First trip to CA!

[danpam1024]

We've decided to head out west next summer! I'm so used to planning WDW trips, I'm lost. Most important question: Where should we stay (on property of course)?:shrug: The hotels don't seem as "resort-ish" as WDW, but I'm trying not to compare:wave:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

If you're set on a Disney hotel, I was impressed with my stroll around the Grand Californian. It has exits right into both Downtown Disney and California Adventure (you literally walk out the door and into the park), and the theming inside made me think of Wilderness Lodge. Very rustic and relaxing. If I were to pick one of the DL hotels, I think that would be it...with the Disneyland Hotel a close second. (Mostly because of all the cool Disney memorabilia stashed inside there.)

Just to throw it out there, there are many off-site hotels that are practically as close to Disneyland property as Disney's 3 hotels. If a Disney resort for its own sake is what you need, then obviously this won't matter — but if you just want to be close by, there are dozens of hotels within walking distance of Disneyland, unlike at WDW.

 

[lilclerk]

Yeah, staying at a Disney resort in Disneyland isn't nearly as big a deal as it is in WDW. The Grand Californian is the only one that's themed as well as a WDW resort, the other two are pretty basic. You can find better resorts 5-20 minutes walk away from DL's gate that are cheaper with better amenities. DL even set up contracts with hotels around them called Good Neighbor hotels. You get pretty much all the same benefits as someone staying on-site (early entry, booking on the Disneyland website, etc.)

However, I totally get the whole DISNEY RESORT feeling... I'd really like to stay at the Disneyland Hotel once it's finished getting refurbed.

 

[worldfanatic]

I love staying on property, but you definitely pay the price.
The Grand Californian is every bit as impressive as any WDW hotel. I've seen 'em all, stayed at most. Trust me. The GC compares well!! If you're willing to spend the money, it's awesome!!
The Disneyland Hotel has a great pool and some nice restaurants, you'll get the Magical feel there.
I'd avoid paying the money for Paradise Pier. Rooms are great, but it doesn't come close to the Disney feel of the other 2, and it's not a whole lot cheaper.
Wherever you stay, you'll have a blast!!! :sohappy:

 

[danpam1024]

I chose the Disneyland hotel, since it was the first. We'll only be there 3 nights (most of or vacation is planned in San Diego). But I'm one of those people that will change my mind a thousand times before I book:brick::lol:.

 

[JamieD]

Wilt is right, there are a ton on good places to stay literally across the street. And, that's not like when place near Six Flags or some other park says "right next door" or "one block away" and it turns out that they measured the distance through the woods and the only walkway or shuttle takes 30 minutes along a highway...some of those hotels (especially on the northern end of Harbor Blvd) are a stones throw from Space Mountain and the crosswalk into the park. Have fun!

 

[T0TFan]

While some of the hotels are right across the street are closer to the parks than the DL hotel, I would not recommend them if you want to remain in a "fantasy world".

Being an AP I rarely need to stay at a hotel but I see the people walking to their rooms at the end of the night and I can't help but see "reality" smacking them right in the face when they have to cross a busy Harbor Bl after being in the parks all day.

That is the same reason I would not stay at the Paradise Pier hotel:shrug:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I chose the Disneyland hotel, since it was the first. We'll only be there 3 nights (most of or vacation is planned in San Diego). But I'm one of those people that will change my mind a thousand times before I book:brick::lol:.

If it's the DL Hotel for you, be sure to check out the GINORMOUS wall of old Disney memorabilia. It's on the first floor, toward the convention center part of the building. Find a room that has photos of all the celebrities that have visited DL flanking both walls, and the display is one room back from there. It's really astounding to see how much stuff is there.

 

[danpam1024]

Thanks! Now if July 27th would just get here so I can book..:brick:

 

[disney4life2008]

I am planning a trip to DL as well. But I want to go specifically for the Nightime Entertainment (Fantasmic, World of Color, DEP, etc.) My trip would be in May 2010 but it seems that the Nighttime Entertainmnet only runs during June, July and August.

 

[nemofinder22]

Fireworks usually run on the weekends in the slower seasons, as does Fantasmic! this past May it was out for refurbishment, rumors say to expect Fantasmic! it also be down in the winter/early spring when Rivers of America goes down for refurbishment. DEP seems to be seasonal now, but with World of Color starting in March and DEP rumored to move back to DL I think its going to be a little different.

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

We went on our first Disneyland vacation a year ago yesterday and stayed 5 nights @ the Best Western across the street from the Main Gate. Yes, it was considerably cheaper and yes, you are removed from the magic once you cross the street but it was a decent place to stay. And when I say it was just across the street, I mean it. It took no more than 10 minutes (on a casual stroll) to reach our hotel room after we exited the gates to either Disney Land or California Adventure. There are other "Good Neighbor" hotels around that would be considered an upgrade to Best Western, but they are much further up the street.