You could visit Disneyland on your birthday, or you could help the theme park celebrate its own birthday. The chance comes each year on July 17, which is also a great time to explore Anaheim.
The day marks the dedication of Disneyland back in 1955, when Walt Disney himself hosted special guests on a tour before the park's official opening the next day. While it's not an officially recognized event, the park often passes out special souvenirs to early arrivers, the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet sings "Happy Birthday" and many attendees dress in their 1950s finest.
The surrounding city of Anaheim, meanwhile, offers plenty to see and do, with museums, food and drink, sports and nature all within easy reach.
Thankfully, there are plenty of regular, relatively inexpensive flights between Detroit and Anaheim. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked for the occasion. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)
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Flight deals to Anaheim
Currently, the cheapest flights between Detroit and Anaheim are if you leave on July 15 and return from California on July 18. Frontier Airlines currently has roundtrip tickets for $508.
Frontier Airlines also has tickets at that price point later in July. If you fly out of Detroit on July 16 and return from Anaheim on July 18, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $508 roundtrip.
Top Anaheim hotels
To plan your accommodations, here are some of Anaheim’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.
The Disneyland Hotel (1150 W. Magic Way)
If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The Disneyland Hotel. The hotel has a 4.6-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $198.
Close to Disneyland and Downtown Disney, this Anaheim hotel features an outdoor pool, a children's pool, a spa tub and a fitness facility.
The Ayres Hotel Anaheim (2550 E. Katella Ave.)
If you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, try The Ayres Hotel Anaheim, which has rooms for $109/night. It has 4.5 stars.
This hotel is close to the Honda Center, the Grove of Anaheim and Angel Stadium.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel (1600 S. Disneyland Drive)
For a high-end option, try Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. With a 4.6-star rating on Skyscanner, the hotel is one of the most luxurious in the city. Rooms are currently listed for $266/night.
"The rooms are beautiful, the views are stunning, the service is exceptional and the restaurants will definitely satisfy your palate," wrote visitor Cindy. "Also, hotel guests have their own private entrance into Disney's California Adventure Park."
Top picks for dining and drinking
If you're looking for a popular spot to grab a bite, Anaheim has plenty of excellent eateries to choose from. Here are a few from Skyscanner's listings to help you get started.
Brodard Restaurant (9892 Westminster Ave.)
One of Anaheim's most popular restaurants is the Brodard Restaurant, which has an average of 4.5 stars out of 62 reviews on Skyscanner.
"This is my all-time favorite place to get spring rolls. No other restaurant makes it the way they do. Each spring roll is freshly made to order and you can see the assembly line making process along the side of the restaurant," wrote reviewer Mick.
Cortina's Italian Market (2175 W. Orange Ave.)
Another popular dining destination is Cortina's Italian Market, with five stars from five reviews.
"There's something on the menu for everyone and the attached Italian market is phenomenal for finding items from Italy," wrote reviewer Chambray.
Cream Pan (602 El Camino Real)
Also worth considering is the Cream Pan, with 4.7 stars from 36 reviews.
"Known for its strawberry cream croissants, Cream Pan has a long list of delectable desserts, bread and doughnuts along with curry and sushi," wrote Briana.
Top Anaheim attractions
Anaheim is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are two top attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.
Disneyland (1313 Disneyland Drive)
First up is Disneyland, with 4.8 stars from 948 reviews.
There are rides galore. Get your adrenaline flowing on Disneyland's roller coasters like Space Mountain and see the whole park on the giant Ferris wheel. Beyond rides, visitors can stroll down Main Street, check out fireworks and parades, and dine in one of many restaurants and cafes.
"I never get bored of Disneyland even after all these years. The food inside is one of a kind, but get ready to wait a while for rides because Disneyland attracts visitors from all over the world," wrote visitor Pamela.
Disney's California Adventure Park (1313 Disneyland Drive)
Then, there's Disney's California Adventure Park. It has 4.8 stars from 400 reviews on Skyscanner.
Located right across the street from its older brother, Disney's California Adventure is a whirlpool of color, music and familiar Disney characters.
"California Adventure is kind of the cooler, hipper younger sister to Disneyland," wrote Becky. "The magic, nostalgia and classic warm fuzzies can be found within the gates of Disneyland, but the adventure, the adult whimsy and the thrill can be found across the terrace at California Adventure."
This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
