First time to Disneyland - need help!

[MelodyTime]

We've been to Disney World several times but never Disneyland. This summer we have an opportunity to make the trip from Las Vegas to Disneyland. We are planning to stay one night and do two days at the parks. There will be 5 of us altogether. DH, DS and myself as well as my parents who are 70+. Any suggestions on a nice place to stay? Moderately priced close to the parks in case my parents want to head back to the hotel during the day. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also I saw the prior thread about the drive from Vegas to Disneyland. I checked airfare on Southwest and found flights for $29.00 each way. Is it worth the flight or should we just drive it? Any info on shuttles from the airport. Looks like the closest at this fare would be John Wayne Airport. If we do fly, is there anywhere to store our luggage until we are ready to head to the airport to fly back to Vegas?

Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[daannzzz]

Here are a couple links with maps of the motels and hotels around Disneyland. The Closest to the park entrances (aside form Disney's Grand Californian Hotel) Are the Best Western Park Place Inn, The Tropicana, The Desert Inn and Suites, The Park Inn and the best Western Anaheim Inn. There are a couple others but the quility is spotty on them. My favorites are a hair farther but easily walkable at about 7 minutes to the parks. The Howard Johnson is one of the few with interior corridors that is real close and the Candy Cane in which is a very nice two story motel.
On the map Locate the Desert Inn, The Park Vue ( don't book here), BW Park Place and Tropicana and the street in front of them is right where the crosswalk is over to the parks.

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

Also find the discussion boards at www.laughingplace.com and visit the trip planning thread. They are all very helpfull there.

 

[sgtdilbert]

I don't think it's worth the airfare *unless* you are traveling *from* Vegas on Sunday afternoon/evening or *to* Vegas on Friday afternoon/evening. If that's the case, then the airline tickets are worth it. Otherwise, use your savings and stay at one of the resort hotels.

s.

 

[JimC]

There is a Fairfield Inn just across the street. It is low cost, close and has two restauants that deliver or you can walk to as they are adjacent to the hotel.

John Wayne is the closest airport and the best in the LA area. There are shuttles to/from John Wayne to DL. Any hotel you stay at will store your luggage when you check out until you are ready to leave.

From Las Vegas I would probably fly for $29. It is a 4 1/2 hour drive, assuming no traffic tie ups. Now total travel time getting to/from airport with time to check in, the flight and shuttle to DL will probably be about the same length of time, but you don't have to do all of the driving.

Our favorite hotel is the Grand Californian. We have stayed there twice and really enjoy it. It is a bit pricey, but look for special rates. If you don't stay there at least go visit it as it is fabulously themed.