My first trip to Disneyland was when I was eight years-old and I still have fond memories. Now it was my turn to take my kids to the theme park to let them create their own special memories of Disneyland.

I found that the most important step in planning my vacation was in choosing the right hotel. My travel agent had limited knowledge of Disneyland and she recommended the Howard Johnson ( Anaheim ).

As it turned out the Howard Johnson was a good choice. One of the most important things that I look for when staying at a hotel is it's proximity to the Disneyland theme park. Fortunately the Howard Johnson was within a 5-minute walking distance of Disneyland. Along the same strip as the Howard Johnson were two other noteworthy hotels - the Camelot Inn and the Best Western Anaheim. These hotels are all within 5-minutes walking distance to Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney. If you stay in these hotels then nearby restaurants include McDonalds, IHOP and Captain Kidd. You may also choose to eat inside Disney Town which has many restaurants including the Rainforest Cafe.

If you're traveling on a budget and would like to stay at a decent hotel at a reasonable rate then I would recommend the Howard Johnson. Another excellent choice would be either the Camelot Inn or Best Western. If you're traveling with young children then it's important to be within walking distance of the hotel so that you can go back to the hotel and rest in the afternoon before returning to Disneyland for nighttime festivities such as the parade and fireworks show. The fireworks show is not to be missed by the way.

If you're not concerned about staying at low-cost hotels then I would suggest the Disneyland resort - it's one of the most expensive hotels around the area but well worth it. I have stayed at a Disneyland hotel in the past and found the hotel and rooms to be exceptional. Another choice for adults who enjoy finer hotels is the Hilton. The only problem with the Hilton is that it's a bit far from Disneyland, about a 15 to 20 minute walk.

When you visit Disneyland be sure to wear sunblock and comfortable shoes. You may be out walking for 10 hours or more and a good pair of shoes will let your feet enjoy the park as much as the rest of you.

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