Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [197]
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DCA SINGLE RIDER ATTRACTIONS
Maliboomer (Paradise Pier, above)
Mulholland Madness (Paradise Pier, above)
Rockin’ California Screamin’ (Paradise Pier, above)
Soarin’ Over California (Golden State, above)
Grizzly River Run (Golden State, above)
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SHOWS & PARADES
The premier show at DCA is Aladdin, a 40-minute one-act musical extravaganza, based on the movie of the same name. It’s in the Hyperion Theater on the Hollywood Studios Backlot. Arrive 30 to 60 minutes early to get good seats. Sit in the mezzanine for the best view of the flying carpet.
In the evening the Electrical Parade ends the day at DCA, with half a million tiny colored lights blinking on fabulous floats. If you’re here in summer and have a park hopper ticket, first see the Electrical Parade, then head to Disneyland to watch the fireworks.
Downtown Disney
The 0.25-mile long pedestrian mall that is Downtown Disney feels longer than it is, mostly because it’s packed with stores, restaurants, entertainment venues and, in summer, hordes of people. For specific recommendations on shopping, Click here.
On summer evenings musicians play outside. Short-term visitors to Downtown Disney can self-park at the lot just off Disneyland Dr; it’s free for three hours. After that, rates jump to $6 for each additional hour, charged in 20-minute increments.
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SLEEPING
Anaheim gets most hotel business from Disneyland tourism, but the city is also a year-round convention destination. Room rates spike accordingly, so the rates below may fluctuate. Most properties offer packages combining lodging with tickets to Disneyland or other local attractions. Some operate shuttles to the parks; inquire when you book. Many have family rooms that sleep up to six people.
For the full Disney experience, stay in one of the resort’s three hotels ( reservations 714-956-6425, 800-225-2024; www.disneyland.com): Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. One-night stays are expensive, but rates fluctuate almost daily. Save money by booking multinight stays and vacation packages. Each hotel has at least two restaurants and two bars, plus a business center with computers where you can check your email. Wi-fi access at these hotels is included in your resort fee. Inquire at reception about wi-fi hotspots and access cards. High-speed internet access is available with a cable in rooms.
Budget
HI Fullerton ( 714-738-3721, 800-909-4776, ext 138; www.hiusa.org; 1700 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton; dm members/nonmembers $22/25; Jun-Sep; wi-fi) About five miles north of Disneyland, this two-story Spanish-style cottage – formerly a damkeeper’s house – has a kitchen, washer and dryer, screened-in porch, internet access and beds for 20 guests in three clean dorm rooms (male, female, mixed). The office closes at 11:30pm but 24-hour access is available. Staff are friendly. Bus 47 runs to the hostel from the Anaheim Greyhound station. From the Amtrak station, take bus 43. To/from Disneyland is a straight shot on bus 43. Open summer only.
Lemon Tree Hotel ( 714-772-0200; 866-311-5595; www.hotelaaa.com; 1600 E Lincoln Ave; r $69-129; wi-fi) It’s hard to be hip in Anaheim, but Aussie-owned Lemon Tree gives it a shot with a funky, upbeat charm that will have you forgetting Fastpasses in no time. Rooms are decorated with faux-rustic, mission-style flair – wrought-iron lamps, paintings of senoritas, chunky wood furniture – and some have kitchens. It’s 2.5 miles and two left turns to Disneyland. Extended stays available.
Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel ( 714-995-1111, 866-752-2444; www.knottshotel.com; 7675 Crescent Ave, Buena Park; r $69-189; wi-fi) If you want a theme-park vacation for less money, this eight-story resort hotel at Knott’s Berry Farm is a great