Unanswered Questions About Trip

[DAKDarling]

Hello! I will be visiting Disneyland in May 2018. I have scoured Pinterest, blogs, and these forms but I still have some unanswered questions.

Some background: I am visiting with my boyfriend, so it will just be us two. We are WDW veterans and it will be our first time at Disneyland. We are broke college students and will have a low budget. We are planning 2 days at 'land and 1 day at DCA.

1. I was looking at good neighbor hotels and found the America's Best Value and Anaheim del Sol. The blog post I read ripped on them for being too cheap, but we will be spending most of our time at the parks. Any thoughts or recommendations?

2. How far out should I book a hotel since I won't be staying on property? 6 months? 4 months?

3. How many attractions can you do in one day? We will most likely be moving at a slow-medium pace.

4. How long does it take to walk across the parks? Like how long does it take to walk from Splash Mountain to Space Mountain? The castle to Toontown? DCA park entrance to Carsland?

5. I have been reading up on park touring plans and itineraries, and I want a second (or tenth) opinion. When I visit WDW parks, I like to pick a land/section, and then go clockwise or counterclockwise around the park. Example: Starting in Africa and then going Asia and then to Dinoland at DAK. Where should I start at 'land? Should I start in Adventureland, going clockwise, or should I start in Tomorrowland? Or should I start somewhere else?

 

[Leopardstars]

When are you going in May? Early May won't be as busy as late May. The Memorial Day weekend tend to mark the start of the summer season. This will impact how far out you need to book your hotel and how many rides you will get done in a day.

As for hotels, what makes a good hotel can be subjective. What worked for me as a college student is very different than what works for me as a parent and as a more seasoned traveller. Most of the hotels on Harbour Blvd are good choices because you can easily walk to the parks. I would recommend reading the Trip Advisor reviews of the hotels you are interested in. This might make it easier to determine if it's the right hotel for you based on multiple reviews.

 

[Niltiac]

1. I've stayed at Anaheim Del Sol. It's a motel, and it was fine. I'm not picky about these things though. It's really close, although you might want to do some research about the pedestrian bridge they're going to build - I don't know when it will happen but when it does the question of which hotels are closest will likely change.

2. Most of the cheaper hotels in the area have free cancellation, so with that in mind the earlier the better. You can switch if you find a better deal later on.

3. I don't really keep track and it really depends which attractions they are and how well you utilize FP. Someone else might be able to give you a ballpark but I'm really bad at estimating numbers.

4. It doesn't take long to get anywhere, unless it's crowded and the walkways deadlock (which happens in the afternoons and around parades/fireworks/fantasmic). Maybe 10 minutes without delays? (See my previous note about being bad at estimations).

5. Someone has determined (I honestly don't know where this information comes from) that most people start in Tomorrowland and move counterclockwise. So right off the bat, if you want to avoid the crowds, you should do the opposite. But there are some things to keep in mind. If you have a magic morning, that can only be used in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, so you might want to start there and then switch to the other side when the park officially opens. Also, unlike WDW you can't pre-schedule your FP, so using FP effectively is difficult if you're trying to tackle one land at a time. Lots of rides don't have FP, so you might want to take that into account in deciding where to start each morning. For example, you mentioned starting in either Tomorrowland or Adventureland and working your way through in one direction. But both of those lands offer FP for their popular rides, whereas Fantasyland doesn't, so if you want to go on a popular ride in Fantasyland you might best served doing so first thing in the morning before it gets crowded.

 

[Butterfly123]

I would also be mindful that in May there will Grad Nights, which will also impact the parks. I'm not sure how early those dates are posted.

 

[VandVsmama]

How far in advance to book hotel:
Cheaper rooms tend to be available earlier. So the sooner you reserve, the better. Some hotels require a 1 night's deposit when you make the reservation. Others do not. It varies a lot. Just read on the hotel's website and it will tell you when you go to make the reservation. If you are a AAA member, you can often get 10% off of the nightly rate.

How long to walk from Splash Mtn to Space Mtn?
Probably 5-8 min depending on crowd levels and your walking speed.

How long to walk from castle to Toontown?
<5 min

How long to walk from DCA park entrance to Carsland?
<5 min

How long does it take to walk across the parks?
I know for my family, if we're in Toontown and need to go to the DL main gate, it'll take us ~ 10 min.

By the way, if you don't know about it already, go to Allears.net. They have all of the Disneyland menus and prices on their website. I find it really helpful when we're on a strict budget for our Disneyland trips.

Re: a touring plan: I will post separately about that. one sec.

 

[VandVsmama]

Touring Plan/Itinerary:
What order you tour the park & get FP in depends on what you & your boyfriend want to do. When our family goes to DL, we don't sleep in. We are "get there for rope drop" people. Here's a typical example of a morning itinerary for us at DL on a day that we're using our Magic Morning entry:

during MM hour:

• Dumbo (if not doing Peter Pan first)
• Alice
• Mr Toad
• King Arthur carousel
• Pinocchio
• Snow White
• *Note: If we do Peter Pan first, we'd probably get 3-4 rides done in that hour instead of 6.

After MM hour is done: we all walk to Tomorrowland. We get FP for Space Mtn or Star Tours. Usually Star Tours because it's 1 of my DH's favorites.

• Then get FP for Buzz (it's usually disconnected, so you can have Buzz FP at same time as another ride's FP)
• go on Autopia
• go on Buzz Lightyear w/o FP
• When Star Tours FP window opens, send a FP runner to get FP for Indiana Jones. Rest of our family remains in Tomorrowland for bathroom break & shopping in Star Trader store.
• Star Tours using FP.
• Buzz using FP.
• walk to Adventureland. If IJ FP window hasn't begun yet, go to Tiki Room and/or Jungle Cruise.
• When IJ FP window opens, send runner to get FP for Splash Mtn.
• IJ using FP
• Pirates
• HM
• When FP window for Splash Mtn begins, send runner to get FP for BTMRR.
• Splash Mtn using FP
• Winnie the Pooh
• stop for lunch.

Our family has followed the itinerary above a couple of times on week days in early June and we have most definitely been able to accomplish all of this before a lunch break around 12:30pm-ish. Assumes a MM starting at 7am. Since you'll have 3-day tickets, you will get a MM (Magic Morning) entry to use on 1 day - either Tues, Thurs, or Saturday. It's WORTH IT to take advantage of Magic Morning! All of the locals sleep in and show up to DL around 10-11am. That makes the first couple of hours that the parks are open prime riding time.

Here's a possible itinerary to use for a DL MM day if you're focusing on starting in Tomorrowland:

• get to park gate 20-30 min before start of Magic Morning.
• go on Space Mountain
• go on Star Tours
• go on Autopia
• go on Matterhorn
• go on Buzz Lightyear.

** You'll probably get through the first 4 during that 1 hour Magic Morning. THEN do something like this:

• get FP for Indiana Jones (IJ)
• go on IJ single rider line
• go on Jungle Cruise
• go on Splash Mountain single rider line. Or in regular line. Decide based on what the wait time is.
• When IJ FP window opens, grab FP for BTMRR (Big Thunder Mtn Railroad).
• Go on IJ with FP.
• then go on Haunted Mansion or Pirates
• then go on HM or Pirates - whichever one you didn't do first.
• Winnie the Pooh
• When BTMRR FP window opens, get a FP for Space Mtn or Star Tours so you can ride it again.
• Then go on BTMRR.
• Based on the time, stop for a snack break or lunch break.
• It's A Small World

That will probably get you through ~1:30 pm.

 

[Geemo]

If your budget allows for $100/night, see what you think after looking at the Desert Inn & Suites.
When you book 10 to 12 months in advance the room rate is usually $89/night + 17%tax = $104.13
Fri and Sat nights might be a little more. http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/
Right now DI&S is booking out as far as January 2018.

This thread will give you an idea of what's happening. It's for 2017 but it will give you an idea for 2018. Figment_jii has been compiling the info each year since 2015, I hope we'll see one for each year to come. I find it helpful.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2017-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3528760/

This thread is from 2011. Yes September 2011, while the information is most likely out of date, the distance information should be okay.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...-list-w-discussion-details-of-hotels.2796786/

Have fun planning your trip

Geemo

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread will have lots of good planning info for you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. As for budget friendly hotels near the parks, take a look at both Super 8 hotels (one on Katella and one on Disneyland Dr.) and the Motel 6 (on Manchester??). We've heard good things about all 3. Make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time. (Mousesavers.com can help you find a good deal.) 3 day or more tickets purchased at the booths do not come with a MM. And download the DLR app (free). That will help you keep track of wait times and FP availability and return times.

 

[Frozen2014]

VandVsmama...I'm not OP but your post is so helpful. I'm going to note down your suggestions.

 

[Whistlebee]

My suggestion is to book a hotel room now (one you can cancel) and continue to check room rates until your trip comes. I can often find a promo code, deal, promotion with a better rate. Also, hotel rates fluctuate alot so it pays to keep checking the hotel you booked to see if the rates drop.

Check out Last Minute Travel club for discounted tickets. Google to find a free promo code to join their "club". Once you're a club member you can see their ticket prices for Disneyland. Hopefully, by the time your trip rolls around they are still able to offer the discounted tickets. I've heard of others ordering the tickets over the phone without having to join their "club" too.

 

[figment_jii]

4. How long does it take to walk across the parks? Like how long does it take to walk from Splash Mountain to Space Mountain? The castle to Toontown? DCA park entrance to Carsland?

It's about 0.5 miles from Splash to Space if you go through Frontierland and then through the hub. I agree that it's about a 5 to 10 minutes walk depending on crowds (during the parades it can take longer). For reference it's about the same distance as going from Space to PotC in the MK. Both the Castle to Toontown and DCA entrance to Carsland, are about 0.2 miles (which is about the same distance as walking from the ticket gates to the castle in the MK).

 

[The Hunchback]

Just got back from a wonderful stay at Alpine Inn. Easy walk to Disneyland. Free breakfast and parking.

 

[DAKDarling]

When are you going in May? Early May won't be as busy as late May. The Memorial Day weekend tend to mark the start of the summer season. This will impact how far out you need to book your hotel and how many rides you will get done in a day.

As for hotels, what makes a good hotel can be subjective. What worked for me as a college student is very different than what works for me as a parent and as a more seasoned traveller. Most of the hotels on Harbour Blvd are good choices because you can easily walk to the parks. I would recommend reading the Trip Advisor reviews of the hotels you are interested in. This might make it easier to determine if it's the right hotel for you based on multiple reviews.

We will be going in early May, either the first week or second week. I am waiting on the grad night schedule before deciding.

 

[DAKDarling]

It's about 0.5 miles from Splash to Space if you go through Frontierland and then through the hub. I agree that it's about a 5 to 10 minutes walk depending on crowds (during the parades it can take longer). For reference it's about the same distance as going from Space to PotC in the MK. Both the Castle to Toontown and DCA entrance to Carsland, are about 0.2 miles (which is about the same distance as walking from the ticket gates to the castle in the MK).

The thought of walking from Pirates to Space makes me anxious because of how narrow Adventureland is and how congested Tomorrowland is at MK! That walk is about 15 minutes for us!

 

[DAKDarling]

5. Someone has determined (I honestly don't know where this information comes from) that most people start in Tomorrowland and move counterclockwise. So right off the bat, if you want to avoid the crowds, you should do the opposite. But there are some things to keep in mind. If you have a magic morning, that can only be used in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, so you might want to start there and then switch to the other side when the park officially opens. Also, unlike WDW you can't pre-schedule your FP, so using FP effectively is difficult if you're trying to tackle one land at a time. Lots of rides don't have FP, so you might want to take that into account in deciding where to start each morning. For example, you mentioned starting in either Tomorrowland or Adventureland and working your way through in one direction. But both of those lands offer FP for their popular rides, whereas Fantasyland doesn't, so if you want to go on a popular ride in Fantasyland you might best served doing so first thing in the morning before it gets crowded.

I have heard that exact same advice! I wonder if it's really true.

I believe we will have a MM when purchasing a 3 day ticket, if the offer is still available in a year.

The FP is another thing I'm hesitant on. I've heard rumors about DL making it so you have to pay for FP, or you can only get FP if you stay on Disney property. I hope that's not true!

I think we might start in Fantasland in the morning and then go to Adventureland when the park officially opens. Thanks!

 

[Niltiac]

The FP is another thing I'm hesitant on. I've heard rumors about DL making it so you have to pay for FP, or you can only get FP if you stay on Disney property. I hope that's not true!

Disney has announced something called MaxPass, which hasn't been implemented yet but I expect will be by the time of your trip. It will cost an extra fee and will allow you to pull FP via the app instead of walking to the ride to get a FP. They have specifically said that regular FP will still be available and free, so the fee is just for if you want to use the app. Maybe some day they will charge for all FP or restrict it further, but since they've already made these announcements and confirmed that FP will still be free, I wouldn't expect them to go back on that immediately. I think you should look into FP under the assumption it will still be the same system (aside from adding MaxPass) when you go.