Lost, Lost..... so terribly Lost

[erstwo]

I have no idea what to say. I think I'm a seasoned Disney veteran, and yet attempting to plan (or more like "pre plan") our Summer 2012 Disneyland vacation has completely overwhelmed me.

It seems that I must take everything I've learned about vacationing at WDW and throw it out the window? :shrug:

Three resort hotels? Three? And partner hotels? How do I chose one?

What is up with the dining plan? They don't push it on you like at WDW, so I assume it's not a good deal? What's with the $99 character meal fee I can pre book with my vacation package. I assume it's good for one character meal - but do I get to chose the meal? Or do they tell me where we'll dine.

Also - just checking here - Cars Land is still set to open in June of 2012 right? Otherwise this will all be for nothing!

 

[Disney'd]

Quick reply- Grand Californian, Carsland is still set for then, and skip their horrible dining plan. Also, think of what you want to pay and check the crowds they could be different.

 

[erstwo]

Quick reply- Grand Californian, Carsland is still set for then, and skip their horrible dining plan. Also, think of what you want to pay and check the crowds they could be different.

Soooo.... do you mean, pick a price range and then try different dates to find a date that will fit our budget? Because if the info I've read on Disneyland is correct, then June is an OK time to go. If I try to go in July or August, it will cost me more - correct?

My only concern with going in June is that if Disney pushes back the opening of Carsland - even for a week or two- we might miss it entirely. Carsland is sort of the point of the whole trip. We are hoping to rent and RV and drive most of "Route 66" from Chicago (where my husband is from) all the way to California.

I did a little more research on the DL dining plan last night and discovered it is more like Monopoly money - vouchers in the exact cash amount you already paid- rather than a dining "credit" like at WDW. So we won't be going the dining plan route. If we are going in June, would it be a good idea to do the pre- paid Character Meal thing? From what I read, it's a good idea if you are going at a busy time, because DL jacks up the prices of their Character meals at busy times? :shrug:

Thank you so much for the info! I know we are way out from our trip, but it is going to take me that long to get everything in order. Plus, I think I can make my hotel reservations soon, so I'd like to at least have an idea of what I'm doing!

 

[TP2000]

Disneyland has a dining plan? Seriously? You never hear about that sort of thing out here.

Only dining advice you really need is... Make a reservation for the Blue Bayou, and the Napa Rose if you want a truly great meal. Steakhouse 55 is good too. The dining Fastpass tickets at Wine Country Trattoria is a great deal, and you get a Fastpass for a good spot for World of Color to boot. Otherwise, just graze through the parks like the locals do.

Catal and Ralph Brennan's are top drawer in Downtown Disney for dinner.

The funny thing about June is that many AP's are still unblocked in June and it's crazy busy, even without major 300 Million Dollar E Tickets opening like Radiator Springs Racers in a brand new 500 Million Dollar expansion plot like Cars Land.

The best, most uncrowded days to visit Disneyland in summer are in July and early August when all the AP and Cast Member blockouts have kicked in. Lower crowds and full schedules, with no Grad Nites to worry about. Can you push the trip back until after the 4th of July by any chance?

 

[erstwo]

Disneyland has a dining plan? Seriously? You never hear about that sort of thing out here.

Only dining advice you really need is... Make a reservation for the Blue Bayou, and the Napa Rose if you want a truly great meal. Steakhouse 55 is good too. The dining Fastpass tickets at Wine Country Trattoria is a great deal, and you get a Fastpass for a good spot for World of Color to boot. Otherwise, just graze through the parks like the locals do.

Catal and Ralph Brennan's are top drawer in Downtown Disney for dinner.

The funny thing about June is that many AP's are still unblocked in June and it's crazy busy, even without major 300 Million Dollar E Tickets opening like Radiator Springs Racers in a brand new 500 Million Dollar expansion plot like Cars Land.

The best, most uncrowded days to visit Disneyland in summer are in July and early August when all the AP and Cast Member blockouts have kicked in. Lower crowds and full schedules, with no Grad Nites to worry about. Can you push the trip back until after the 4th of July by any chance?

GREAT INFO! Thank you so much!

We can absolutely wait until after July 4th. I'll have to check room rates - I've heard they are higher in July? Maybe that's when all the out of towners (like me ) come to visit when there are AP blackouts and the crowds are low? :shrug: I'd honestly feel better about a July/ August trip in case the opening is delayed.

 

[Victoria]

I did DL for the first time last July 12-18. Crowds were manageable. You already know how to work FastPass so it shouldn't be that bad. Just be forewarned that most queues are outside with very little shade. This is one thing I wasn't aware of so I was quite surprised. There was a major heatwave that week, but I survived. After a few days we realized that it was best to get as much done as possible early in the morning and then slow down (and hide indoors whenever possible) until the sun sets. The strength of the sun in the middle of the day was brutal. Get a reservation at Blue Bayou. It's amazing. Napa Rose was absolutely wonderful too but incredibly expensive. I highly recommend doing a WoC dinner package. It was nice not having to worry about running at park opening to get a FP for that night. The viewing area is spacious and in a great location.

 

[erstwo]

I did DL for the first time last July 12-18. Crowds were manageable. You already know how to work FastPass so it shouldn't be that bad. Just be forewarned that most queues are outside with very little shade. This is one thing I wasn't aware of so I was quite surprised. There was a major heatwave that week, but I survived. After a few days we realized that it was best to get as much done as possible early in the morning and then slow down (and hide indoors whenever possible) until the sun sets. The strength of the sun in the middle of the day was brutal. Get a reservation at Blue Bayou. It's amazing. Napa Rose was absolutely wonderful too but incredibly expensive. I highly recommend doing a WoC dinner package. It was nice not having to worry about running at park opening to get a FP for that night. The viewing area is spacious and in a great location.

Thank you so much!

Question: Does anyone have opinions about going in October of 2012? Will the parks be crowded during the week with AP holders?
Or since school is back in - will they be empty?

 

[Nicole220]

October is a good time to go. The weather is nice (certainly not as hot as the summer months!) and the fun Halloween decorations are up.

October used to be empty. I remember going on Friday nights and being able to walk on everything. That's not the case anymore since they've stepped up the Halloween offerings. During the week when everyone is in school will be less crowded than Friday-Sunday.

There is really no slow season in the parks anymore. The only time I've seen the parks truly empty are on rainy or freezing days.

 

[TP2000]

Thank you so much!

Question: Does anyone have opinions about going in October of 2012? Will the parks be crowded during the week with AP holders?
Or since school is back in - will they be empty?

October would be a great time to go, particularly during the week. Be forewarned that Columbus Day weekend can bring bigger than average weekend crowds.

If you timed it to go to a Halloween Party at Disneyland on one of those nights (they were offered Tuesdays and Fridays this past year), you'd also get the Halloween Screams fireworks. Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy would also be on offer in October; so long as no one in the party is a total purist for those two rides, they should be very popular things to do for the group and something you would NEVER be able to experience at WDW.

 

[erstwo]

October would be a great time to go, particularly during the week. Be forewarned that Columbus Day weekend can bring bigger than average weekend crowds.

If you timed it to go to a Halloween Party at Disneyland on one of those nights (they were offered Tuesdays and Fridays this past year), you'd also get the Halloween Screams fireworks. Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy would also be on offer in October; so long as no one in the party is a total purist for those two rides, they should be very popular things to do for the group and something you would NEVER be able to experience at WDW.

Awesome! Thank you again. I will keep Columbus Day in mind and I will definitely want to experience things I could never have experienced at WDW. We've never been to a MNSSHP at WDW, but can honestly go any October we want to go. Halloween Party and Mountain Ghost Galaxy at Disneyland though? Probably only have one shot at that!

I also read your post about I-5 vs. Route 1 in the other thread last night - AMAZING! My husband is going to have a cow though. The plan right now is for us to DRIVE from Chicago to LA along Route 66 (you know.... to go along with the "Cars" theme, plus to learn a lot about America along the way! :animwink My sister in law lives in San Fran, but has an apartment in LA, so she said she would just meet us in LA when we finally get out to California. BUT Now I want to drive up to see her in San Francisco!

My poor husband can't imagine taking off 2 weeks (the time I estimate it will take to drive Route 66, stay a couple of days at DL and fly back home.) If I tell him I want to add on 3 or 4 days to drive up the coast, Mr. CEO will probably have a heart attack! :lol: As will his office manager.....:lookaroun

But you only live once right? And our kids are only little once - and isn't the whole point of Cars that you should get off the interstate and enjoy the view? :lol: But if there's a lot of yelling, I'm going to blame you. "TP2000 gave me the idea!"

 

[erstwo]

October is a good time to go. The weather is nice (certainly not as hot as the summer months!) and the fun Halloween decorations are up.

October used to be empty. I remember going on Friday nights and being able to walk on everything. That's not the case anymore since they've stepped up the Halloween offerings. During the week when everyone is in school will be less crowded than Friday-Sunday.

There is really no slow season in the parks anymore. The only time I've seen the parks truly empty are on rainy or freezing days.

Sorry- I meant to multi quote this!

Thank you so much for the info! I think that "no real empty time in the parks" thing applies at all Disney parks. Some friends and I were just discussing our WDW experiences in November and December and we talked for a long time about touringplan.com crowd predictions.

We came to the conclusion that when we all started our trip planning or visits to WDW we were under the misconception that a "1" meant "there's no one in this entire park but me" :lol: and that a 10 meant, "Well, I'll probably have to wait to ride something.....:lol:" It's just wishful thinking really. When you go to WDW a lot you realize that a "1" is really more like "The wait for Peter Pan will be less than an hour ALL DAY! Score!" and a 10 will be more like "OMG, I can't even see my front stroller wheel in all these people!"

I know it's 18 months away, but I'm excited about visiting DL!

 

[Testtrack321]

I did my first DL trip back in 2001. We stayed at the Grand Californian, which is a great hotel. Imagine an art-deco Wilderness Lodge. It's pricy, but worth it.

 

[DTM93]

Hey we went to Disneyland for the first time and I went with my family in October 2010 (we're from the UK) and we did the Disneyland Dining Plan, I'm sorry for people who don't agree with it but we personally thought it was brilliant, we came home stuffed and we got to have an absolute ton of character dining experiences we would've never of had the chance if we hadn't gone there! We did Goofy's Kitchen twice and we also did the Plaza Inn with Minnie & Friends, then we got to have the amazing food, we personally thought the Dining Plan was brilliant but tip, if you do consider it (like we noticed on another forum before we went) for the number of days you plan to spend at Disney, get a day LESS for the dining for each person. For example, if you were going to DLR for 5 days get a 4 day dining plan because that's what we did and we were literally wasting $5 snack vouchers on the last day or putting them together to use them as a meal. I hope you enjoy it! And don't forget the trip report when you return... :animwink:
Added On: In comment to your hotel I would suggest just looking at the Good Neighbour and picking one that you think looks nice, the Red Lion & also the Sheraton Anaheim look good, and the Hilton too! We stayed in the Sheraton and we thought the Anaheim Resort Transit was good for transportation to and from the parks if you wanted the extra money for merchandise etc. The Disneyland Hotel aswell looks incredible if you're looking for something on property, especially by the time it will be completely finished in 2012!

 

[TP2000]

But you only live once right? And our kids are only little once - and isn't the whole point of Cars that you should get off the interstate and enjoy the view? :lol: But if there's a lot of yelling, I'm going to blame you. "TP2000 gave me the idea!"

I will take the blame, gladly. :lol:

Your Route 66 itinerary sounds fantastic. I've driven across country several times on both the far northern route on I-90 and far southern route on I-10. Doing the Route 66 thing through the heart of the USA, even for just portions of that historic road, sounds like a great way to immerse the kids in the wonders of this great country and the very nice folks who inhabit it. And then at the end of the road trip you go to Disneyland for a couple days? Talk about a dream trip the kids (and the parents) will remember their entire lives!

You will hopefully keep us posted on your plans here to see if we can help or provide tips. And don't forget to check in on all the Anaheim construction progress kept very up to date here by the likes of sponono88.

If Mr. CEO doesn't go for the extra days to San Francisco, a quintessentially Californian highway to take is Coast Highway 1 through southern Orange County and San Diego county on the way to Sea World or Legoland or the San Diego Zoo. Lots of beaches and tide pools and some excellent state parks to visit on that short, southerly stretch of Highway 1 as well. The most picturesque segments of Highway 1 begin due south of Disneyland near Corona del Mar and Laguna, about a 25 minute drive from the Resort area, and continue down to San Diego 70 miles south.

Laguna Beach, Orange County

 

[Mukta]

While summer is fine, October is a very unique time to see the DL resort. You can see the detail that they put into everything and ride rare attractions.
How many days are you planning to spend at the DL resort?

 

[diddy_mouse]

Speaking as someone who just booked her first trip (as an adult) to Disneyland TODAY all of this info has been sooooo helpful! :sohappy:

We'll be there for 4 days in early-ish October, the 11th-14th. I'm so excited about this trip. It's kinda of a belated anniversary trip.

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

I heartily endorse TP2000's suggestions. He won't steer you wrong. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion that TP stands for Travel Professional. :animwink:

 

[ght]

October would be a great time to go, particularly during the week. Be forewarned that Columbus Day weekend can bring bigger than average weekend crowds.

If you timed it to go to a Halloween Party at Disneyland on one of those nights (they were offered Tuesdays and Fridays this past year), you'd also get the Halloween Screams fireworks. Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy would also be on offer in October; so long as no one in the party is a total purist for those two rides, they should be very popular things to do for the group and something you would NEVER be able to experience at WDW.

October is a great time and the Halloween Party is definitely worth the extra money. One thing to note that in addition to Columbus Day weekend there is a weekend in mid-October (at least it has been in the past) for state of CA workers. We went one time during that weekend and it was crazy busy.

For the OP, weekend in general are more crowded (a lot more locals), however in October if you don't go at least one weekend day you will probably miss the Fireworks and Fantasmic. One trick, BTW, if you can't get reservations for Blue Bayou (or you forget) is when Fantasmic is going on, eat there during the first show (9pm, it is a little late so you might want a late afternoon snack to hold you over) most people will be watching the show and the restaurant will be less crowded. After you eat, catch the second Fantasmic show close to the entrance of Pirates. When it is done walk across to Pirates and you will probably be at the head of the line. We have done this a couple of times and it has worked great each time. You should definitely try Blue Bayou, it is a unique dining experience that they don't have at WDW.

 

[TP2000]

In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion that TP stands for Travel Professional. :animwink:

Thanks for the kind words, but I'm afraid you are wrong on what TP stands for. Would you believe 'toilet paper'? No? Neither would I.

I remember as a kid I had a phase where I wanted to own a travel agency, about the same time I also wanted to be an airline pilot. I've always loved travel.

Those of you choosing October for your Disneyland visits are in for a real treat, especially if you get a ticket to the special after-hours Halloween parties twice a week at Disneyland that time of year.

 

[erstwo]

Hey we went to Disneyland for the first time and I went with my family in October 2010 (we're from the UK) and we did the Disneyland Dining Plan, I'm sorry for people who don't agree with it but we personally thought it was brilliant, we came home stuffed and we got to have an absolute ton of character dining experiences we would've never of had the chance if we hadn't gone there! We did Goofy's Kitchen twice and we also did the Plaza Inn with Minnie & Friends, then we got to have the amazing food, we personally thought the Dining Plan was brilliant but tip, if you do consider it (like we noticed on another forum before we went) for the number of days you plan to spend at Disney, get a day LESS for the dining for each person. For example, if you were going to DLR for 5 days get a 4 day dining plan because that's what we did and we were literally wasting $5 snack vouchers on the last day or putting them together to use them as a meal. I hope you enjoy it! And don't forget the trip report when you return... :animwink:
Added On: In comment to your hotel I would suggest just looking at the Good Neighbour and picking one that you think looks nice, the Red Lion & also the Sheraton Anaheim look good, and the Hilton too! We stayed in the Sheraton and we thought the Anaheim Resort Transit was good for transportation to and from the parks if you wanted the extra money for merchandise etc. The Disneyland Hotel aswell looks incredible if you're looking for something on property, especially by the time it will be completely finished in 2012!

Thank you so much for the insight! I'm going to give the dining plan a second look. I LOVE the suggestions on hotels. I'm looking for something safe and close to the gates, so these sound great.

While summer is fine, October is a very unique time to see the DL resort. You can see the detail that they put into everything and ride rare attractions.
How many days are you planning to spend at the DL resort?

Right now I am thinking 4 days in the parks. I have to allow for the fact that we will have already taken off a good bit of time to drive cross country.

October is a great time and the Halloween Party is definitely worth the extra money. One thing to note that in addition to Columbus Day weekend there is a weekend in mid-October (at least it has been in the past) for state of CA workers. We went one time during that weekend and it was crazy busy.

For the OP, weekend in general are more crowded (a lot more locals), however in October if you don't go at least one weekend day you will probably miss the Fireworks and Fantasmic. One trick, BTW, if you can't get reservations for Blue Bayou (or you forget) is when Fantasmic is going on, eat there during the first show (9pm, it is a little late so you might want a late afternoon snack to hold you over) most people will be watching the show and the restaurant will be less crowded. After you eat, catch the second Fantasmic show close to the entrance of Pirates. When it is done walk across to Pirates and you will probably be at the head of the line. We have done this a couple of times and it has worked great each time. You should definitely try Blue Bayou, it is a unique dining experience that they don't have at WDW.

I will keep that weekend in mind! Thank you! Thanks for all of the other suggestions too!

Sorry I have been away for so long. There was some MAJOR drama/ mix up on behalf of Disney (shocking! I know!) with my in laws 50th anniversary Disney Cruise, so any/ all planning for this trip was put on the waaay back burner until we could get the cruise straightened out. Thank you for continuing the suggestions though! :wave: