accommodation central to Universal studios and Disneyland

Question

we have three days in los angeles before we head home from our route 66 trip and want to spend one day in universal studios and one day in disneyland. where is the best place to stay to be get to both easily. should we stay in one spot or 2 nights at one and 1 night at the other.

Answer

For a short trip to Los Angeles with one day at Universal Studios and one day at Disneyland, choosing accommodation that balances travel time and convenience is key. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide.

Location Considerations:

Universal Studios Hollywood is located in the northern part of Los Angeles (Universal City / Studio City area), while Disneyland is in Anaheim, roughly 30–35 miles southeast of central LA. Traffic in LA can be heavy, especially during morning and evening peak hours, so travel time can vary from 45 minutes to over 1.5 hours.

Stay in one spot:
Choosing a single central location roughly midway can simplify packing/unpacking and hotel logistics. Areas like Downtown LA, Burbank, or Glendale provide reasonable access to Universal Studios (15–20 min drive) and a manageable drive to Anaheim (about 45–60 min). Staying in one hotel avoids the hassle of switching hotels, especially with kids or luggage.
Split stay (1 night near Universal, 1 night near Disneyland):
This minimizes daily travel time. Staying in the Burbank/Universal City area for your Universal day and then moving to Anaheim for Disneyland the next day can reduce stress and allow early park entry without long commutes. The downside is packing/unpacking and checking in/out of hotels, but it is often worth it for families aiming to maximize park time.

Hotel Recommendations:

Near Universal Studios: Burbank, Studio City, or Universal City hotels like Hilton, Sheraton, or local boutique hotels. Convenient for Universal Studios and close to public transport options if desired.
Near Disneyland: Anaheim hotels near Disneyland Resort, such as Marriott, Howard Johnson, or Disney Good Neighbor Hotels. Many offer shuttle service to Disneyland, which can save time and parking hassle.
Midpoint option: Downtown LA or Glendale hotels provide a compromise but will still require a 45–60 min drive to Disneyland each day.

Practical Tips:

Consider early park entry if staying in a Disneyland hotel — it can save hours waiting in lines.
Factor in LA traffic times — morning and late afternoon drives can be significantly slower.
Book hotels that offer free parking or shuttle services to parks if possible.

Conclusion:

If minimizing stress and maximizing park time is the goal, a split stay—one night near Universal Studios and one night near Disneyland—is generally recommended. If convenience and packing/unpacking ease outweigh commuting, staying in a central LA location and commuting to both parks each day is acceptable, but plan for extra travel time due to traffic.

accommodation central to Universal studios and Disneyland

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