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

[jimmysmom74]

My sister-in-law and her family decided we should spend thanksgiving in Disneyland. I have been there before (1999), but WDW is my knowledge base, not CA or DL. Please help me make some good choices, and any advice is well appreciated.
I did read the thread, DL for WDW vets ( which was awesome) and I have been lurking all weekend, but still could use some advice.

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 $?
2. Best options for Thanksgiving dinner? Is the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom the best choice or somewhere else?
3. When the say crowds are a 10, how does that compare to WDW crowds?
4. Can you swim in Nov?
5. Any dining options that are not to be missed?
6. Should we try to get res. for fantasmic desert pkg.? Or world of colors dinner pkg.?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ValpoCory]

What are the ages of all attendees?

 

[KateDrake]

You guys are going to have so much fun! How great that you get to go with your family. I'll try my hand at your questions by number.

1. I haven't stayed here, but I've found that "Good Neighbor" status doesn't mean much. There are some great hotels that aren't considered good neighbors, and others that have the "Good Neighbor" distinction and are pretty horrible. If you are looking for a place nearby, Best Western Park Place Inn is right across the street, and gets pretty good reviews. HoJo Anaheim seems to be the most popular on this board, but there are tons of others.
The three Disney hotels are all more like WDW Deluxe hotels, so they aren't a good option if you are trying to save money. But they are really nice! It just depends on what you are looking for in a hotel.
2. I haven't done Thanksgiving at DLR, because we always end up with our family in Orange County if we go at that time of year. But I've heard it's awesome!
3. Crowds are a tough one. Disneyland is much, much smaller than WDW, so it can seem incredibly crowded, but the lines are still decent length. So it may seem like there are just a ton more people, simply because there just isn't a lot of space. Just like WDW, you want to come armed with a good plan of attack to collect FPs and minimize the amount of time you spend waiting.
4. As for swimming, I think that depends on the individual. My Cali cousins are wearing parkas in November in SoCal, while I'm in capris and a T-shirt. When we went around Halloween last year high temps were in the 80s, and we had no problem swimming. So bring your suits, and see how you feel when you arrive.
5. Dining is an entirely different animal here. But there are some not to be missed places. My fav is Cafe Orleans, but I'm eager to try the new Carthay Circle at DCA. It looks amazing! There is a great thread on here somewhere about the differences in dining between WDW and DLR, I highly recommend checking that out.
6. I would try to hit both WOC and F! while you are there, if you can. You can do either without a dining reservation, but it is nice to minimize the amount of time you have to wait with a reservation. I'm doing the WOC package with Carthay Circle on our next trip, because it's my fav show of the two, and the food is supposed to be fantastic! If you are a WDW vet, you absolutely MUST see WOC, since there is nothing like that back East. But F! is much better in it's original, so try to hit both!
Hope you guys have an awesome trip!

 

[Mrs D]

Awesome timing on this thread! I too am a WDW vet and have just booked my family's first trip to DL! I am beyond excited! Thanks for the tips so far - off to check out Stickies!

 

[juliebug1997]

6. I would try to hit both WOC and F! while you are there, if you can. You can do either without a dining reservation, but it is nice to minimize the amount of time you have to wait with a reservation. I'm doing the WOC package with Carthay Circle on our next trip, because it's my fav show of the two, and the food is supposed to be fantastic! If you are a WDW vet, you absolutely MUST see WOC, since there is nothing like that back East. But F! is much better in it's original, so try to hit both!
Hope you guys have an awesome trip!

Is there an F! dining package like at WDW?

 

[Huff]

1: Comfort Inn Maingate is quite a long walk to DL/CA gates. You could walk to Disney's Toystory parking lot across Harbor from the convention center just south of Harbor/Katella. We have stayed here before. The hotel grounds are very budget motel'ish but the rooms are very large and nice especially the family suite rooms. Breakfast is cereals, waffles, fruit etc. For a suite room with 2 queens and a kids room with bunks we paid $70 and it was great for a budget motel. Not sure I'd pay $100+ rack rate when there are better choices for less.

2: Have not have T-Day dinner there. Check all of the area resorts as most should have a T-Day buffet.

3: A 10 crowd rating means it will certainly be VERY crowded. Disneyland is physically smaller with narrower walkways than Magic Kingdom so less people seems far more crowded. However, DL has more rides and attractions than MK so while lines are lengthy they are not as bad as WDW can get. FP's and hopping are a MUST since the two parks are minutes apart.

4: Yes. Most pools are heated and most afternoons in Nov. are sunny and warm but nights can be cold.

5: Big thunder BBQ is one of our favorites. Very good food especially their desserts.

6: Fantasmic Dessert pkg does get you a great view without the hassle and wait. But its expensive for a 20 minute show. Only you can decide if its worth it. WOC pkgs do not get you a reserved viewing location. You would still have to wait with everyone else with the package.

 

[Huff]

Is there an F! dining package like at WDW?

No. Only a dessert package. At WDW F! is in front of a stadium. At DL F! is on the Rivers of America in Frontierland. There are no seats. Everyone sits or stands around the river area, sort of like they do for Illuminations at Epcot. The dessert package gets you a reserved chair seating up close near center stage. Others can explain whats in the current dessert boxes as it changes from year to year.

For me and many others the F! show at DL is far superior to WDW's but the viewing area with seats is better at WDW.

 

[IBLarsen]

I remember being overwhelmed the first trip I planned to DLR, not knowing it! But now I can assure you it's actually much easier than WDW. Just logistically speaking, everything is in one area and walkable.

As for hotels, we love the Fairfield Inn. Easy walking and large clean rooms with comfortable beds. Hojo is again a favorite. Its a little further than the Fairfield, and when walking back at night we are DONE by the time we hit the fairfield and are always happy we don't have that one extra block to walk. So no matter where you go, keep in mind how tired you will be at the end of the day and you still have to get back.

We were in the parks last year on Thanksgiving day and we ate at Goofy's. So not a super traditional meal, but we always try to fit Goofys in once each trip, and we have young children. Goofy's did do traditional Turkey and some traditional sides along with other selections.

Parks were very crowded, but if you go first thing in the morning you can still get a lot done. We left the parks mid afternoon and did an early dinner ressie at Goofys, and glad we did that because the crowds were getting to be a lot by mid afternoon.

Last year we definitely needed coats in the mornings and evenings, it was quite chilly, not sure that I would want to swim, but I think last year a few locals told us it was unusually chilly for that time of year??

I hope you will love DLR as much as the rest of us

 

[JadeDarkstar]

id check the hotels across the street to not be so far away, maybe desert inn, hojos, or as im doing in oct quality inn? I know you can find some closer ones depending on how many are in your party and the ages.

F desert seating is 60 a person (about) and chr meals i wouldn't miss is the plaza inn minies breakfast. its one i do every time i go you can see 10chrs there and the foods good too.

I have been the week after thanksgiving before but not on thanksgiving im sure it will be busy but just plan things out know what you want to do each day.
Another meal for first timers would be blue bue has good food, and i love the view on the water side

 

[honeylove]

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 $?

I have never stayed there, but have stayed at a GNH and I didn't get much benefit from it. We just used the room to sleep in and actually parking in the M&F parking structure, walking didn't seem enticing especially after walking all day in the park.

In terms of DL hotels worth the money, yes, they are! I love GCA and always make an effort to stay there so you can walk in and out at CA Adventure!

2. Best options for Thanksgiving dinner? Is the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom the best choice or somewhere else?

Sorry, I have no say about this one... We had dinner off property for Thanksgiving.

3. When the say crowds are a 10, how does that compare to WDW crowds?

10 is horrendous!! The people, the traffic around Anahiem is torrential!! They actually stop allowing people in the park. We never again will attempt a DL on Thanksgiving weekend, IMHO it was not worth the time and effort!!

4. Can you swim in Nov?

It will be cooler. It doesn't mean people don't go swimming, but it will definitely be cooler at night.

5. Any dining options that are not to be missed?

I always eat the the Grand Californian's Storyteller Cafe!! We always go there for dinner, I love their AYE buffet!

6. Should we try to get res. for fantasmic desert pkg.? Or world of colors dinner pkg.?

World of Colors!!

 

[jimmysmom74]

WOW!!! Thanks everyone for your great advice!! We are really excited to be joining all you DIS disneylanders out there in California. I think all the info you have given me will really help.
We will plan to stay at one of the closer hotels, maybe hojo, bwpp, or FF. It is difficult for me to plan to stay off property, cause we always stay on property at WDW. Is it true that some of these hotels are closer then the disneyland hotel??
We will also plan to collect FPs throughout the day, and use them when rides are at there worst. I have always done this at WDW, so I think I can work a great plan out.
All your dining suggestions are very helpful. If anyone has Thanksgiving suggestions, even off property I would appreciate it.
We will plan WOC PKG, maybe F! Pkg.
We are from chicago, so we can usually swim anywhere a polar bear can, doesn't sound cold enough to sway us.
Thanks again!

 

[IBLarsen]

WOW!!! Thanks everyone for your great advice!! We are really excited to be joining all you DIS disneylanders out there in California. I think all the info you have given me will really help.
We will plan to stay at one of the closer hotels, maybe hojo, bwpp, or FF. It is difficult for me to plan to stay off property, cause we always stay on property at WDW. Is it true that some of these hotels are closer then the disneyland hotel??
We will also plan to collect FPs throughout the day, and use them when rides are at there worst. I have always done this at WDW, so I think I can work a great plan out.
All your dining suggestions are very helpful. If anyone has Thanksgiving suggestions, even off property I would appreciate it.
We will plan WOC PKG, maybe F! Pkg.
We are from chicago, so we can usually swim anywhere a polar bear can, doesn't sound cold enough to sway us.
Thanks again!

Yes, it is true that some of the hotels across the st on Harbor Blvd are indeed closer than the Disneyland Hotel I wouldn't stay off property at WDW either, but at DL I can't really justify the cost since it's all walkable and we just know that going to DLR isn't about the hotel/resort experience, it's about the parks! (Don't get me wrong, if it weren't such a huge price difference, I would still prefer on property, just hard to justify if you know what I mean).

As far as swimming, (with or without the Polar Bears) LOL! We are in Texas...so yes, we have quite a slightly different interpretation of warm weather Being from Chicago, you would likely be fine to swim in the middle of the day when it's at it's warmest.

 

[sechelt]

Everything at DL can be reached by walking, not at all like WDW. I understand it's an adjustment but you'll love the freedom and extra park time it allow.

We are DVC's so now stay at VGC but before, we always stayed off property. The Best Western PP is about the same distance as GC and I think closer than DL Hotel. You step out of the hotel and cross the street onto Disney property. Check out google maps to get an idea. You can zoom in and really judge for yourself.

If you can get to CA for park opening, you can get a fastpass for the blue section of WOC. We chose to stand on the bridge and the view was awesome. Our fastpass was free, but the lady beside us had bought a dinner or lunch package somewhere and got the same section. Really check it out. I personally wouldn't pay but there are lots of folks who say you must.

I've done both options for Fantasmic. The dessert guarantees a decent view but the times I've camped out at the railing were the best. There's nothing like feeling the mist on your face and being super close to ships as they pass. If you don't have time to stake out a spot early then the dessert might be better for you.

Blue Bayou restaurant offers dining inside the start of Pirates of the Caribbean. I try to eat there everytime. Ask for a water-side table so you can watch the boats go by, listen to the people, and hear the 'frogs'. It may take a bit longer to get your table but so worth it. It's my favourite of all the on-site restaurants. If you're looking to save money, there are lots of places on Harbor to eat including IHOP, McDonald's, Tony Roma's, Mimi's and Millies.

We've been to DL the week leading up to and including Thanksgiving. Crowds were low on Tuesday and Wednesday so we rode as many rides as we could. Some rides were closed but they opened for the long weekend and we rode then. It was crowded but because we'd already been in the parks for two days, we didn't feel pressured. 'Course, Carsland wasn't open so everthing might be different now. If you can, ride just before the parks are closing. Even in busy season, there can be little to no waiting. And you don't need to worry about fighting crowds for a bus back to your hotel, or evven waiting for a bus.

 

[jimmysmom74]

Super great tip. my son and nephews will love eating next to pirates.

 

[mom2tinkandmickey]

1. We have never stayed at Comfort Inn Maingate. We usually stay at Park Vue Inn. PVI is closer to the gates than any of the 3 DLR hotels. They only resort hotel we have stayed at is the Disneyland Hotel. The last 2 times we stayed they only had standard view rooms available. Both times our standard room was a tiny 2 queen room, with a view of the parking lot and power lines. Not very magical at $300 a night. For half the price, we are very happy staying across the street.

2&3. We usually arrive the day after Thanksgiving (2005-2010), but decided to go for the entire week last year. Crowds on Mon-Thurs felt heavier than Fri-Sun. We had dinner at the DLH Grand Ballroom. Reservations were for 5:00 (last seating, but we were not told that). We were seated about 5:45. The buffet was sadly picked over. We even had to hunt down mashed potatoes, because they had stopped refilling everything. There were 3 character photo ops that rotated. Chip & Dale, Pocahontas and Meeko, and Pinoccio and Gepetto. The cost for 3 adults and 1 child was $263.00 with AP discount. We won't be back this year.

4. I don't think my kids have ever swam in November, but I see people swimming year round.

5. We enjoy Cafe' Orleans and Carnation Cafe at Disneyland. We tend to just nibble here and there at DCA.

6. We are F! fans. We have always been very under whelmed by WOC. Lots of people will disagree. We did the F! dessert package once. We didn't feel it was worth the extra cost.

Have fun planning!

 

[dsny1mom]

WOW!!! Thanks everyone for your great advice!! We are really excited to be joining all you DIS disneylanders out there in California. I think all the info you have given me will really help.
We will plan to stay at one of the closer hotels, maybe hojo, bwpp, or FF. It is difficult for me to plan to stay off property, cause we always stay on property at WDW. Is it true that some of these hotels are closer then the disneyland hotel??
We will also plan to collect FPs throughout the day, and use them when rides are at there worst. I have always done this at WDW, so I think I can work a great plan out.
All your dining suggestions are very helpful. If anyone has Thanksgiving suggestions, even off property I would appreciate it.
We will plan WOC PKG, maybe F! Pkg.
We are from chicago, so we can usually swim anywhere a polar bear can, doesn't sound cold enough to sway us.
Thanks again!

If you are accustomed to staying on site at WDW you may not feel totally emersed at an off site motel in Anaheim. Some compare the motels to the Values at WDW but I don't think they are as nice as the values and many are older and well just basic motels. While there may be less steps to the front gate from one of the motels accross the street you will be leaving the Disney bubble and for some that just doesn't feel as magical. YMMV

We live in the Chicagoland area too and have spent many a Nov and Dec at DLR. We've had more days where we needed coats and gloves VS swim wear. Again YMMV.

dsny1mom

 

[jimmysmom74]

I totally understand that off site is not the disney feel you get on site.
My SIL already book comfort inn maingate.
I just don't think I can stay with a 5 y/o that far away and walk everyday back and forth(or shuttle). We like to take breaks in the day, and we sometimes need to leave the parks. It doesn't seem practical with it being crowded. I still have to break the news to her, but I think she will understand and maybe I can talk her into where ever we chose.
Thanks for listening new friends!!

 

[squirrel]

When I go to WDW I stay on property. For DL, I stay off. There aren't very many advantages to staying on property like there is for WDW.

I have stayed at BWPPI and have reservations for September. The room I had was large-sofabed, desk, tv, armoire, king bed, fridge, and microwave. I thought the free breakfast was good. I've heard it has improved since I was there and they now offer some hot items (sausage, egg patties, waffles). It is so close to the main gates.

Hopping is super easy.

I haven't been during a holiday. I know when I went in 2007 after Labour Day I thought it was really crowded. I think the narrow pathways make it feel really crowded if you are use to WDW.

 

[rsleleux]

I totally understand that off site is not the disney feel you get on site.
My SIL already book comfort inn maingate, she didn't consult me before she booked and kinda just assumed I would go there. She knows I am disneyaholic, and her first discussion with me is " you can plan everything". Which I love, but I wish she would have talked hotel with me. I still love her though.
I just don't think I can stay with a 5 y/o that far away and walk everyday back and forth(or shuttle). We like to take breaks in the day, and we sometimes need to leave the parks. It doesn't seem practical with it being crowded. I still have to break the news to her, but I think she will understand and maybe I can talk her into where ever we chose.
Thanks for listening new friends!!

I always stay on property at WDW, usually the moderates w dinning plan and we go every year. We are WDW vets! We went to Disneyland for the first time in May and it was such a great experience that we are going back in October! When we went in May, we stayed at the Hojo and it was fine. I will say at the end of the day the walk gets really really long! This time we will stay at FFI, just a tiny bit closer. When we had breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen, I realized the walk to the Disneyland Hotel was just as far! Btw, I recommend Goofy's Kitchen (def better than Chef Mickey's). Also we loved WOC, we did the dinner pkg at Ariel's Grotto and it was amazing! The view was the best(didn't know I needed a poncho but so worth it!) we ate lunch at Cafe Orleans and was also pleased with our meal!

We used park hoppers as it was so easy to go back and forth (we never do it at WDW but I think it's the way to go for your first visit!) we would get park hoppers again but we decided not to so that we could get Halloween party tickets.

I will say the difference I noticed in park attendance at DLR vs WDW was that around 3-5 lots of locals arrived and the parks were really crowded so on a day that is a 10, it will be insanely packed! When we went it was a 7 and after Fantasmic everyone was elbow to elbow walking out of the park! I've never seen it that packed at WDW but of course we go off season!

I loved DLR! It was easy and laid back (except for that Fri night) I didn't feel like it was less magical because we didn't stay on property, it was just a totally different trip than WDW! It was a great trip and felt magical! I wouldn't consider staying offsite at WDW but I can't justify the price for the DLR hotels after paying for plane tickets! The walk wasn't bad from Hojo about 7-8 mins but at the end of the day, I was jealous of the people getting on the shuttles! In the morning, we were fine and excited to start our day! The walk was easy then.

 

[jimmysmom74]

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.