Tons of Questions

[Terk-1]

I am heading to Disneyland for the first time in like 11 years and was wondering what the "Must Do's" are. Are there any attractions, shows, etc. that are not to be missed? How far is California Adventure from DL? Is there an afternoon or evening parade? What is DL's normal park hours in April? I was thinking about maybe staying overnight. Is there a hotel you would recommend? Is there still a monorail from the DL Hotel to DL? What type of transportation is there to these parks?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[daannzzz]

How much money do you want to spend for your hotel / motel. Disney's hotels go from $99 - 350 and in general are $150 -$300. But because Disneyland is surrounded by motels you can get some fine places with in a 5 minute walk for $60 or so. My Favorite places to stay aside from the Disney hotels, are the Anaheim Howard Johnson, The Candy Cane Inn, The BW Park Place Inn and the Anabella. The monorail goes from Tomorrowland to the downtown Disney station (formerly the Disneyland hotel station. It is in the same place but some of the old Disneytland hotel was demolished and rebuilt as Downtown Disney. The monorail does not stop at the Gran Californian Hotel or in the new park.
Disney's California Adventure is about a minute, or less, walk from the front gates of Disneyland.
Here are a couple links to show you how it is layed out.
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

[funnygarcia]

How far is California Adventure from DL?
It is right across from Disneyland- it sits where the parking lot use to be. Very nice plaza to cross between the two parks. And dwontown Disney is just a short walk down the sidewalk between the two parks.

Is there an afternoon or evening parade?
DL has the Parade of the Stars - on weekends it is twice per day in afternoon and early evening. during the week it may only run once per day.
DCA has the Electrical parade on the evenings- possible weekend only.

What is DL's normal park hours in April? Check the disney web site for a calendar. Depending on your dates it could be opne at 8 am and close at 11 pm OR not open until 10 am to 10 pm or some other variation.. check the calendar. You amy need to check a few more weeks closer to date of arrival as they don't list it all unitl three weeks before.

Not to miss in DCA:
Soaring over california
Screaming - rollercoaster
Hyperion theatre: Aladdin

Not to miss DL:
Indiana Jones (may be closed for refurbishment depending on dates)
Splash Mt
Matterhorn
Big Thunder Mt Railroad

Places to stay:
Hojo's for $45 per night at Entertainment card rate.
Priceline for $40 bid (Hyatt, Marriot, Hilton, West Coast)

Transportation:
Aanaheim Resort Transportation system. Buy a pass from your (off site) hotel for $2 per day. Easy to use and fast service.

Nearby hotels.. walk.. it's faster than the ART busses.

If on site:
Walk to Downtown Disney and board the monorail to get into DL.

Paradise Pier and Grand Californian also have special entrances into DCA.