Getting Goofy in Anaheim, CA
Thanks to the construction of Disneyland, the once sleepy farming community of Anaheim, CA has become a kind of Mecca for the world's kids. While Disneyworld in Florida is bigger and perhaps more exciting, Disneyland is the original Happiest Place on Earth and no visit to Anaheim is complete without visiting it.
Things to See and Do
The park is the quintessential tourist trap, so let go of any illusions about being a traveller rather than a tourist and simply indulge in the hyper-industry of it all. For most people, a visit to Disneyland is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so take plenty of money and try not to think about how quickly it is spent – like a honeymoon, this is not the time to pinch pennies. Having said that, it is worth pointing out that a packed lunch will save around a hundred dollars for a family of four.
Elsewhere in Anaheim, the tourism industry rolls on: Knotsberry Farm was America's first amusement park (it opened its doors in 1920) and despite the monumental presence of competitor Disneyland in the same town, continues to draw high numbers of visitors. It's main attraction is the old-fashioned nature of the park (although the facilities are high-tech and there are plenty of modern rides). The charm of the wooden roller coaster, the ghost town (this is not a purpose-built exhibit, but a preserved piece of local history) and carnival-style games provide a pleasant contrast to the manufactured intensity of Disneyland.
If these two have not quenched the theme-park thirst, and you have a few more days to spend, Six Flags Magic Mountain is another hot-spot for rides that will scare the pants off the kids, and Raging Waters offers every way imaginable to have fun in a bathing suit.
Other must-sees in Anaheim include the Hollywood walk of Fame (the cliché of fitting your own hands into the prints of celebrities really is a lot of fun) and Universal Studios, to visit the sets of the classics and see where stars were made.
Off the Beaten Path
Although Anaheim is an unashamed tourist trap, there are a couple of places to find a little respite from the hordes. While star-gazing in California usually means celebrity-spotting, the Griffith Observatory is open to the public every night and offers a spectacular view of both the night sky and the Hollywood sign (a lot safer than heading up into the notoriously seedy Hollywood Hills after dark).
See's Candy Stores are not exactly off the beaten track, having become a franchised chain, but still remain true to their hand-made and home-grown roots. The chocolate is world-class and its recommendable to buy two or three gift boxes, as a single one probably won't make it home to the family.
Hotels
Disneyland needs a couple of days to see fully, and Disneyland Anaheim has three on-site hotels that offer multi-day packages. Depending on the season, $850 will buy a family of four (two adults, two kids) three nights in a hotel on Disneyland's doorstep and entrance to the park itself. Everything in this town is geared around Disneyland, so if budget accommodation is important, there are basic rooms available within walking distance for around $50 a night. Online specials are abundant in this part of the world and good hotels can be found for around $100 per night.
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder on the left to find cheap hotels in Anaheim.
(Photo:©iStockphoto.com/hammondovi)
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Kindly advise which hotel is of reasonable price n if buying a hotel package with tix worth it or just solely the hotel....
Many thkz