Tips on visiting Disneyland

Want to join in Disneyland's 50th birthday? Here are some things to know:

Disneyland is in Anaheim, south of Los Angeles. The closest airport is Orange County's John Wayne Airport, about a 20-minute drive.

• Packages that include airfare, hotel and theme-park passes usually are the most economical way to go. They're offered through airlines (including Alaska and United), by Disney, by online travel companies and through travel agents.

• Staying within walking distance of the park is the most convenient, although hotels a few miles from Disneyland may be cheaper and usually have van shuttles to Disneyland.

• Disney's own hotels, including the Grand Californian within the California Adventure theme park, are the most convenient and have nice pools, but can be pricey. There's a string of more budget-friendly hotels within a five- to 10-minute walk of Disneyland along South Harbor Boulevard, including a Howard Johnson, Carousel Inn and Candy Cane Inn.

• For hotel listings and information, contact the Anaheim Convention and Visitors Bureau, 714-765-8888 or www.anaheimoc.org

• Some rides and attractions are closed for refurbishment for the 50th anniversary; others close for regular maintenance. Check what will be closed during your visit by going to the Disneyland Web site, www.disneyland.com, and clicking on "calendar." You'll get parade and event times plus a list of what's closed for refurbishment during each day of your visit. Or phone Disneyland at 714-781-4565,then press "1" for Disneyland and press "5" for recorded information on closures.

• Get to the park as early in the morning as you can in the morning to beat the crowds. Those with certain Park Hopper passes and guests at Disney-owned hotels can get in an hour or more before Disneyland/California Adventure open to the general public.

• Make use of the FastPass ticket system which assigns you a time for some of the most popular rides; it's a great way to avoid the main lines.

• If it rains, make a beeline for the park. Lots of locals stay home in dreary weather.

• Disneyland general information: 714-781-4565 or see www.disneyland.com

• An online forum for theme-park fans, with useful tips on visiting Disneyland, is www.themeparkinsider.com • The travelers' Web forum at www.tripadvisor.com also has good tips on Disneyland.

• Helpful guidebooks include "Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort 2005" (Birnbaum Publishing, $14.95) and "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2005" (by Bob Sehlinger, $15.99, John Wiley & Sons)

Disneyland is in Anaheim, south of Los Angeles. The closest airport is Orange County's John Wayne Airport, about a 20-minute drive.

• Packages that include airfare, hotel and theme-park passes usually are the most economical way to go. They're offered through airlines (including Alaska and United), by Disney, by online travel companies and through travel agents.

• Staying within walking distance of the park is the most convenient, although hotels a few miles from Disneyland may be cheaper and usually have van shuttles to Disneyland.

• Disney's own hotels, including the Grand Californian within the California Adventure theme park, are the most convenient and have nice pools, but can be pricey. There's a string of more budget-friendly hotels within a five- to 10-minute walk of Disneyland along South Harbor Boulevard, including a Howard Johnson, Carousel Inn and Candy Cane Inn.

• For hotel listings and information, contact the Anaheim Convention and Visitors Bureau, 714-765-8888 or www.anaheimoc.org

• Some rides and attractions are closed for refurbishment for the 50th anniversary; others close for regular maintenance. Check what will be closed during your visit by going to the Disneyland Web site, www.disneyland.com, and clicking on "calendar." You'll get parade and event times plus a list of what's closed for refurbishment during each day of your visit. Or phone Disneyland at 714-781-4565,then press "1" for Disneyland and press "5" for recorded information on closures.

• Get to the park as early in the morning as you can in the morning to beat the crowds. Those with certain Park Hopper passes and guests at Disney-owned hotels can get in an hour or more before Disneyland/California Adventure open to the general public.

• Make use of the FastPass ticket system which assigns you a time for some of the most popular rides; it's a great way to avoid the main lines.

• If it rains, make a beeline for the park. Lots of locals stay home in dreary weather.

• Disneyland general information: 714-781-4565 or see

www.disneyland.com

• An online forum for theme-park fans, with useful tips on visiting Disneyland, is www.themeparkinsider.com • The travelers' Web forum at www.tripadvisor.com also has good tips on Disneyland.

• Helpful guidebooks include "Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort 2005" (Birnbaum Publishing, $14.95) and "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2005" (by Bob Sehlinger, $15.99, John Wiley & Sons)