First time Disneyland-er!!!

[Artoo]

Hi everyone!
I just want to say how much I love this forum. Everyone on here is so friendly and helpful!
Well, my husband and I moved to Oregon two months ago and are planning a trip to Southern California sometime within the next year or so. I told him we HAVE to go to Disneyland (we went to WDW for our honeymoon ) because I want to see the original. Plus, we're going to be in the area...how can we NOT go to Disneyland, right?
I'm not sure if we are staying with a friend in Glendale or not, but was wondering if there are any suggestions for the "good neighbor" hotels. I would love to stay at one of the resort hotels, but we just don't have the budget for it. I just want to make sure we don't get stuck in some crappy motel!
Also (and I might get flamed for this!), is California Adventure worth it? I have read and heard mixed reviews on it and I'm confused.

 

[nutshell]

I've never been there, but the people on this forum speak highly of HoJo (Howard Johnson). I believe it's across the street from Disneyland and is actually closer to the front gates than the Disney hotels. I might be wrong, but I think I read once that they even offer a discount to people who frequent these boards.

 

[weslovesauntmeg]

DCA is ok..is doesn't exactly have the special disney effect but the Tower of Terror is a must with Screamin and Soarin'..they hav lots of shows there too. I think it's worth it to go..if your going to be here you mind as well..but it's up to you..hope you have an awesome trip!!

 

[HydroGuy]

IMO DCA gets a bad rap. Yes it is imperfect. As are DSH and AK at WDW who have their own share of critics. But it gets more negative publicity from a demanding SoCal visitor base.

Bottom line is that we would not miss DCA on our DLR trips. The Aladdin show is absolutely not be missed. It has some solid E-ticket rides.

For info on local hotels check out the links in this thread: "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[gramto2boys]

There are some nice motels sprinkled all up and down harbor, some cheaper then others depending on your dates. We are doing the carousel, but have stayed at a few other places as nice on harbor for the same rates.
And I love California adventure. my 14 year old loves it better then disneyland
If you save up now you can be sure to have a wonderful time in both parks with a park hopper ticket. California adventure is a great park, and its getting a new ride again woooooo hooooooo !!

 

[Artoo]

Thank you for the advice! I totally forgot that Soarin' was at DCA until weslovesauntmeg mentioned it. We were about to get on it at Epcot during our honeymoon trip...we waited in line for about 45 minutes and were right at the queue to board the ride, when my husband had to go to the bathroom REALLY bad . When we went back to try and get on the ride, it was a 2-hour wait. Maybe we will better luck at DCA!

 

[Mama of Indybride]

We absolutely love DCA!!! We go there every afternoon when Disneyland gets a little too full of people for our taste!

My DD loves the Annabella across the street from Disneyland. They had some really good experiences there...

And it was close enough they could go back for a nappie in the afternoon and hit the park again for fireworks at night.

 

[Hound 109]

Thank you for the advice! I totally forgot that Soarin' was at DCA until weslovesauntmeg mentioned it. We were about to get on it at Epcot during our honeymoon trip...we waited in line for about 45 minutes and were right at the queue to board the ride, when my husband had to go to the bathroom REALLY bad . When we went back to try and get on the ride, it was a 2-hour wait. Maybe we will better luck at DCA!

DCA is great....& it serves several purposes:

- After touring & collecting FPs at DL for 3-4 hours it's great to hop to DCA (for 2-4 hours) when the crowds converge on DL. (then hop back to DL in the late afternoon/early evening with your FPs).
- As HydroGuy mentions it has several "E-Ticket" attractions. Soarin' over Cal, Tower of Terror, CA Screamin', Griz Rapids, Bugs Life, Turtle Talk & the Aladdin show are ALL NOT TO BE MISSED. (& there are 6-8 other rides & attractions that are good to great as well).
- Better food & less crowds (than DL) for lunch or early dinner.
- It's next door to the Grand Californian if you want to check it out or just relax for 20 minutes.
- It's only a 3 min. walk from DL!!!!! It's SO easy to parkhop at DLR.

 

[Disney-&-Baseball]

When we went last year we stayed at Camelot Inn. Personally it was a place to sleep which is what any of the hotels would be in my opinion. It wasn't anything special to me but as I said. We were at DL so it was just a place to crash for the night. My g/f's sister has stayed at HoJo's and said it was pretty good. Personally I would stick to one of the hotels in that area as I loved the short distance to DL. You didn't need to ride any buses like some of the other DL friendly hotels require. I believe the walk was less than 5 minutes to the front enterance. We left for dinner once and other than that we never moved our car until the day we left for home.

DCA for us was a different experience. Due to the way we did the park I can't say whether we did or didn't like it. The g/f got us park hoppers for the trip and so we would bounce between the parks whenever we felt like it. Kind of made the two parks blend together by doing it this way in my opinion. We went during the first week of April so the crowds were light and bouncing was real easy. I know that we did eat at the places in DCA more often that DL.
I did learn what most people say to be true. DCA seems to be more of a Pixar park than anything. Other than the princesses my kids know and like the Pixar characters more. So when it comes to character ops they enjoyed DCA more. I know I wouldn't miss going to the park, but I'd try to run it the same way again. As a bouncing back and forth place...

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Check out The Candy Cane Inn. It offers an exclusive shuttle to the park and free breakfast.

http://www.candycaneinn.net/

 

[LoveThatMouse!]

Here is a link to a thread of photos and reviews of some of the Disney hotels as well as some of the Good Neighbor hotels...
All provided by your fellow Disers....names you can trust!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1745747

 

[DLR29]

Just to let you know pretty much all tickets 2 days or more are park hoppers (unlike WDW where you have to pay more) so if you plan on going for more than a day, then DCA is on your ticket. It's so worth it to go over there in the afternoon when DL is more crowded. Soarin never has waits as long as Epcot's, although it's one of the more popular rides in the park still.