First Timer

[soaringirl]

Hi guys! First time in this board and for Anaheim So, I'm a little bit overwhelmed with the hotel-choice thing.
I'm traveling mid-september with my family: hubby, son (8-to-be-9 while in Disney! ) & daughter (11). We'll be there for 7 days: 4 days in Anaheim and 2 in San Diego (yeah, I know, one's missing, that's for sports: either Angels game or the Chargers if they're home then). I know we want the Southern City Pass, we want to do all of them. So far, so good..
Now the headache: we need a car while in San Diego and when going to Universal, so I figured renting one for the week it's our top choice, even though it will be parked for 2 days while in Disney. Of course, I don't want to pay parking!! or at least something reasonable.
After reading the tips here and other forums, I've made a list of several hotels, but I just can't seem to know the right hotel for us & our budget!
Candy Cane sounds great, but it's a little bit more than I planned. HoJo I'm not sure, even though the pool looks great for the kids. Anaheim Marriot seems great for my budget and what I wanted, but it seems it doesn't have much popularity and the parking fee is outrageous!
In my past WDW trips I always use Disney's website, is it better for Disneyland to use it as well? or should I book in the hotel (whatever it is) and buy the SCP online?? (tried Dreams but it was way over the top).
For September, are the rates that I'm seeing all that there is? or should I wait a little bit longer for promotions? (WDW has great ones for September, I figured maybe here too??)
Sorry it's too long, but I'm so confused! please help meeee!

 

[Amy and kids]

As far renting the car goes I strongly suggest using Priceline and name your own price. We got a full size car for 8 days for only $179 TOTAL, includes taxes and fees. It was by far the best price I had seen. Also check with your insurance company, our insurance has a contract with Hertz and Enterprise so that we don't have to get the car rental's insurance, saved us over $100!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I guess I am a little confused.......what would you use the City pass for ? Attractions in San Diego? Or are you planning on using your anaheim time for other than DLR?

 

[soaringirl]

I guess I am a little confused.......what would you use the City pass for ? Attractions in San Diego? Or are you planning on using your anaheim time for other than DLR?

I'm planning on 2 days in Disneyland Parks, 1 day in Universal, 1 day in Sea World and 1 day in San Diego Zoo, and the SCP covers all, so I guess it's a pretty good deal.
I know it has a 3-day pass for Disney, so I might be able to squeeze the 3rd somewhere, at least half a day.

This is my plan so far:
Day 1 - Arrive at LAX, go to San Diego.
Day 2 - Visit Sea World
Day 3 - Visit San Diego zoo, in the afternoon return to Anaheim
Day 4 - Disneyland
Day 5 - Universal
Day 6 - California Adventure Park
Day 7 - Disneyland half day, Angels game

If the Chargers are home, then we might go first to Anaheim and then San Diego.

 

[soaringirl]

Reading again my first post, it's far from clear.. let me try to rephrase my questions:
1. If I have a car, wouldn't I find a better deal in a hotel a little far from the parks? and use the car to go to the parks instead of ART?
2. If answer to #1 is no, then I would prefer walking distance and not using ART, so HoJo or Candy Cane would be my better choices?

 

[DLR29]

I'm planning on 2 days in Disneyland Parks, 1 day in Universal, 1 day in Sea World and 1 day in San Diego Zoo, and the SCP covers all, so I guess it's a pretty good deal.
I know it has a 3-day pass for Disney, so I might be able to squeeze the 3rd somewhere, at least half a day.

This is my plan so far:
Day 1 - Arrive at LAX, go to San Diego.
Day 2 - Visit Sea World
Day 3 - Visit San Diego zoo, in the afternoon return to Anaheim
Day 4 - Disneyland
Day 5 - Universal
Day 6 - California Adventure Park
Day 7 - Disneyland half day, Angels game

If the Chargers are home, then we might go first to Anaheim and then San Diego.

A common misconception of WDW vets when they come to DLR is that they should do "one park per day". The ease of park hopping is crazy compared to WDW. Walking from park entrance to park entrance takes about 2 minutes. So most people on these boards hop from park to park every day. It really helps maximize your FP options because the two parks are not "connected", meaning even if you are holding onto a DL FP, you can run over to DCA and immediately pick a DCA ride's FP too.

Also, I would highly recommend HoJo, as would many people on these boards. The hotel is an 8 min walk from both of the parks, the rooms are one of the nicest for those hotels within walking distance, and the pool is the best non-Disney pool in the area. You can almost always get deals. If you are going in September, check out the "entertainment rate" (a room is like $70 a night or less). You can search these boards for more info or check out HoJo's discussion boards too. Don't drive to the parks. It's such a hassle to go through the parking structure, especially on your way out when you just want to crash.

 

[HydroGuy]

Reading again my first post, it's far from clear.. let me try to rephrase my questions:
1. If I have a car, wouldn't I find a better deal in a hotel a little far from the parks? and use the car to go to the parks instead of ART?

A better deal? Maybe. A better choice? For many of us, no.

You have to really decide how things balance for you regarding time, money and frustration. How much is it worth it to you to avoid wasted time?

Some folks IMO are short-sighted and drive their car and the whole thing makes it so they get into the parks a little later. For those of us who are into maximizing our limited time at the parks, we know that arriving 30 minutes late in the morning will reduce that day's potential by at least 25% and make us feel frustrated. So we balance this by maybe paying more or maybe making a different hotel or transportation choice.

See

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

"Hidden Time Losses When Using a Car At DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1381580

2. If answer to #1 is no, then I would prefer walking distance and not using ART, so HoJo or Candy Cane would be my better choices?

I have never stayed at CCI but it has very good reputation around here. As does HoJo's where I have stayed. Those are two good choices.

 

[soaringirl]

You're right, I've been reading a lot of posts lately (don't need to say that your tips are awesome Hydroguy), and definetely we''ll stay near.
It'll be weird to park hop, in my past 3 WDW trips we stay in just one park, there's a lot to do! so thanks for the advice, we're excited to see all the different rides here and enjoy our favorites too.
HoJo seems a good choice, I'm also looking at the Fairfield Inn, it was recommended in another board and it looks very nice.
Thanks for your responses, I'm reading each one of them carefully!

 

[heatherleigh]

I would do HoJo. I always say that if we ever decided to stay off-campus, this is where we would stay. They get great reviews on this board. I believe they are already offering deals for Sept., so probably do not have to wait to book like you would if you were staying at a Disney property. You don't have to wait w/ Disney, but you should if you want a deal.

 

[soaringirl]

Does HoJo really has free breakfast? that'll be a plus... in the other hand, do I have to buy a card for the "entertainment" rate? I didn't quite catch that on the HoJo boards...
I'll keep reading!!

 

[CandiluvsDisney]

No free breakfast at the Hojo.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Does HoJo really has free breakfast? that'll be a plus... in the other hand, do I have to buy a card for the "entertainment" rate? I didn't quite catch that on the HoJo boards...
I'll keep reading!!

As the PP said, no free breakfast. Yes, you need to have an Entertainment card which comes with the Entertainment book. It can be a book for your area - doesn't have to be Anaheim. Or you can sometimes buy a card on Ebay for a couple of bucks.

You won't need the card until you check in, apparently they ask to see it sometimes (although we have never been asked).

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

A common misconception of WDW vets when they come to DLR is that they should do "one park per day". The ease of park hopping is crazy compared to WDW. Walking from park entrance to park entrance takes about 2 minutes. So most people on these boards hop from park to park every day. It really helps maximize your FP options because the two parks are not "connected", meaning even if you are holding onto a DL FP, you can run over to DCA and immediately pick a DCA ride's FP too.

I didn't even think about the Fastpasses not being connected! Another note to add to my everygrowing list! Of course they aren't connected at WDW but I guess I thought that since DL and DCA are so close they might be.

 

[HydroGuy]

I didn't even think about the Fastpasses not being connected! Another note to add to my everygrowing list! Of course they aren't connected at WDW but I guess I thought that since DL and DCA are so close they might be.

I have never park hopped at WDW but have heard they are connected among parks.

As for FP differences at DLR see

"The Joy of FASTPASS - details and secrets" www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5720

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197

 

[soaringirl]

September is low season, right? so I shouldn't worry to FP much (I do use it a lot while in WDW, so I'm familiar with it), even on weekends?

 

[stevejanelle]

Always use FastPass. Why wait even 40 min for Space Mt, Indiana Jones, Soarin', or Splash when you can FP it? The saved time ads up. I would also recommend getting RideMax. Great product even for September.

Steve

 

[HydroGuy]

September is low season, right? so I shouldn't worry to FP much (I do use it a lot while in WDW, so I'm familiar with it), even on weekends?

After Labor Day, yes it is low season. On weekends it will be busier and FP would be helpful.