WDW vet DL complete novice here...

[brymolmom]

But anxiously awaiting my first trip (well, with my own family, went for one day as a child myself) to DLR in April! I have so many questions I don't know where to start. I've been lurking here trying to gain some knowledge of some of the experts and that, plus a tour book (dh's Christmas gift), have made a slight dent in my ignorance. If anyone would like to also offer any answers/opinions, etc on the following I would appreciate it:
1) Flying into LAX and will likely rent a car. Going on April 19th and will likely spend the 20th, 21st and MAYBE 22nd at DL. I know it will be at least somewhat crowded, but can you give me an idea of what to expect? Wait times wise?
2) Going to try to stay at HOJO. Tried getting the Ent. Rate the other day but got central reservations...Trying again tomorrow.
3) Likely going to do one TS restaurant, maybe Ariel's Grotto?? I have two kids - ds is 7 but does like Ariel, dd is 6. Thoughts on this or better recommendation?
4) I'm thinking Disneyland park the first day and then Cal adventure on day 2. Both of these days non-hopping. And MAYBE one day hopping on day 3. Does this sound doable? Would 2 days be enough?
5) I will be using WDW non-expiring tickets. Did a couple searches but could not determine - CAN both hopping and non-hopping WDW tickets be 'converted' to DL tickets? I believe that it has to be done right at the turn-style, right? Can I go to the ticket booth prior to getting in line to do it there so I don't hold up the line?

I know I'm going to have a bunch more but so I don't scare potential posters away by too many all at once, I'll stop here for now.

THANKS and looking forward to DLR!

 

[tallpkb]

But anxiously awaiting my first trip (well, with my own family, went for one day as a child myself) to DLR in April! I have so many questions I don't know where to start. I've been lurking here trying to gain some knowledge of some of the experts and that, plus a tour book (dh's Christmas gift), have made a slight dent in my ignorance. If anyone would like to also offer any answers/opinions, etc on the following I would appreciate it:
1) Flying into LAX and will likely rent a car. Going on April 19th and will likely spend the 20th, 21st and MAYBE 22nd at DL. I know it will be at least somewhat crowded, but can you give me an idea of what to expect? Wait times wise?

Any reason you're flying into LAX? Burbank Airport is MUCH closer. Perhaps a cost issue.

2) Going to try to stay at HOJO. Tried getting the Ent. Rate the other day but got central reservations...Trying again tomorrow.

Nice, clean and very popular. But it is a walk to get to/from DL. I am NOT a believer in the bus system. It goes to ALL THE HOTELS, both ways, and really eats up time. My non-property picks are Best Western Park Place (no hotel closer, except Grand Californian), or Candy Cane Inn~very pretty (especially in Spring!), nice FREE breakfast buffet, comfortable beds, and they have their own shuttle.

3) Likely going to do one TS restaurant, maybe Ariel's Grotto?? I have two kids - ds is 7 but does like Ariel, dd is 6. Thoughts on this or better recommendation?

I can't really give input on this, as we don't do Character Meals. While Blue Bayou is very pretty (but dark), it's a waste of money with little kids (IMHO).

4) I'm thinking Disneyland park the first day and then Cal adventure on day 2. Both of these days non-hopping. And MAYBE one day hopping on day 3. Does this sound doable? Would 2 days be enough?

In my opinion, yes. You're going mid-week during a relatively low season time. But with your kids ages, you probably will want a mid-day break at the hotel. Remember, DL is WAY smaller than Magic Kingdom.

5) I will be using WDW non-expiring tickets. Did a couple searches but could not determine - CAN both hopping and non-hopping WDW tickets be 'converted' to DL tickets? I believe that it has to be done right at the turn-style, right? Can I go to the ticket booth prior to getting in line to do it there so I don't hold up the line?

I'm not so sure you can do that. I tried to do the same a number of years ago, and was told WDW tix are NOT interchangable with DL tix.

I know I'm going to have a bunch more but so I don't scare potential posters away by too many all at once, I'll stop here for now.

THANKS and looking forward to DLR!

There are others on this board that are way more knowledgable than I am, so hopefully you'll get more opinions. Have fun!!

 

[spacemermaid]

I've found that it's much easier to reach HOJO's in-house reservations on weekdays; it's probably especially busy right now, so keep trying! I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay there!

Never been to Ariel's Grotto, but the pics I've seen of the food look SO good! If your daughters are Princess fans, I'm sure they'll have a fabulous time For non-character table service restaurants, Carnation Cafe' (on Main Street) is a must-try, as it is a classic! The baked potato soup and the potpies are some of the best food in the Park, IMO.

Have fun on your trip!!!

 

[21yankees]

You can use WDW park hoppers at DL. You'll have to exchange them daily at the turnstile at DL.

The walk from HoJo's is about 6-8 minutes depending on your pace, not terrible but everyone's different.

The parks are extremely close together so you can hop several times a day if you want (depending on the hours of the parks of course).

I'm local so I can't help on the airports. There are plenty of people on this board that can give you information on the specifics (in regards to them).

steph

 

[DonaldDaisyDani]

I am a born and raised Central Floridian. I cannot remember my first trip to WDW, regrettfully, because I was there so much. Made my first trip to DL in August of 2005, for the 50th and this will be my 6th trip coming up in 2.5 weeks. My fiance is from So Cal. I love it there! We make an pilgramige.

No clue about the turnstile, WDW ticket bit. It would actually surprise me if WDW tickets would be honored at DL. I would call DL directly on that.

If you return to DL on another trip book your flight into John Wayne airport instead, soooooooo nice. LAX will be crowded most rental cars are off the airport grounds with shuttle.

I only stayed off property two out of my six trips. We are very happy DVC members and love being on property. Granted there is a huge difference in off property convenience with the DL area vs. WDW, but still I love never having to leave the magic and Grand CA is the best Disney hotel on either coast.

As far as TS restaurants, um not too experience in that regard, but we loved the character breakfast at the Plaza Inn Restaurant at DL. Great view of the park and great food. If you can swing it with or better yet without the kids Napa Rose at Grand CA is AMAZING, my fiance proposed to me there.

DL is much better than the Magic Kingdom at WDW in my opinion. It is smaller yes, but more compact, and many more attractions and to me more beautiful and you can just feel the history. Park hopping is so easy at DL Resort because it is like what 150 yards between the two parks' entrances. YOU MUST SEE THE FIREWORKS AT DL. Three days would be best DL day 1, DCA day 2, and then the best of both on Day 3.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

1. we went last year april, around the dates you are planning. I have not looked to see if they are week day or weekend this year, b ut we had little wait on all rides and used fast passes as available.
I do not know the dates of World Of Color opening, but that potentially has chance of effecting park attendence.

2. phone Hojo again, make sure you call mon-fri durring west coast business hours or sat 9-12ish west coast time and ask for IN HOUSE reservations
you will LOVE Hojos. Wonderful hotel

3. When we went last year, DS 6 and DD 4, we chose Ariels as our character meal. Both kids adored the characters and fully enjoyed thier food. we did have 6 days in the park so got to see mickey, pluty and goofy a number of times (to satify the DS). I know a lot of posters here recommend Goofys Kitchen and there you would get Goofy as well as 1 or 2 princesses and 1 or 2boyish/mainstream character

4, Hopping--- if you are a WDW vet you need to change your thinking, hopping at DL is not hopping at alll. I like to think of DL and CA as one big park, with easy access to go from one to the other The entrances are litteraly yards appart. Easy easy easy hopping ability. So, I would plan to hop each day

5. I dont know about the WDW hopping vs non, but I can speek about redemption - I bleieve you need to redemem/trade at the ticket booth, not turn style

enjoy your vation!!!

 

[21yankees]

I was just there last week and did it. You can exchange WDW tickets (not annual passes, just normal tickets) for DL tickets and you have to do it at the turnstyles.

Hope this helps.

steph

 

[Leofoenget]

1. we went last year april, around the dates you are planning. I have not looked to see if they are week day or weekend this year, b ut we had little wait on all rides and used fast passes as available.
I do not know the dates of World Of Color opening, but that potentially has chance of effecting park attendence.

2. phone Hojo again, make sure you call mon-fri durring west coast business hours or sat 9-12ish west coast time and ask for IN HOUSE reservations
you will LOVE Hojos. Wonderful hotel

3. When we went last year, DS 6 and DD 4, we chose Ariels as our character meal. Both kids adored the characters and fully enjoyed thier food. we did have 6 days in the park so got to see mickey, pluty and goofy a number of times (to satify the DS). I know a lot of posters here recommend Goofys Kitchen and there you would get Goofy as well as 1 or 2 princesses and 1 or 2boyish/mainstream character

4, Hopping--- if you are a WDW vet you need to change your thinking, hopping at DL is not hopping at alll. I like to think of DL and CA as one big park, with easy access to go from one to the other The entrances are litteraly yards appart. Easy easy easy hopping ability. So, I would plan to hop each day

5. I dont know about the WDW hopping vs non, but I can speek about redemption - I bleieve you need to redemem/trade at the ticket booth, not turn style

enjoy your vation!!!

World of Color opens this spring. Could throw off the crowds some. DCA could be more crowded.

 

[jlmarr]

1) Flying into LAX and will likely rent a car. Going on April 19th and will likely spend the 20th, 21st and MAYBE 22nd at DL.

Unless you're planning on seeing other sights in the area you might reconsider and take the Disneyland Express (not the same as WDW's Magical Express). I live around here and still hate to drive to/from LAX. YMMV - i.e. run the numbers for your party and see if it makes sense. Mousesavers $3 off coupon <= here.

Speaking of other sights - the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will be in town, playing the Detroit Tigers 4/19-22 and then the New York Yankees of the Bronx 4/23-25.

 

[Canyon girl]

If you need a rental car for just a day trip, why don't you consider taking the Disneyland Express and rent a car from DTD for just a day. It may be cheaper, but it will definitely be EASIER! My kids loved Ariel's Grotto! If your kids are princess lovers, this is your place. There was a different charge between inside seating and outdoor seating last time I was there. Just make sure you specify where you want to sit. I prefer the inside because of the decorations inside.

 

[syvmom]

Ariel's Grotto is awesome. The princesses each came up to our table and posed with my daughter while I snapped pictures.

We stayed at Holiday Inn Anaheim, which was an easy walk through Downtown Disney. I don't know the rates though as we had comp rooms through a special promotion.

Like others have mentioned, geographically the park is small compared to WDW and it's very easy to go back and forth between the two all day long.

 

[MAH4546]

4) I'm thinking Disneyland park the first day and then Cal adventure on day 2. Both of these days non-hopping. And MAYBE one day hopping on day 3. Does this sound doable? Would 2 days be enough?

Think of DL and DCA as Future World and World Showcase in size and location. You will want to park hop both days, and all multi-day tickets are park hoppers.

 

[brymolmom]

Thanks for all the replies and help so far!

I won't have a multi-day ticket, because I'll be exchanging WDW tickets each day for our current day ticket. I was just trying to figure out if I have to use our non-expiring HOPPER tickets or if I could get away with using a day or two of our non-expiring NON-HOPPING tickets as we have both types still unused.

Sounds to me like most of you are giving the nod toward hopping each day instead of 2 non-hopping and 1 hopping (although still not positive if the non-hopping tickets even work with the whole trade-in thing).

Based on responses, I think that Ariel's Grotto is a DEFINITE for us. Now, I just have to figure out when I can make a reservation...I mentioned it to dh in the car today and ds7 said 'Oh yeah - I like Ariel's Grotto that's where we can play in the water and meet Ariel - but we never wait in line for that'. And I had to explain that DLR is not the same as WDW and things might be different and that this one is a restaurant!

Some other questions....Parades, evening shows not to miss? I saw about the fireworks - are these every night?? We really like parades and shows. Still debating on Fantasmic! - kids were pretty young last attempt and were too scared so we've skipped it for a couple years. THINKING about doing it so that we can get the DLR experience of it. Thoughts?

 

[DLR29]

In mid-late April, I'm pretty sure that they don't run the full entertainment schedule all week. That means fireworks will be on only the weekends. However, this year the new World of Color show will be premiering somewhere around the time that you will be there, so crowd levels might spike up at DCA when that happens. It's still not confirmed what day will be its first show.

Also, Fantasmic will not be showing because the Rivers of America will be drained. Unlike at DHS, DL's Fantasmic is shown in Frontierland on the RoA. IMO, DL's is the better show, but unfortunately F! and all of the boats/rafts will be closed from Feb-May.

A parade might be shown during the day, definitely on the weekend. Not entirely sure, but it will be the Celebrate! A Street Party! thing that was shown this year with meh reviews. Most likely Disney's Electrical Parade will not be showing as that only runs in the summer and Christmas times.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Thanks for all the replies and help so far!

I won't have a multi-day ticket, because I'll be exchanging WDW tickets each day for our current day ticket. I was just trying to figure out if I have to use our non-expiring HOPPER tickets or if I could get away with using a day or two of our non-expiring NON-HOPPING tickets as we have both types still unused.

Sounds to me like most of you are giving the nod toward hopping each day instead of 2 non-hopping and 1 hopping (although still not positive if the non-hopping tickets even work with the whole trade-in thing).

Based on responses, I think that Ariel's Grotto is a DEFINITE for us. Now, I just have to figure out when I can make a reservation...I mentioned it to dh in the car today and ds7 said 'Oh yeah - I like Ariel's Grotto that's where we can play in the water and meet Ariel - but we never wait in line for that'. And I had to explain that DLR is not the same as WDW and things might be different and that this one is a restaurant!

Some other questions....Parades, evening shows not to miss? I saw about the fireworks - are these every night?? We really like parades and shows. Still debating on Fantasmic! - kids were pretty young last attempt and were too scared so we've skipped it for a couple years. THINKING about doing it so that we can get the DLR experience of it. Thoughts?

In April you should expect fireworks on Fri, Sat and Sunday nights.
I believe F! will be dark due to Rivers of America being drained
World of Color is planned to open April 24 in DCA, so you may be able to catch a soft opening show.
You can make priority seating for Ariels 60 days out. (I think that is the current and not 30 days??)