Anyone been to Anaheim ?

[Stuart_D]

Ok so I'm less than one week back and I'm already trying to plan the next holiday. I've got to say I don't know what to do. I fancy the DVC and I've been looking at points and how to purchase them thanks to the help and advise of other Dibb members. However my DW says she doesn't want to go back to Florida for a few more years and would prefer to head out to California.

Has anyone been to Anaheim and how does it compare with Orlando ?

[Suzie&Stuart]

Silver,glad to read your post.
We too are also looking at California/Nevada/Arizona for our next trip to the States,so anything positive to hear about these places makes me want to go even more.

Stuart

[loopydiamond]

some of my family live in San diego and as has already been said it is a stunning city...anaheim is also nice ... the only thing i would be aware of is that if its the theme parks that apeal to you in Florida, then they are more widely spread out in California, and in my opinion eating out is a little more expensive...that said, personally i prefer California...but i do think that it is a different kind of holiday altogether than Florida.

[lesliejohn]

as you can see, we did the west coast a few years back, we enjoyed it . anaheim was nice, though not as big tourist wise as orlando. the two disney parks were smaller but good all the same.
there is also six flags/mountains out there, and sea world in san diego.
next time i do the west coast ,fly to seattle then a train to san fransico...lovely
les.........

[camBB]

I've been across to the west coast 3 times. the last time we flew into phoenix and drove onto Tucson down to tombstone and onto Mexico. On the way back we went to Vegas for a few days and flew back from there. Great holiday however we didn't have kids then. There's loads to do on the west coast with the zoo in San diego, Sea world etc loads in Anaheim, San Fran, Death valley, Vegas, Palm Springs and the national parks

[philtucker]

Hello

Apologies that I cannot compare with Florida as we have not been to Florida.

We wanted to do Disney etc and an American friend of ours (who has a house in Florida) suggested that California makes a much better all round holiday.

It was the best holiday that we have ever had and then some.

The beauty of it was some really good theme parks and not too busy (we went in August last year) but the climate was really good. Hot but not humid. Also we could have a day on a park and then a day at the beach or Hollywood sightseeing etc.

The parks we visited, Disney, Knotts, Universal and Sea World (San Diego) were all really, really good. None of the parks were too big.

We stayed in Anehiem, San Diego, Vegas and then Santa Monica.

There was huge choice in eating out and all very, very good value against what we are used to in the UK.

We are going to the US again next year and without a doubt it is California here we come.

[Claire_L]

We found staying near the beach at Newport Beach much nicer than built up areas such as Anaheim. Also found that generally things including meals were cheaper than in Florida.
Claire :wink

[Briar_Rose]

I prefer the Disney parks in California as they are smaller, and tend to fly with United Vacations as they include 2 free stopovers.

So I like to do a few days in California then fly to Orlando and do universal etc there. Food is a heck of lot cheaper in Florida than California as well.

Might do it again soon.:D

[CruellaDeVilla]

Car hire is more expensive in Calafornia, just something else to add to the discussion. California is nice but it can be a bit an*l in some places. San Deigo is fab as is San Fransisco, LA is a dump!

[aquallama]

we were actually thinking of doing this in 2007. spending 4 days at califorina then flying back to florida for 7 days. only doing disney parks at florida. we can only take a max of 14 days.
has anyone else done this?

[nala]

We went in feb,started in san fran then anaheim only done the disney parks and really enjoyed our stay at the portofino inn and suites.
overall we had a great time.:cool:

Angela:D

[Rio]

The first time we went to Anaheim, we only met one other British couple, but when we went last year we met quite a lot, so it is getting more popular.I have a friend in Anaheim and she said that its becoming more popular for Brits.
Last year we stayed for 4 weeks and my friend drove us to Williams, Arizona (on Route 66) to visit the Grand Canyon then onto Hoover Dam and then Las Vegas for a couple of days, it was great.
We had deluxe annual passes last year and visited the parks when we felt like it, sometimes just for the fireworks and sometimes a couple of hours!
Did a lot of shopping and I have to say that shopping in Beverly Hills is great, especially Rodeo Drive.
We are visiting Florida for the first time this year, for a change, hope we love it as much as Anaheim.
We thought eating out in Anaheim was cheap, wow, if Florida is cheaper, then even better!!!....lol
Love Rio

[dcmax]

Originally posted by CruellaDeVilla
Car hire is more expensive in Calafornia, just something else to add to the discussion. California is nice but it can be a bit an*l in some places. San Deigo is fab as is San Fransisco, LA is a dump!

Use Yes Car hire to book car hire ..rates match florida and dont forget you have the added advantage of no state restrictions... LA is not really a city but a collection of suburbs and countys some of which are wonderful and some of which, just like anywhere in the world, aren't..[though Inglewood is particularly grim so don't get lost around that area]

[Rio]

I enjoyed our trip of Downtown LA, especially Olvera Street where LA first started.
Lovely little market there with stalls selling lots of Mexican things and lovely churros at $1 each.
Love Rio

[Briar_Rose]

Originally posted by aquallama
we were actually thinking of doing this in 2007. spending 4 days at califorina then flying back to florida for 7 days. only doing disney parks at florida. we can only take a max of 14 days.
has anyone else done this?

Last year I went with United with my (then 9) DS Zach and we used the free stopovers.
We did New York for 3 nights, California for 4 nights and then Orlando for 10 nights. The whole lot only cost about £1500 for the 2 of us if I remember correctly.

Booked via Val (Cinders Mum) apart from Quicksilver Limo in Orlando and got my tickets from Dreams Unlimited for Anaheim DL and I think I got my Flex tickets from Mapleleaf.

Next time, probably next year, I'm going to the same trip, minus NY. with my younger son, Danny as he'll be 5 then and Zach'll be visiting his dad so can't come.

I prefer the Disney parks in California as they are so much easier to get around and you only need a few days to do all the rides. When I'm in Orlando, I prefer to go to the flex ticket parks.

[donna100]

I went to LA last week for the first time and loved it.

Anaheim is very much like florida with the types of restaurants and Theme Parks. Disney and Universal are amazing and I prefered some of the attractions here than in Florida.

We didn't find the restaurants too expensive but I think that is because of the exchange rate at the moment.

Santa Monica, Beverley Hills are a must but don't worry to much about Hollywood. If you do go there definately go in the day time as not really what I expected.

You will love it

D
x

[Stuart_D]

Thanks guys.

A few years ago I thought holidays were a complete waste of money, then we went to Florida for the first time. I couldn't wait to go back.....so I guess like my Dad thats the only place I want to go back to now....year after year after year.

My wife is desperately trying to talk me into Anaheim and I guess you guys have strengthened her case. Each person I've spoken to that has been to both says West Coast is best...

I guess I'll need to get planning

[sumacdo]

I've been to both Florida and California and CA wins hands down. It's only a tad more expensive and 4 hours more flying time but well worth a visit. There is far more to see and do, the climate is easier, the driving is scarier and the scenery is fantastic. And you won't see a single British football shirt anywhere!!

As previously said, LA is a dump but you still have to go and have a look, get out into some of the counties and it's far nicer, you would only need to spend a couple of days in Anaheim just do to Disney. San Fran is good for a few days, plenty to keep everyone occupied. San Diego is gorgeous. I think the shopping is better too.

[dcmax]

Originally posted by sumacdo
And you won't see a single British football shirt anywhere!!



True.. though a considerably less number of football shirts may be nearer the mark, I remember our last visit to Manns Chinese Theatre taking a picture of Jackie when I spotted a guy in my home towns shirt..:cry: :cry:

[Rio]

We never saw any England shirts the first time we went but last year we saw a lot of England, Man Utd and Arsenal shirts.
I tried to explain to my friend (who lives in Anaheim) why they are worn on other days not just when they have a game!!...lol
Love Rio