Thinking about heading west this time About This Page:

[korki-rad]

We had planned to go to WDW in 2012, but are now thinking about switching directions and heading west to DL instead. After taking a quick look at the DL site, I realized that this is a whole different beast than WDW and I need help!!

We plan to drive. We would leave around Memorial Day, with the intention of getting to our destination after the holiday crowds have dispersed a bit. DH would like to stop at the Grand Canyon on our way out (any one with experience there?) and then head on to DL. On the way back, we'd probably spend one night in Las Vegas. We have never driven west of Colorado, so this is all very new territory for us.

Here's some of my initial questions:
* Looking at hotels, is it better to book a Disney good neighbor package or to do hotel and tickets separately? Any recommendations for good, but budget-friendly hotels? (Kind of looking at the Holiday Inn right now.)
* Is 3 days enough time for DL with a 5yo and 9yo?
* Also, it looks like there aren't nearly the character dining options as WDW -- which characters can we expect to meet where? What are some of the don't-miss places to eat?
* When is Cars Land scheduled to open?
* Is DL friendly for Pooh-sized folks?
* What are some non-Disney activities in the area that a 5yo and 9yo would enjoy?
* What questions am I not asking that I should be asking?

Also -- I'll post this over in the DCL area, but does anyone know if any cruises will be leaving from the DL area by 2012? I looked at their website, but they don't show anything past April 2012.

Thanks for your help!

[chezp]

Congrats on heading to Disneyland, it's a wonderful place to visit and the only park that truly has Walt's mark on it.

We've only been a couple of times before, but both times we've visited the Grand Canyon on tours from Las Vegas. The first time we did a helicopter tour. The second time, we splashed out and got a flight out there, visit to the Skywalk, helicopter ride to the base of the canyon and then a boat ride. It was an amazing experience.

I can't help with hotels, as we always stay on our Disney Vacation Club points, but for our first visit, three days was about right. ;waytogo:

As far as character dining goes, we really enjoyed Ariel's Grotto with the princesses and had wonderful times at Goofy's Kitchen, the Storytellers Cafe and the PCH Grill. We found that they often have more characters at meals at Disneyland, but you have to wait longer to see them. They don't seem as well organised to circulate round tables.

A don't miss place to eat for us is the Napa Rose at the Grand Californian. We love the food there. I think the Blue Bayou is worth a visit for the atmosphere - it's located at the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean.

All I know about Cars Land is that it's scheduled to open in 2012. I haven't heard anymore than that.

As far as other destinations go, we loved San Diego. It's a beautiful city and the harbour cruise was a lot of fun, as was the zoo.

[Colexis Mom]

We stayed at the Howard Johnson when we went last year. We could walk to the park (about 10 minutes). I had bought our tickets directly thru Disney as they were having a buy 3 days get 5 promo. I'd assume at your time, most of the kids would still be in school so it shouldn't be overwhelming, like it was for us in July. We did 5 days, and I felt that still wasn't enough, but with the crowds it really slowed us down.

We also did San Diego (Wild Animal Park and Zoo) as well as LEGOland. Then drove out to Vegas for a couple days. Not fun in 110 degree heat! We're saving the Grand Canyon for another trip!

[korki-rad]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

We also did San Diego (Wild Animal Park and Zoo) as well as LEGOland. Then drove out to Vegas for a couple days. Not fun in 110 degree heat! We're saving the Grand Canyon for another trip!

How far is San Diego? Could we do that as a day trip, or would we need to get another hotel there? Not sure I can convince DH to do that one, especially if it requires another hotel. (I have a hard time convincing him to go to zoos in other cities...our own zoo is considered one of the top 10 in the nation and often is ranked right behind San Diego's.) I think the kids would enjoy LegoLand at this age, too.

The Grand Canyon is completely for DH. He's wanted to go there his entire life. Our original plan was actually to go to WDW in Oct. 2012 and then go out to DL around 2015, doing the great American roadtrip through the Grand Canyon, Disneyland and then up through Yellowstone, taking maybe 3 weeks. I thought the kids would appreciate the national parks better if they were a little older (and I would worry less about someone falling into the canyon or into a geyser). But there's some issues now with taking DD out of school, so we have to move the trip to May when school gets out. Since we can only go to Disney every few years, I don't want to go to WDW and see only construction walls -- and it doesn't sound like the Fantasyland expansion will be done in May 2012. Sooooo, we're looking at what we could do with younger kids on a slightly less grand road trip. It only adds about 100 miles to our route to go to the Grand Canyon (not a big deal when talking about 1600 miles!). DH would be a real grumpy-grump during the Disney portion if I don't give him some time there. I know it won't be the be-all, end-all Grand Canyon vacation, but I think he will be happy to just say he was there and if he gets to do a couple of tourist-y things. He puts up with my Disney obsession, so it's really the least I can do.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by korki-rad

How far is San Diego? Could we do that as a day trip, or would we need to get another hotel there? Not sure I can convince DH to do that one, especially if it requires another hotel. (I have a hard time convincing him to go to zoos in other cities...our own zoo is considered one of the top 10 in the nation and often is ranked right behind San Diego's.) I think the kids would enjoy LegoLand at this age, too.

From memory, it's only about 90 minutes drive. We stayed a couple of nights in San Diego, but if you're prepared to have a longer day, I can't see why you can't do it in a day.

[korki-rad]

I just learned about the Southern California City Pass deal and now I am really excited! Forgot that SeaWorld was out there, too...we love that! And while Universal isn't top on our list, we would do a day there if we got that package...AND I think I could convince DH to go to the zoo, since it's "free" with the pass. Hmmmm....my wheels are really turning now. Could we do it all (the LA/San Diego stuff) in 5 days? 6 days? What would be ideal? I figure we can take up to 2 weeks for the entire vacation.

[HeatherD]

Originally Posted by korki-rad

I just learned about the Southern California City Pass deal and now I am really excited! Forgot that SeaWorld was out there, too...we love that! And while Universal isn't top on our list, we would do a day there if we got that package...AND I think I could convince DH to go to the zoo, since it's "free" with the pass. Hmmmm....my wheels are really turning now. Could we do it all (the LA/San Diego stuff) in 5 days? 6 days? What would be ideal? I figure we can take up to 2 weeks for the entire vacation.

We planned on the City Pass just to do DLR and Universal this past Dec. It didn't work out, because Costco was sold out. But, if you can get it from Costco (if you have a membership, you can even order it online), you save a bunch and just DLR and Universal work out to save money. Like I said in the previous post - you'd need to move your trip down to SD if you want to do the rest. Now, comparisons (we just did research, because we're looking at a non-Disney Orlando trip):

Sea World - very similar, but no roller coasters, except Atlantis. No Aquatica.
Universal - smaller. No IoA. Mummy ride is shorter, but your 6yo won't be able to ride anyway. Tram tour included many attractions that are on their own in Orlando and King Kong portion is WAY cool, but WAY realistic if your kids scare easily. Entire park can easily be done in a short day - we went in Dec and the park was open 10-5 and we were done and left a few minutes early to go to dinner at CityWalk.

If you plan on 3 days at DLR, 1 day at Universal and then move south, and do 2 or 3 days there, it's doable. But, I'd stay in SD once you move to those parks. I prefer the zoo, but you may want to consider doing the Wild Animal Park, instead, since that's something you probably don't have. And, with the money you are saving, you might want to look into the safari photo caravan - it takes you in the enclosures and you get to feed either giraffes or rhinos (if they still do it the same way).

[HeatherD]

* Looking at hotels, is it better to book a Disney good neighbor package or to do hotel and tickets separately? Any recommendations for good, but budget-friendly hotels? (Kind of looking at the Holiday Inn right now.) I would do the tickets separately. We usually stay at the Best Western Park Place, which is right across the street, and buy our tickets either online or from The Disney Store. The only advantage to the packages, IMO, is the early Toontown entry. But if you do a package, you are locked in, have less wiggle room for changes, etc.

* Is 3 days enough time for DL with a 5yo and 9yo? 3 day is fine, but 4 would be better, since you want to fit in character meetings. We do 3 or 4 days now, with our 6 and 10 yos, but we've been going for a long time and we tend to skip long character lines (Pixie Hollow, Princesses, etc). We opt to do a character meal, instead, to at least get some characters in.

* Also, it looks like there aren't nearly the character dining options as WDW -- which characters can we expect to meet where? What are some of the don't-miss places to eat? No, there are only a couple character meals. Goofy's Kitchen usually has the best variety and amount of characters. Ariel's Grotto only does characters at breakfast (?) and lunch, since dinner is now a WoC plan. PCH has Stitch and a few others. Storytellers has Chip, Dale, Brother Bear, etc. The one inside DL has basic characters, but back when it was a princess breakfast, we had a bad experience there (to the point of getting our money refunded). We don't think the restaurant is conducive to characters walking around. Blue Bayou is a really nice ambiance and PS is a must for this one. If you don't want to pay the premium for a meal there, you can get a great meal, including their world-famous Monte Cristo Sandwich, at Cafe Orleans...along with a great French Onion Soup and Mickey shaped beignets (though I prefer the ones at Ralph Brennen's in DTD).

* When is Cars Land scheduled to open? I don't have specific dates, but everything is supposed to be open by mid-2010, so there's a good chance it'll be open.

* Is DL friendly for Pooh-sized folks? As you know, I'm Pooh-sized and aside from climbing around Tarzan's treehouse (converted from Swiss Family), there's very little I can't do or choose not to do because of my size.

* What are some non-Disney activities in the area that a 5yo and 9yo would enjoy? How close? Newport Beach is a 20 minute drive west. Hollywood and/or LaBrea Tar Pits is close by. There are a bunch of dinner shows (pirate themed, Medieval Times) and a wax museum up near Knott's Berry Farm. Knott's Berry Farm has an area you can shop in and eat a chicken dinner at that's not part of the park. They also have a water park.

* What questions am I not asking that I should be asking? You're used to WDW, where you have to have everything carefully planned out. Aside from making PS (priority seating) 60 days out (may be 90, but I'm pretty sure 60), if restaurants are important, you'll be fine. You can very much wing it with what you plan to do.

I consider San Diego a long enough drive that it shouldn't be a day trip. A day trip to a theme park would be very long, indeed, with driving time. Legoland isn't as far as San Diego - we went there from Newport Beach, but it's a bit further than I like. I love the zoo, but if you've got a zoo that basically as highly rated, then I would recommend staying in the LA area.

Grand Canyon is also a distance from Vegas. If you do what Chez did, the helicopers leave from here. However, with a family of 4, it may get a bit pricey. Since you are driving anyway, I suggest leaving Anaheim, driving to Vegas (about 5 hours, with a stop for quick meal in Barstow) and looking around. Stay on the Strip, not Downtown. Excalibur has good prices and is kid-friendly, but it's getting old and it's smokey (well, most casinos are, sigh....). Planet Hollywood is a pretty good choice and they might still have some really good offers going. If you'd rather "splurge" then there are several I could suggest - just ask. Once you're done with your visit here (maybe hit Red Rock - 10 minutes from my house - or Valley of Fire), head to Grand Canyon via Hoover Dam. You can take a bridge that diverts traffic or you can stop off at the dam to look around. It's pretty impressive, so I'd build in the time for the stop. Do your research and decide if you want to stay outside of the canyon, in Williams (you can take a cool train into the park) or if you want to stay on the canyon (I recommend El Tovar). Make reservations now. National parks fill up for holiday weekends.

Let me know if you have questions and depending on how much time you're planning in Vegas, let me know if you want to try to meet up!

[Colexis Mom]

I wouldn't want to do San Diego based from DL! It took us almost two hours driving between, and after a long day at a park or zoo, that's a long ride home. There are a bunch of hotels near Sea World if you're going to do that!

[korki-rad]

Well, you guys have convinced us! DH just got done reading through all of this and gave the A-OK...we're headed to Disneyland! Let the planning begin!

[HeatherD]

Yay!

[Papa Mouse]

When you open this site it is setup for Disneyland Anaheim CA.

Disneyland Anaheim CA - Bing Images

When the small pictures appear rest (do not click) your computer mouse on the pictures and they will enlarge. Now chick on the picture and the picture will enlarge and in most cases it will contain useful, related, information.

Now, in the search box, add the word Charater to get

Disneyland Anaheim CA characters - Bing Images

To change locations change the wording in the search box to your subject and/or the city and state.

A few you mentioned were:

Disney California Adventure, Grand Canyon, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, Legoland, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Wild Animal Safari Park, etc.

In some cases, as you type, you will be prompted to make destination selections, other related subjects, etc. If you knowingly get the wrong site then add the state, then city and state.

Careful: Duplication might give you different pictures. For example if you just enter Sea World you might get pictures of both CA and FL. Separate them by adding the city and state.