Next January the week before the MLK holiday (DS doesn't start college until after that), we're planning to do a short three day trip to Hollywood and Disneyland. We'll fly into LAX on Monday and fly back Friday (coming from St. Louis). Here is what I am thinking. I welcome your suggestions/'thoughts. It will be me and my 20 year old. Maybe my sister-in-law too. DH will stay home -- Hollywood and Disneyland are too cheesy for his taste.
On arrival night, I was thinking my best bet for relatively inexpensive transportation, given multiple locations, would be to rent an intermediate sized car.
DS likes wax museums, so we'll probably hit the one in Hollywood on arrival night. For lodging, thought I'd book the Hilton Garden Inn in Hollywood for one night (looks like a reasonable option that fits in our budget).
For full day 1, I was planning on the two hour paramount studio tour, a two hour break for lunch or whatever, and then one of those 2 to 2 1/2 hour Hollywood tours -- star homes and other highlights. I was going to check out of our hotel right after breakfast and after our two tours do anything else that strikes our fancy. After that we'll drive to Anaheim.
In Anaheim, I was thinking of staying at the Fairfield Inn for three nights, paying extra for a theme park view room, as DS especially is really keen on views. It looked like a good option to me that fits in our budget.
On lodging: A big deal to me are comfy beds. Both the chains I selected have done pretty well for me on that front in the past FYI and that and price within my budget was a big reason for my selecting those. The onsite hotels look fab, but aren't in my budget.
I was thinking of going to the parks the remaining two days of our trip and getting the park hopper option. Worth it to have the hopper? I was also for the morning of the second day was going to splurge on the Walk in Walt's footsteps tour? Worth it with only two days? I am thinking yes, as we mostly just like to do headliners/highlights at most of the WDW parks, and I'll probably take Unofficial Guide advice regarding what attractions to hit (adult/teen highlights). I am also hoping that mid January will be a relatively mild time for crowds. That's the whole reason for visiting then. Most should be back in school, we will be going during the week avoiding locals going for the weekend (a Wednesday and Thursday), but DS is off till the Tuesday after MLK day. Note I have been to Disneyworld 39 times since 1971, but only to Disneyland once back in 1964 when I was four, so we are WDW experts but Disneyland/California Adventure novices for sure. WDW is just so much closer. DS, though, and I would just love to try Disneyland, hence our doing a mini trip here. Our main trip every year FYI is something all of us including my husband will enjoy (often a summer trip to the Mountains or something like that.)
I was also going to try touringplans.com to plan a tentative itinerary for the parks (at least for our must dos) and then play it by ear after that. I hear, though, the Unofficial Guide people aren't as spot on at Disneyland compared to WDW (They really know their stuff at WDW). We'll have a pretty relaxed itinerary, though, so I don't think that will be that much of an issue.
I appreciate your suggestions and any advice you might have for us. We are really excited that we're really and truly going to finally make it to Disneyland!
On arrival night, I was thinking my best bet for relatively inexpensive transportation, given multiple locations, would be to rent an intermediate sized car.
DS likes wax museums, so we'll probably hit the one in Hollywood on arrival night. For lodging, thought I'd book the Hilton Garden Inn in Hollywood for one night (looks like a reasonable option that fits in our budget).
For full day 1, I was planning on the two hour paramount studio tour, a two hour break for lunch or whatever, and then one of those 2 to 2 1/2 hour Hollywood tours -- star homes and other highlights. I was going to check out of our hotel right after breakfast and after our two tours do anything else that strikes our fancy. After that we'll drive to Anaheim.
In Anaheim, I was thinking of staying at the Fairfield Inn for three nights, paying extra for a theme park view room, as DS especially is really keen on views. It looked like a good option to me that fits in our budget.
On lodging: A big deal to me are comfy beds. Both the chains I selected have done pretty well for me on that front in the past FYI and that and price within my budget was a big reason for my selecting those. The onsite hotels look fab, but aren't in my budget.
I was thinking of going to the parks the remaining two days of our trip and getting the park hopper option. Worth it to have the hopper? I was also for the morning of the second day was going to splurge on the Walk in Walt's footsteps tour? Worth it with only two days? I am thinking yes, as we mostly just like to do headliners/highlights at most of the WDW parks, and I'll probably take Unofficial Guide advice regarding what attractions to hit (adult/teen highlights). I am also hoping that mid January will be a relatively mild time for crowds. That's the whole reason for visiting then. Most should be back in school, we will be going during the week avoiding locals going for the weekend (a Wednesday and Thursday), but DS is off till the Tuesday after MLK day. Note I have been to Disneyworld 39 times since 1971, but only to Disneyland once back in 1964 when I was four, so we are WDW experts but Disneyland/California Adventure novices for sure. WDW is just so much closer. DS, though, and I would just love to try Disneyland, hence our doing a mini trip here. Our main trip every year FYI is something all of us including my husband will enjoy (often a summer trip to the Mountains or something like that.)
I was also going to try touringplans.com to plan a tentative itinerary for the parks (at least for our must dos) and then play it by ear after that. I hear, though, the Unofficial Guide people aren't as spot on at Disneyland compared to WDW (They really know their stuff at WDW). We'll have a pretty relaxed itinerary, though, so I don't think that will be that much of an issue.
I appreciate your suggestions and any advice you might have for us. We are really excited that we're really and truly going to finally make it to Disneyland!
