Disneyland Resort Trip Planning Questions

[DryCreek]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, tahoma, arial, helvetica]Howdy Folks,
I need some help planning a 2012 Disneyland vacation. It feels kinda funny - I usually help everyone else I know plan their WDW vacations. I have been to Disneyland once by myself (when stationed in San Diego, about 1987) and then DW, DS and I in 1993. We are seasoned WDW park commandos, and the DW is starting to get tired of WDW (it's still the same, we've done that already, etc.). Last year was a cruise vacation, this year we are exploring New Mexico. I have put my foot down and decided that 2012 would be a Return to Disney. I am the vacation planner. As in the last five years, it will be just the DW and I (son in college). The reason I have chosen DL this time was twofold - we have never seen the CA park, and I just found out that DL still has Mr. Toads Wild Ride and the original Tiki Serenade!
OK, here is where the planning gets much harder than a trip to WDW, so I have lots and lots of questions. I will try to break them down into individual questions.

1 - I guess that DL does not offer the equivalent of DME. What is the most cost-effective way to get to the resort area without renting a car? When making trial reservations I was offered a choice to use Disneyland Motor Coach, but I couldn't tell if it added to the cost or who even runs the service after I selected it.

2 - How exactly does the "Dine in the Magic Meal Plan work? It doesn't have a very clear description on the official Disneyland website. It seems that you are issued some type of coupon or voucher, but it doesn't specify whether it applies to CS or TS, or whether it can be used for character dining. Can someone explain this to me in basic terms? Is it even worth booking?

3 - The next question is a no-brainer for WDW, but for DL I am conflicted: To stay on the property or not? I looked at their resort hotel prices and nearly choked! They don't have any rates comparable to a moderate with the Magic Your Way plan (i.e., POR, our favorite). The best price I could find was about $315 per night at the Disney's Paradice Pier! I looked at booking the Ramada (a "Good Neighbor Hotel") through their site and found it more in line with my expectations. It is shown as being across the street, and from satellite view it seems to be about 3 blocks from the main entrance. Will we be disappointed not staying on-site (and saving about $800)?

4 - Time of year, which is best? We always travel to WDW in early to middle February, but we are adaptable. Low crowds and most available rides (fewest refurb, re-themings in progress). Is it ever blistering hot there like in Orlando?

5 - Which airport is usually the best? I suppose that LAX would have the most choices, best price - but are there any secrets I need to know?

6 - Park admission. It seems like they do not offer base ticket options except for the 2-day resort ticket. I would prefer having daily non-park hopper passes. We don't park-hop at WDW, and I am not sure if there is a need to at DL (remember, we've only been there twice, before DCA)?

7 - Will four days be enough time to see and do it all? I am kinda' budgeting two days for DL and two days for DCA. Does that seem reasonable?

8 - uhhmmmm, all I can think of right now, but you can bet there will be more later!

Thanks in advance.[/FONT]

 

[Mukta]

Welcome to DL planning! We love it when WDW regulars visit this coast. We hope that you will see the beauty and feel the history of our little park.

1 - I guess that DL does not offer the equivalent of DME. What is the most cost-effective way to get to the resort area without renting a car? When making trial reservations I was offered a choice to use Disneyland Motor Coach, but I couldn't tell if it added to the cost or who even runs the service after I selected it. - There are shuttles that go to DL from airports. They are usually cheaper than a taxi. It depends what airport you select. Once you pick an airport, google 'LAX to disneyland' or 'SNA to disneyland'. Call the different companies to get the best rate.

2 - How exactly does the "Dine in the Magic Meal Plan work? It doesn't have a very clear description on the official Disneyland website. It seems that you are issued some type of coupon or voucher, but it doesn't specify whether it applies to CS or TS, or whether it can be used for character dining. Can someone explain this to me in basic terms? Is it even worth booking? - not worth it. Just pay out of pocket for your food. There are a few signature restaurants (napa rose), a few table service (blue bayou), but mostly counter service places. Check out allearsnet for menus http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

3 - The next question is a no-brainer for WDW, but for DL I am conflicted: To stay on the property or not? I looked at their resort hotel prices and nearly choked! They don't have any rates comparable to a moderate with the Magic Your Way plan (i.e., POR, our favorite). The best price I could find was about $315 per night at the Disney's Paradice Pier! I looked at booking the Ramada (a "Good Neighbor Hotel") through their site and found it more in line with my expectations. It is shown as being across the street, and from satellite view it seems to be about 3 blocks from the main entrance. Will we be disappointed not staying on-site (and saving about $800)? - This varies from person to person. if cost is a concern, stay offsite. There are tons of motels and a few hotels across the street from DL. There are at least 8 that are less than a 10 minute walk to the parks. If theming is important, stay on property. I recommend the howard johnson's www.hojoanaheim.com

4 - Time of year, which is best? We always travel to WDW in early to middle February, but we are adaptable. Low crowds and most available rides (fewest refurb, re-themings in progress). Is it ever blistering hot there like in Orlando? - summer is hot, but doesn't have florida humidity. Summer has the highest crowds and the least refurbs. October has some cool holiday theming with HM overlay and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. Early December has holiday decorations and low crowds, early May has some heat, but the crowds are still bearable.

5 - Which airport is usually the best? I suppose that LAX would have the most choices, best price - but are there any secrets I need to know? - Both SNA and LGB are closer to Disneyland than LAX. It depends where you are flying out of.

6 - Park admission. It seems like they do not offer base ticket options except for the 2-day resort ticket. I would prefer having daily non-park hopper passes. We don't park-hop at WDW, and I am not sure if there is a need to at DL (remember, we've only been there twice, before DCA)? - Buy the park hopper. There are times that DCA will close early and you can pop into DL. They are 500 feet from each other.

7 - Will four days be enough time to see and do it all? I am kinda' budgeting two days for DL and two days for DCA. Does that seem reasonable? - 4 days is reasonable, but you won't be able to see it all. You will see most attractions and shows, but the beauty of DL is the details. Hopefully you will fall in love and visit us again someday!

 

[cheezbat]

I have found that 4 days at the two parks there is an almost perfect amount of time. I enjoyed my trip last year and did almost everything I wanted to in the three days I was there. Had I had one more day, I know I would have accomplished and seen everything.

I have also found out that the best airport to fly into is Santa Ana(John Wayne International Airport) The drive from that airport to Disney is less than 15 minutes. When flying into others, it's taken me anywhere from a half hour to over an hour.

I've found it gets hot out there, but nowhere near as humid as Orlando.

I hope you have an awesome trip!

 

[DryCreek]

Thanks folks!

I appreciate the input. I am really leaning on staying at the Ramada Main Gate, unless I get a really killer deal for Disneyland Hotel (within say, oh, about $300 of the Ramada).

I am pricing flying out of Waco (ACT) and DFW. Not many choices from Waco as they are only served by American Eagle and Continental Express. I like the convenience of Waco and the fact that parking there is free. I don't like paying (on average) a $100 premium to fly outta' there. Still, DFW is such a nerve wracking, double the distance, traffic filled bother that I might still consider the extra $200 worth keeping my sanity.

As far as the meal plan goes - yeah, I've been told that it is not a good choice, better to pay out of pocket in the park or hop out long enough for a quick bite at the more reasonably priced restaurants surrounding the parks. Why don't they have the same packages that they offer for WDW? Those are great, and they kept us in the park to boot!

How far is the HoJo from the gate? The DW and I are not afraid of walking, and a block or three is no problem (even after sampling some local brews and/or wine!).

 

[TP2000]

I can't stress enough how much of an armpit LAX is! Try to avoid it like the plague! If you think DFW is bad, you will think you landed in a busy 1970's Soviet airport when you get to LAX; most of the terminals haven't been updated since Nixon was in office and they smell like it too. The traffic around LAX is horrendous nearly any time of day. Truly a horrible way to start or end a vacation. I only use LAX when I have to when taking an overseas flight on an international airline. Otherwise, you couldn't pay me enough to get near that cesspit.

John Wayne Airport is the polar opposite from LAX. It's new, clean, smaller, friendlier and prettier, served by nearly every major airline, and it's about a 15 minute freeway drive from Disneyland. It's a 40 dollar cab ride from John Wayne to the Disneyland area, or Super Shuttle can get you there in a shared van for about half that. http://www.supershuttle.com/

Long Beach Airport is also nice, although a bit farther than John Wayne as its more a 25 minute drive to Disneyland. It's small, and very quaint, yet served by several major airlines.

Ontario International Airport is also an option that is better than LAX. It's about the same distance from Disneyland as LAX, at almost a 45 minute drive. But like John Wayne it's newer, smaller, cleaner and much easier to get in and out of.

I would encourage you to check flights on Expedia and pull down the menu on all the airports in Southern California. The airport codes you should look at most are;
SNA = John Wayne
LGB = Long Beach
ONT = Ontario

The HoJo is about a 10 minute walk from the entry turnstiles to Disneyland. You might want to check out Google or Yahoo maps on the satellite image and start exploring the area that way. You'll be amazed at how compact and walkable everything is in the Anaheim Resort District.

 

[TP2000]

I've found it gets hot out there, but nowhere near as humid as Orlando.

I've lived all over the USA (except for the Great Plains and Southern Rockies), and I've found the climate in Orange County to be nearly perfect for about 10 months out of the year.

The summer in SoCal generally lasts from July through mid October. May and June are cooler, and Anaheim is susceptible to what we call "May Gray" and "June Gloom". That's when the beach fog rolls in thick and barely lifts or clears up for much of the month, leaving Orange County with overcast skies and temperatures barely above 70 degrees. I personally find it delightful weather, but tourists seeking sun n' fun and a golden tan often find it sad.

When it does warm up, it's never as humid as the South. And any hint of humidity only lasts a few weeks in late July through late August. By September the winds shift from onshore to offshore, and it dries out to the extreme. It's not unusual to have 90 degree days in September and October when the humidity is down to 10% or less. It's very, very dry in the late summer months of September and October.

The sun in SoCal is also a different color hue than the Southeast. Instead of a white and bright sunlight, the SoCal sun in summer takes on a noticeably golden hue. It gives things a very attractive golden light from late April through October.

There's a reason why The Beach Boys wrote so many songs about Southern California. It really does have a climate and sunshine that is uniquely it's own.

 

[DryCreek]

California Weather

I was fortunate enough to be stationed in San Diego during the best time of year (wayyyy back in 1981). I do remember how hot the Santa Anna winds could make it!

What y'all are saying about the park hopper makes sense now.

And I have another question for you - looking through the official site to book an off-site room, they make it sound like you would be eligible for the early openings at the park when you book one of their good neighbor packages. Is that true, or just wishful interpretation?

I wish that booking a vacation at DL was as easy as WDW. It almost seems like Disney management has a different opinion of DL versus WDW. Is it just me, or doesn't it seem like they treat WDW as a vacation destination, and DL as just another theme park (that has lodging, oh by the way)?

 

[Mukta]

I wish that booking a vacation at DL was as easy as WDW. It almost seems like Disney management has a different opinion of DL versus WDW. Is it just me, or doesn't it seem like they treat WDW as a vacation destination, and DL as just another theme park (that has lodging, oh by the way)?

That is because the clientele of DL mostly lives in the area. TP2000 will be able to give you an accurate percentage, but I would say more than 50% of visitors are locals with APs. Most of us just drive home after a day at the parks.

 

[TP2000]

That is because the clientele of DL mostly lives in the area. TP2000 will be able to give you an accurate percentage, but I would say more than 50% of visitors are locals with APs.

I will?! Oh my gosh, that's hilarious. Mostly cause it's true. :lol:

That's actually a topic I've dug around in before, but Disney doesn't make it easy because they don't release that kind of info for Disneyland and Disney executives never open up about those types of stats in interviews you could discover online.

I with the American Disney parks were like Tokyo Disneyland run by the Oriental Land Company, as OLC releases all sorts of attendance and demographic info about their Tokyo parks every year.

What I have been able to piece together in recent years, from solid online rumors from Al Lutz, or reports from the California Department of Tourism, the annual semi-official attendance stats from the theme park trade paper, and other such bits and bobs is the following, give or take up to 10%;

Recent Annual Attendance
Disneyland - 15.9 Million
DCA - 6.1 Million

Californians make up about 45% of those totals. Annual Passholders make up about 35% of the overall annual attendance, and the vast majority of those AP's are Southern Californians.

Of the other 55% of attendance, a big chunk of about 35% is from what they call "Domestic Tourists" who come primarily from the West Coast and Mountain West states of Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. Disneyland does extensive TV and other marketing in the five big West Coast cities of Seattle, Portland, Bay Area, LA and San Diego. Thanks to the largest convention center on the West Coast, the massive Anaheim Convention Center, being right across the street from Disneyland a surprising number of East Coasters and Midwesterners also visit Disneyland regularly, often tied in to a convention visit.

The final 20% is made up of "International Tourists", and half of that number is made up of visits by Mexicans and Canadians. The other half of the International Tourism pie is made up of primarily visits from affluent Pacific Rim countries like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Although in just the past year the number of Aussies, Kiwis and Koreans has been rising noticeably, mainly thanks to a healthy Down Under economy and relaxed Visa requirements by the State Department for South Korea.

There is also a good chunk of Western Europeans, perhaps 5% of the annual Disneyland total, who visit SoCal and include at least one day at Disneyland. Germans and the French are the biggest groups, although British citizens also enjoy a tour of the west that includes a stop at Disneyland.

Phew!

 

[TP2000]

Is it just me, or doesn't it seem like they treat WDW as a vacation destination, and DL as just another theme park (that has lodging, oh by the way)?

Well, you probably get that feeling from the fact that is basically what Disneyland is. :lol:

It's important to realize that Disneyland and WDW exist in very, very different environments socially, culturally and demographically. Central Florida exists as a massive tourists destination mainly because it has theme parks, all thanks to Walt buying up a bunch of land there in 1965. If it weren't for all those theme parks, water parks and dinner theaters, there would be absolutely no reason for a tourist to want to visit Orlando for a vacation. The place exists solely as a theme park mecca. And even after decades of massive population growth, Orlando is still just a small, sleepy Southern city surrounded by swamps.

On the flip side, there is Southern California, with Disneyland sitting smack dab in the middle of 20 Million residents thanks to the advice Walt took from that planning fellow from Stanford. Los Angeles and SoCal was a major tourist destination long before Disneyland existed (Remember when Lucy and Ricky dragged Ethel and Fred to LA in the early 50's?), and it would still be a powerful tourist magnet if Disneyland shut down tomorrow. Greater LA is one of the largest and most influential mega-metropolises on the planet, and the near-perfect climate and stunning natural beauty draw affluent and well-educated people from around the world who have absolutely no interest in visiting a theme park.

Disneyland is often just a little side-trip in a week or two spent in SoCal exploring the coasts and mountains and deserts and cities and vineyards and beaches. The Disneyland Resort does make for a great base-camp to work from, thanks to its central location. And I strongly encourage people visiting Disneyland to take at least a couple days to get away from Disney property and explore all the other amazing and world-famous sights of SoCal that don't require buying a theme park ticket or making a reservation for breakfast with Goofy.

WDW and DLR are two totally different animals, existing in two totally different environments. And one of them just happens to have the better Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain.

 

[DryCreek]

Ahhh, so!

WDW and DLR are two totally different animals, existing in two totally different environments. And one of them just happens to have the better Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain.

I was thinking that the location and visitor demographics would be different between the two locations. I wonder how much of WDW attendance is also driven by AP holders (in comparison to DL). I guess that one strong tie the two sites have is having been built in/on/near orange groves!

I certainly do agree with you last statement too! Don't forget that DL still has the better IASW (based on the active facade and better queue. Oh, and doesn't DL still have the original Tropical Serenade versus that absolutely horrendous "Under New Management"? Acckkk, I despise Iago.

The one thing that stands out in my memory is the seating difference between the two space mountains, with DL having side-by-side seating and WDW having bobsled style cars. Are there other differences I don't recall? What are the differences in the Pirates of the Caribbean? Nothing stood out for me - but remember it was 1992 or 1993 when I was last there, and we had a 3 year old toddler with us.

 

[TP2000]

Don't forget that DL still has the better IASW (based on the active facade and better queue. Oh, and doesn't DL still have the original Tropical Serenade versus that absolutely horrendous "Under New Management"? Acckkk, I despise Iago.

The one thing that stands out in my memory is the seating difference between the two space mountains, with DL having side-by-side seating and WDW having bobsled style cars. Are there other differences I don't recall? What are the differences in the Pirates of the Caribbean? Nothing stood out for me - but remember it was 1992 or 1993 when I was last there, and we had a 3 year old toddler with us.

The Tiki Room at Disneyland is still the original 1963 show, and its official title is Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.

It's a fantastic show that still packs them in, even in the 21st century when the concept of robotic animals is no longer the big draw. And it's clearly labeled as being managed by Walt Disney himself, unlike the WDW version that is "Under New Management", which is a rather ironic tagline for the current mangement out there in Orlando.

Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland is... and I hate to use the cliche' term... epic. It's 15 minutes long, about 8 minutes longer than the WDW Cliffs Notes version. And it has scenes and thrills that WDW doesn't have. I'll just leave it at that, and let you experience Walt Disney's original version of the pirate ride yourself; the last ride Walt worked on personally before he passed away.

Space Mountain has been redone a couple times since your visit in the early 1990's. In 1996 they added onboard audio, and redid the queue and special effects on the ride a bit. And it was an improvement, for its time. But in early 2003 they shut the ride down for just over two years, and reopened it as part of the 50th celebration in the summer of 2005. The onboard audio is now a much upgraded and superior system, with a new soundtrack and a lot of new effects. The queue and loading area were also redone, and the whole effect is very 21st century and a rather dramatic update to the 1977 original. It's a fantastic new ride that I think you'll find noticeably more advanced than the WDW version.

 

[Mukta]

I will?! Oh my gosh, that's hilarious. Mostly cause it's true. :lol:

Phew!

Just when I think I couldn't admire you anymore than I do, you bust out statistics and an I Love lucy reference! My hero!

 

[TP2000]

Just when I think I couldn't admire you anymore than I do, you bust out statistics and an I Love lucy reference! My hero!

Oh, my gosh, you are making me blush.

But it is my pleasure!

 

[redshoesrock]

I was thinking that the location and visitor demographics would be different between the two locations. I wonder how much of WDW attendance is also driven by AP holders (in comparison to DL). I guess that one strong tie the two sites have is having been built in/on/near orange groves!

I certainly do agree with you last statement too! Don't forget that DL still has the better IASW (based on the active facade and better queue. Oh, and doesn't DL still have the original Tropical Serenade versus that absolutely horrendous "Under New Management"? Acckkk, I despise Iago.

The one thing that stands out in my memory is the seating difference between the two space mountains, with DL having side-by-side seating and WDW having bobsled style cars. Are there other differences I don't recall? What are the differences in the Pirates of the Caribbean? Nothing stood out for me - but remember it was 1992 or 1993 when I was last there, and we had a 3 year old toddler with us.

Here's what I can recall in terms of differences between DL and WDW, hope it helps:

- Pirates has already been talked about; DL has the better ride
- Space Mountain has been talked about as well; edge to DL
- Haunted Mansion in DL is a Southern antebellum mansion. The stretching room is actually an elevator (you move down; the ceiling does not go up as in MK). I give the edge to MK, especially with the recent refurb and queue enhancements
- Big Thunder Mountain is about the same on both coasts
- Splash Mountain in DL is single-file seating (like Space Mountain at WDW); both DL and WDW rides are about the same
- Buzz Lightyear in DL is the far superior ride; unlike WDW's, DL's Buzz wasn't an overlay of a previous ride. Targets light up, the cars are a bit bigger, and the guns aren't fixed in position like at WDW; you pull them out of a holster.
- Small World has its own (quite ornate) show building in the back of Fantasyland in DL rather than being shoe-horned in across from Peter Pan at WDW. Slight edge to DL for that alone.
- Fantasyland rides at DL are about the same as WDW, though edge to DL in that they have more of them (Alice ride, Pinocchio ride, Storybookland boats, Mr. Toad, Matterhorn, etc)
- DL is Tarzan's Treehouse, WDW is Swiss Family Robinson's. Neither do anything for me.
- DL's Tom Sawyer Island is pirate-themed as opposed to the "original" WDW theme.
- DL's Indiana Jones Adventure and DAK's Dinosaur both have the same ride vehicles and same ride layout; edge to DL as the Indy theme is done better. FYI, get ready to walk when you ride Indy - I swear Indiana Jones has the longest queue of any theme park ride in the entire world.
- Winnie the Pooh in DL is in Critter Country (don't ask); both rides are the same, but edge to WDW for the new queue.
- DL's Tomorrowland has Innoventions like in WDW's Epcot; edge to WDW because their Innoventions has more space.
- DL's Autopia is the better ride that WDW's Tomorrowland Speedway; much longer ride and on different terrains.
- DL's Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has the same story and scenes as Epcot's Nemo ride with a few added bits. Still, edge to DL for the subs alone.
- DHS's Tower of Terror is the much better ride that DCA's. I'll forewarn you: DCA's Tower all takes place in the same elevator shaft; no "move forward" part. The drop sequence is also always the same. They do have one ride scene that we don't have.
- DCA's Grizzly River Run is a much better raft ride that DAK's Kali River Rapids. Much more excitement, and when you fall down "the drop", at Grizzly you spin down.
- Soarin' at DCA and Epcot is the same film.
- Fantasmic is done on DL's Rivers of America rather than having its own theater at DHS.

That's about all I can think of. DL has some rides that WDW doesn't that you should check out (like the Matterhorn and California Screamin'), and for DCA's World of Color you will NEED Fastpasses - get them.

 

[DryCreek]

Thank You Redshoes!

That was a very thorough explanation of the differences. I am excited, and looking forward to our trip there next year.

I am pretty sure that we are gonna' book a Good Neighbor package through DL in order to qualify for the early entrance days (if they still offer it), and nix the meal plan.

Thanks to all of the input I have gotten so far.

 

[TP2000]

I am pretty sure that we are gonna' book a Good Neighbor package through DL in order to qualify for the early entrance days (if they still offer it), and nix the meal plan.

I think you are headed in the right direction. I would reccomend you focus on the Good Neighbor Hotels along Harbor Blvd. and the eastern side of the Resort District. It's a shorter, easier walk to the parks from there, and you also have the option of heading to GardenWalk for restaurants, shops and light entertainment that isn't Disney-branded.

FYI, GardenWalk is sort of a Downtown Disney type entertainment mall, without the Disney. It's just off Harbor Blvd., across the street from Disneyland's Pumbaa auxiliary parking lot.

GardenWalk has really struggled in filling up all of the retail space it has, after it opened with horrible timing in late summer '08 just weeks before the financial panic and following Great Recession hit. But it excels at dining and does have a rather comprehensive list of over a dozen restaurants; from a typical mall food court to a 1950's malt shop at Johnny Rockets or American pub food at Bar Louie, to more upscale food like PF Changs or Cheesecake Factory, to a couple of nicer Date Nite type places like McCormick & Schmicks or Roy's Hawaiian. There's also a very nice movie theater, and one of those swanky bowling cocktail lounges called 300, plus a trendy night club called Heat Ultralounge that the local hipsters swarm on weekends. And a 24 Hour Fitness in the basement if you need to hit the gym (but when you are on vacation, I don't approve of that sort of thing).

http://www.anaheimgardenwalk.com/

GardenWalk needs help when it comes to retail, but for dining and entertainment it's a nice change of pace from the DISNEY! branded stuff on Disneyland property. It's convenient to the Good Neighbor Hotels along Harbor, but not very convenient if you get south of Katella too far or over on the west side of the Resort District.

GardenWalk is really just an inoffensively attractive yet smallish mall, but it can open up a lot more possibilities for meals and entertainment on the west side of the Resort area, and should be a consideration when choosing a Good Neighbor Hotel. :wave:

.

 

[DryCreek]

Thanks Again!

GardenWalk is really just an inoffensively attractive yet smallish mall, but it can open up a lot more possibilities for meals and entertainment on the west side of the Resort area, and should be a consideration when choosing a Good Neighbor Hotel. :wave:
.

I think that this is one more fact that helps to validate a stay at the Ramada Maingate! I specifically remember eating at the Denny's across the street from Disneyland when we were there last. I just can't remember which hotel we stayed at though.