Now that you've sold me on DLR, can you answer a few ?'s

[captainkidd]

First off, thank you to all of you who convinced me to take the Disneyland plunge next year. We are going to do it. Now that we are, I'm hoping you can answer a few questions I have. I picked up the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland tonight and started reading. So, here we go:

1.Kind of a 2 part question. I notice that Disneyland has a significant less amount of attractions that offer Fastpass. However, crowds can be just as large as at the Magic Kingdom. This could present a problem for us. We obtain a GAC. Without getting into that whole debate, the simple fact is, because of a spinal issue, I can only stand in one spot for maybe 2-3 minutes before the nerves in my back become severely irritated and I can't move. How we handle this is WDW is to obtain FP's where we can, and use the GAC elsewhere. So, does Disneyland offer a GAC, and if needed to be used, where do you go on a non-fastpass attraction?

2.San Diego. We've decided that Sea World and the zoo would make for a nice couple of days. Rather than stay at Disneyland, we thought we would stay at one of the hotels along the ocean. There's one within walking distance of Sea World that looks beautiful. Is there public transportation between Anaheim and San Diego for an affordable price, or should we just deal with renting a car? And if we need a rental, can we rent from the Disneyland Hotel. Lastly, would it make more sense to fly home from San Diego or drive back to one of the airports in LA and fly back to Boston?

So, I guess a few questions in there. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Yay for your trip! ... but I'm afraid I won't be much help on your specific questions. Just a guess, though, that you'll probably want to rent a car to get to San Diego.

Is there anything else in Southern California that caught your family's eye? I had a really good experience at an Orange County dolphin/whale watching company if you'd be interested.

Saturday was dolphin watching. We used Captain Dave's, which is in Orange County not terribly far from Disneyland. It was amazing! There were literally hundreds of dolphins in the waters around us! Plus, there were two features on this boat that made the trip extra special. One, there was an area where the floor was nylon netting and you could actually lay down with just the net between you and the dolphins a couple of feet away swimming next to the hulls.

Then, the bottoms of the two hulls had glass panels in the walls so you could be under the water with the dolphins swimming right next to you. My family is really thinking about doing this again even though our schedule is so tight!

I would definitely recommend Captain Dave's! They sell 49 tickets for that boat (Manute'a) and I would guess there were about 30 people onboard. Even if it were full, it wouldn't be quite as cool obviously, but I don't think it would be crazy. They say on the website that they sell fewer tickets than the boats are rated for and I believe them. You can stalk theirreservations page; if you hover over the time each day, it will tell you how many seats are available and which boat is going out. I have a feeling it's relatively uncrowded when it's not peak whale season. Unfortunately, I didn't grab many shots of the actual boat, but there's the front where we spent pretty much all of our time, a pretty big "inside", plus more area in the back with benches at the very back and more standing area along the sides.

The front is three of those net thingys wide with standing space all along the outside.

You can see the entrance to the pod here right behind the blue nets. There's one on either side. When the pods aren't open, the hatch is closed so there's even more standing space up front.

The line for the underwater pods really wasn't bad at all. I actually went down three times: once with J.J. right when they opened them, and once with each of the kids towards the end because there was no line. Unless a whale surfaced off in the distance, I don't think there's much that you'd miss being in the pod. The dolphins really liked to swim alongside the boat right next to and in front of the hulls where the pods are. The pod is really the place to be, IMO. Most of the time I was up on deck, I was watching the dolphins that were swimming right next to where the pods are. You wouldn't miss anything while you were standing in line for the pod. The boat was comfortably roomy for the number of people on board, but there's still not a ton of extra space. If you're waiting for the pod, you're still basically in that prime viewing area up front.

You also get what I bet is pretty reliable viewing of California sea lions. They like to hang out on the buoys:

 

[TP2000]

2.San Diego. We've decided that Sea World and the zoo would make for a nice couple of days. Rather than stay at Disneyland, we thought we would stay at one of the hotels along the ocean. There's one within walking distance of Sea World that looks beautiful. Is there public transportation between Anaheim and San Diego for an affordable price, or should we just deal with renting a car? And if we need a rental, can we rent from the Disneyland Hotel. Lastly, would it make more sense to fly home from San Diego or drive back to one of the airports in LA and fly back to Boston?

You could take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner between Anaheim and San Diego, but you'd need to catch cabs to/from the depots on both ends of that trip. But the train takes you right along the ocean (sit on the right side of the train) and is a very pleasant and picturesque journey. It takes 90 minutes to drive from Anaheim to San Diego (I've done it in 80) and is an equally beautiful drive, but the train takes over 2 hours due to several stops and a rather indirect route the last 10 miles into the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. There are 14 Surfliner departures per day from Anaheim to San Diego, and vice versa, with trains leaving every 60 to 90 minutes. Check the Amtrak website for more details. http://www.amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train

Surfliner Route Between San Diego & Anaheim - There's A Reason They Call It The Surfliner

But once you get to San Diego and check into your Mission Bay hotel, you'll need cabs to get around that city. I really think you'd be better off with a rental car. They have an Alamo Rent-A-Car office in Downtown Disney a few dozen yards from the Disneyland Hotel. There are also all the major rental car places (Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, National, another Alamo, etc.) on Harbor Blvd. across from the Anaheim Convention Center, which is an easy 15 minute walk from the Disneyland Hotel. If you drove out of Anaheim anytime between 9AM and 3PM on a weekday, you won't hit major traffic on I-5 and you'd have the chance to pull off and explore some of fabulous Orange County or northern San Diego County.

And if you had a car, you could do a fun thing and drive to La Jolla, an upscale beach town a few miles north of Mission Bay. There you could visit the beach at La Jolla Cove, which was taken over years ago by Pacific Seals and Sea Lions and is great fun watching them sun themselves on the beach.

West Coast grammar lesson: La Jolla is pronounced "Luh Hoi-yah".

Or you could rent snorkels and masks and go snorkeling and see the sea life up close just off shore from the rocky coves and beaches of La Jolla.

And the most adventurous option, but still perfectly suitable for families, is taking a guided Sea Kayak Tour along the cliffs and through the sea caves in La Jolla. You paddle out and then tour through the various caves and rocky canyons along the shoreline. It's serene and a bit spooky, but very fun and suitable for anyone who is comfortable in the water.

There are several great kayak tour outfits in La Jolla. But this one is highly rated, and gives you an idea of the cost and time requirements. http://www.lajollakayak.com/

Once you've been out there with the seals and dolphins and ocean life in their natural environment, then maybe you spend a day at Sea World and see them in their fake theme park environment. I do love the Shamu show! But the real thing is just a few minutes away from Sea World, and shouldn't be missed.

You'll probably need a car to do this stuff. But honestly, as a former Bostonian myself, Orange County freeways are a cakewalk compared to Route 9, or 128, or anything within 15 miles of the Prudential Center. And the drivers are more polite, the freeways are much newer and wider and far better maintained, and the scenery is prettier. And the cars in SoCal are generally waxed to perfection and gleam in the sunlight. It's a very, very different culture than New England. Come and experience it!

 

[captainkidd]

Thanks for the info about San Diego. Still have to wait to hear about the GAC, but as long as there's a good answer for that, here is my plan.

We'll depart on Sunday, that way to miss the weekend crowds at Disneyland. Check into Disneyland Hotel.
Monday - Disneyland
Tuesday - DCA
Wednesday - Disneyland
Thursday - Universal Studios
Friday - DCA/Disneyland
Saturday - Hollywood Tour
Sunday - Knotts Berry Farm
Monday - Disneyland/Check out of Disneyland Hotel, Rent Car and drive to San Diego, Check into Dana at Mission Bay
Tuesday -Sea World
Wednesday - San Diego Zoo
Thursday - Wild Safari
Friday - Relax by Pool, Walk around area
Saturday - Drive back to Anaheim, return rental car, take shuttle back to airport, head home.

 

[fbp]

Wow. We're planning a Southern California/Disneyland Trip for next year as well and this thread is extremely helpful. Thanks everyone! We'll definitely hit up the seal and snorkeling areas mentioned above.

Another question if anyone has the knowledge and time to answer. My fiancee would love to spend a day on the beach somewhere - suntanning/surfing/swimming. Does anyone have a favorite somewhere near Anaheim/LA/San Diego? It'd be fun if it were a little busier, lined with shops and vendors and that kind of thing

Thanks!

 

[TP2000]

Another question if anyone has the knowledge and time to answer. My fiancee would love to spend a day on the beach somewhere - suntanning/surfing/swimming. Does anyone have a favorite somewhere near Anaheim/LA/San Diego? It'd be fun if it were a little busier, lined with shops and vendors and that kind of thing

Thanks!

"Lined" with shops and vendors is hard in SoCal, as the beaches aren't like the boardwalks of the East Coast. But Newport Beach has an upscale but fun commercial area not far from the sand.

Laguna Beach is more artsy with some really good restaurants and art galleries within blocks of the sand. And it's very pretty.

And Huntington Beach is known as the surfers party beach, with trendy surf shops and bars that attract a younger crowd.

All of these beaches are in Orange County, within a 20 to 40 minute drive from Disneyland.

 

[disney4life2008]

Thanks for the info about San Diego. Still have to wait to hear about the GAC, but as long as there's a good answer for that, here is my plan.

We'll depart on Sunday, that way to miss the weekend crowds at Disneyland. Check into Disneyland Hotel.
Monday - Disneyland
Tuesday - DCA
Wednesday - Disneyland
Thursday - Universal Studios
Friday - DCA/Disneyland
Saturday - Hollywood Tour
Sunday - Knotts Berry Farm
Monday - Disneyland/Check out of Disneyland Hotel, Rent Car and drive to San Diego, Check into Dana at Mission Bay
Tuesday -Sea World
Wednesday - San Diego Zoo
Thursday - Wild Safari
Friday - Relax by Pool, Walk around area
Saturday - Drive back to Anaheim, return rental car, take shuttle back to airport, head home.

WOW. Yesterday you had 7 days at DLR and today you have a full California Adventure planned. Can we say I am jealous, lol. You will love San Diego. I am not much into LA/Hollywood but if you have never been you have to see it at least once.

 

[flynnibus]

So, does Disneyland offer a GAC, and if needed to be used, where do you go on a non-fastpass attraction?

They send people up the exit.

 

[fbp]

"Lined" with shops and vendors is hard in SoCal, as the beaches aren't like the boardwalks of the East Coast. But Newport Beach has an upscale but fun commercial area not far from the sand.

Laguna Beach is more artsy with some really good restaurants and art galleries within blocks of the sand. And it's very pretty.

And Huntington Beach is known as the surfers party beach, with trendy surf shops and bars that attract a younger crowd.

All of these beaches are in Orange County, within a 20 to 40 minute drive from Disneyland.

Thank you very much! That looks amazing

 

[captainkidd]

They send people up the exit.

So bottom line is, they do offer a GAC just like WDW?

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

So bottom line is, they do offer a GAC just like WDW?

Yes. Each attraction has a GAC protocol, just ask the cast member at the entrance for assistance and they'll get you on track.

 

[captainkidd]

Yes. Each attraction has a GAC protocol, just ask the cast member at the entrance for assistance and they'll get you on track.

Great. Thank you.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Seems like your questions have been answered. I was going to recommend looking into the train as well. I remember taking the train with my grandfather when I was little. It was a neat trip. I hope you guys have a great trip!

 

[flynnibus]

So bottom line is, they do offer a GAC just like WDW?

Yup.. while DLR isn't overrun with scooters like WDW is... it has it's own flavors of abusers. Just goto city hall, get your pass, and they will explain the protocol to you.

What DLR has more of than WDW is single rider lines. FP is not liked by the locals as much in DLR as WDW because it doesn't gel well with their visiting patterns. But you still use FP for the marque attractions like Indy, Space, etc.

 

[thomas998]

Not sure how old the people in your group are but you also have Lego land right near San Diego. If you have younger kids they might enjoy it as much as Disneyland, I know my youngest did... but if your kids are older then it is best to skip it completely unless you are just a lego fanatic.

 

[teacherlady19]

Is the "Wild Safari" listed on your plan, the San Diego Safari Park (AKA "Wild Animal Park", in its previous incarnation)?

If so, when you are buying your tickets, think about buying a Sea World/Zoo/Safari Park package. It looks cheaper that way, and also saves you time standing in line at each place.

Adult​

$143.00​

​

Child 3-9​

$113.00​

​

Unlimited Admission to SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo & Safari Park for up to 7 consecutive days.

The Zoo/Safari Park entrance (2 days) is $79 (adults) and $61 (children). Sea World appears to be about $78 a day. So the package above saves you money.

And, FWIW, I agree with previous posters about renting a car. However, my younger daughter has ridden the Surfliner -- beautiful trip, but you have to figure out how to get to/from the station. Add up car rental fee and taxi fees, you might spend the same by renting a car.

Donna

 

[Californian Elitist]

Captain, I'm VERY happy with your plans!

Since you're planning on doing Universal, Disney and the San Diego Zoo, consider buying the City/Play pass. That'll get you a day at Universal, a day t the zoo and three days at Disney for one price.

 

[captainkidd]

According to another board (you know, the not so friendly one) I'll be crap out of luck when it comes to obtaining a GAC for my condition. They'll just tell me to get an ECV or a wheelchair. I'm going to have to contact the resort directly I guess to find out. It will be absolutely pointless to go if I can't get a GAC. I wouldn't be able to wait in line for any rides.

 

[flynnibus]

According to another board (you know, the not so friendly one) I'll be crap out of luck when it comes to obtaining a GAC for my condition. They'll just tell me to get an ECV or a wheelchair

I don't buy that. DLR is no more strict in this than WDW is. They will ask what your limitations are and make the accommodations based on that. What you don't do is go in saying 'I need a front of the line pass' because they will be working against you and push you off to having wheelchair access (which BTW.. doesn't need a GAC). The abusers don't like that because DCA was built to be wheelchair accessible, so a wheelchair doesn't gain much in DCA.

 

[captainkidd]

I don't buy that. DLR is no more strict in this than WDW is. They will ask what your limitations are and make the accommodations based on that. What you don't do is go in saying 'I need a front of the line pass' because they will be working against you and push you off to having wheelchair access (which BTW.. doesn't need a GAC). The abusers don't like that because DCA was built to be wheelchair accessible, so a wheelchair doesn't gain much in DCA.

I just called and spoke to a very nice woman at Disneyland Guest Relations. She informed me of exactly what you said. She said if it makes me feel better, feel free to bring in a note from the doctor and/or copies of prescriptions. It's not necessary, but they will look at them if it makes me feel less guilty about having to ask for one.