Visiting Disneyland for the first time and a couple of ?

[Grumbo]

First time posting to the DL forum.

We will be visiting the Anaheim area this summer (end of July) and will have a day that we could possibly use to go to Disneyland.
We've done WDW innumerable times, and DLP once. It doesn't appear as though you can get a one day hopper so we could see both parks. That said would I be better to pass on the the Disneyland as it is similar to the MK and DLP and do California Adventures?
There would be two adults and one 11 year old daughter.

Also looking at the hotel prices for onsite look prohibitively expensive. Is there any suggestions for a good hotel in the area offsite?

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[daannzzz]

I would vote for going to Disneyland as there are many thing there that are not at the MK such as Indianna Jones and the temple of the Forbidden eye, The Matterhorn, Roger Rabbits Cartoons Spin, Alice In wonderland, Pinnochio, Storybookland Canal Boats as well as a better version(over the MK's) of Pirates of the Caribbean. It is great fun to compare the two (or three) parks. I am not a huge fan of DCA. It has some great spots in it with a couple of good attractions but I think it is fairly pale.
Here are a couple links to hotel maps. My favorites are The Howard Johnson Plaza or the Candy Cane Inn. Both are fine places to stay. We just tried the Best Western Park Place Inn and found it to be good too. It is located right at the cross walk over to the parks. You can walk to the front gates from these places in 5-7 minutes and they run quite a bit less (usually) than the Disney hotels. Other good places to stay right in that area are
The Park Inn
The Carousel Inn
The Desert Inn and Suites
Portofino Inn and Suites
The Anabella
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

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

 

[Grumbo]

Thanks for the reply.
Great map showing the proximity of the hotels.
Take a look at this closer and decide.
Is a day long enough to do Disneyland then?

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[daannzzz]

No. A day is not really long enough to do Disneyland but you can get a lot done if you get in line before the park opens. I would go get a fastpass for Indy and then run over and to the Matterhorn. You can do Splash Mountian if you want but the one at the MK is better although the final here here is a bit more intense. The Believe There's Magic in the Stars fireworks are great but you can bypass those for rides. Fantasmic is also going on and the Frontierland? new Orleans square area is hideously packed so it is best to get everything in that area done beofre people start clogging the area in the evening.

 

[Grumbo]

Have to do Splash Mountain. My dd's favourite ride and mine also so will great to see a different one.
Think you decided for us Will do Disneyland for the day and get there early.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[daannzzz]

I love both versions of Splash Mountian!!!
Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Davids-Coco]

DCA really isn't as good as Disneyland... and Disneyland can be done in a day, but it is a hard thing to do. I would definately do MK if you have a choice. DCA can be ehausted in a short day on a longer trip.

As for hotels, there are a number of them in the area that are all pretty nice... but we stay at my grandparents about ten minutes away so I don't have experience with that.

 

[Grumbo]

Thanks.. Think we'll do D.L. and try CA another time.

What do your grandparents charge?
Do they serve breakfast?

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Davids-Coco]

They charge an arm and a leg, sometimes a hand in the backyard... and the only food you get around there is what you can find. Their portions are smaller than Hard Rock Cafe, so I could tell you where all the mcdonalds, taco bell, del taco, el pollo loco, burger king, in and out, and other fast food resturants are. The trick is finding the right excuse to go out after dinner...

Do spend some time at DTD. It can be done in a couple of hours if you need a break, but it is pretty nice with lots of shady areas.