WDW Cast Member need help planning trip to DL!

[Katieinwonderland]

Hi

DH and I are WDW Cast Members and are planning a trip to DL in July

We already booked the hotel; we just bought DVC at Grand Californian but couldn't stay there at such short notice, so we're staying at the Disneyland Hotel. We weren't thrilled, but have looked at pictures and it looks like a fun place to stay.

We've been to DL before, three years ago, but it was an impromptu trip with only two days and no time to plan, so I think we missed a lot. It was November so luckily the crowds were very light, but we didn't see Fantasmic, the fireworks, anything like that - and we didn't eat anywhere in the parks because we hadn't made reservations and we're used to WDW, where if you don't have a reservation, you don't get in!!!

So I have a bunch of questions and was hoping someone could help me!

1. We're flying in and out of LAX - is the easiest thing to rent a car and drive, or is there a shuttle or something? I know there is no version of Magical Express but wondered if we could pay for some kind of shuttle? The rental car isn't something we need otherwise, but if we do have to rent one we probably will use it.

2. We're not buying tickets, we have free tickets to get in. Does that mean we can't get the early entry thing I've read about?

3. We're looking into dining, and have decided on Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe (for lunch), River Belle Terrace (for breakfast) and Napa Rose (for dinner), plus Goofy's Kitchen for my birthday! Are there any other places we should try? I called to try to make reservations but was told I couldn't book until 60 days out - is that correct?

4. Is there a touring plan out there for DL? As I said, last time we just walked around and went on things as we saw them, but I figured this time will be way more crowded and we might end up just standing on line all day. Any advice?

So I would really appreciate any help! It feels weird because we know WDW inside out (it's part of our jobs to know everything, LOL!) but are sort of clueless when it comes to DL!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

DH and I are WDW Cast Members and are planning a trip to DL in July

Hi Katie, sounds like you will have a great trip not just to DL (Disneyland) but all of DLR (Disneyland Resort)!

Here are some upfront things to know about:

A. World of Color is coming! World of Color is coming! World of Color is coming! And it will turn DLR upside down this summer. See World of Color Superthread

B. All-Star Game in Anaheim in July - when are you going? See All-Star FanFest (July 9 - 13) : 150,000 visitors?

1. We're flying in and out of LAX - is the easiest thing to rent a car and drive, or is there a shuttle or something? I know there is no version of Magical Express but wondered if we could pay for some kind of shuttle? The rental car isn't something we need otherwise, but if we do have to rent one we probably will use it.

See "Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

2. We're not buying tickets, we have free tickets to get in. Does that mean we can't get the early entry thing I've read about?

You can get early entry if you are staying at DLH - see "Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

3. We're looking into dining, and have decided on Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe (for lunch), River Belle Terrace (for breakfast) and Napa Rose (for dinner), plus Goofy's Kitchen for my birthday! Are there any other places we should try? I called to try to make reservations but was told I couldn't book until 60 days out - is that correct?

Blue Bayou is DL's signature restaurant and right on the POTC ride. Yes, 60 days in advance. Looks like you have a good list otherwise.

4. Is there a touring plan out there for DL? As I said, last time we just walked around and went on things as we saw them, but I figured this time will be way more crowded and we might end up just standing on line all day. Any advice?

The best option at DLR is RideMax - www.ridemax.com - which also has a WDW version BTW.

So I would really appreciate any help! It feels weird because we know WDW inside out (it's part of our jobs to know everything, LOL!) but are sort of clueless when it comes to DL!!!

Here are some more links that may help:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

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

Have a great trip and birthday. We will be there the last week of July ourselves.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Haha, I was just about to post, but Hydroguy beat me to it, and he gave you all the good links.

We have used supershuttle (their shared van service) and it has worked fine. You will have a great time at the Disneyland Hotel. Enjoy yourselves!

 

[Raindown]

B. All-Star Game in Anaheim in July - when are you going? See All-Star FanFest (July 9 - 13) : 150,000 visitors?

Is this the same thing that Las Vegas hosted a couple years ago and said never again to?

 

[HydroGuy]

Is this the same thing that Las Vegas hosted a couple years ago and said never again to?

I do not know what LV thing you are talking about, but it was not the All-Star game which is moved around the different major league ball parks - and LV does not have majors, only minors.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Hi Katie, sounds like you will have a great trip not just to DL (Disneyland) but all of DLR (Disneyland Resort)!

LOL, see I don't even know my abbreviations!!!

We'll be there July 15th through the 20th so that should be after the All Star game, yay!

I know about World of Color, I've tried to read the superthread but it's huge! I think it sounds really fun, but we're not going to get super excited about seeing it incase the crowds are just insane! We know we want to see Fantasmic this time, everyone says it's much better than the one we have here!

Thanks so much for the links!!! It looks like I have some reading to do!

 

[HydroGuy]

I know about World of Color, I've tried to read the superthread but it's huge! I think it sounds really fun, but we're not going to get super excited about seeing it incase the crowds are just insane! We know we want to see Fantasmic this time, everyone says it's much better than the one we have here!

The first post in the WOC thread is not too bad and contains all the essentials.

Fantasmic will be a treat. The show is a bit better (Murphy the dragon and the use of the MT and SSC ships) but the experience and setting at DL gives F! a different feel. Especially the feeling of sitting on the ground as oppposed to a stadium!

 

[Raindown]

We know we want to see Fantasmic this time, everyone says it's much better than the one we have here!

No matter how long it has been around, I still love this show. I hope you'll do a Trip Report, would be interesting to hear what you think of DLR from your unique WDW perspective.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

LOL, see I don't even know my abbreviations!!!

We'll be there July 15th through the 20th so that should be after the All Star game, yay!

I know about World of Color, I've tried to read the superthread but it's huge! I think it sounds really fun, but we're not going to get super excited about seeing it incase the crowds are just insane! We know we want to see Fantasmic this time, everyone says it's much better than the one we have here!

Thanks so much for the links!!! It looks like I have some reading to do!

Keep an eye and ear out for anything special going on July 17th....Disneyland's 55th birthday!!! I hear if they do anything special that day it isn't always advertised.

 

[Kenttz]

Is this the same thing that Las Vegas hosted a couple years ago and said never again to?

You are probably thinking of the NBA All Star Weekend back in 07.

 

[Raindown]

You are probably thinking of the NBA All Star Weekend back in 07.

Exactly. I don't follow many sports, but I heard about this from someone who was there. Good to know this is different.

 

[Angel Ariel]

With regards to renting a car vs. using a shuttle...DH and I j ust got back, and we chose to rent a car. We didn't use it for anything other than to and from the airport (though we had originally planned to make a grocery run, we never did..)

We didn't like the idea of our two 1/2 days (arrival and leaving day) being dictated by shuttle schedules...and the prices weren't overly different when we booked (maybe $20 more for the car vs. shuttle, including the taxes?). So, for us, renting a car was worth it.

We also have Southwest Rapid Rewards and got I believe 30% (maybe 40%) off of the rental going through Alamo, as well as 1.5 rapid rewards credits to DH's account.

Summer may be a bit different, though, depending on if the rental car prices are higher at that time of year.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Thanks again for all the replies!

So we decided we're going to rent a car; we looked at the shuttles and our flight gets in so late on the 15th (10.30pm) that we think we'll just get tired and annoyed waiting for a shuttle. We have Continental Onepass miles so we can get a discount on Hertz, so I'll try them this week.

I'm not too sure on RideMax - not sure I want to pay for it. I'm sort of hoping once I've done my research into the parks and crowd levels, I'll be able to figure out what to do when. Where we go on each day will also be dictated by the reservations I can get for dining. I read the thread on getting the most out of a summertime visit, and I hope I can put together a plan myself. It's funny, we've never been to WDW and tried to do it all because we've never needed to, we live 15 minutes away - so this is strange for us!

I did think about doing a trip report but I'd be worried no one would read it and I'd just be rambling away to myself!

 

[mikayla73]

I'm not too sure on RideMax - not sure I want to pay for it. I'm sort of hoping once I've done my research into the parks and crowd levels, I'll be able to figure out what to do when. Where we go on each day will also be dictated by the reservations I can get for dining. I read the thread on getting the most out of a summertime visit, and I hope I can put together a plan myself. It's funny, we've never been to WDW and tried to do it all because we've never needed to, we live 15 minutes away - so this is strange for us!

I did think about doing a trip report but I'd be worried no one would read it and I'd just be rambling away to myself!

I have never used ride max (or anythink like it) and we have been fine. I am sure you can find enough info on here that you wouldn't need it. Besides with all the WoC fuss, who knows how that's going to affect things because it's new.

One other thing reservations for dining don't really dictate where you can go when you are at the DLR. If you are at DCA and have a dinner reservation at DL @7p, then you just stroll on over about 6:30-6:40 and viola. There's not buses/boats to worry about catching to make it to where you need to go. Just a walk over.

Your TR sounds like mine! LOL If you feel like it, we'd all love to read it!

 

[glendalais]

Don't forget that there are Cast Member discounts at all three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. You can book online through the Disney Difference tab on The Hub.

In addition, unlike the case here in Florida, you receive a 20% Discount at all Disney-owned and operated Restaurants (excluding Outdoor Vending/Ventures Carts) upon presentation of a valid TWDC ID Card.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Don't forget that there are Cast Member discounts at all three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. You can book online through the Disney Difference tab on The Hub.

In addition, unlike the case here in Florida, you receive a 20% Discount at all Disney-owned and operated Restaurants (excluding Outdoor Vending/Ventures Carts) upon presentation of a valid TWDC ID Card.

Actually we're using our newly purchased DVC points to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. We bought into Grand Californian but couldn't stay there, and this was way fewer points - it seems like a nice hotel, I looked through the thread on it and got pretty excited!

Oh I didn't realise we got the 20% dining discount over there! That's great, thanks!

We've decided to go to Griffith Park on the sunday - we got lucky, I looked up the dates that Carolwood Barn is open and it's the 3rd sunday of every month, which fits really well! DH is a HUGE Walt Disney fan and I know he'd love to see that. I think it would also be fun to see the observatory, and we might like to get out and walk around a little without the crowds of people!

 

[jwwi]

Sounds like you have a fun trip planned. We visited Griffith Observatory about two weeks ago, and just loved it. Such a pretty place, with great views of the city. I agree with you about the rental car, don't forget to allow plenty of time returning to the airport, LA traffic is horrific at times. I will be there right before you, and plan on going to the All Star game too, so I guess I will be one of the 150,000 extra people there at that time. I think it will be exciting. Hoping to stay at GCH, hope it works in the final budget.
I'll be interested in any other tips you receive.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

OK so I thought of a few more questions! I promise I am reading the threads with info on the parks, it's just a lot to digest and I like personal opinons too!

Has anyone done the drive from LAX to Disneyland? We have a GPS we'll be bringing along, but it'll be late at night and I was just wondering if it was an easy drive? I read it should be about an hour, which I'm sure will seem long at 11PM after two flights!

When I call to make the dining reservations, can I call 60 days before my first day and book for the whole trip or do I have to call each day at 60 days (hope that makes sense!)

I bought myself a Disneyland guidebook today at Barnes and Noble, it'll be my bedtime reading tonight - really excited!!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

When I call to make the dining reservations, can I call 60 days before my first day and book for the whole trip or do I have to call each day at 60 days (hope that makes sense!)

Each day at 60 days.

 

[ACDSNY]

Has anyone done the drive from LAX to Disneyland? We have a GPS we'll be bringing along, but it'll be late at night and I was just wondering if it was an easy drive? I read it should be about an hour, which I'm sure will seem long at 11PM after two flights!

We've used the directions off of mapquest which takes you on I-105 to I-605 to 91 to I-5, around 34 miles so you'll make it in under a hour easy at that time of night. It's not too bad of a drive to me.