It's definite - we're going to Disneyland!

[JillC LI]

I'm so excited. We just booked our airline tickets, and we're going to California (from NY). It'll be me, my hubby, and our two kids - 14 and 12. The primary purpose of the trip is to visit elderly family, but we will manage to squeeze in 2 full days at DLR. It's not a lot but it's 2 days more than we've ever been there. Our Park days will be Tuesday, May 27th and Wednesday, May 28th. We plan to stay at a Good Neighbor hotel, although we are still investigating which one. We also plan to buy two days of single park tickets. I have since learned that 5/28 will be a Grad Night at DCA so we will visit DCA on 5/27 and DLP on 5/28. We'll just have to deal with all the teens in the parks. We're used to hitting WDW commando style so that's what we will do at DLR. We won't see everything, but we'll do what we can from rope drop til closing.

Given the amount to do, I'd rather stick with counter-service meals rather than waste time on a sit-down, but my question for DCA is, should we reserve a sit-down dinner with the World of Color package to guarantee good viewing rather than waste that same amount of time trying to reserve a viewing spot?

I'm so excited! (I know, I said that already. )

 

[JillC LI]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention - I read that Soarin' is scheduled to still be closed for another week+ when arrive, but Space Mountain is due to reopen the week before. Any idea how likely it is that both those dates are accurate? Soarin' is my favorite attraction at WDW and I was hoping to get a fix in DLR. Space Mtn is DS's favorite attraction so I am really hoping he will be able to ride the CA version.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We're going to DL for the first time this year, too! Man, there's a lot of us shifting coasts! I almost got all excited at your dates. We're arriving on April 27th staying thru May 3. I don't remember my first trip to WDW and I don't remember ever not knowing my way. I am psyched out of my mind for this trip! Not every day a nearly 40 yro gets the thrill of a first, huh? LOL!

 

[DisneyDelirious]

It really does seem like there are a lot of us giving DLR a shot. WDW should take note of these trends and bring some of the magic back to Florida.

 

[JillC LI]

We're going to DL for the first time this year, too! Man, there's a lot of us shifting coasts! I almost got all excited at your dates. We're arriving on April 27th staying thru May 3. I don't remember my first trip to WDW and I don't remember ever not knowing my way. I am psyched out of my mind for this trip! Not every day a nearly 40 yro gets the thrill of a first, huh? LOL!

Or a 45 year old!
I ordered my Unofficial Guide book for Disneyland and am having fun trying to educate myself. Sounds like you'll have a bit more time to explore than we will.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Disneyland is so great. Since you are deciding on a good neighbor hotel I'll chime in my two cents on where I've stayed. I have stayed at the three off property hotels...

Best Western Stovall's Inn, it was nice and clean enough but it was about 15 minute walk to the turnstile and it was on Katella basically right across the street from Paradise Pier. The pool area was okay and had some topiaries for ambience, and it was neat to swim in the pool and see Mickey's FunWheel at DCA right across the street. I would stay again if the price was too low to pass up. The staff wasn't that friendly here.

Howard Johnson, it had a more hotel than motel feel, it is located on Harbor BLVD. The walk took us about 10 minutes to the turnstile, one time I walked alone and timed myself and it was 8 minutes. The kids suite was nice, as it was good to have 2 bathrooms. The main pool area is shady and landscaped, and there is a big kids area in another spot. The rooms were clean and beds okay. Out of the 3 places I've stayed near DL this is the only one that had an in room safe. I would stay here again as well, but it would be a secondary choice.

This past June I stayed at the Best Western Anaheim Inn. This location took me about 5-6 minutes to get to the turnstile, it was very close to the main crosswalk to Disneyland on Harbor. The pool is small and there is a hot tub, but we only used it once anyway. The staff was very friendly here. The room as very clean and the beds were comfy. It was right next to the Denny's which was good for a quick breakfast in the morning (and breakfasts were cheap with the $2,4,6,8 menu), and service was fast. This would be my first choice for staying in the DL area again, due to cleanliness and location.

My sister stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn which is literally next to the main crosswalk to Disneyland, and she was pleased with her stay there. It was about 1 minute walk away from where I stayed at the Anaheim Inn and my room rate was cheaper than hers.

 

[BubbaQuest]

Given the amount to do, I'd rather stick with counter-service meals rather than waste time on a sit-down, but my question for DCA is, should we reserve a sit-down dinner with the World of Color package to guarantee good viewing rather than waste that same amount of time trying to reserve a viewing spot?

If you don't want to spend the time at a restaurant, I'd just use the Fastpass machines. Although the dinner viewing section does put you a bit closer, you still need to get there early if you want the "best" viewing area in the dinner section. You don't necessarily save any time. It's just nice that the dinner viewing area is roped off so you can arrive later and still be in a "decent" viewing area. If the park is not extremely crowded, you can often just head down to the "wet" zone without queuing for a long time if you don't mind getting misted during the show.

A disclaimer -- I'm 6' tall, so any place is a good viewing area for me. Hopefully others can help with finding the best area for viewing for the under 6' crowd If you find a space at the edge of a railing/roped off area, it usually means you are elevated above the people in front of you.

 

[JillC LI]

Thank you @BubbaQuest, that is good know. Sounds like FPs might be way to go (although I am only 5'1" so a good spot might be more important for me.

Thank you as well @ajrwdwgirl. That was really helpful information about the hotels. I'll let you know where I book.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Congratulations, and I hope everything turns out right!