Disneyland California?

[wideeyes]

This may seem like a daft question however I am wondering how safe is the Anaheim area and Disneyland in California? I always felt safe at WDW however I know the set up at Disneyland is different with other hotels and restaurants across the road and I am wondering what this area is like. I am thinking of going next year. If we go I would mostly likely stay at the DVC

 

[janiebubble]

I've been to Disneyland 3 times and felt totally safe each time, twice we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, the other at the Hyatt. You just have to get used to seeing the road from the park but other than that ... it's wonderful. In many ways I like it better than WDW, although I don't like the flight!!!

 

[CustardTart]

This may seem like a daft question however I am wondering how safe is the Anaheim area and Disneyland in California? I always felt safe at WDW however I know the set up at Disneyland is different with other hotels and restaurants across the road and I am wondering what this area is like. I am thinking of going next year. If we go I would mostly likely stay at the DVC

IMO it feels very safe, Claire. If you stay at VGC, it's a short walk to Downtown Disney and Disneyland. There are plenty of restaurants/shops in that area - I personally love the fact that there's even a Sephora. Also the Grand Californian has it's own direct access to California Adventure which is great...

The local area has become much more exciting since we first went - check this out - I'm looking forward to exploring here when we go in April 2011...

I love Disneyland - it'll always be the original and the best for me. I even like the extra flight time as it means I get to sleep properly plus I'm more likely to get flights with my VA miles...

 

[wideeyes]

Thanks for the replies, I am thinking of going September 2011 for 10 nights at the vgc and book some excursions for some of the days.

I know it is a long way just for 10 days however I am not sure we could find enough to do for longer as I don't drive.

 

[janiebubble]

hey it's not too far for 10 days ... the three times I went we went for a week ... just means you have to go back to fit it all in

 

[Lizzybear]

We felt very safe there, I even walked back to our hotel (offsite, 10 minute walk away) on my own one evening. Always lots of other people about, and we visited at a 'less busy' time in October.
The Gardenwalk isn't really walkable from DLR but it wouldn't be too bad a taxi fare. We ate at PF Changs there which I wouldn't recommend but they do have a Cheesecake Factory
I know a few Dibb members have visited California without a car, Mazzy and ali-s are the ones that spring to mind and both have trip reports over there

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks for the replies, I am thinking of going September 2011 for 10 nights at the vgc and book some excursions for some of the days.

I know it is a long way just for 10 days however I am not sure we could find enough to do for longer as I don't drive.

Not really - ten days sounds like heaven, there's so much to do!!! You'd even be able to get down to San Diego in that time frame... And I spent just 5 days there over NYE 2005. TBH I find the longer flight means more sleeping equals less jet lag...

We booked a couple of excursions in August 2008 and had a blast. You don't need a car as a lot of the excursions come with transport - check out this site to get an idea... You will love it, I'm sure...

 

[wayneg]

We stayed at the Howard Johnson twice http://www.hojoanaheim.com/
10 mins walk from Disneyland, 100% safe and a Mimis Cafe right next door. http://www.mimiscafe.com/
Difference is in Anaheim within minutes (in a car) of the surrounding area you can be in areas that don't look great. I am sure they are OK but some areas are run down.
At WDW everything has been built in the past 40 years and Disney own so much land you have to go miles to find anything similar.

 

[Frances999]

The area immediately surrounding the Disneyland resort is safe. However, there are some less comfortable areas a little further out, so take precautions as you would in any big city. Disney have invested heavily in the Hollywood Boulevard area too and this has become a great place to visit. The Downtown Disney area in DLR California is wonderful. It has a really buzzing atmosphere and its location just steps away from the two parks makes it a fantastic place to explore after park closing or for a mid-day break. As you'll be at the VGC it will be so easy to go back to your room for a swim/break too.

The Villas at the Grand Californian are truly stunning. We really enjoyed our stay there and will definitely be back. Your DD might also be interested in Pinocchio's Workshop at the Grand Californian. It's a fabulous kids club with some incredible CMs. My children don't usually enjoy that kind of thing, but they loved Pinocchio's. Let me know if you have any questions

 

[wideeyes]

Thanks for the information

There are a few excursions I like the sound off, thinking of doing US, a shopping one, San Diego and OC.

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks for the information

There are a few excursions I like the sound off, thinking of doing US, a shopping one, San Diego and OC.

Universal Studios was a great day - we did the VIP tour and it was fascinating!!! The other thing I'd suggest is maybe a trip to Knotts Berry Farm which is another theme park not too far away...

I'm really hoping to get a day in San Diego next year - can't wait!!!

 

[joolz1910]

We went to Disneyland California about 100 years ago (1997 to be precise) and stayed offsite. We didn't drive and felt totally safe. We did quite a few excursions:

Universal
Went at the weekend - absolutely packed. They had a free day for local residents plus they'd just opened the Jurassic Park ride.

Knotts Berry Farm
Nice but we felt it was more geared to children.

Six Flags Magic Mountain
Great - fab roller coasters.

Mexico
A real eye-opener. Poverty and affluence on either side of the road.

Sea World
Loved it! I'd never seen a whale or dolphin (apart from on tv/books) so it took my breat away to be so close.

Las Vegas / Grand Canyon
DH wanted to do the casinos - great in the evening, hot and seedy during the day. Loved the Grand Canyon, so glad I've seen it.

Hollywood / Santa Monica beach
Saw famous landmarks - Not really impressed by the beach though.

Disneyland was lovely. It started my Disney-love. We didn't plan anything to do with Disney beforehand. We even bought our 5 day passes when we got there. I can't believe it now.

 

[Chilly]

You'll love it. We are going back in 2011. Had you thought about flying somewhere else as you don't drive? We did that and the internal flights were stupid cheap, not sure what they are like now. We are going to drive inbetween places next time.

 

[wideeyes]

I did think about it, I would love to go to San Francisco however not sure yet. I will just be going with my DD who will be 9 so don't want to take on to much at once. I have also thought of doing flights to Boston or NYC first.

 

[wideeyes]

The flights for this September are slightly over £100 cheaper than Orlando, I was expecting them to be over £1000 for some reason.

 

[Wife of Fozzy Bear]

We have been to Florida 4 times and were concerned about our decision to go to California. We went Easter 09 and thought it magical, whilst there are not as many parks, we thought MK was better in California than Orlando. As for safety, no concerns there at all. While we still want to go back to Orlando for the multiple parks, California was a far more beautiful area with much more to do besides Disney. It worked out a cheaper holiday too, package price from the UK was lower and the park tickets cost a great deal less.

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks for the information

There are a few excursions I like the sound off, thinking of doing US, a shopping one, San Diego and OC.

Hey Claire, I just remembered a great book I bought for our first trip: The Unofficial Guide to California with Kids - you might want to give it a look...

 

[wideeyes]

Hey Claire, I just remembered a great book I bought for our first trip: The Unofficial Guide to California with Kids - you might want to give it a look...

Thanks, that looks good. I have the unofficial one for wdw and its good.