Trip 5/13/11 - 5/19/11

[roma1625]

We've been to WDW a million times, but have never been to DLR. I have some basic questions that I would greatly appreciate if someone could give some advice on:

1. Best way to buy tickets. We'll probably do DL two or three of the days we're in LA. If we buy a two-day hopper, can we add a day later? (Never bought tickets this way for WDW, always have had an AP).

2. Our hotel is about 2 miles from DLR. They mentioned a shuttle to DLR for $4, I believe. Is that a good way to get to the parks or do you waste a lot of time because the shuttle stops at a bunch of other hotels? Parking is $15, do I understand that correctly? (We will have a car)

3. I read somewhere that Fastpasses between the 2 parks are disconnected. Is that correct?

4. Best days to go to DLR? I'm gathering that weekdays are least crowded, but the downside is the parks close earlier than weekends. If we decide to go on a weekend day, is Sunday better than Saturday? Are weekends so crowded that we'll be miserable compared to weekdays?

5. Which other parks in LA are worth going to, if any? Knott's Berry Farm? Six Flags?

6. Is US Hollywood much different from US Orlando? It looks like from what I've seen that there are no (or few) thrill rides. We want to tour a movie studio. Is it worth going to US mainly for the studio tour? Or are there other studio tours that are better (Paramount? WB?)

Any advice would be great!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We've been to WDW a million times, but have never been to DLR. I have some basic questions that I would greatly appreciate if someone could give some advice on:

1. Best way to buy tickets. We'll probably do DL two or three of the days we're in LA. If we buy a two-day hopper, can we add a day later? (Never bought tickets this way for WDW, always have had an AP).

Your best bet is to go with the 3-day ticket and buy in advance. Discounts seem scarce to non-existent on 2-day tickets. If you buy the 3-day ticket in advance online or from a place like getawaytoday.com, you will get the best discount. Also, AAA 3-day tickets are priced the same I believe and come with free parking. You can upgrade a 2-day ticket, but I believe you are then stuck paying the full gate price. Having 3-day tickets will allow you to tour in a less frenzied fashion and give you the advantage of one early entry morning.

2. How close are the parks to each other? Is hopping by walking between them realistic?

The gates of the two parks are literally across from each other. You will definitely want to hop, multiple times per day even.

3. Our hotel is about 2 miles from DLR. They mentioned a shuttle to DLR for $4, I believe. Is that a good way to get to the parks or do you waste a lot of time because the shuttle stops at a bunch of other hotels? Parking is $15, do I understand that correctly? (We will have a car)

The shuttle you are referring to is probably the ART. Our family's rule is to stay within walking distance. We feel that, yes, the ART wastes too much time. Each route has a few hotels on it. The timing may not be ideal for your needs, and the buses can get crowded. Some people do not mind the ART at all though, and if it's what you've got to to do, then it's what you've got to do. Parking at Disney is $15 per day. I would probably only choose the parking option if I wasn't going to return to the hotel for a mid-day break because I wouldn't want the time and hassle of getting back to the parking lot, driving, driving back, and re-parking, but that's just me.

4. Must do's at DLR that are not at WDW? We love thrill rides, but also calmer stuff.

I haven't been to WDW yet, so I'm probably not a good person to answer this. I would highly recommend seeing Fantasmic though since it's clearly different from the WDW version. The Aladdin show at DCA is fantastic; we see it at least once during most of our visits. I am not a World of Color fan, but I also advocate trying things out for oneself at least once. Since that's not offered at WDW, you may want to consider it. I believe you'll probably want to ride the Matterhorn and Mr. Toad since they're not at WDW. If you're a Buzz Lightyear fan, try the Disneyland version out; I can't imagine how to play without being able to hold and move the blaster. Abe Lincoln. Castle Walk-through. Grizzly River Run; the most recent consensus suggests it's better than the similar ride in WDW. The WDW/Disneyland comparison experts will come on here and give you more informed suggestions I'm sure.

5. Best days to go to DLR? I'm gathering that weekdays are least crowded, but the downside is the parks close earlier than weekends. If we decide to go on a weekend day, is Sunday better than Saturday? Are weekends so crowded that we'll be miserable compared to weekdays?

Yes, weekday hours will be shorter when you are there. I personally feel like Saturday is better than Sunday if you have to go on a weekend.

 

[roma1625]

Your best bet is to go with the 3-day ticket and buy in advance. Discounts seem scarce to non-existent on 2-day tickets. If you buy the 3-day ticket in advance online or from a place like getawaytoday.com, you will get the best discount. Also, AAA 3-day tickets are priced the same I believe and come with free parking. You can upgrade a 2-day ticket, but I believe you are then stuck paying the full gate price. Having 3-day tickets will allow you to tour in a less frenzied fashion and give you the advantage of one early entry morning.



The gates of the two parks are literally across from each other. You will definitely want to hop, multiple times per day even.



The shuttle you are referring to is probably the ART. Our family's rule is to stay within walking distance. We feel that, yes, the ART wastes too much time. Each route has a few hotels on it. The timing may not be ideal for your needs, and the buses can get crowded. Some people do not mind the ART at all though, and if it's what you've got to to do, then it's what you've got to do. Parking at Disney is $15 per day. I would probably only choose the parking option if I wasn't going to return to the hotel for a mid-day break because I wouldn't want the time and hassle of getting back to the parking lot, driving, driving back, and re-parking, but that's just me.



I haven't been to WDW yet, so I'm probably not a good person to answer this. I would highly recommend seeing Fantasmic though since it's clearly different from the WDW version. The Aladdin show at DCA is fantastic; we see it at least once during most of our visits. I am not a World of Color fan, but I also advocate trying things out for oneself at least once. Since that's not offered at WDW, you may want to consider it. I believe you'll probably want to ride the Matterhorn and Mr. Toad since they're not at WDW. If you're a Buzz Lightyear fan, try the Disneyland version out; I can't imagine how to play without being able to hold and move the blaster. Abe Lincoln. Castle Walk-through. Grizzly River Run; the most recent consensus suggests it's better than the similar ride in WDW. The WDW/Disneyland comparison experts will come on here and give you more informed suggestions I'm sure.



Yes, weekday hours will be shorter when you are there. I personally feel like Saturday is better than Sunday if you have to go on a weekend.

Thanks! That's great info.

I think we'll drive there.

AAA site mentions "AAA Vacations® Diamond Card, featuring special values and savings at select locations for shopping, dining, and entertainment" Doesn't say anything about parking. Anybody know if it includes parking? It would definitely be worth it to buy through AAA if free parking is included. I called AAA and they told me free parking is included, but honestly, it sounded like they really didn't know for sure.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Thanks! That's great info.

I think we'll drive there.

AAA site mentions "AAA Vacations® Diamond Card, featuring special values and savings at select locations for shopping, dining, and entertainment" Doesn't say anything about parking. Anybody know if it includes parking? It would definitely be worth it to buy through AAA if free parking is included.

Here...I just looked it up:

"EXCLUSIVE AAA/CAA Member Benefits
Members receive Exclusive AAA FREE parking at the Disneyland® Resort Theme Parks with a valid Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Ticket.

When choosing Will Call as a Shipping Method the Complimentary AAA FREE Parking is available upon issuance of your tickets. One day of Parking will be refunded (must provide parking stub) at the Will Call window at the time you pick up your tickets.


Enjoy more of the magic with a AAA Vacations® Disneyland® Resort package!

AAA/CAA members receive exclusive savings and benefits when they combine accommodations and theme park tickets into a AAA Vacations® package.

For more information, or to book a AAA Vacations® Disneyland® Resort package, contact your AAA/CAA Travel office."

Seems to be the case whether you buy just AAA Disney tickets or book your whole package through AAA.

 

[mabdallah]

I agree with longtimedisneyluker it is better to stay at a hotel within walking distance and there are lot to pick from. My favorite is the HOJO however we travel with young kids and this is great place for younger kids. The ART shuttle takes awhile if you make many stops at diffrent hotels.

I would also get a three day pass we have got ours from both the disney website and at our local grocery stores.it seems whatever deal they have going on that is what is available anywhere. Plus with a three day pass you can EMH which I would do because it saves tons of time on rides that get crowded fast. When we went last we were able to ride Mr. Toad, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Snow White, the Teacups, Alice within 1/2 hour. We were then first in line to ride the matterhorn when it opened.

Yes there is actually 3 different fasspass systems toon town, disneyland, and ca adventure. So basically u can have fasspasses from all three places at the same time.

I would aviod the weekends everytime inluding the off season i have gone on the weekends they are very busy it is just not worth all the people for the extra hours in the park. We use that time for the beach. I would also do Knotts Berry Farm it has both the thrill rides and fun kid rides plus is is close to Disney. Where six flags and hollywood are further drives north and we all know California traffic is not fun to drive in.

 

[roma1625]

Here...I just looked it up:

"EXCLUSIVE AAA/CAA Member Benefits
Members receive Exclusive AAA FREE parking at the Disneyland® Resort Theme Parks with a valid Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Ticket.

When choosing Will Call as a Shipping Method the Complimentary AAA FREE Parking is available upon issuance of your tickets. One day of Parking will be refunded (must provide parking stub) at the Will Call window at the time you pick up your tickets.


Enjoy more of the magic with a AAA Vacations® Disneyland® Resort package!

AAA/CAA members receive exclusive savings and benefits when they combine accommodations and theme park tickets into a AAA Vacations® package.

For more information, or to book a AAA Vacations® Disneyland® Resort package, contact your AAA/CAA Travel office."

Seems to be the case whether you buy just AAA Disney tickets or book your whole package through AAA.

Thanks. Just curious as to where you found this. I only see it if you book a vacation package through AAA, not as a generic AAA benefit.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Thanks. Just curious as to where you found this. I only see it if you book a vacation package through AAA, not as a generic AAA benefit.

If you follow the link from the AAA page that says buy tickets, it takes you to the Disney ticket buying page. There is a note on the sidebar though saying AAA/CAA affiliate or something like that. When you click the details link, it pops up the box containing this information. You can probably also call your AAA office to get clarification of how the parking works. I have never used it, but I've seen it mentioned on various websites, including the AAA one, for years.

 

[lovebug33]

The Matterhorn and Indiana Jones aren't at WDW and are my favorite rides ever. Space Mtn. is much better at DLR. I haven't been to CA for years and apparently everything we liked has been torn down. US in Florida is SOOOO much better. We were bored at the US here. We didn't like Knott's Berry Farm because there were just teenagers running rampant and the rides were too scary for my liking! However, the Chicken restaurant is well worth it!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Yes there is actually 3 different fasspass systems toon town, disneyland, and ca adventure. So basically u can have fasspasses from all three places at the same time.

ToonTown has one fastpass ride, Roger Rabbit. You can obtain with overlapping windows (in whatever order you prefer) a Roger Rabbit fastpass, another Disneyland fastpass, a DCA World of Color fastpass, and another DCA fastpass. You can only get World of Color fastpasses once per day, but obviously you can keep collecting the other ones all day long each time your window opens. With the parks so close to each other, it's not so hard to amass a big pile of fastpasses for later in the day.

I would aviod the weekends everytime inluding the off season i have gone on the weekends they are very busy it is just not worth all the people for the extra hours in the park.

Obviously opinions vary on this topic. This choice comes with some trade-offs. For you perhaps the crowds aren't worth the longer hours and extra entertainment. Sometimes during off-season though, the weekends are the only time to see Fantasmic, fireworks, or other entertainment offerings so that might be worth the trade-off of bigger crowds for some.

...and we all know California traffic is not fun to drive in.

Certainly can't disagree with that!

 

[HydroGuy]

We've been to WDW a million times, but have never been to DLR. I have some basic questions that I would greatly appreciate if someone could give some advice on:

1. Best way to buy tickets. We'll probably do DL two or three of the days we're in LA. If we buy a two-day hopper, can we add a day later? (Never bought tickets this way for WDW, always have had an AP).

2. Our hotel is about 2 miles from DLR. They mentioned a shuttle to DLR for $4, I believe. Is that a good way to get to the parks or do you waste a lot of time because the shuttle stops at a bunch of other hotels? Parking is $15, do I understand that correctly? (We will have a car)

3. I read somewhere that Fastpasses between the 2 parks are disconnected. Is that correct?

4. Best days to go to DLR? I'm gathering that weekdays are least crowded, but the downside is the parks close earlier than weekends. If we decide to go on a weekend day, is Sunday better than Saturday? Are weekends so crowded that we'll be miserable compared to weekdays?

5. Which other parks in LA are worth going to, if any? Knott's Berry Farm? Six Flags?

6. Is US Hollywood much different from US Orlando? It looks like from what I've seen that there are no (or few) thrill rides. We want to tour a movie studio. Is it worth going to US mainly for the studio tour? Or are there other studio tours that are better (Paramount? WB?)

Any advice would be great!

Wanted to make sure you have this link: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


If you are into theme parks then the others that are my favorites are USH and Sea World. We have only done WDW on Orlando so cannot compare them to the Orlando versions.

But California offers so much more than theme parks. Beaches, national parks, San Diego, San Francisco, access to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, Hollywood, etc. The link above discusses some of these.

And yes, the two DLR parks have disconnected FP. See link above for FP info.

 

[roma1625]

If you follow the link from the AAA page that says buy tickets, it takes you to the Disney ticket buying page. There is a note on the sidebar though saying AAA/CAA affiliate or something like that. When you click the details link, it pops up the box containing this information. You can probably also call your AAA office to get clarification of how the parking works. I have never used it, but I've seen it mentioned on various websites, including the AAA one, for years.

AAA is sort of a strange entity, not one big organization, but a collection of "local" clubs. I don't have the same link you mention when I go to my AAA site. Anyway, I called AAA twice, my local office once and the Anaheim office once. My local office said parking was included, but quite frankly, it sounded like maybe they made that up. I don't think many people buy Disneyland tickets here. It's probably 99% WDW since we're much closer to Orlando than CA. The Anaheim office didn't know and even told me that they don't sell DL tickets.

Anyway, we'll buy our tickets online and try to get the free parking by showing our AAA card when we pick them up at Will Call.

 

[roma1625]

But California offers so much more than theme parks. Beaches, national parks, San Diego, San Francisco, access to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, Hollywood, etc. The link above discusses some of these.

And yes, the two DLR parks have disconnected FP. See link above for FP info.

We're only doing maybe 2 or 3 days max of Disneyland out of a 2.5 week vacation. Actually, we are going to ALL of the other places you mention, including the Grand Canyon, LV, and SF. Also, going to go to the SD Zoo, but probably not Seaworld as we can always go to the one in Orlando.

 

[HydroGuy]

We're only doing maybe 2 or 3 days max of Disneyland out of a 2.5 week vacation. Actually, we are going to ALL of the other places you mention, including the Grand Canyon, LV, and SF. Also, going to go to the SD Zoo, but probably not Seaworld as we can always go to the one in Orlando.

I think you are making some good choices. Have fun!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

AAA is sort of a strange entity, not one big organization, but a collection of "local" clubs. I don't have the same link you mention when I go to my AAA site. Anyway, I called AAA twice, my local office once and the Anaheim office once. My local office said parking was included, but quite frankly, it sounded like maybe they made that up. I don't think many people buy Disneyland tickets here. It's probably 99% WDW since we're much closer to Orlando than CA. The Anaheim office didn't know and even told me that they don't sell DL tickets.

Anyway, we'll buy our tickets online and try to get the free parking by showing our AAA card when we pick them up at Will Call.

Yeah, it does seem overly complicated. I don't think your way of just showing your card and getting free parking will work though since everything I have found on the topic does suggest that you need to in some way obtain your tickets through AAA for the benefit. Here's an old thread on the topic:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1892695

 

[roma1625]

Yeah, it does seem overly complicated. I don't think your way of just showing your card and getting free parking will work though since everything I have found on the topic does suggest that you need to in some way obtain your tickets through AAA for the benefit.

The AAA lady suggested I contact Disney directly about this, so I sent them an email. I'll let you know their answer.

 

[roma1625]

I think you are making some good choices. Have fun!

Thanks!

 

[roma1625]

Another question: I was reading somewhere (can't remember where) that one can use old unused WDW tickets at DLR. Is that true?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Another question: I was reading somewhere (can't remember where) that one can use old unused WDW tickets at DLR. Is that true?

Apparently yes, if they were non-expiring. Here is a recent thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2691497

 

[roma1625]

Another random question: I keep reading about how bad traffic is in LA. Is THAT bad? How much extra time should one allow if one is driving to the Hollywood area (we will be going to many different places. I just randomly picked Hollywood as an example)? In general, are there any tricks (for example, time of day, alternate routes) for avoiding bad traffic?

Thanks!

 

[Hound 109]

Roma, welcome to the left coast.

Similar questions were posed last week & here are essential threads (& posting HG's "DLR for the WDW veteran" link again because it's important):

HydroGuy's DLR for the WDW veteran tip thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Also, lots of good info for the WDW vet in Mary Jo's tip thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084



& KNOW THESE FP THREADS:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see my post #4 in that thread)

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197


"Why I Park Hop" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961


& read the rest of HG's tip threads as well.


Also, the first page of my trip report might be helpful. (linked in my signature below). Probably best to have a DLR map handy when reading all tip threads.

All the tip threads above will provide LOTS of good info & after reading them, you'll be back posting further questions.


Roma.....I'll be the fourth (or fifth) person to tell you to STAY WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE!!!!! of the park. (In other words cancel your current reservation & book a hotel on Harbor Blvd). There are 10 different reasons why this is important, but with only 2-3 days at Walt's Park, why mess with driving, parking, AAA, buses, etc........when one of the 26 great things about DLR is that IT'S NOT WDW.......& YOU DON'T HAVE TO RIDE BUSES!
(or park, or worry about AAA, etc.)

Many of us often stay at nice hotels when traveling & virtually all of us have partner points with hotel families (that we might use when we travel).....but it doesn't matter. AT DLR.......If you only have 2 (or 2.5 days), one stays onsite.... or one should stay on Harbor Blvd within walking distance.


(& fwiw.....if you're gonna devote 2.5 weeks on this trip, consider giving DLR 3.5 days minimum.....if you don't, you won't be able to do it right.....Dump a day elsewhere).

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.