Disneyland California

[chipndalefan]

I would love to visit the original Disneyland, but don't know where to begin!

Are there packages available or is it just DIY? What airport should I fly to, how easy is it 2 drive to from the airport? Questions, Questions!.......

 

[wayneg]

You can get brochures from TA's and do packages just like WDW in Florida but you pay a premium usually to do a package.
DIY to West coast is just as easy as Florida, both our trips over there were DIY.

Last trips we added Vegas(4 nights) flew between there and LA but next time I would drive, it was a 35 min flight took longer to get to airport check in etc.

Roads are busier around LA/Anaheim compared to Florida, Sat nav was a big help for me out there.

We flew into LAX both times but my American friend prefers John Wayne airport(only an option for indirect, no direct from UK)

Ask anything you want to know, a few of us on here have been to Disneyland and surrounding area.

 

[j9000]

Packages are possible, but if you are travelling to Anahiem from the Uk i would combine with a trip to southern california, diy is the best way as you can split areas.

Disneyland is roughly about an hour south of Los Angeles, and from Rotherham, LAX would be the easiest airport to get to, and then drive down to Anaheim (only part i messed up was alamo to the highway)

you need 2 maybe 3 days to do the parks, the best value i found (if youre doing lots of other stuff as well) is the southern california city pass, (combines 3 days at disney with universal, sea world & san diego zoo)

there is ALOT in southern california to do aside from Disneyland, enough for a good few weeks, San Diego (90min-2 hours south) is an amazing place to visit, so is Hollywood, Santa Monica, Universal and much more, (tar pits, 2 presidential libraries, crystal cathedral)

the first time i went to california (about 9 years ago) i bought a book by dorean kindsley, a eyewitness guide to california, its a really great place to start, even when i returned a couple of years ago, i used the book to find things to do, more than the net
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DK-Eyewitne...3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280087472&sr=8-3-spell

 

[janiebubble]

I've been three times with Virgin Holidays, in each case in that particular circumstance it was cheaper than buying the component parts individually. We just stayed in Anaheim though, if you want more you may find DIY better.

Go though, it's sooooo worth it xx

 

[giggler]

hi,

i would do it diy, there is so much to see and do, and having the freedom of your own car is much more important than in Orlando as public transport in LA and Anaheim is well known for being poor. Being a 1st time, i cannot recomend a Sat NAV enough. The roads are jam packed and are at times 6 lanes deep and can feel very daunting. That apart it is a superb place to visit, and is certainly on the list to revisit. The drive to Vegas from LA is excellent, with some great views on the way, also Huntingdon Beach is really cool.

So i suppose the first thing to do is look at flight prices to LAX when you are thinking of going.

giggler

 

[j9000]

just had a second thought,

if you are planning on going, have a look at october as a time, as halloween is a brilliant time to visit as the haunted mansion is turned into the nightmare before christmas themed 'haunted mansion holiday' (which is only at disneyland) its surprising as to how much the ride changes. plus the weather is really nice.

also if you spend time in LA, use pollstar.com to check concert listings, as there is always something going on and someone playing somewhere.

 

[wayneg]

just had a second thought,

if you are planning on going, have a look at october as a time, as halloween is a brilliant time to visit as the haunted mansion is turned into the nightmare before christmas themed 'haunted mansion holiday' (which is only at disneyland) its surprising as to how much the ride changes. plus the weather is really nice.

Both our visits were for Oct half term, the Haunted mansion is a highlight at that time of year. Downside is they often refurb Its a small world, closed for both our visits.
The Haloween event is also very good, although we did it with American friends so that added to our enjoyment.
Our last trip they had massive bush fires close by, kept all the Americans indoors which was a bonus for us as the parks were empty.

 

[janiebubble]

hi,

i would do it diy, there is so much to see and do, and having the freedom of your own car is much more important than in Orlando as public transport in LA and Anaheim is well known for being poor. Being a 1st time, i cannot recomend a Sat NAV enough. The roads are jam packed and are at times 6 lanes deep and can feel very daunting. That apart it is a superb place to visit, and is certainly on the list to revisit. The drive to Vegas from LA is excellent, with some great views on the way, also Huntingdon Beach is really cool.

So i suppose the first thing to do is look at flight prices to LAX when you are thinking of going.

giggler

I'd second the need for car, and probably satnav ... we only got lost once but I think that was luck rather than anything else

and yes Huntingdon Beach is lovely!! I'd also recommend Fashion Island Mall at Newport Beach

 

[Helen B]

I've been a couple of times.

You need to fly into LAX, and Disneyland is no more than 1 hour from the airport, and you can get there without going on the interstate (bonus,) you really don't want to travel on the 405. First time we went we missed the entrance to the 405 - best mistake we ever made.

There are many hotels opposite Disneyland, and at reasonable rates too, also saves on car parking.

 

[cannp123165]

We went for October half term last year for a week. We booked with Hayes and Jarvis for a week, and got a great price including Virgin flights. We just booked the Disneyland Express coach from LAX to the hotel, as we don't rent a car.