Hotel for non-park days? Plus WWYD itinerary questions

[liamthompson]

Planning our first DLR trip over July 4th week 2026, it will also be my 4yo first time on a plane. We typically drive to WDW and do lots of resort days (non-park days) so I'm trying to figure out logistics.

We can fly direct to SNA but only on Mondays and Fridays. We can fly any day into LGB but will have a layover. My husband refuses to fly out of LAX but the city is hosting some of the world cup matches during our dates anyway so I also think it is best to avoid.

My current plan is to fly direct into SNA on Friday July 3rd, spend 3 days at disneyland with park hopper and stay across the street at park vue inn, and then transfer over to long beach for 3 nights and fly out of LGB on Friday July 10. I'm struggling to figure out where to stay in long beach that is both convenient to airport and the aquarium - we will be relying on public transportation and my husband is leary of rideshare car seats so I'm planning on booking shuttle service to the airport which will quickly get expensive.

My husband is pushing for us to stay in Anaheim for the week. If we do this, I would like to do 4-5 park days and 1-2 rest days and possibly a split stay to move to a "fancier" hotel halfway through, especially for rest days. It would be nice to have a water park type pool area. I briefly looked at disneyland hotel, howard johnson, and courtyard anaheim.

I've also thought about just cutting the trip to 2 park days (fly in Friday, parks on Saturday and Sunday, fly out Monday).

Feedback appreciated! How would you structure a trip with these parameters?

 

[LKing]

Have you been to Southern California before? It is spread out and we have a very poor public transportation system. In Long Beach, there are sections of town that are nicer, next to sections of town that are not so nice.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is near the Long Beach Convention Center. The hotels near the Aquarium tend to cater to the convention center. Likewise, the hotels near the airport, cater to the airport. Ride share or taxi will take you approximately 30 min. Public transportation, on the other hand, will take over an hour and will involve transfers. If you don't know the area, you probably do not want to get off of a bus with your spouse and 4 year old to wait for the next bus. Have you considered bringing your own car seat?

Why AOP? Have you looked at Legoland?

 

[liamthompson]

Why AOP? Have you looked at Legoland?

Thanks for your notes - it sounds like I need to re-think long beach as a stop. Dealing with bus transfers and luggage does not sound fun. My thought was that we may fly out from there so mind as well tack on a few days to see the sights! There's no particular interest in the aquarium, just that it seems like a kid friendly thing to do. Sounds like I was bamboozled by the long beach tourism website and the promise of easy public transportation haha

Now I'm thinking we may be better off sticking around Anaheim and just taking it easy for a few days at the hotel. The legoland in florida is driveable for us so I had not considered adding it on.

 

[LKing]

Long Beach is a great town, and I love the Aquarium of the Pacific. However, Southern California does not have a very efficient public transportation system. Ride share is extremely popular.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

If you’re going to explore beyond Anaheim, I would really rent a car for the non-Anaheim portion, especially with a kiddo. There are a lot of fun things to explore! I particularly love the La Brea Tar Pits with kids. I’m not sure how the World Cup will impact things.

I’ve stayed at DLH, HoJo and Courtyard and they are all great. I’d pick the one that best fits your budget. If you can swing DLH- do it!!

Have fun!

 

[irlandaise]

First suggestion: Drop the idea of having only two days at the Disneyland Resort. That is not nearly enough for your first visit here. At the very least, you'll want three days, but four would be better, especially with a four-year-old, factoring in slower walking times and breaks for naps.

Then do some more research into where you'd like to go besides DLR. I would have suggested LegoLand had you not said that you can visit the one in Florida. However, you don't mention whether you actually have done that. If not, then one option would be renting a car and going to San Diego for 2-3 days to hit LegoLand, the San Diego Zoo, the Zoo's Safari Park, and maybe SeaWorld. (Rental agencies have car seats for children, right?) That would give you more of Southern California without getting into the World Cup busy area. (Although as LKing noted, LA is very spread out so it might not be difficult to avoid the game traffic.)

Or...just stay near Disneyland the whole time and take 1-2 day tours to other places. La Brea Tar Pits is a great idea. If you can afford to stay at the Disneyland Hotel even part of the time (I think they'll release summer hotel specials at some point?), that would be great.

 

[disneychrista]

What do you plan to do on your rest days? This would determine where you stay more then where you will fly out of.

 

[Kit Jackson]

First suggestion: Drop the idea of having only two days at the Disneyland Resort. That is not nearly enough for your first visit here. At the very least, you'll want three days, but four would be better, especially with a four-year-old, factoring in slower walking times and breaks for naps.

I completely agree with this. @liamthompson, You know your kid better than we do. However, with a kid that young, I would think about more days in the park (unless there is something you actually want to do outside of the parks). Instead of spending the full day in the Disneyland parks, take a break during the days you are spending in the park, take the kid go back to the hotel to rest, calm down, recharge, and then head back to the park.

Also, because Disneyland is more of a locals park, the resorts are very different from WDW. That being said, there are things to do at the hotels and you could certainly spend a day or an afternoon at the pool if you wanted to.

If you want to do the trip without rideshare (and unfortunately public transportation is not really a viable option), I think 4-5 park days with rest days would be the best way to do this trip.

 

[woodys_girl]

Unless you are only doing DLR rent a car and bring a carseat. For your first DL trip I would say you want 3 - 5 park days. Four or five days allows you to relax more, take mid-day breaks, repeat stuff, play around Toontown, etc. I would pick any hotel in walking distance that has a pool and not take and full break days while at Disney (except maybe arrival/departure days). I wouldn't say you need to venture beyond Disney just because you want to fly out of Long Beach, but if you decide to my kids always love the beach as well as Legoland and the San Diego Zoo.

 

[BriannaRuth]

My main thought was how much time you'll most likely be spending at your hotel if you're traveling to DL with a 4 year-old. The parks are so close to the hotels that you'll definitely want to go back to your hotel mid-day for naps and maybe a swim. I'd definitely extend to 5 days at DL, take your time, and let you and the 4 year-old get relax and get some rest.

More days means more time to do things like character meals (which you can do at one of the hotels on a day you're not in the parks), as well as Toon Town, Tom Sawyer Island, etc. Little kids can spend a LOT of time in these areas. You may already know this if you're a DW regular, though.

Our favorite way to do DL in the summer is 5 days in the parks with a one day break in the middle. On that day, we do DTD and rent a cabana (we usually stay at the DLH), hang out at the pool, eat at the onsite restaurants, etc.

 

[Tinkaboo]

There is a Great Wolf Lodge further down on Harbor, I pass it on wayback to LGB. Cant tell you anything about it but I know kids must love it. They came along way after mine grew up.

Also, I believe (and someone jump in here if I am wrong) but I think the HoJo has a water park. Unlike the WDW resorts, pools here are meh, unless you are staying on prop.

Like Kit said, you know your child but mine at 4 was good for about 3hours at a time, then crash. At that age, he never wanted to leave the Dixie Landings pool!

And yes,to second @LKing, LGB is not really a beach side resort, despite their PR campaign. If it's beaches you seek, head south to North County or further intoSan Diego.

I would consider picking a hotel with water amenities and just staying in Anaheim. I would spend at least four days, taking your time in DL. Utilize rope drop for Fantasyland, you can get it all done by 10. If your child can handle it, go back in the later evening when it's cool. DL typically is open until midnight in summer. My son at that age could make it to fireworks, but I do remember him sound asleep at EPCOT on my DH shoulders while we watched the nightime show.

Whatever you decide, it will be magical!

 

[ter-moo]

I would reverse your trip and NOT try to be in the parks on July 4th! The crowds are crazy and may be even more so this year with the 250th birthday of America and a new version of Soarin' planned for that. Maybe do your first couple of days someplace else and then hit Disneyland for 3-4 days when the long weekend is past. I agree with some of the previous posters that you will need at LEAST 3 days, if not 4, at this crowded time of year. I think your husband's idea is best!

 

[LKing]

I would reverse your trip and NOT try to be in the parks on July 4th! The crowds are crazy and may be even more so this year with the 250th birthday of America and a new version of Soarin' planned for that. Maybe do your first couple of days someplace else and then hit Disneyland for 3-4 days when the long weekend is past. I agree with some of the previous posters that you will need at LEAST 3 days, if not 4, at this crowded time of year. I think your husband's idea is best!

Are your comments about crowds on July 4 based on personal experience? @OlliePop27 and others in the July 2025 thread reported a different experience this year. In 2026, July 4th fireworks will be spread out over three nights, July 3-5.

July 4 is blocked for all Magic Keys except for the highest (Inspire). July 3 & 5 are blocked for the lower two MK and open for the top two (Inspire & Believe). I doubt that the new Explore MK will be open on July 4.

 

[liamthompson]

Thanks all for the helpful feedback! You all have convinced me to just focus on DLR this trip. I told my husband that disboards agrees with him and he is quite delighted haha.

If there's a decent disney hotel discount released, I'm leaning toward 4 nights at park vue inn + 3 nights on-site with 4 park days. If on-site is not within budget after discounts are released, I'm leaning toward all 7 nights at park vue inn with 5 park days.

I appreciate the comments about toon town, etc likely drawing interest for my kid. We just got back from a few days at universal in orlando and I was surprised by how much longer I thought we could have stayed since it's not considered a very "kid friendly" park so it sounds like more park days at DLR would be a better fit.

In terms of hotels, I'm a little concerned about noise. We'll have a 3h time difference coming from east coast so my guess is that we'll probably be in the parks early but not be able to make it to the night time shows. My plan is to insist on naps but will likely be met with resistance from all, ha. I assume we'll be able to hear the fireworks which is OK because it's a set block of time but once the night time shows are over, should I expect a lot of street noise from guests exiting the parks/returning to their hotel rooms?

And especially over July 4th weekend, should I expect a lot of drunk shouting after the fireworks are over? This is one of the reasons why I'm choosing to travel over July 4th weekend...it is to escape our neighborhood with the random fireworks throughout the night and the loud drunken parties into the early morning.

...I may have gotten a little off topic here but am wondering if staying on-site vs off-site will help with this.

What do you plan to do on your rest days? This would determine where you stay more then where you will fly out of.

On rest days, we like to sleep in, watch TV, have a leisurely meal. At WDW, we usually end up riding around on the ferry/skyliner/monorail and visit playgrounds or play lawn games and snack at various resorts. I just checked the temps for July in Anaheim and had a bit of a surprise - I didn't realize that the weather doesn't get swelteringly hot in July (rookie mistake, I know!) so maybe waterpark/pool isn't such a huge priority. My husband prefers the disney bubble at WDW because all the transportation is provided/food is so easily accessible but with DLR's compact layout and plenty of restaurants near the surrounding hotels, it doesn't seem like the transporation/food is much of an issue.

@RainyDayPixie and @irlandaise - la brea tar pits and the LA studio tours have been on my travel list since covid times when all I did was plan itineraries that couldn't be executed! I am hoping to get there someday, maybe when kid is a little older. San Diego is also on my list for the future...I remember the zoo being enormous when I was a kid and it sounds like it has greatly expanded since then!

 

[Kit Jackson]

la brea tar pits and the LA studio tours have been on my travel list since covid times when all I did was plan itineraries that couldn't be executed! I am hoping to get there someday, maybe when kid is a little older. San Diego is also on my list for the future...I remember the zoo being enormous when I was a kid and it sounds like it has greatly expanded since then!

I went years ago so it could have changed but the Warner Brothers studio tour was amazing. If you're going to do a studio tour on a future visit, that's the one to do because it's a real tour, not a theme park ride. The San Diego Zoo is absolutely beyond amazing. The Safari Park is on my bucket list as is the new Academy Museum in Hollywood. (and yes I realize San Diego and LA are two different cities)

And especially over July 4th weekend, should I expect a lot of drunk shouting after the fireworks are over? This is one of the reasons why I'm choosing to travel over July 4th weekend...it is to escape our neighborhood with the random fireworks throughout the night and the loud drunken parties into the early morning.

...I may have gotten a little off topic here but am wondering if staying on-site vs off-site will help with this.

I can't help you answer this question, but I don't think it's off topic at all. I think that's an absolutely important/valid consideration, especially in terms of on-site vs off-site. Hopefully someone else on here can help answer your question.

 

[bcla]

Long Beach is a great town, and I love the Aquarium of the Pacific. However, Southern California does not have a very efficient public transportation system. Ride share is extremely popular.

I've gotten around on just public transportation, although I consider ART to qualify. But other than that, it's not just a matter of efficiency but of what one is willing to put up with. Seen some pretty weird stuff going on.

 

[LKing]

Coming from the east coast, you might be so tired that you'll sleep through anything.

There will be (illegal) fireworks going off throughout the city. Will there be drunken people yelling? That is tough to say. In general, guests at Disneyland don't drink as much as guests at WDW. Disneyland won't close until midnight that time of year. Some people will leave after fireworks (9:45 pm), but a lot will stay for Paint the Night, Fantasmic, and to enjoy the park in the evening.

If you are concerned about noise, I would contact Park Vue and see if you can request a room away from the street. If you are looking for justification to stay in one of the Disney owned hotels, DLH and PPH are twice the price of Park Vue and GCH is almost 4x the price.

 

[irlandaise]

Thanks all for the helpful feedback! You all have convinced me to just focus on DLR this trip. I told my husband that disboards agrees with him and he is quite delighted haha.

I hope he remembers our support in the future. We may call in the debt at some point.

If there's a decent disney hotel discount released, I'm leaning toward 4 nights at park vue inn + 3 nights on-site with 4 park days.

If you're able to do that, start with the Park Vue and then move to the Disney hotel. It will give your family something to look forward to. Otherwise, you'll be sad when you downgrade your experience partway through your visit. (No disrespect intended to the Park Vue, but hey, it ain't Disney.)

On rest days, we like to sleep in, watch TV, have a leisurely meal.

Don't forget about Downtown Disney. No entrance fee to explore that area.

My husband prefers the disney bubble at WDW because all the transportation is provided/food is so easily accessible but with DLR's compact layout and plenty of restaurants near the surrounding hotels, it doesn't seem like the transporation/food is much of an issue.

Exactly. There are plenty of food options in Downtown Disney and on Harbor Boulevard and surrounding streets, within easy walking distance even with a little one.

San Diego is also on my list for the future...I remember the zoo being enormous when I was a kid and it sounds like it has greatly expanded since then!

They have pandas!

 

[VandVsmama]

Planning our first DLR trip over July 4th week 2026, it will also be my 4yo first time on a plane. We typically drive to WDW and do lots of resort days (non-park days) so I'm trying to figure out logistics.

We can fly direct to SNA but only on Mondays and Fridays. We can fly any day into LGB but will have a layover. My husband refuses to fly out of LAX but the city is hosting some of the world cup matches during our dates anyway so I also think it is best to avoid.

My current plan is to fly direct into SNA on Friday July 3rd, spend 3 days at disneyland with park hopper and stay across the street at park vue inn, and then transfer over to long beach for 3 nights and fly out of LGB on Friday July 10. I'm struggling to figure out where to stay in long beach that is both convenient to airport and the aquarium - we will be relying on public transportation and my husband is leary of rideshare car seats so I'm planning on booking shuttle service to the airport which will quickly get expensive.

My husband is pushing for us to stay in Anaheim for the week. If we do this, I would like to do 4-5 park days and 1-2 rest days and possibly a split stay to move to a "fancier" hotel halfway through, especially for rest days. It would be nice to have a water park type pool area. I briefly looked at disneyland hotel, howard johnson, and courtyard anaheim.

I've also thought about just cutting the trip to 2 park days (fly in Friday, parks on Saturday and Sunday, fly out Monday).

Feedback appreciated! How would you structure a trip with these parameters?

Some thoughts to consider:

• your 4 yr old might not be ready to handle being in the parks all day from rope drop to late evening.
• We've stayed at Park Vue Inn. Loved staying there. Super short walk.
• We've stayed at Howard Johnson's, too. They have a better water play area.
• Your husband is right. Stay in Anaheim the entire week. For example, stay at Howard Johnson's the entire time. It's about 7-8 min walk. To save the 4 yr old's feet, you could consider renting a stroller (have it delivered to hotel, for example).
• Favorite family trip we ever did was get 5-day park hopper tickets and stayed at Howard Johnson. Did rope drop every morning. Went on rides all morning. Had lunch in park, then left around 12:30 pm. At least 4 hr break at hotel, walked back for early dinner ~ 5 pm, more park fun until bed time. It made the trip much more leisurely. Had a wonderful time. Kids got to go on their favorites multiple times PLUS we had the time to go on attractions we always skip (Finding Nemo submarines, Davey Crockett explorer canoes, stuff like that).
• you could hit up the Discovery Cube science museum in Santa Ana on a 'rest day.' It's perfect for a kid your child's age.
• the Santa Ana Zoo is a smaller zoo not too far away, easily to get to with Uber/Lyft if you don't want to ride a car. Just right for a 4 yr old. That would be a good activity for a 'rest day' where you guys sleep in, go to the zoo when you feel up to it, and still have time for pool time & rest later in the day.
• Don't stay in Long Beach. There's areas that are ok and then there's parts of Long Beach that look...run down, a little seedy, and not family friendly. I wouldn't stay in Long Beach w/o a car.

 

[tink2424]

Just adding I think the Park Vue Inn is pretty quiet. The rooms are behind the road and I didn't find it to be loud at all. If you are concerned about noise you can ask them to put you in a quieter area. But I think that hotel is great for location to walk over to DLR.