[lopo]

Hi! Well, I just learned that I will be going to Disneyland next month, AND I am staying in the Grand Californian. Yippee! (I think.) I have been trying to get some info about Disney in CA from other Disney fans, but I have not had much success. I've been to WDW about 10x over the years, but this will be my first visit to Disneyland (and CA). I did read the thread on DCF about the room layouts, but I didn't find any other info (yet). I have read the official pages (disney.com) One of the resources I have, Disneyland & Southern California with Kids 2002-2003, indicates that the hotel is "luxurious" (I've never been in the lap of luxury so I certainly am looking forward to the experience!), but they rate all the Disney Hotels the same (4stars). Since none of us have been to Disneyland before, will we need 2 or 3 days to see it all? I've heard that DCA can be seen in half a day; is this true? Any tips for "must-do" things? Restaurants? What other sights should we try to see/visit? I have rented a car with a navigation system with the hope that it will help me avoid getting lost too much. Since I am from the Boston area, I have heard that the traffic patterns and distances between places are otherworldly. Boston is close-knit, for instance. In fact, it is known as a walking city. Anyway, I am eager to learn all I can prior to my departure and I would appreciate any advice or info you can provide.

[mickey]

Disneyland California is substantially different than WDW. First of all, it is in the middle of a city, so the entire parking lot, DCA area is surrounded by hotels, shops, etc... When staying at WDW, we almost never leave the property, but in California, we usually stay in Newport Beach, about 25 miles away.

One of the resources I have, Disneyland & Southern California with Kids 2002-2003, indicates that the hotel is "luxurious" (I've never been in the lap of luxury so I certainly am looking forward to the experience!), but they rate all the Disney Hotels the same (4stars)

Grand Californian is wonderful, much more elegent than the other Disney resorts. The original Disneyland hotel is very nice, but I compare the Grand Californian to Wilderness Lodge, only nicer, and it is located in the DCA, with it's own gate inside the hotel and everything. I believe the same architect did both Wilderness Lodge and Grand Californian. Without a doubt, the nicest Disney has to offer in California.

Since none of us have been to Disneyland before, will we need 2 or 3 days to see it all?

I would guess either would be fine. 2 days would be enough to see everything, 3 would give you an extra day to go back to the things you like and want to do it again. Disneyland is bigger than Magic Kingdom, similar, but with about 15 additional attractions.

I've heard that DCA can be seen in half a day; is this true?

Yah, you could do it in half a day. I would compare it to AK after it opened. It just doesn't seem to be completed yet. Something is missing.

Any tips for "must-do" things? Restaurants? What other sights should we try to see/visit?

Well, the Matterhorn should be your first attraction, and then ride it again, and hit the rest of Disneyland. Everything else is similar to MK, except possibly Indiana Jones, an improved Dinosaur ride. The Blue Bayou Restaurant is fun but pricey. It is located at the loading area of the Pirates of the Caribbean, but you can't see the loading area, just the boats floating by before they take the plunge. I have heard that Napa Rose is great, in the Grand Californian, and that PCH Grill is good as well. We enjoyed Goofy's Kitchen, but if you don't have kids with you, it wouldn't be as good.

The one thing we like to do is go to Magic Mountain. Great big roller coasters, they fill the entire park. I think they just installed their 18th big roller coaster, making them have by far the most roller coasters in one park. And they are good. It is located north of LA, about an hour from Disneyland. (http://www.sixflags.com/parks/magicmountain/home.asp)

Let us know if you have any questions about a particular ride, restaurant or destination. Most likey, I have been there, or someone else has if I haven't. By the way, when are you going to be there?

Oh ya, if you have more than one person in your car on the freeway, you can use the HOV lanes, and that cuts about half your time of the commute. It only takes us about 15 minutes once we make the freeway in Newport Beach to get there. As long as you have a map, you shouldn't get lost, much easier than Boston, that is for sure. And true, everything requires a long car ride to get there.

[lopo]

Mickey, you are a treasure! Thank you very much for all the feedback you provided. It is very much appreciated. BTW, we will be there 2/17-23. Oh, another thing I've heard: it is the rainy season. Do you know if that means that it tends to rain all day, or are there quick showers?

[mickey]

Originally posted by lopo
Mickey, you are a treasure! Thank you very much for all the feedback you provided. It is very much appreciated. BTW, we will be there 2/17-23. Oh, another thing I've heard: it is the rainy season. Do you know if that means that it tends to rain all day, or are there quick showers?

The rainy season in California isn't like the rainy season in Floriday. I have been at WDW when it has rained all day, and rained hard, and it continues for a week. Usually in California, it may rain one day, kindof a drizzle, and then you won't see anything else. We usually spend our spring break in Newport Beach, and haven't seen rain yet. We will be there this year from Feb. 8 - 16. Just miss ya!

[Goofette]

You know both of you will have to give us updates when you get back from your trips. I guess you will be going in just a couple of days Mickey, and lopo only has about a week. Take lots of Pictures and have a GREAT!!! time.

Wish I was going...:(

Have Fun!!!

[lopo]

Goofette, thanks for the good wishes! Now that the trip is just over a week away, I am both anxious and excited. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we'll have good weather. :p

[Boss Mouse]

DisneyLAND? How did I end up here? Somebody STOP me.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by Boss Mouse

DisneyLAND? How did I end up here? Somebody STOP me.

Ha ha!

To Disneyland we will take you...

[WishIWasThere]

Oh someone is going to Disneyland?? I LOVE Disneyland.. Although I grew up in California so Im probably biased. Grand Californian is a really beautiful hotel, I stayed there during my honeymoon. Morning time can be a little crowded so take advantage of the entrance through the hotel. Its reserved for hotel guests only so it won't be so crowded.
As for things to do, make sure you catch the Aladin show if its still going on. Its really a beautiful show. Are you going with children? There are a lot of different children events over at the main Disneyland park. DCA is a great park but its small. A day should be enough if you are on a tight schedule. Two days or so should be good time for Disneyland. We stayed seven days for our honeymoon and never ran out of things to do, but we also like to just wander around and relax.
What types of food do you like? Blue Bayou is a great resturant, a little on the pricey side but good. Make sure you make reservations though, last time we went it was booked and they were turning people away.

[Dopey]

Oh brother, this is a zombie thread. Someone close it please