Advice on a poss. Quick DL Trip.

[WDWVito]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some help with something I am trying to do.

I have a conference in Vegas in early June that last till Friday afternoon.

Since I am on the east coast and do not get any chances for a Disney Land visit, I was trying to see if it is feasible to head from Vegas to Disney Land for the weekend.

So, basically looking for advice on

1) Best way to get from Vegas to DL on a Friday afternoon.

2) Could I get pretty much everything in from a Friday night to Sunday (or Monday depending on flights) Never been to DL

3) I would like to stay at a Disney Resort if possible, but don’t want to spend a large amount of cash (yeah… I know that does not make sense as it is a DL resort) other Hotel options are welcome.

4) Best option for tickets to parks

5) What is the best way to get back to an airport close to DL. (not familiar with the area) Does DL have transportation like DME?

Thanks in advance.

Vito

 

[WDWVito]

MOD: I forgot about the DL forum. Pls move if need be. thx

 

[fosse76]

1) Best way to get from Vegas to DL on a Friday afternoon.

I have no idea, maybe someone else could answer that.

2) Could I get pretty much everything in from a Friday night to Sunday (or Monday depending on flights) Never been to DL

I assume you will be there solo? If so then definitely. DLR has several rides in each park with Single-rider lines (DL: Matterhorn, Splash Mountain and Indy; DCA: California Screamin', Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin', Grizzly River Rampage), so that will help significantly, as will judicious use of FP.

3) I would like to stay at a Disney Resort if possible, but don’t want to spend a large amount of cash (yeah… I know that does not make sense as it is a DL resort) other Hotel options are welcome.

All of DLR's hotels are deluxe-level, so you will definitely spend a lot of money per night. Keep in mind, DLR is nothing like WDW, and staying at one of the hotels isn't as immersive as at WDW. There are a significant number of clean, safe and affordable hotels and motels within walking distance of the resort (and a few are closer to the turnstyles than Disney's own hotels). The most recommended one seems to be the Howard Johnsons on Harbor Blvd and Manchester. Some are a little further away, but are serviced by Anaheim Resort Transit (which is pay-per-ride).

4) Best option for tickets to parks

If you are only there for a weekend, I would get the park hopper tickets. Park hopping at DLR is much easier than at WDW: it takes 1-2 minutes to walk from the turnstyles at DL to the turnstyles at DCA.

5) What is the best way to get back to an airport close to DL. (not familiar with the area) Does DL have transportation like DME?

No. There is the Disneyland Express that is operated by Grayline (I think) that picks-up and drops-off at LAX and Orange County (John Wayne Airport) but it does cost extra. http://www.graylineanaheim.com/airport_info.cfm
I've always used Super Shuttle and haven't had any issues. It is slightly cheaper than the bus.

 

[teacherlady19]

Getting from Las Vegas to DL on a Friday evening: There's really only one route to drive, and that's I-15 south. Expect a lot of traffic! If this were me, I'd take I-15 south to CA-60W ("the 60"), then CA-57 ("the 57") south. You can get off at Katella and head west. Another way would be I-15 south to "the 91W" to "the 57" south. However, I am personally not fond of the 91.

Definitely you can get everything in if you keep on plugging. I'd recommend doing the stuff that WDW does *not* have, first, and then doing the duplicated attractions so you can see the differences. You'll feel like you're in a parallel universe, and hopefully will feel the history that DL has, as well.

Staying in a Disney-owned hotel isn't the same in Anaheim as it is in FL. There will be feeling of the outside world at any of the three, but most definitely felt at either DLH or PP. They're also EXPENSIVE. Good Neighbor Hotels are the best way to go, IMHO. Howard Johnson seems to be mentioned a lot, but we've never stayed there. We've stayed at Best Western Stovall's and Candy Cane Inn. Any more, we prefer Candy Cane. They have a shuttle to/from the park. HoJo's seems to be closer to walk from, as is Best Western Park Place. CCI and BWS are both within walking distance but a bit further.

You could go park-hopper OR without, depending on your budget. Both parks are in walking distance of each other, unlike the WDW parks. No, you can't take transportation from one park to another. The monorail goes *through* DCA but does not stop. It also goes through the GCH, and does not stop. It has two stops: Tomorrowland-DL and DD.

Flying out of John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana is an option. You could compare the cost of the flight out of SNA and the shuttle to get there, with the flight from LAX and the fare to get THERE, and see what's better for you.


Donna

 

[Patti1]

MOD: I forgot about the DL forum. Pls move if need be. thx

Yes, totally doable! Take an afternoon flight to John Wayne Airport/Orange County, the cloest airport to Disney Since this is a quick trip, take the shuttle, it is reasonable and you do not need a car. You said that you do not want to spend a great amount of money in accommodations, given that the three properties that are on site are all deluxe and are very expensive. We have stayed on property and loved it, however last trip we stayed at Del Sol Inn and it was just fine, clean, bed was comfortable,staff friendly and helpful, small continental breakfast, and the best part Across The Main entrance to Disneyland. Depending on your pace a five to ten min walk. The price is right as we'll. There arr several hotels in that area so I am sure that you can find one that will fit the bill for you. As to tickets, I agree park hopper is best. Check out the Disney site or one if the other travel sites or Southwest air and look at the packages offered as well. Plenty of good places to eat at the resort or Downtown Disney and the Garden Walk as well. As to the rides and attractions you will be able to take advantage of single rider. We had not been to DL for over ten years and we were very surprised at how much it had changed and was very. Have a great time

 

[BubbaQuest]

I'd also recommend looking at flights. JetBlue often has sales for under $100 roundtrip between Long Beach and Las Vegas. However, you'll need to take a taxi (about $50) or private shuttle from Long Beach airport to Disneyland.

Santa Ana (John Wayne airport) is the closest airport, about 15 miles. There is a Disneyland Resort Express shuttle run by Gray Line that goes to the nearby hotels for around $20 each way.

Otherwise, the drive from Las Vegas will take about 4 hours if you are lucky. Probably over 5 hours on a Friday evening with traffic.

Disney's Paradise Pier hotel is the cheapest Disney hotel. It will probably run about $230/night. It also feels a bit more like a Holiday Inn than the other Disney hotels.

If you don't want to spend a lot, I'd recommend any of the hotels on Harbor Blvd directly across from the Main entrance (just north of Disney Way). You'll actually be closer to the park than the Disneyland Hotel and pay about 1/4 of the price.

Have a great trip!

P.S. Just a heads up that Grad Nights are probably happening the first 2 weekends in June.