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July 2011....
So it looks like we're about 99% decided to make the trek from Chicago to the West Coast, for my parents 40th wedding anniversary(they want all 11 of us to meet them in DL for 4 days) My BIL has been there a few times over the years but he's the only one, besides my parents who were there 40 years ago, so we're in the planning stages. Now we've all been to WDW alot, even my kids have gone 5 times in the last 5 years...so we're getting excited at least I am.
I don't have a clue though about DL, I know the 2 parks are there, they have a downtown type area, the 3 main Disney Hotels but that's it. We want to stay on the property, and my parents want to splurge a bit again( we had a great suite in WDW twice).
So I usually nominated as the trip planner, and this time I need HELP because I'm lost
Do they have a dining plan, club level/suites(I'm guessing yes), so any info is really, really appreciated!
Thanks,
T
'79 Ft Wilderness Campgrounds/CR
'81 off property
'86 CR
'87 CR
'89 Disney Inn
'96 DL
'97 WL
'98 CS
'07 WLV
'08 Poly Princess Suite
'09 Poly Princess Suite
'10 May CR Hospitally Suite kiddos surprise trip!
'11 May YC Club Level
'14 Oct CS Executive Level
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Skip the dining plan. Save yourself the confusion. Disneyland Resort is "easier" to deal with dining. No advanced ADRs are really required anywhere. Every place takes walk ups.
If this is a special trip, these places should be in your "must dos":
-Napa Rose (Grand Californian)
-Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)
The following are VERY good, and worth trying:
-Naples (Downtown Disney)
-Catal (Downtown Disney)
-Storyteller's Cafe (good family place, in Grand Californian)
If you want the ultimate splurge, there are some "Signature Suites" at the Disneyland Hotel. Here is some more info on them. They are $$$$$$ for sure, but look really cool!
Fairy Tale Suite
Big Thunder Suite
The Mickey Mouse Penthouse
If you are not looking to spend quite that much money, there are regular suites available at all three resorts, as well as Club Level rooms. BE AWARE: if you book a suite, it does NOT automatically include Club Level perks. If you want that access, it's an additional $150/night per suite. Club Level at the Grand is very good, but it's also very pricey!
Also, know that there is LIMITED availability to book at the Grand Californian Villas on a cash basis. They are $$$$$, though.
The Downtown Disney at Disneyland is very different from the one at WDW, in a good way. It's a more pedestrian area, smaller, but better stores and restaurants. It's well themed too, and has live music almost every night.
Let us know if you have more specific questions!
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
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So which airport? LAX or SNA? or just go with the cheapest airfare these days?
'79 Ft Wilderness Campgrounds/CR
'81 off property
'86 CR
'87 CR
'89 Disney Inn
'96 DL
'97 WL
'98 CS
'07 WLV
'08 Poly Princess Suite
'09 Poly Princess Suite
'10 May CR Hospitally Suite kiddos surprise trip!
'11 May YC Club Level
'14 Oct CS Executive Level
-
SNA all the way.
LAX might get you cheaper flights, but the airport itself is a headache to deal with. Plus, it's a good 40-60 min drive (depending on traffic) from DLR.
I am actually willing to pay significantly more in airfare to fly into/out of SNA when I travel, just because it's such a gem of an airport.
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
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This sounds like it will be a great trip! I LOVE WDW, but Disneyland is very special. I love that it's so easy to navigate and things are pretty close together. Planning for Dland is very different than WDW. If you are wanting the nicest accomodations, the Grand Californian is the way to go. It's the nicest, but most expensive. And you have access straight into California Adventure without having to go to the main entrance. The Grand Calif. is a smaller version of Wilderness Lodge.
Park hoppers are still very helpful here. When I've gone, we've hopped several times a day. It literally takes less than a minute to walk from the gate of Disneyland to the gate at California Adventure.
Do not get the dining plan at Disneyland, it's much easier just to pay out of pocket.
I have heard the World of Color show at CA is amazing! You can do a dining or picnic option to get priority seating. I believe you can also get fastpasses to make sure you have a viewing section.
Ride and see everything you can! Many of the rides they have at WDW at Dland are a little different from each other.
I always fly into SNA. It's only about a 30 minute drive to Disneyland. It's a smaller airport and super easy to navigate.
I love Downtown Disney at Disneyland! It's smaller than WDW, but has great stores and restaurants. Plus, it's only a minute or two walk from the entrance of Dland and CA. And just steps outside of the Grand Californian.
I've been at least a dozen times. My most recent trip was last May. They will have the new Little Mermaid ride open at the beginning of June, so will Star Tours.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Dreaming of Disney World every day, until I can get back there again!
Disneyland at least a dozen times growing up!
July 1997- Wilderness Lodge (HS Graduation)
December 2009 & 2010- POP Century (7th & 8th Wedding Anniversaries)
November 2011, April 2012, October 2012, January 2013 Disneyland
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We're planning on going to DL for the first time in July for my 40th birthday. I'm a FL native and know WDW like the back of my hand, but have never been to CA. I've enjoyed reading the tips already provided here, but it seems as though there just isn't as much information available about DL. We'll only be able to go for about 4 days, will that be enough to see everything?
Jodi
Many, many trips as a kid with family
Last trip: November 2013
Next trip: June 2014 - Just me and my son!
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Originally Posted by clausjo
We're planning on going to DL for the first time in July for my 40th birthday. I'm a FL native and know WDW like the back of my hand, but have never been to CA. I've enjoyed reading the tips already provided here, but it seems as though there just isn't as much information available about DL. We'll only be able to go for about 4 days, will that be enough to see everything?
In 4 days you should be able to see and do a lot. It will be at summer crowd levels though. Like WDW the fastpasses work great and you can get them at both parks at the same time since the machines are not connected.
You probably won't need any ADR's except for character meals, especially Goofy's Kitchen, & The Blue Bayou.
Do just like you would at WDW... eat at off times , fastpasses, etc.
Have a great time.
Marci
Many visits. Live 20 minutes from the parks.
Work at Universal Studios in Diagon Alley. Ollivanders/ wand magic.
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