Hi everyone, we are going to Anaheim for 9 days in early December and are staying at the Howard Johnson Anaheim. We are wondering if there is a good grocery store nearby for stocking up our fridge? How is this hotel, I only paid about $300 more for 10 nights than a regular motel so I feel it is probably a good deal. We were also wondering if there is a tour that goes to the pacific ocean and maybe the peir in santa monica? We have one day not schedualed in and maybe a second if we only do Disney for 4 days instead of 5. Any info is greatly appreiciated!

Alan, we stayed at the Howard Johnson in Anaheim earlier this month. I thought the hotel was fine, it was within walking distance of Disney (10-15 minutes) or there is a free trolley 2 times per hour. There was a small refrigerator in the room, didn't see a microwave, no breakfast. Make sure you check several places for rates on the hotel, we found a $69 per night rate after checking the specials on their website. And bring your rate confirmation, they didn't have ours in the system but gave it to us with the printout of the confirmation.

You might want to check with folks with kids on this one, but I think you'll find 4 days at Disney is enough as there is only Disneyland and California Adventure. Downtown Disney seemed like it was only restaurants and shopping.

We thought the fast pass system at Disneyland was great and was included in the price of the ticket. The rules for fast pass are printed on the map they give you when you walk in the park.

Alan: Please don't spend 4 full days at Disneyland. We've been there twice and I would recommend spending your first day at Disneyland, your second day at California Adventure and THEN, if you aren't tired of theme parks yet, go back to Disneyland on the third day and hit all the fun stuff you want to do a second time or whatever you may have missed the first time around.

I am NOT anti-Disney, we love it and spend every spring break in either Florida or California. However, these two parks in CA are small and I can guarantee you that by day 2.5 you will have had enough.

Hi Alan.. to answer your original question: There are lots of convenient stores around and also a grocery store about 2 miles from Disney on Katella. We too are going in December and are staying at the Hilton. Have a great time!

Thanks for the info so far. My wife and I have been to Disney Land and Disney World before so now it is up to our 4 and 6 year old boys if they want to do Disney for 3 days or 5 days. We were also interested in touring Catalina Island for a day. Can anyone tell me if it is too cold to snorkel in December? Also, are the glass bottom boats lots of fun? Once again thanks for any help!