Where should we stay in CA next summer???

[jlawall]

We are sailing from LA next summer....what should we do for a few days before the cruise??? Any suggestions???

 

[Kalypso]

Hi! Greetings from Burbank, CA at the very home of the Mouse himself When are you getting here?

 

[Kalypso]

jlawall - I'm going to post again before I leave the office - it really depends on your budget, whether you're traveling with kids, what your interests are, etc. There is a TON to see and do in this area - just give me some ideas and I'll send some ideas back!

We have GORGEOUS hotels and economical hotels - theme parks, Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood & Vine...pick your poison! LOL

 

[daniluvsdisney]

We are staying at the Howard Johnson closest to Disney Land. Have heard it is their flagship hotel and really nice for the money. We have also done the Embassy Suites close to DL.

 

[mommykeg]

The Paradise Pier hotel at the Disneyland Resort is really nice...it's just been remodeled and is the most economical of the three Disney hotels. Were you planning on visiting the parks?

 

[mobetsy]

If you go to the DIS Discussion forums home page, and then scroll down the left column to the link for the Disneyland CA forum, you'll find a lot of info. It's not just about DL itself, but about other things to do in the So Cal area. Do a bit of searching on threads as well as checking out the permanent ones at the top of the forum.

 

[jlawall]

Thx for everyone' suggestions....we are a family of five with 3 older DDs..we are interested in either going to DL or visiting LA sites. We've been to Dl and stayed at GC once. If you go to LA where should you stay to be close to Rodeo Drive, etc.? We will arrive on Wednesday and have about 2 days to sightsee.

 

[starwood]

We're using our DVC points to stay 2 nights at the Grand Californian!

 

[mmouse37]

JoAnne....

My two older DD's and myself spent a few days in California this summer for a "girls trip". We flew into Orange County airport which was much less hectic than flying into LAX.

We stayed at the Westin Century Plaza on the Avenue of the Stars for 2 nights which was only a very short drive from Rodeo Drive. They were even filming a new TV show on the WB at the hotel while we were there. I have never driven in CA before but I felt comfortable enough. Rodeo Drive area has lots of Public Parking. Hollywood was only about 15-20 mintues from there as well.

We had so much fun going in and out of all the stores and they found some cute little boutiques a block or so over that they could actually buy something in!!!

We did the real touristy stuff like taking a tour of where the stars live, going to the Chinese Theatre, saw the Princess Diaries 2 at the EL Capitan Theatre and then went to Tea with the Princesses (they are never to old to be a princess!). Went to the Santa Monica pier (not that nice). Then we drove to Disney and stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel for 2 nights....did both DL and California Adventure. Wish we had more time but it was a good quick getaway.

MJ

 

[Grumbo]

saw the Prince Dairies 2 at the EL Capitan

Is that the new sequel MJ?
I heard they had done one about two cows but was wondering if the review was out.

(Sorry MJ couldn't resist )

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Kalypso]

MJ - heartily agree with you on the Westin Century Plaza - we just did our press tour there this summer - an excellent choice for a hotel central to both Beverly Hills and within easy reach of Hollywood - where you do NOT want to stay!! The Century Plaza is also right next to the FABULOUS Century City mall which your DD's will LOVE - it has some GREAT stores

If you are going to do DLand hotels, I would call quickly as we are going all out for the 50th...I have stayed in all three while working events in the park and honestly? The original is my favorite by far I just love the Neverland Pool So my preference is the Dland Hotel. The Grand is nice, but I found the rooms a little dark, actually. Paradise Pier had just finished its face lift when I stayed there and it was nice, but I didn't like being that far away from where I had to be! It's probably different when you're not working - LOL! Nice hotel as well. You really can't lose with any of them as far as I'm concerned.

Space Mountain will be reopening in spring 2005 so will be up and running when you get here - WOOHOO!


Oh and at the Century Plaza? They have those "Heavenly Beds" that the Westin has been bragging about and you know what? They ARE heavenly!!! And they make great mojitos out by the pool!

Good luck and have fun whatever you decide!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Las Vegas
Hollywood inc Universal Studios ( can I say that here!)
Grand Californian Hotel @ Disneyland

 

[mmouse37]

Ahhh Grumbo....that was "udderly" ridiculous!!!!

Obviously the connection between my brain and my fingers is not always in place!!!!

Thanks for the laugh...I have since corrected it in my post!!!


MJ

 

[disneycrazzzy]

Not to burst any bubbles, but Space Mountain at DL is not scheduled to re-open until November 2005.

 

[Kalypso]

Shows you how much I keep up on this stuff - LOL - heck, we're just the TV network! LOL

Sorry - last I heard it was still spring!

 

[pppiglet]

Or for a different theme park you could go to Knotts Berry Farm. And Soak City is right across the street from that and Movieland Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe it or not are about 1/2block from there. These are all about 15-20mins north of DL.

 

[maryisme]

Hi,

We will be there in August and are thinking of staying on the beach. I just started researching and came across the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. It is right across the street from the beach. The resort is a five star and everything I have read about it has been good. We got what is called a spa crtyrd package for $125 a night. All the other rooms start at $265 a night with some kind of view of the ocean. The room I booked has a view of a tropical pond. For half the price I'll take the pond . Square footage wise the rooms seem to be the same, it is the ocean view that is costly.

I went ahead and reserved it as the Hyatt person I spoke to said that these "spa" rooms also go up to $250 once they sell off a certain amount.

I'll probably change my mind 20x between now and August but for now I'll hold onto it.

Mary

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by disneycrazzzy
Not to burst any bubbles, but Space Mountain at DL is not scheduled to re-open until November 2005.

AWW, man you are not kidding????

Shucks! We will be in DL in Aug 2005...Now, that was just plain stupid for DL to do that when there is a 50th birthday going on!! My kids will be extemely dissapointed since they want to do comparasion with WDW!!!

BTW, we will be staying at the Residence Inn Garden Grove. 1 mile from DL....

 

[Kalypso]

Actually...more bad news on this subject...just got off the phone with park contact for events....it's a late 05/early 06 target date...so it could actually be even later than November...bummer....but don't worry! Come to Cal Adventure - RIDE CALIFORNIA SCREAMIN'!!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

Originally posted by Kalypso
Actually...more bad news on this subject...just got off the phone with park contact for events....it's a late 05/early 06 target date...so it could actually be even later than November...bummer....but don't worry! Come to Cal Adventure - RIDE CALIFORNIA SCREAMIN'!!

Don't forget Soaring Over California!