Hello Anaheim experts -- please help!

[Cinderellie]

Hello, We will be cruising this summer and wanted, after the cruise, to stay in Anaheim for a few days with my 11 year old girl and 15 year old boy. We are Disney freaks and have been to Disney World iin Florida every year since they've been born, and to Disneyland twice -- not recently. Since, we're here, we'll do it again.

Please share your advice on where we should stay. We like:
- Luxury, not budget
- Will consider Disney hotels, but think staying outside the parks is more affordable
- If outside Disney, we want it to be CLOSE, with a shuttle service to either park.
- Of course, we would need a nice pool!!!!! We are from the northeast, and swimming is a treat!!!!
- Also -- restaurants you would recommend that are FUN -- interactive for the kids -- but good food.

Your sage advice, please.
Thanks!

[Greengirl]

I was born and raised in Anaheim -

Never really paid attention to the hotels as I lived right down the street. Still only live about 7 minutes away :)

As for restaurants - my kids LOVE the Rainforest Cafe. Lots of stuff to see and they have a "storm" every ten minutes or so. The animals go wild and the restaurant is filled with thunder and lightening effects. It's located right in Downtown Disney - centrally located to both parks.

There is also a Joe's Crabshack about 5 minutes down the street. If you like seafood, you should check this place out. Again, so much to see. The waitstaff does a dance every half hour or so. The kids love this place too!

[amenuensis]

We live in San Diego area, sometimes we stay at the Anaheim Hilton - which is very close and shuttles (in big vans, not minivans like some of the other hotels) you to the park, I was always able to get under $100/night rate there (haven't been in awhile though). Nice BIG pool and two hot tubs if I remember, excellent breakfast buffet, etc, gym, kids club etc.

The onsite hotels look nice but I have not stayed at them, they are very pricey. I'd love to stay at the one in California Adventure I've eaten in their restaurant and the lobby is spectacular.

I heard the Marriott across the street from the Hilton is also very nice.

Once we tried the Portofino which looks nice from the outside and is close, but I don't recommend it, incredibly tiny pool, laughably small video arcade, and the rooms are nothing special for the price they charge. Pretty lobby though.

[lomo]

I am like Greengirl above, I have lived in Anaheim my whole life and still live there -- about 2 miles from Disneyland. I also have never stayed in any of the hotels in the area since I live so close, but I will try to offer some advice.

The Grand Californian is a beautiful place (craftsman style) and I have been to their restaurant, Napa Rose which is excellent, but pricy. All of the Disney hotels are close to both parks and to Downtown Disney which is the free dining and entertainment area similar to the one in Orlando. The Anaheim Hilton is nice and the Marriott is nice, but I have only been to both for events. I'm sure they have shuttles.

If you are going to venture beyond the Disney area, I hope you have a car or it will be a little difficult getting around. I'm not sure you can get a shuttle to Joe's Crab Shack, but its a fun place. By Joe's Crab Shack is Red Robin and Outback Steakhouse. Also, near there is Bucca de Beppo which is an italian chain restaurant that can be fun. Not too far from there is the Block at Orange which is a shopping center that has restaurants and shops. Its near Crystal Cathedral. They have a Dave and Buster's and a Lucky Strikes bowling alley and some fun shops.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful on the hotel front, but if you need more info let me know. I'm happy to help, especially since everyone on this board has been so helpful to me.

[jhannah]

You might check out the Comfort Inn Maingate. It looks rather nice, and our DD has chosen it for her family's visit next month.

[Landlubber54]

Have lived in Southern California all my life. As it happens, we have an annual pass this year at the Magic Kingdom. If price is not an issue, I would recommend the Grand Californian, which is almost an integral part of California Adventure. If you're looking offsite, and are looking for luxury, not economy, make it the Hilton...

Most of the major hotel chains have units in close proximity, so you could check their web sites, depending on how hard you wish to work.

Disneyland is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year (if you are a "freak" you probably knew that), so have a great time.

[pumpkin123]

We enjoyed our recent stay at Disney's Paradise Pier. The room was spacious and we had a great view of California Adventure. We were able to walk to Downtown Disney and catch the monorail into Disneyland. We enjoyed the morning character breakfast right at the hotel.

[Ziggy7]

Trust me, you want Disneyland Hotel, it is right off both parks and has a wonderful shopping area calle Downtown Disney, which is a pleasure just to walk thru as well, if thats too costly try this link for hotels right next to Disneyland :) Hope this helps!:)

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/hotels/gnh/landing?name=GoodNeighborHotelsLandingPage