First time planning for Disneyland

[d0naldduck123]

I'm pretty comfortable planning my WDW vacation, but I have never been to Disneyland in CA. Do most people book offsite hotels? For WDW I stay on-site because of the convenience/buses, but for Disneyland I'm leaning towards an offsite hotel or Airbnb.

Do you have any hotel suggestions/airbnb places to recommend? Also, would 2 days be enough to visit both parks?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

These two threads will give you lots of good info:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets
https://www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-dlr-area-hotel-for-you.3656512/

Be careful with renting a home. The city of Anaheim banned STR a while ago, but was innundated with pleas for exemptions. Don't know where the situation currently stands. For DLR, you really want to be as close as you can be to the actual park gates (NB proximity to the parks doesn't always equal proximity to the gates). The second thread above will help with this. Staying on or off site works well at DLR -- it all comes down to preference and budget. Again, the second thread above will help with this decision. 2 days is cutting things a bit short, in my opinion. We always tell our friends to aim for 5 days, if possible. That allows for a really relaxed trip -- including pool time, maybe a beach day, shopping, people watching, shows, character meals, tours, rides and re-rides, compensating for crowds, etc. Tickets of 3+ days come with a Magic Morning (early entry to DL on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) and staying on site comes with early entry to both parks on alternating days. Just things to think about...
Come on back with any questions!

 

[Disneyland1084]

I think you can do both parks in two days. That's how many days I'll be there later this summer. I'd say most people book offsite. I liked the Howard Johnson (about a ten minute walk from hotel to gates at DL) and Marriott Theme Park Entrance. They're right next to each other. I've stayed at the Hilton before and liked it.

 

[kappyfamily]

We usually go to WDW too but have been to DL a handful of times as well. For us, at WDW it’s 7 full days no question but at DL we’ve found 2 full days and leave the last flight out on the 3rd day is perfect! The parks are much smaller and super close together. Have fun!

 

[Disco Lemonade]

2 days should work. That's how we did it the first time I went to DL. As far as hotels, it depends somewhat on whether you are doing anything else other than Disneyland. We stay at a Sheraton in Garden Grove because of it's convenience to restaurants/stores. There is a Co Co's and a Target across the street, so that makes it easy to get a reasonable meal to start the day as well as buy anything else we might need at the Target. We usually do DL as part of a bigger trip, which makes the Target thing a little extra bonus though. You need to take the shuttle bus to get to DL so if you are only doing DL, a hotel in walking distance may be better

 

[ninergrl6]

If you're thinking this might be your ONLY Disneyland trip and you want to experience everything to the fullest, two days isn't enough. If you're thinking of this as a trip to see/do what you can and potentially return again in a few years, then two days is fine. The parks are close together so you don't lose any time park hopping. I recommend buying the MaxPass option to make the most of your time. There are other threads about that.

Yes, most people stay off site in Anaheim. There are only 3 official Disneyland properties in Anaheim but DOZENS of other hotel options that are much more affordable and easily walkable. If you aren't planning on spending a lot of time at your hotel (which I wouldn't recommend if you only have two days there), then don't spend the $$$ to stay on property.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

When are you planning to visit? Keep in mind that during low/non-peak season, DLR moves the nighttime entertainment to weekends only. So fireworks, F!, and any night parades will be on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. During Halloween Time, any nighttime entertainment in DL won't be shown on MHP nights if the party falls on a weekend. WOC should show nightly, no matter what the season. If you are planning to visit during a high crowd time, I would aim for more than two days. It can be stressful trying to tour the parks for the first time with heavy crowds, especially if the parks have shorter hours and limited entertainment.

 

[goooof1]

Be sure to check out the links posted above..... get an understanding of DLR and go from there. If not staying on site we much prefer CLOSE walking distance....lots of choices (again see the linked post.) 2 days will give you a little taste of DLR.....enough?? not by a long shot! We usually stay for 4 days and do not see and do everything we want. True, we don't run from attraction to attraction non stop, but there are so many details and things to take in as you move around the parks. Yes, it's only 2 parks, but don't let that fool you!! Take your time, enjoy the atmosphere, details, "stop and smell the roses".

 

[smartlabelprint]

You’ll want a minimum 3 day park hopper with max pass.

We stay off site. I’m too cheap to pay $500 a night at a resort hotel. Courtyard Marriott theme park entrance is the closest hotel.

The closest motels (closer than above) are Park vue inn and best western park place inn. My sis and I will be at bwppi in December for 3 full park days and a late afternoon start our first day.

I buy my tickets at last minute travel club. It’s the cheapest. Get a free membership. Don’t search. But put in your dates and go to Anaheim activities.

 

[tweak89]

IMO, on site hotels are just too pricey and don't carry the same benefit as they do at WDW (keeping you in the bubble). We stayed onsite on our last visit, for our upcoming trip we are going offsite and saving a goofy amount of money. As far as planning, it's nowhere near to the level of WDW. With "legacy" fast pass still in place you can do well, but 2 days is probably a bit too tight to really enjoy yourself. We're doing 4 park days in September, so we can ride our faves multiple times and just savor the surroundings.