Help Needed for First Timers

[joemo]

Hello from sunny Edinburgh!

We are planning a 20th Wedding Anniversary trip for next year, we’ve never been to California before. There are three of us, DS will be 16. We have been to Disneyworld Florida numerous times and Disneyland Paris once, but would like some help and advice for our big trip. None of us drive so its taxis, buses and walking for us.

The initial thought are first week at The Garland for LA, particularly Universal, then a week somewhere close to Disneyland, we’re thinking The Park Vue? Would really love to stay in one of The Disneyland Hotels but unfortunately our budget doesn’t run to that.

So, those Hotel look good, any comments?

If been researching for ages, but am undecided about a lot of things so loads of questions:
Should we book the trip from LAX or just pick up a taxi at the airport?
If booking, what is a good reliable Company to use?
Is the Metro easy to use?
What are the must-sees for three film fans?
Any food recommendations for the area near The Garland?
Any bar recommendations for the area The Garland?
Same question for getting to Anaheim, book or just a taxi?
Is the Park Vue really only a 10minute walk?
We’ve been told a week is too much for Disneyland, but we’re not rushing and want to see everything. Is a week too long?
Anything else we should see whilst in Anaheim?
Any food recommendations for Anaheim?
Any bar recommendations for Anaheim?
Same question for Anaheim back to LAX

Who knows what the future holds, but this will probably our one and only LA visit. Is there anything we really must see whilst we’re there?

Many thanks!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I cannot comment on the LA hotel, we have stayed at the Park Vue twice. It is a little older motel, but we have found it to be nice and clean. I believe they still have breakfast and evening snacks available. Location cannot be beat, you are literally right across the street. Parking is ok, pool is small and in parking lot, we never used it. Depending on how fast you walk, you should be able to leave your room and make it to the security check-in before 5 minutes have passed.

I would say a week would not be that long if you are taking it leisurely, taking daily breaks, maybe taking a day trip or two to the local beach or San Diego. There are so many attractions and shows and other entertainment, you will have a grand time.

I am sorry I cannot be too useful on transportation, we usually rent a car or have our own car (our Daughter's university is 20 minutes away). When we have used local transportation we always use a taxi, but I am sure others can chime in on shuttles and buses.

There are a lot of really decent restaurants and bars in Downtown Disney and several chain type ones on Harbor where you would be staying. Most of the resort hotel restaurants are really good as well. Our personal favorites:

Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)-excellent breakfast, decadent dinners. Classic setting with linens and black and white photos of hollywood celebs of the past.
Napa Rose (Grand California Hotel)-Upscale dining, this would be a really nice anniversary dinner-little pricy though. Check out the chef's table if you are a foodie.
Storytellers (Grand California Hotel)-Great breakfasts, consistent quality in the buffet.
Carthay Circle (California Adventure)-Upscale dining, on par if not better quality than Napa Rose our last few visits. Pricy.
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen (Downtown Disney)-Our favorite DTD restaurant, nice variety of Cajun food, nothing terribly spicy. They have live music from time to time, nice Sunday brunch. Do order the chocolate shuffle.
Catal (Downtown Disney)-Great steaks, nice mix of eclectic food.
Uva Bar (Downtown Disney)-right across Catal, outside dining, great small plates, good burgers, lively bar, plenty of people watching.

If you have a week for LA, there is a ton to do. Personally, I do not get the Hollywood thing, but if it is a one time trip, that may be on the list. There are many museums and zoos and observatories and such to check out. Shopping is out of this world according to my Daughter.

For the week in Anaheim, I would say 4 days is plenty for DL and CA, but that is a personal choice. I would spend a day in downtown San Diego, or a day at the Sand Diego Safari Park, and depending on when you come, a day at the beach. You can also do a day trip to Catalina Island (via Long Beack), though that can be a bit pricy with all of the taxi/boat fares.

I am sure you can find a lot of good information on these boards, enjoy your trip.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Park Vue and Best Western Park Place are both great hotels. When we go to DLR those are the two hotels we try for first. They are the closest to the park and are both very nice moderates. You'd be happy with either one.

 

[joemo]

Thanks.

I think I have overplanned as we have been looking forward to this one for many years, but its great to get positive feedback on our Hotel choices.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

5 days or more is ideal at Disney Land and not to long at all. Have fun

 

[Disney Kidd]

Here are a few suggestions for LA:

Tour the Dolby theatre (where the Oscars are filmed): in this same mall, there is also the Grauman Chinese theatre, with the footprints in cement, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There's a subway stop for this area.

Westwood Village Memorial Park: This is a cemetery in Westwood where a lot of celebrities are buried, including Marilyn Monroe.

Studio Tour: I've personally never done this, but most of the movie studios have one.

You could think about getting an LA Go Card. If you buy a 3 day it would include admission to Universal Studios.

Anaheim: My favorite bar is Trader Sam's at The Disneyland Hotel! There is a lot to do around the area so I think a week will be fine.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We are planning a 20th Wedding Anniversary trip for next year...
...Would really love to stay in one of The Disneyland Hotels but unfortunately our budget doesn’t run to that.

If you have some flexibility on the date (like Disney, celebrate all year), you could visit during one of the events Disney supports with discounted hotel rates (50% off).

Dapper Day is early May, with another in the Fall.
Gay Days is early October, with a smaller event in the Spring.

 

[Angrose]

While the Park Vue would be a fine place to stay and the location is GREAT, you may want to consider the new Courtyard Marriott that is currently being built a bit further down on Harbor (probably only a 10min walk to the gate). It will open I think in August and will have a fantastic water park that your DS16 would enjoy: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/snadt-courtyard-anaheim-theme-park-entrance/

I second Trader Sam's! There is also the Cove Bar in DCA which has some nice cocktails and KILLER lobster nachos. I've heard that the lounge at Napa Rose is nice too. You will have no problem finding nice places to eat/drink without stepping foot off Disneyland property.

I don't know LA very well, but it can be difficult to get around without a car. That said, my husband is from London, doesn't drive, and is usually fine when visiting LA and relies on buses and the metro, but it's difficult to go anywhere further afield. He usually stays in Santa Monica and has in the past taken a bus back to LAX and then a shuttle to Anaheim. It's time consuming, but it works.

 

[Xenorye]

Might not be able to answer all of your questions, but I'll give a few a stab.

Should we book the trip from LAX or just pick up a taxi at the airport? It sounds like you are a planner (My wife and I are as well.). I say book it. We are using Lansky this trip, and while it's more expensive than a shuttle, and maybe a little more than a taxi, it will hardly break the bank, and they have great reviews.
If booking, what is a good reliable Company to use? See above.
Same question for getting to Anaheim, book or just a taxi? Again, I'd say the same answer above applies. If you're a planner and that gives you a sense of peace, book it.
We’ve been told a week is too much for Disneyland, but we’re not rushing and want to see everything. Is a week too long? Whoever said that is a Scrooge. We'll be there a week when we travel in September, and we won't be ready to leave when it's time. Keep in mind, in the two parks in Anaheim, there's just a handful of fewer rides than there are in four parks in Florida (Someone might want to check my math there, but I think that's right.).
Anything else we should see whilst in Anaheim? There are tons of beaches fairly close to Anaheim, but you may not be too impressed. Not sure about the beach situation in Scotland. Some other fun attractions would be a baseball or hockey game. (Heck, depending on when you're going next year, there might be [American] football in LA by then.) Medieval Times is fun and something our family has always enjoyed.

 

[Disney Kidd]

Might not be able to answer all of your questions, but I'll give a few a stab.

Should we book the trip from LAX or just pick up a taxi at the airport? It sounds like you are a planner (My wife and I are as well.). I say book it. We are using Lansky this trip, and while it's more expensive than a shuttle, and maybe a little more than a taxi, it will hardly break the bank, and they have great reviews.
If booking, what is a good reliable Company to use? See above.
Same question for getting to Anaheim, book or just a taxi? Again, I'd say the same answer above applies. If you're a planner and that gives you a sense of peace, book it.
We’ve been told a week is too much for Disneyland, but we’re not rushing and want to see everything. Is a week too long? Whoever said that is a Scrooge. We'll be there a week when we travel in September, and we won't be ready to leave when it's time. Keep in mind, in the two parks in Anaheim, there's just a handful of fewer rides than there are in four parks in Florida (Someone might want to check my math there, but I think that's right.).
Anything else we should see whilst in Anaheim? There are tons of beaches fairly close to Anaheim, but you may not be too impressed. Not sure about the beach situation in Scotland. Some other fun attractions would be a baseball or hockey game. (Heck, depending on when you're going next year, there might be [American] football in LA by then.) Medieval Times is fun and something our family has always enjoyed.

You're right, there's almost as many attractions in Disneyland as there are in WDW.

 

[joemo]

Thanks very much for all the replies.

Elk Grove Chris - thanks, loads of good ideas there.

Indiana Scott - both hotels look great, its just a base after all.

Disney Kidd - I'll look into the LA Go Card.

Nonsuch - we have to go sometime in early July, due to the School Holidays and beginning of the football (soccer) season.

Angrose - I'll look into the Courtyard Marriott.

Xenorye - Thanks, I'll look up Lansky. DH would love the American Football but its not for DS and I! Scotland has some lovely beaches but we tend to get our fill of great ones on European holidays - Greece soon.

Thanks for the restaurant and bar recommendations, I'm sure we won't go hungry (or thirsty!). I think a week for Disneyland is fine, we have the Disney Obsession so it probably won't be enough time for us.

Any other comments or suggestions greatly appreciated.