Help with 1st time Disneyland vacation

[So_Confused]

I am trying to plan a Disneyland vacation for the first time. I have never been to California and I am a little overwhelmed. Our goal is of course to do DL and DCA for at least 3 days, we would like to do LEGOland, since our son is obsessed with Lego's (He'll be 7 this summer). I really want to see Hollywood and some warm beaches. I am getting a little ambitious, but I'd love to see San Diego also. I dont mind staying at different hotels to avoid any extra driving, but I can't seem to be able to figure out where to start and how to plan. We are thinking of going this July or August and maybe staying from a Friday to the next Saturday so we'll have about 8 nights. We are traveling from NJ so we'll be flying in.
We did Disneyworld last July and our children, (I also have a daughter who is 5) loved it. Our other choice is a Disney cruise, I guess it depends on which one we can get a better deal on, but its definitely DISNEY!!! Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[Leshaface]

If you loved WDW, you'll LOVE DL!!!

It is MUCH smaller than WDW, but feels more homey.

Start with disneyland.com to plan your vacation...it's a very good, thought out website!

Are you looking to stay on property? I've stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and The Grand Californian. I haven't tried Paradise Pier, but will stay there this March for my birthday.

The good neighbor hotels are all nice and affordable. I've stayed in a few of them and all are very close to the park, with restaurants within walking distance. The Motel 6 is actually VERY clean and convienitely priced! Especially if you're just looking for a place to rest your head at night and will be out the door at dawn to head to the parks!

As for San Diego, it's about a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hour drive depending on traffic...I've never been to Legoland but here it's wonderful for kids!

If you're looking for some nice beaches, San Diego has some lovely beaches as well as Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach.

 

[HydroGuy]

Read up on these and you can change your handle to "Less Confused".

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

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

 

[party-five]

we usually stay at Disneyland for five days and then do a day in San Diego - we usually just stay at the hotel in Anaheim and drive down one morning and back in the evening. We usually do Sea World in less than a day, and last year the drive was 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.

A couple years ago we spent the night in San Diego and did Sea World, Wild Animal Park and Zoo in a day and a half -

Haven't ever done legoland yet - not a lego fan myself (but I am pretty sure that my boys are not going to let me get away with not going for much longer )

We have driven to the beach both on our way back from San Diego, and from our hotel in Anaheim so either way is doable -

Good luck and HAVE A BLAST!!!