Trip to Disneyland in 2009

[buttonman700]

Hello everyone, Big Ed here.

 

Say I know I haven't been on the forum for a long, long time. Life has a way of taking you in different directions. ever since I resigned at Thrill-Ville I haven't really looked at an amusement park.

 

That aside, I get to travel along with Kasey to Anaheim in April of 2009, she's going for a teachers conference, and I am tagging along.

 

I haven't been to Disneyland in 20 plus years, so I need some advice on places to stay, reasonably priced, but not super 8, are there grocery stores near by? I can get hours and ticketing info from Disney's site.

 

Once we get closer to the trip I'd love to set up a TPR meeting. It's been to long since we've gotten to see many of you.

 

Thank you all for any help.

 

Ed

[DBJ]

I have relatives that have enjoy the Castle Inn & Suites on Harbor Blvd., for Christmas time they claim they got a good deal. I know the Howard Johnsons is pretty nice there, and the Best Western close by is decent as well.

 

One thing that is new to the area is the Gardenwalk mall...little bare still, but PF Changs and the Cheesecake Factory are there, so that's something. I don't think there is a grocery store within easy walking distance of DL actually, but it's a short drive. Vons as I recall is in the area, lot of mini-marts too.

 

One thing that may be a big help is google maps. Punch in Disneyland, and then search nearby for the business type you would like. At least that way you'll know the precise distance.

[Erik Johnson]

I can vouch for the Howard Johnson's. While it is not the nicest or newest hotel on the block, it does the job for not a ton of cash. Plus its only about a 8 minute walk to the gates from the hotel.

[cfc]

^I concur--Hojos in Anaheim is a good deal. My family has stayed there a number of times over the years and always liked it.

[printersdevil78]

Oh, you're gonna enjoy revisiting all those classic rides you first rode more than two decades ago! Like the Peoplemover, the Skyway, Country Bear Jamboree....

 

But seriously, I flew cross-country for an annual Disneyland trip each year from 2002 until this year (when I opted for TPR's Behemoth/Flyer trip instead), and I always stayed at the Park Vue Inn. It's literally RIGHT there across the street from the entrance to the Disneyland Resort, accessible via crosswalk. The rates are decent, the staff has always been beyond friendly, the rooms are nice enough (though a bit small) as long as all you're planning to do is sleep there. And just this year I hear they've added a Coldstone Creamery in the lobby! Plus they have a pool, if that makes a difference (doesn't for me).

 

I don't know about nearby grocery stores, as I've always eaten the Park Vue's free continental breakfast (also very good--and if you don't like that, there's an IHOP in the parking lot or a McDonald's just a few doors down) and then just gotten lunch and dinner in the parks or at Downtown Disney. However, the hotel also has a small gift shop that carries snacks, sodas, etc., as well as snack and soda machines on property (I felt so cool the first time I bought Knott's cookies there--IN California!).

 

Anyway, I've stayed at hotels throughout the country for work, pleasure and volunteer work, and for location, price and friendy staff the Park Vue is firmly planted in my top three.

 

(And now maybe they'll put me on the payroll....)

[speedracer]

Here's a thread with all the DLR area hotel reviews you could hope for:

 

http://micechat.com/forums/so-cal-hotel-reviews/

 

And a cool map of them all:

 

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

I know for sure there's a 7-11 right on the corner of Harbor/Katella, and recall a few other mini-market type places in the same general area.