Disneyland Newbie help needed for last min. trip

[timandlesley]

Hello! I need help please! We had a 2 week out west trip booked (trip of a lifetime) and long story short my husband has to have knee surgery and Delta needs us to use our credits by August so we will be going to Disneyland for a week (husband in an ECV) June 17th-24th

Questions:
1). If you had to choose between Grand Californian and Disneyland hotel (I get a discount at both , Grand Californian is 300 more for the week), which would you choose?

2). We want to go into Hollywood and do a tour for a day, suggestions of how/where to book this with?

3). One day at Universal Studios enough?

4). Best dining locations we should book, want to definitely do one for World of Color

that's it for now and Thanks in advance!!!
Lesley

 

[nikkislaght]

There are a number of tour companies around Anahiem that do LA.
allanahiemtours.com is just one of many.. if you do a web search, make sure the tour leaves from Anahiem.. some of them dont..
I did U/S well over 20 yrs ago, and 1 day was enough... it has changed over the years as you can imagine.. but from what I have heard.. 1 day is ok, they have a lot more rides these days.. and they have a front line pass that you can buy, if rides are a prioirty at the moment cost for that is $139- $159. depending on the day you go...
Have a great trip..

 

[Girimama33]

Hello! I need help please! We had a 2 week out west trip booked (trip of a lifetime) and long story short my husband has to have knee surgery and Delta needs us to use our credits by August so we will be going to Disneyland for a week (husband in an ECV) June 17th-24th

Questions:
1). If you had to choose between Grand Californian and Disneyland hotel (I get a discount at both , Grand Californian is 300 more for the week), which would you choose? I like saving $$, and love the DLH...so my vote is for DLH, especially if you have kids.

2). We want to go into Hollywood and do a tour for a day, suggestions of how/where to book this with? You can also look into Grayline Tours or rent a car at the Alamo in DTD. http://www.graylineanaheim.com/toursAna.cfm

3). One day at Universal Studios enough? I believe so. It has been a while since I have been there.

4). Best dining locations we should book, want to definitely do one for World of Color I suggest Carthay Circle Theater for WOC and Napa Rose and Blue Bayou (ask for a waterside table).

that's it for now and Thanks in advance!!!
Lesley

Hope that helps.

 

[timandlesley]

This is all super helpful. Follow up Question: (may be a stupid one....) How far is the drive from Disneyland Resort to Hollywood Studios? Can we take a cab or is that insane? What's the best transportation option for that?

 

[tstidm1]

If you are driving to USH, I would say it's over an hour's drive there. If you willing to not drive, I would suggest taking Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink from Anaheim station to LA Union Station then take Metro's Red line to Universal City Metro. USH runs a shuttle from their. It will probably take about 90 minutes from Anaheim's station to USH. It also gives you a chance to try something new on your trip.

 

[dclpirate]

We tend to stay at DLH with the kids. DGC is very nice, and a little higher end. The one thing is the bunkbeds @ DGC, my kids love that. DLH is more Disney, where as DGC is more like staying at the mountains in a lodge and also has more subtle Disney tones. We are going to be at DGC in August for a change of pace. As adults we like it more. The kid in me likes DLH however. Hmmm.... I sound confusing. I guess I like them both. ;-)

 

[HydroGuy]

Questions:
1). If you had to choose between Grand Californian and Disneyland hotel (I get a discount at both , Grand Californian is 300 more for the week), which would you choose?

Never stayed at DLH but will this July. GCH several times. I like the GCH for location. One night I was World of Color and when the show ended I was literally back to the GCH and in my bed in 5 minutes. Wow!

The GCH is...well...grand. But even though it is very close to DCA especially it has very long hallways. So it can take a long time to get to the parks. I really enjoy being in the east wing of the hotel which is closer to everything - including the "secret stairwell" to DTD.

2). We want to go into Hollywood and do a tour for a day, suggestions of how/where to book this with?

Never done an actual tour. Would suggest you spend at least a couple hours on your own on Hollywood Blvd wandering around.

3). One day at Universal Studios enough?

IMO yes. You will not do everything but I have never done more than a day there and that is fine for me.

4). Best dining locations we should book, want to definitely do one for World of Color

Actually, do some research on the WOC dining. Many folks expect more from it than it offers. I have done it myself 5 times, and also seen WOC another 8 times or so through regular FP. We only do WOC dining when we want to eat at the restaurant anyways.

If you do WOC dining then Ariel's Grotto for dinner sitting outside on the lagoon is really cool in the summer. I have done that three times.

As for "best dining" it really there are a lot of options. See this link for my advice:

"What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914467

 

[pennym]

We've tried most ways of getting to Universal, but last time used Zippy shuttle which was fantastic (although will be reasonably pricy.) One day is fine at Universal we always get to do everything we want to in a day, but make sure you leave time to explore Citywalk and have dinner there after the parks close. This is where a private shuttle service is great, because you can state the time you want to be collected and they will be there waiting for you.