Vacation to Disneyland

[ChrisK79]

My family is in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Disneyland shortly after Christmas. We've been to Disneyworld several times, but never to Disneyland. At Disneyworld we have always preferred to stay in the park, if we do the same at DL, what are recommendations for lodging?

We are thinking 2-3 days to spend in the parks. Is this enough time?

Slightly off topic, someone has told us we should take a day and go to Knott's Berry farm. I am somewhat skeptical, being such a Disney junkie. Does anyone have anything to share about KBF?

Thanks in advance!

[Loomis]

Hi, and welcome to the forum Chris!

I'm always more than happy to offer a bit of Disneyland advice!

Hotels

There are certainly plenty of non-Disney hotels to choose from around the park and to be honest, staying outside the park makes very little difference. You can literally walk across the road from some of them, and maybe add 5 minutes for others. It really doesn't make much difference. I'm not sure if money is an option for you, but I can highly recommend the Howard Johnson Anaheim and/or the Radisson Maingate as reasonably priced and central hotels. They are both across the road from the park, and both offer ticket purchasing from the lobby, saving you a little extra time. the Howard Johnson is perhps a little closer, and I really enjoyed it there.

However, if you want to stay in park, you have three options. The nicest is the Grand Californian, which has an 'arts and crafts' movement style and straddles the Disney's California Adventure (DCA) park and the Downtown Disney area. It is the only hotel that allows direct access to a park (DCA), but it is also the most expensive. The Disneyland Hotel is, of course, another option. Although it is getting a makeover soon, it is the oldest hotel in the park but from all reports, the service is impeccable. The cheapest -in-par' option is the Paradise Pier, which was built around the same time as DCA (5 years ago). So I could easily say that the Grand Californian is the place to stay, but it IS quite expensive. Rates post-Christmas will probably drop significantly though.

Disneyland

2 to 3 days in the park is probably enough time to squeeze in everything. You could squeeze in all of Disneyland in a day, and do DCA on the second day, but you'd be missing out on the 'relaxation' factor. I'd recommend that you get a 2/3 day Park Hopper ticket, spend the first 1.5 days in Disneyland and maybe a two half days in DCA. Spend the remaining half day either mopping up stuff you haven't seen in Disneyland, or waiting around for fireworks/evening shows like Fantasmic.

Being late Decemeber BE PREPARED FOR RIDES BEING CLOSED. I know somebody who went just after New Year's, only to find some major attractions shut down.

A sample plan would be something like:

Day 1 - Disneyland
- Line up early (at least 30 minutes before opening) with admission in hand
- Head straight to either Adventureland and ride Indiana Jones (if working) or Tomorrowland and ride Space Mountain. If Indy is closed, pop next door to the Jungle Cruise. If in Tomorrowland, go to Star Tours. Of course, you have probably already been on the WDW version, and can skip this.
- Splash Mountain is usually pretty empty in the mornings, and riding early gives you a chance to dry off!
- If you started in Adventureland, make a circuit around to New Orleans Square and ride Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- It's a Small World
- Matterhorn
- Watch the evening parade
- Watch Fantasmic/Fireworks

Day 2 - DCA
- Line up early with admission
- When gates open head STRAIGHT for the Backlot and the Tower of Terror. Early in the morning in low-season, you may walk straight on!
- Maybe grab a FASTPASS to Aladdin
- Exit the Backlot and head to Soarin' Over California
- Head over to the Grizzly Rapids
- Go back and see Aladdin and/or Muppets 3D
- Run wild and free. See whatever else appeals: Bug's Land; Paradise Pier. Beware the Sun Wheel! Not as tame as it looks!
- Should still have time to head back over to Disneyland and mop up a few

Day 3 - The Little Things
- The plan I've outlined is very simple, and designed to get you through the major rides. However, on a third day, I highly recommend going through and sampling the smaller rides: Fantasyland dark rides; tea cups; Enchanted Tiki Room. Having been to WDW, you are probably familiar with other versions of these rides. Try and go on all the Disneyland exclusives if nothing else. Remember to take the time to soak up the atmosphere. Disneyland is a great place with a great history - don't let it fly past you!

Really, it is up to you to find what works best, but I think that if you can get some of the BIG rides down before the crowds form, you are sweet.




Knott's Berry Farm


I'm going to be brutally honest and admit I didn't get a thing out of Knott's Berry Farm. If you are in to really big rollercoasters, and not much else, then you may get more out of it. I don't think there is a full day's worth of stuff to do there.

The trip is worthwhile, perhaps, for a breakfast at Mrs Knott's. Stock up on Boysenberry jam if you go!

To be honest, while the park has a lot of history and some interesting stuff, I'd rather spend an extra day in Disneyland or doing a tour of LA if you've never seen it.

Hope that was all some help, as it was a very rough guide.

[memnv]

Don't forget to use the fast pass that comes with the hopper tickets, you can get on a lot more rides that way, also it should be pretty slow if you wait a few weeks after christmas. There are a lot of good deals if you go to www.getawaytoday.com the hotel rooms include 2 adult hopper tickets, we stayed in one and then took the bus service which takes about 5 to 10 minutes

[ChrisK79]

So at the California parks, I take it that early admittance to the parks is not an option with staying at a Disney hotel like at WDW? For us, that was one of the biggest perks.

[dizfan]

It is. Several Disneyland attractions open early for Guests staying at Disney Hotels or using certain travel agencies.

[dizfan]

The Disneyland Hotel is, of course, another option. Although it is getting a makeover soon

That's news. Where did you read that from?

The cheapest -in-par' option is the Paradise Pier, which was built around the same time as DCA (5 years ago).

It was actually built long before DCA was, and it wasn't Disney's. It was the Pan Pacific Hotel, then Disneyland Pacific Hotel, then Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. It's just been remodled a few times.

[memnv]

with the package I had we got to do early in one day. I think you need a 3 day hopper for it. A word of note DisneyLand has longer hours that California Adventure

[Loomis]

The Disneyland Hotel is, of course, another option. Although it is getting a makeover soon

That's news. Where did you read that from?

The cheapest -in-par' option is the Paradise Pier, which was built around the same time as DCA (5 years ago).

It was actually built long before DCA was, and it wasn't Disney's. It was the Pan Pacific Hotel, then Disneyland Pacific Hotel, then Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. It's just been remodled a few times.

See, this is what happens when you have a memory like a minefield. The good info comes out with complete nonsense.

As for the Disneyland Hotel, I'm sure I read that somewhere. Maybe I'm thinking of the sign that was taken down and replaced or something. Indeed, I could have dreamed the whole thing. The rest of the info is valid, I think.

Correct me!