[LittleMissMagic]

Unlike WDW and Central Florida, Anaheim is squeezed together. You can walk almost everywhere. We rented a car, to get to the resort and be able to eat at Mickey-D's and drive to Hollywood and LA and such, but you really do not need a car to get to the parks.

GNR have the Disney approval, and receive am EMH on certain days. There are several advantages to staying at a GNR. In many cases, you are nearly as close to the parks as you would be if you stayed at a DLR. You still get early entry on certain days. Many resorts offer discounts on Disney merchandise and park tickets and such. Plus, it is much less expensive. At many hotels, you get complementary breakfast, and views of the park (Desert Palms has wonderful views of CA, to be specific).

If you are going to stay at a GNR, stay at one on the SAME SIDE of the road as DLR. If you get on the opposite side of the street (such as White Castle), you must cross four lanes of heavy traffic. It is very dangerous. Beware of hotels that advertise as "Directly across from main gate." They may be directly across, but you will have to go to a cross walk at the end of the block (unless you do not mind getting hit by a vehicle, that is), cross the road, and then walk the block back to the main gate.

As for the am EMH... we went once, on New Years' Day. It was supposed to open an hour early. Only we ended up waiting in line for thirty minutes, and then they opened the main gates a half hour before park-opening. However, there very likely may have been DLR guests entering from the private resort entrances to CA. It wasn't really crowded at all, though. It was wet and rainy, but we got a lot done. (I am assuming this is because most families stayed out late the night before.)

The thing about DL itself that tripped us up the most was it's many similarities and differences from MK. They are very similar, yet they are nothing alike. Being very comfortable in MK (I believe my father and I could navigate our way around the park blindfolded and backwards), we often attempted shortcuts that did not apply at DL. However, by the end of the week, we had adapted to DL (this later tripped dad up when we went back to MK, lol).

I have noticed that DL doesn't manage its rides and seating nearly as well as WDW does. For instance, we waited in line forever for the little Alice in Wonderland ride, and noticed that they were letting singles have their own cars, when they could sit four. Umm... that's a big no-no at WDW. Yet, on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, they were ride nazis and insisted that I ride in the drivers' seat, instead of my dad. "The kid has to drive." "Umm... I'm 15 years old, thank you. I do not appreciate being called a kid, and I am old enough to drive my own car, so I do not need to pretend." (kidding... I didn't say all of that, although I felt like it)

Some shortcuts, if you'd wish:

- There is a gallery above the Haunted Mansion. It has stairs going up on both sides. You can get from one side of HM to the other without weaving in and out of the crowd if you cross over, using the stairs. You might also want to go into the gallery. It is lovely, and very peaceful and quiet.

oh, great, I forgot... I have a gigantic DL map in the basement, though. I'll come back with more shortcuts.

And don't worry about DL. You'll have fun! Many are disappointed when they go to DL after having been to WDW, but you really can't compare the two resorts. Sure, WDW is bigger and the planning was better thought-out, but DL was first, and ahead of its time, as it is. So don't turn your nose at the 65-foot castle or itty-bitty mainstreet. Instead, rave about the gigantic castle in front of it's a small world. Go in with an open mind, and you'll be sure to come home amazed.