July at Disneyland

[MarinaD]

So, I have a question for all of you disneyland experts!!!!! We've been to WDW about 6x in the last 3 years (with my now DD 3 1/2 yo).

So, I'm now in the process of planning a trip to CA for the Comic Book Convention (July 2010) for my hubby's 35th birthday. ITS a total surprise -- he's a comic book addict and sells some of his drawings of the characters (he completely is obsessed!) So I thought that a family vacation would be better than just the normal party!

I decided that we'd fly into LAX -- do Disneyland for 3 days, then drive down towards San Diego and hit up SeaWorld and San Diego Zoo -- I've seen that there's a CityPass for all of the above parks including Universal Studios -- Has anyone had any experience with it?

In addition, I've already booked our hotel stay at the Anaheim Marriott. Is that a good choice?

But I'm having trouble finding a good hotel in San Diego, we need to be close enough to the Convention Center (Thurs - Sun) but I dont want to pay $650 per night due to the convention. There are hotels in the Mission Valley area, but I have never been so I don't know if that's a good area.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!! With anything.

 

[HydroGuy]

So, I have a question for all of you disneyland experts!!!!! We've been to WDW about 6x in the last 3 years (with my now DD 3 1/2 yo).
...

In addition, I've already booked our hotel stay at the Anaheim Marriott. Is that a good choice?

First a general comment to draw a distinction between WDW and DLR. One huge difference-maker at DLR are the walking distance hotels. There are at least a dozen of them - 3 Disney and the rest good neighbor hotels.

You can literally have a hotel room where the door of your room is as close to the park gates as the bus or boat drop-offs are at the WDW parks.

WDW vets are accustomed to staying farther from the parks and taking transportation or driving themselves around WDW. This is wholly unnecessary at DLR and in fact gives up one of DLR's distinct advantages over WDW.

The walking distance hotels at DLR have additional advantages during the summer on hot days. Easy access for afternoon breaks. Afternoon breaks at DLR are even more beneficial than at WDW for several reasons including longer park hours at DL, the ease of park hopping between DL and DCA, and the mix of local SoCal day trip visitors.

All of that is not to say the Anaheim Marriott is a bad choice. Lots of people have fun and successful visits staying at hotels further away. I am just trying to alert you to a WDW mindset that does not translate very well at DLR.

In this thread there are several links that show hotel location maps and walking distances around DLR.

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

But I'm having trouble finding a good hotel in San Diego, we need to be close enough to the Convention Center (Thurs - Sun) but I dont want to pay $650 per night due to the convention. There are hotels in the Mission Valley area, but I have never been so I don't know if that's a good area.

I lived in SoCal for 28 years of which six were in SD. Mission Valley is a fine area to stay. Lots of nice hotels and restaurants.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!! With anything.

Here are some other threads that may be of further help...

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

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