Planning trip to DL About This Page:

[DDuff]

I just found out my brother and his wife plan to take my neice to DL for her 4th birthday. I really want them to have a super great trip as my kids have always had great trips to WDW. I know that our trips have been great because I have planned planned and then planned some more. Is the same level of preparation needed for a trip to DL? If so, I will hook my sister-in-law up with this site and maybe even send some of my favorite books her way.

[DyanKJ130]

I didn't feel as prepared prior to our recent visit, but upon visiting I felt I was more than prepared. I don't think the same level of preparation is needed for DL as it is for WDW. She can make Priority Seating 'reservations' at 60 days out. AllEars has the menus posted on their site, which I find to be very helpful. They don't give you a reservation number; only take your name. I would also recommend a DL PassPorter. Other than that, I found that knowing the park times and times of the shows & such was good enough, whereas with WDW I feel like I need so much more in order to feel prepared.

[DopeyGirl]

Yes and no.

Like Dyan mentioned, there are differences in things like when you can make Priority Seatings (they are still PS's at DL whereas WDW went to ADRs ).

If they've never been to the area, it too can be a little "different" . . . off site hotels there aren't all that off site, in fact some of the hotels are actually in closer proximity to the parks than the actual on site hotels AND you can get pretty good deals on them. Plus, if Disneyland is the only destination in the area, you really don't need transportation . . . pretty much everything is in walking distance and what is not, is easily accessible by taxi. (However, if they want to go to Universal Studios or anywhere outside of the general DL area, I'd definitely recommend a car.)

I do recommend the DL PassPorter . . . the first edition is out now and the second should be going up for pre-order before TOO long and should be coming out in late summer.

[DDuff]

Thanks - baby brother's birthday is in May so I might just send them the DL passporter in the gift box.

[chezp]

I agree with what's already been said - and the Disneyland PassPorter is a great investment. It was so much help to us in planning our last trip.

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

I also think a Disneyland Passporter would be a great and very thoughtful gift!

[triddle67]

You may also want to mention Ariel's Grotto for Lunch or Dinner. The food is good and the Princesses are there. My girls really enjoyed it. We have yet to go to WDW and do CRT, but it falls along that line.

[Joy J]

You really don't need to do near the planning for a visit to DLR as you do for WDW. It's a much more laid-back environment. One little perk that I really enjoyed if you're staying at one of the on site hotels is the free service they offer to all of their hotel guests. With one simple phone call or e-mail in which you give them your list of restaurants and times that you want and any behind the scenes tours that you want to book, they then take over and book everything for you. When you check in, they will then give you a printed out itinerary with all of your meals and activities outlined on it. I found this service to be absolutely amazing.

Joy

[thequeen]

I am also planning our first trip to DL, after many trips to WDW; I booked 2 nights at the disneyland hotel for my conference there, at a good rate, and will plan to spend 3 days at the 2 parks and DLH pool. I am booking at least Blue Bayou and Napa Rose at the 60d out mark, will look into the tip above re hotel staffers doing that for me. Thanks! Also am awaiting my DL passporter to plan to hit especially the attractions Not at WDW so my kids can see something new. They are "over" character meals by now, what non character meals do kids 8-11 like?

BTW Danele Duffy; is that a 2008 Indianapolis minimarathon pic? I ran that too! Did you see the WDW Sports booth at the convention center? I spoke to the castmember about how I missed out on 2 years of WDW Marathon Weekends because they fill up so fast, so he told me about the new all women's half. I signed up for the First Inaugural Princess Half Marathon at disney world in March 09; you should come too! You get a tiara medal at the end. We could carpool I'm in Carmel. Unless you are very fast, then forget it, LOL.

[DDuff]

Originally Posted by thequeen

BTW Danele Duffy; is that a 2008 Indianapolis minimarathon pic? I ran that too! Did you see the WDW Sports booth at the convention center? I spoke to the castmember about how I missed out on 2 years of WDW Marathon Weekends because they fill up so fast, so he told me about the new all women's half. I signed up for the First Inaugural Princess Half Marathon at disney world in March 09; you should come too! You get a tiara medal at the end. We could carpool I'm in Carmel. Unless you are very fast, then forget it, LOL.

I didn't see it. DH and I didn't spend much time at the convention center. We were headed to the Milano Inn for dinner. It was the site of his proposal 19 years ago so it was kind of a trip down memory lane weekend for us. Plus, I graduated from the Law School so I wanted to see the new building which is pretty awesome!

I'm not quite ready for a full marathon but that Princess Half sounds great to me. I love tiaras. I'm going to check it this AM. I'm not fast now and I don't think I ever will be I'll be shooting for 2:10 - 2:15.