First trip to Disneyland

[BrotherHuet]

I stayed at the Alpine Inn last year and it was equal to a disney world value resort in terms of room size. It was clean and an comfortable and inexpensive. It is a little further of a walk than Candy Cane Inn or a few of the others but it was not a far walk at all. Definitely worth it for what we paid. I cannot imagine paying the price for the Disneyland Resorts with other nice hotels a walk away and so much cheaper. The Alpine actually has a beautiful view of California Adventure as well. I have a review of every Disneyland attraction on the sticky thread in this section. I loved Disneyland. It was like revisiting the Magic Kingdom for the first time.

[ReelBigBear]

you definitely lose the charm of Disney when you stay off-site. But, the places across the street are extremely close. They do vary in quality, but a bed is a bed.

I have stayed at Courtyard by Marriot and it is a solid choice. I have also stayed at Candy Cane, which is nice as well but farther from the gates if I remember correctly (they had a shuttle if wanted, but it is was not necessary). There is no major hardship suffered by taking the cheaper "good neighbor" option.

Since you have one day, I would suggest only Disneyland (and, of course if you were looking for a little more you could stroll through Downtown Disney). On a really slow day you can squeeze in some DCA faves like the Aladdin show Tower of terror, Toy Story Mania, and Cali Screamin'. Should there be no Fantasmic that eve take in World of Color.

Having never been to WDW I can't say what will be more worth your while, but as a DLR regular who has recently moved out of state I can tell you that my upcoming, one-crowded-day visit, will be Disneyland only.