Where to start? DLR pre-trip planning

Princess Jes · Oct 25, 2016

i thought I'd start my research here with all of you trusty podcast fans as my guides for a solo Disneyland trip!

Where should I begin my research?
I haven't listened to a huge amount of the Disneyland podcast due mostly to the fact that I hadn't planned on going there with my trips being to WDW (sorry @ImTooExcitedToSleep and @WebmasterMaryJo ), so where should I start listening from?

I'm pretty well set on which hotel to stay at, so at least that's a start.

I'll sign up for the DLR touring plans at some point, and will obviously have a read of the Disneyland boards here, but I feel like that's starting at the middle.

Also, tips on solo traveling! The solo boards here seem like a community forum, but will have to dig into them a bit further.

Any hints or tips would be great!! Thanks!

rteetz · Oct 25, 2016

Maybe @ImTooExcitedToSleep will have you on the show before you leave. Tom and the team do trip planning shows all of the time. I do highly recommend listening to some of those shows. I would look at the descriptions of each episode to tell you what they are about, they have tons of hotel reviews, restaurant reviews, show reviews and so much more.

ImTooExcitedToSleep · Oct 25, 2016

Just to follow up on what Ryan said, at the top of the Disneyland boards is a sticky thread that has names and links to every single episode. It's an easy way to see them all in one place.

Maybe check out some of the 101 episodes we did?

Princess Jes · Oct 25, 2016

Thanks Tom, I definitely will be checking out a heap of your shows!! And I forgot that you kept a comprehensive listing of all shows! I appreciate that kind of record keeping!!

pjweaver · Oct 25, 2016

First you need to figure out what you're going to say to my wife to get her to allow me to chaperone.
Second you need to figure out which side of the bed I get.
Third, I would say research where to eat on and off property, I know Tom has covered that.
Fourth plan your packing, the weather is always 15-35 but usually 25 is a good idea, cooler at night.
Book your hotel

Princess Jes · Oct 25, 2016

pjweaver said:
First you need to figure out what you're going to say to my wife to get her to allow me to chaperone.
Second you need to figure out which side of the bed I get.
Third, I would say research where to eat on and off property, I know Tom has covered that.
Fourth plan your packing, the weather is always 15-35 but usually 25 is a good idea, cooler at night.
Book your hotel

1. Do you think she'll buy that I need a translator?
2. I sleep on the right side, so you get the left.
3. I'll probs eat onsite a lot given that I will be alone and from what I understand, the area may not be the best for a solo female to wander around at night?
4. Packing will be easy, shorts and singlet tops
5. I'm looking at the Fairfield inn by Marriott, but need flights first I think

pjweaver · Oct 25, 2016

Princess Jes said:
1. Do you think she'll buy that I need a translator?
2. I sleep on the right side, so you get the left.
3. I'll probs eat onsite a lot given that I will be alone and from what I understand, the area may not be the best for a solo female to wander around at night?
4. Packing will be easy, shorts and singlet tops
5. I'm looking at the Fairfield inn by Marriott, but need flights first I think

1. Yes
2. Left or top is fine with me
3. You'll be safe with me
5. I can pick you up at the airport when you land. I'll be in a black Lincoln MKS.

Princess Jes · Oct 25, 2016

pjweaver said:
1. Yes
2. Left or top is fine with me
3. You'll be safe with me
5. I can pick you up at the airport when you land. I'll be in a black Lincoln MKS.

1. Excellent. I know she's probably needed a translator to understand me in the past, so I think it will work.
2. Top? What if we just get a 2 queen room?
3. True. So we can eat at all the dodgy places. Will you also guide me if I've had a few too many margaritas?
5. Awesome! A driver too!! I'll bring vegemite sandwiches for the trip to Anaheim

ImTooExcitedToSleep · Oct 25, 2016

Why the Fairfield?

pjweaver · Oct 25, 2016

ImTooExcitedToSleep said:
Why the Fairfield?

A king room after August 15th is only $1176 for 3 nights with 4 day pass for two people. It's about $600 less than the Days Inn. After the fourth day we could do Universal or Knott's Berry at another hotel, or a road trip to Vegas.

Is the Fairfield bad Tom?

pjweaver · Oct 25, 2016

Don't forget to contact Dreams Unlimited.

ImTooExcitedToSleep · Oct 25, 2016

pjweaver said:
A king room after August 15th is only $1176 for 3 nights with 4 day pass for two people. It's about $600 less than the Days Inn. After the fourth day we could do Universal or Knott's Berry at another hotel, or a road trip to Vegas.

Is the Fairfield bad Tom?

So, about $179 a night? That's not bad for the Fairfield.

The rooms at Fairfield are nice, but from what I remember, I was impressed with the rest of the hotel...food, etc. I'd have to listen to my review.

superme80 · Oct 25, 2016

When are you going? I'm going next October for my 10th Anniversary!

ImTooExcitedToSleep · Oct 25, 2016

And the Days Inn isn't a Good Neighbor Hotel.

ImTooExcitedToSleep · Oct 25, 2016

Will you have a car or are you looking for something within walking distance? What else are you looking for in a hotel? Pool? Breakfast? Brand?

Princess Jes · Oct 26, 2016

pjweaver said:
A king room after August 15th is only $1176 for 3 nights with 4 day pass for two people. It's about $600 less than the Days Inn. After the fourth day we could do Universal or Knott's Berry at another hotel, or a road trip to Vegas.

Is the Fairfield bad Tom?

Thinking knotts and/or magic mountain. Haven't researched either as yet.
Thoughts, Tom?

pjweaver said:
Don't forget to contact Dreams Unlimited.

Oh I won't forget!!

superme80 said:
When are you going? I'm going next October for my 10th Anniversary!

Not sure yet. Looking for a quieter time but not so quiet that there are mass refurbs or massively reduced hours.
Also don't want to miss the HM altogether, happy to see one version or the other.
Also, the second half of the year suits work better for me

ImTooExcitedToSleep said:
So, about $179 a night? That's not bad for the Fairfield.

The rooms at Fairfield are nice, but from what I remember, I was impressed with the rest of the hotel...food, etc. I'd have to listen to my review.

ImTooExcitedToSleep said:
Will you have a car or are you looking for something within walking distance? What else are you looking for in a hotel? Pool? Breakfast? Brand?

No car I don't think (not confident driving on the wrong side of the road) so as close as possible in a room that isn't gross.
Pool is a good bonus, but not sure how much time I'll spend there alone.
Brand isn't important, I don't have loyalty to one or another.
Breakfast not important, happy to eat on the way to the park, or maybe get an amazon delivery of easy to eat stuff?

Jadeey · Oct 26, 2016

First off, yay that you are planning a trip!! Slightly out there suggestion perhaps, but what about considering a Backstage Magic (maybe even a Dis Exclusive one) and then tack on a few post nights to do more of the park? That way you aren't alone the whole time. Depends on how much you enjoy your own company of course and how much you like just talking to random strangers, but I found myself getting incredibly lonely by my 3rd day when I did a solo trip because I wasn't comfortable talking to random people so had pretty much no conversations outside ordering food!

Princess Jes · Oct 26, 2016

Jadeey said:
First off, yay that you are planning a trip!! Slightly out there suggestion perhaps, but what about considering a Backstage Magic (maybe even a Dis Exclusive one) and then tack on a few post nights to do more of the park? That way you aren't alone the whole time. Depends on how much you enjoy your own company of course and how much you like just talking to random strangers, but I found myself getting incredibly lonely by my 3rd day when I did a solo trip because I wasn't comfortable talking to random people so had pretty much no conversations outside ordering food!

I was just thinking this this afternoon!! I was listening to last week and this weeks shows and they mentioned the backstage magic.
They're VERY expensive though.
But I will be looking into it!!

Princess Jes · Oct 26, 2016

Just looked up the price, and the dates I'd want (cheaper than the rest which is a lucky coincidence) is ~$4.4k AUD just for the ABD, plus $1k for flights, plus additional nights at DLR and tickets... that's one pricey week.
I'd so love to though!! Stupid exchange rates!

disneysteve · Oct 26, 2016

Well if Pete can't make it for some reason, put me down as the understudy, though there is that whole wife thing to deal with. I'm not sure if the fact that you know her makes that better or worse.

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn when we were there assuming it's the one on Harbor Blvd. directly across from property. We loved it. It was super convenient, about a 8-10 minute walk to the front gate, and we could watch fireworks from our room.

Eating offsite is very easy and safe (not sure about late at night but certainly for breakfast, lunch, or dinner). There are numerous choices along Harbor Blvd. which is especially easy if that's where you happen to be staying anyway.

Where to start? DLR pre-trip planning

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