DL newbie lots of questions About This Page:

[Marv]

I'm thinking about a trip to California vs. going to WDW this year with the family. If I decide to go, I'll buy the PP book, but I need to know a few things first. These may be tough to answer but I'll post them anyway.
1-would 4 days (spent at DL, DCA, legoland, and San Diego zoo) be comparable in cost to 4 days in the parks at WDW?
2-would you stay at one of the DL/DCA property resorts or off property? To me, in WDW it's not worth staying off property but I looked at the maps and looks like some are within walking distance.
3-if you would stay off property, where would you suggest.
4-We've never rented a car while on vacation, would you suggest renting a car to go to san diego or are there package type deals you can purchase that includes transportation.
5-How far is it from Anaheim to San Diego?
6-If we would drive to San Diego twice, would it make sense to stay overnight there vs. staying in Anaheim?

Sorry so many questions! It'd be so much easier to just go back to WDW!

[DebiDebiDebi]

Originally Posted by Marv

I'm thinking about a trip to California vs. going to WDW this year with the family. If I decide to go, I'll buy the PP book, but I need to know a few things first. These may be tough to answer but I'll post them anyway.
1-would 4 days (spent at DL, DCA, legoland, and San Diego zoo) be comparable in cost to 4 days in the parks at WDW?
2-would you stay at one of the DL/DCA property resorts or off property? To me, in WDW it's not worth staying off property but I looked at the maps and looks like some are within walking distance.
3-if you would stay off property, where would you suggest.
4-We've never rented a car while on vacation, would you suggest renting a car to go to san diego or are there package type deals you can purchase that includes transportation.
5-How far is it from Anaheim to San Diego?
6-If we would drive to San Diego twice, would it make sense to stay overnight there vs. staying in Anaheim?

Sorry so many questions! It'd be so much easier to just go back to WDW!

It is about 94 miles from Disneyland to San Diego Zoo. To squeeze DL, DCA, San Diego Zoo and Legoland (about 64 miles from Disneyland) into just 4 days means alot of hard travel and siteseeing. I would either suggest at least one additional day or perhaps leaving one attraction for the next visit. As far as cost goes...it just depends on where you stay, fee of rental car (which I would suggest over any other type of transportation), etc. Personally, I find DLR a bit cheaper than WDW, but there are others who will have an experience opposite of that. I have no problems staying off property in S. California; there are sooo many hotels right within walking distance, and many also offer shuttle services.

[loobyoxlip]

Michelle, you should definitely give it good thought. There is nothing like being at the park that Walt Disney created. It is truly magical!

Staying offsite at DL is very different than staying offsite at WDW. There are several hotels w/in walking distance that are really nice hotels. I have stayed at 6 Good Neighbor hotels so far and I would highly recommend the Candy Cane Inn. They also have a free shuttle, but you can easily walk to the parks. I find our trips to DL substantially cheaper than our trips to WDW, but then again we never leave Anaheim to go anywhere else. Still, I think the cost would cheaper, even throwing in a rental car (which I would highly recommend if you were going between San Diego and Anaheim)

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

[Marv]

Originally Posted by loobyoxlip

Michelle, you should definitely give it good thought. There is nothing like being at the park that Walt Disney created. It is truly magical!

Staying offsite at DL is very different than staying offsite at WDW. There are several hotels w/in walking distance that are really nice hotels. I have stayed at 6 Good Neighbor hotels so far and I would highly recommend the Candy Cane Inn. They also have a free shuttle, but you can easily walk to the parks. I find our trips to DL substantially cheaper than our trips to WDW, but then again we never leave Anaheim to go anywhere else. Still, I think the cost would cheaper, even throwing in a rental car (which I would highly recommend if you were going between San Diego and Anaheim)

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

Well, I think I've pretty much decided. I talked to boys who are psyched for legoland and seeing DL/DCA even though I've explained it's a lot smaller than they're used to at WDW. Still, like me, it's something they've alway wanted to do and they're getting older! I read your past posts on here re Candy Cane and I'm leaning toward doing that to save $ vs. staying onsite. Thanks for your help!

Originally Posted by DebiDebiDebi

It is about 94 miles from Disneyland to San Diego Zoo. To squeeze DL, DCA, San Diego Zoo and Legoland (about 64 miles from Disneyland) into just 4 days means alot of hard travel and siteseeing. I would either suggest at least one additional day or perhaps leaving one attraction for the next visit. As far as cost goes...it just depends on where you stay, fee of rental car (which I would suggest over any other type of transportation), etc. Personally, I find DLR a bit cheaper than WDW, but there are others who will have an experience opposite of that. I have no problems staying off property in S. California; there are sooo many hotels right within walking distance, and many also offer shuttle services.

That's a good point about doing the 4 things all in a row. I know when we go to WDW, we go to parks every other day. I didn't even think about that. We've made some progress in planning since I posted this a.m. We were thinking about flying into San Diego and doing zoo one day and legoland the next. Then we would go on a 4 night cruise out of LA. When we came back, we'd do DL one day and DCA the next. Do you think that'd help to break it up or do you think I am still planning too much in a row? Being we've been to WDW so many times, I wasn't even sure we'd need to spend a whole day at DL and a whole day at DCA. I was thinking that each would be about 3/4 days so we'd have some down time. Without ever being there though, I'm not sure if I'm still planning too much. Any thoughts?

[DebiDebiDebi]

Being we've been to WDW so many times, I wasn't even sure we'd need to spend a whole day at DL and a whole day at DCA. I was thinking that each would be about 3/4 days so we'd have some down time. Without ever being there though, I'm not sure if I'm still planning too much. Any thoughts?

You definately need at least a full day at each park. While they are smaller than the WDW counterparts, they definately need time to explore. Especially since you have not been to either park.
Your new plan sounds fun! Just remember that The Zoo is in San Diego, and Legoland is in Carlsbad. Those two parks are roughly 33 miles apart, so transportation will be needed. I wouldn't say you are planning too much, my main concern was travel time and distance. Have fun planning!!!!

[doombuggy]

I have been to DLR 4x and usually stay on site, but when we went last August, we elected to stay at the Desert Inn & Suites. We had a parlor suite, which was 2 beds in the BR (I can't remember if they were double or queen, queen I think) and a double pull out sofa bed in the front "LR." For three middle aged gals on a 5 day trip, it worked out fine. This is their smallest suite. They are right across from the entrance to DL - I honestly think it was quicker to walk from there than DLH (I have not stayed at GC). I rented a car at the John Wayne airport (using a code from mousesavers.com) and we actually drove into LA to visit the WB lot (rikersmom's son works on The Gilmore Girls, so we had a private tour) and we did a few things around there.

The DL Passporter was great (even though I had been to DL before) - much better than some other guides I have seen. I would spend at least 1 day in each of the DL parks - I am sorry that I did not hae 6 days when we were there - b/c of the traveling to LA on our last 2 full days, I felt I didn't get enough of DL! There are things there that we don't have here at WDW.

Have a great trip!

[SarahJ]

Michelle,

The other thing to consider is the time of year you choose to go. If you are going in Summer or during school breaks you will definitely need a full day in each of the Disney parks, if not more. A lot more locals visit the parks during their vacations and weekends, so that's something to think about as well.

[snoozy]

Well you have had some great advice so far. Here's my two cents worth.

1. You are going to need more time to do the things you want to do. Or you will have to eliminate something.

2 & 3. We prefer to stay on propert but it is expensive. There are many places off site to choose from. Others on the boards here could give better advice on those choices.

4. If you are not going to stay on site the entire time of your visit I would suggest you rent a car.

5. As stated before San Deigo is about 94 miles or 2 hours drive south of Anaheim, that or course all depends on traffic. We are also planning a trip to San Deigo for one day on our next trip. We will be leaving at the crack of dawn to get to the zoo at there 9am opening. It will be an all day event.

6. Yes.

To me it seems you are trying to pack way to much in to 4 days. I would at least give myself a week if you want to do all the things you want to do. Also you might want to prepare you kids for the differences between WDW and Disneyland they may have similar attractions but they are very different. There is a very good site called
visionfantastic.com you can go on a virtual tour of Disneyland. Have fun planning you trip.

[LauraBelle V. Hime]

Another thing you might want to consider if you are only spending 2 days at DLR. What are the park hours? Depending upon the time of year...hours of operation can be quite limiting.