Just booked my first trip to DLR!

[atsolomon]

Yay! Doing the happy dance here.

I'm doing a first ever solo trip to Disneyland from May 4 to 6. Just booked the flight via a free flight voucher.

Now I need to find the cheapest hotel within 1.5 miles of Disneyland. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Also: what is the least expensive shuttle service from Longbeach to the DLR area?

Also also: is there a shuttle service that runs from DLR itself to LAX?

Woo hoo!

--Adam

 

[baloofigment14]

Not sure about a hotel, but Congrats! And Have Fun!

 

[lego606]

Yay! Doing the happy dance here.

I'm doing a first ever solo trip to Disneyland from May 4 to 6. Just booked the flight via a free flight voucher.

Now I need to find the cheapest hotel within 1.5 miles of Disneyland. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Also: what is the least expensive shuttle service from Longbeach to the DLR area?

Also also: is there a shuttle service that runs from DLR itself to LAX?

Woo hoo!

--Adam

Check out Hipmunk, they'll find the best price (and then people on here can vouch for how it is)

I believe they have the DLR Resort Express from/to LAX, but that costs $25

 

[atsolomon]

Check out Hipmunk, they'll find the best price (and then people on here can vouch for how it is)

I believe they have the DLR Resort Express from/to LAX, but that costs $25

Wow, Hipmunk was very helpful. Thanks. I made a reservation at the Days Inn Maingate, which Google maps says is a 1.2 mile walk. Unlike many inexpensive places it didn't have a preponderance of negative reviews on TripAdvisor. The reviews looked pretty balanced. Breakfast included sounded good too.

--Adam

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yay! Doing the happy dance here.

I'm doing a first ever solo trip to Disneyland from May 4 to 6. Just booked the flight via a free flight voucher.

Now I need to find the cheapest hotel within 1.5 miles of Disneyland. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Also: what is the least expensive shuttle service from Longbeach to the DLR area?

Also also: is there a shuttle service that runs from DLR itself to LAX?

Woo hoo!

--Adam

You are going to have a ball.

 

[croboy82]

Yes there is a shuttle bus from/to LAX to/from Disneyland:

http://graylineanaheim.com/docs/DRE Brochure.pdf

Check out if your hotel is listed on the 2nd page! If so, ask your hotel where the bus will wait and wait there a few minutes earlier on. No reservation needed but you have to pay cash then.

We did it, no problems at all. We had to change that bus at the Disneyhotel though but was very easy too.

 

[216bruce]

You'll love it. DLR is the same in many ways but also different enough from WDW to make it really worth it. Personally, I prefer Disneyland over Magic Kingdom. The whole experience is just more manageable since the resort is much smaller. I've taken the shuttle from LAX- it runs from Orange County airport too- and it works out fine. It's kind of like Magical Express, but make sure your hotel is among the stops or at least near one that it does stop at. There are so many attractions that are better or at least different- Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Fantasmic. There are a few that aren't as good- Splash, Pooh come to mind. Carsland is probably the best themed land anywhere in Disney. Going in August and can't wait.

 

[atsolomon]

You'll love it. DLR is the same in many ways but also different enough from WDW to make it really worth it. <snip>.

I'm excited to see the differences. And you know, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. ;-)

 

[DznyGrlSD]

@atsolomon welcome to the DL forums!! @raven24 is an unending wealth of knowledge!! I am going on my 1st trip to DL in 10 days (5/7-5-14)

 

[atsolomon]

Hi all, another question:
I'm planning on either walking up South Harbor Blvd (or taking the 43 bus) to the DLR entrance.

1. Is there a pedestrian accessible entrance to DL & DCA on South Harbor Blvd?
2. How much is the 43 bus and is this a viable option?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[lego606]

Hi all, another question:
I'm planning on either walking up South Harbor Blvd (or taking the 43 bus) to the DLR entrance.

1. Is there a pedestrian accessible entrance to DL & DCA on South Harbor Blvd?
2. How much is the 43 bus and is this a viable option?

Thanks,

Adam

I'm not sure about the viability of the bus, but here are the prices: http://www.octa.net/Bus-Transit/Fares-and-Passes/Overview/

 

[Californian Elitist]

Oh, how I remember taking the 43 to work everyday. @lego606, be prepared for the bus going to Disneyland to always be late! The one coming from Disneyland was pretty much always on time.

OP, it only costs one dollar to take the 43. If I'm wrong, it's $1.50. Since you'll be in the area anyway, taking the bus won't be a big deal. Sometimes there are a few sketchy people on the bus, but what bus in the world doesn't have sketchy people? You'll be fine.

Yes, there is a pedestrian-accessible entrance to the resort on Harbor.

 

[atsolomon]

<snip> Sometimes there are a few sketchy people on the bus, but what bus in the world doesn't have sketchy people? You'll be fine.

Yes, there is a pedestrian-accessible entrance to the resort on Harbor.

Great. Thanks for the reply ( and to @lego606 too). There's a $9 five ride ticket which should suit me, as I plan to go to the airport from DL on Monday to catch the red eye back to Boston. Two rides each on Sat & Sun, one ride on Monday.

Re: sketchy people: Hopefully, it will be a less eventful bus experience than one I had during weekend getaway to Seattle. A guy sitting opposite me had a seizure & I froze until I realized I had first aid training to help people who are seizing. ;-) It was probably ten seconds until I acted, but it felt like an hour.

--Adam

 

[lego606]

Oh, how I remember taking the 43 to work everyday. @lego606, be prepared for the bus going to Disneyland to always be late! The one coming from Disneyland was pretty much always on time.

OP, it only costs one dollar to take the 43. If I'm wrong, it's $1.50.

I think the cash fare *may* have gone up to $2 according to the site. Though that 5 ride pass seems to be cheaper for the OP in this case. Here's the link: http://www.octa.net/Bus-Transit/Fares-and-Passes/Cash-Fares/

oh great, late buses. This should be fun.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Great. Thanks for the reply ( and to @lego606 too). There's a $9 five ride ticket which should suit me, as I plan to go to the airport from DL on Monday to catch the red eye back to Boston. Two rides each on Sat & Sun, one ride on Monday.

Re: sketchy people: Hopefully, it will be a less eventful bus experience than one I had during weekend getaway to Seattle. A guy sitting opposite me had a seizure & I froze until I realized I had first aid training to help people who are seizing. ;-) It was probably ten seconds until I acted, but it felt like an hour.

--Adam

Seizure?!?! Wow, that's crazy! Good thing you had training!

Which hotel are you staying at, again?

 

[Californian Elitist]

I think the cash fare *may* have gone up to $2 according to the site. Though that 5 ride pass seems to be cheaper for the OP in this case.

oh great, late buses. This should be fun.

Two dollars would be insane. I hope that isn't the case, but yeah, the OP has a pretty good deal already.

Fear not about the 43. The key to getting to work, without having to take a 5+ minute walk to the bus stop (so annoying!) is to take the 41 (I think it's the number 41), which goes up Anaheim street, and the bus stop is a few seconds away from the apartment and it's ALWAYS on time. Take that to Katella, from there, walk to the CM parking lot, then take the shuttle. I came up with that solution all by myself.

 

[atsolomon]

Seizure?!?! Wow, that's crazy! Good thing you had training!

Which hotel are you staying at, again?

Here's the seizure drill: make sure they can't hurt themselves. Clear away any sharp/hard objects that they might hit. Put something soft under their head if you can. DO NOT FORCE ANYTHING INTO THEIR MOUTH. That's very old guidance ;-) Call 911. They will be disoriented when the come round & may be combative. That kind of happened in that case. Just try to keep them calm & safe until EMTs arrive.

I'm going to be at the Days Inn Maingate, about 1.2 miles from the entrance, per Google maps.

--Adam

 

[Californian Elitist]

Here's the seizure drill: make sure they can't hurt themselves. Clear away any sharp/hard objects that they might hit. Put something soft under their head if you can. DO NOT FORCE ANYTHING INTO THEIR MOUTH. That's very old guidance ;-) Call 911. They will be disoriented when the come round & may be combative. That kind of happened in that case. Just try to keep them calm & safe until EMTs arrive.

I'm going to be at the Days Inn Maingate, about 1.2 miles from the entrance, per Google maps.

--Adam

Now I may know what to do when someone has a seizure. LOL, thanks!

You should definitely take the bus. I just looked the hotel up and it's beyond Katella, which is kind of far for walking. Good thing you have that pass.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Re: sketchy people: Hopefully, it will be a less eventful bus experience than one I had during weekend getaway to Seattle. A guy sitting opposite me had a seizure & I froze until I realized I had first aid training to help people who are seizing. ;-) It was probably ten seconds until I acted, but it felt like an hour.

--Adam

When my brother was 5 we had this happen in the middle of Epcot. He had febral seizures and just randomly spiked in front of Test Track. My dad and I got off and found him surrounded by first aid. It was quite scary, but someone nearby knew what to do. This is why I think it's a good idea to get first aid training no matter what. Red Cross requires it to pass their babysitting training course, recommended so you can get paid more as a babysitter. So glad you were there when the guy needed you!

And have a great DL trip

 

[StarWarsGirl]

You'll love it. DLR is the same in many ways but also different enough from WDW to make it really worth it. Personally, I prefer Disneyland over Magic Kingdom. The whole experience is just more manageable since the resort is much smaller. I've taken the shuttle from LAX- it runs from Orange County airport too- and it works out fine. It's kind of like Magical Express, but make sure your hotel is among the stops or at least near one that it does stop at. There are so many attractions that are better or at least different- Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Fantasmic. There are a few that aren't as good- Splash, Pooh come to mind. Carsland is probably the best themed land anywhere in Disney. Going in August and can't wait.

Completely agree. I went in June my first time and then went back to MK in August, and although I like our castle better, the park as a whole just didn't feel the same. I agree about Splash and Pooh not being as good. IMO the teacups are slightly slower than at MK.