1 day or more

[tripplanner]

It's been years since I've been to Disneyland. It was while I was at a work convention, so I just visited on a Sunday afternoon before my classes started. I think I stayed at a Marriott or Sheraton near the convention center and took a shuttle to the park. I'm going back in August with grandparents (2 seniors), kids(2 teens), and sibling (brother and friend). All but the brother and friend are flying into LAX. The brother and friend are driving from Palm Springs where they live. I'm finding this trip hard to plan and need a little advice.

1. Is 1 day a Disneyland enough?
2. Is California Adventure worth staying an extra day?
3. We are frequent Disney World visitors and always stay on site for the convenience. Do we need to do this? We'll need 3 rooms and want to stay in a nice hotel, but don't want to pay too much either.
4. We've thought about doing a day in Disneyland and another day visiting Hollywood, Santa Monica pier, and just driving and seeing LA and Beverly Hills. If we do this, should we stay in Anaheim at the hotel we choose for our Disneyland visit or should we switch hotels to something in those areas for one night.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[PinkBudgie]

If the point of your trip is to go to DLR, one day is not enough. I would say a min of three days. And I don't think of it in terms of a day at each park, we hop back and forth several times during the day. It only takes a minute or two to walk across the plaza to the other park.

We start before park opening at DL. This is the best time to go and get on some rides. Around lunch we head to DCA because DL starts to get more crowded. Then come back to DL early evening.

I definately think DCA is worth seeing! The teens will love Screamin. The Monsters Inc ride is very good. There is something for everyone there. I love it! Even with some of the construction going on, I would still be sure to see it.

We always stay off site, usually a mile or so away in Garden Grove. There are some very nice hotels that are cheaper than the Disney properties. We haven't stayed within walking distance because they charge alot and don't seem as nice. A lot of people here like Hojos which has some good rates, but I haven't tried it. We are staying at Embassy Suites South this trip. Also, keep in mind "walking" distance still might be too far for seniors anyway.

I haven't been interested in seeing the area down there so can't answer about that. Seen it as a child and I'm just not that interested.

 

[Sherry E]

It's been years since I've been to Disneyland. It was while I was at a work convention, so I just visited on a Sunday afternoon before my classes started. I think I stayed at a Marriott or Sheraton near the convention center and took a shuttle to the park. I'm going back in August with grandparents (2 seniors), kids(2 teens), and sibling (brother and friend). All but the brother and friend are flying into LAX. The brother and friend are driving from Palm Springs where they live. I'm finding this trip hard to plan and need a little advice.

1. Is 1 day a Disneyland enough?
2. Is California Adventure worth staying an extra day?
3. We are frequent Disney World visitors and always stay on site for the convenience. Do we need to do this? We'll need 3 rooms and want to stay in a nice hotel, but don't want to pay too much either.
4. We've thought about doing a day in Disneyland and another day visiting Hollywood, Santa Monica pier, and just driving and seeing LA and Beverly Hills. If we do this, should we stay in Anaheim at the hotel we choose for our Disneyland visit or should we switch hotels to something in those areas for one night.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I agree with all the points Pink Budgie made. If your point is to ONLY come and see Disneyland itself and not DCA, one day isn't even enough to see everything there is to see or do in DL, but you can get a pretty good taste of it. If your goal to is see a bit of both parks (the "Highlight Tour" is what I call it) - while still being willing to miss out on some things here or there - you can definitely do that in two days, and even though many disagree - even in one day. You can get a very good dose of both parks in one day, even if you miss some things. If you get into DL at opening or before opening (with Early Entry/Magic Morning), then hop over to DCA in the late morning/early afternoon and linger there for a few hours, and then hop back over to DL, you can get a lot done. More time is always better so you are not as rushed, so two days would definitely be better than one, but if you only have one, you can work with that. You definitely should see DCA - it is worth it.

If you are staying a few nights, it would make more sense to stay offsite, as the offsite hotels are close. However, if you are only going to be staying one night to go to DLR, I would suggest staying onsite. It IS much more expensive, that is true, but you all will have such limited time to begin with that being onsite may be to your advantage not only in proximity BUT also because you can use your Magic Morning/Early Entry perk that comes with being a DLR hotel guest, you can enter DCA through the GCH entrance, and have purchases sent back to the hotel so you don't have to carry them, etc. (which may be nice for the 2 seniors in the group). So if you only have one or even 2 nights to spend at DLR, I would say stay onsite in this case. That MM/EE will be important to get the most out of your time.

Driving from Anaheim to L.A is about 45 minutes with no traffic, and same thing on the way back, and sometimes double that time with heavy traffic. If you have a day planned up in L.A./Beverly Hills/Hollywood, just keep in mind that if you stay in Anaheim, you will have a bit of a drive to and from L.A.

 

[teatime]

1 day is definatly never enough, and in august its going to be terrible to go in one day and that's it. August is a very busy time ! I say 3 minimum.

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with the posters above. & if you are only staying one or two nights, I'd stay on site. If 2-3 nights....then perhaps at a Harbor Blvd hotel (within easy walking distance.....with the seniors in your group, the CCI might be a good choice).

See comments below:

It's been years since I've been to Disneyland. It was while I was at a work convention, so I just visited on a Sunday afternoon before my classes started. I think I stayed at a Marriott or Sheraton near the convention center and took a shuttle to the park. I'm going back in August with grandparents (2 seniors), kids(2 teens), and sibling (brother and friend). All but the brother and friend are flying into LAX. The brother and friend are driving from Palm Springs where they live. I'm finding this trip hard to plan and need a little advice.

1. Is 1 day a Disneyland enough?

Nope....3-5 days at DLR minimum....& park hop each day.

2. Is California Adventure worth staying an extra day?

See Number One Above.

3. We are frequent Disney World visitors and always stay on site for the convenience. Do we need to do this? We'll need 3 rooms and want to stay in a nice hotel, but don't want to pay too much either.

With the seniors in your group....your criteria above.....& the probability of splitting up during the day, I'd consider the Candy Cane Inn with it's free dedicated shuttle. (If you don't stay on site.)

4. We've thought about doing a day in Disneyland and another day visiting Hollywood, Santa Monica pier, and just driving and seeing LA and Beverly Hills. If we do this, should we stay in Anaheim at the hotel we choose for our Disneyland visit or should we switch hotels to something in those areas for one night.

The whole family is flying out for two days??

Any advice would be appreciated.

Since you're a WDW Vet, start by reading this thread:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


Then read the rest of HydroGuy's Tip Threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[imjen]

I would definitely do 2 days minimum, but prefer at least 3. Park hopper tickets are great. We also like to get to the DL gates at least 15-20 min. before opening and stay there until around lunch (collecting fast passes as we go). Then hop over to California Adventure (takes us 5-10 min to stroll across the plaza and get through the ticket gates). The teens will probably love the thrill rides like Tower of Terror, Screamin', and Mulholland Madness, the seniors can enjoy the shows, Aladdin, Muppets 3D, and The Animation Building. There's other rides for everyone, Soarin', Grizzly River Run, Monster's, Inc, etc. We really like the more laid back atmosphere over there as well, with less people. It's a good break. Have fun planning!

 

[Boo Bear]

I haven't been to DL yet but I can't imagine spending only one day. If you look at the list of things to do there it's insane! I feel like from my research that there is so much more in DL than at the MK in WDW... and I went to MK multiple times in WDW just to do what I wanted to do.

 

[mystic_path]

It's been years since I've been to Disneyland. It was while I was at a work convention, so I just visited on a Sunday afternoon before my classes started. I think I stayed at a Marriott or Sheraton near the convention center and took a shuttle to the park. I'm going back in August with grandparents (2 seniors), kids(2 teens), and sibling (brother and friend). All but the brother and friend are flying into LAX. The brother and friend are driving from Palm Springs where they live. I'm finding this trip hard to plan and need a little advice.

1. Is 1 day a Disneyland enough?

NO definitely not enough if you want a good Disney experience. If like a poster above said is your main reason to visit, then 100% NO! You need at bare min 3 days to get a good sample.

2. Is California Adventure worth staying an extra day?

Absolutely!!! Get the park hopper pass. There are wonderful things to see in DCA and its a great park to escape to when the main DL park gets crowded during peak afternoon times.

3. We are frequent Disney World visitors and always stay on site for the convenience. Do we need to do this? We'll need 3 rooms and want to stay in a nice hotel, but don't want to pay too much either.

There are some really nice off site hotels such as the Howard Johnson (A personal Disboard Fav) who has entertainment rates. I would look into that. But staying off site you can find hotels (Such as Hojo) that are within walking distance and closer to the main gate then the resort hotels themselves.

4. We've thought about doing a day in Disneyland and another day visiting Hollywood, Santa Monica pier, and just driving and seeing LA and Beverly Hills. If we do this, should we stay in Anaheim at the hotel we choose for our Disneyland visit or should we switch hotels to something in those areas for one night.

If you are doing only one or two days at DL and one day in LA then move your hotel to LA. Its a 2 hour drive each way if your caugh in traffic. There are so many cars on the road that it equals out to 7 cars per person in California. And if you watch no one car pools. Your best bet would be to stay more central so I would suggest moving yourself into LA.

Have a great time!