Why is it so much different to book DL than WDW

[janatmovies]

Hello all. I am planning a trip to DL in 2013 and I am finding it to be more hard than the one I have booked for September of this year.
So I see there are only 3 DL hotels and then "good neighbor" hotels. And those DL hotels are out of my price range
I am not sure about renting a car. Is it expensive to do that out there? (I'm from NY) I have been to California twice but it was over 10 years ago when I was a teen. I am very unfamiliar with the area.
I am hoping to do 3 days in DL, 1 day in Universal, 1 day in Seaworld, with an extra 1 or 2 days for beach and Hollywood sightseeing. Has anyone done this WITHOUT renting a car?
What is the best place to stay? I am thinking about a split say, one near DL for our DL days, then one in Universal City for the rest of it. Don't know how I'd manage all of this without a car...but I am kind of scared to drive I heard its hard driving out there...
Also flights are expensive and long to CA, but I really want to see Cars Land so badly!

I am finding it so tough compared to my WDW trip. Flights are 200 RT, 2.5 hrs, Magical Express takes us to resort, transportation all throughout the world, great price on a value with Free Dining. So I am going from a no brainer trip to a much harder one, especially adding Universal and Seaworld into the mix.

Any advice on flights, ground transportation, hotels, or general trip planning would be so much appreciated.

 

[HydroGuy]

DLR will be different than WDW. WDW is actually very hard to plan for. Much more than DLR. But once you learn how to plan for WDW then all of sudden DLR looks hard because you know the drill at WDW so well.

Regardless, if you want to stay offsite I always advise folks to stay at a walking distance hotel. WDW vets are too comfortable with busses and trams, and think staying further away from DLR will be no big deal. Staying close can really make a huge difference in your trip. Note that not everyone agrees with me and they prefer to stay further away at a nicer hotel. I say that when we are at DLR a nicer offsite hotel is just not worth it and we will stay at a nicer hotel when we go somewhere else. Otherwise we want to be close. Check out the links in this thread:

"HydroGuy's High Season/Off Season Tradeoff Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199852

If you want some hotel review then check MaryJos sticky:

* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

Air and ground transportation is more complicated than at WDW because DLR is in SoCal and WDW is in Florida. In SoCal DLR is a small fish in a big pond. In WDW they are a big fish in a small pond. Basically you should fly into SNA if possible and then take a taxi or save a little money and go on a shuttle.

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

Finally, there is way, way, WAY more to do in SoCal than in central Florida. Some folks like to come to DLR and just focus on all the theme parks like they do when in Orlando. But you can really branch out in SoCal and I think your plan to go to the beach and Hollywood is a good start. But there is lots more and I think getting away from pure theme parks and enjoying California and neighboring states is worth while. Las Vegas. Grand Canyon. Yosemite. San Francisco. Lake Tahoe. Wine Country. Big Sur. Etc., etc.

This thread has lot of tips geared towards WDW vets. Give it a try!

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Mr Snappy]

WDW is a vacation destination....for a week. BY DESIGN, they get you at the airport and you are not released until they get you back to the airport. It's great for planning, but not so much for the pocketbook.

Some will disagree, but DLR is NOT a whole-week destination. Disneyland was never designed to capture guests from airport arrival to airport departure like WDW is. The three Disney hotels are just plain rip-offs and should be avoided in my opinion. They are nice, but you can get world-class accomodations just blocks away for half the price.

I know most NY'ers have a hard time with cars...and I would too if I lived there...but California was designed around the automobile. My suggestion is get a GPS device and rent a car.

 

[Amy&Dan]

While I love the onsite hotels at DL, they are very expensive and not nearly as necessary the way staying onsite is at WDW.

For what you want to do, rent a car. L.A. is big and the traffic is heavy, but its pretty easy to get around. Definitely get a GPS with your rental if you don't have your own.

I would stay near to DL for that portion of the trip, then move over near Hollywood and Universal for that, and then stay down in San Diego for the Sea World and beach stuff. That's three hotels but to me that would be easiest for what you want to do.

As for the DL part, there are many great offiste hotels that are as close or closer than the onsite ones. We like the Hojo, the Best Western Park Place Inn and the Tropicana. The last two I mention are literally less than five minutes to the turnstiles. The Hojo is a bit further but still an 8-10 minute walk up a very well travelled, safe, pedestrian friendly street.

I find WDW easy as far as lodging since I know I'll always stay onsite and the ME thing is very nice. DL does have more lodging scenarios, especially daunting for a first timer, but after that its so much easier to plan. Park hopping is so easy, not the time consuming task it is at WDW. Just remember that your first trip to WDW probably felt overwhelming too! I think its easy to think that its all Disney and therefore all the same, only to start researching and find out its not all the same. But if you read this board, especially Hydroguys' links/threads, you will fall right into it and be very well prepared.

The best part of a DL vacation is the weather (little to no humidty) and the fact its Walt's park.

I do think three days is enough. I like to do four or more at DL but three, even with all the new stuff will still give you a very good experience. I am always wanting and scheming to find a way to stay for as long as possible at DL, but then I also do shorter trips and still get done what I need to. That's what is nice about DL. You can do most everything in a short time, but you can also (if you so desire) make it longer since there is so much to do. I do think for you, doing other things in Southern California is your best bet and we have done trips where we did Los Angeles and San Diego and those were awesome week or longer trips where we felt like we saw and did so much.

Rent the car, for what you want to do, especially San Diego, its your only option and you will be fine.

 

[erocrobro]

I agree with what everyone else has said. Last year, I planned for a trip to WDW and it seemed so easy, then this year I was planning for a trip to DL and it seemed so hard and confusing. Just stick with these boards, ask what you need to ask, and people here are so helpful. It really made our vacation so much easier by following the advice I got here.

We did 10 days in California, visiting Seaworld, Legoland, Disneyland, California Adventure, The Los Angeles Natural History Museum, The LeBrea Tar Pits, and a couple of different beaches thrown in. I found that with a GPS, driving was a breeze!

 

[zavandor]

It's not the best option, but you can your your hotel in DL also as an hub for tours in other places.
Grayline has daily tours for Hollywood, Universal, Sea World. They are not perfect (I did the Universal one and time in the park was not too much, I had to come back at 6:30pm while the park closed at 9pm), but it can be done.

I agree that getting an hotel at walking distance is wonderful. I was in the Anaheim Plaza and while it had not much amenities, it was clean, economic, staff was nice and 5 minutes from DL.

 

[ValpoCory]

I am not sure about renting a car. ...
I am hoping to do 3 days in DL, 1 day in Universal, 1 day in Seaworld, with an extra 1 or 2 days for beach and Hollywood sightseeing.

You need a car.

Also flights are expensive ...Flights are 200 RT

I wish I could get $200 round trip for flights to SoCal. I live in Austin, TX. Cheapest right now is $332 round trip for traveling during daylight hours.

 

[ValpoCory]

The best part of a DL vacation is the weather (little to no humidty)

Yep, from May 1st to September 30th (and sometimes more), WDW is just uncomfortably hot if you are not at a water park. DLR is great year round.

 

[kymom99]

I will start by saying that I have not been to California yet. (Going in 3 weeks!) However I am planning a trip similar to yours. We are renting a car and I second the advice to use a GPS, the best thing ever invented in my opinion. When I finally make it from Ky to Cali I want to be free to see and do whatever I want. Having a car will allow you to take drives along the coast and venture wherever you like. You may want to think about renting for part of the trip if you don't want to drive in certain areas and use a tour company for the other areas.

 

[jkh1978]

I am from DC, and have been to DL twice and WDW several more times. I plan and replan everything, so I hope I can help you out with advice and I'm not a local so won't be biased.

Those threads that a posted above mentioned are great.

Let me also say that our next DL trip is in December. We are going 6 days, staying at DLH, and only doing DL resort. We are planning on the extras like the fantasmic dinner package, a night at the napa rose restaurant... so we'll take our time over those 6 days. We'll be taking a cab from Long Beach airport.

Now my plans probably aren't average. Anaheim isn't in downtown LA, but its not far. We rented a car from the place in Downtown Disney because we didnt want it the whole trip, but if you are making several trips get the car. I don't know what part of NY you live in, but compared to DC traffic, I thought the fears of traffic in LA was overhyped.

Everything at DL is so much closer together, so it may seem odd to see the Matterhorn in frontierland, but its so nice to get around. Easily can park hop since they are only about the width of a street apart. I am much more relaxed at DL where I'm rushing around at WDW.

We'll be doing tours and such so our schedule will be packed. But I'd suggest maybe two days at DL and one at DCA, without knowing your pace or what you want to do.

 

[lillybug]

It's not the best option, but you can your your hotel in DL also as an hub for tours in other places.
Grayline has daily tours for Hollywood, Universal, Sea World.

If you really don't want to rent a car, this is a good option. We've done the Sea World tour through grayline and it worked out great for our family. They picked us up at our hotel and the trip down to SD was free for the price of admission. http://graylineanaheim.com/allTours.shtml

 

[eveandlo]

We did a bit of what you are planning. We flew into SNA, rented a car for 2 days. Drove from airport to hotel 1 day, 2nd day drove to Legoland. Dropped off car at a location on Harbor Blvd. It cost, all in 50 bucks for the 2 days (car rental and gas). Then we switched from HoJo's to Paradise Pier. Did 4 days at Disneyland. Rented a car from Alamo in Downtown Disney, and did a beach day in LaJolla on our way to San Diego. (we originally wanted to do SeaWorld, but day 4 of DL made me want a down day) and dropped the car off at the airport in San Diego. That cost us 30 bucks. We did not need a rental for the Disneyland portion.

 

[BeckWhy]

I am finding it so tough compared to my WDW trip. Flights are 200 RT, 2.5 hrs, Magical Express takes us to resort, transportation all throughout the world, great price on a value with Free Dining. So I am going from a no brainer trip to a much harder one, especially adding Universal and Seaworld into the mix.

Where in New York are you?

I'm confused by this statement. Are your flights $200 to MCO or Los Angeles?

Now, I've been a WDW vet for some time and I do agree that I think planning a trip to WDW is extremely easy. I actually found it to be easier to plan than my all inclusive vacation to Jamaica or a cruise (neither of which I've done... always backed out because I'm scared of the ocean).

But all that being said, after getting a feel for the land, Disneyland alone is pretty easy and much like WDW except generally you want to book everything separate. (I could be wrong on that... but that's what I've found to be easiest.)

I'm not planning on going to SeaWorld or Universal Studios, so I can't talk about them. But you just have to take some time, decide what you want in a hotel and then post the question on here and people will give you their input or start doing research looking at the hotels' websites.

Then book online or call the hotel and book through them.

Order your ticket on Disneyland's website...

Watch for cheap airfare or book at current prices.

I do think you'll have to rent a car.

And read HydroGuy's stuff... it makes a lot of sense.

I wish I could get $200 round trip for flights to SoCal. I live in Austin, TX. Cheapest right now is $332 round trip for traveling during daylight hours.

I want to move to Austin!

WDW is a vacation destination....for a week. BY DESIGN, they get you at the airport and you are not released until they get you back to the airport. It's great for planning, but not so much for the pocketbook.

Some will disagree, but DLR is NOT a whole-week destination. Disneyland was never designed to capture guests from airport arrival to airport departure like WDW is. The three Disney hotels are just plain rip-offs and should be avoided in my opinion. They are nice, but you can get world-class accomodations just blocks away for half the price.

I know most NY'ers have a hard time with cars...and I would too if I lived there...but California was designed around the automobile. My suggestion is get a GPS device and rent a car.

I agree with you about WDW being a complete destination. You don't have to travel outside WDW to get anything you want.

BUT I don't think it's hard on the pocketbook. I've tried to plan several vacations else where in the US and could only get away for a long weekend at what it would cost me to go to WDW for a complete week.

What do you mean by "most NY'ers have a hard time with cars..." I've never met any New Yorker who had a "hard time" with cars. I actually think people from New York do a wonderful job driving, and many of us have more than one car (there are three in my family and we own 5 cars... nothing fancy or expensive).

 

[HydroGuy]

WDW is a vacation destination....for a week. BY DESIGN, they get you at the airport and you are not released until they get you back to the airport. It's great for planning, but not so much for the pocketbook.

Some will disagree, but DLR is NOT a whole-week destination. Disneyland was never designed to capture guests from airport arrival to airport departure like WDW is. The three Disney hotels are just plain rip-offs and should be avoided in my opinion. They are nice, but you can get world-class accomodations just blocks away for half the price.

I agree that WDW exceeds DLR as a vacation experience. However, we do not go to Disney resorts for vacation. Some do. We don't. We go to Hawaii or Europe or the beach for vacation. So the whole idea of a vacation experience is wasted on us.

Some say that WDW is better than DLR because it offers a better vacation. That works for those who want a vacation. For those who want fun and Disney magic then DLR rivals WDW in many ways and exceeds it in many as well.

 

[DebbieB]

Time of day makes a huge difference in traffic out there. We rented a car and went to Hollywood last year and it took 2 hours to get back to Anaheim during the evening rush. It's about 45 minutes without traffic.

 

[janatmovies]

Thank you guys so much for ALL your input I am a little more prepared to go forward with the planning...

Sorry, I'm not quite sure how to quote yet...so I will respond like this.

@Beckwhy - I am in the Bronx, NY. I do drive. But I mostly do local driving and have never ventured out much. I am scared about driving in SoCal. The 200 RT flights are from here (Laguardia airport) to Florida (MCO). I will be lucky to find a flight to Cali for under 300!! Even 300 would be good.

@eveandlo - You gave me a great idea. I can take a shuttle from the airport to the hotel, do my 4 days in Disneyland without a car, then rent a car from there on out. Because why have a car for 4 days if I am in walking distance from Disneyland? Or staying at a hotel where there is a shuttle?
I guess it would get complicated after Disneyland, or beforehand even, because maybe I will save the best for last and do Universal, Seaworld, and Hollywood before the best thing which for me is DL.
Should I stay more toward Universal and Seaworld first with a car from the airport, then drop it off by Downtown Disney? Is Universal and Seaworld close to Hollywood and some beaches?

@lilybug, I was looking into those grayline shuttles! I see some depart from Anaheim going to Seaworld and Universal, plus they do Hollywood tours, that would be awesome if I was to stay in my hotel near DL. Where do they pick up from in Anaheim, do you know?

Thank you for all the other responses. I am realizing Universal, Seaworld, and Hollywood may be far from one another. That presents a problem. Should I just stay in the DL area (was planning on HoJo) or do all that other stuff first and then stay in DL. It gets a little tricky because I don't know how many hotel changes I'd need to make and exactly where.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[jkh1978]

Also, are you aware of your airport options? We fly into Long Beach on JetBlue and love that its not far and the airport is so small so security is quick.

 

[disfaninca]

Universal and Hollywood are very close to each other (north of DLR). But they are about 30-45 minutes from the beach. You can do those trips in a day and a half.
Sea World is the opposite direction (south of DLR). It is very close to the beach. So you can do a beach trip while down there.
I think your best bet is to stay one night in a hotel near Universal, and then stay 2 nights in San Diego so you can have an all day beach trip.
Because there is a more than 2 hour drive from Hollywood to San Diego (and DLR is on the way), it might be best doing DLR in between them. I would definitely rent a car. Traffic can be bad, but if you have a GPS, you should have no problems.

 

[BeckWhy]

Thank you guys so much for ALL your input I am a little more prepared to go forward with the planning...

Sorry, I'm not quite sure how to quote yet...so I will respond like this.

@Beckwhy - I am in the Bronx, NY. I do drive. But I mostly do local driving and have never ventured out much. I am scared about driving in SoCal. The 200 RT flights are from here (Laguardia airport) to Florida (MCO). I will be lucky to find a flight to Cali for under 300!! Even 300 would be good.

Thank you for all the other responses. I am realizing Universal, Seaworld, and Hollywood may be far from one another. That presents a problem. Should I just stay in the DL area (was planning on HoJo) or do all that other stuff first and then stay in DL. It gets a little tricky because I don't know how many hotel changes I'd need to make and exactly where.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Well you're about 450 miles from me, so I won't be able to help you too much with airport stuff. But it was worth asking.

I think most New Yorkers (as in residents of the entire state, not just the New York City... sorry I don't want to come across as rude, I'm not trying to be at all...) drive cars, and I think if you can handle Manhattan or Flatbush traffic, you could handle traffic anywhere else (and I am not one of those people! ) Ok, well I have never driven in SoCal, and I'm sure traffic can be hectic as it can in any major city, but I think if you want to rent a car try to find one like yours or one that doesn't have major blind spots (for example the Dodge Avenger or Kia Optima have bad blind spots, I think). And if you do get stuck in bad traffic (I'm not sure what kind of traffic you've been faced with in the Bronx, I've never been there) just stay calm and be aware of your surroundings (no texting or talking on your phone). (I got stuck in Philadelphia during their 4th of July celebration one year... it was so bad my car overheated! -- Not to care you or anything, it is Philadelphia.) But I honestly think that traffic isn't ALWAYS as bad as people make it out to be.

I LOVE LGA! It's one of my favorite airports to fly into or out of. I don't know too much about flights out of NYC, but are you willing to fly out of JFK or Newark? What dates are you planning on going to Disneyland (exactly)? I was pricing out Disneyland for a while as if my sister, my mom, and I were all going. My sister lives in Brooklyn so I was watching airfare out of NYC. It's been a while since I looked at prices from there, but I'd be more than happy to do some research and see if I can find something out for you. I find it hard to believe that flying from NYC to LAX would cost more than it would for me to fly out of Buffalo. But it just might be so. I paid $292, I think for my flight from BUF to LAX and back.

As for the HoJo, it books up really fast! I mean for the week I'm going it was sold out almost two months ago (maybe longer).

I can't really give you advice on what's a good hotel at Disneyland or anywhere else in California because I've never been. But I am a New Yorker (though from western New York, not the city) who is planning a trip after only ever visiting WDW, so I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have about being a first time planner.

Good luck!

 

[BeckWhy]

Also, are you aware of your airport options? We fly into Long Beach on JetBlue and love that its not far and the airport is so small so security is quick.

This is a good point! There are several airport options in the LA "area" like there are in New York City.