Well, here goes!

[Rhonda]

I've never been to Disneyland, so when my hubby asked me the other day where I wanted to go for our anniversary this year (March) I said "Disneyland!!"

Where do I start? I can tell you anything you need to know about planning a WDW vacation! LOL! But, I know NOTHING about Disneyland!

We'd be going March 10-12 (3 nights). I need suggestions on where to stay, what kind of tickets to get, how to plan our days, etc. We have a DC membership.

Thanks!

- Rhonda
Camping Board Co-Moderator
rhonda@wdwinfo.com

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#006600> Congrats, Rhonda~ You're going to have so much fun!!

If you can afford it, stay onsite... DL Hotel or Grand Californian... There are a lot of hotels just across the street, too, and a quick look on this board & the DL Trip Report board should give you an idea of what to expect.... Then again, there is the WDW/DL thread that gives you a good idea of the differences, and what to look for.

Fantasmic - don't miss it!!!
Use fastpass when you can. It will come in handy.
Do early entry if you can. This will give you some good non-crowded time.

Other locals and DL afficionados will add to this, I'm sure.

Are you planning on going to DCA, also?

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#FF0066>Mary Jo

Disneyland Board Co-Moderator

My Disneyland Site
My Sequoia/Yosemite Trip

Dress Up Your Posts

 

[Rhonda]

Yes, we would like to do DCA also! We would have about 2-1/2 days total to do both DCA and DL. Is this enough time? Is Downtown Disney the same as DD at WDW?

- Rhonda
Camping Board Co-Moderator
rhonda@wdwinfo.com

[This message was edited by Rhonda on 01-02-01 at 05:31 PM.]

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#006600>Disneyland is best if you can do it two days, but 1 day there, 1 day @ DCA, and one day at Downtown Disney/hotels should be nice. My relatives come often to LA, and they have always spent just one day at DL. Since you've been to WDW, I would encourage you to concentrate on the differences - don't try and see everything, but decide on the must-see attractions (including Fantasmic), use fastpass, and enjoy the ambience of DL, as well as the attractions themselves. The WDW/DL thread should help you a lot here.

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#FF0066>Mary Jo

Disneyland Board Co-Moderator

My Disneyland Site
My Sequoia/Yosemite Trip

Dress Up Your Posts

 

[Charlieanna]

Rhonda, you will love it! I'm sure you will find tons of good tips on this board. In regard to how to plan your time there, I would get a guide book or pour over the official Disneyland site and print the park maps, etc. Then you can really select what interests you and plan to do it in a logical fashion. At the very least, you'll have a rough outline. I've heard good things about the Fairfield Inn, but by all means, if you can afford to stay on Disney property, do so. I would go with the Grand Californian if you can. The Disneyland and the Paradise Pier hotels were already in existence before the new park was added (although they are both greatly spruced up, and Paradise Pier has been "themed"). The official Disney site has the DCA stuff up now. In fact I think it has its own whole site. You could compare the downtown areas this way.

 

[parmtoo]

Hi Rhonda!

Congrats on your DL trip! I'm finding there is nothing like FW in the DL area, <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">
We're planning our first trip too, I guess we may have to "settle" for hotels, huh. LOL

Robin P.
FW 75-80,89
offsite 88,93,94,95,96,97,98
FW 99
Next Trip Dec.2000 FW

 

[LuvTigger]

Definitely try to go on Indiana Jones first thing! If you're like me, you will probably want to go on that ride as many times as you can, it's different every time! Also, there's no Matterhorn at WDW, so you'll probably want to do that. (Word of warning though, Matterhorn seems to be "broken" a lot!) The train ride around the park is slightly different too.

Have a great time!

 

[LuvTigger]

Sorry, one more thing! The Blue Bayou is a restaurant inside the Pirates ride, I think it's great in atmosphere and the food too. I believe that you can only make ressies once you get into the park and not before, at the restaurant itself.