Hello all!
1. Whats the best way to get from LAX to Disneyland?
2. Has anyone rented a stroller from an outside company for their trip?
3. For a family with 2 younger kids (4 and 6 at time of trip) used to WDW, would you recommend 3 or 4 day tickets, and park hopper or no hopper? Is DTD worth seeing?
4. Staybridge suites vs holiday inn vs holiday inn express?
Any other tips welcome!
1. If LAX is the only option, I highly recommend getting a shuttle with car seats/boosters to remove stress from the arrival and departure. If you can fly into SNA, LGB or ONT, look into those options. I've used Anaheim Town Car multiple times and had a great experience. If LAX is your only nonstop option, I always advise nonstop over connecting flights.
2. I have used One Stop Mobility, City Stroller, and
Scooter Bug. Good experience with all, just check prices and decide if you want delivery to your hotel or pickup. See if delivery is available at your hotel to hold at luggage check or if you need to be present. If you stay at the Holiday Inn Express, the One Stop Mobility is located in the Camelot Inn and will be easily walkable for you to pickup/drop off.
3. I would recommend 4 day park hoppers for a first visit. If you can't do 4 day hoppers, then do 3 day hoppers. I honestly cannot imagine doing DLR without hoppers - as others have noted it's like one giant park. I have a 3 year old and he would want to do Big Thunder (DL) then Toy Story Mania (DCA). It's easy and quick to hop across, and you can book
Genie+ for both parks. Genie+ is a much better system at DLR than WDW because of the volume of attractions available. You can typically always find almost immediate return times for certain attractions like Autopia, Buzz Lightyear and others, and you'll almost certainly get Multiple Experience Passes for ride breakdowns throughout the day, which allows you to ride almost any attraction on the list they offer.
4. Based on the locations of the hotels you've noted, the Holiday Inn Express looks like the best option proximity wise to the park entrance. You will enter DLR on Harbor across from the IHOP/Best Western Park Place Inn. You will want to be as close as possible to the entrance for easy walking in and out. Disneyland typically has very long operating hours, often 8:00 - Midnight during busy seasons and weekends, so go early, take an afternoon break/nap, then walk back in the evening. If you can swing something closer, I highly recommend doing so. Look at the Tropicana, Best Western Park Place, Best Western Anaheim, or others on Harbor to the north of Katella. Many people like Candy Cane Inn, which just recently reopened - you will need to go to their actual website as the hotel doesn't show up on travel sites. Harbor is also great because there's a ton of decently priced food options easily accessible - things like McDonald's, Panera, Tony Roma's, Denny's, IHOP, and more. The Garden Walk is also a short walk away with even more restaurants. I also recommend getting a grocery delivery to your hotel for some basic items for breakfast and snacks - things like bottled water, PB&J, apple sauce, crackers, etc.