Disneyland help questions

squeek

squeek

Member
Original Poster
Hey guys. I need some help, I am a total wdw guy and I live in Ontario Canada and have been to wdw 10 times in my 36 years on this earth (most recently 3 weeks ago).

Next year I am thinking of doing Disneyland due to the fact I have never been there yet. Im thinking of last week of September 2014.

If anyone has any tips on making the trip easier to plan, like whats up with there meal plan (or whatever that is). I know there meal plan in wdw is amazing and I have heard that disneyland doesn't really have the same kind of plan for food.

So would I have to pre book meals in disneyland or should I just bring cash and wing it? Is it better to stay in a disneyland hotel or one of there neighbour hotels? I know there isnt a magical express in disneyland, so what is there instead? Also do you think 5 nights will be enough for someone who has never been there before?

Thank you so much any tips or help would be greatly appreciated.

I also know this is a wdw forum and I am a total wdw fan boy. I just thought I would turn to the experts on this site for help.

Thanks again everyone.
Devo
 
Zweiland

Zweiland

Well-Known Member
squeek said:
Hey guys. I need some help, I am a total wdw guy and I live in Ontario Canada and have been to wdw 10 times in my 36 years on this earth (most recently 3 weeks ago).

Next year I am thinking of doing Disneyland due to the fact I have never been there yet. Im thinking of last week of September 2014.

If anyone has any tips on making the trip easier to plan, like whats up with there meal plan (or whatever that is). I know there meal plan in wdw is amazing and I have heard that disneyland doesn't really have the same kind of plan for food.

So would I have to pre book meals in disneyland or should I just bring cash and wing it? Is it better to stay in a disneyland hotel or one of there neighbour hotels? I know there isnt a magical express in disneyland, so what is there instead? Also do you think 5 nights will be enough for someone who has never been there before?

Thank you so much any tips or help would be greatly appreciated.

I also know this is a wdw forum and I am a total wdw fan boy. I just thought I would turn to the experts on this site for help.

Thanks again everyone.
Devo
Click to expand...
I'm a Disneyland newbie too except for a recent trip. We spent 2 days in DLP and one in DCA, and we felt that was enough time to see most of the attractions. While Disneyland Park has more attractions than WDW, all of them are within very short walking distance. 5 nights sounds great!

We stayed with family, so I can't help you with hotel reccomendations. I do believe that no restaurants take reservations in DL Park except the Blue Bayou. In any case, we didn't do ressies and got along fine.

And one last thing, this should be moved to the Disneyland forum.

Have a great time! IMO Disneyland is a much better experience than WDW for a vacation less than 1 week.:)
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
I'm also a WDW guy who did a trip to DLC in Feb. (I'm gonna get called out for using that acronym, watch!)...

So, here's my breakdown.

1) ADRs

Not worth making. You can generally get into the restaurants with a reasonable wait. The only exception would be if you wanted to do the reserved section seating ADR for World of Color. This is run at Carthay Circle, Arial's Grotto and Wine Country Trattoria.

Info...

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/world-of-color-dining/

Also, since DTD is quite literally right there and within an easy walking distance, you may find you want to eat outside of the parks quite a bit.

2) Dining Plan

Not worth it at all. It's nothing like Disneyworld's plan. It's more akin to Universal's plan (pre 2013). Skip it, it's not a value.

3) Neighbor Hotels

I stayed at the Disneyland Resort. This offers their version of EMH hours. It's a perk that at Disneyland isn't really needed, especially in Sept. I'd skip it and save money to stay at one of the partner hotels. You can get passes for the ART (Anaheim Resort Transportation) if you are out of walking distance or don't want to rent a car. I'd look at a map of Disneyland and look for resorts that are near there. This one caught my eye (and I VERY nearly stayed there...)

http://www.anabellahotel.com/

That being said, the Disneyland Hotel was nice. I'll give you the negatives first...

a) The walls are thin. I won't elaborate on that...
b) The shower, while it looks wonderful with it's decor, isn't all that great
c) The wifi in the central pool area stinks / doesn't work. Wanna sit by the fireplace or the pool and catch up on emails? Not gonna happen (over wifi).

Perks?

a) It's Disney to the max (more so than many of the WDW resorts)
b) The steakhouse there (Steakhouse 55) is fantastic...but you can do that without being a guest at the hotel
c) The pool area is awesome, especially at night

4) Length of stay

5 nights is more than enough...in fact, I'd look for other things to do in the area. HOWEVER...DLC isn't like WDW. They don't do all the shows every night. Especially when you plan to visit. Be sure to keep up on their schedules for trip planning for Fireworks and World of Color.

5) (not asked for tip) Magical Express

They do it a bit differently at DLC. There you will have to pay for it ($60 I think...I can't recall)...and it's got far more limited hours depending on which airport you are flying into. Probably easier (and possibly cheaper) to arrange other transit to and from the hotels.

6) Airport

As far as convenience, I'd look into flying into SNA as opposed to LAX. It's much closer, and you can skip all the LA traffic issues.

That's all I can think of for now. Hope it helps!
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Oh, just thought of something else...

Get the Parkhopper tickets.

Also, the "extra gate" option for Disney Resort guests isn't worth all that much compared to the savings for partner resorts...but if you go that route, it is nice.
 
steamboatjosh

steamboatjosh

Well-Known Member
Now this I know about. It's been years since I've been to WDW but I just moved back home from California and I am a Disneyland Passholder. Spent quite a lot of time there this year.

As far as restaurant reservations, it depends on what type of eatery you're wanting to go to. Blue Bayou (which I highly recommend), you will definitely need reservations. It's a restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride... gorgeous. Request a seat by the boats. That's the only restaurant inside Disneyland that you would need a reservation at. In DCA, if you're wanting to eat at Carthay Circle Restaurant (which I also highly recommend), Wine Country Trattoria, or Ariel's Grotto then you will need a reservation.

Tip: If you eat at one of those three restaurants in DCA, just do it because you want to eat there. The World of Color package is not worth it. The viewing sucks. We did it and were so disappointed. Two nights earlier we had shown up for World of Color about an hr before showtime and got a MUCH better view of it. Definitely do not miss WOC and don't waste your time with the package. Just get Fast Pass for it and show up early for the show.

5 days should be enough to do most of the things you're wanting to do. We spent 7 days down there for our anniversary earlier this year and got to do everything.

I do recommend the Disneyland Hotel just to get to the thorough Disneyland experience but if it's too far above the money belt, there are a lot of good hotels to choose from around there. There's one that's actually themed to a castle which would fit perfectly.
Big tip: If you really want to feel the spirit of Disneyland and of Walt himself, get a reservation for the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour. We did it and were in tears because of how powerful it is. It may seem a bit pricey, but well worth it. I won't spoil the tour for you, but I will tell you the coolest part of it is at the end you are taken into Walt's apartment that he had built for himself inside the park. Don't pass it up!
 
Walt Disney1955

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
squeek said:
Hey guys. I need some help, I am a total wdw guy and I live in Ontario Canada and have been to wdw 10 times in my 36 years on this earth (most recently 3 weeks ago).

Next year I am thinking of doing Disneyland due to the fact I have never been there yet. Im thinking of last week of September 2014.

If anyone has any tips on making the trip easier to plan, like whats up with there meal plan (or whatever that is). I know there meal plan in wdw is amazing and I have heard that disneyland doesn't really have the same kind of plan for food.

So would I have to pre book meals in disneyland or should I just bring cash and wing it? Is it better to stay in a disneyland hotel or one of there neighbour hotels? I know there isnt a magical express in disneyland, so what is there instead? Also do you think 5 nights will be enough for someone who has never been there before?

Thank you so much any tips or help would be greatly appreciated.

I also know this is a wdw forum and I am a total wdw fan boy. I just thought I would turn to the experts on this site for help.

Thanks again everyone.
Devo
Click to expand...

A fellow Canadian from Ontario here too. I'm from Kitchener, and yes, as you can see with my signature a WDW veteran as well but I always wanted to try Disneyland and we did it last year and loved it. Totally worth it and I have a big "problem" now. The next time (2014?) that we go to one of the parks I actually am torn as to which one to take our two kids to. Honestly, I really am.

We stayed at the Ayres Hotel. Three miles away from Disneyland. Across the street from the Honda Center (Anaheim Ducks play there) and down the street from Angel Stadium (Angels play there). Right close to the expressway though. And the rooms were beautiful. We got a killer deal for 9 days, it was a promotion they had called "Summer on Fire" and it literally slashed the cost 30%. It does what it has to do, it has a pool outside, a nice breakfast every morning and the rooms are lovely. I would stay off site just because there is so much to see in Southern California outside of Disney.

Going into last year my favourite individual park was Magic Kingdom. Nothing could touch it. But Disneyland tops it. More rides, for the most part better duplicates of rides (they have an inferior Splash Mountain though) and dripping even more with nostalgia.

We went the first week of September last year. On Labour day Indy was open for the last time before a refurb, as well as Casey Jr. and Storybook Canal boats. After that they were all down, but we got on them the first day at Disneyland. Just suggest that you look at the Disneyland calendar to ensure when there are some refurbs being done. You don't want to miss Pirates if it is down, or Indy. I missed Haunted Mansion because it was right in the middle of the Halloween changeover.

5 nights will be plenty of time to see it all, however, like I said don't cheat yourself out of the rest of SoCal. The beaches are still nice to swim in September and there are lots of things to do in the Hollywood area such as studio tours. Universal is still worth a visit while you are down there. So if you have more than 5 days I say take advantage of it. 3-4 days of all of Disneyland is more than enough.
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
englanddg said:
I'm also a WDW guy who did a trip to DLC in Feb. (I'm gonna get called out for using that acronym, watch!)...
Click to expand...

What the heck is DLC??? Disneyland Calcutta? Disney's Large Couch? Disney Looping Coaster?

Surely you don't mean Disneyland. Everyone who is anyone knows to call it Disneyland. It's a name that is elegant in its simplicity and its iconic stature in American culture. Disneyland.

Once you've referenced that's the place you are talking about in an online message board, you could just type the letters DL to save a few keystrokes if you'd like. Or, if you want to be really technical and/or you are talking about the entire property in Anaheim, you could type out the acronym DLR; R for Resort.

But typing out DLC? We don't have any DLC here. :cool:
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
TP2000 said:
What the heck is DLC??? Disneyland Calcutta? Disney's Large Couch? Disney Looping Coaster?

Surely you don't mean Disneyland. Everyone who is anyone knows to call it Disneyland. It's a name that elegant in its simplicity and its iconic stature in American culture. Disneyland.

Once you've referenced that's the place you are talking about in an online message board, you could just type the letters DL to save a few keystrokes if you'd like. Or, if you want to be really technical and/or you are talking about the entire property in Anaheim, you could type out the acronym DLR; R for Resort.

But typing out DLC? We don't have any DLC here. :cool:
Click to expand...
See, I knew I would get called out for it.

It's Disneyland California. And, it's not iconic to me. There are lots of Disneylands nowadays (DLP, DLT, DLHK, DLS), but there is only ONE Magic Kingdom! <grin>
 
Californian Elitist

Californian Elitist

Well-Known Member
TP2000 said:
What the heck is DLC??? Disneyland Calcutta? Disney's Large Couch? Disney Looping Coaster?

Surely you don't mean Disneyland. Everyone who is anyone knows to call it Disneyland. It's a name that is elegant in its simplicity and its iconic stature in American culture. Disneyland.

Once you've referenced that's the place you are talking about in an online message board, you could just type the letters DL to save a few keystrokes if you'd like. Or, if you want to be really technical and/or you are talking about the entire property in Anaheim, you could type out the acronym DLR; R for Resort.

But typing out DLC? We don't have any DLC here. :cool:
Click to expand...

EXACTLY! "Disneyland California" doesn't exist.
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
raven24 said:
Actually, "Magic Kingdom" was borrowed from Disneyland (not the made up Disneyland California).
Click to expand...
And the official title of Disneyland California isn't "Magic Kingdom"...is it. That was just a term Walt used to describe it.

In Florida, it is the official name! <grin>
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
englanddg said:
See, I knew I would get called out for it.

It's Disneyland California. And, it's not iconic to me. There are lots of Disneylands nowadays (DLP, DLT, DLHK, DLS), but there is only ONE Magic Kingdom! <grin>
Click to expand...

Oh, yes, of course. You are referring to the one true Magic Kingdom that is Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. He built it and owned the joint himself. Disneyland has been called Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom since 1955 on souvenir guidebooks, travel posters, brochures, popcorn boxes, etc., etc. for decades. Like this ticket book cover from the 1950's...

DL_Ticketbook_58_back.jpg


The phrase Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom is also used in the 21st century in recorded and live CM spiels throughout the park, like this current announcement that plays every time a train arrives at the Main Street station. It gives you goose bumps when you walk into the park as this spiel booms out over the Town Square!

 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Yes, but only with the blessing of size was he able to realize it.

Unfortunately, he passed.

We could argue on and on about this (in a good hearted way), but the fact is...there is only ONE "Magic Kingdom" today, and it lives in Florida.

We have a better castle, we have a larger footprint, we have utilidors.

That being said...DLC has better rides and themes, on average. <sigh>
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
englanddg said:
Yes, but only with the blessing of size was he able to realize it.

Unfortunately, he passed.

We could argue on and on about this (in a good hearted way), but the fact is...there is only ONE "Magic Kingdom" today, and it lives in Florida.

We have a better castle, we have a larger footprint, we have utilidors.

That being said...DLC has better rides and themes, on average. <sigh>
Click to expand...

Technically, the theme park in Florida is called Magic Kingdom Park.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/magic-kingdom/

And how was your visit to Disneyland Calcutta? I haven't seen a section that covers the Indian Subcontinent on these forums, so you might as well use this section. :cool:
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
englanddg said:
Yes, but only with the blessing of size was he able to realize it.

Unfortunately, he passed.

We could argue on and on about this (in a good hearted way), but the fact is...there is only ONE "Magic Kingdom" today, and it lives in Florida.

We have a better castle, we have a larger footprint, we have utilidors.

That being said...DLC has better rides and themes, on average. <sigh>
Click to expand...

And you know, with me and @raven24 on here at the same time tonight, you didn't stand a chance with that little stunt of yours. :D
 

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