Where should we stay and beach/coastal drive recommendations?

[ct7878]

We are WDW AP holders that live in Orlando- while we have been to DL a few times it has been awhile. My stepson is about to turn 18 in February and we thought it might be fun to just take him to the airport and get on a plane for his birthday. However, we also have a 15 month old baby, so it’s going to be a long flight for 5 days (can’t do longer since we will be pulling him out of school). I know that there is a lot of feedback on hotels here, but curious is anyone has thoughts in a post Covid environment. The Disneyland Hotel would Have been my top choice but there is no availability- Paradise Pier is literally half the price of the Grand Californian. Is it worth it? Especially, if we are going to be in the parks and I suspect it may be too cold to swim for us in February? Would love anyone thoughts- especially taking the baby into consideration.
Also- looking to take a day to go to the coast, see the ocean and some nature.My stepson loves a good little road trip. Would love it if anyone has recommendations- my husband and I have visited Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez and loved it but not sure if there might be an area that would be better for an 18 year old (and a baby)! We are open to a little drive to spend the night in the area of where ever we end up…

 

[DLgal]

Go to Newport Beach/Laguna beach area. It's the most gorgeous beach in the region. I'd recommend driving down I-5 to the 133 towards Laguna, then when you get to the coast, take the PCH north all the way to Corona del Mar (great beach for little ones and older teens) or go all the way to the 55 and to the part of Newport Beach by the main pier. That drive is breathtaking. There is a more nature type beach walk about halfway between the two, Crystal Cove State Park, with an entrance and parking lot right off the PCH. You can take a (stroller accessible) walking path down to the beach and explore some tide pools and watch surfers. Balboa Island is also a fun little place to explore. You have to take a ferry over but its super quaint and easy. You can spend a whole day doing this. And at the end of it, you are only about 15 miles from Disneyland.

Santa Barbara is a HAUL. I wouldn't go that far, personally.

To answer your question about hotels, no PPH is not worth it. If you NEED the Disney bubble, stay at GCH. Otherwise stay at the new Westin off Katella. It's like one block further than the PPH, but is a FAR nicer, brand new hotel with much better amenities than PPH. It's also like half the cost.

 

[gelatoni fan]

A lot of people ask for hotel recommendations but don't really provide info about their preferences. What is your ideal budget and aspirations in terms of hotel quality? If you're willing to consider non-Disney hotels, the Westin may be a good choice as they claim to have cribs available and are in my opinion more luxurious than the Disneyland hotel but not as overpriced. Paradise Pier is for people who absolutely want to pay the minimum necessary to stay at a Disney hotel and will not accept not staying at something Disney owned even if other hotels are cheaper and higher quality. The Grand Californian is nice and close the parks but also in my opinion, not worth the Disney premium. You won't be getting as much traditional Disney theming there anyway. If proximity is a concern, you could go with the Courtyard Theme Park Entrance.

Huntington Beach is the closest but Newport Beach is not too much further and likely a bit more interesting. It may make sense to spend a night in Los Angeles after flying into LAX or a night before flying out of LAX. That way, you could visit Santa Monica which would be the most iconic beach and other areas in Los Angeles. I'm not too sure what to recommend for "nature" as something like a hike to the Hollywood sign may not be good with a baby. Maybe you could consider seeing the Rose Garden + Natural History Museum + Science Center which are all in the same area just south of USC.