DL questions

[cemeb4dk]

PLanning on surprising my wife with a trip this Feb.

I know there are many threads about this, but I didn't want to hijack as I had a few different questions.

We are WDW veterans of many trips, family has never been to DL. I was there in 1980 when I was 7.

So here are my questions:

1) I am a WDW annual pass holder, does this pass work in DL or at least can it get me annual pass room rates?

2) Whats the weather in early FEB look like out there.

3) I am looking at the Grand Califorian or Disneyland Hotel. The price difference is $200 between the two for the total trip. Is the GC worth the $200 difference, as far as nicer place closer to park etc? We will be 3 adults and a 3 year old so room size does matter.


Thanks in advance.

 

[TP2000]

Since I get no perks in WDW with my Disneyland Annual Pass, I can't imagine you would get anything special with your WDW Pass while at Disneyland.

The weather in early February can be very iffy for SoCal. It can be sunny and 75, with crisp nights in the low 50's. Or it can be rainy and 62 degrees, with cold nights in the 40's. Early February is the dead of winter, so the weather is very unpredictable. You'll just want to check it out a few days before you go and pack accordingly. Be advised however, if you have "average" weather that has weak sun and temps barely in the upper 60's, and you wear shorts and t-shirts with painfully white midwest skin, you will be instantly recognizeable as a tourist to the hipper-than-thou locals.

The Grand Californian is not worth the extra money per night in my opinion. The Grand is a newer hotel, but the rooms are rather small, and the amenities are not noticeably different from the Disneyland Hotel. The Disneyland Hotel, as you probably know, is 40 years old and it looks it. While they do a good job of keeping it clean and in good condition, you won't mistake it for one of the themed, modern hotels at WDW. It's basically a very well maintained 1965 Hilton Hotel with Tinkerbell bedspreads and Mickey Mouse bath soap. But the Grand isn't worth the extra 200 bucks per night, if that's really the price spread.

The two hotels are about two city blocks apart from each other, and the entire Disneyland Resort property can be walked from one end to the other in about 20 minutes. It's very compact and very walkwable, especially compared to the sprawling WDW property. But that's why people like Disneyland so much, you can walk from Splash Mountain in Critter Country to Soarin' Over California in California Adventure in 12 minutes. No bus ride full of crying kids required.

Check out Google Earth to see the scale and scope of the entire Disneyland Resort property. You'll be amazed that they fit three hotels, Downtown Disney, two parks, and almost as many rides as all of WDW has in the same space as Epcot Center takes up.

It's very tidy, very compact, very walkable, but packed full of more rides, shows and attractions that almost all of WDW.

 

[Disneysue]

PLanning on surprising my wife with a trip this Feb.

I know there are many threads about this, but I didn't want to hijack as I had a few different questions.

We are WDW veterans of many trips, family has never been to DL. I was there in 1980 when I was 7.

So here are my questions:

1) I am a WDW annual pass holder, does this pass work in DL or at least can it get me annual pass room rates?

2) Whats the weather in early FEB look like out there.

3) I am looking at the Grand Califorian or Disneyland Hotel. The price difference is $200 between the two for the total trip. Is the GC worth the $200 difference, as far as nicer place closer to park etc? We will be 3 adults and a 3 year old so room size does matter.


Thanks in advance.

First of all I'd like to say that you picked a GREAT month to go beacuse I WILL BE THERE :sohappy: in Feb 2009 also!
1) I have NO IDEA. I'm not an AP and have not been since I moved away from the area 7 years ago (GOD how I miss running to DL to cheer me up in a blink!) I would call the DLR directly and ask.
2) I have always had good luck with the weather in Feb. Not too hot perfect Spring-like weather. I usually amd very comfortable in capris and tees. Best of all NO HUMIDITY!!!
3)I personally will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel. I love the Disneyland Hotel and the pool is AWESOME! It's called the Neverland Pool and has a Mermaid Lagoon and a Pirate Ship with a water slide that any kid (or adult-kid) would LOVE! I think the rooms at DLH are very nice and tastefully done. I saw online that they have new character themed rooms here is the link http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...e=DisneylandHotelCharacterQuartersListingPage . I think your 3 year old would LOVE! BUT if you can afford the Grand Californian, YES it is well worth it!!! The rooms are absolutly beautiful and being soooooo close to both parks is fantastic!

 

[EmOhYouEssE]

To my knowledge, you are NOT able to use WDW annual passes at DL. You CAN use an unused one day park WDW park admission to DL (you must exchange it at guest services), but not vice versa. (which makes sense, it's much cheaper for hoppers at DL).

Keep in mind, the Disneyland Hotel is farther away from the parks than most of the smaller hotels on Harbor Blvd. Grand Californian is closest to the parks (closer than any hotel on harbor even), and has its own entrance to DCA. If you are insisting on staying "on property" at DL (keep in mind, it is NOT like staying on property at WDW, many local hotels are closer than Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier) and the Grand Californian is only $200 more for the entire visit (not per night), I would suggest the GC.

We frequent both parks, and although "on property" is a must for us in WDW, it isn't necessary at DL (in our opinion). Last February, we got a Jacuzzi room at the Desert Inn for $85 a night (located almost directly across the street from the walkway to DL from Harbor; and much closer than either the DH or PP to the parks).

The weather last February (superbowl weekend) was on and off. It rained part of the time, but was great because the park was EMPTY.

Whatever you decide, hope you enjoy your trip. You'll love DL.

Em