First Trip Help Wanted

[poet123]

We are from the UK and just came back from WDW Florida. We enjoyed the US so much we ar planning to return next year, but should we go to WDW or DL?
Our main concern is accomm, we like to stay in a house close to the parks but then for the second week move on to somewhere more relaxed.
Can anyone recocmmend an area to stay for our week at the parks, then an area for our second week? villa sites would be useful too.
Also we would like to visit Universal and stay onsite 2 nights what are the hotels there like, and do you get the FOTL as in FL?
The area for our second weeek could be up to 3/4 hours drive but must have lots to do and see.
We are really in need of local knowledge here and so I hope someone can help!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Firefly777]

Don't know much about nearby house/villa rentals, but I can tell you that Universal Hollywood is much different than Orlando. There is only one theme park and there are no onsite, Universal hotels. So no FOTL access that I know of. There are a couple of nearby, offsite hotels though.

 

[iceskatejen]

You can get FOTL access for Universal in Hollywood, but it's a more expensive ticket--about $100 per person--It's available to anyone willing to pay for it. There are a couple of hotels within walking distance of the park--a Sheraton and a Hilton. The Hilton is closer and people have been saying better things about it lately than the Sheraton.

 

[lap3]

I'll chime in concerning DL since I haven't been to WDW...yet! For DL, I'm sure that there may be villas available. Although, I don't know of any in the area. If you've never been to DL or don't plan on coming back for a while, I would probably suggest staying at the DLH or GC. They can be expensive but it adds to the whole experience plus it's extremely convenient walking out the door of your hotel to the theme parks/Downtown Disney. If you're going to Universal Studios, there are 2 hotels that's about 1 minute away in walking distance. They are the Sheraton and Hilton. Universal Studios is situated on top of a hill with the hotels located just below. Both hotels offer continuous tram services so you don't have to walk so much. The nicer of the two hotels is the Hilton. My wife and I had our wedding reception there and it's absolutely beautiful! BTW, whether you stay at the Hilton or not, try dining at the Cafe Sierra. It's a bit on the high side but very, very good! We celebrate our anniversary there every year. Let me know if this helps any...

 

[poet123]

Thanks to you all.
It seems as if it is a different scenario surrounding DL than WDW as there are so many private villas close to WDW and I guess we are now spoiled for hotels by having a 6 bed pool villa to ourselves on our recent WDW trip. This is why we were searching for the same for DL, but it may well be more convenient to stay on site and then move on to a villa for the second week.
I see two posters are from CA, so can you help with a location for the 2nd week? some where we can travel to interesting places from but within driving distance of LAX for our return flight.

 

[ksjayhawks]

I'm not from CA, but you will find DL and DCA different from WDW and surrounding area. These two are built in a residential area, not in a huge plot of land like WDW. You may want to just find a location that you can be at for two weeks. Maybe there are some rentals close to the beach that would be available for two weeks?? I would check that out, not sure who with, maybe the CA people can help.

You will not need a week at DL/DCA--probably 3 days, maybe 4. But you would be close to the beaches, Crystal Cathedral, Long Beach with the Queen Mary, aquarium, harbor cruise. You can also visit Hollywood, Universal, other studios, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier. You could go down to San Diego, even venture into Tijuana Mexico from there.

Do a search on los angelos tourism and all sorts of things will pop up.

You might consider some days in San Diego, the rest in the LA metro area.

Good luck with your planning!



Just did a search for california beach rentals and found several sites. Try the one for westsiderentals and you can mark orange county and do a search. There were a lot that popped up.

 

[Firefly777]

Originally posted by iceskatejen
You can get FOTL access for Universal in Hollywood, but it's a more expensive ticket--about $100 per person--It's available to anyone willing to pay for it.

Oh yes. I forgot about that.

 

[lap3]

I see two posters are from CA, so can you help with a location for the 2nd week? some where we can travel to interesting places from but within driving distance of LAX for our return flight. [/B]

Really, anywhere along the coast is pretty good. Very scenic, plenty of shopping, and dining. If you want to stay as close to LAX as possible, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach or Hermosa Beach are popular spots. If you're here in the summer, definitely look into these places. Also, don't rule out Santa Monica as well. Very close to LAX with many things to do. However, they're a bit more crowded than the "Beaches" that I mentioned previously. Since LA has many hotels to choose from, your best bet is to check on the popular travel websites for deals. What is your budget? Do you prefer a nice hotel or something mediocre? Also, I've got a few dining suggestions as well that LA is pretty famous for. Let me know if you would like these...