WDW vet, but DLR newbie ???

[HydroGuy]

So what does everyone think about the jaunt into Hollywood/LA. There are a lot of things I want to do there (tour Hollywood; USH; spend a lazy afternoon around the Santa Monica pier; Long Beach; maybe a baseball game if the Dodgers or Angels are in town -these all come to mind). Plus we'll need to lay eyes on some iconic stuff like Griffith Park, Hollywood Bowl, Rodeo Dr, etc. Could I fit it all in to do DLR for three days and other stuff for four days?
Also, what are some other "must do" things for pop-culturally aware young teens?

I think you will feel slightly rushed with three days at DLR. It will be a fun solid trip at three days. Four days would let you slow down to a more relaxed pace.

As for the other things you want to do, the answer is really no matter how many extra days you have there will be something to do in California. If you take four full days, and you want to do USH and Hollywood, then here is a breakdown:

USH - one whole day
Hollywood Blvd, Rodeo Drive and evening baseball - one whole day
Santa Monica Pier - half day max
Griffith Park - half day max

So all in all you could do it. You will be "on the go" a lot, and if your family can handle that then you will be fine. Maybe you could mix in a slow day at the beach? Newport Beach mentioned by Pixarmom is good one (and one of my favorite spots when I was a teen) and you could just walk the boardwalk and eat lunch or dinner (Spaghetti Factory in NB was a family a favorite).

Just some ideas. Other fun places are the La Brea Tar Pits and Mission San Juan Capistrano.

 

[disneyfan67]

Zip, it's been a long time since I have seen you or spoke to you on these boards.

I went to DLR for the first time in the second week of August and stayed on site. I tried the GCH for one night and the rest of my trip was at the Disneyland hotel. After trying it out, I have to say I agree with Master Mason and would stay offsite. There's just really is no great need to stay at one of the Disney owned hotels, when there is so many good, cheaper alternatives close by. I walked to the Hojo and I swear it was the same amount of time that it took me to get to the front gate, as it did from the DLH.

DLR was a great time for me and my boys and I look forward to going back in 2012. You're a WDW vet like me and are used to how they do things out there. I think you will find DLR to be different and unique and wonderful place to visit, I know I did. The Hydro Guy tips really did help and here's my one tip to you. When walking around Disneyland and seeing what Walt did, take a second to feel the history of the place and not rush around. I can't put it into words properly, but there's something really special about Walt's first park.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Zip, it's been a long time since I have seen you or spoke to you on these boards.

I went to DLR for the first time in the second week of August and stayed on site. I tried the GCH for one night and the rest of my trip was at the Disneyland hotel. After trying it out, I have to say I agree with Master Mason and would stay offsite. There's just really is no great need to stay at one of the Disney owned hotels, when there is so many good, cheaper alternatives close by. I walked to the Hojo and I swear it was the same amount of time that it took me to get to the front gate, as it did from the DLH.

DLR was a great time for me and my boys and I look forward to going back in 2012. You're a WDW vet like me and are used to how they do things out there. I think you will find DLR to be different and unique and wonderful place to visit, I know I did. The Hydro Guy tips really did help and here's my one tip to you. When walking around Disneyland and seeing what Walt did, take a second to feel the history of the place and not rush around. I can't put it into words properly, but there's something really special about Walt's first park.

After only briefly considering accommodations I know I have no urge to stay on-site at DLR. That strip of hotels right across the street from the Esplanade looks plenty inviting to me.

I do look forward to walking "Walt's Park". I know this is heresy to WDW aficionados (which I count myself as one), but after 15 or so trips all of us in my family feel like we have pretty much worn WDW out and need a change. DLR is just perfect because we can mix in some Disney with some other stuff we want to see in another part of the country.

Hydro Guy... I appreciate the advice about touring. There is no reason to hold my stay at exactly seven days, so I may wind up stretching it out to 8 or 9, thereby adding in another day or half-day at DLR plus giving myself some cushion for a slower paced day or two. When it comes time to do an itinerary I will be prudent about scheduling those SoCal (non-DLR) days so that we don't feel too rushed. Thanks for the Newport Beach tip. Sounds like a spot we may want to include.