Unexpected trip to DL

[OzFan]

My husband will be sent to Huntington Beach in mid September. The company will allow me to go with him ( I pay my own airfare). I was wondering if a trip to DL would be doable? He will have meetings during the day on the Thursday and Friday and I was thinking I could drive to DL. I have been to WDW many times and would LOVE to go to DL. Do the tickets work the same way? Do they have fast pass? Sorry for all the questions, but I know you guys are the best ones to ask!

 

[almostGoofy]

Absolutely! When I had an annual pass, I use to drive over there for a few of hours with my kids often. Huntington Beach is about a 30 mins. drive to Anahiem. I will add, that I would have to add another 25 - 30 mins. if I were meeting someone inside the park when factoring in parking, waiting and riding on the tram, going through security check and waiting in line to enter the park. If you are planning on being at the park at opening, you may want to take the streets to the park instead of the freeway to avoid rush hour traffic. That would add about another 5 - 10 mins. to get there but would still be faster than sitting in traffic on the freeway.

I'm not quite sure what you meant by asking if the tickets work the same. The answer to your question to fast pass is, yes, it works the same as at WDW but note that there are no fast pass rides in Fantasyland. You should also note that some fast pass machines work independently from the fast pass system which will allow you to hold more than one fast pass at a time. I believe you'll be able to find the information for this in one of the threads towards the top of this message board. They will also honor a fast pass after it's window period so you don't have to worry about getting multiple fast passes that all occur at the same time. Since you'll be going alone, you should also take advantage of the single riders line. I don't know anything about these other than they exist on some rides. Hopefully someone else will be able to tell you about that.

 

[scanmom]

The tickets to DLR expire! Be sure you don't buy more days than you need! If you purchase at the gate, they expire 2 yrs from dates of purchase, if you do advance purchase, you have 14 days total, including 1st day of use,before they expire.

 

[ekmdisney]

The DL tickets do expire, but its 14 days the first date of use, for the one you buy ahead of time.

They also have park hoppers, that will let you hop from DL to DCA. But I think that the hoppers have a 3 day min. But who know they could be running a special when you visit. And I could be wrong about the min days.

DL does have fastpass, but they just recently took the Haunted Mansion and POTC off the fass pass system, it just caused a big traffic jam in the area. So you can no longer get a Fastpass for those rides.

The DTD Disney area is nothing like the one at WDW, small and really not as much to do. But luckily it's free!

Tomorrowland is basicaly down right now, Space Mountain is still closed. All that is really there is Star Tours, and its just like the one at MGM. And the shops. They are still working on the New Buzz ride, they are hoping that it will be open for the 50th.

The Castle is now all covered up with scafuling (sp?) and being repainted to get it ready for it's 50th birthday. So if you are hopping to get some pics of the castle, they will just be of a big blue square.

Make sure you check out Disneyland.com to see what will be open during your visit and what will be closed.

But go and enjoy what you can! I know I will, in just a few weeks!

Make sure that you check out POTC, The Haunted Mansion, and the orginal Tiki Room. They have there difference from the ones at WDW. Try to have lunch at the Blue Byou, it's located next door to Club 33 and the POTC, in New Orleans Square.

 

[Firefly777]

The DTD Disney area is nothing like the one at WDW, small and really not as much to do. But luckily it's free!

I love DTD at the DLR. It's always lively and exciting at night. Sure, it's smaller (almost everything is), but it's still a good size, IMO.

 

[iceskatejen]

The Tiki Room is also down for refurb until 2005.

 

[OzFan]

Thanks for all of you replies! It looks like I'll be there by myself September 15th and 16th. I have have the two days but I plan on making the most of it! Thanks Again!

 

[MrErk]

I'm in a similar situation. I'll be in Santa Ana on business for 5 days. DL looks pretty close, but I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to pop over for a few hours at night. Would that be doable? Is it "safe" for someone who doesn't know the area to drive from the SNA area to DL?

 

[iceskatejen]

I think it would be worthwhile so long as DL is open late. The DL area is pretty safe as is most of OC. Just hop on the freeway (I'm guessing the 5 from that area) and get off at DL Dr. and follow the signs to the parking structure. I would highly reccommend mapquesting it before hand to study the route.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I also want to add that DL is a wonderfull place, but if you visit in the next 6 months, you need to be prepared for the major rehab efforts that are taking place in anticipation of the 50th celebration.

 

[MrErk]

Originally posted by iceskatejen
I think it would be worthwhile so long as DL is open late. The DL area is pretty safe as is most of OC. Just hop on the freeway (I'm guessing the 5 from that area) and get off at DL Dr. and follow the signs to the parking structure. I would highly reccommend mapquesting it before hand to study the route.

Thanks for the advice. DL is scheduled to be open until 11 and DCA until 9, so it should be worthwhile. It looks to be a little more than 10 miles, most of it on I-5 (or the 5 as you guys call it)

 

[MrErk]

Originally posted by Judy from Boise
I also want to add that DL is a wonderfull place, but if you visit in the next 6 months, you need to be prepared for the major rehab efforts that are taking place in anticipation of the 50th celebration.

My trip is next week, but thanks to these boards and miceage.com I am well prepared for for the rehabs.