I'm finally going to Disneyland!!

Hey everyone, I just found out that I get to attend a conference in San Diego this August so I'm going to take a few days and drive up to visit Disneyland. I lived in FL for three years so I know Disneyworld inside and out but this is my first ever visit to the Land!!:sohappy:

I'm on a really cheap budget and after looking at nearby hotels I ended up booking the Econo Lodge across the street from the park. Has anyone on here ever stayed there or knows someone who has? I don't plan on being in the room for more than sleeping bc I'll be spending every possible minute in the parks since its my first time, I'll be alone, and I don't know if I'll ever get to make it back again.

Also I was thinking of dining options and was wondering if they do reservation/priority seating like Disneyworld does. After looking at the menus I'm thinking of trying Naples at Downtown Disney on my first night there.

I'm sure I'll have some more questions later on as I start my planning, I can't wait till August!!!

We've found the HOJO near the entrance of DL has come out at a really good price for this upcoming December...

Awesome! First and foremost I hope you have a blast! If you're on a tight budget maybe you can check out the Plaza Inn for big food (Alfredo pasta is roughly 12 dollars, maybe 13, and the Cobb Salad is roughly 11. I forget how much the chicken dinner is). If weather permits, be sure to check out the Remember fireworks show (unless of course they had the same one in WDW). If you do not wish to see the fireworks, that would be a perfect time to ride some rides. The only rides that are open in Fantasyland during the fireworks are Matterhorn, Casey Jr. and I believe Dumbo and the carousel as well. Be sure to go on Matterhorn BOTH sides. Nemo is also a good ride to check out during the fireworks. From my experiences, go to Nemo later in the day, if not then at about closing (5 minutes before, something like that) as the lines die at night. In the morning don't bother going over there. I would probably want to get a Fastpass for Space Mountain first thing when I get to Disneyland. Then if you want head over to Toon Town and get Roger Rabbit fastpass as it is not connected to the other machines (so you can get it whenever). Do Pirates and Mansion in the morning as they're easier to get on due to high capacity.

If you plan on heading over to DCA, be sure to get a fastpass for Soarin' first thing (even thought I'm sure you've been on it at Epcot). If not Soarin', check out Tower of Terror. Depending on the wait, you may or may not need a fastpass. It's very hit and miss with the lines at Tower of terror. Sometimes it's 90, other times it's listed as 13. Don't wait until later to ride tower, it seems to get longer in the day. Monsters is a nice ride, but not worth a wait over 20 minutes. A Bugs Land is cute, and some of the rides are ok, but it's more fun to walk around in there. I'm sure you've seen ITTBAB. Head over to the pier and check out Screamin' if that's your thing. I'd fastpass that, but the line moves at a decent speed. Let's see...TSMM will be open, but you may not want to ride that. The sun Wheel is great, but the lines get really long for the swinging Gondola's (but they're really fun if that's your thing). Maliboomer is ok, no need to rush to it, but if you've got time to kill, and the wait 10 minutes or lower why not? (unless you don't like those rides). Grizzly River Run is a great ride, lovely scenery. The fastpass system for that ride is not connected to other DCA rides just like Roger Rabbit, so you can get that whenever. If you want to avoid lines and people, go on at night. You may be able to get your own raft (and you wont get too wet).

If I were you, start at Disneyland to get fastpasses for Space and Roger, do Pirates and Haunted Mansion, then head over to DCA. DCA closes earlier and takes less time to do. After that, have fun in Disneyland!

Thanks SNJ for the suggestions, I will definately write those down and take them with me, esp that two of the FP aren't connected to the other ones. I'm gonna try and hit basically everything bc I don't know if I'll ever get back out that way again or not. I checked online and DL is open from 8 am-12 am all three days and DCA is open from 10 am -9 pm also so it looks like I'll have a lot of time to get things done! :sohappy:

It always good to hear from a DL pro on what lines are the first to fill up. I know I was always being asked questions by friends and family members on a game plan for their vacations at Disney and I was able to save them a lot of time waiting in line!

If anyone else has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

You will have a great time! I haven't stayed at the EconoLodge...but have stayed at others on the same street. Fine enough for sleeping, and an easy walk to the parks.

DL and DCA really don't do dining the way WDW does...not too many "sit down restaurants. Many are in DTD (between the parks) or at the hotels.
Do consider doing the Blue Bayou (and dine inside PoTC).

I'm sure weekends are busier, but I've never had the waits at Soarin', ToT or Cali Screamin' previously described.
Do, Do make it a point to do the Aladdin show (near ToT)

If you want to do Nemo....do it first thing as the lines are ridiculous for an OK ride!

I think you will enjoy visiting "the original". To me it always feels like I'm in the Twilight Zone...because everything is familiar....yet it's all different. Check into dates for Fantasmic and Dreams Come True Fireworks as they do not occur every night.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

I am so happy for you. That sounds like a blast. We are thinking about going to DL in 2012, if all goes well. My DH wants to take a cruise to Alaska so while we are that close to DL, I want to visit for a few days.

Have fun planning!!:wave:

Well i am kind of in the same boat. I am going to the SDCC for the first time this year and am going to rent a car and go to disneyland for about a day and a half. I have not booked a room yet so any suggesstions. One that has a parking lot so i can leave my rental and walk to the park.

DO the actual hotels in the park have car parking? Is it worth staying at one of those?

Hey there! It can be VERY expensive to stay in a DLR hotel. I personally prefer to book a Motel 6. They are clean, and I'm really just going to be there to sleep. There aren't any within walking distance.

What is your budget like?

You'll have a great time! I stayed at Super 8 on Disneyland Drive, it was about 10 minutes away from the park, I could walk there and cross the street to the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure and take the tram to Downtown Disney. Loved it. I really enjoyed Disneyland.

I lucked out and went when it was barely crowded. I don't even think Soarin' over California had more than a 30 minute wait, if that. Same goes for ToT. Be sure and go during the weekday if possible. Weekends are crowded. I went on a Saturday evening and it was PACKED.

LadyDarling said:

Hey there! It can be VERY expensive to stay in a DLR hotel. I personally prefer to book a Motel 6. They are clean, and I'm really just going to be there to sleep. There aren't any within walking distance.

What is your budget like?

Click to expand...

There are plenty of choices of reasonable hotels just outside of DL on South Harbor Dr.

ClemsonTigger said:

There are plenty of choices of reasonable hotels just outside of DL on South Harbor Dr.

Click to expand...

Oh definately! I didn't mean to imply that there aren't other options! Once we know how much the poster is willing to spend on a room, it's much easier to narrow down the options. The area is just SWAMPED with hotels to choose from! :wave:

Kman101 said:

I lucked out and went when it was barely crowded. I don't even think Soarin' over California had more than a 30 minute wait, if that. Same goes for ToT. Be sure and go during the weekday if possible. Weekends are crowded. I went on a Saturday evening and it was PACKED.

Click to expand...

I'm going to guess the locals come out a lot on weekends, yes? Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how weekends are on Saturday's right after kids have gone back to school in the area? I'm heading out there for the first time September 17-22.

September can still be pretty crowded. It can also be VERY hot, so be sure to wear your most comfortable shorts!

CrashNet said:

I'm going to guess the locals come out a lot on weekends, yes? Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how weekends are on Saturday's right after kids have gone back to school in the area? I'm heading out there for the first time September 17-22.

Click to expand...

LadyDarling can give you the best detail on specific dates, but generally the weekends in Sept. after school starts again tend to be a bit lighter. It picks up again in Oct. with the opening of NBC.

I tend to think of going to DL on weekends as going to the mall. There are a lot of young folks that just go to "hang out". Crowds are increased in some areas/attractions, not too bad for others, but more bodies "in" the parks. Also adds a different "flavor" to the visit.

LadyDarling said:

September can still be pretty crowded. It can also be VERY hot, so be sure to wear your most comfortable shorts!

Click to expand...

Oh come on. I thought it was 75 a sunny with a slight breeze everyday near LA. :lol: Only kidding. Hope its not too hot this year.

oooops ... double post (see below)

LadyDarling said:

I personally prefer to book a Motel 6. They are clean, and I'm really just going to be there to sleep. There aren't any within walking distance.

Click to expand...

Hmmm... the one we stayed at this past March was. Just under half a mile from the entrance...

We figured that into our walking one day when our transit pass had expired.

That distance is closer than walking say... from Cali' Screamin' in DCA to Splash Mountain in DL...

So it's all in your definition of "walking distance" I guess.

We just picked the Motel 6 listed in Disneyland's Good Neighbor listing on the main DL website booking page.

The deal in March was 4th night free...

REally?!

Ya know, knowing my penny pinching self, I probably opted for the one further away because I bet it was probably cheaper.

That's awesome to keep in mind for future trips!

Just thought I'd share that I got some dinning reservations made. I was totally suprised at how open everything is in comparison to Disney World. I wanted to eat at the Blue Bayou but figured since I was waiting till a few weeks out I wouldn't get in but when I called the CM had a ton of stuff open. He also said they only book 90 days out instead of Disney World's 180 deal.

It was just such a nice suprise to be able to get in where I wanted and the times I wanted with only a few weeks till my trip! :sohappy:

Disneyland is geared more towards locals and less towards tourists planning the invasion of Normandy. You'll find lots of differences like that.

My tips? Just try to focus on all the things that are unique to Disneyland. Disneyland has about a dozen more attractions than Magic Kingdom does, some of them major E Tickets. Add in the attractions at DCA, and you have a list of attractions that is about the same as Magic Kingdom, Epcot and DHS combined.

Now, many of those attractions are the same ones in WDW; stuff like Soarin', Star Tours, Big Thunder, etc. The building and the queue may be different, but many of the attractions are similar. So stick to the rides you won't see in WDW, like...

StorybookLand Canal Boats (The Classic Walt Attraction)
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Matterhorn Boblseds
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Alice In Wonderland
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Pinnochio's Daring Journey
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Sailing Ship Columbia
Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
Indiana Jones Adventure
Tarzan's Treehouse
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley To The Rescue
Hyperion Theatre Aladdin Show
Grizzly River Run
California Screamin'
Sun Wheel (great views from the mountains to Catalina to LA)
Heimlich's Chew Chew Train (or at least stroll through Flik's Fun Fair for 10 minutes)
Golden Dreams (see it soon before it gets replaced by Little Mermaid)
Disneyland Opera House First 50 Magical Years

While you are doing those types of Disneyland/DCA exclusives, don't forget to do the attractions that are generally thought of as being a cut above or pleasantly different than the Magic Kingdom version, such as...

Pirates of the Caribbean (You'll learn where the missing 8 minutes went in WDW's version)
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room (The 1963 original)
Space Mountain (Gerald Ford is no longer in office in Anaheim)
Peter Pan's Flight (dramatically better showmanship and upkeep)

About the only two attractions you could skip because they are technically or artistically inferior in Anaheim are...

Splash Mountain (frenzied, hectic and bizarre compared to the WDW version)
Winnie The Pooh (unless you are a big Pooh fan, of course)

The other thing to remember is that Disneyland has a different vibe than WDW at night. The dry climate allows lots of outdoor dining, plenty of dancing to live bands under the stars, and non stop entertainment once the sun goes down.

Try to see the fireworks from the end of Main Street, and then the 10:30 PM Fantasmic from near the French Market restaurant. Avoid the 9:00 PM Fantasmic as it is the most crowded. Like Pirates of the Caribbean, you'll wonder why they cut out so much stuff from Fantasmic! when it went to WDW.

If you can, also catch the Electrical Parade in DCA one night for old times sake. And the two afternoon parades in each park, Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams and Pixar Play Parade are generally better than any day parade seen in WDW in years. (Except for Block Party Bash, which came from Anaheim of course).

The Disneyland Hotel can be fun to stroll around, especially the lobby with all of the old pictures of Walt entertaining celebrity guests at Disneyland in the 1950's and 60's.