First trip DL+CA+Etc with no car - major questions!

[GiJohnsGirl]

So, I want to take my family to Disneyland in the middle of December. I am planning on staying at Howard Johnson. I want to do 3 park-hoppers for DL and CA. Then I would like to take the family to Bowers, Discovery Science, the Outlets at Orange and *maybe* the aquarium. What are the options with out a car and what would the price look like? Would it be better to switch hotels after our disney time)to something central (is there something more central)? I wanted to do a day at the beach, but I imagine it is to cold? It can get in the 80s/90s in Dec here close to our coast...but we have never been to California, so I am not sure what the weather is like Also, at WDW we always do the dinning plan, but I have heard rumblings that the DP is not worth it - thoughts, opinions? I am excited to make this happen.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I don't think the dining plan is worth it. The beach....you never know what you'll get. I've been down there and it's been warm, and I've also had to wear a sweatshirt. As long as it isn't raining though I'm happy to be on the beach. When we went in October 2010 the one day we planned to go to the beach it POURED so we went to a game at Staples Center. We had a car though. I'm sure someone else can help you better with the transportation part of it. Have you though of renting a car? It might be easier than dealing with buses and such.

 

[ValpoCory]

Stay away from the Dining Plan at Disneyland. At best you can only break even. I didn't believe it until I looked up the most expensive things I could do. Stay away. Just go a la carte.

Of course, I give similar advice to those asking about the Dining Plan at WDW. Unless you are going to the most expensive restaurants, avoiding almost all character meals, and ordering steak all the time, the Dining Plan at WDW has been a rip off or at best a break even venture ever since 2008 when they removed gratuity from being built in to the plan.

 

[SomeDude78]

I would honestly get a car ... unless you're going to just one destination in California, it's pretty much going to require either a car or a lot of money spent on transportation. Coming here without a car is kind of like going to New York with one haha. The places you've listed are all in Orange County so you might be able to wing it, but it'll cost ya and would be a pain in the you-know-what to be honest.

Any reason you don't want to rent a car? (Not being smart about it, genuine question.)

 

[GiJohnsGirl]

I would honestly get a car ... unless you're going to just one destination in California, it's pretty much going to require either a car or a lot of money spent on transportation. Coming here without a car is kind of like going to New York with one haha. The places you've listed are all in Orange County so you might be able to wing it, but it'll cost ya and would be a pain in the you-know-what to be honest.

Any reason you don't want to rent a car? (Not being smart about it, genuine question.)

We don't do major credit cards and it becomes a nightmare trying to get a rental with out one (at least imo). So maybe a beach day with a back up aquarium day just in case. Any suggestions for rental cars in the area and/or cab-public transport?

 

[dopeyfanatic]

Have you tried getting a prepaid credit card to pay for your rental? We did that when we went to WDW because we don't like credit cards either. We also used a prepaid credit card for some stuff on our Disney cruise last year.

 

[GiJohnsGirl]

Have you tried getting a prepaid credit card to pay for your rental? We did that when we went to WDW because we don't like credit cards either. We also used a prepaid credit card for some stuff on our Disney cruise last year.

That is a fantastic idea! I did not even think of that.

 

[SomeDude78]

We don't do major credit cards and it becomes a nightmare trying to get a rental with out one (at least imo). So maybe a beach day with a back up aquarium day just in case. Any suggestions for rental cars in the area and/or cab-public transport?

Which aquarium? Is it the one in Long Beach? If so that's a decent hike from Anaheim. If you're headed there I'd avoid a cab if possible (could cost a fortune with traffic) and see if maybe your hotel knows of any flat rate shuttle service to and from there. I'm local (well semi-local now) so I drive my gas guzzler around every day and don't know about public TA options, sorry


Since you're coming from TN I'd probably lean toward hitting the beach if time allows. Maybe the ones up north near West LA (from Redondo up through Malibu there are a bunch) if you wind up with a car, or if you want to be closer, then near Newport. There are nice aquariums in the midwest (i.e., Shedd in Chicago) but of course no saltwater beaches, especially not in December Then again I suppose you could always skip and hop a state or two east or south if you really wanted that...

Honestly I would see if there's anything flat rate, be it a rental car, a shuttle, or a driver for hire. Cab rates in Orange County aren't as bad as some other places in California but they're not cheap by any means either and of course traffic is the big wallet killer.

 

[blackjackdelta]

When I was in TEXAS last month they took my debit card no problem, we also do not like CC's. I would even attemp to do what your are planning without a car, not familiar with LA public transportation is anymore. Best of luck.

Jack

 

[sheetz]

I've never used a debit or prepaid card for a car rental, but I think I remember people saying the rental agencies place a large hold on your card, so you should check with them beforehand should you choose to go that route.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

My prepaid credit card was used as a regular credit card. They don't know if it's a regular one or prepaid. I have the one from Wal Mart. Often times you can rent without a credit card, they just require a cash deposit. My credit card was only charged the amount of my rental.

 

[jenergy]

I have yet to find a rental car company that will take cash or not put a hold on my card; debit or credit. There's a rental car center right in DTD but I'm not sure what company it is. I got a rental right down the street that was significantly cheaper than the one in DTD and they sent a shuttle to pick us up so them being away from the park wasn't a big deal.

 

[bumbershoot]

Alamo is in DTD. It's also on Katella along with National.

OP you would want to contact those stores directly to see about their policies.

You might also think about renting through hotwire or the like, and prepay the rental with your card.

I do think that with those plans you'll want a car.

 

[GiJohnsGirl]

Thank you!

 

[halfmonkey]

If this is your first time to Los Angeles, I must warn you about the traffic because nowhere else is traffic like LA traffic. You will need a car. No questions asked. In San Francisco, you may be able to get away with not getting a car because they have the BART and the main tourist area of SF is a relatively small area.

Although LA has public transportation, nobody uses it unless you need to(maybe can't afford a car). Otherwise, people use their cars to drive down the block. We don't walk or use public transportation. (See LA Story) California, especially LA, is the car capital of the states.

If you use a cab, you're going to be paying some hefty fees because LA is spread over a large area and there's also traffic to add to the cost of using a cab. I would seriously consider getting one credit card. Maybe get it and then cancel it when you get home.

In additon to the costs, the inconvienence of not having car is just not worth it. Having to call for a taxi, waiting for a taxi, figuring out the bus schedule and waiting for the bus to arrive just sucks. You're better off getting the car and using the time waiting for a taxi or bus to enjoy your vacation.

Using public transportation is just not part of the LA culture like it is in New York. If you were asking this question about visiting Manhattan, then I would say absolutely no need for a car but in LA, it's the opposite.

Good luck.