[cinderbella]

The Dave dosn't know it yet but I have begun planning a trip to DL in 2007.

I have several questions for you crazy Disneyland kids out there:

1. When is the best time to go? I'd rather aviod the summer but the Dave is a teacher and only has "school holidays" off. This would be spring break/summer/fall break (only 2 days!) and Christmas Break.

2. Where should we stay? I'd like to stay for a week but only do Disneyland a few days and then do LA, and Orange County sights also..(this is how I am convincing The Dave..it's all about compromise..and OK..i want to see those things to) Should we stay onsite for a few days and then stay at another hotel in LA? Although, I am not limited to just LA..I'd like to see Laguna Beach too..(Im a loser..love the show)

3. How many days do you REALLY need at DL for a firsttimer?

4. Where should we eat?

Um..I have lots more..but this will do for now!

[ddoll]

I'm not a DL expert, but I've been there a couple of times. And being an East-coaster like you, I completely understand you wanting to explore CA at the same time.

I would recommend staying at the Candy Cane Inn. It's a very nice place, it's close and it's not expensive. They also serve you a free poolside breakfast every day. There really isn't any advantage to staying onsite at DL like there is at WDW. All tickets come with one free early entry day.

I would think 3 to 4 days would allow you to see and do everything. Personally, I wanted to see a lot of things outside of Disney while I was there too. Universal Hollywood is another great place to visit. It's a real working movie studio besides being a theme park.

[ingamba]

Wait Bella, did you say Disneyland??

Awesome! I'm taking my first DL trip in February. I'll get Joy right on the case for you. She'll PM you if you'd like even, and bombard you with her wealth of DL knowledge!!

In the meantime, I'll try and help you in my pitifully pathetic way.

First of all, STAY AT ONE OF THE THREE DL RESORTS! (sorry to contradict ddoll, who I love). We're staying at DLH in February, and from all accounts, it's the perfect place to stay for your first DL trip. It's classic and original and all that jazz.

We're going to have almost four full days at DLH. According to Joy, that's a good amount of time to spend at DL, provided you dont' do any other SoCal attractions. For those, you'd need more time.

Our restaurant choices are Napa Rose, Goofy's Kitchen, Ariel's Grotto and a couple of others. Joy also has her favorite CS that we'll do too.

That's all for now. Like I said, I'm no DL expert. In fact I've never even been yet myself!

[twist1980]

I think there is a huge advantage to staying on site, you feel much more a part of the magic! While the off site hotels are within walking distance, they just aren't the same. I always used to stay off site, but after staying at the DLH and PPH last year I will always, always stay on site. Thats why I'm "forcing" Andrew to stay at the DLH in February. Yes, Disney hotels are more expensive, but they truly are better!

My favorite time to go is during May (away from Memorial Day weekend) and June (before school is out). The weather is generally in the 70's and 80's and I've never been rained on (although I've never been rained on any time I've visited SoCal). Since school is in session, the crowds are low. It sounds as if you guys want to go during vacation so Dave doesn't have to miss work. As I'm sure you know, crowds will be high, but it is still managable. The end of June last year wasn't as bad as I expected (unless you are trying to watch the fireworks...that was a bit crazy). So obviously I recommend trying to go when school is going on, but if you can't, you can't! If you go with summer vacation, I would avoid August, it gets super hot!

Like Andrew already said, you've got to have four days. That way you can do a full day at each park and then spend the next two days revisiting your favorite attractions. Plus it gives you more freedom to enjoy the ambiance and see all the shows and stuff. You might want to consider a 5th day if you go during school vacation, just so you don't miss anything!

You have to do Blue Bayou, it is just so magical! I also love Ariel's Grotto (Princess dining) and Carnation Cafe. On our trip in February it will be my first visit to Napa Rose and Goofy's Kitchen, but I've heard great things about them! I really liked Yamabuki at PPH too.

As far as doing things in the area, you've got to do Hollywood. I never ever go when I do Disney trips and hadn't gone since I was a kid. But I was in L.A. on business last month and my co-workers and I spent an evening on Hollywood Blvd. It was a blast! We got to see the Hyperion and go into Disney's Soda Fountain. I found Walt's star on the Walk of Fame, Donald's footprints, Disneyland's star, etc. The Kodak Theatre where they hold the Academy Awards is right there too and that was kind of neat to see. It's a great place to people watch too. The freaks seriously come out at night there!

If you want to know any other specifics, feel free to pm me!

[Mr. Incredible]

I have several questions for you crazy Disneyland kids out there:

1. It always seemed to me like Spring was the slowest when we lived there. Unfortunately there are hardly any slow times anymore. Weekends are always busy thanks to the locals.

2. If you can spring it staying on site would be great, however most of the good neighbor hotels are just as nice (exception being the Grand Californian) and fairly close at about 1/3 of the price or less. We used Priceline and got the Hilton for $50/night +/- and it was a super hotel.

3. For days at Disneyland I would say two or three should be plenty. Although, depending on how busy it is, you may need more just to account for lines.

4. Goofy's Kitchen is a lot of fun, Blue Bayou is cool but VERY expensive now, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen has superb food and atmosphere to boot. Unfortunately we always eat CHEAP, so we usually ate at the Tortilla Joe's Taqueria (counter service) where you can get two tacos (several varieties) for about $3. If you like pasta I would recommend the Chicken Fuscilli (sp?) at Redd Rocket's Pizza Port. YUM!

Edit: I forgot to mention, I don't know anything about Los Angeles. Just don't stay in Hollywood. I do know that much.

[daisyd]

Hi Bella! Here's my 2c!
First off, I need to share this website with you--resort info, dining info, etc!
Disneyland Resort Information

Okay, given what you've posted, I'd cross the fall break off your list as it's only 2 days, and even coupled with a weekend that's only 4 days and including travel and that's not enough time. But, for the record, fall has the BEST weather in CA as far as I'm concerned, so it would be my first pick if you had a week

If you plan on summer you have a large window of dates. When does school end? Here in Ca it generally ends mid June, so if you end in May or early June, I'd go right when school was out, avoiding the parks on Memorial Day weekend (you can be somewhere else that weekend!) My experience with other summer dates was that early July (after the 4th) was more crowded than late August--but both were still fairly crowded, but managable. With that said, if I were to book a summer trip for my family I'd look into after Aug 15th.

Spring break is hit or miss crowd wise--when is the Dave's? I can tell you that CA schools have no standard break time--my DSs school is out the first week of April, my DN is out the week before Easter, my best friends son is out the week after easter- and I can tell you lots of famlies I know travel to DL on spring break.

Christmas time is wonderful, and it would give you a year to save for your trip. Thing is it gets dark early, so your daytime touring of other palces is a few hours less than in the summertime.

About where to stay--well, first off, DLR is so very different from WDW as far as the atmosphere of the area surrounding the parks--go off property and you are in one busy place chock full of motels and restaurants.

If you need that 'resort' atmosphere for a Disney vacation, then I'd stay onsite at DLH or the GC. If you want to save a bunch money, the Candy Cane Inn is a great little place (super clean, free shuttle or a 6 minute walk, decent ceral and muffin breakfast served poolside). And, at 1/4 the price of the Grand Cali, a real budget saver. I have raved about the CCI a lot in this forum, lol. I personally would save some money on my DL stay and then splurge on a hotel somewhere else on the trip But, that's just me.

I'd say 3 full days for a first timer to DLR is a good amount--two would be pushing it. It's very, very easy to go from Disneyland to DCA and back again in the same day as the parks are only across a plaza from one another. DTD is small compared to WDW's DTD, so a big chunk of time is not needed to see it unless you really like to shop and wander in and out of stores.

Dining at DL is not like dining at WDW, there is not an enormous selection of waiter serviced places in the parks from which to chose. Look at the link I posted above for good dining info and some photos :) I LOVE to have an early breakfast at the River Belle Terrace. Nothing beats sipping a cup of joe, eating pancakes and watching people go by with Tom Sawyers island, Pirates, the river boat all so close. Bengal BBQ has great meat on a stick and the RED CORN DOG WAGON is a MUST!!! Oh, and a churro or two :)

Outside of DLR--I'm not a fan of Hollyweird--but it seems to be a place people feel the need to go to, lol. If you go, just don't expect a glitzy beautiful place and as twist said, the freaks come out at night, so go during the day If you want glamour and glitz, check out Beverly Hills! In Southern Californa there are museums, missions, beaches--all kinds of stuff to see. Is there any specific activity that would really sell your DH on the trip?

Seriously, California has so much to offer, maybe you could take more than a week Maybe seeing some of Northern California can be worked in?? LOL, we have Yosemite, Tahoe, San Francisco, Napa, Monterey... You could even start at DL and drive up the coast to SF stopping along the way in Santa Barbara and Monterey. You should look up Rlanders trip report from last summer. His family did a nice California trip (SF to DL), and Wish's TR is a great SoCal tour!

[LURK]

Dang, Daisy, I'm in awe. Awesome advice.

Can you plan my next trip for me?

(oh, and I noticed the new title. How long have you had it? I'm about 4 days behind on my reading. Can I expect to run across an explanation here somewhere? Or is that one of those universally understood references that I'm culturally ignorant of?)

[Dana]

I have ZERO DL knowledge, but wanted to tell you how excited I am that you are planning again!

[Cavey]

I think you should tell the Dave you are getting tired of Disney and want to try some other vacation.

[catfish1999]

Originally Posted by Cavey

I think you should tell the Dave you are getting tired of Disney and want to try some other vacation.

Don't even joke like that!

Have fun plannin' Bella!

[woohoo]

I think that DL can easily be done in one day and I am assuming that CD would be the same. I have been to California several times and although they are used to the heat- I found August to be borderline miserable- I would suggest going as soon as school gets out instead. As early in the summer the better- I agree with not trying to fit it into a school vacation. Its a long flight so make it worth the ride. I love Universal over there- I am a disney nut but I really dont think that DL compares to my WDW vacations so I would break it apart that way- I would also stay onsite for at least the disney portion and then take a rental car and drive around. Just a warning though- their freeway has more lanes than the Jersey Turnpike and they drive like nuts over there. So plan your route with exits and miles between exits just in case- once you are off the freeway have fun and see what you can!! I personally loved the trip we took from LA to SF via the PCH- that was amazing!!!! How exciting for you!!!

[cinderbella]

wow! so much info!! Thanks everyone who responded..I told Dave last night over dinner..."I started planning our DL 07 trip"..and he gave me this look..: followed by "I thought we were going to New York.....

Boys make my head hurt!

[dznygrl]

Don't "do LA".

That's my only advice. Stick to DL and the surrounding areas, including the beach. Hollywood and LA are....um, barf-o-rama to me. And at night I find them utterly terrifying!

Other than that, everybody said everything that could possibly be said! And of course you know I'm always happy to help you thru PMs if you need to chatter away....

[rosebud]

Just echoing the Blue Bayou sentiment. You can't miss it and the food is wonderful. I'm drooling just thinking about a Monte Cristo . . .mmmmm

[bikedealer]

Well my fist time to Dl was in 78. My how things have changed out there. I have been 3 more times since. Only 1 after they opened the Cal park. And we got a three day and would say 2 would be more than enough. And note that DL is very compact when compare to WDW. Everything is tight all the walkways the whole place. Lets face it that is one of the reason Walt went to FLA. But still a must do for any Disney Fan. The PoC is different (I like it better) you have the Blue Bayou in the start of the ride. I will have to say that my last time there we made sure to get in to eat at the BB. And we must have hit on a bad night as both mine and the DW meal were not up to Disney level. The Cal park was great ToT and Bugs Life, some great coasters. As far what else to do in SoCal. Wow so much the wax musem, Knots Berry, Universal Studios. Go down to San Diego to the zoo and onto Tijuana. New Port Beach, San Juan Capistrano, trip out to Catalina Island. But if you have the time nix SoCal for a trip up the coast stop at Hearst Castle stay on 1 up to Monterey (wow). In San Jose go to the Winchester House than on up to San Francisco. The crookedest street in the world Alcatraz Island, Fishermans Wharf, Golden Gate. Just a lot less people and a better trip I think. The main thing is so much to do out there. Do Disney but take in more.