Is anyone here a real DL expert?

[Stinkerbelle]

I have been to WDW 7 times and DL 3 times. I have not been to DL since 1999 when construction was going on for CA. I am trying to decide between making a September trip to DL or WDW. DL has great deals this year and I have been longing to check out CA & to visit some friends in San Diego. On the other hand, if I go to WDW the airfare is a heck of alot cheaper, the flight shorter and I would be able to get an annual pass since I am going back there December of this year.

I think I am pretty well versed in all things WDW but if I go to DL I am going to need alot of help. The other times I have been to DL were merely day trips tacked onto the backend of a business trip, a friend's wedding etc. DL was never the MAIN attraction. For this trip it will be and I have tons of questions about hotels, rental cars (to get one or not to get one) good neighbor hotels vs. Disney hotels, shuttle service, restaurants, etc. Even if someone can point me in the direction of a planning site similar to this one I would appreciate it. I have checked out Mouseplanet (which I read daily anyway) and their forum discussions seem to be mostly geared toward specific attractions and the whole lack of attractions in Tomorrowland, the 50th anniversary debate etc. Good and entertaining, but its not going to help me decide if I need a rental car to get from the airport to the hotel or if I should take a taxi and rely on shuttles? Know what I mean?

Can anyone here help?

TIA
-ram

[BetsyAnn]

Hi Ramson!

I may not be a complete expert but there are several people around here that enjoy DL very much.

DL is much different than WDW when it comes to on site or off site. In all my trips I have never stayed on site at DL. There are plenty of good - "good neighbor" Hotels. Some are so close you can walk to DL, other have shuttle service.

IMHO - if you are just going to do both Disney parks, and DD then you proably don't need a car -- we have taken shuttles from LAX most of the time.

Please ask more questions -- and I know others will pop right in with answers

And have you tired Laughing Place.com -

Here is a link

Have fun deciding!
http://www.laughingplace.com/default.asp

[LisaG]

Hi Ramson,
We have been AP holders since last August and have probably been there about 25 times. So I'll give your questions a try.

We have not had good luck with "Good Neighbor" hotels. Tried 2 different Best Westerns and neither was worth the price. Candy Cane Lane has been recommended to us by others who have stayed there repeatedly but I have no first hand info on hotel.

We have stayed at Paradise Pier on 2 different occasions. We tried concierge the last time and don't feel it was worth the extra money. The hotel is nice though, not quite the same Disney feel as the WDW hotels but Mickey still wakes you up.

The best deals we have had are on priceline. We have used this options 3 times. For $50 a night got the Marriot over memorial day weekend. Another time 2 nights for $45 at the Marriot. Then during the World Series playoffs last fall we got the Hilton for $79 a night.


If Disney is going to be your only destination I would opt for using the shuttle services. Anaheim has a resort shuttle service that stops at most hotels in the area - or at least all the ones we have stayed at. And this service is free for hotel quests.

As for restaurants: Our favorite DCA restaurant has closed - Soap Opera Bistro and we have not tried any of the other sit-down's there. We like the Taste Pilot Grill for burgers, chicken sandwiches, etc. And Chips, Dips, and Strips for chicken fingers, fires, mozzarella sticks.

In DL we always end up at Ranchos del Playa (or something like that) they serve bbq and mexican foods. Also the French Market cafe has really good sandwiches and beef stew in a bread bowl.

Our favorite character meal here is in the Gran California Hotel at the Storytellers Cafe with Chip, Dale, and Pluto. Food is excellent.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

[Barb D]

You know many people complain about California Adventure park but Ihave to say I just love it. Ive been there twoce since it opened and both times I found something different to do.

My main advice on this park is dont go in expecting another Disneyland. Its like the difference between going to Magic Kingdom in Florida and MGM. Both are Disney parks but both are way different.

[roodad]

I don't claim expertise, but have been to DL/DCA several times over the last year. The only significant advantage to staying on site IMHO is if you have a room with a view of the park - then it is fabulous. If you are just going to DL/DCA, you certainly don't need a car - there are shuttles from LAX and SNA and ONT. Depending on the size of your party, you may want to consider some of the off site, all-suite hotels.
I personally like DCA very well - Soarin Over California and California Screamin are two of my favorite rides in the disney universe, and the Napa Rose is one of my favorite restaurants. I also enjoy Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DD.
The only on site hotel I have stayed at there is the Grand Cal, but a friend had a room in the DL hotel with a beautiful view of DCA and I have snooped around Paradise Pier and thought it might actually be my favorite, if my room was on the DCA side.

[Owl]

I'm no DL expert, but a wonderful alternative to good neighbor hotels is doing a priceline bid for 4* (got Marriott and Hyatt last year for August for $40 a night... both were well worth it)... go to www.biddingfortravel.com to get all your information about bidding successfully. We used the shuttle service from the Hyatt and Marriott to the parks.. was easy and didn't cost extra... well worth the savings and didn't have to pay for parking. Technically the Hyatt isn't considered Anaheim but does come up for that area... if you are serious about going to DL, and have your tickets... give it a try .. we really enjoyed our trip last year and spent 3 days at the parks.

[Owl]

Sorry I labeled the Hyatt & Marriott as 4* for PL bidding
they're actually 3*... though they are coming in with some
"nice" bids (some under $40 per night)
It's worth a try

[KelliJ]

I am an AP holder and have been there a few times with my own private expert (Party Teacher) for those that know her. If I, or others, can't answer the questions you have, I will be sure to ask her for you.