Visiting LA (Anaheim, Orange, Santa Monica: credit, hotels, safe area)

[kiku]

Hi,
We are planning for visiting LA on Oct 29 for 4 days. We plan to visit Disney Land, Universal Studios, Santa Monica beach, Hollywood street. I am looking to book a hotel that would be convenient to travel to all these places and LAX airport. Please give me suggestions. Is staying in downtown safe and good idea for travel?

[osuzana]

I think Univeral is a pretty central and safe area to stay. LAX is only a half hour drive and I am assuming you will only be going to and coming from there.

[uptown_urbanist]

I would also consider putting Disneyland at one end of the trip, then spending one or two nights in Anaheim right by the park. I think people at the official Disney hotels might get early access or some other perks, although admittedly it's been years since I've been inside Disneyland. In any case, Disneyland is a long way away from everything else you want to see, so to get the most out of your day (and not waste it in the drive) it would make sense to consider that as a different than the rest of your trip.

Depending on what kind of neighborhood you like, Hollywood itself could also be a nice option. It's fairly central itself, and there are a lot of hotels at various price points.

I love downtown and would happily stay there, but since it sounds like your interests are more the classic tourist destinations, I think it would be inconvenient and out of the way. I think you'd be better off somewhere like Hollywood, around Universal Studios, or maybe West Hollywood.

[osuzana]

If you will be staying in the Valley the trip to Disneyland is only about 60 miles and 45 minutes without traffic...with I am not sure but unless you are going to other Orange County or Anaheim destinations, I would stick with your central location.

[Charles]

Do Disneyland in the middle of the week.

Here is a great tool I used when we went last week:

RideMax - Planning Software for Walt Disney World and Disneyland

It cost $15 but it figures out the most efficient itinerary for Disneyland based on the rides you want to attend, the date, and the times you expect to be there.

[ferretkona]

Tickets for dizzyland are about $80 a day now. You can save by buying them at a credit union or work place. CostCo sells tickets as well.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I would also consider putting Disneyland at one end of the trip, then spending one or two nights in Anaheim right by the park. I think people at the official Disney hotels might get early access or some other perks, although admittedly it's been years since I've been inside Disneyland. In any case, Disneyland is a long way away from everything else you want to see, so to get the most out of your day (and not waste it in the drive) it would make sense to consider that as a different than the rest of your trip.

Depending on what kind of neighborhood you like, Hollywood itself could also be a nice option. It's fairly central itself, and there are a lot of hotels at various price points.

I love downtown and would happily stay there, but since it sounds like your interests are more the classic tourist destinations, I think it would be inconvenient and out of the way. I think you'd be better off somewhere like Hollywood, around Universal Studios, or maybe West Hollywood.

That is probably the best idea. I think I would do DisneyLand on Friday, the 30th and then head to the downtown area or maybe even near LAX. In the LAX area you can choose from lots of hotels, we love the Embassy suites because of the managers cocktail and appitizer hour nightly and the cook to order breakfast. Or you may want to look at a Hampton Inn or a Marriott. The other option would be near Universal studios.

Nita