woodie, Handy Manny, Cinderella, Sully, The Incredibles and Frozone with 30 minutes in November

 

[toocherie]

the two off-site ECV rentals most people use are Deckert's (don't have the number, but I believe they have a website) and OC Medical (714-956-4690) which is the one I use. They deliver to the hotel with the charger--depending on the hotel you can either (i) leave it back in the bell room and they will charge it for you (note that last time staying at Paradise Pier they said they could no longer do this because the fire dept. was cracking down on them--so had to take it to the room) or (ii) take to the room and charge there. Hojo's charged it for me in their bell room.

It's a good idea to bring a three-pronged extension cord because you never know how far away the plug will be from where you park it in the room.

 

[teatime]

I've been to WDW numerous times and thought going to DL would be a comparative breeze to figure out. However, the more I read the more I realize NONE of the same principles apply to how you plan vacations. I'm completely confused! Can some of you help me out? (We'll be there Oct 28-31, then leave on a cruise for a week.)

1. Where to stay: We will have my grandparents (one of whom has mobility issues and will be using a wheelchair or motorized cart), my mom, DH, myself, and our 2 kids (almost 3 and 1 yr at time of trip). So, we need something that is very convenient to get in and out of the parks. Cost is an object, but I will spend the money is one place really gives us a location advantage. I thought we would HAVE to do GC for location, but now I'm reading that other places can be just as good.

2. Characters: Are the character meets as plentiful as at WDW? This is my 3 yo's favorite thing, and someone told me that there were almost no characters to meet in the parks. Of course, I don't know how long it has been since they've been there and found this hard to believe.

3. Renting motorized chair: Is there a medical equipment place or something that will deliver a chair to the hotel for use the entire time we're there? Possibly even take it on the cruise with us and have it picked up when we return? This would really help getting to/from the hotel/parks rather than having to rent one for the parks only each day.

4. Dining: We're not too picky. Are there any absolute must-do's with the 2 kids, or can we just do whatever once we get there? (This is really scaring me as I've made ressies at the outermost date for each of my WDW trips. But I'm trusting those who have posted here!)

5. Other tips/advice? We aren't the type that feel like we have to do EVERYTHING, but would appreciate any good info that you have, tips to these parks, must-do's, etc. I know I'll have more questions the more I plan, so maybe you can answer them before I ask!

Thanks! GoofItUp

Here is what I got......

scooter........ 165.00 a week thru dekert... (714) 542-5607
Farifield inn has some real nice rooms, a bigger pool and closer the hojo's. and you can use the scooter to and from any motel on Harbor . Hojo is nice to!!

 

[mechurchlady]

Stop at City Hall or any Guest Service window to pick up a disabilities brochure. It will tell you where to enter a ride or show and if it is mainstreamed.

GAC: GAC is like at WDW. You will have 7 people so that should not be a problem. If someone in your group will be going on rides or in shows and there is nobody in the group that is obviously disabled then they should get the GAC. It takes little time and can be made for 6 people and for a week for both parks.

Like WDW the GAC is not needed unless a person has hidden limitations like no stairs. However if it is something like mom who is unable to do stairs, dad uses scooter and kids then mom would not have to get one as she is with the disabled person in a scooter.

You have 5 adults and 2 kids so it is a bit expensive for character meals. ARiel's for girls and Goofy's for everyone. The other character meals are pretty good. Taste Pilot is a great place to eat.

 

[GoofItUp]

Thanks so much for all the great info. It's helping me a great deal!!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

ill suggest two hotels
Hojo every one loves it. has good staff an has good prices.
also Camelot inn we enjoyed our stay an the breakfast wasn't bad.