Help! Planning my first trip to Disneyland/Los Angeles

[Karbase8]

Hi,
I am taking my DS15 to Disneyland from 8/16-8/19 and I am a WDW veteran and find it very confusing as to best plan for this trip. We then plan to transfer hotels (if that's feasible) to the LA area as we want to see the Chinese Theater, maybe tour that area via TMZ/Celebrity tour and have an interest in seeing St. Monica Pier or other suggested sites. I don't want to drive and will have to rely on shuttles, cabs, public transportation.
My first question is where to stay. The Disney property reports are a bit pricey, I have been looking into the Good Neighbor hotels and don't know which to choose or should I splurge and stay on Property? Any advice/suggestions would be helpful!

 

[SMD]

To get between Hollywood and Santa Monica Pier, find a hotel on the hop on/hop off buss route. Plan to see sites on that route. You can see the Chinese Theater in about 20 minutes. Unless you want to see what happens to be playing there, then budget 2 hours and 20 minutes.

I should warn you that August 17th is the day that the summer blockouts end for the So Cal pass levels. If it's at all possible to move your dates forward, even 8/15-8/18 or 8/15-8/17 you'll find navigating the park's much easier. Either way, I'd stay off site. With a 15 year old you can walk a few extra blocks or take a shuttle and not have to go back for a mid day break. Plus it will be easier to stay later. Take the money you save on a hotel and put it towards transportation on the other part of the trip.

 

[Karbase8]

Thank you, I could do Saturday to Saturday but I thought the weekends the crowds would be there too. I am hoping to go early in the morning and use FP. Do you recommend and off site hotels near Disneyland. Thank you so much for the tips!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi,
I am taking my DS15 to Disneyland from 8/16-8/19 and I am a WDW veteran and find it very confusing as to best plan for this trip. We then plan to transfer hotels (if that's feasible) to the LA area as we want to see the Chinese Theater, maybe tour that area via TMZ/Celebrity tour and have an interest in seeing St. Monica Pier or other suggested sites. I don't want to drive and will have to rely on shuttles, cabs, public transportation.
My first question is where to stay. The Disney property reports are a bit pricey, I have been looking into the Good Neighbor hotels and don't know which to choose or should I splurge and stay on Property? Any advice/suggestions would be helpful!

There are a lot of off-site options and you will get a lot of responses on this all equally helpful. Or confusing possibly!

I will tell you that three names that come up frequently are HoJo's, Candy Cane Inn (CCI) and Best Western Park Place Inn (BWPPI). I am a big fan of being within walking distance - especially in the summer. Along these lines see

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

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

I second the opinion that you will be better off visiting on or before Aug 16.