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Any tips for planning a vacation to Disneyland and Universal Pictures?

I am planning a 3-4 day trip to Disneyland and Universal Pictures. Which airport do I fly to? LAX? What is the best way to get around? Transit? Rental Car? And where should I stay? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Public Comments

1. Hit the bookstore... there is a guide to how to get the most from that area at the cheapest rates. The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 (Unofficial Guides) by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa you can get it on Amazon
2. LAX is good. Orange County and Long Beach may be options as well, but they are a bit further. Transit in LA is fairly limited, but if all you want to do is those 2 things, I wouldn't rent a car. Universal is right by a red line subway stop, and Disneyland is served by shuttles from the airport as well as most major hotels.
3. bring lots of dough! j/k car rental is best in those areas. however, the orange line, i believe goes to universal studios. have a great time and tell mickey hi. you can fly to l.a. or burbank. burbak is also close but much less corwded. i would even consider long beach. but i'd choose l.a. depending on your means...i love great hotels and don't mind paying for them. but i wouldn't choose a resort for this trip. likely, you'll be running around a lot and you just need a place to sleep and shower. i'd go for a days inn or something like that. i hear the disneyland hotel and the like are fantastic, but i've never had the pleasure. i only live about 90 minutes away, but i hate traffic so i usually stay. all the disneyland area hotels have shuttles. i've been to city walk in the recent years, but i haven't been to universal studios since conan and legal eagles were being promoted. i didn't have a child yet, so at least 20 years ago.
4. If you plan to do Universal first, you may want to fly into Burbank airport. if disney is first then you may want to fly into John Wayne airport in Orange County. I think its never hurts to rent a car while in So Cal but thats just me. Check out Hotels near Disney or near the hollywood and Highland center.
5. Disneyland is closer to Orange County airport, Universal is closer to LAX or Burbank airports. It depends on where you want to stay at or closer to as far as which airport you want to fly in to. Universal is in the Valley and it tends to be warmer there, Disney is more southern. I know that Disney has buses that go to their resort hotels, but I don't know about other hotels in Anaheim as far as transportation goes. The two parks are not close together geographically so I don't know which one you would rather stay at. I've listed a link below where you can buy a Southern California City Pass which is tickets for multiple parks (through Universal Studios web site) and will save you some money if that helps.
6. I would suggest flying into the burbank airport, its alot less crowded and confusing. Getting around is going to be expensive no matter what, i would suggest renting a car, that way you have a vehicle whenever you need it without waiting. There are hotels everywhere, i would suggest NOT staying close to the parks.. it will be alot more expensive. Also while you are there u should check out universal city walk, its free and alot of fun. Hollywood is also not very far away from universal city, you could always go down hollywood blvd. There are a million things to do. I bet you are going to have an awesome time! Good luck with everything!
7. yeah universal is worth going to.. I personally boycott disneyland because of their racist attitude.
8. Stay either in a motel near Disneyland or a hotel near Universal Studios. Don't try to split the difference. And I know it sounds counter intuitive to rent a car to have it spent mpst of its time in a parking lot, but do it anyway. If you get a motel near Disneyland you don't want to take public transport the 60 miles to Universal and you specially do not want to be hauling kids back the 60 miles on public transit after a long tiring day. I was quite pleased with the Anaheim Plaza Hotel near Disneyland, but really there are tons of good places there. For a 4 day trip, you want 1 day for Disneyland, a half day for California adventure with some sight seeing around Orange County or just sleeping in. You need a day for Universal Studios. And one day for just driving around LA and sight seeing. Going to Hollywood, etc.