1st DLR trip, need help!

[mythreeboys]

We are from the east coast and go to WDW every couple of years, hubby cut me off after our Oct 2013 trip. He was however ok with going to DLR . So we just got our airfare a couple of weeks ago, planning to be in the LA area from June 20-27th, it will be hubby, our 3 boys (between the ages of 5-9), and me. We are planning on DL for 3 days and possibly going to Legoland for a day. We had thought about going to Universal too, but I think my kids would like Universal Orlando better so we decided not to go and plan an Orlando trip later. My question is, we are trying to decide where to stay. I have pretty much ruled out the any of the DL hotels. I cannot see spending that kind of money on a place where we will just sleep and shower. Another thought was to stay in one of the area hotels that was in walking distance, this is still a possibility. However, we have also thought of maybe only staying in that area for the days we are at DL and then getting another hotel somewhere else (where I have no clue, it's been almost 20 years since I have been to the LA area). Another option was to not get a hotel and find a vacation rental (condo or home) around a beach and drive in to DL on the days we go there. Can anyone help me figure out what my best option is? I'm driving myself crazy!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I think you would come to regret the beach house to DL drive each day. LA traffic isn't a plus to any vacay, a walking distance hotel sounds great for you. Others can point you in the right direction there for what to look at specifically.

 

[D1sneyfam1ly]

We like the Best Western Park Place, Candy Cane, or the new building at the Ramada Maingate to be close enough to walk. There are of course lots of options that are close as well. Walking distance and a good breakfast are the top 2 requirements for our Disneyland stays. We usually spend 3 or so days at DL and DCA and we don't usually venture out to other areas of LA, except for maybe one day at Universal, Knotts or Legoland.

It depends on what you want and expect out of your visit, but if Disney is your focus I would stay close to the park.

 

[chickapin parterre]

*what are the hours you want to be in the park??

*how important is the ocean?

*do the boys like to swim in pools?

*what is the lodging budget?
*do you eat breakfast ? if so, where do you see that happening?

*how many days in the park?

Folks like to help here on the site if they can help with very specific questions from you observations about the upcoming trip.

 

[HydroGuy]

I think you would come to regret the beach house to DL drive each day. LA traffic isn't a plus to any vacay, a walking distance hotel sounds great for you. Others can point you in the right direction there for what to look at specifically.

I agree. The OP would spend hours commuting to DLR each day. IMO staying at a beach condo and visiting DLR from there would be about the worth possible way to visit DLR.

For DLR stay near DLR. And do yourself a favor and plan four days at DLR. Three days at DLR would feel a bit like 5 days at WDW. Enough time to see quite a bit but still leaving the guest wishing they had more time. Four days is the minimum amount of time to have a solid DLR visit. Especially for someone not familiar with DLR.

 

[Indiana Scott]

My advice is to stay in either the Best Western Park place or preferably because of even better free breakfast; The park View Inn because they are both the shortest walk (5 min) to Disney's main entrance.

 

[mythreeboys]

Awesome! Thank you all so much! We will either plan to stay in Anaheim the entire time or at least while we are planning to visit DL! I think I will also take advantage of the buy 3 days get the 4th free tickets I've been seeing, that way if we feel we want more time, it's already available. I'm so excited for this trip, it's been a long time since I've been to this area and did not go to DL when we were there (high school band trip). I believe we went near or to Downtown Disney one night, but did not go to the park because we went to Magic Mountain and Universal and our following year trip was to WDW.

 

[TheChapman6]

Awesome! Thank you all so much! We will either plan to stay in Anaheim the entire time or at least while we are planning to visit DL! I think I will also take advantage of the buy 3 days get the 4th free tickets I've been seeing, that way if we feel we want more time, it's already available. I'm so excited for this trip, it's been a long time since I've been to this area and did not go to DL when we were there (high school band trip). I believe we went near or to Downtown Disney one night, but did not go to the park because we went to Magic Mountain and Universal and our following year trip was to WDW.

I'm unaware of these discount tickets? Where do you get them?

 

[chinablessings]

I'm unaware of these discount tickets? Where do you get them?

Orbitz and Cheaptickets have a special buy a 3 day pass get a 4th free. I think you get a free day with a 4 and 5 day pass as well.

 

[TheChapman6]

Orbitz and Cheaptickets have a special buy a 3 day pass get a 4th free. I think you get a free day with a 4 and 5 day pass as well.

Thanks!

 

[mythreeboys]

Arestravel.com also has them for buy 3 days get 1 free, saw it on Mousesavers.