I've Never Visited Disneyland

[JanetRose]

but next year I may be in Seattle so I was going to see how much it would cost to fly out to Disneyland for a couple of days.

If anyone can help, I'm assuming that staying at the Disneyland Hotel is expensive, so if I have to stay off site, are there any nice hotels close by?
I would be traveling alone so would want to be safe.

How many days would be enough to visit the parks? Is there a pass to visit all the parks? I'm not even sure how parks are there.

Would LAX be the airport to travel from?

Is the weather there very very hot in July?

Thanks!

 

[Disneyland1084]

It all depends on what hotel you stay at. Go to www.disneyland.com and you can get a quote. If you stay off sight, I suggest Howard Johnson. I stayed at the Disneyland hotel 15 years ago and it was FILTHY and read recent reviews about it and it's still the same. I got back a couple of days ago from a trip to Disneyland. Two days at the park is good. I stayed at Disney's Paradise Pier hotel and it was GREAT!! I couldn't afford the Grand Californian, but hopefully will next time. If at all possible, fly into Orange County (John Wayne) airport. It's the closest airport to Disneyland.

 

[daannzzz]

Generally the Disneyland Hotel is fairly expensive but you can check all the travel sites consistently for good rates. It is much easier staying off site at Disneyland than at WDW. There are some smaller less expensive places that are closer than the Disneyland Hotel.

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

We like the Howard Johnson, The Best Western Park Place Inn
The Candy Cane Inn (not on the map but still close) and the Anabella.

 

[Albertan mom]

We stayed at the Park Inn. It is right across the street from the main entrance, and it was good. Simple, but good.
I would get a 5 day hopper pass, to see all in Disneyland and California Adventure.
Yes, it will be very hot!
Have fun!!

 

[CalGal]

During peak summer season, the DL hotels are pretty pricey. Shop around as recommended. It usually helps to book early, especially if you stay off-site.

John Wayne (Orange County) is the most convenient and closest airport, but sometimes you can get much better rates into LAX. Again, shop around.

The weather in July can be very hot BUT, the mornings and evenings are almost always quite pleasant. Afternoon highs are usually in the 80s but will sometime get into the 90s or even break 100 periodically. But the humidity is usually fairly low, and temps will usually cool down to the 60s at night.

Don't worry too much about safety. If you stay at any of the recommended hotels, I'm sure you should be just fine.

 

[dlboy]

Check Alaska airline or South western. Both would be cheaper going into LAX john Wayne most times costs more but is closer. We use Alaska out of Seattle most times prices do vary but would book early. Hotels #1 pick the HoJo on Harbor also Carousel and Park Place Inn all reasonable and close down by Katella there is the Candy Cane, Coast Anaheim and Clarion (we're staying there in 10 days time.0 Weather is usually in the 80's during the day in July

 

[Amy&Dan]

It all depends on what hotel you stay at. Go to www.disneyland.com and you can get a quote. If you stay off sight, I suggest Howard Johnson. I stayed at the Disneyland hotel 15 years ago and it was FILTHY and read recent reviews about it and it's still the same. I got back a couple of days ago from a trip to Disneyland. Two days at the park is good. I stayed at Disney's Paradise Pier hotel and it was GREAT!! I couldn't afford the Grand Californian, but hopefully will next time. If at all possible, fly into Orange County (John Wayne) airport. It's the closest airport to Disneyland.

I have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel 5 times in the past two years and it has always been wonderful and very clean. I just read in another post on this board a few minutes ago about some people staying there recently and loving it as well, but I don't know how to post the links! Paradise Pier is also great but I prefer the Disneyland Hotel. I think you said July however so getting a good rate at any of the three onsite hotels at that busy time of year will be tough. We have stayed at the Howard Johnson's and were very pleased. Pretty grounds, nice, large rooms and a great staff. I think we paid around $79 a night and that was in the middle of June so it was a great bargain. We have also stayed at the Park Inn (not the Park Place or Park Vue) and it was fine, room was much smaller than HoJo's and no pretty grounds but it was a slightly better location and had a free breakfast. Good luck with your planning!

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

My friend and I are staying at Candy Cane Inn (and looking very forward to it), I've heard nothing but good reviews on it, so I'll post a review and pics when I return!

Jules

 

[LucyKate]

We stayed at the Howard Johnson for about $60 per night and it was sensational - 10 minutes walk. But that was December, prices will be much higher in July.

However, prices at off-site hotels like Howard Johnson and candy cane will always be half to a third of the price of the Disneyland resorts. CVheck out all anaheim hotels at tripadvisor.com to make comparisons.

If booking Howard Johnson go through mousesavers.com for a cheaper rate.

We flew to Seattle with Alaskan and found them to be not only the cheapest airline, but also a great airline - highly recommended.

As mentioned, John Wayne is the closest airport BUT you will find much cheaper flights if going through LAX. The just use Super Shuttle to get to Disneyland.

 

[tiki23]

We flew to Seattle with Alaskan and found them to be not only the cheapest airline, but also a great airline - highly recommended.

As mentioned, John Wayne is the closest airport BUT you will find much cheaper flights if going through LAX. The just use Super Shuttle to get to Disneyland.

I would fly Alaska Air over Southwest any day of the week; Alaska is great! SW always makes me feel like there should be a cattle guard at the boarding gate. Moooo!

 

[dare2dream]

DH & I were in the area and of course I had to go to DL Jul 20-23. I got a package from DreamsUnlimited. The famous MaryJo from this forum was my travel consultant and she was great. Before we left I was emailed a 23 page itinerary with all sorts of tips, priority seating, and touring info. It was great.
After you make your reservation with them they will keep checking for new discounts that will apply to your stay and get them for you.

I am 46 and not a spring chicken anymore and the heat WORE ME OUT. I am used to the humidity of the east coast but when we were in DL they had some of the highest humidity they have had all year, it ws just like being at home. Make sure you allow plenty of time to rest and cool off. Go as early as possible each day and go back to the room to cool off and regroup in the afternoon. We had three day park hoppers and did not get everything done I really wanted to do. Gee guess I'll just have to go again. Grin. Five days sounds like a good bet and try to avoid weekends if possible.

We stayed at the Candy Cane Inn and really enjoyed it. The room is nothing spectacular but it served it's purpose. It had a nice pool are and the continental breakfast served each morning by the pool was convienent. We left early for the parks and the room was always made up when we returned in the afternoon. After we first checked in we went to in n out burger and parked the car. THe car was not used again until we checked out to leave. There is a 7-11 next door and many restaurants within walking distance.

The free shuttle offered by the hotel was fantastic. It left the hotel parking lot on each hour and half hour beginning at 7 am and dropped off at the shuttle and tram site very close to the park enterances. When the park opened at 7 am for early entry we walked there, it was not a long walk. The shuttle picked up at a site under an awning with several concrete benches. This was nice on a hot day (everyday was a hot day in July), some other shuttle pickup sites did not have a covered waiting area. Pickups were at 15 after and 45 after each hour.

I hope you can make this trip happen. We had a great experience and managed to enjoy ourselves dispite the crowds and heat.

Have a disney day,

Brenda

 

[Jodi1980]

I was planning on going in March - is it really hot at that time?

 

[Albertan mom]

We were there in May, and the weather was nice. Only one day was really hot. The rest were great. We wore t-shirts, shorts or capris everyday. I am sure March wouldn't be too hot.