Complete Disneyland Newbie here! With a trip in the works for Nov 16 or 17!

WalkingintheFog

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 1, 2008

• Apr 18, 2015

• #1

Help!

Looking for some input!
I've been to WDW many times, but never to Disneyland....in fact, Florida is really the only state I've ever been to.
I'm going to Vegas for my birthday to run the RnR Half Marathon on Nov 15, not into gambling, nor a big shopper, so I'm thinking there's only so many days I can spend in Vegas (Grand Canyon etc out as I'm getting stomach sick here just thinking of the vastness/steepness of that...)

So, I thought: whoa! Go to Disney, girl!!
I've got to figure out the logistics of getting from Vegas to Anaheim (thinking a bus service from Vegas Strip hotel to near Disneyland hotel might be the best bet)..

But I'm looking for a listing or map of the hotels closest to Disneyland.

And then I've got to figure what I'll be doing.... definitely won't be driving!
.....3 days Disney parks (food, Christmas stuff)
.....I want to get to the Pacific Ocean for a quick dip (going to do a dip in the Atlantic Ocean here before I go)...so a bus or something

I'll be spending time going thru the Disneyland Forums, just hoping for a quick primer on hotels, and how much time I ought to spend in this part of the world (knowing that US Thanksgiving is Nov 26 Thur, a busy park time...)

Thanks!

 

WalkingintheFog

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 1, 2008

• Apr 18, 2015

• #2

Okay! I've got something! Found a post a couple pages earlier by another 1st time tripper, and a poster there suggested Google Mapping, to look at hotels on Harbour Blvd and then I found this as well:
http://anaheim-attractions.10-best.info/disney_map.pdf

Now I'll just search each to see what reviews/prices! I'm started! Woo hoo!

How many days would you guys suggest I try to spend in this area?
I hope to come back in 2017 or later to do a Disneyland run...(maybe Dopey in 2017 & then a Fall Disneyland run.....I'm still telling myself I WILL NOT SIGN UP FOR THE DOPEY 2016 .. temptation is a horrible thing! and Runners are such enablers!)

 

K

keltiesmom

Mouseketeer

Joined

Oct 16, 2012

• Apr 18, 2015

• #3

I have been looking into options to go to the beach without renting a car since we will have 4 little ones and do t want to bring car seats. The city bus is the cheapest option but it's a long ride, directly west of anaheim to the closest beach is about 1:15-1:30mins. A cab might be a good option of traffic isn't to bad, Google says its a 20 min drive or something. We have stayed at the carousel inn and it wasn't bad, this trip we are trying the desert inn and suites, both are a 5 min walk to the park. I would recomend at least 3 days in the parks, more if you can and maybe an extra day or 2 for other sight seeing. The drive from Vegas isn't to long by the looks of it if you are willing to drive, otherwise you could see if Amtrak has a rout between the two, probably faster than a bus and more scenic possibly?

 

Dizzy4DL

Happiest when I have a countdown

Joined

Oct 31, 2010

• Apr 18, 2015

• #4

I'm assuming from your post that renting a car is out? We once rented a car in Vegas and it was very inexpensive. Part of the rental agreement was that we could drive the car into California. If you are looking to do more in LA than just Disneyland, then a rental car is almost a must.
We've always had decent luck at the Best Western Park Place Inn. It's nothing fancy, but it's the second closest hotel to DL (after The Grand Californian) and it's clean.

 

Canuck16

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 12, 2014

• Apr 18, 2015

• #5

If you can three days is the least I would suggest. Get a park hopper ticket as well. The parks are side bt side and it's so easy to hop at DLR compared to WDW.

They still have the paper FP system and each park is independent when it comes to FP which is awesome!

I highly recommend seeing WoC at DCA......it is my favorite night time show at either DLR or WDW.

Enjoy!

 

WalkingintheFog

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 1, 2008

• Apr 19, 2015

• #6

Thanks Canuck16! Do you think 3 days is enough? I know it's not WDW, but.....
Any other nuggets or links buried in the forum you can direct me to would be great as well!

 

WalkingintheFog

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 1, 2008

• Apr 19, 2015

• #7

oops! Small Screen woes! Didn't notice posts by Keltiesmom & Dizzy4DL!
Thanks all.....

So, I'm going to try for Tuesday to Tuesday, I'll see how return flights are.

Dizzy4DL, rent-a-car definitely OUT! I might consider it for once at Disney for small drives, but only if no freeways involved! (So, I'm going to check google earth to see what the driving route from DL to beach..)

At this point, it's just me, a middle-age female runner.
There's a chance my mom, or sister, or other runner friends may be with me, but for now, I'm working as if just me going!

I'm looking for a place with:

• a nice reputation (ie clean, and relatively safe). not too loud (love kids, but not screamers. Like drinking, but not drunks), in walking distance to DL.
• a swim pool. A hot tub & a fitness centre would be sweet.
• IMPORTANT: a fridge in the room
• Price....I haven't figured where I stand on that yet... if it were WDW, I'd be exploring the rates at hotels on Hotel Blvd to see how much cheaper than a Value resort & weighing the pros/cons of each...Inexpensive, but meeting as many of my other criteria is my aim!

 

JadeDarkstar

Dis Veteran Pirate dragon mom

Joined

Jun 2, 2007

• Apr 19, 2015

• #8

Try best western park place inn it is 5 mins to the gate. Has fridge and microwave. 125 a night if you sign up for the free best western rewards. (well might be bit more but could be as low as 125 if call and book early enough)
3 days Min but 5 days is the best. That way you can take it all in.
I did the avengers race at dl last year nov 17th or so. I did the 5 k. It was alot of fun and there is nothing like a Disney run from what I hear.
I may have done it this year but we missed a few things and want to see things after thanksgiving so we are going later this year and its for the 60th.
Good luck

 

VandVsmama

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 28, 2011

• Apr 19, 2015

• #9

I would recommend against taking a city bus in southern CA from Anaheim to the beach and back. Some bus routes can go through some pretty rough neighborhoods and you don't want to find yourself suddenly in a really bad part of town.

You should consider traveling by air from Vegas to the John Wayne Airport rather than going on Greyhound.

 

WalkingintheFog

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 1, 2008

• Apr 19, 2015

• #10

Thanks for advice VandVsmama! There aren't really any rough neighbourhoods in my city, so I don't think about things like that!
I did look at, and like the thought of taking the Lux Bus from Vegas Hotel to Anaheim Hotel....The extra time it would take would be offset by the fact I'd hopefully get to see some desert scenery, have 2 less transfers to do, and save $100+ (the scenery would be a plus).

 

WalkingintheFog

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 1, 2008

• Aug 1, 2015

• #11

Balconies...... It seems like Howard Johnson's has them, but can anyone tell me if these other hotels do? (And if only some rooms have balconies, or all?)
Thanks!

Howard Johnson
.
Fairfield Marriott
Camelot Inn
Carousel Inn
Tropicana Inn
Park Place
...MAIN ENTRY
Park Vue Inn
Desert Inn
Del Sol
Anaheim Inn
Ramada Main Gate
Anaheim Plaza Hotel...
Castle Inn
..Candy Cane Inn
...Desert Palms
Ramada Plaza