Any & All Info Welcomed! :)

[DonnaW]

I know lots and lots about WDW in Florida, but next to *nothing* about Disneyland, having only been there twice...a long, long time ago.

There is a possibility of our going out to California soon, and we are thinking of combining a trip to Palm Springs (to visit family) with a visit to Disneyland.

Would appreciate any and all info on Disneyland. I know that's pretty vague, so a few specific questions would be:

do you have to make Priority Seatings?
how do the ticket prices compare with Disney World?
I have read a bit about the Candy Cane Inn...any more info from those who have stayed there?
I know at WDW the experience is all-Disney if you stay on-site...how about at Disneyland??
Any beaches close by?
Any other "words of wisdom" you have to share?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[daannzzz]

Disneyland Resort is located in the middle of the suburbs and is compact and easy to navigate on foot. See the second link. The Candy Cane in is in the picture but marked. It is located above ( across the street) the Four Points and the Holiday Inn express. It is th U shgaped motel that is on the same block as Disney"s California Adventure. The Candy Cane Inn is a nice two story motel with in easy walk of the parks and also has a shuttle. Click on the link here and then on the "more photos" below the picture. The third link has a map of the motels and restaurants. http://www.travelhero.com/prophome.cfm/id/67216/hotels/reservations/index.html

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

Staying at the Disney hotels is more fun than the motels around the park but not necissarily any closer. Some of the motels on Harbor Blvd are quicker to walk from than the Disneyland hotrel and Disney's Paradise Pier hotel. Non of them are more convenient than Disney's Grand Californian. Other good motels to stay at next to Disneyland are The Howard Johnson. The Park Inn, The Park Place Inn, The Desert inn and Suites and the BW Anaheim.
Tickets are a bit less at Disneyland resort. There are not nearly the amountof full service restaurants in the parks as at WDW. At Disneyland there is only one real full service restaurant. The Blue Bayou and I recommend it. Get PS if you can. The other full service restaurant is outdoor seating only and small and doesn;t have PS that I know of. At DCA Ariel's Grotto takes PS as well as the fancy Vinyard room. At the hotels Goofy's kitchen is where you would definatley need a PS.
To see it all and have a nice time I would recommend 3 days at the two parks. Try everything as some rides have the same name but are somewhat different.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

do you have to make Priority Seatings?

You don't have to, but I recommend it for Fridays & weekends. You can make PS's at the hotel restaurants, Downtown Disney, and the ones daaanzzz mentioned, plus another one @ Disneyland.

how do the ticket prices compare with Disney World?

They are a little bit less than at WDW, but at WDW you can park hop 4 parks, while @ DL there are 2.


I have read a bit about the Candy Cane Inn...any more info from those who have stayed there?

I haven't stayed here, but I think it is the most popular of all the hotels near the DL Resort


I know at WDW the experience is all-Disney if you stay on-site...how about at Disneyland??

It's the same at Disneyland, but keep in mind that DL was built in the middle of the city, and you are not going to get that all-encompassing feeling you get at the Wºoºrld. Still, if you don't try & compare, the Disneyland and Grand Californian Hotel immerse you in the Disney feeling - I can't talk for the Paradise Pier Hotel since I haven't stayed there.


Any beaches close by?

The closest beaches are Newport and Huntington - I prefer Newport - milder waves - perfect for body surfing, and there are some nice restaurants right there.

Any other "words of wisdom" you have to share?

Disneyland park is smaller, yet has so much more packed in it. Since Walt had his personal touch, it also seems to be a bit more magical to many of us. There are attractions not to be found at WDW, and the fireworks are also different and special.

Note that the castle is charming (and smaller), but perfectly sized for the Matterhorn Mtn next to it.