Very Basic DL questions

[wld]

Hi All!!
While I have spent much time on these boards I think this is my first time on this section.
We have a weeks vacation in October and are thinking about how to use it. While we have been to WDW several times this would be only our second trip to DL in 19 years.
My basic questions, and wow are they basic:

Is my AP pass that I bought for WDW good at DL (crossing my fingers)
What airport is the easiest one to fly into?
Best way to get from airport to DL?
We may rent a car at some point to drive up the coast a couple of days
I don't think Santa Barbara is that far away and I've always wanted to go there. But should we rent one at the airport?
I think we will stay on property. We usually like the moderates at WDW. It's just DH and I. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much. Sure would like to visit the happiest place on earth again.

 

[Therapeutic Smile]

WDW APs do not work at DL. Sorry.

Fly into John Wayne/Santa Ana (SNA) or LAX. There are shuttles available to Disneyland from these airports. You can also fly into Long Beach (LGB) but will need to get a cab or towncar to get you to DL.

If you're going to go to SB (about 2-3 hours away or so) and are going to rent a car, might as well do so at the airport. In that case, fly into LGB, SNA, or LAX... whichever is cheaper. SNA is the closest, then LGB, then LAX... but traffic will be "fun" through the LA area no matter which you fly in to.

There are only three on property hotels. The Grand Californian is the nicest, then the Disneyland Hotel, then a definite step down is the Paradise Pier hotel. PP and GC have entrances straight from the hotels to Disney's California Adventure, and DLH and GC are both right up against the Downtown Disney District as well... the GC is by far the nicest, but the DLH is a little less expensive.

However, staying "off property" sometimes means being closer to the parks than the PP hotel... places like the Park Vue Inn and Candy Cane Inn are right across the street from the entrance to the Esplanade (the space between DCA and DL)... you may want to consider them as they are much, much more affordable than any of the DLR hotels.

Have fun!

 

[two-foxes]

We stayed at PPH in 2003 and we will stay there again in August. Although I cannot compare it to the other DLR hotels as far as room size, etc, I would put PPH on par with that of a moderate at WDW, as we have stayed in every level of resort at WDW. The rooms are the same size (if not bigger) and the PPH offers sit down restaurants, bell services...similar amenenties you would find at a moderate at WDW. To say it is a "definite step down" may be misleading to you....it is definately above a Value resort at WDW. It does lack the theming...you can tell all the Disney touches have been added after the fact, but the level of service you would expect to find at a moderate at WDW will be found at PPH. If you are more comfortable staying in a Disney property for service and the comfort of the name (like we are), don't rule it out.