Planning a Trip About This Page:

[DawnDenise]

My DH and I have never been to Disneyland and have decided to look into going in Jan/Feb of next year for a short trip, probably no more than 4 days, 3 nights.

When it comes to planning a WDW vacation, I am good to go but I have no idea when it comes to Disneyland. I have visited the main site for Disneyland and have some clues to plan this but would really appreciate any help I can get from my fellow Passporters.

Can anyone recommend any books or sites? Is it better to book a package or go separately???

Thanks for any help you can give me!!!

[DebiDebiDebi]

I would currently recommend "Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort, Expert Advice from the Inside Source". Of course, when the Disneyland edition of Passporter comes out, I am possitive you can't go wrong! We have done packages and booked our own. I presfer booking our own, as it gives you freedom to pick and choose to your own needs. However, lots of folks love booking packages...and I am sure we will hear from them as well! Have fun planning!

[arielrocks]

Agreed, Birnbaums book. I have it for this year. The Disney Land Passporter won't be out now until October. Not this month like I was hoping to take the beach with me this summer. O well. It has given me some points to ponder.
I also have a travel agent thru mouse ears. Love those people. They are the best when you need TA help. The one we had for WDW was the best. Now we are working with new west coast TA's. Also, we do go with packages. They save you money. Check out Mouse Ears, we sing their praises. I do know our TA peruses these boards and probably will be reading this post. LOL Right Sandy?
Good luck with the planning.

[loobyoxlip]

Unlike at WDW, Disneyland packages do offer great values. I've used a package every trip for the past 5 years. I've priced it out seperately and it seems I had saved a little $ with the packages. Birnbaum's is about it as far as good guidebooks go.

[snoozy]

I'm going to be another one to say Birnbaum's is a good book. PP DLR hopefully will be out later this year. For some good websites try
www.visionsfantastic.com
www.mouseplanet.com
www.laughingplace.com
www.mouseinfo.com
Those should keep you busy for awhile.

Tina is right the package deals are really good at DLR. There are all kinds of varieties. The Disney Travel Company and AAA are the ones we usually go with.

[Fantasmic! kid]

I think snoozy has put up all of the good sites for planning that should help you, and if you want up to the minute inside source news you should check out Disneyforever.com's message boards.

I myself didn't like this year's Birnbaum book, because so much 50th info was wrong, but the rest is as good as always. BTW, I just realized I'm on the PassPorter board, and I have yet to actually buy myself my own copy . (I borrowed a WDW one from a friend once)

[boosmom96]

I have never liked the Birnbaum guide. The info always seems out of date, the writing is uninspired and they are a little too "Official" for my taste. I much prefer The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland by Bob Sehlinger. It's got alot of really good info and is brutally honest. I also liked the Econoguide to DL and So Cal.
I have found that booking everything separately saves money, but the packages make things really easy. I have never saved anything with the Disney Travel Company and AAA does save some money, but not as much as booking separately. I really don't think all the little extra stuff is worth the money, but we've never done DL as part of a bigger So Cal vacation. When we go down we stay onsite and don't leave the resort area for anything. Make sure and check out the maps that Debi has linked on her post " NEW!!!!!!!!!! Great Site Featuring Maps of Anaheim Resort Areas" They are better than anything I've seen in the tour books.
I hope this helps and have a great trip!!
Amy H

[DopeyGirl]

I have the Birnbaum's Guide as well . . . it isn't bad, but it isn't my favorite! I also have the Unofficial Guide. I actually prefer to research online, myself.

If you are thinking that you might stay in a neighboring hotel (not "on-site" but across the street --- definitely within walking distance!), a site that my sister used for her honeymoon last year was GetAwayToday.com

Their packages are really not too badly priced, in fact, we are thinking that we might use them for our trip (hopefully) next spring!!!

I just did a quote for the heck of it and a 4 days/3nights package at a value hotel (which are actually pretty nice!) started at $469, a moderate hotel was $519, a deluxe hotel was $559 and suites were $549 --- that is including all of this stuff:
*** All 2 Night Packages include 2 adult Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Tickets valid for admission up to 2 days - a $210 Value!
*** All 3 Night packages and longer include 2 adult Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Bonus tickets valid for admission up to 3 days - a value of $318!
*** Per room prices, NOT per person. 2 adults and up to 3 children using existing beds (except where noted). Please see "Hotel Details" for max. room occupancy.
*** Room Tax (10-15% savings)
*** Southern California Fun Discount Booklet. Over $300 in savings in Southern California.
*** Free Postcard Fun Pack
*** Free Lanyard and Disney® Collectible Pin!
*** Free Phone Card while supplies last!

There is a $15 handling fee per package, but even still, IMHO, that is a pretty darn good deal!!! Plus you can add on tickets for any other area attractions, and you can book packages for San Diego, WDW and other places as well! My dad booked our package for next month and paid $794 altogether . . . that was after adding on an additional adult DL park hopper ($105) and a child park hopper ($85)!!!

A site worth looking into as well, if you are thinking of staying "off-site"!!!

[DawnDenise]

WOW! Thanks for that site Sarah! That's an amazing deal. I think this will convince Chuck that we have to take this trip. Maybe I can get him to take it in Sept instead of going to Vegas. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

[Tink and co.]

We've used Getawaytoday, and AAA, and Getaway definatly saves some money. AAA doesn't do as well as they did in the past. I also booked our last package thru aloha airlines and got a great deal with airfare included! United was having a good deal as well when I looked into it last. Don't be afraid to stay off site. You can save some big bucks, and it's not the same as being offsite at WDW. You really are so close! Since it's your first trip, I'd do a package, and then when you go next time , you'll know what you want, and can actually price it out. Oh, and do try to fly into SNA rather than LAX. It's worth paying a little more even.