Disneyland?

[Big Al]

To all, I have come to value this site as my number one resource for WDW information. You folks are understanding, informative and down right fun to talk to. However, this year my DW and I celebrate 15 wonderful years of marriage and I want to take her somewhere different. Hawaii is still out of the budget for the moment but I was discussing ideas of perhaps going halfway this time to the west coast. Does anyone/everyone have such vast knowledge about Disneyland as well? If not, where could I turn to? :confused:

[BevW]

Oh oh !!! If you were going next year, you'd hit the 50th anniversary of DL!!!
And yes, there are a lot of us who love Disneyland as much as WDW!
Ask away! It's a great place. There's the Magic Kingdom on one side and California Adventure on the other....then on down the walk way is Downtown Disney! All in one area. No buses to take, no transportation to wait on, once your there. It's wonderful.

Can you tell I just LOVE Disneyland!

[d_dreamer]

ask away about DL, its the happiest place on earth, i think we all know about it rather well :wink:

[dcfromva]

Big Al,
Did someone say "Disneyland"? :bounce: Where the magic began?

Let me move this post over to the DL forum for maximum input and discussion! :)

Will your travel dates be during the 50th anniversary? Do you want to see some of the sights in Los Angeles, too?

-DC :ears:

[rjbarker]

I live in LA (not far from Disneyland) and I've been going to Disneyland for the last 20 years so if you need any help with Disneyland or LA (driving directions?), just ask!

Also, I don't know the last time you've been to Disneyland, but there's this semi-new restaurant called Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney and it is a very fun, cajun, New Orleans-style restaurant with a Bananas Foster that has to be the best dessert in the entire United States!

[BevW]

We're planning a trip during the 50th anniversary, and I can't wait! Got my hotel already picked out, and things to do after we're done with the parks. Maybe head out to Big Sur, San Simeon (sp), Carmel, San Diego for sure. I got the California blues :(

[rjbarker]

Have you considered Catalina? It's beautiful.

[ssttrasotm]

Or there is San Diego. My friend, Dick Long sunk a 485ft boat called the Youkon out there, and it is one of the coolest dive sites I know of. At least until I sink one of my own here in Seattle. ;)

[dizzyknee]

Big Al you're a BIG sweetie!

We are just starting to plan a trip to DL too and I am very excited!

But as I read your post I thought...What if you spent a bit more at WDW and stayed at the Polynesian. You could have a taste of Hawaii. Does it cost more to fly to California?

Just a thought :)

[Big Al]

Dizzyknee,

I'd love to do that! However my DW has been Disney Worlded out over the last 8 years. Can't really blame her because you know what they say - too much of a great thing isn't so great. So I figured that by going to DL I'd get my fill of Disney, she's get her beaches, the kids would be entertained and everyone would be somewhat happy. Only thing though is that I am looking for a place to set down in one spot and stay for the week running all day trips and excursions (SeaWorld, Queen Mary, Beverly Hills, Universal, etc.) out of the Anaheim area. Does ANYBODY out there know of a nice, all suite type, lodging very close to parks that would cost under 200/nt. I'm looking for a separate bedroom for mom and dad and a sofa bed for the kids (they still all love to sleep together).

And yes, my plans do take us there for the 50th bash. The last time I was at DL was 1991 when DW was pregnant with our first daughter.

[dcfromva]

Big Al,

Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites link (http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/rooms/room_main.html) is located right across the street from DL.

The accomodations are not fancy, but they do have two room configurations, the room prices are reasonable and they are literally across the street from DL.

Is it your vision to stay right across the street from DL or do you just need something in the Anaheim area or do you want a place centrally located to sight seeing in the LA area?
Were you looking for something like a timeshare that has cooking facilities? (If so, how far away would you travel?) We have been looking for accomodations like we could get with our Disney Vacation Club (at WDW), but in the Anaheim area and we just have not discovered anything really close to DL. (There is this beautiful Marriott property in Newport Beach, (http://marriott.com/property/propertyPage/LAXNC) but it is approx 20miles from DL (and the best rate I could find was a $338.00 10% AAA discount for some random dates in June 2005 --I'm not sure when you are going, so I just picked some dates) ... I wish they had something like this just across the street!

There is a Marriott Residence Inn (http://marriott.com/property/propertyPage/SNAAH) in Anaheim which is about a 1/2 mile from DL (Spacious suites with full kitchen and separate areas for sleeping, working, eating and relaxing). (Rate listed as $259/night for a 2br suite for june 2005 dates. )

-DC :ears:

[rjbarker]

[QUOTE=Big Al]Only thing though is that I am looking for a place to set down in one spot and stay for the week running all day trips and excursions (SeaWorld, Queen Mary, Beverly Hills, Universal, etc.) out of the Anaheim area.QUOTE]

Just keep in mind that traffic is horrendous in and around LA and Orange County.

[PsychoAlice]

I couldnt find wher eyou said what time of year you would be going..I am THE Disneyland know it all around here (30+ years of going!!)!! I would be MORE than happy to help you out with what you need!!

[BevW]

Sarah!! I knew you'd pop in sometime or another! Glad to see ya girl.

[PsychoAlice]

Sorry sorry been super busy!! havent even sqeezed in a trip to Disneyland since the man has been home from Iraq!! Im here and on the job!!

[BevW]

Sorry sorry been super busy!! havent even sqeezed in a trip to Disneyland since the man has been home from Iraq!! Im here and on the job!!

that's sort of NOT you is it? No Disney! Are you running a fever? Are you taking vitamins? :rotfl:
Glad you're back though!

[PsychoAlice]

yea well I switched over vitamins! Im having vitamin SEAN..hehe I love having my baby home!

[BevW]

I know you are girl. I know you are. I'm so glad for you. Now, when's he getting a Disney Season Pass?

[tajainaz]

Glad to see you on the boards, PA! And very glad Sean returned home safely! :)

Here is a
link to the dates for Disneyland (http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25259).

[PsychoAlice]

ok if anyone comes in the dead middle of the summer I will not be able to come (you know black out dates on my AP and it will be HORRIDLY busy and use Southern Californians just dont dare touch Disney at that time of year! EEP!!

About Sean getting an AP...thats been a battle...I dont go enough to get an AP is what I get from him..I am going to get Collin (Seans son) one and tell Sean to have fun at home sitting around doing nothing me and the 3 kids are going to Disneyland and he can either come with us and suck it up or he can be all alone...hehe I know he will come with cause he does have fun when I take him

[Big Al]

Can someone project a better picture of CA then just a glorified Knotts Berry Farm? I looked at the official website's map and wasn't too impressed by the rides listed. What's the place like? Is it really a quasismaller EPCOT? :) Would I find a day's worth of siteseeing there? :confused:

[PsychoAlice]

I could spend 3 days there (wait I have) and still not seen nor done everything there is to do! When I first went I didnt think I would be impressed but the atmosphere is GREAT!!

Knott's berry farm is like Magic Mountian these days..lots of rollercoaster with little of the old park to see..I am not impressed as to what they have done..

[BevW]

CA is really a matter of taste. My SIL hates it, my sister likes it, my Mom loved it and so do DH and I.

The rides that are there....that roller coaster and Soarin over California are the best. Mulholland Madness isn't as tame as it looks, and I like the tours that go on....the bread factory, the tortilla factory.

The shops are great, ok, I really like California Adventure.

[mickeycrazy]

My husband thought that the Paradise Pier area reminded him of nothing more than a carnival or fair.

I enjoyed it a little more. I liked the ferris wheel (never been on one that the cars slide before), & I liked the Animation place in the Hollywood area. I think they are going to update the WDW Animation attraction at to be more like it. We also did love Soarin' . We didn't spend a whole day there though, & got to ride everything we wanted to. Of course this was before they added the TOT & the Aladin show.

[PsychoAlice]

the Aladian show is MAVELOUS!! My DS (12) WHINED cause I drug him in there..he LOVED it and wanted to see it again!

We did 1 afternoon of NOTHING but shows (at DL and DCA) and loved it!