WDW vet planning first trip to Disneyland has a few questions

DisneyDaver

DisneyDaver

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
My wife and I are planning to take our 18 month old to Disneyland in January. I have been to WDW many, many times, but this will be my first visit to Disneyland. I've been doing some research tonight, but have a few questions:

(1) I've been researching hotels and I think I have narrowed it down to the Disneyland Hotel and the Marriott Courtyard Theme Park Entrance. Thoughts on which is a better option? Is there another hotel I should look at over these two. The pool for the Grand Californian will be closed in January so that hotel is not a good option for us.

(2) I know that the rides with holiday overlays (Small World, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion) close for part of January to remove the overlays. Is there a place I can find a list of those dates for each of those attractions?

(3) Is 3 full park days enough? Too much? We are thinking of staying for 4 nights, but the first day and last day would be purely travel days leaving the middle 3 days for the parks.
 
LukaLand

LukaLand

Active Member
I would 100% stay at the Disneyland Hotel vs the Marriott. They are about the same distance from the park but from the DLH you walk through Downtown Disney and from the Marriott you walk past traffic, panhandlers and McDonald's. 3 days....depends on how much you want to do. Will you be back? There is tons more to ride at DLR vs WDW. We spent a full day at Magic Kingdom and had no problem seeing and doing everything we wanted to do. We usually visit DLR 3 times a year, typically a trip for 8 days, 5 days, and 3 days. Those being park days, not travel days. Even with 8 days we don't usually do everything. But then we go at a much more leisurely pace at DLR. I would do at least 3 days, but 4 or 5 if you want to go slow.
 
truecoat

truecoat

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't do less then 3 days.

The Haunted Mansion closed around Jan 11th of this year so I'd expect it to be about the same, probably January 9th.
 
D

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
LunaLand said:
I would 100% stay at the Disneyland Hotel vs the Marriott. They are about the same distance from the park but from the DLH you walk through Downtown Disney and from the Marriott you walk past traffic, panhandlers and McDonald's. 3 days....depends on how much you want to do. Will you be back? There is tons more to ride at DLR vs WDW. We spent a full day at Magic Kingdom and had no problem seeing and doing everything we wanted to do. We usually visit DLR 3 times a year, typically a trip for 8 days, 5 days, and 3 days. Those being park days, not travel days. Even with 8 days we don't usually do everything. But then we go at a much more leisurely pace at DLR. I would do at least 3 days, but 4 or 5 if you want to go slow.
Click to expand...

I agree with both the Disneyland Hotel and doing at least 4 park days, especially with an 18 month old.
 
BubbaQuest

BubbaQuest

Well-Known Member
If money is not a concern, the Disneyland Hotel should be your first choice. Keep in mind you can easily save $200-$300 a night staying at a non-Disney hotel that will be just as close to the parks. Another non-Disney hotel that is often recommended is the Howard Johnson Anaheim which I think is right next to the Marriott you mentioned.

The DL holiday season runs until January 8th. If I remember correctly Haunted Mansion closes immediately after that and then Small World two weeks after that. Hopefully someone has more exact dates.

Since Fantasmic will still be closed, I think 3 full days would be enough. That will give you a full day to do DL and Paint The Night/fireworks, one day to do DCA and World of Color, and one day to do whatever you want.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip.
 
westie

westie

Well-Known Member
When you stay on property you get early admission to a park per day. Thats key to getting on some of the busier rides that the long wait line would consume your day. DL and DCA are smaller than the WDW parks so 3 days should cover it imo. Also, for some of the restaurants its best to get your ressies in early.
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
Hotels on W. Katella Ave. are a much better alternative to the insanity of Harbor Blvd. in my experience.
Most hotels on W. Katella are reasonably priced, decent, and a quick 10 to 20 minute safe and scenic walk to the front gates of either Park.
I love it as it keeps you close enough to the Disneyland action, but is just far enough away to keep you away from the overbearing crowds, congestion, traffic, and general tourist scene that is Harbor.

The Disneyland Hotel is very nice, but extremely overpriced.
As a WDW Vet, you will likely be expecting the same type of perks Resort Guests receive when staying On Property in Florida.
At DLR, those perks are minimal and a real contrast to what you may be expecting.
An example is DLRs version of Extra Magic Hours.
At WDW, you typically have 3 additional hours. At DLR, it is typically only one hour.
There is no real advantage to staying at a Disney owned hotel in Anaheim, but to each their own.
It is YOUR vacation and you can enjoy it however you wish !
:)
I personally recommend staying at a more reasonably priced non-Disney owned hotel and use that additional money saved in the Park for meals, special experiences that require a fee, or merchandise.
There are many decent hotels close to the property worth looking in to.

3 Days will be just fine for a first time visit, especially with a child that young.
Wait a few more years until your little one is a bit older ( 6 to 12 ) and then return for a much longer stay...say, 5 days.
You will have many more things to do then as your child will then be over the height requirements for many of the speedier Attractions.
This visit, you will be limited somewhat to what you can ride but it will still be a very enjoyable three days.


Disneyland is very different from Walt Disney World.
In my opinion, Disneyland is a much more enjoyable vacation experience then visiting WDW.
It is more relaxing, has more depth, offers far more to do and see, and requires no uber-planning to visit.
Just walk in the front gates and decide on a sudden whim what you feel like doing at that very moment.
This is why Disneyland truly is the Happiest Place On Earth.

No booking meals months in advance.
No reserving rides months in advance.
No Commando Touring with it seeming like every second has to be planned out in advance.
That is not a vacation by any means...
At Disneyland, you just show up and do what you want.
The way a theme park visit should be.
:)


Enjoy your visit and have a great time !
Be sure to check out the massive thread we have here in this section of the Forum related to WDW Vets visiting DLR.
Lots of great info and insights there.
A must read !
Direct link - http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/guide-to-dlr-for-wdw-veterans.875596/#post-5763756



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Last edited:
Rich T

Rich T

Well-Known Member
Another vote for DL Hotel. Have a great time! Make sure to ride all the Fantasyland dark rides.

...and the Paradise Pier Hotel pool isn't a good option even when it's open. :D
 

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