WDW veteran needs Disneyland help

[PoohBear]

A hole just opened in my hubby's schedule and it looks like we will be taking the family to Disneyland for the first time in 2-3 weeks. So, I need to get planning now
I am reading through the boards as quickly as I can trying to figure out which hotel, what kind of tickets, which airport, etc. But I still can't seem to figure out how much time we should stay. We usually go to WDW for two weeks every year but when I said two weeks people are telling me that is way too long for Disneyland.
Our situation is this: I am disabled. I don't like scooters (no judgement, just personal preference), so I walk slow and require frequent bench stops. We also like to repeat favorite rides over and over again. This is why we do two weeks at WDW.
Taking that into consideration, how long would a first timer need to see and do it all with repeats. This will probably be our one and only trip, since the flight from Philly will be physically hard on me. I welcome everyone's input on any aspect of planning this trip. I value everyone's opinion.
Thank you!
Ttfn

 

[tlovesdis]

Going slow I would say at least 5 days, maybe one or two more. You should know that a lot of hotels are already going to be booked up for the time frame you are looking at. You may have a hard time finding something close by. You may need to stay farther away and use the ART shuttle system. There is a lot going on at DL this holiday season. Also, you can only buy a 5 day hopper. DL doesn't offer anything longer so if you are going to do more than 5 days you will need to get either an AP (Deluxe is $599) or the 5 day and then additional separate 1, 2 , 3 day tickets (depending on how many days you want).

I hope this helps a little!

 

[figment_jii]

Taking that into consideration, how long would a first timer need to see and do it all with repeats.

I think it does depend on when you say "do it all" do you really mean do everything at least once or would you be okay with skipping some things (and perhaps focusing on the things that are unique to DLR)? I think you'd need at least 5 days to do everything, including the shows and all entertainment. If you wanted to go slow and repeat things, you'll need more time than that.

I would also ask when you say "2-3 weeks" which is it? Things are going to be pretty different in terms of crowds if you're going in two weeks (Nov 6) versus three weeks (Nov 13). Three weeks from today (Nov 13) is the kickoff to the holiday season, along with being the Avengers Marathon (Thu to Sun) and the start of Season of the Force (Nov 16). If you're going around Nov 6, I think the crowds will be more manageable, but if you're going around Nov 13 (or thereafter), expect pretty high crowds.

I highly recommend taking a look at HydroGuy's A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It'll help give you a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

 

[GatorChris]

I would go maybe 4 or 5 days. You'll see a lot of things that you see at WDW, but with a few additions that you'll want to do. 4 days gives you 2 days in each park, and that should be a good amount of time.

Season of the Force starts on Nov 16 so there will be some cool stuff starting that week. The week before, Space Mt will be down. And this version is way better than the WDW version so you want to definitely try it.

For hotels, the ones that are within close walking distance are booked by now. Of course, it sounds like you wouldn't be able to handle that much anyway. You may want to try Portofino Inn and Suites. They have lower prices with good rooms and they're close to an ART bus stop. It's sorta like the WDW bus system, but without the Disney magic. And it costs money. Here's a link to a map of hotels: http://anaheim-attractions.10-best.info/disney_map.pdf

 

[ktlm]

DL only offers a 5 day hopper, so after that you would have to start your ticket price over from day on. We typically spend 4 full almost open to close days in the parks and could easily spend longer. With your situation I would say at least that 5 day hoppers worth. If you don't might having to start over with the ticket price, you probably could spend a couple of more days there easily, especially since you usually spend 2 weeks at WDW and this may be your only DLR trip. DLR may be a lot smaller than WDW, but they pack a lot into the space they have.

If you are looking to stay on property, we really enjoy the Disneyland Hotel. Being a WDW vet, the Grand Californian is beautiful, but it has a very similar feel to the Wilderness Lodge (just a scaled down version), and while we love WL, we like having a totally different experience than DLR. GC does have an entrance directly into California Adventure Park, which is nice, but if you are trying to get there at rope drop, then you are usually better off going to the front entrance anyway as the line at that entrance is long and as the front entrance gives a head start to the attractions. Other times of the day, the GC entrance is great. If you do not want to spend the money to stay on property, the Howard Johnson's typically gets good reviews.

You definitely want hoppers. Unlike WDW where hopping is a big time investment, DLR is like one big park. You can be out of one park and into the other in about 2 minutes. There is just a small plaza between them and the walk from one park to the other is shorter than the walk from the stop where the bus lets you off to the gate at most of the WDW parks. We go back and forth all day at DLR. It is so nice if one park is a little crowded to be able to just move to the other.

As far as airports, for convenience we like Orange County/John Wayne (SNA). It is about a 10 or 15 minute driver from DLR and we have never run into bad traffic. They do not have ME like WDW, but there is a shuttle service you can pay for if you do not want to rent a car or get a cab. We have always rented a car because we typically drive down to the San Diego area for a few days after our DLR stay.

The great thing about DLR is that you do not have to plan that far ahead. Dining reservations are 60 days out. The menus are on allears.net just like the WDW menus. Even though you are 2 or 3 weeks out, you can probably still get most dining reservations pretty easily. We find DLR counter service better than WDW, and also we have been able to get some good same day reservations there. On thing to think about is that if you plan to see Fantasmic, you have to have a FP for it, and unlike WDW there is no arena and it is all standing during the show. The only way not to stand is to do one of the 2 premium Fantasmic dining packages- then you can sit, but you are seated on the ground. If you do Blue Bayou, you are given a little cushion to sit on. I don't know how any of that will work with your disability, but Fantasmic at DLR is much better than WDW.

World of Color is also standing only. When we have done the dining package, we have elected to go to the wet zone. They will usually let you sit on the ground there to wait, until about 10 minutes before the show starts, then they come through and have everyone stand up. We love it down there, but you will want to bring and wear ponchos, especially if it is cooler weather, as if the wind is blowing the right way, you can get soaked. We always just bring dollar poncho and throw them away as we leave. I also bring a big ziplock bag in my purse to stick my purse in so it doesn't get wet.

Don't miss Aladdin! It is closing in January (to make way for a Frozen show) and we think it is the best show we have ever seen on any Disney property.

Have a great trip!!!!!

 

[Butterfly123]

We usually do 4 days, but this past summer with the crowds due to the 60th we did 5, and needed every one of those days. It had been a couple of years since we had been there, and knew it would be a couple more until we got back, so we wanted to do as much as possible. I wouldn't have minded a couple more days, but realistically we were pretty exhausted after 5 busy, hot, crowded days.

 

[Canuck16]

The maximum ticket at DLR is 5 days so get that plus the hopper option so you can switch between the parks when ever you like.

If you can fly into SNA airport that would be a lot better than LAX. SNA is a smaller airport and much closer to DLR.

Have a great trip.....Disneyland is awesome!!

 

[PoohBear]

I love all of you wonderful people.
Thank you so much for all of your input. It is difficult for me to try to tackle a trip on such short notice but you have helped make things so much easier on me. And with my illness hampering my planning, I just cannot express how much I truly appreciate everyone's help.

Ttfn

 

[Khokhonutt]

If you haven't already, check out the pinned thread, DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! in this forum. Under "Hydroguy's Super Threads and Tips" you will find A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. We're in the process of planning our first DLR trip, having been to WDW many times. The info everyone has provided here is good stuff. That guide though really hits the nail on the head on the different things to consider for a WDW vet.

For what it's worth, we've typically done 8-9 day trips at WDW and we're planning on 5 day park hoppers for DLR. While staying on property isn't considered a necessity at DLR, we're looking at one of the DLR resort hotels. Good luck with your plans.

 

[StormyCA]

Remember there are only two parks at DLR, as opposed to WDW's four, and the parks are smaller so not quite as much walking from place to place. I'm a slow mover, too, due to a bad ankle and we usually do 5 days, onsite. It usually works out to 2 1/2 days at DL, 1 1/2 days at DCA for us, but YMMV. We usually take a 2-3 hour mid-day break back at the hotel during the day (much easier onsite).