Questions Regarding Disneyland, CA

[Marc Gil]

I know this is a Walt Disney World forum, hence WDWMagic, but I have a few questions to ask about the Disneyland Resort. I am thinking about going to Disneyland in late July or early August. I haven't been to Disneyland in years, since I was thirteen or so. How are the crowd levels compared to the Magic Kingdom? Is it worth traveling from Florida? What are some ways I can avoid the crowds? What is the best place to stay on the property? And finally what are some attractions I can't miss or that are exclusive the the Disneyland resort? Thanks for the help.

 

[LizC]

check out touringplans.com for crowd levels.

 

[lego606]

I know this is a Walt Disney World forum, hence WDWMagic, but I have a few questions to ask about the Disneyland Resort. I am thinking about going to Disneyland in late July or early August. I haven't been to Disneyland in years, since I was thirteen or so. How are the crowd levels compared to the Magic Kingdom? Is it worth traveling from Florida? What are some ways I can avoid the crowds? What is the best place to stay on the property? And finally what are some attractions I can't miss or that are exclusive the the Disneyland resort? Thanks for the help.

Welcome to the Disneyland forum! Someone here can help you with all this. (most likely raven)

I believe it's totally worth it to go, the Resort has changed very much for the better. In California, staying on property isn't is worth it as Florida (in fact some of the off-site hotels are closer to the parks than Disney's hotels), but I tend to like the Grand Californian or the Disneyland Hotel.

List of attractions you can't miss:

in Disneyland:
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Space Mountain
Matterhorn
Fantasmic!
Remember Dreams Come True/Magical

in Disney California Adventure:
Grizzly River Run
California Screamin’
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Midway Mania (the lines are almost never as long as DHS. This is your chance to wait less than 3 hours!)
Aladdin
World of Color (remember to get a FastPass)

 

[Maryssa*]

If you're not on a budget, the Grand Californian is the best place to stay on property.
But the parks are so close to the rest of anaheim that there are many hotels literally across the street that cost a lot less.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I would choose August over July crowd wise. Some kids might be back in school but you are looking at high crowds.

This map helps a lot for picking a hotel - link. There are many within walking distance.

 

[lego606]

If you want to compare prices, I use Hipmunk mainly because it overlays the map with prices and reviews

 

[Marc Gil]

I would choose August over July crowd wise. Some kids might be back in school but you are looking at high crowds.

This map helps a lot for picking a hotel - link. There are many within walking distance.

I was thinking about that. I remember Disneyland being on the side of the road. This was before California Adventure. I also don't remember the surrounding areas to be very nice, that's why I was thinking about staying in the property. I'm looking at the Disneyland Hotel right now. It's kind of expensive, but it is Disney, so I can't really blame them. I was also thinking about EMH, if they do have them in DLR. About the crowds, how high are we talking about? Like a sardine can?

 

[Marc Gil]

Welcome to the Disneyland forum! Someone here can help you with all this. (most likely raven)

I believe it's totally worth it to go, the Resort has changed very much for the better. In California, staying on property isn't is worth it as Florida (in fact some of the off-site hotels are closer to the parks than Disney's hotels), but I tend to like the Grand Californian or the Disneyland Hotel.

List of attractions you can't miss:

in Disneyland:
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Space Mountain
Matterhorn
Fantasmic!
Remember Dreams Come True/Magical

in Disney California Adventure:
Grizzly River Run
California Screamin’
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Midway Mania (the lines are almost never as long as DHS. This is your chance to wait less than 3 hours!)
Aladdin
World of Color (remember to get a FastPass)

Yes I remember their Pirates! I remember scaring my brother at the end saying that there was a huge drop (when you're going up the waterfall.) I was so excited, then when we got to the top I remember being sad. Haha memories.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Disneyland is going to already more crowded to you simply because it's much smaller than MK and everything is close together and not spread out.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Here's a good example of the differences in space between DL and MK.

Adventureland entrance in MK:

Adventureland entrance at DL (all the buildings are really close and Frontierland is basically attached to it):

 

[Marc Gil]

Disneyland is going to already more crowded to you simply because it's much smaller than MK and everything is close together and not spread out.

Hmmm I remember everything being close together. Like the Haunted Mansion was literally right next to Splash Mountain. I would imagine everything to seem more crowded.

 

[007mickey]

I was thinking about that. I remember Disneyland being on the side of the road. This was before California Adventure. I also don't remember the surrounding areas to be very nice, that's why I was thinking about staying in the property. I'm looking at the Disneyland Hotel right now. It's kind of expensive, but it is Disney, so I can't really blame them. I was also thinking about EMH, if they do have them in DLR. About the crowds, how high are we talking about? Like a sardine can?

We are headed to DLR this summer as well. About EMH, they do have it, it is 1 hour early entry and the breakdown currently is DL on Thurs and Sat, DCA is Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun. Take note of DLR calendar, summer looks like both parks open at 8 am...that means a 7 am EMH! No EMH evenings for DLR.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Hmmm I remember everything being close together. Like the Haunted Mansion was literally right next to Splash Mountain. I would imagine everything to seem more crowded.

Yes, it sure is. And some of the attractions are literally on top of others.

 

[TrolleyFollower91]

I stayed at Paradise Pier in March and LOVED it! We watched World of Color from the window of our room- and it was much cheaper than Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian. The advantage of EMH in the morning is nice, but if you're going on a budget I don't think staying in an off-property hotel would be bad (especially the Good Neighbor hotels).

As an extremely frequent WDW visitor, you'll be both overwhelmed and amazed with DLR. Make sure you give yourself ample time to explore both parks (we had 5 days and said we could have stayed longer!). Hit the big attractions but also enjoy the atmosphere. It's amazing that you're in the middle of a city yet have no idea.

 

[TP2000]

Plan your visit before the second week of August. By mid August the Annual Passes become unblocked and the crowds go sky-high as all the locals return after being blocked out since late June. The Fairfield Inn on Harbor Blvd. and the Howard Johnson are nice hotels about an 8 minute walk from the main entrance of both DCA and Disneyland, and a 10 minute walk from Downtown Disney, but with prices that are a fraction of the Disneyland Hotel. Mimi's Café near both hotels on Harbor is a great place for cheaper quality meals than you'd get at the Disney Hotels, and there's a nice McDonalds there too for faster and cheaper meals or snacks heading to or from the parks.

Harbor Blvd. is fine and very safe day or night. I actually find the Anaheim area around Disneyland to be a safer and saner environment than the WDW Downtown Disney parking lot on a Saturday night.

Here's a picture of the two block walk up Harbor Blvd. you would make from the Disneyland entrance to the Fairfield Inn or Howard Johnsons. It's not the Palace of Versailles, but it's clean and safe and landscaped. And dramatically cheaper than staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

Northbound Harbor Blvd. From Disneyland Entrance Gate To Howard Johnson's/Fairfield Inn

Disneyland is immediately to the left of this photo. In fact, you can see the Disneyland Monorail tracks through the trees there.

 

[lego606]

I was also thinking about EMH, if they do have them in DLR.

EMH is weird in Disneyland, there are 2 kinds (and if you have an Annual Pass, occasionally a 3rd kind). In the morning there's Extra Magic Hour for all hotel guests and that switches depending on the day. There's also Magic Morning, which is basically an EMH for people who pre-purchase 3-day tickets, promotional tickets that explicitly come with it, or SoCal Citypass holders, and that's only in Disneyland on the same day you'd use EMH anyway so if you're staying in a hotel it doesn't really count.

Just the details version:

The current Extra Magic Hour schedule allows registered Resort Hotel Guests access to one park for each day of their stay on these select days:

• Disneyland Park: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
• Disney California Adventure Park (including access to the brand new Cars Land): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

Magic Morning is one early admission (during the duration of theme park ticket or Southern California CityPASS) to select attractions, stores, entertainment and dining locations at Disneyland Park one hour before the Park opens to the general public.*

Magic Mornings at Disneyland Park are available during these select days:

• Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday

Here's a link: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendar/early-admission/

 

[Marc Gil]

EMH is weird in Disneyland, there are 2 kinds (and if you have an Annual Pass, occasionally a 3rd kind). In the morning there's Extra Magic Hour for all hotel guests and that switches depending on the day. There's also Magic Morning, which is basically an EMH for people who pre-purchase 3-day tickets, promotional tickets that explicitly come with it, or SoCal Citypass holders, and that's only in Disneyland on the same day you'd use EMH anyway so if you're staying in a hotel it doesn't really count.

Just the details version:

The current Extra Magic Hour schedule allows registered Resort Hotel Guests access to one park for each day of their stay on these select days:

• Disneyland Park: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
• Disney California Adventure Park (including access to the brand new Cars Land): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

Magic Morning is one early admission (during the duration of theme park ticket or Southern California CityPASS) to select attractions, stores, entertainment and dining locations at Disneyland Park one hour before the Park opens to the general public.*

Magic Mornings at Disneyland Park are available during these select days:

• Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday

Here's a link: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendar/early-admission/

Well I was researching some surrounding hotels, and I came across an Embassy Suites in Anaheim. It's a mile away, so it won't be that difficult going to the parks. I would imagine that traffic is horrendous in the morning. I'm also planning on arriving the 31st of July and staying in the Anaheim/Los Angeles area until the seventh.

 

[Marc Gil]

Plan your visit before the second week of August. By mid August the Annual Passes become unblocked and the crowds go sky-high as all the locals return after being blocked out since late June. The Fairfield Inn on Harbor Blvd. and the Howard Johnson are nice hotels about an 8 minute walk from the main entrance of both DCA and Disneyland, and a 10 minute walk from Downtown Disney, but with prices that are a fraction of the Disneyland Hotel. Mimi's Café near both hotels on Harbor is a great place for cheaper quality meals than you'd get at the Disney Hotels, and there's a nice McDonalds there too for faster and cheaper meals or snacks heading to or from the parks.

Harbor Blvd. is fine and very safe day or night. I actually find the Anaheim area around Disneyland to be a safer and saner environment than the WDW Downtown Disney parking lot on a Saturday night.

Here's a picture of the two block walk up Harbor Blvd. you would make from the Disneyland entrance to the Fairfield Inn or Howard Johnsons. It's not the Palace of Versailles, but it's clean and safe and landscaped. And dramatically cheaper than staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

Northbound Harbor Blvd. From Disneyland Entrance Gate To Howard Johnson's/Fairfield Inn

Disneyland is immediately to the left of this photo. In fact, you can see the Disneyland Monorail tracks through the trees there.

Ha that comment about Downtown Disney made me chuckle. It's so true. There's way too much loitering there...

 

[TP2000]

Well I was researching some surrounding hotels, and I came across an Embassy Suites in Anaheim. It's a mile away, so it won't be that difficult going to the parks. I would imagine that traffic is horrendous in the morning. I'm also planning on arriving the 31st of July and staying in the Anaheim/Los Angeles area until the seventh.

Traffic is not horrendous, and is quite mild in Orange County compared to other major cities. The surface street traffic from the Embassy Suites to the Disneyland parking structure won't be anything to worry about. And compared to I-Drive in Orlando, the Anaheim Resort District is like a sleepy little town with one stoplight.

Here's I-Drive in Orlando in all its touristy and trafficky goodness.

And here's Katella Avenue in Anaheim between the Anaheim Convention Center and Harbor Blvd. That's the backside of Paradise Pier and Cars Land in California Adventure directly on the right of this photo just over the trees, and that's the Annabella Hotel on the left, which is also a pretty good hotel within walking distance of the parks and Downtown Disney for a tiny fraction of the Disneyland Hotel rates.

"Traffic" and streetscapes won't be a concern you need to fret about in the Anaheim Resort District around Disneyland.

Are you thinking you want to drive a rental car each morning to the Disneyland Parking Structure or Toy Story Parking Lot? Or are you just going to ride the hotel ART shuttle bus to and from the Embassy Suites. The hotel shuttle drop you off about 75 yards from the theme park entry gates, and that can be much easier than dealing with the parking structure and parking trams and paying for parking each day. An ART bus pass is 2 dollars per day, unless the Embassy Suites has it's own private shuttle bus. http://www.rideart.org/

And you are sure you don't want to try one of the closer hotels on Harbor or Katella where you could just walk a the two or three blocks to the parks?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Well I was researching some surrounding hotels, and I came across an Embassy Suites in Anaheim. It's a mile away, so it won't be that difficult going to the parks. I would imagine that traffic is horrendous in the morning. I'm also planning on arriving the 31st of July and staying in the Anaheim/Los Angeles area until the seventh.

If you really don't care about the hotel (just looking for a place to rest), the Best Western, which is literally directly across the street, is good. Nice, big beds with a nice bathroom and free breakfast. Not to mention it's cheap.

Matterhorn and the Monorail to the left and the Best Western to the right: