To anyone that has been to Disneyland

Steve1005

Steve1005

Well-Known Member
I haven't gotten into full blown planning phase yet, but two quick questions for anyone that has been there before,
1) out of the million airports in the area of DL, which is the best to fly in to? Basically, is there one that's better for traffic wise (busses, taxis, etc.) Or is one cheaper than the rest?
And 2) of all the resorts and "good neighbor" resorts which is the best? Again value wise. I just need a place to sleep that isn't a too far away from the parks.

Thanks anyone and everyone, and hopefully if all goes to plan I can put a new countdown up sooner rather than later. :)
 
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Maleficent61

Maleficent61

Member
We booked through Southwest Vacations and they had several airfare and hotel combo offers. Stayed at the Hilton Convention Center which is across the street from California Adventure about a 15 minute walk to the entrance. They had table service restaurant as well as a food court. We rented a car but I'm sure the hotel could answer and bus/taxi questions.
 
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F

Family B

New Member
We have traveled out to Disneyland several times and stayed at a few different places. We typically fly into either John Wayne (SNA) or Long Beach. Our last trip we used SNA. It's a Southwest Hub. I've used Super Shuttle for transportation and been pleased with the service at SNA. Many trips we rent a car because we explore a bit more.

I'll admit I'm a hotel snob. I typically travel with my children so I look for a good pool, location and safety. I hate hotels that open to the outside, so I typically avoid those. (Especially if it is just me and kids.)

There is a Holiday Inn on Manchester. It was very nice when we stayed there last, but you can't walk to the parks from it. It had a nice pool and free parking. Some negatives Location and lack of dining.

The Park Sheraton on Harbour is still my favorite. It is one of the few hotels in the area with a balcony and you can get a theme park view which offers a good view of fireworks. (IMO it was better than what we had staying in a Disney Resort but you don't get the soundtrack.) It's within walking distance but a little further down Harbour. We didn't find the walk bad compared to what you experience with everything in Florida. This is as far down as I would recommend if you plan to walk to the parks.

Last trip we stayed at the Sheraton Garden Grove. This was a very pleasant surprise. It's pretty much as far down on Harbour as you can get before you leave the Disney Resort Area. We happened to be there during August one of the busiest weekends, so hotel choices felt limited. (I wanted to try the Red Lion, which I've heard good things about.) I don't recommend thinking to walk from this area. It's a good distance. They had a shuttle to and from the park that was very affordable. ($2.00/day, I think. My DD was free.) It was never crowded and we got there for Rope Drop and stayed late. It was combined with 3 other hotels in the same area. There is a Target pretty much right across the street. The negatives were parking (charge per day) and lack of dining options. But I'd still stay here again.

Most of the hotels in the area meet a fairly high standard based on my readings. I have friends that stayed in the Hampton directly across from Main Gate and they were pleased. (I've heard parking is a challenge in this area.)

I can't rave enough about the Disneyland Hotel. By far our favorite Disney Resort. Tops anything we have tried in Florida. We don't stay here often but dream of being able to go back.
 
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kap91

kap91

Well-Known Member
My favorite good neighbor hotel is the Fairfield on harbor blvd. Very clean, friendly, etc. gives the vibe of being an all star resort.

I always fly into lax with few issues but I hear john Wayne is supposed to be nicer and closer.
 
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Hakunamatata

Hakunamatata

Le Meh
Premium Member
kap91 said:
My favorite good neighbor hotel is the Fairfield on harbor blvd. Very clean, friendly, etc. gives the vibe of being an all star resort.

I always fly into lax with few issues but I hear john Wayne is supposed to be nicer and closer.
Click to expand...
Fairfield as well. Mcdonalds in the parking lot is very handy.
 
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G

Goofy@WDW

New Member
I would highly recommend Candy Cane Inn. It's a 7-10 minute walk and you don't have to cross any major roads. I've stayed there three times and haven't been disappointed. Have fun!
 
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H

hanwill

Well-Known Member
It's also a smaller airport, and easy to get to DL from there.... Not too much traffic. LAX seems so far away (looking at the map- I have only flown into John Wayne). John Wayne was a relatively small airport, with easy entrances and exits, few gates, straight drive to the parks... go there if you can.
 
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Tinkerfan4ever

Tinkerfan4ever

Well-Known Member
We stayed at Paradise Pier, so I can't really help you with the hotel.

But as the others have said... we HIGHLY recommend John Wayne airport (SNA). It was cheaper for us that Long Beach or LAX. Is a very easy airport to navigate, and is only about 15-20 minutes from Disney.

Have a great trip!
 
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mcstensrud

mcstensrud

Well-Known Member
In September we flew into LAX only b cuz Jet Blue from Bos flew direct 6 hrs.
We used the grayline bus to and from the Grand Californian with no problems at all.
On a side note,we rented a car at Alamo at DTD for a day trip to the beach!
 
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Pixie VaVoom

Pixie VaVoom

Well-Known Member
Mukta said:
John Wayne or Long Beach Airport.

Howard Johnson on Harbor Blvd.
Click to expand...

I have stayed at the Howard Johnson as well and liked it well enough, but I was about done for the day by the time I walked to the park. The Carousel is not very fancy, but clean and efficient and Right across the street from the parks entrances. I would stay there again.
 
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Stevek

Stevek

Well-Known Member
I live in So Cal and work about 1 minute away from John Wayne airport. Considerably closer to Disneyland than Los Angeles Int'l so if the cost is close, I'd strongly consider that. As for hotels, have only stayed in the 3 disney hotels so I may not be the best to provide recos. That being said, I have heard very good things about Candy Cane Inn and the Howard Johnson appears to be very popular as well.
 
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ajrwdwgirl

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
John Wayne is the best to fly into, but if there is a better deal at LAX then it isn't that bad of a commute. I've flown in and out of both.

I've stayed at the Best Western Stovall's, Howard Johnson, and the Best Western Anaheim Inn and out of those three the best deal was the BW Anaheim Inn and it is the closest of those three. I would definitely stay there again.
 
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Club34

Club34

Well-Known Member
I fly into LAX. I take the nonofficial disney express. its a little less than organized but in the end they'll get you to the hotel. I always stay at the best western park place inn which is right across the street from the bus/tram entrance [next to captain kidd restaurant if you look at google street view- don't eat there btw]. You literally are in the park quicker than someone in the disneyland hotel. Its not the most luxurious accommodations but it does the trick and the hot tub works and is decent. I found it clean and a decent value compared to the disney hotels [4 days is like getting 10 days at wdw- !]. Walking distance to tony romas for a nice offsite rib dinner too thats reasonably priced.
 
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JoMarch

JoMarch

Active Member
We flew into LAX and took the Disneyland Express to our Hotel. It was about a 40 minute drive...but once we arrived to the DL area, it was about another 30 minutes as the bus made drop offs to each hotel.

We stayed at the Candy Cane Inn. I would definitely stay there again. I felt was clean, quiet and had a very nice continental breakfast every morning. Also the walk was a breeze and well lit at night. The trees that line the walkway had twinkling lights. It's also on the same side of the stret as DL.
 
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