Visiting Disneyland for first time..looking for any and all pointers and tips

[jeepsrj]

Getting to visit Disneyland for the first time this year, and really know nothing about it. Have been to Disney Wolrd a few times and love it, but I am going into this with the mindset not to compare the two...Please if you can, give me some pointers and tips. I am wanting to rent a car, some say I shouldn't. Please DisBoard peeps help me out....

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

We are going to be visiting DL for the first time after 7 visits to the world in 5 years.
It took a lot to get the family to agree to this trip, so I want to make sure we have a great time. I want to be prepared. We will be renting a van because we want to see other things besides DL, like the beach, Hollywood stuff and maybe Universal (DH and I were there in 2007).
I had a hard time with the family breaking away from something familiar. I said they are going to have a good time because we will be on vacation and at a Disney park. I just don't want my DH to say 'remember that bad trip to DL you made us go on instead of WDW?'

 

[HydroGuy]

Getting to visit Disneyland for the first time this year, and really know nothing about it. Have been to Disney Wolrd a few times and love it, but I am going into this with the mindset not to compare the two...Please if you can, give me some pointers and tips. I am wanting to rent a car, some say I shouldn't. Please DisBoard peeps help me out....

Lots of tips here:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[sasywtch]

I just don't want my DH to say 'remember that bad trip to DL you made us go on instead of WDW?'[/QUOTE]

Just try to prepare that DL isn't an all inclusive type resort. To me DL is much more relaxing and alot less planning/stressful. The two parks are right there, no buses, no ferries to take. You can save money and stay on Harbor and be closer than the DLH or PP Hotel which leaves money for your ventures to the beach or wherever you are going. I don't think they will be disappointed. I live in N CA and go to southern California yearly and still take in the sights at the beach, Malibu, sometimes take a drive through Beverly Hills and up the hills turning onto dead ends and running into mansions LOL
We go down Sunset, check out the stars on the Blvd, check out the footprints, get an ice cream at the Disney counter, window shop on Rodeo Drive. We usually do Warner Bros because it's more of a working studio but we've done Universal alot. Last year we went down Melrose and wanted to stop at Pinkys but no one else wanted to
you will enjoy

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

We 've done DL a cpl times. Yes, we always rent a car- the transportation just didn't seem great (the ART ? there was once where we went to lunch and came back to our hotel and people were still waiting for the bus!).

We tend to always stay on Harbor Blvd- about a 5 min drive or so to the park parking lot. Our fav was Homewood Suites- great pool, good food, nice rooms, close by and a full kitchen. Also had a starbucks in the complex and dif dining options like Red Robin. It ran about $139 a night or so.

Day trips are good too if you rent a car. Santa Monica beach, Hollywood, etc. We have sometimes added a day or two at the end of our trip and drove to San Diego area to do SeaWorld and Legoland.

Parks are super easy and while smaller than WDW- I still found that with 4 days there and going Commando style (allowing mid day breaks) that there were things we can't fit in.

PM me with any questions- DL I'm a pro at- it's my first upcoming WDW trip that has me nervous!!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

forgot one thing!

The only thing time I would say to skip renting a car is if you are only staying at the parks (no side trips at all) and are staying at the Grand Californian (right inside DCA park).

The other 2 hotels that are technically "onsite" are not too close. People still rent cars with those hotels! Which is why we stay off site. Much nicer rooms thatn DLH or PP even and way cheaper! The hotel I mentioned in my PP even has a great view of the fireworks if you are lucky to get a park facing room!

 

[tinkermell]

Welcome to the DL boards!

Those of you who are planning a trip to DL for the first time...please please please read Hydroguy's stickey! It's the best info out there for newbies and WDW vets.

I do not think you will be disappointed at all. DL is way more charming than the MK. More attractions, better detail and the rides tend to be better. The weather is also great. No humidity.

What you will be disappointed in, is the castle. Sleeping Beauty's is very small, compared to Cinderella's. DL's icon is the Mattterhorn. Also the Disney immersion is different. If you are worrying about this, then stay onsite, and you never have to go out into the real world once there.

Everything is connected. DL, California Adventures, DTD, the Grand Californian, the DL Hotel and Paradise Pier. All walkable. You can walk back and forth from each park if you like!

As for renting a car. Are you going anywhere else besides DL? The beach, San Diego, Hollywood? If so, then I would rent a car. If not, there is no need to rent. Just hop on one of the shuttles.(We can tell you more about those if decide to take one.) But if I were you, I'd take some time at least to see the beaches and San Diego.

I hope you are planning this trip after the World of Color has opened. It is supposed to be the best night time show Disney has ever produced. I can't wait to see it!!

Have fun planning!

 

[jeepsrj]

Welcome to the DL boards!

As for renting a car. Are you going anywhere else besides DL? The beach, San Diego, Hollywood? If so, then I would rent a car. If not, there is no need to rent. Just hop on one of the shuttles.(We can tell you more about those if decide to take one.) But if I were you, I'd take some time at least to see the beaches and San Diego.

I hope you are planning this trip after the World of Color has opened. It is supposed to be the best night time show Disney has ever produced. I can't wait to see it!!

Have fun planning!

We are planning on going to the San Diego Zoo probably twice to see most of it...this will be a 7 day vacation. I would like to maybe see some wine country too.

We will Be going June 6th through 13th. NOt sure when World of Color begins...