1st trip to California!!!

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

can I ask a question??

What is the reccomended time to spend in Anahiem (DL) as we would be travelling from Scotland (13 hour flight) we are waiting until our DD is 10 so we can incorporate San Fransisco, maybe Vegas (18 night trip) ?

Since childhood ive always wanted to make the "pilgrimage" to where it all started!!!, We want to spend a decent amount of time in DL. Also, what is time distance if you wanted to visit Bev Hills/Hollywood area??

Sorry for sounding so dense, but cannot get my head around the size of your amazing country!!

Lesley
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[hlbtimes2]

I would allow 3-4 days for Disneyland and CA adventure. Another two or three days to see Hollywood, San Deigo, the beach, etc. Vegas is about 4-5 hours away, so not too far. Depending on shows you want to see there, a couple of days. San Francisco is a bit further away, about 6-7 hours. So, you are looking at a day drive there, and a day or two to sights. It really depends on what you want to see and do.

I would start with start making a list of things you want to see then go from there.

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

Thanks Linda,

We will prob fly to San Fransisco stay 4 nights, then fly to LA. So you think 4 nights at DL is long enough?

 

[GailT]

I say stay 4 days in DL is plenty, you'll love it

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

Thanx Gail!

Where did you stay? we always stay on-site in both Orlando and Paris, but have heard the off site hotels at DL are just as close - is that right? Also do you get the same on-site benefits, such as extra magic hours, package delivery etc.
TIA

 

[Judy from Boise]

I think 5 nights are better, since that gets you 4 days in the parks. Visualise MK, MGM,and DD at WDW as what you would be doing in the 4 days.

 

[bclydia]

Disneyland has some differences to WDW. They do not have extra magic hours. But, when you buy a park hopper pass, you get one day of early admission. The park opens an hour early and fantasyland and a few select other rides are open. This is a great advantage. The disney-owned hotels are considerably farther than the nearest other hotels with the exception of the Grand Californian. If you want something in walking distance, look for a hotel in the 1300-1500 blocks of South Harbor Blvd. Check here -there are lots of threads on which hotel is best for which reasons. The Disney owned hotels are considerably more expensive too.
I would consider doing 5 days in the park. We have been many times but really feel you need five days to enjoy the parks in a relaxed way. If you are accustomed to doing parks commando-style, then 3 is good, I suppose.
I've been to Vegas once and not being a gambler found that 3 full days was a good amount of time to enjoy the entertainment. We rented a car and drove up to the Grand Canyon. It was about a four hour drive. Now, I was there with some developmentally disabled adults so didn't do any of the tours or go into the canyon. We wandered around the park, took a few photos and came back. But, it was enough to say we had been there. Drove back to LV that evening.
Can't help with San Francisco, haven't been there.
This is a great forum to ask questions. Hope that helps!
Lydia

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

thanx Lydia!

Thats a great help. I felt I wanted to do more time at DL as we are going such a long way. I think Vegas for 3 nights is fine, as I dont really have a big ambition to go there, but again feel we are travelling that far, it would be silly not to go and see it if we are on the same coast.

Is there waterparks around DL area? I know there isnt an actual Disney one.

TIA

Lesley
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[HydroGuy]

thanx Lydia!

Thats a great help. I felt I wanted to do more time at DL as we are going such a long way. I think Vegas for 3 nights is fine, as I dont really have a big ambition to go there, but again feel we are travelling that far, it would be silly not to go and see it if we are on the same coast.

Is there waterparks around DL area? I know there isnt an actual Disney one.

First, I wanted to make sure you saw my thread "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Second, there are non-Disney water parks, although I have not gone to any in the area for many years. Frankly, I think there are better things to do with your time in California than go to water parks. But if you really want to go you can get some ideas by reading the entire linked thread above, as there is some water park discussion in some of the posts.

Regarding hotel choices, there is some personal advice as well as useful links in this thread: "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[Judy from Boise]

One planning must do is to go to our "Other California trip reports board" and read Kevin Stringer's "A very British trip" reports. Hilarious, informative and lots of pictures!