DLR Newbie questions

[BubbaQuest]

I'd definitely recommend John Wayne (SNA) or Long Beach (LGB) over LAX if possible. Both are much smaller and more relaxing than LAX. Usually LAX will be the easiest for direct flights, but now the new construction is done at SNA and LGB, I think JetBlue offers at least one direct flight from New York.

A car is definitely not necessary if you are staying at the Disney hotels or any of the hotels near the entrance to the park on Harbor Blvd. As someone else mentioned, most hotels in the area (including Disney) charge for parking. If you decide to stay slightly farther away there is bus service for the area: http://www.rideart.org. I recommend staying as close to the park as possible, but there are some larger/upscale hotels further south on Harbor Blvd if that is a requirement.

There are lots of walkable food options in the area including Downtown Disney (adjacent to the park and Disney hotels) and Garden Walk (on Katella near Harbor). I think the biggest shock for first time visitors is that Disneyland is in the middle of an urban setting. There is a McDonalds, Denny's, and IHOP right across the street. But it isn't a resort Denny's, it's just a regular Denny's. Some people are surprised that they have to wait at a stoplight crosswalk and hang with the locals to get there.

Have a great trip!

 

[trylon57]

We are planning to go late January or early February. Again, any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[mcstensrud]

We just flew from boston to lax in September for 7 day stay at the Grand Californian. We spent 6 days park hopping and one day at Laguna beach.
We used the bus service to and from the airport and rented a car for the day trip at Alamo in DTD.we went to WOC and Fantasmic.i liked the F show at DLR better than DHS.we did just about every thing except mickeys death I mean fun wheel!and of course bTMRR as it was still closed!
Any logistics or other questions just ask,we have been DVC members since 2000,go to WDW 2 x a year and going to Cali was wayyy out of our comfort zone.

 

[BubbaQuest]

The holiday overlay should remain through the first weekend in January. Expect Haunted Mansion and Small World to be closed for about a week starting the Monday after that. It sounds like Alice is scheduled for a major refurb, so it will probably be closed most of the first part of the year. However, Big Thunder should finally be open!

The weather between January and April can be very unpredictable. It may be a beautiful sunny 60s one day and raining the next. Unlike Orlando, if it does decide to rain here it will probably last all day. The nice thing is the rain rarely lasts longer than a day. Shorts and t-shirts might work during the day, but you will definitely want a jacket and warmer clothes in the evening.

4 days should be a blast.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

The Mansion and Small World refurbs are staggered, so only one of them will be down at a time as they switch back to normal. I think Mansion normally goes down first. It should re-open around mid-January; Small World will re-open late January or early February. If I'm right.

 

[BubbaQuest]

I think Mansion normally goes down first. It should re-open around mid-January; Small World will re-open late January or early February. If I'm right.

You are correct! I thought both reopened by the MLK weekend, but looking at some past dates it looks like only HM should open by MLK weekend and Small World gets its refurb after that.

 

[trylon57]

thanks for the info. Finding information about rehabs and closures in Disneyland seems just about impossible. As far as WDW is concerned, they post that info months ahead of time, while Disneyland seems to keep it secret!

 

[Californian Elitist]

thanks for the info. Finding information about rehabs and closures in Disneyland seems just about impossible. As far as WDW is concerned, they post that info months ahead of time, while Disneyland seems to keep it secret!

Disneyland will post that kind of info maybe a month to a month and a half in advance.

 

[thomas998]

Disneyland will post that kind of info maybe a month to a month and a half in advance.

Which kind of boggles the mind... You would think that most refurbs would be planned out many months in advance... Would be nice if they would at the very least post their expected refurbs 6 months in advance subject to change, instead of having guest just assume their favorite ride will be open 6 months from the time they plan a trip.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Which kind of boggles the mind... You would think that most refurbs would be planned out many months in advance... Would be nice if they would at the very least post their expected refurbs 6 months in advance subject to change, instead of having guest just assume their favorite ride will be open 6 months from the time they plan a trip.

They are usually planned months in advance, they just don't publicize it until later. It's clear they're thinking about locals/APs/one day guests here, their main audience. I guess they feel they don't have too many tourists to think about putting up that kind of info that early, unlike WDW.

I think three months would be better. Six months is unnecessary, IMO.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Here's what will be closed in Jan/Feb:

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Fantasmic
Alice in Wonderland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (through January 31)
Haunted Mansion (January 7 - 17)
small world (January 21 - February 4)
Pirates (January 21 - February 13)
Splash (January 21 - February 28)
Grizzly River Run
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

 

[mcstensrud]

WOW those are all the Classic Rides and attractions.
Those might have been a deal breaker for me if that was in sept.

 

[FutureWorld1982]

It's awful to see all those attractions closed at once! I would be upset if I were to go from Jan. 21 to February...

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Honestly, no one should ever expect a full roster in Jan/Feb, and thanks to these annual refurbs, DLR's rides are in top shape. The same cannot be said for WDW.

 

[flynnibus]

Honestly, no one should ever expect a full roster in Jan/Feb, and thanks to these annual refurbs, DLR's rides are in top shape. The same cannot be said for WDW.

except splash right now.. or space mountain right now.. Indy most of the time (tho its seems healthy now).. etc.

Their average is better... but top shape? not always

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't say top shape. Decent is more like it, except a few.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I should have been more clear - top shape compared to WDW. I rode Splash last week and all the AAs were turned on, but Space needs a thorough cleaning; the outside is filthy.

 

[trylon57]

as soon as I booked the trip,Give MeTheMusic publishes all the rides closing for rehabs!

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

as soon as I booked the trip,Give MeTheMusic publishes all the rides closing for rehabs!

Sorry about that! The refurb calendar was just put up a few days ago I think. It's only accessible by CMs, so I only get a hold of it when its passed on to me. Even with those rides closed, you'll still have an amazing time - there are tons of other great attractions in both parks!

 

[thomas998]

They are usually planned months in advance, they just don't publicize it until later. It's clear they're thinking about locals/APs/one day guests here, their main audience. I guess they feel they don't have too many tourists to think about putting up that kind of info that early, unlike WDW.

I think three months would be better. Six months is unnecessary, IMO.

If they only care about the locals and APs then they might want to consider selling off those pesky Disney Hotels... Can't imagine many locals wanting to pony up for the hotels... And the best option would be for them to post them when they plan for them.. be it 3 months, 6 months or even 12 months in advance. Any heads up would be better than the current wait till the last minute to surprise you.