Finally going to DLR for the first time!

[BeastlyKingdomme]

I know I'm not even close to the first person to starting a thread like this, but here I go anyway.

It's now official that I will be travelling to DLR with three others from Feb 4th to Feb 8th 2014. I feel like I've spent more time at WDW than a 2 year old has spent on this earth and decided it was time to finally make the trip to the other coast. Naturally I have a few questions about this upcoming trip. First, what we will definitely be doing:

-Spending 3 1/2 days at the parks. We arrive in the early afternoon on the 4th and will spend all day of the 5th, 6th, and 7th at the parks.

- We're staying at Paradise Pier as it is the not only the most convenient, but the cheapest option for us.

- We will not be going anywhere but LGB and DLR, unfortunately.

- As per the above, we have no need to rent a car. WOOOO!!!

And that's all we know for sure. Some questions now:

- What's the best transportation from LGB to DLR?

- How are the food options at Paradise Pier? Are we better off eating at DD or other resorts when not in the parks?

- I've heard that some areas of Paradise Pier are much farther from the parks than others. Where should we request to stay to be close to the parks? Or if you can suggest another area for a different reason that would be great too.

- How's the weather in early February? I can look at the averages but I'd rather hear from someone who has actually experienced it.

- I know this is all based on personal preference, but I'd like to here some reasoning. For our first night there, Disneyland charm or WoC?

Thanks in advance for your responses. I am beyond excited for this trip!

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

PPH has the best character breakfast on property (IMO) but otherwise, you should eat in DTD or the parks.

PPH is a high-rise - there really isn't an area further from the parks than any other, but it is the furthest from the parks of the three Disney hotels.

February - expect possibility of some rain, along with weather in the low to mid 70s.

For your first night, I'd go with Disneyland charm. You may be too tired to stand for 26 minutes and watch WOC.

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

We stayed at PP for a week in Aug. We ate at the PCH Grill twice while there, once for supper and once for breakfast. I thought the breakfast had some of the best character interaction we have ever had at a meal... including all of the character meals we have done in Disney World. Also - it was very easy to get a seat at almost all restaurants without a reservation! We ate at both parks, Downtown Disney, and the Grand Californian and no reservations were needed.

PP is really a short walk to DCA. We were very happy with the location and ease of getting to the parks.

As for Disneyland Charm or WOC... if you can get a fastpass for WOC then do that. Otherwise Disneyland would get my vote!

have a great trip!

 

[BeastlyKingdomme]

I thought the breakfast had some of the best character interaction we have ever had at a meal... including all of the character meals we have done in Disney World.

PPH has the best character breakfast on property (IMO) but otherwise, you should eat in DTD or the parks.

I guess we'll have to do the character breakfast in that case.

As for Disneyland Charm or WOC... if you can get a fastpass for WOC then do that. Otherwise Disneyland would get my vote!

For your first night, I'd go with Disneyland charm. You may be too tired to stand for 26 minutes and watch WOC.

I was kind of hoping everyone would suggest Disneyland!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Definitely do Disneyland on the first day!

And, if it's not too late, consider some of the off-property hotels on Harbor Blvd. The only way from Paradise Pier to the parks is to walk (or walk to the monorail station, at least), and there are some off-property hotels that are closer than the Disney ones. Use Wikimapia.

 

[thomas998]

I know I'm not even close to the first person to starting a thread like this, but here I go anyway.

It's now official that I will be travelling to DLR with three others from Feb 4th to Feb 8th 2014. I feel like I've spent more time at WDW than a 2 year old has spent on this earth and decided it was time to finally make the trip to the other coast. Naturally I have a few questions about this upcoming trip. First, what we will definitely be doing:

-Spending 3 1/2 days at the parks. We arrive in the early afternoon on the 4th and will spend all day of the 5th, 6th, and 7th at the parks.

- We're staying at Paradise Pier as it is the not only the most convenient, but the cheapest option for us.

- We will not be going anywhere but LGB and DLR, unfortunately.

- As per the above, we have no need to rent a car. WOOOO!!!

And that's all we know for sure. Some questions now:

- What's the best transportation from LGB to DLR?

- How are the food options at Paradise Pier? Are we better off eating at DD or other resorts when not in the parks?

- I've heard that some areas of Paradise Pier are much farther from the parks than others. Where should we request to stay to be close to the parks? Or if you can suggest another area for a different reason that would be great too.

- How's the weather in early February? I can look at the averages but I'd rather hear from someone who has actually experienced it.

- I know this is all based on personal preference, but I'd like to here some reasoning. For our first night there, Disneyland charm or WoC?

Thanks in advance for your responses. I am beyond excited for this trip!

Take a poncho for rain. Unlike the quick storms that we've experienced at WDW, the rains in DL tended to last longer and because of the temps were more miserable... so be prepared.

On you first day if you can get world of color fast passes then do it the first day if you are going to do it at all. The closer you are to a weekend the more crowded it will be, locals seem to enjoy going there just for that for some odd reason... Thankfully my family watched it once and have never wanted to be bothered to watch it again... We got spoiled from the WDW shows like Fantasmic where you get to sit in comfort and watch, WoC is standing only... If you want to insure you get decent viewing then sign-up for the special meal and viewing of WoC then you wont have to worry about any fastpass.

I suggest you look at google maps for the paradise pier hotel. It isn't really that bad of a location. For California Adventure, exit the hotel and walk across Disneyland Drive, go into the Grand California and you can use that entrance to get into the California Adventure.

To access Disneyland exist the hotel and go north... you will be headed to the backside of Downtown Disney, and close to the monorail... use that entrance and it will save you some walking time... Also you can still ride in the front of the monorails at Disneyland, something you can't do at WDW anymore.

If at all possible avoid using the main entrances to the parks the lines are longer and a real pain in the backside.

If possible I would suggest you not venture outside the Disneyland area... We were forced to stay offsite on one day of our last trip because the rooms were all booked up on our arrival day... We were absolutely disgusted by our walk from the Howard Johnson to the park... it wasn't a long walk. But the smells of human feces and urine along the way made you want to throw up... On the way back we got to watch locals harass some girls walking back to the hotel... Frankly if I knew I would ever have to venture offsite into the local town I wouldn't go, the place is absolutely disgusting.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

If possible I would suggest you not venture outside the Disneyland area... We were forced to stay offsite on one day of our last trip because the rooms were all booked up on our arrival day... We were absolutely disgusted by our walk from the Howard Johnson to the park... it wasn't a long walk. But the smells of human feces and urine along the way made you want to throw up... On the way back we got to watch locals harass some girls walking back to the hotel... Frankly if I knew I would ever have to venture offsite into the local town I wouldn't go, the place is absolutely disgusting.

I think that was an aberration... I've been on Harbor Blvd, many other members have too, and there is no persistent feces smell hanging in the air. It's just a well-landscaped city street.

 

[RMichael21]

Hope you have fun!

 

[BubbaQuest]

Congratulations on planning your first trip!

I have not used any transportation/shuttle services at LBG other than a taxi. LBG is a very small airport with just a couple of ticket counters and a small street for passenger drop off. It's also why I love LBG. Don't expect to be able to walk out of the airport and find waiting shuttles like LAX. You would probably need to schedule a shuttle in advance. There should be a line of taxis waiting right across the street when you exit the terminal. I've been told the cost of a taxi versus a shuttle is about the same depending on the number of people -- shuttles charge per person, taxis do not. Be sure to ask the taxi driver if you can get a flat rate to Disneyland. I think it will cost you around $50.

You also might want to check out Uber (uber.com). They just started service in Long Beach. I use them all the time at SFO and love it. They can be more expensive than a cab, but much more relaxing. I'm not sure if they offer service back from Orange County though.

Regarding the weather, be sure to bring layers of clothing. It's possible it could be in the 60s during the day. It could also be grey and rainy all day. More importantly, expect it to be cold at night. Either bring a backpack with jackets and sweaters, or plan on going back to the hotel in the late afternoon to change into something warmer. Gloves and hats to keep warm are not uncommon when waiting to watch one of the outdoor late night shows -- keep in mind I'm a native Californian so anything below 50 is "freezing".

As others have mentioned, PPH is just a tall tower so all the rooms are accessed through the same central elevator. The location of the room will not make any difference other than the view. It is the furthest Disney hotel from the parks, but the south tower of the DL Hotel is probably just as far. I don't find the walk difficult in the morning, but it can be a little long at night. I recommend walking through the Grand California to get to the parks.

Have a great trip!

 

[James122]

I agree with what everyone else has said, especially regarding the weater. There's a definite possibility of rain since you're going in February, but it may actually be a blessing in disguise. Southern Californians generally dislike heading out in the rain so there's a pretty good chance that the parks won't be crowded. I went to DL during a rainy day last January and had a blast - the wait times were low (we only used fastpass once the entire day) and we got to do almost all our favorite attractions multiple times.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Mukta]

I live right next to LGB. It is very close to Disney.

I agree with others to check out the hotels on Harbor. They are way cheaper than PP. and closer to the parks.

I live in CA, so I am very cold in Feb. I am very cold when the weather drops below 75. I would say jeans and shirts during the day with warmer clothes at night to wait by the water for Fantasmic! and WoC. Definitely see both shows if you can. Fantasmic! at DL is marvelous.

For food options, I think DL/DCA/DTD have plenty of great options.

 

[Britt]

Soooooo?? How was it?