Disneyland plus LA

[Frozen2014]

We're planning on coming to Disneyland next summer with also seeing things in LA (universal studios, Warner Brothers tour, other tour things).

When at Disneyland we would stay in walking distance. Is it better to stay in the hotel for the entire stay? Or are there recommend hotels in LA? We'd stay at something like Park Vue or Dessert Inn when at Disneyland. I know LA is a big city and wouldn't have a clue of where to stay.

What do others do? Any recommendations? We would rent a car for our non Disney days.

 

[ashley0139]

You should definitely stay in LA for your non-Disney days. It's about 35 miles from Anaheim to LA, which can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2+ hours depending on traffic. I can't recommend hotels as I live here, but I'm sure there are others who can.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I like the Hollywood area, lots of things to see and do with walking distance, plus the LA Metro Red Line has a stop there. Also Starline Tours main base is right there.

I like the Orchid Suites and the Magic Castle Hotel for families. Both are good and close to Hollywood and Highland.

 

[lilmissfoodie]

Sounds like you'd probably be better off staying somewhere in Hollywood. Also sounds like you're on some sort of budget. Hotels in Hollywood (that are nice) don't come inexpensive. I recently stayed at the Loews in Hollywood for the BSM ABD. It's pretty nice, very centrally located for what you're planning...but it's expensive. Maybe a travel agent would be best and give them your plans and budget.

 

[Darkbeer1]

The two Hotels I mentioned are mid-range, so while not cheap, still reasonable, and you can get deals

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_R...ood_Orchid_Suites-Los_Angeles_California.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_R...agic_Castle_Hotel-Los_Angeles_California.html

And both Hotels are in the top 5 out of 347 Hotels that TripAdvisor ranks in the city of Los Angeles

 

[SMD]

There are 2 hotels at Universal. There are 2 other hotels, Sportmen's Lodge and The Garland which have free shuttles to Universal. There's a red line station at the bottom of the hill from Universal that you can take to Hollywood and Highland.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Here is a recent thread with more details....

http://www.disboards.com/threads/orchid-suites-to-universal-hollywood.3558358/#post-56702796

 

[wongck]

I will be doing something similar this Dec, be at DLR then moving to LA for USH & LA touring, rather than spending hours getting there and back.
After reading some reviews, there were 2 hotels around Hollywood - Magic Castle and Orchid Suites - I booked Magic Castle because of the great reviews.
I cannot wait to experience Magic Castle Hotel.
As for going to USH, the folks at USH forums mentioned going by Uber/Lyft rather then Metro as Uber/Lyft take you door-to-door. Only issue will be getting back, I think tons of people will be trying to grab an Uber/Lyft as well.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the comments. With DL, I know the area to stay in, but in LA in general, have no idea.

I have noted Hollywood Orchid and Magic Castle since these two seem recommended. They are a bit more than we want to pay, but if I search Hollywood hotels, they seem reasonable. (We're Canadian so the price jumps for us with the exchange). It looks like this is the general area to stay in? On google maps, I see touristy things around like the wax museum, ripley's believe it or not....so seems like an ideal place to stay.

Thank you too for the link of tours. I would love to do the Warner Brothers mixed with Star homes (I'm into that kind of thing), but not sure my kids would enjoy the full tour. But seems like tons to do overall and it's more of a matter of selecting for our budget (i.e. can't do them all).

wongck, enjoy your trip. Good to know too about uber/Lyft. Will need to look into that.

 

[felice]

StarLine tours also operate daily visits out to LA, you are brought by coach or bus from your hotel to their Anaheim base, then they take you in one of their coaches up to Hollywood Blvd, where their central office is. From there you can pick up the LA Sightseeing buses. We've only done the red route so far but it was good; it takes you around the West Hollywood area including the Farmers' Market, Holocaust Museum and other places on the route. This might be cheaper than getting hotels in LA.

 

[wongck]

This might be cheaper than getting hotels in LA.

IIRC, the starline tours gets you to/fro LA for US$30 per person. For my family, that $120. The hotel in LA cost ~$100 more per day than in Anaheim.
So it depends on the number of persons.
Starline also provide transport from Anaheim to USH at around $120 (pls check actual prices) per person. That's a great deal if you're going to USH for a day. Howevr, USH offers 2-day tickets at US$119.