Originally Posted By Mickey4President My husband and I are planning a family trip for the summer of 2008 that will take us to 11 states. Half way through the trip we will go to DL. My hubby went there once as a child, but I have only been to WDW. How many days do we need to see DL? Also, should we still go on the attractions that we have seen at WDW? Which of the DL hotels is the best to stay at? I want to thank everyone in advance for the advice.
Originally Posted By kaoden39 Honestly I like at least 2 days at Disneyland so we don't have to rush as much and I can enjoy the trip. California Adventure you can probably do in a day. I have never been to WDW so I don't know about giving any rides a miss. Especially rides like Pirates and Haunted Mansion because I have been told they are different. I have stayed at both Paradise Pier and DLH and I really like DLH better. It is more themed. Have a great trip.
Originally Posted By Audrey Try to stay at Disneyland during the week if possible, this will help a little with the crowds and allow you to see more attractions. I think 3 days are good for Disneyland, if you plan to do both parks, I would stay for 4 days. And I definitely think you should go on the attractions you've already been on in WDW, it's fun to compare the two!
Originally Posted By allygator206 4 days should be sufficent for your trip. 3 if you only want to see DL. DCA isn't much to see to be honest, but is worth a look for sure. I would suggest going on the rides you've been on at WDW, many of them are slightly different. My favorite hotel BY FAR is the Disneyland hotel, though it's very pricey during peak season. If you're on a budget try Howard Johnson or Best Western right outside the park.
Originally Posted By dzy76 I would never do DL and DCA in anything less than 5 days. But I like to repeat certain attractions. As far as those at both parks, do them. I've done both WDW and DL and although there are many similarities, I found that there were enough differences to make it worthwile. Have fun, you'll LOVE DL.
Originally Posted By roberts1398 I don't know about NEVER, but 5 days is my preference. Not that you can't do it in half that time. But with 5 days, it's so much more relaxed, able to enjoy the ambience and people watching, without feeling rushed that you have to get to everythere in a short period of time. The 3 different Disney Resort hotels each have something different to offer. Paradise Pier is the furthest away, and has no grounds to enjoy. BUT, if you get a view room, it is absolutely spectacular -- much better than you can get at the other 2 hotels, IMHO. Plus, if you're a sushi person, Yamabuki is here. And it is generally the least expensive. Disneyland Hotel is the classic -- the first one. It's grounds are wonderful, with waterfalls you can walk behind (and steal a kiss!), a Dancing Waters show, a true resort. It's also more kid-friendly, with the Neverland Pool (although both of the others are certainly kid-friendly as well). Cost-wise, it's the middle one. The Grand California ... ahhhh, luxury! The most expensive of the 3 hotels by quite a bit. But it's worth it (if you can do it in your budget). BEAUTIFUL lobby, etc., displaying California Craftsman architecture and decor. Great restaurants, nice pool, etc. But its proximity that makes it most worth the money. It has a private entrance into DCA, and another exit directly into Downtown Disney, with restaurants and shops right outside the door. And the least walk on tired feet at night. So, there's the rundown for you to consider which suits your needs, at least in my perspective!
Originally Posted By roberts1398 LOL, should have been everywhere or everything, not everythere, LOLOLOL!
Originally Posted By Mickey4President Thank you everyone for the help. I was finally able to convince my hubby to cut our trip down from 11 states in three weeks. Now instead we will only go from Texas to California. I wanted to spend more time in DL and get to go to Universal. Thanks again.
Originally Posted By Donald75 I was at Disneyland for the first time in May of '05, like you I am a WDW vet. I spent 5 days in the parks but in that time: I also took a tour. Waited nearly 2 hours one day to see the fireworks properly If you are a fan of Fantasmic! defintely see the Disneyland version, from the balcony of The Disney Gallery if you can budget it into your trip, it was worth it for the seat and not having to fight over a spot. If you are looking to save any money you don't have to stay at a Disney hotel, unlike WDW there are hotels that are literally across the street from Disneyland Best Western ETC. Also make sure you have a meal at the Blue Bayou and ask for a waterside table.
Originally Posted By Mickey4President I have been to WDW 4 times and planning a 5th for Oct. 2006. I have not seen it yet, but I am planning on getting the Fantasmic Dining package for this trip. When we go to WDW, especially with the kids I will not stay off property. I hate shuttles! This may be a dumb question, but I have never even been to California. If you stay off property, do you walk across the street, or do you take shuttles?
Originally Posted By Donald75 There is a shuttle service <a href="http://www.rideart.org/" target="_blank">http://www.rideart.org/</a> but some hotels you wont need it esp the Best Western Park Place Inn this hotel is physically closer to Disneyland then The Disneyland hotel or Paradise Pier Hote. Here is a map of the area with hotels. <a href="http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/ashps yche/DisneylandLinkMap.html</a>
Originally Posted By Mickey4President Thanks for the info Donald75 both sites will help a lot in planning our trip. If I stay at a Disney resort, I am guessing that they do not have any shuttles to Universal. I want to do as little driving in LA, but also spend as little time on shuttles? I guess we could just always change hotels the days that we are going to spend at Universal.
Originally Posted By fidoprincess You can take a bus tour from the DL area to Universal for the day. In fact, there are tours that go all over from the DL area, even as far as San Diego to Seaworld! We've done it before, without kids though, now we wouldn't just because with a 6 year old you never know how they will be on someone else's timetable. I thought it was a lot better than packing up and heading to a different hotel though If I recall they picked us up right in front of the hotel but they they had to drive around a lot to the other hotels. If I had know, I would have just walked over to DLH and been picked up there since it was the last stop-lol. Really it took forever picking everyone up! It is also a fairly long drive, an hour or so on the shuttle I think. Nothing beats not having to drive in LA to me though so it was very easy. I think we booked it through our hotel or maybe DLH. You can always call and find out and make your reservations. They drop you off and give you a set time and place to be picked up. We loved City Walk adjacent to US too so we didn't feel as though we were stuck at all, could have stayed longer but you can pretty much do it all in a day. We even took someone on the Hollywood Tour once from DL. It was great fun and we went to the Hollywood Bowl, the chinese theater, saw the walk of fame and drove through some movie star neighbors and they pointed out where certain stars lived and then dropped us off at the hotel in the evening. It was just a lark for our friend because I'd rather be in DL but some have told us they even took the tours into Tijuana for shopping! If you are heading that way after DL, then by all means switch hotels to one closer to US. We stayed at the Sheraton right next to US and they had a shuttle into the park as well as did the Hilton I think. Oh, also regarding DL hotels, we like DLH best! We have also stayed at HoJo's-get a park view room and you can see some fireworks from your room. A good clean solid choice but a bit of a walk for little ones-no big deal for 2 adults though. We also stay at Best Western Park Place Inn because it is the closest! We like the QQ minisuite for the extra room and if you ask for 3rd floor "wall side" you can see some fireworks from there too. Whatever you do, avoid the Ramada-they keep changing the name, used to be Saga, Maingate, don't know now but it is really bad! We tried it one night because it was so cheap but you get what you pay for in that case. Have fun planning!
Originally Posted By Mickey4President My hubby does want to do some other things in LA like going to Hollywood and the La Brea tar pits. Then he wants to go up to Northern California to take the boys to see the redwoods. He lived near Redding for a year and loved it up there. Eventhough I refuse to do shuttles at WDW, I think I would rather do them in LA. Our trip is 2 years away and I was already starting to worry about the LA traffic.
