First Timer Disneyland Questions

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Help! I am excited and a bit scared to be planning a trip to Disneyland and San Diego. We will in San Diego for three nights and Disney for three nights. I am thinking about booking the Grand Californian - is this a good choice? We have stayed at the Poly, BWV, OKW, and Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando during our numerous visits. Is the Grand Californian comparable? It certainly is expensive! However, I don't mind if it is totally worth it. Are there any discounts available? Orbitz shows my dates for 335 a night, there must be something cheaper. What kinds of rooms do they have? Do they have day beds or bunk beds - we have two children 10 and 7. Also does anyone know how long it takes to get to Disneyland from San Diego?

I know I will have lots of Disneyland questions later, but right now, I want to get the hotel booking out of the way and then the fun planning begins! Any other hotel recommendations are welcome too - good access to the parks is a must!! Thanks so much for any help.

 

[Buckimion]

Staying AT one of the DL hotels isn't as big a deal as in Florida since you're not driving miles of isolated country to get to the parks...risking sounding like a heritic, its just not as 'magical'. (If I was staying at a DL hotel, I'd insist on GC 1st or Sierra Tower at the DLH 2nd.)

There are too many choices to list, I tend to book at the lower or middle-range hotels (Park Vue Inn, Radisons, Alpine Inn, Castle Inn & Suites). Howard Johnson and Candy Cane Inn gets a lot of props here but have not stayed there. These are around $50-$100/night

We drove from Anaheim to Tijuana in 2001. With a rest stop, we were there in about 2.5 hours.

 

[AFMom]

If you liked OKW and the Poly (I've stayed at OKW and been to the Poly) you'll love the GC. The theming is beautiful (although not overly Disney-ish), gorgeous rooms, and convinient to the parks (walk to both and DTD in about 3 minutes). The pool is beautiful. If you want a more WDW experience there - then do the GC. You didn't list your dates, but with the 50th anniversary, all of the hotels are more expensive after 5/01. There are discounts floating around - try going to Mousesavers.com or Mouseplanet.com and see if they have any posted. GC is the Deluxe resort at DL. One step down is the Disneyland Hotel, and then the Paradise Pier after that. It really is on par(if not better) with the Deluxes at WDW!
However - you can stay offsite in walking distance to the parks for a lot less money! We love the Candy Cane Inn!!!! The Howard Johnson is also one that ranks high with people here. There are quite a few that get great reviews here all within 5-10 minute walk. It comes down to what you really want!
I believe the GC has rooms that can accomodate you - 2 beds and a day bed? I think.... I read that on a post somewhere. But I would call the Disney people and ask specifically for your dates and find out if the room costs more. Everything costs more with Disney!
I've only done the drive to DL from San Diego twice, and I remember it being 3 hours - but that could be wrong.......
Hope this helped. If you can handle the price - you'll love the GC.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Thanks for the feedback. I looked into the Disneyland Hotel but it seems to be booked for my dates - June 21 - 24. I guess I will book the GC with expedia.

Do all GC rooms have balconies?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Almost all rooms have balconies. I think the only ones that do not have balconies would be 12 of the standard rooms that overlook the courtyard.