Possible pre/post-cruise trip to DL

[Mickeefan]

Hi! I usually hang out on the Disney World boards here at the DIS, but my family is taking a cruise next December. We're sailing Royal Caribbean out of LA and I would LOVE to tack on a couple days to visit DL. I've never been to DL, and if I can add on a couple days after this cruise it would be great.

Here's my quesion(s): How does one get from the airport to the resort area? Which airport is better to fly into/out of? Where should I try to stay? I'll be by myself, so I'd like someplace in a safe, secure area.

I really don't know where to start because I've never been there and haven't ever planned a trip to DL. Thanks for all your help.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Welcome to the DL side of the DIS

There are several shuttles that will take you from the airport to the Disneyland Resort. The most popular are SuperShuttle & Disneyland Resort Express. You don't have to have a reservation, but it is nice, and you can either pay online or at the shuttle.

There are several properties within walking distance from the parks, and I recommend these:

Economy: Ramada Maingate
Moderate (in no particular order): BW Park Place Inn, BW Anaheim Inn, Carousel, Camelot, Tropicana, Howard Johnson, Fairfield

If you would rather stay in a deluxe type, then I recommend: Sheraton Anaheim, Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton Park

If you would like to stay in a suite, then I recommend: Residence Inn Maingate, Embassy Suites South

There is a brief description of these properties at the top of the board under Disneyland Resorts, and we have a lot of experts here.

 

[dismom73]

The closest airport to DL is SNA, John Wayne Santa Anna Orange County airport. Yes, all those names for one airport. But doable is also LAX or BUR, Burbank. Burbank is a little further but a lot cheaper to fly into than LAX. Depending on your budget you could look into a DLR hotel. Paradise Pier is the least expensive. But unlike WDW, there are a lot of hotels within walking distance of the parks at DL. No disney freeway system here.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Take the Disneyland Resort Express bus from LAX to DL, and stay at one of the 3 Disneyland Hotels to get the best experience possible (the dining in the hotels is much superior to that of WDW resort hotels, including the wonderful character experiences).

Here's a link to the Disneyland Resort Express info, where you can also pre-book online:

http://graylineanaheim.com/airport_info.cfm