Another travel ? Disneyland and Huntington Beach

[sunshineandpinot]

Lots of us are planning trips this week!

13 YO DD and I are taking a last min trip (next week) to Los Angelas. So last min that I haven't even decided which airport we're flying into but thinking SNA and I did book the Hyatt in Huntington Beach which gets great reviews. 

Do I need or want to rent a car? It's about $100 day and I do get free parking with my Hyatt status. Or would it be cheaper/easier to just Uber everywhere? 

We have 2.5 days. We'll do Disneyland on day 1. I'm not a Disney person *at all* (I love it for you, but not for me) but I know we'll have a great time. This will likely be the only time we'll ever go to Disneyland. The Lightning Lane Pass is a must, right? Any other tips? We did Disney one other time and I felt very unprepared in regards to food. I didn't know where to eat or what was good, so I'd love some suggestions. I do appreciate good food, if that exists in DL? 

Not sure what we should do on the other full day or what would make sense if we're staying in Huntington Beach. Maybe ride bikes and take the ferry to Balboa Island? I think we would both find that fun. 

A friend mentioned a celebrity home tour. Is that still a thing? Warner Bros Studio Tour? Or are we staying too far away?

Thanks for any suggestions/tips! 

[dutchgirl678]

I would do 1 day in Disneyland and 1 day in Disney California Adventure.

[livinitup]

Check your drive time from the hotel to Disneyland. It’s certainly easy enough to go & come back the same day. I’m wondering why you wouldn’t just book one of the many, many hotels directly across the street from the Disneyland entrance? It’s certainly okay to get off the plane, drive to the beach, check in, and then get up drive (about 2 hours ish) to Disney, spend the day at Disneyland, and drive back.

With only 2.5 days, I’d be tempted to get off the plane, drive to a local Disneyland hotel immediately and then wake up and walk across the street for my day at Disneyland.

End my day at Disneyland, walk to the hotel to get my car, drive to the beach, check in to that hotel, and then wake up at the beach for day 2.


ETA: I’ve only rented a car when I’ve stayed in the Manhattan Beach area and planned a day or two at Disneyland. I have no idea if Uber is an option to travel between. Probably, but check distance and cost - especially at your preferred time of day to compare to a rental.

[sonrisa]

We went to Disneyland in August and my 13 yr old and I made it from rope drop to closing. We stayed right near the entrance and I’d recommend that for your Disney bookends.

My main recommendation is look to see if there is a day when pass holders can’t go and go that day. Disneyland is a mess in the afternoon/evening on days when SoCal pass holders can go.

(We go more than you - one day every 4ish years - but aren’t annual visit, multipark, multi day types so we make that one day count and minimize added stress)

[sunshineandpinot]

Huntington Beach looks to be a 30-45 min uber ride away so not too far, but I guess we could stay 1-2 nights at the park and move to the beach resort for our last day/night. Interesting idea. livinitup or am I missing something ? Bc I am not interested in driving 2 hours!
Unfortunately pass holder blackout dates are the weekend before we arrive.

[1confused1]

If you decide to do a ride share, Lyft is cheaper in the Anaheim area than Uber.

[livinitup]

Oct 7, 2024 13:11:32 GMT -5 sunshineandpinot said:

Huntington Beach looks to be a 30-45 min uber ride away so not too far, but I guess we could stay 1-2 nights at the park and move to the beach resort for our last day/night. Interesting idea. livinitup or am I missing something ? Bc I am not interested in driving 2 hours!
Unfortunately pass holder blackout dates are the weekend before we arrive.

That is what I am thinking. It’s nice to be able to walk from the park to a hotel room. Or even mid-day since you are not a big park person, take a rest, and walk back when refreshed. Disneyland is a lot less chaotic than WDW but has all of the Disney fun. It might be nbd to Uber back to the Huntington Beach hotel. Really, two great options.

[7costanza]

I was just at Disneyland last week and in general found the food to be just ok. Highlights were the bride churro with dipping sauce available in front of the haunted mansion, a pumpkin cream cheese muffin at the cafe/bakery on Main Street, and the cold brew coffee with sweet cream cheese and coco puffs at the place next to the millennium falcon/rise of the resistance ride in the Star Wars area. If you go to California Adventure the Mickey shaped waffles at Schmoozies (might not be the exact name but it’s something like that..) were also good. Clearly I have a huge sweet tooth, lol!

[dearprudence]

You can definitely do Disney in 1 day, but I wouldn't recommend it if this is your one and only trip there. Lightning Lane is a definite must, but even with that you may find it's hard to get everything done in both parks on one day.

The food at California Adventure is definitely superior to Disneyland. It may be too late for some of the best (Lamplighter and/or Carthay Circle) but keep your eyes peeled for reservation cancelations. Otherwise Pyms and the San Fransokyo area are good for quick service. Award Weiner's French fries are great.

In Disneyland, Galaxy's Edge (Ronto Roasters and Docking Bay 7) are the go-to quick service for us. And you can't go wrong with Dole whips.

You can also check out food in Downtown Disney - Din Tai Fung or Blacktap, Hearthstone Lounge/Craftsman Grill/Trader Sams at the hotels are great. And grab a gingerbread pumpkin from Grand Californian if you stop in there.

[sunshineandpinot]

Thank all! We got in last night and are going to DL tomorrow. Have tickets, lightening pass, and app. Hoping I can squeeze the two of us in to somewhere neat for dinner tomorrow night after a day at the park.
We will be there right as it opens.