Originally Posted By dagobert I have another question regarding Anaheim. Since we will be in California next year, we want to see Los Angeles too, at least Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Universal, maybe Warner Bros. and Downtown (WD Concert Hall). Is it better to get a room in LA, or should we stay in Anaheim after DL and drive there? Thanks!
Originally Posted By berol It could save hours of time per day to stay in LA for that part of the trip. If you avoid rush hours, it won't make a great amount of difference.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Dagobert, I'd say it depends on if LA/Hollywood is going to be a one-day thing for you, or multi-day. Sounds multi-day to me (especially if you go to Universal, which will take most of one day by itself), which says to me you should stay in LA. If you tried to jam all that in one day, then yeah you could stay in Anaheim and drive up (especially if you did it on a weekend day), but if you're looking at multi-day, you should stay in LA. There's a lot worth seeing in LA and nearby - make sure you read up and find out about some of the less-famous things, many of which are more interesting than the famous ones. "Hollywood," for instance, may disappoint you if you have a super-glamorous image of it (though the nightlife is pretty hopping again now). During the day it's fun to see the Chinese Theatre and then go across the street to see Disney's El Capitan/Ghirardelli Soda Fountain... but it won't take you as long to see Hollywood as you think (unless perhaps you want to tour Paramount studios, which is offering tours again. FYI, the Warner Bros. tour is in Burbank, and Universal is more a theme park than actual studio - at least what you see, except that the tram tour does let you see some.) It all depends on your interests, of course, but don't overlook lovely things like the Huntington Museum/Library/gardens in San Marino near Pasadena. LA isn't all flash and show biz, and I think you'll enjoy your stay more if you make sure to seek out some things that are not. You can spend many days in LA, and if you do, you really shouldn't use Anaheim as your base. The traffic back and forth on all but the lightest days will get old really fast.
Originally Posted By dagobert @ Berol and Dabob2 Thanks for the answers. It will be multi day in the LA area. We are driving down from San Francisco, but we will stop somewhere on the way, because the distance is too far to drive it on one day. So we will arrive in LA around noon and plan that half day for Hollywood, Berverly Hills and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The next day is for Universal Studios and then we have another day left. We are not sure yet if we want to do the WB Studios Tour, but I want to take a look from the outside at TWDC and since WB is in Burbank too, we thought we might give it a try.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 There's not too much to see from the outside. Actually, you can see both of them from the upper lot of Universal, if you know where to look. At a distance, for sure, but like I said there's not much you can see from the outside. I've done the Warner's tour, and it's worthwhile. If you do do that, you might as well drive by Disney and see what you can see. Maybe even do that in the morning and go on to the Huntington in the afternoon (not far away), if you like museums, rare books, etc. The gardens, if nothing else, make a beautiful place to hang for an afternoon. The desert garden may be particularly interesting to you since there's probably nothing like it in Europe. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.huntington.org/">http://www.huntington.org/</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert @ Dabob2 Thanks again. The Huntington looks indeed very interesting and we might consider going there. Especially the Library and the Garden seems to be worth a visit. I know there isn't much to see in Burbank, but I think I would regret being in LA and not driving by TWDC Studios Lot. I would already be happy to get some pictures from the outside.
Originally Posted By dagobert A few months ago we booked our flights to Las Vegas. Getting a room there isn't a problem, but can anyone recommend some hotels in and around San Francisco that aren't too expensive? Thanks?
Originally Posted By Kidz-n-k9s I've stayed at the Columbus Motor Inn twice. I love the location for walking to just about anywhere as a car just doesn't work in SF. Typically the rates are in the $150/night range. This place reminds me of staying along Harbor vs. one of the Disney properties: it is a no frills hotel, but I'm not in SF for the hotel. It is clean, safe, and has a great location: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.columbusmotorinn.com/">http://www.columbusmotorinn.com/</a> We haven't stayed here in a few years, but it still gets good reviews on Trip Advisor. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60713-d119657-Reviews-Columbus_Motor_Inn-San_Francisco_California.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hot...nia.html</a> Enjoy planning your trip!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I just read a really good review of the Portobello Philly Cheesesteak at Award Wieners in DCA. I'd never heard of it before (though I tend to avoid Award Wieners in general), but it sounded really good. I know you guys are always looking for interesting vegetarian options, so it might be something to keep in mind (the fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear is also really good!)
Originally Posted By dagobert Thanks for the info! Veggie options are always welcome, but Disney in the US is doing a really good job on that front.
Originally Posted By dagobert We are still struggling on finding a hotel or motel in or near San Francisco. So if anyone has any recommendations, please feel free and post them.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I actually had the portobello at AW in December and it was surprisingly good. Can confirm the fried green tomato sandwich at HB is too.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros If you want to do every single thing, I think it would be a struggle in 2 days unless you really knew how to strategize around the crowds. But I think you could easily get all of the big stuff done in both parks in two days and still have plenty of time to check out the details too It also depends on what the crowds are like when you visit. Weekends are obviously busier than weekdays, so if you can schedule for mid-week that would certainly help. And due to the weird AP demographics of the parks, you may find times when there are tons of people in the parks, but the waits are never too terribly long. Many APs have relatively low limits for how long they'll wait in line, so the walkways could be packed while the major attractions only have 45-60 minute waits. I've only seen truly outrageous queues parkwide on a handful of occasions, so I don't think you'll encounter that on a random early-summer day
Originally Posted By u k fan I'm at DL right now. As DLP is my home park I was really shocked at how squashed everything seems. The walkways were horribly clogged in places. I would go for 3 days if you think there's any chance of the park being busy. I haven't done DL properly as we just popped in for a couple of things, but so far I think I prefer DCA in terms of crowd control etc.!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert We are going for three days, because it's from Thursday to Saturday and it might be busy there. @ ukfan I also think I might like DCA better. As you said DLP is our home park and although DL was Walt's park, DLP is still a gem. @ Ferret Thanks for the input.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>...because it's from Thursday to Saturday and it might be busy there.<< Assuming the crowd demographics haven't changed too much in the last few years, you should have a great time all day Thursday and until about 4-5pm on Friday. Then all the Friday night crowds will come and make the parks borderline miserable. Saturday will also be very busy, but in my experience Friday nights are the busiest, even though the daytime hours are very light. Sounds like you'll get to experience the parks several different ways in a short amount of time!
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Then all the Friday night crowds will come and make the parks borderline miserable.<<< I'm pretty sure we will spent the evening somewhere outside the parks with a cocktail and a beer ;-)
