Who wants to help a WDW vet with my 1st trip to Disneyland??? All DL vets welcome!

[KateDrake]

Thanks for all the great advice. BWPP and FF seem like very good picks. I don't expect them to be like staying in a disney resort, but I just want to be comfortable when we are sleeping, and near by. I still hope we can swim. My son is part fish, so unless it's frozen it's going to be hard to keep him out.
Kinda nervous about the crowds, we usually go in lower seasons to WDW. My BIL is a principal, and they only go during breaks. Sometimes it's the price you have to pay to be with your family.

Don't get too worried about crowds. Our experience has been that the streets seem completely stuffed to the gills, but even though you feel like you can hardly move, the wait times are much more manageable than at WDW. I'd highly recommend planning out your day though, so you can utilize child swap, send a runner for FPs, etc. That's always hardest for me when traveling with family or friends, it seems like we stand around forever deciding what to do next.

I think you will be happy with BWPP or FFI. Here's my thoughts on on vs. off property. I would never, ever, upon pain of death, stay off property at WDW. It is way too far to drive in every day, and we love being completely immersed in the magic. We don't rent a car, and just use the boats, buses and monorail to get around. We usually go for Free Dining too, so we spend a lot of time eating at our fav restaurants. For us, WDW is about being completely immersed in the Disney magic. It's a big expense, and takes tons of planning, and we always stay at least a week.

At Disneyland, it's entirely different. We live close enough to drive if we want. Or we take a cheap flight and don't bother to rent a car. The real focus for us here is on park time. We stay somewhere cheap within walking distance, and stay at the park pretty much all day. We park hop a ton, and mostly eat quick service meals. If we want to have a TS meal, we call that day and get a reservation. Even staying at the Disney hotels, it's not the same immersive experience that you get at WDW. But it's still great! It's actually kind of fun to walk back into the magic each morning. It makes that early morning trek across the street seem so much easier as you enter the magic and get geared up for the day. That, coupled with the fact we can walk to the main gate from our hotel in about 7 minutes, means we can sleep a little later than we would if we were trying to catch a bus to hit rope drop at WDW.

Either way, it's great, and if I had unlimited funds I'd totally stay on property. But at $300 a night, we could pay for off-property stays on two trips. So for us, it's worth it to be able to come back again!

 

[jimmysmom74]

Thanks KateDrake, I really appreciate it! I'm excited to be having a different disny experience this year. You all have pointed out some really awesome tips. The info about FP return times not enforced,and the "disconnected" rides are so valuable. I am interested in having a more laid back approach to disney and not being held done by ADR and FP return times. It sounds great!!! Still will use a good touring plan though.

 

[KCmike]

I'll chime in on the hotel. You get what you pay for here. I have heard mediocre things at best on this one. I would stay on Harbor Blvd close to the gates. My top three are Fairfield Inn, HOJO, or Best Western Park Place Inn. If you can swing it dollar wise I would stay at either Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel before staying outside.

I was a WDW vet who visited DL back in 2007 for the first time. I was hooked. I love it there and now consider it my home park.

 

[Tara2004]

We have all the experience of disney world, but yet to experience disneyland. Love to see what you guy talk about.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Since we go to DLR at this time every other year, I will do my best to add in my two cents...
Here's what I know typed in green:

1. My SIL booked a room for 5 nights at the comfort inn maingate. Anyone stay here before? It seems like a pretty far walk to Disney Property?? Is this the best good neighbor option? Any suggestions?? Are the three disney hotels worth the $?
Stay closer..... if you want to see where things are here is a great map that shows you where these hotels all lie in relation to the pedestrian entrance-
http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp this will help you visualize where everything is.

2. Best options for Thanksgiving dinner? Is the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom the best choice or somewhere else?
We usually fly in the day after Thanksgiving, but we have some friends who were there T-day a few years back and they went to Mimi's (offsite across the street) and said it was a great traditional T-day meal for a fraction of the price of some of the DLR onsite buffets.... so since this will be our first year actually being there on T-day we will be heading across the street to Mimi's

3. When the say crowds are a 10, how does that compare to WDW crowds?
We went to WDW last Christmas and crowds were rated a 10.... it was insanely busy.... more so that I have ever felt at DLR when it was a 10. But still, it's hard to gauge how they come to that rating, and at what point is it well beyond a 10?

4. Can you swim in Nov?We are from Seattle area and my boys swim every single time we go.... no problem there!

5. Any dining options that are not to be missed?
Our must do's are Blue Bayou, Corn Dog from the cart on Main Street, Napa Rose, Carnation Cafe, Rancho del Zocalo- mexican counter service inside DL (super yum), and Whitewater Snacks over in the Grand Californian (a great counter service best kept secret... just get there through the GC entrance to DCA). The one's on our list for must try this next trip are Carthay Circle, and then I have been reading rave reviews lately about the Cove Bar over in DCA so I am adding that to our list.

6. Should we try to get res. for fantasmic desert pkg.? Or world of colors dinner pkg.?
If you can swing it then Yes and Yes to both! We have done the Fantasmic dessert and it was a great one time splurge. This year since we are gonna try Carthay Circle anyways I figure why not get dining FP's too?!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cinderpamela]

And I should add.... here is the info on Mimi's Thanksgiving meal from last year just FYI:
http://www.mimiscafe.com/NewsEntry.aspx?id=113

 

[jimmysmom74]

Thanks Pam, great advice! We have for sure decided to stay closer to property. We are thinking either BWPPI or FF. Any opinion which is better?
I hope to sway my SIL into switching hotels, but she seems a little reluctant. they reserved a kid suite which is unavailable at my choice hotels. When I mentioned staying on property she said no way. I recommended the POLY for them for their WDW trip last year and they did not feel it was worth the $, so they want to stay off site. We will be doing the Blue Bayou, my son loves pirates, and your other suggestion sound really good as well. going to look into them.
Glad to hear from a swimming family-at least we won't be the only ones in the pool.

 

[Cinderpamela]

The only one of those 2 hotels that I have any experience with is the FF and that was just through some friends who stayed there. They normally stayed onsite, but just could not justify the cost on this particular trip.... they said the FF was a nice clean room, and exactly what they paid for, and they would stay again. Nothing super exiting but a good value for what it was.

When we have stayed offsite we have done two of the Sheratons in the area (DH has Starwood points)... the Sheraton Park and the Sheraton Anaheim. The Park is within walking distance but its a LONG walk for kids (about a mile) at the end of the day so I wouldn't recommend it if you want to be able to walk (although its way closer than the one your SIL is staying at). The Anaheim has its own dedicated shuttle and that was nice, but could be frustrating late at night when you just wanted to get back to your room and had to wait.

 

[lana772]

Lots of good advice here.

I just want to push lunch at the Blue Bayou. A few people here mentioned it, but I want to point out that it is completely unique. There is nothing at WDW that is like it. Sitting at a waterside table enjoying the peaceful atmosphere is something you don't want to miss.

 

[SkRiderMom]

Jimmysmom74 I think you'll really appreciate staying at a closer hotel, especially given that you have a 5 yr old and want to take afternoon breaks. We have stayed at the Carousel and Tropicana before and I would have no problem recommending either of those hotels. Tropicana has a nicer pool and a hot tub and Carousel had a slightly better continental breakfast. Our next trip (the week after US Thanksgiving) we will be at BWPPI which my sil stayed at and they really liked. Though they thought our pool at Tropicana was better.

My kids have gone swimming on both of our previous trips (Dec. and Jan.) and even in the evening. The walk back to the room is chilly but they hopped right in the hot shower and in to bed. Of course we're Canadians so we thought it was pretty darn warm even if the locals were wearing toques and parkas.

If your sil really wants the kids suite you could get her to take a look at the one offered at Carousel. Remind her that after a long day of walking through the parks not having to wait for a shuttle will be really, really nice.

 

[jimmysmom74]

SKridermom, I absolutely agree. Thanks for the advice on how to talk to my SIL. We are pretty close, so I will try to explain to her the benefits of being closer to property. I didn't really look at tropicana, I will take a look before I book tonight. I am leaning to the FFI. It's sounds pretty nice,except no breakfast.
Lana772 for sure we will do the blue bayou. My son loves POTC, so it was an easy sell. Thanks!

 

[rsleleux]

SKridermom, I absolutely agree. Thanks for the advice on how to talk to my SIL. We are pretty close, so I will try to explain to her the benefits of being closer to property. I didn't really look at tropicana, I will take a look before I book tonight. I am leaning to the FFI. It's sounds pretty nice,except no breakfast.
Lana772 for sure we will do the blue bayou. My son loves POTC, so it was an easy sell. Thanks!

Mimi's is right next door and they have amazing breakfast and you can join mimisclub 2weeks before your trip and there are buy one get one free coupons that are sent to your email! It was so good we ate there twice! We are staying at FFI in Oct and plan to go back, even without a coupon it is very reasonable and so yummy!

 

[IBLarsen]

SKridermom, I absolutely agree. Thanks for the advice on how to talk to my SIL. We are pretty close, so I will try to explain to her the benefits of being closer to property. I didn't really look at tropicana, I will take a look before I book tonight. I am leaning to the FFI. It's sounds pretty nice,except no breakfast.
Lana772 for sure we will do the blue bayou. My son loves POTC, so it was an easy sell. Thanks!

I agree on the no breakfast offered at FFI! However, we make due and of course are happy enough with the FFI to continue staying there, but breakfast would be an added bonus for sure!

In addition to Mimi's mentioned in previous post, there is also a restaurant called Millies in the same parking lot as FFI and in front of FFI is also McDonalds. Mimi's we love, but Millies is actually very decent as well! I think you can order them from your room for delivery, however we haven't done this, we just walk over. You can also get breakfast sandwiches and juice/milk down on the 3rd floor in the Pizza hut place.
So even though you do have to pay, you still have very convenient options.

On a side note, if you haven't found it yet, you can also do Grocery Delivery to your hotel through Vons (I think is the preferred place on here) There are links, but you'd have to search. You can get free delivery for the first order.
We in the past have been able to do things like cereal/milk in the mornings for the kids and then have a snack mid-morning in the parks. FFI does have small fridges. We pack plastic bowls/spoons/napkins in our suitcase along with a few snack items, and as we use it up, it leaves room in our suitcase for souvies.
Sorry, likely way more info than you were looking for!

 

[jimmysmom74]

Great tip about the groceries, we may do that. My DS is so excited to get to the parks he will want something quick and easy so we can get out early. Sitting in any restaurant w/ a 5 y/o ready to jump out of his skin is no fun.