[hiner]

Hi all,

We've been to WDW several times and are thinking of taking a trip to DL since we have not been there in almost 20 years and DS has never been anywhere other than the East Coast.

Here are my questions:

1. How many days should we plan to spend in the park/parks?
2. Suggest a good resort. I noticed there are the 3 DL resorts and then there are Good Neighbor Resorts. What are they??
3. Would the middle/end of June be very crowded or would the crowds be like WDW crowds in middle of May?
4. Would we have time to see stuff outside of DL if we went for 7 days?

In a few months, I am going to start researching and reading but I wanted to get a feel before doing so.

Thanks!!!

Kim

[WishUponAStar]

Do It! Do It! Do It!!!!

[dznygrl]

I would plan to spend a full 4 days in the parks...2 in DL alone, one concentrating on DCA, and a 4th one to hit anything you want to hit again.

Yes, 7 days would be enough time to see other things in the area. A week around DL is a great amount of time.

There are 3 Disney resorts, and the Good Neighbor Hotels are non-Disney properties that are approved to sell Disney tickets, etc. There is really nothing special about them other than that.

I don't know what your budget is like, but a couple of my favorites in the area are Desert Palm Inn & Suites, and the Candy Cane Inn. Both beautiful properties for reasonable prices, within a short walking distance of the front entrance.

[WishUponAStar]

1. How many days should we plan to spend in the park/parks?

I've always been PERFECTLY satisfied with 4 days. This felt like PLENTY of time, especially considering we got SO much done during the early morning hours. Sometimes I felt like the parks were near empty between opening and 10:30 am.


2. Suggest a good resort. I noticed there are the 3 DL resorts and then there are Good Neighbor Resorts. What are they??

This link will list & compare all of the "good neighbor" hotels, by "class" (moderate, superior, etc.)
Disneyland Resort - Detecting Browser Properties . . .

Last year one of my co-workers stayed at the Radison Hotel Maingate and liked it. Although, later on she did mention for what she paid there she could have gotten a deal at Paradise Pier or the Disneyland Hotel for similar. She did say it was REALLY close and the rooms were nice. The only other good neighbor hotels I've seen/been in briefly was the CandyCane Inn (which was adorable, clean, and seemed quiet and intimate to me), and I also got to see the "Jolly Roger" which I think is listed under "economy." Yeah, not sure I'd ever stay at that one, it was a little chincy to me. Not to mention it was A LOT more bustling and loud with children everywhere, compared to what I saw/heard at CandyCane.

But honestly, I am just a Disneyland Hotel fan at heart! Can't beat it, it's the original!


3. Would the middle/end of June be very crowded or would the crowds be like WDW crowds in middle of May?

Well, this is the only time I DO go to Disneyland. Our trips have varied from right AFTER Memorial Day weekend to the very end of June. We've NEVER experienced "overwhelming" crowds and we were even there for the Pirates Premier last year. The parks are still pretty empty early morning so definately take advantage of that. It got a little busy during late afternoon time but we'd plan trips back to the pool/resort during that part of the day. My only really BIG suggestion for this time of the year is, if AT ALL possible, make your 3 nights during "weekdays." We usually stay Sunday-Wednesday nights or Monday-Thursday & the crowds DO seem significantly lighter. My first two trips to DL were on Friday & Saturdays during late June & they were REALLY busy. We've done weekdays ever seen and have been happy!

4. Would we have time to see stuff outside of DL if we went for 7 days?

ABSOLUTELY!!!! I took my Dad to Cali for the first time last June. We did DL for 3 nights and then the LA area for 3 more nights... I got him around EVERYWHERE!!

[Daisee]

Last June we decided to take a California trip and include DL.. We flew into Sacramento and took 8 days to drive (rented SUV) down the coast and stopped at many towns along the way. We stopped in Napa, Carmel, Cambria, SanFransico, Santa Barbara, and a few others. We had a fantastic time!! It is beautiful country. Our family had never been to the West coast. We took an additional 4 days to go to DL. 4 days was plenty for us. I would highly encourage seeing as much of CA as you can. We loved it!!! We stayed at Paradise Pier. It literlly took us 5 minutes to walk to DTD and a few more minutes to the gates!!

[JOANN]

DH and I have been to DW more times then I can remember. We've been going at least twice a year. So, last Sept. we decided to go to Disneyland. We just loved it. We stayed for 4 days at the Paradise Pier. It was quite nice. The weather was just wonderful. I actually wished we could have stayed longer. DH also planned the trip because the Chicago White Sox were playing in Aneheim. So, we also went to the game. It also was alot of fun!!!! I would go back in a heart beat.. Infact, we may be going back again this fall. Of course DW is still my favorite place to visit, but DL was a different treat!!! So, if you get the chance just do it. You will not be sorry!!! JOANN

[unamadreditre]

We went to DLR last year at the end of June and I thought the crowds were very manageable. You can get a lot done on early entry Fantasyland days. We walked on most of the rides that usually have the longest lines any other time of day.

We stay at the Disneyland Hotel. The kids absolutely love it there and it is very convenient to the monorail and Downtown Disney.

[hiner]

Thanks for the info. DH is going to try to find travel books on DL so I can read up on it.

[LittleMissMagic]

Honestly, with DL, the Good Neighbor resorts and actual Disney resorts aren't too different. Last time I was at DL (Jan 2006), we stayed at the Desert Palms. It was a short walk from both entrances to the park (you can go to the parking lot and catch a tram to the main gate, or head straight to the main gate), and we had a lovely view of CA. The Disney resorts aren't all... Disney, really. I don't find it necessary to stay on Disney property, when the Good Neighbor resorts get you just as close, and with the perks of the Disney resort (you get extra magic hours, as well).

You could probably do nearly everything with two days in each park. Seven days is more than enough. I suggest hitting up Hollywood (but be warned - uber scary at night... at least I thought so), maybe LA, then if you have a teenager, Laguna Beach is fun (although not that spectacular otherwise, I'm sure).

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

Honestly, with DL, the Good Neighbor resorts and actual Disney resorts aren't too different. Last time I was at DL (Jan 2006), we stayed at the Desert Palms. It was a short walk from both entrances to the park (you can go to the parking lot and catch a tram to the main gate, or head straight to the main gate), and we had a lovely view of CA. The Disney resorts aren't all... Disney, really. I don't find it necessary to stay on Disney property, when the Good Neighbor resorts get you just as close, and with the perks of the Disney resort (you get extra magic hours, as well).

You could probably do nearly everything with two days in each park. Seven days is more than enough. I suggest hitting up Hollywood (but be warned - uber scary at night... at least I thought so), maybe LA, then if you have a teenager, Laguna Beach is fun (although not that spectacular otherwise, I'm sure).

"LittleMissMagic" definately has some great points; MANY MANY people agree that the "good neighbor" hotels are just as nice, close to the parks, and offer perks similar to the Disney resorts themselves. It's probably really a personal decision, if you are a geek like me and get excitement BEYOND belief by seeing Tinkerbell projected into the bottom of your pool & walking hallways doned in vintage photos of Walt & friends then staying on property is worth it. If you want a great hotel to sleep in & feel like you get your "Disney" fill just by visiting the parks all day then a "Good Neighbor" is great for you.

I personally have been sitting at the edge of my seat with excitement that I get to stay at the Grand Californian in less than a month, if it was the Radisson Maingate I probably wouldn't be so hyped. Then again, that's just me, and I am a geek.


PS: many welcomes "LittleMissMagic", glad to have you & glad to see you will "NEVER" be growing up. I live by the same sentiment.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by hiner

1. How many days should we plan to spend in the park/parks?

Three days at a minimum.. Two for Disneyland, one for California Adventure..

Anything less, and you're gonna miss stuff..

Originally Posted by hiner

2. Suggest a good resort. I noticed there are the 3 DL resorts and then there are Good Neighbor Resorts. What are they??

A lot depends on finances.. Staying on site is nice, and convenient, but not an absolute necessity with the close proximity of everything..

I have stayed in various hotels, as shown below, with no "bad" experiences..

Priceline makes it even more affordable..

But the Good Neighbor hotels are on the Disneyland website..

Originally Posted by hiner

3. Would the middle/end of June be very crowded or would the crowds be like WDW crowds in middle of May?

Summer is crowded. It will be a fact of life, unfortunately. Which is why more than three days is worth the effort, especially if you get a good hotel rate..

Originally Posted by hiner

4. Would we have time to see stuff outside of DL if we went for 7 days?

Yes, you would. I spent seven days in Disneyland last February '06. We weren't bored. But if you find yourself with spare time, there are attractions close by to catch your interest.

Hope this helps.