(well someone had to let '98 die)

My birthday is January 18th and I plan on spending the day happy at the "happiest place on earth" even if I go alone!!!

If money was no object I'd stay right at the Disney Hotel,...hmmm

1) Do you know of any reasonable hotel where I can park my car and also have free shuttle to the park ?

2) I've never been to California Park,... is it better than Disney?

3) I'll get my free birthday car wash before I drive from the Southbay beach cities to Anaheim, what else do you suggest I do for my annual "39th" birthday!

Yea! I did it! )

1) Candy Cane Inn
2) Skip California Adventure.
3) ?

1. Howard Johnsons - walking distance no shuttle necessary
2. Haven't been to CA - spent an entire day (13 hours) in DL this summer and had a blast.
3. Go surfing

Oh, definitely go to California Adventure. They have some good rides, California Soarin (IMAX type), Tower of Terror, the CA Screamin rollercoaster, and the raft ride. Also the Aladdin theatre show is excellent.

Plus, they serve alcohol. On the weekends the bar at Avalon Cove is open. Great place to spend sunset looking out over the ferris wheel. There are a number of locals who have annual passes that come to the park just to hang out at that bar. The Lost Cove bar over at the Disneyland hotel is also nice if you decide not to go inside Cal Adventure.

There are a lot of hotels on Harbor that are close to the park entrance. You won't need a shuttle.

There are several hotels right across the street from the park entrance. You can just walk across the street to the park.

I've stayed at the Howard Johnson's, Best Western and Desert Inn. Howard Johnson's is the furthest (still not a very long walk), Best Western and Desert Inn are practically right at the intersection.

I prefer Disneyland to the California park, but I still think it's worth going to. There are some great rides there that you should not miss, especially if you haven't been on their counterparts in WDW.

My favorite rides at the California park are Soarin' over California, California Screamin' Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror and Toy Story Midway Mania. The water rapids ride is fun too, but it's pretty cold in January if you get wet.

I would look at the cost of a hopper ticket and perhaps doing both parks in one day.

Just making sure you know you need to register your birthday with Disney and you will get a free entry ticket *on* your birthday...should save some $$$ for you.

Thanks for the free DL ticket reminder. I heard it advertised and will take advantage of this freebe!

elnap29 - have you ever stayed at Candy Cane? Tell me more

I'm still confused about CA Pk vs DL,... I do most rides except the tea cups and the fastest roller coasters,...

Why do most say not to bother with CA Pk,... what doesn't it have that you don't like???

We have annual passes and live close by and go often. I enjoy California Adventure and if you are getting free admission definately go.

I stayed at the Fairfield Inn which is right across the way and it was fine for one night. You can walk.

I have also stayed at the Marriott and it was also fine and within walking distance but there are shuttles.

Disneyland Hotel is great if you can afford it - but the Paradise Pier is also nice and less expensive (another disney property) -
California Grand is lovely and if you want to splurge for your BD - that is where I would stay (for a splurge).

Enjoy!

CA Adventure is fine - and it has some specific "musts" like the already mentioned Soaring over California.

But the thing is -- if your time is limited, the main DL park has much more to see/do so it should be your first priority. But if you have enough time to do both - then definitely CA Adventure is "worth it".

If you only have a choice of one park, Disneyland is bigger and has the more classic detailed imagineering in "Lands" like New Orleans Square, Fantasyland, etc.

Cal Adventure has some appealing rides, is more compact and usually less crowded, and generally has better food.

I'm assuming the ticket is a one-day one-park ticket, but you could updgrade the free ticket by paying the difference. If you haven't been to Disneyland in a while I would allow a full day there, however. Be sure to see the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show in the Golden Horseshoe Theatre. If you wear the birthday button and sit up front, chances are they'll pick on you!

Candy Cane Inn is clean and very comfortable - very good beds, refrigerator, close walking distance, spa, moderate price, includes breakfast. You won't be there except to sleep anyway. We stayed there several times. Check tripadvisor for current reviews/info.

Candy Cane does has a free shuttle.

Another must for your birthday is to stop in at City Hall and get a birthday button. That way cast members will wish you happy birthday and occasionally you get a freebie or two.

good call fairy! It is a lot of fun - people are great when you have on your "button"

We (two adults) were there just 2 weeks ago and stayed at Fairfield Inn right across and down about 1/2 block from the main entrance - easy walk. Nice hotel, decent rooms, free parking. Do not need car or shuttle from there.

We loved California Adventure and of course Disney Land. You really should do both. We felt CA was a bit more adult oriented but had things for kids as well. The best parade was there IMO - the Pixar Parade.

There are huge expansion plans for CA so in the next couple of years it will be even better. Of course you can not beat Disney Land. It is as always just a great place, the happiest place on earth. One thing we noticed different from the Florida outpost is that the characters still were walking around the grounds so lots of photo ops - none of that having to locate the precise appearance spot like Florida. I do not know if that is common or just for the "slower" season.

Have fun and enjoy.

Oh, I didn't realize that in Florida the characters don't roam. It is nice to bump into one's favorite character by surprise.