Looking for advice and tips, new to Disneyland

[zohra101]

Hello, we just recently moved to Arizona and would like to take the kids to Disneyland. We went to WDW a few years ago ( which was absolutely amazing)

We need tips on places to stay, we would like to do both Disneyland universal studios. We would like to stay at a hotel close by that we can park up the car and walk to the main gate or take a shuttle as long as it's not a long ride.

How many days would we need to cover the parks ?
Do we need to change hotels if we want To go to universal ?
What is the driving distance from Disneyland to universal studios ?
What will the crowds be like around 2nd week of November ? ( yes I know it's end of October now)

What advice can you give me in regards to the difference I might experience from already having visited Disney World ? I have already heard that it's a smaller park.

Thank you in advance

 

[ArchOwl]

Hello! How fun that you are thinking of a Disneyland trip!

I am not much of a Universal expert, so I will leave that bit to others. I will point you first of all to the excellent thread by Hydroguy which is for WDW vets going to Disneyland:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

That thread has a bunch of information about how Disneyland and WDW are alike and not alike. Give it a read and see if that helps. It should give you suggestions on how many days you need. The important thing to remember is that while Disneyland and California Adventure cover fewer square miles, they hold almost the same number of attractions. So you still need a fair amount of time to see everything.

Because of the special 60th Anniversary, this has been a VERY busy time at the Resort. Just plan on lots of crowds especially as it is a holiday and there is a Run Disney race at the Resort. That means lots of people! But honestly, not sure there is a slow time anyway. Here is a thread about the 60th: http://www.disboards.com/threads/dl...l-thread-with-links-to-other-threads.3412951/

If you do decide to come, best book a hotel very soon. I usually favor a hotel on Harbor if I am not staying onsite. When it is busy, it is so much easier to walk across the street rather than have to take the tram or shuttle. It saves a lot of time too! Here is the hotel thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/dl...-tips-newbie-info-here.1072276/#post-32467200

Once you read up a bit, let us know if you have any questions.

 

[Bud Ice]

> How many days would we need to cover the parks ?

1 day per park should suffice. Some may put this at 3 days minimum depending on speed.

> Do we need to change hotels if we want To go to universal ?

Actually no. There are tour buses that go between Disneyland and Universal Studios if you wanna try this. Also a car is fine. Just know if its during the week you will encounter Rush Hour traffic on the I-5 and 101 between Anaheim and LA. Morning rush hour is 6a-9a and afternoon from 4p-7p. Plan accordingly.

http://www.starlinetours.com/anaheim-tours.asp

> What is the driving distance from Disneyland to universal studios ?

30-40 miles. Traffic is the bigger probem.

> What will the crowds be like around 2nd week of November ? ( yes I know it's end of October now)

Crowds for the holiday season. Might be ok during the week, still will have people there tho.

 

[justgrace]

Not sure about your other questions, but for this one:

How many days would we need to cover the parks ?

At least 1 for California Adventure and 2-3 for Disneyland. My cousins were new to Disneyland during our last trip and had 2 days in the park (1/2 day for CA, 1 1/2 day for Disneyland, with the 1/2 day being for Mickey's Halloween Party), which was not enough time to see and do everything major. If you have any less days, you may start to feel rushed that you won't be able to do everything.

We've stayed for 10 days, and that still seems like it's never enough to see and do everything.

I would try and do as many days as possible (especially because of the crowds) just so that you are able to see and do everything that you want to do with time for repeats on your favorite rides.