Hi and welcome to the DL DIS!!
I would get 3-4 day hopper passes. Stay as close to DLR as you can. There are nice options close by if you want to save money and stay offsite. Pesonally when we can, I love to stay onsite, but everyone is different.
I don't know how much you know about DLR? The 2 parks, DL and DCA are right across from each other, so you can hop back and forth if you want. Let me better explain that.
There are 2 different entrances to get into DLR. One is from Harbor Blvd, where most of the offsite motels are and the ART (transit shuttle), and the opposite entrance is through DTD where the onsite DL Hotels are. Daytime parkers also use this entrance from the DL Tram. From either entrance you enter through security into the "Esplanade." Here you can stand in the middle, and look either left or right. One way is DL, and the other way is DCA! Bingo!! So then you just have to decide which way do I want to go!!
Everything is within walking distance. The Grand Californian Hotel is right next to DCA. It even has its own entrance into DCA. The Hotel is gorgeous, and is my favorite place to stay, but it has a steep price tag.
The DL Hotel is a favorite of alot of DISers. It has a fun pool area, and the rooms are more "Disney" themed. Paradise Pier is nice too, and alot love it there. It is usually the cheapest of the onsite hotels. Either way, all of these hotels take you through DTD to get to DL. I love the walk in the morning and at night, after a hard day of go go go. There is always something going on. It is not as big as WDW's DTD.
If you want to see the beach scene, check out Huntington or Newport Beach. Huntington has the volleyball, surfers, pier, huge walkway and people watching. Newport is basically the same, and you can walk by homes right on the sand on the boardwalk. For some reason we prefer Huntington. My DH loves volleyball, and they have a ton of nets set up right by the pier, and someone is always playing. If you have a Hollister apparel store by you, they usually have Huntington Beach on a huge webcam in the store. You can check it out. Laguna Beach is very pretty and artsy. I'm thinking with teens, that the first 2 choices would be better.
Hollywood might be fun. I've lived in California my whole long life, and have never done a tour. But lots have, so someone else should answer this.
Do San Diego. It is beautiful there. Actually it is beautiful all the way down to San Diego from Anahiem.
I think you should check out the
CityPass thing. I believe you get passes to Universal, either the SD Zoo or SeaWorld, and a 3 day hopper to DL. I think you might be able to upgrade your DL pass to more days if you want. Something else I have heard DISers say, is that they wished they had left DL for the last. You might ask a few about that. I've also heard that some Citypasses make you start at DL first.
Be a good idea to find out.
Last but not least, cuz I think this is very
important. There is a sticky at the top of this forum entitled
"Hydroguy's Tip Compilation." It has a world of info for WDW vets coming to DLR for the first time. It is worth the read!!
Good luck and have fun planning. I think you will like DL. It is very intimate, and there is something to see around every nook, cranny and corner.
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