Lots of questions? Please help!!! About This Page:

[sharron379]

I have never been to Disneyland and my dh and I want to take a long weekend away for our anniversary in August and we thought this would be a great to get the Disney vacation but something different too. So if you can please help me out. We do WDW every year with the kiddos but California is a totally different ball game.

1. Where do we stay? If off property, where? We do want something nice but not horribly expensive either?
2. How many days do we need to count on for DL? And how many for Universal?
3. Can we still stay in Anaheim and do Universal?
4. Dining Plan?
5. How do you tickets work considering they have partner hotels?
6. Really I am all open ears to all suggestions!!!

Thank for all of your help
Sharron
CTP March 2008
Poly Feb 20009
Disneyland August 13-16, 2009

[chezp]

Hi and welcome to the boards!

I'll try and help where I can. We've stayed in both the Disneyland and Grand Californian Hotel and, if you can afford them, they are both excellent.

As for Disneyland, I'd allow at least three days - if you can allow four, even better.

I think that's about all I can help with, but no doubt others will be along to help soon.

[HeatherD]

Hi! Welcome. As a veteren of the west coast Disney operation, let's see if I can help a bit...

1. Where do we stay? If off property, where? We do want something nice but not horribly expensive either?

The Disney resorts are akin to the deluxe resorts at WDW, in both price and grandeur. If you are looking to save some money, or if the room doesn't matter that much ("it's just a place to sleep"), then there are a lot of nice small motels surrounding the resort area. I personally recommend Best Western Park Place Inn for its location (right at the crosswalk into the plaza). Others have good things to say about Ramada Maingate and Candy Cane Inn. Any motel/hotel (there are HoJos and Holiday Inn and the like in the area), if it's not in walking distance, will have access to the Anaheim Resort Trolley. This map will give you a good idea of what is where....

2. How many days do we need to count on for DL? And how many for Universal?

We don't normally combine them, though it is doable. If you are a true Disney fan, you're going to want 3 to 4 days for Disney (we do a 4 day hopper, with our 4th day being a "leave after lunch" day). I've only ever done single day visits to Universal, which isn't as large as the FL version. There is no Islands of Adventure, for example. They are offering some deals, though, so visit the Universal Hollywood website.

3. Can we still stay in Anaheim and do Universal?

Yes, but it's a longish drive (somewhere between 1 and 2 hours, depending on traffic). Your better bet might be to put Universal at the beginning or end of the Disneyland part and stay close to the park (or on property - they are offering 40% off a park ticket/room combo on the website).

4. Dining Plan?

NO! It is not the same as WDW's and from all accounts, the vouchers stink! You get certain denominations and HAVE to use all of the voucher at that time, as they don't give change for them.

5. How do you tickets work considering they have partner hotels?

They don't offer MYW tickets. It is still purchasing tickets for a certain amount of days and hopper or not. The "Good Neighbor" hotels all offer tickets, but not really discounted or anything. We've always gotten them online or just swung by a Disney Store to purchase (depending on regions, your stores may not have them). So, you can purchase them online, get them at your Disney resort or get them at your Good Neighbor hotel. But, be sure to purchase them ahead of time (or at the hotel) if you can. The lines are hard to predict for the ticket booths....

6. Really I am all open ears to all suggestions!!!

August is going to be hot and humid (though not like FL). And it will be crowded. So, be prepared to take your time and to take breaks if you need to (this is when it might be nice to be at GC, as it is SO close!). Once you have a better idea of what you're doing, the questions will come and we'll be here to answer them!

Good luck!

[ilovedisney0_0]

Hi Sharron! You have gotten some great advice from Cheryl and Heather, and I am going to offer mine, too.

1. Where do we stay? If off property, where? We do want something nice but not horribly expensive either?

I grew up in So Cal, and I live in Phoenix now... not too far from DLR. So we go A LOT. While I would to stay at a Disney hotel, I have found that I am able to get a really nice place off-property for so cheap, we never do. We just came back from a week-long trip in June. I did Priceline, and was able to get the Marriott Suites hotel for $47 per night. Sweet! I think that is such a good deal, that to me it's worth being off-site because it gives me a little extra cash for things like character meals at the park. In the last few months, we have also gotten the Hilton and the Crowne Plaza for that same amount, using Priceline. At about a mile away from the parks, you can walk it or drive it, but it's still super close.

2. How many days do we need to count on for DL? And how many for Universal?

Well, I am a firm believer in FP's. We went in June, which was way more crowded than I am used to, and we were still able to hit every major attraction by utilizing FP. For us, 2 days was fine. One day for DL and one for DCA. But since you don't go as regularly as me, and you are going at a more crowded time of year, I would suggest adding at least one more day. That way you will have time to see all of the smaller details, and take your time.

I can do Universal in one day, too. If you want to spend the extra money, their front-of-the-line pass is amazing! But I am too cheap for that so we stood in line. We were still able to see pretty much everything. The Mummy is AMAZING!!!! And I saw Carrot Top when we did the back-lot tour, which was really cool!

3. Can we still stay in Anaheim and do Universal?

We did exactly that. Be prepared, though, because I think it was about an hour drive each way.

4. Dining Plan?

I have never used that, so I don't know. Sorry.

5. How do you tickets work considering they have partner hotels?

We normally get the 2 day hopper, which is unrelated to the hotels.

I would just suggest doing some things that are Disneyland exclusive, like the Matterhorn and Blue Bayou. And have a magical time!

[Papa Mouse]

Added satistics:

The distance from Disneyland to Universal Studios is 30.7 miles.

Lodging in-near Universal Studios:

Hotels in-near Universal Studios

Lodging inside Disneyland:

AOL Search results for hotels inside Disneyland

Lodging near Disneyland:

AOL Search results for hotels motels inns lodging near Disneyland

[dizprincesslauren]

For a busy time of year, give yourself three days for DL and DCA. The meal vouchers aren't worth it imho. If you can go during the week it is much less crowded, but sometimes that just doesn't work out. If the weather is rainy it will cut down the local crowds. See the Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones and the Matterhorn and have fun strolling through New Orleans Square. Have a great trip.