WDW Vet Possibly going to Disneyland

[Lizboo]

DH and I will be taking a trip somewhere for my 40th birthday this August. It will be a short trip (4 days) and we just brought up possibly going to Disneyland. I know WDW almost like the back of my hand, but I am sadly lacking when it comes to DL knowledge. I know it is much smaller.

Do I need to make ADRs? What are "the restaurants" not to be missed there? Where should I stay? Is there only one airport to fly in to (and what it is)? How many days do I really need?

Any other advice is greatly appreciated.

TIA

 

[carolinamama]

We're WDW vets making our first trip in June!

1. They call ADRs the old name of Priority Seating. PS is done up to 60 days out. However, it's not uncommon to just do walk ins, too. Just not the same kind of demand;

2. There are several airports in the LA area. We're flying in to John Wayne, which is the closest. For us, it was cheaper than flying in to LAX, Ontario or Burbank. Plus, the rental car was a lot cheaper from that airport;

3. Staying on property isn't the same as staying on property in WDW. We were going to stay at either the Hampton Inn & Suites, Embassy Suites South or Doubletree Suites, but with the current promo, we're splurging and staying at the Grand Californian Hotel. Yes, hotel, not resort. It was designed by the same man who did WL and AKL, and it's done up in the Arts and Crafts style.

Hope that helps, at least a bit!

 

[Lizboo]

We're WDW vets making our first trip in June!

1. They call ADRs the old name of Priority Seating. PS is done up to 60 days out. However, it's not uncommon to just do walk ins, too. Just not the same kind of demand;

2. There are several airports in the LA area. We're flying in to John Wayne, which is the closest. For us, it was cheaper than flying in to LAX, Ontario or Burbank. Plus, the rental car was a lot cheaper from that airport;

3. Staying on property isn't the same as staying on property in WDW. We were going to stay at either the Hampton Inn & Suites, Embassy Suites South or Doubletree Suites, but with the current promo, we're splurging and staying at the Grand Californian Hotel. Yes, hotel, not resort. It was designed by the same man who did WL and AKL, and it's done up in the Arts and Crafts style.

Hope that helps, at least a bit!

That helps alot!! Thank you

 

[oc_tony]

Planning for DLR is much less involved than planning for WDW. Check out the many helpful stickys at the top of the DL forum, such as A DLR Guide for WDW Vets and go from there. You'll find lots of info pertaining to your situation as this is asked a lot by WDW vets.

Dining reservations can be made for any table service restaurant, but are not as crucial as at WDW. If you want to eat at Blue Bayou, definitely make a reservation. Dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance. Summertime is busy, so making reservations for other restaurants (especially character meals) is not a bad idea if you know where/when you want to eat.

Have a great trip and I hope all your questions get answered.

 

[aristocat65]

That's very exciting! You'll find Disneyland much more manageable than WDW and 4 days should hit it about right.

We like long beach airport (LGB) as it is close and easy to get in and out of. If you're flying out of Canada though, you'll likely have to go to LAX (unless you connect somewhere) which is farther away. From there you can rent a car or book the Disneyland shuttle (not free like the Magical Express and run by Grayline I think).

If you fly from a US border town try for LGB or SNA. I wish we could fly direct to these airports-so much easier.

As others will tell you, you can find very reasonable accommodation within easy walking distance. Since it is your 40th though, I would splurge on a Disney hotel if I were you They are a lot more expensive than WDW, but are also much closer. From the Grand Californian you can walk right into the park. The summer specials (and high Canadian dollar) make it a little more reasonable. And as Carolinamama said it is designed by the same architect as WL, and is beautiful. Sort of a more refined WL. We always go there to at least have dinner.

Dining is not the big deal it is in WDW though. There are not a lot of sit down restaurants, but these are a few of our favorites:

Storytellers Cafe (in Grand Californian): The buffet at dinner is quite good. (you can also order a la carte)
Blue Bayou: The food is average at best, and it is pricey, but the ambience is so nice and eating dinner in the Pirates of the Caribbean is something not to be missed.
Cafe Orleans: A great spot for lunch
I haven't tried Napa Rose in the GCH, but it gets raves and might be a good choice to celebrate your 40th!

HTH

 

[HydroGuy]

To add to the previous transportation advice check out this thread:

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

 

[Lizboo]

Thanks everyone..lots of great infoFingers crossed I can work this one out

 

[lvstitch]

One of the biggest differences I feel is that the counter service food is much better in DL than in WDW (excluding Peco Bills of course). So you will be ok if you can't get into a sit down restaurant. Pizza Port is a must do for us on every trip also the Pacific Wharf Cafe in DCL is yummy.

We are also WDW vets and didn't know how we would feel about DL but I have to say MK to MK, DL wins hands down, although I do love Mickey's Philharmagic.

 

[Lizboo]

Thanks everyone for your replies. DH said he wasn't sure about going to DL because we already have a WDW trip in Sept. I'll work on him.

Couple more questions:

How do you adjust to time difference (if you have to)?

Does DL have a dining plan?

TIA

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks everyone for your replies. DH said he wasn't sure about going to DL because we already have a WDW trip in Sept. I'll work on him.

Couple more questions:

How do you adjust to time difference (if you have to)?

Does DL have a dining plan?

TIA

DLR has a dining plan but it is nothing like WDW's. I rarely if ever see anyone around here recommend it.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Hi! DH and I are in the same boat. We are less than 60 days out and have made our PS's (or ADR's as I'm used to knowing them by). We looked at the menus to really decide where we wanted to eat. I made us PS's at: Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans (the pommes frittes and beignets sound amazing!), Steakhouse 55 and Napa Rose. We are staying at the Grand Californian on points since we own DVC. We are going to try and get 3 trips out of WDW as well as this trip so we're going to buy the Premier Pass. I know DL doesn't require as much planning, but I dislike the lack of May hours at this point in time lol. We're sooo used to WDW I hope we're not going to be disappointed with DL and DCA.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Hi! DH and I are in the same boat. We are less than 60 days out and have made our PS's (or ADR's as I'm used to knowing them by). We looked at the menus to really decide where we wanted to eat. I made us PS's at: Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans (the pommes frittes and beignets sound amazing!), Steakhouse 55 and Napa Rose. We are staying at the Grand Californian on points since we own DVC. We are going to try and get 3 trips out of WDW as well as this trip so we're going to buy the Premier Pass. I know DL doesn't require as much planning, but I dislike the lack of May hours at this point in time lol. We're sooo used to WDW I hope we're not going to be disappointed with DL and DCA.

You can only be disappointed if you set yourself up to be.

Jack

 

[Luv4Disney]

You can only be disappointed if you set yourself up to be.

Jack

I'm sure we won't be it's just that we're soooo used to WDW. We love all things Disney.

 

[Hound 109]

Read Hydroguy's DLR for WDW Vets thread (twice).

Then read the rest of his tip thread list:

HydroGuy DLR Tips Compilation: www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Regarding the time zone change.....it's great!!

After reading the above threads you'll know that it's VERY important to be at DL 30-40 min. before opening. That's 7:20ish on a Gen. Adm. morning & 6:20ish on a MM morning. With the time zone change it'll be easy for you.

- Tour DL & pick up 3-5 FPs the first 3-5 hours each day.
- Hop to DCA for 2-3 hours. (or take the mid day rest now)
- Take a mid day rest (or go visit DCA)
- Go back to DL in the evening (with the FPs collected that morning) & enjoy.
- Rinse & repeat each day.

Have a great time visiting Walt's Park.

 

[Lizboo]

Flight booked!! We could go in through SNA, but the flights were FAR more limited, so LAX it is..we arrive before noon on that Sunday.

I put the deposit down tomorrow on Grand Californian..we decided to splurge..hey, I only turn 40 once

 

[MNFootballMommy]

We just did the same thing for my 40th/DD's 5th bday. I have to say, we went a few days early (DH often travels to CA for work) to try to adjust to the time change--didn't help. We were there before park opening each day but never made it to fireworks (it was 11:30 'our time' and the 5 year old just couldn't hang in there that long...)

I loved it--we discovered that there were some rides we like more at DL (Pirates, Small World) and some we like more at WDW (HM) and the ones that WDW doesn't offer (Alice in Wonderland, Indy, Nemo, Monsters, Inc. at DCA) were HUGE hits with all of us--fun to have new mixed in with the familiar.

I love that DL still has the Penny Arcade--it reminds me of why I fell in love with MK in the first place--the falling back into a different time while the real world disappears. That was my favorite thing about DL--it maintained that 'feeling' where I sometimes think that WDW gave that up to yet another gift shop...I still love it, but DL just feels different.

 

[Disney Liz]

You will adore Disneyland! We started our Disney fun seven years ago at Disneyland, and we have been to WDW several times. We just keep coming back to where it all started...the 2 parks are just so close to each other and everything is so detailed and wonderful. You must try Napa Rose for your 40th, and you will not be sorry for choosing the Grand Californian. It is a lovely resort and even though the rooms are a little teensy, it is right inside the CAdventures park and that is a big plus! We are actually going to be there next week for a five night stay at the GC, and we are also flying into LAX. We rent a limo and let the driver get us there safe and sound...and it's not much more than the shuttle! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Lizboo]

Thanks everyone..I am so excited..we made the deposit on the package today!!

 

[onelilspark]

We just came back a few weeks ago from a DLR trip, it was my first trip, while I've been to WDW a lot.
I had a really wonderful time, half the fun was comparing everything!

I had to laugh about the counter service being better in DLR than in WDW. I totally disagree. But I also think it has to do with the fact that I know where the good food is at WDW!