Booking Disneyland California

[zdickens]

We're thinking of doing DLC next year and so far they only holidays we've found are through Virgin. Does anyone know of any other travel agents who book for California? We want to stay at Disneys Grand Californian for 2 weeks? Any info much appreciated.

[danny]

lots of companies book california,but why do you want to stay in disneyland for 2 weeks? disney california is much much smaller than florida,there are only 2 parks and can be done in a few days .if doing cali ,why not multi centre, san diego,san francisco,las vegas,palm springs are all cool places to visit.2 weeks in disneyland hotel will cost a fortune,just wonder if youd be bored after a few days ? seaworld is in san diego ,as is the world famous zoo,also the wild animal park.universal is on the other side of LA from disneyland.LA is really spread out not like orlando ,where every thing is all generally in the same area.six flags magic mountain is north of LA if you like the big rides,and knotts berry farm is a fun park ,not far from disneyland.try val ,she helps lots of people find what they are looking for http://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/val.ramsay ( shes cinders mum on here ,sure youve seen lots of her posts b4)

[Dollar_Bill]

I agree with Danny, 2 weeks in Disneyland would be a nightmare for me. 2 days would be right.
Although using it as a base you could drive to San Diego for the day, LA for the day etc, but is wold be an expensive base.
Bill

[zdickens]

Thanks for that, just been trying to find out general information on where everything is. I priced up 2 weeks at a Disneyland hotel and nearly fell off my chair, like you say Danny, probably going to look at a twin centre and do Vegas as well. We're only really going to California to do Disney, Universal and Six Flags and if any spare time just a wander round. Is it easy enough to get around without a car?

[ali-s]

We are going to San Francisco, Monterey, San Diego and Anaheim in August, without a car !:D Check internal flights, they can be cheap compared to ours ( our flights from Monterey to San Diego are less than $80 each inc taxes ) there is an Amtrak train between Anaheim and San Diego, that is $75 for the 4 of us. We are spending 6 days in Anaheim, but we love the coasters so will be doing knottsberry and sixflags ( bus trip ) as well as Disney. There is also a beach bus tour of the orange county beaches we intend to take, so should be fine without a car.

[lettie]

we are going in september also without a car, Anheim 4nights vegas 5 nights san fran 5 nights yesssssssssssss ;)

[Rio]

We have done a 4 week, a 3 week and a 2 week holiday in Anaheim and never had a car and theres still loads of stuff we have never got round to doing.
Hotels in Anaheim are within walking distance or theres the ART buses which pick up and drop off at almost all the hotels or one nearby.
We have stayed at the Radisson Maingate, Sheraton Park and Hyatt Regency Orange County hotels and all are nice.
Love Rio

[zdickens]

Thanks everyone we're now thinking perhaps a week in California and a week in Vegas. We'll probably have a car whilst we're in California.

[danny]

it is a lot easier having a car for the LA bit of your tour,id recommend doing the sight seeing tour of LA by coach,much easier letting someone else do all the driving,you see all the major sights,plus end up the day with a few hours at santa monica beach.we stayed in the hyatt orange county last time,thought it was a really good hotel for what it cost,not too far from disneyland with several restaurants close by.the disneyland hotels are silly money for what they are in my opinion,there not lovely big resorts like florida !!!!

[Mazzy]

We stayed at the Grand Californian last year for 3 nights, and yes it is expensive! :eek: It was worth it though, as it's right there next to the parks, great location. I booked direct and got the triple A rate with my AA card - I think it was 15% off the rack rate so worth doing if you're an AA member. :d:

[ju_itfc]

Thanks everyone we're now thinking perhaps a week in California and a week in Vegas. We'll probably have a car whilst we're in California.

That sounds like a good plan, we did exactly the same trip in 2002 and stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim and the Luxor in Vegas.

Note also, we did not have to pay a one way drop fee between LA and Vegas so it might be worthwhile seeing if you can utilise the car to drive over to Vegas, it's about 4-5 hours depending on traffic. It's not a particularly scenic route by any means but it was enjoyable and you can stop in Bakersfield which is the hottest place I have ever been too. It would probably be a more relaxing way of getting to LV as opposed to driving up to LAX, allowing 2 hours to check in, security at the gates etc etc. The traffic in LA really is very busy most of the day.

I would second the other poster who mentioned doing the city tour of LA on a coach. We did this, they picked us up from our hotel and I think it was about 8hrs in total, which included all the LA sights including the Beverly Center for lunch, Downtown LA, The Viper Room (where River Phoenix died), Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Long Beach and finished with stops at both Santa Monica (brilliant) and Venice Beach (not so good). It was a long day but it was great to have someone else do the driving.

I would seriously recommend the Sheraton Anaheim for a hotel. It has to be seen to be believed (grab a Virgin brochure it is in there). The style is like a medievel castle, and the hotel grounds are lovely (someone had their wedding there when we visited). Best thing though, is free transfers to Disney, or alternatively it is just a short walk to the parks and Downtown Disney. Great location, great staff, highly recommended.
If you want mall type shopping near Anaheim try the Block at Orange. There is an Old Navy and loads of other regular shops you would expect. We actually ended up staying there nearly all day and included dinner at Wolfgang Pucks and a visit to the cinema.

In Vegas, take your pick of great hotels. My favourite remains the MGM Grand. Yes it is big, but it is amazing. There are some ridiculously low rates available on certain dates also, last September standard rooms were only $69+tax a night!!! :tounge: :tounge:

Have a great trip.

[zdickens]

Thanks ju itfc. We had a look in the Virgin brochure and we'd already seen the Sheraton looks great and surprisingly we were thinking of the Sheraton in LA and Luxor in LV (as I really love Egypt it'd be rude not to!).

[Rio]

We stopped at Bakersfield on our first trip to Vegas and it was 36 C at 9pm!!
We have done the Legendary LA tour twice, the first time we spent the afternoon in Santa Monica and the second time at Venice Beach. The first time we stopped at Olvera Street in LA but not the second time.
Its a great tour and if you go with CoachUSA and Bill is your driver...he is brilliant and knows so much.
The Sheraton Park is another great hotel having recently been refurbished and is only a block from Disneyland, the Sheraton is very close to the freeway.
Love Rio

[Unforgiven]

You could always do the "classic" California trip.

LA-DEATH VALLEY-VEGAS-YOSEMITE-SAN FRAN

Yosemite is breath taking.

[metalguru]

Be careful Six Flags is only open weekends from september but its awesome if you love coasters.:grin:

Its an hour or so from Anaheim as well.