Yet another WDW vet confused about what to do at DL!

[runmommyrun]

I'm another person who can plan WDW trips like nothing, but move me to DL and I'm clueless. We are in the initial stages of planning a June 2013 trip to DL/Aulani. I'm guessing you'll see plenty of questions posed by me over the coming months! But for starters, I need to determine how many days I will try to book GCV (we are DVC members) so I can start planning other aspects of the trip. We plan to fly to LA early on a Saturday, so we'd have part of Saturday for the parks. But how many days do you need to see the parks? As a caveat, we REALLY enjoy our pool time, so we always plan a few hours in the afternoon at the pool. And my kids will be 8 and 9. Initially, I thought 3 nights, but after reading posts, I'm not sure that is long enough.

Also, the kids have mentioned they'd like to see "Hollywood." Is this something you'd squeeze into a 3-4 night DL trip? Any insight is appreciated for this clueless DL planner! Thank you!!!!

 

[ValpoCory]

I'm another person who can plan WDW trips like nothing, but move me to DL and I'm clueless. We are in the initial stages of planning a June 2013 trip to DL/Aulani. I'm guessing you'll see plenty of questions posed by me over the coming months! But for starters, I need to determine how many days I will try to book GCV (we are DVC members) so I can start planning other aspects of the trip. We plan to fly to LA early on a Saturday, so we'd have part of Saturday for the parks. But how many days do you need to see the parks? As a caveat, we REALLY enjoy our pool time, so we always plan a few hours in the afternoon at the pool. And my kids will be 8 and 9. Initially, I thought 3 nights, but after reading posts, I'm not sure that is long enough.

Also, the kids have mentioned they'd like to see "Hollywood." Is this something you'd squeeze into a 3-4 night DL trip? Any insight is appreciated for this clueless DL planner! Thank you!!!!

We are WDW vets, and we are staying at the VGC for 6 nights in January, so we can have 5 full days in the parks. We are not renting a car, so just a Disney trip. If I was going to see other things, I'd do a split stay. At the VGC for the nights at DLR and some other cheaper option for the other days.

 

[PinkBudgie]

First go see Hydroguy's DLR for WDW vets: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

This will explain much.

I suggest at least 4 to 5 days. We go 5 1/2 days and next year will probably make it a full 6 days. (Our APs are blocked out on Saturdays). This will allow you to get up early and be there for opening, go back and swim and rest in the afternoon, and return to the parks for evening. If you are only 3 days, you won't see as much especially if part of your days are taken up swimming.
To see other places in Calif., I'd leave the DLR area and go stay near where you are sight seeing.

 

[gypg]

I'm a born-and-raised WDW vet, but now I live in SoCal and have become a DL convert. (I admit, partially due to necessity. )

I just brought my family out for 2 days in June (a Saturday & Sunday.) We were there either at or within an hour of opening and there until closing. Both days were approximately 16 hour days. Even with such long days, we still didn't get to ride everything we wanted to. (But that just means they have something to come back for, right?)

I would say 2 days per park will allow you enough time to ride what you'd like without having to kill yourselves due to exhaustion. Then, if you do go for a fifth day, that will give you an opportunity to redo your favorites.

As for Hollywood, I'd say take it or leave it.

 

[runmommyrun]

Thanks for the posts. HydroGuys' post was fabulous! I feel like I just received a major tutorial in DL! So looking forward to planning a DL trip before Aulani. I'm now leaning towards 5 nights.... will have to see if I can convince DH! THANKS!

 

[JoeATC]

We returned home about a week ago from a 10 day SoCal trip. I don't know how much overall time or interest you have but a few things our family really enjoyed were Cirque du Soleil's Iris at the Kodak Theater, Universal Studios, Warner Bros tour, Walt Disney Studios Burbank (photos from the outside) and watching a taping of Austin and Ally. We also spent time in San Diego and finished with 5 nights at the Grand Cali which was just about right. Three park days and two resort days. I think your kids might enjoy watching the taping of a TV show, especially if they are familiar with the show. However driving times in So Cal requires patience as I'm sure you are well aware. Good Luck.

 

[nunzia]

I think 4-5 days sounds great. You might look into the day long trip that 's like a mini Adventures By Disney thing that takes you to the studios and stuff. As far as cool things to do that would top my list.
The best thing about planning for DLR instead of WDW is, well..very little planning! For the most part you'd just need to look at things 60 or 30 days out. For 60, decide if you want dining reservations..Blue Bayou, Carthay, Character, WOC) and then at 30 if you want Fantasmic! dessert. There is a PhotoPass + pre pay thing you can get ahead of time if you like. Other than that, easy cheesy..just show up. No busses needed to get you around. You may become spoiled at DLR

 

[rsleleux]

I am a WDW vet, we go every year during our Mardi Gras break and we stay onsite and enjoy the ammenities of the hotel also! We recently did our first DL trip this past May and it was combined with 5 days in San Diego. We spent 3 days in DL/CA and it was not enough! I thought for sure it would be plenty since I've spent the last 14 years at WDW. Even though DL is technically smaller in size, it has alot more rides and at the end of the day alot more people. We are planning another trip in the fall to see Carsland and do the rides we missed out on. The Matterhorn was closed at the time, so we didnt get to do that but we missed out on TSM because there was no FP for it and the line was too long. We didn't get to go on POTC either! We tried to make sure to do the attractions that are not at WDW first but 3 days were not even enough and we didn't even get time at the pool! So I would say 5 days is a must! Make sure you see WOC, we did the reserved seating at Ariel's Grotto and the show was AMAZING! We were wet, next time I will bring ponchos but so worth it! Make sure to ride California Screaming, it has a seperate FP and was really cool!
also, Goofy's Kitchen was an awesome character breakfast! Preferred it over all the ones at WDW! Have fun! I loved DL, and wish I lived closer so I could visit more often!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I'm another person who can plan WDW trips like nothing, but move me to DL and I'm clueless. We are in the initial stages of planning a June 2013 trip to DL/Aulani. I'm guessing you'll see plenty of questions posed by me over the coming months! But for starters, I need to determine how many days I will try to book GCV (we are DVC members) so I can start planning other aspects of the trip. We plan to fly to LA early on a Saturday, so we'd have part of Saturday for the parks. But how many days do you need to see the parks? As a caveat, we REALLY enjoy our pool time, so we always plan a few hours in the afternoon at the pool. And my kids will be 8 and 9. Initially, I thought 3 nights, but after reading posts, I'm not sure that is long enough.

Also, the kids have mentioned they'd like to see "Hollywood." Is this something you'd squeeze into a 3-4 night DL trip? Any insight is appreciated for this clueless DL planner! Thank you!!!!

We too are WDW vets that are planning on a DL/Aulani trip for June 2013, we want to stay at GCV since we are DVC members too, however DH and I really want to try it out even if we weren't members. Not sure of our dates yet, so we may be running into each other quite a bit . The only thing I know is that we are talking about doing a 4 night trip to DLR and then going to Aulani for 8 or 9 nights.

To those DLR vets out there, besides the DIS, where else could I read up on DLR so I can get familiar with the West Coast parks? I do have the Birnbaum's DL book so I will be reading that a lot. I can't wait to walk where Walt walked .

 

[joelnkelly]

We just got back from our first trip to DL from June 9th-16th. We did the parks on Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat of our trip. This was a perfect amount of time, we rode all the rides we wanted too and never were rushed to see anything. We typically got to the parks around 8-9 am and stayed until about 2pm everyday returning for a few hours in the evening. Just the right amount of time for our 7 and 3 year old daughters.

On Wednesday we did the hollywood day, got up early and made it down to hollywood by 10:30. We did Madams Toussads, had lunch, did the tour ride, Mann's Chinese theater and just some walking around. Left about 5:30pm and was stuck in traffic for 2 1/2 hours driving back to DL. All and all it was fun as this was our first time ever to visit hollywood.

Thursday we drove to the Santa Monica pier in the morning, it was okay. Then headed down to visit the Queen Mary in Long Beach, that was a fun and relaxing day as we finished up everything by 3:30pm and it only took us about 30-45 minutes to get back to Anaheim.

Overall, a wonderful trip. We cant wait to head back out west as we are from orlando and it was great to visit Walts park.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We too are WDW vets that are planning on a DL/Aulani trip for June 2013, we want to stay at GCV since we are DVC members too, however DH and I really want to try it out even if we weren't members. Not sure of our dates yet, so we may be running into each other quite a bit . The only thing I know is that we are talking about doing a 4 night trip to DLR and then going to Aulani for 8 or 9 nights.

To those DLR vets out there, besides the DIS, where else could I read up on DLR so I can get familiar with the West Coast parks? I do have the Birnbaum's DL book so I will be reading that a lot. I can't wait to walk where Walt walked .

The best place for up to date info I know of are the boards here. There is the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland that you may enjoy reading, but as a book it gets out of date fast. It used to be almost word for word a copy of the one for WDW! I skimmed through the newest one at the book store a while back and they seemed to have realized that maybe they should someone out here to actually visit DLR before writing a book about it. But of course, CL isn't in it.

One of my favorite books is the Disneyland Encylcopedia. The new 2nd edition just came out. It tells you all the attractions and stores that were ever in DL from park opening. I suggest that as fun read. You can read cover to cover or just pick a spot in the middle and read a few entries.

 

[mrsmith9]

Im a WDW vet and just completed a trip to DLR a few weeks ago. We did 4 nights/5 days at VGC. We easily needed one more day to see everything, and that was before Carsland.

We are already planing a return trip in 3-5 years, and next time we will stay at least 5 nights.

I was suprised at how much there was to do with only 2 parks to visit.

 

[PoohsFan1]

The best place for up to date info I know of are the boards here. There is the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland that you may enjoy reading, but as a book it gets out of date fast. It used to be almost word for word a copy of the one for WDW! I skimmed through the newest one at the book store a while back and they seemed to have realized that maybe they should someone out here to actually visit DLR before writing a book about it. But of course, CL isn't in it.

One of my favorite books is the Disneyland Encylcopedia. The new 2nd edition just came out. It tells you all the attractions and stores that were ever in DL from park opening. I suggest that as fun read. You can read cover to cover or just pick a spot in the middle and read a few entries.

Thank you so much for the information. I am going to look into the Disneyland Encyclopedia it does sound like a fun read . The funny thing is, I can tell you anything and everything on WDW...I could tell you the best route to get to places. However, when it comes to DL, no way, no how...don't know nothing. Yet, I can't wait to learn .

 

[Jkpark]

One of my favorite books is the Disneyland Encylcopedia. The new 2nd edition just came out. It tells you all the attractions and stores that were ever in DL from park opening. I suggest that as fun read.

I had pre-ordered this so long ago that I forgot all about it. What a fun surprise when it came last week!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I had pre-ordered this so long ago that I forgot all about it. What a fun surprise when it came last week!

Me too! That was a Christmas present from DH that I had forgotten about.

I would be just as clueless at WDW- we plan to go there June 2014. I can't wait to see what that's like!

One thing I've noticed is WDW vets tend to underestimate how much time they need at DLR. Many come on asking if one day in each park is enough to see everything. There really is a lot packed in to a smaller area. We go for 5 days and still don't get to everything we had in mind.

 

[PoohsFan1]

One thing I've noticed is WDW vets tend to underestimate how much time they need at DLR. Many come on asking if one day in each park is enough to see everything. There really is a lot packed in to a smaller area. We go for 5 days and still don't get to everything we had in mind.

You are exactly right. Us WDW vets know that we are comparing 4 parks to 2 parks, but after I had looked at all that you can do at DL, I know there are a ton of things to do in a compacted space. I was just thinking today, would 4 nights be enough. Since I don't know when we will be back to the West Coast (we live in Illinois), I want to make sure I do as much as possible. I am thinking 2 days per park may be good, I know we probably won't see everything still, but it would be a start .

 

[quantumottle]

I believe I read the numbers are "DL is 25% smaller than MK, but has 35% more rides and attractions".

You veterans please correct me if that is wrong.

PoohsFan1, you will be amazed when you see how efficiently DL has been organized. With such less space, they have to be very efficient in design.

Have a wonderful trip!

You are exactly right. Us WDW vets know that we are comparing 4 parks to 2 parks, but after I had looked at all that you can do at DL, I know there are a ton of things to do in a compacted space. I was just thinking today, would 4 nights be enough. Since I don't know when we will be back to the West Coast (we live in Illinois), I want to make sure I do as much as possible. I am thinking 2 days per park may be good, I know we probably won't see everything still, but it would be a start .

 

[runmommyrun]

Thank you all! I am now leaning towards 5 nights prior to heading to Aulani. I know my boys would love a lot of these rides... Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, etc... stuff we can't do at WDW. I'm so glad I asked. I initially thought 2 or 3 nights! But we are in IL and it costs so much to even get out to the West Coast that I want to make this trip to DL is worthwhile. The rest of CA will likely have to wait for another trip (SF, Yosemite, etc...). Way more to see than I anticipated!