Trip planning for DL..and nervous

[erinlees_mommie]

I haven't ever planned a long distance trip that required flights,hotels and tickets before.We are only 2.5 hours from WDW and the cruise terminal so that doesn't require much planning when we travel.
This year I think we have decided to branch out and go to DL!!! I am just so lost.
Is it easier to find a TA and give them dates of travel and let them do all of the work?Or can I do it and find better discounts on my own?

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated...It's easy to gas up the car and go but booking plane tickets and all has me a bit nervous.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Don't pay a travel agent for something that you can easily do on your own. First thing you do is figure out what dates you want to travel, and if those dates are flexible. If you have the liberty of moving your days around then you may be able to save a lot of $$$ (is that matters to you). Next thing to look for is airfare. Again, if you are flexible you can save hundreds of dollars by going a day earlier or later so be sure to check those. Don't book the airfare just yet, just get an idea of the cost. Next check to see if the hotel you want is available for the days you need. Friday and Saturday nights at Disney hotels cost a bit note than Sunday through Thursday. Also the time of year you go makes a big difference. If you avoid peak season you save some $ too. After you have everything (dates going, cost etc...) figured out you can book em dan-o.

 

[splash5]

It's really not that hard to do it yourself. With airfare, keep your eyes open. Most airlines will give you a credit if their prices go down after you book. We spent about $333 from Oregon to Orlando (that is on the high end). Hotels you can research try the Hojo or Fairfield Inn (both are right across the street from Disneyland). We can help you with particulars. It isn't as complicated as WDW. We can tell you which hotels to avoid, etc.

 

[dalepool]

I like to schedule my flight then put it on a 24 hour hold. I then get busy and make my room reservations.

Most airlines now have a calendar that shows the prices before and after day you picked. It is like 3 days after and 3 days before. I would look for the best deals and plan with that in mind --- Please remember traveling on a Tuesday, Wed, and or Sat should give you the cheapest rate. ( MAKE SURE YOU PUT NAME ON TICKET AS IT APPEARS ON DRIVERS LICENSE--EXACTLY) Should you make a mistake most air lines give you 24 hours after payment to change that, but check to make sure.

Try to travel early in day-- later you travel the more of a chance schedules get off kilter.

Alaska Airlines might be a good choice. They seem to have specials to the east right now. The web page is alaskaair.com Go to deals-- if you do not see a price you like next week they will add more specials.

One other thing -- if you use a travel agent and there is an issue some hotels will not talk to you -- they want to talk to the travel agent, as the reservation is in name of the agent and the travel company.


Patty

 

[DisneyMax74]

One thing that might help, It's what I always do. Go to Getawaytoday.com. Enter in the dates you want to go and for how many people. They will combine your hotel and Disneyland park hopper passes and let you see all the info for each hotel listed and how much the packge will be altogether. I feel I have always gotten a great deal this way. They take care of everything for you. They send you a voucher for the hotel that you show at check in and a ticket to show at will call to pick up your passes when you reach DLR. You can also pick up the passes with your ID.

Then all you have to do is book the plane. I always go Jetblue. They are awesome. No first class but every seat has a TV to watch and the service has always been outstanding, Decent leg room for coach too. They go into Long Beach airport which is fairly small and easy to get in and out of. Also its only a 20 minute drive to the park.

If you want a car, thats easy too. Just google something to the effect of, "Car rental long beach airport". Lots of sites will pop up you can book a car from and compare prices. In fact if you go on Jetblue you can book a car at the same time you book your flight online. Other airlines may do this as well.


I dont know if any of that helps you but I hope it does. I go at least once a year and that's how I've always done it.


Edit: As far as Jetblue goes if you are in GA you might have to go to NY first before heading to CA. If thats the case I would use another airline.

 

[CrazyDuck]

If you are anywhere near Atlanta you may want to look at Delta since that is their main hub. You should be able to get a good rate direct to LAX.

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Which airport if any use the magical express or do we have to get a rental car.I don't know that I am wanting to venture outside of going to the parks.We also have a friend or two out that way that might be willing to show us around some too.
Is there a airport that is better to fly into price wise than the other?

We are closest to JAX in FL so that is where we will be flying out of.

I am going to take down my Christmas decorations and come back to catch up on the responses.
I hate this time of the year.I miss my tree when it isn't up.I thought about leaving it up and decorating for every holiday but it will crumble to the floor before next Christmas I am sure..LOL

 

[DisneyMax74]

Well we have always gotten a car although I have thought about not getting one before. It would save a few hundred bucks thats for sure. I imagine you could take a cab from the airport to D-land area if the airport didnt have disney shuttles. (I have no idea which ones do and which ones dont.)

Like I mentioned, we always com into Long Beach and it is only about 20 min from the park. Im sure you could catch a cab to your hotel. Im not sure how much it would be but a cab ride to DLR and then back to the airport im sure would be much cheaper than renting a car. And there are always cabs just hanging out just outside the terminal waiting to run you off where ever you need to go.

 

[Nala83]

It's definitely possible- and even enjoyable- to plan a trip on your own (with a little help from the friendly folks on this board)!

There are three main airports that serve Disneyland: LAX, Orange County, and Long Beach. Orange County and Long Beach are closer. LAX is sometimes cheaper (though ground transportation costs more, so figure that in your calculations.) I don't know about flights from Florida.

As far as ground transportation goes, there is no reason to rent a car if you are just doing Disney. Magical express doesn't exist as you're used to it at WDW, but there are easy options- the Disneyland Express bus serves LAX and Orange County, or you can use a shuttle van from any airport. Taxi's can be a good option as well, but not for LAX. There's a great, recent thread on here about ground transportation that includes prices from each location. Search "ground transportation" and it should pop right up.

As you think about hotels, you should also check out the FAQ sticky at the top of the page. Staying on site is not nearly as important at DLR as it is at WDW- lots of hotels within walking distance of the parks that can save you a bunch of money, if that's important to you.

Good luck planning, and feel free to ask specific questions!

 

[tinkermell]

Hi and welcome to the DL boards!

Check out KAYAK.com for airline deals.

Also Costco can have some really good deals on hotels. Plus you get a free Character meal for everyone in your party, and a 20 gift card. You also get preferred seating at Alladin, which is the best musical that Disney offers at any park in my opinion. (Well that is between DL and WDW)

Right now there is a special going on that if you pay for 3 nights/tickets, you get two more nights/tickets free.

Go to the Disneyland website to check it out. Costco gives the same deal, plus the extras. My mom and sisters did this last year, and it was great.

Last but not least at all.

Check out Hydroguys sticky on WDW vets going to DL for the first time. It is one of the best informational reads you will find anywhere. Even for us DL vets.

ONe of the nice things about DL is that you can walk everywhere if you want. There are many motel/hotels close enough to walk to the parks and DTD. DTD is actually in the middle of everything which makes it really fun.

When you start looking, don't be deceived about a hotel bragging it is only a block away. Some of them do that, and are still quite far away.
Here is a map that gives you an idea of the locations.

From the Howard Johnson #68 to Katella Ave. are pretty walkable. The park entrance is right at #s 30 and 74. Or on the other side of the parks would be the onsites DL Hotel#45 and the Paradise Pier#44 . The Grand Californian #43 is right in the middle of DTD and has its own entrance into California Adventures. That is my favorite hotel, but it can be really pricey.

http://www.anaheimoc.org/pdf/hot_1205.pdf

Good luck and don't forget Hydroguys stickey!

 

[erinlees_mommie]

WOW Thanks for the info on the airports and the transportation.
I guess I am just use to packing,hopping in the car and getting there in 2.5 hours No fuss or hassle for sure.
I'll have to check out the Costco deal! YAY for being members!

My husband is military..would be it be better to use the military rates at the parks?

I am going to have to do some reading on this board and keep away from the WDW one till I get this thing planned and out of my way So I am sure that I'll have plenty of ??'s between now and travel time.Hopefully DH will know sooner than later when he can take leave so I can get busy booking things for us.

THANKS AGAIN for all of the responses...This is why I ♥ the DIS!!