New to Disneyland & Need help

[Minnesota]

Hi all!
I have only been to WDW and this year am looking to go to DL with my mother who used to live in El Toro, CA just south of Anaheim. The thing is I have no idea about anything in DL. Is it just like WDW? Where are the various hotels located? We are looking at going for 10 days in June of '03 but only spending 2 or 3 at DL, will this be enough? There is so much we want to do in CA that 10 days is getting pretty full already but I really want to do this and make it worth while. Any help or info would be great. Also does anyone know of any superior web sites like this one but for DL instead of mostly WDW?
Thanks,
Minnesota

 

[daannzzz]

Living in California I have been to Disneyland many times and wdw 7 times. They are very different destinations. Disneyland is located in an urban area, surrounded by businesses and homes. You can see in this link how it looks like it was plopped down in a suburb. The Disney hotels are all right at the park.
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html
The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier hotel are both tower hotels that were designed and owned by other intrests until the last 10 years. Disneyland Hotel is fun and has fun, large rooms. The Grand Californian is on par with the deluxes at WDW though the rooms are a bit small being the same size as at WL and AKL. At Disneyland you don;t have to stay at one of their hotels. As you can see in the link there are many motels right there at the park. You can have a nice room for $59-$70 and be closer than the Disneyland hotel. You will need at least 3 days to see Disneyland and DCA. DCA can be done in one day and Disneyland in two. Depending on what day of week you hit Disneyland will depend on how much you see and how relaxing it is. Disneyland is always packed on Saturdays. Dca doesn't matter as much what day you go though it would still be less crowded on a weekday where you might think something is wrong because there are so few people. For more Disneyland info go to ...
laughingplace.com
disneylandforever.com
Mouseplanet.com
mouseionfo.com