Disneyland 2020 [Trip Report]

[Animaniac93-98]

Pre-Trip

Between Galaxy's Edge, Avengers Campus, a new parade and a ticket offer for Canadians, 2020 sounds like an ideal year to go to Disneyland. If anything special is done for the 65th Anniversary, even better.

I have to buy my tickets before February 16, 2020, but they are valid until January 13 2021. The difference in price between 3 and 4 days is only $20 USD so I'm going to get the 4-day pass. From what I can tell, there are no black-out dates. I won't bother paying extra for the hopper option. 3 days at Disneyland and 1 at DCA should be enough for what I want to do.

For the 3 nights I'm going I'm debating whether to stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott or the Hilton Anaheim. Any opinions on which is better? They both have good reviews online and are basically next door to each other.

I'm looking at a Sunday to Wednesday in September, is Labour Day weekend busy at Disneyland or are all the lower tier APs blocked out?

EDIT: Just looked up the block out dates. Both Southern California passes are blocked out all 3 days. Deluxe blocked out Sunday. Disney Flex requires reservations for Sunday and Monday.

 

[waltography]

From what I remember from this year, Labor Day was busy but not unbearable owing to the fact that many passes were blocked out. MaxPass will serve you just fine to avoid the brunt of the crowds I think.

 

[mickEblu]

Pre-Trip

Between Galaxy's Edge, Avengers Campus, a new parade and a ticket offer for Canadians, 2020 sounds like an ideal year to go to Disneyland. If anything special is done for the 65th Anniversary, even better.

I have to buy my tickets before February 16, 2020, but they are valid until January 13 2021. The difference in price between 3 and 4 days is only $20 USD so I'm going to get the 4-day pass. From what I can tell, there are no black-out dates. I won't bother paying extra for the hopper option. 3 days at Disneyland and 1 at DCA should be enough for what I want to do.

For the 3 nights I'm going I'm debating whether to stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott or the Hilton Anaheim. Any opinions on which is better? They both have good reviews online and are basically next door to each other.

I'm looking at a Sunday to Wednesday in September, is Labour Day weekend busy at Disneyland or are all the lower tier APs blocked out?

EDIT: Just looked up the block out dates. Both Southern California passes are blocked out all 3 days. Deluxe blocked out Sunday. Disney Flex requires reservations for Sunday and Monday.

I ve stayed at the Hilton a few years ago and it was nice. One of the few non Disney hotels in the area that feels like a hotel. Much better value than the expensive Disney hotels. Are you sure it’s the Residence inn Marriott next door? I’ve stayed at the Marriott that’s literally next door to the Hilton but I think it’s just ... The Marriott and that one is nice and I may like it more than the Hilton.

I’ve never gone on Labor Day weekend but from what I understand it’s busy but manageable. Even though it’s a holiday weekend a lot of locals are already in back to school mode. So Sunday would be busy. Monday would be less busy and then Tuesday / Wednesday would be nice. If you re not doing parkhoppers I would do DCA on Sunday or Monday but then again Avengers Campus will be open then so the opposite may be true.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I ve stayed at the Hilton a few years ago and it was nice. One of the few non Disney hotels in the area that feels like a hotel. Much better value than the expensive Disney hotels. Are you sure it’s the Residence inn Marriott next door? I’ve stayed at the Marriott that’s literally next door to the Hilton but I think it’s just ... The Marriott and that one is nice and I may like it more than the Hilton.

The Residence Inn is a bit further north, vs the regular Marriott which is opposite the Hilton on the south. Not to be confused with the SpringHill Suites by Marriott or the Courtyard by Marriott also within a half-mile radius (so many Marriotts!).

I've decided to go with the Hilton. It's the combination of price, location and amenities that appeals to me. It's also a 1/3 the price of Paradise Pier where I stayed last time, to say nothing of the $650/night rate (+ tax) Disney wants for Grand Californian.

 

[Darkbeer1]

While I like the Hilton, to me,, The Residence Inn, with the Kitchen, including dishes and a Fridge, a larger room, and a Free Hot Breakfast would be my choice.

Residence Inn Anaheim Resort/Convention Center - Near Disneyland

Book a short or extended-stay at Residence Inn At Anaheim Resort/Convention Center. Our hotel offers free breakfast, a 24/7 gym, and suites with full kitchens.

www.marriott.com

 

[bryanfze55]

While I like the Hilton, to me,, The Residence Inn, with the Kitchen, including dishes and a Fridge, a larger room, and a Free Hot Breakfast would be my choice.

Residence Inn Anaheim Resort/Convention Center - Near Disneyland

Book a short or extended-stay at Residence Inn At Anaheim Resort/Convention Center. Our hotel offers free breakfast, a 24/7 gym, and suites with full kitchens.

www.marriott.com

I agree regarding quality, but it’s worth noting the Hilton Anaheim can often be found for significantly less than The Residence Inn... it seems prices fluctuate more at the Hilton whereas the Residence is always pretty high.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

While I like the Hilton, to me,, The Residence Inn, with the Kitchen, including dishes and a Fridge, a larger room, and a Free Hot Breakfast would be my choice.

Residence Inn Anaheim Resort/Convention Center - Near Disneyland

Book a short or extended-stay at Residence Inn At Anaheim Resort/Convention Center. Our hotel offers free breakfast, a 24/7 gym, and suites with full kitchens.

www.marriott.com

While I like the idea of the extra living space and kitchen, for a 3-night stay by myself I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of either.

 

[BrianLo]

While I like the idea of the extra living space and kitchen, for a 3-night stay by myself I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of either.

I’m 100 percent driven by hotel rewards programs if I’m paying the cost for not a fleabag motel.

Therefore Marriott would be my suggestion as it can be rolled into most of the major Disney Parks around the world.

I think it sounds like you travel enough now that you’d reap the benefits. Plus Canada has a reasonably good Amex Marriott bonvoy Card.

 

[chadwpalm]

While I like the idea of the extra living space and kitchen, for a 3-night stay by myself I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of either.

I'm the same way. For me, the hotel is just a place to sleep and as long as it's not flea-infested I'm pretty happy. That's why soliciting opinions on message boards can be hit and miss. Everyone has different lifestyles, expectations, likes and dislikes, etc.

I don't have a family and kids, so I don't care about extra amenities like kitchens and pools. Some do. It's all about spending my time in the parks. My hotel decisions are usually based on budget/price and ease of access to the parks.

 

[Phroobar]

I'm the same way. For me, the hotel is just a place to sleep and as long as it's not flea-infested I'm pretty happy. That's why soliciting opinions on message boards can be hit and miss. Everyone has different lifestyles, expectations, likes and dislikes, etc.

I don't have a family and kids, so I don't care about extra amenities like kitchens and pools. Some do. It's all about spending my time in the parks. My hotel decisions are usually based on budget/price and ease of access to the parks.

That is the way we look at it too. A hotel is just a place to sleep. We are not spending any time there. Go as cheap as possible and spend money at the parks instead.

 

[Curious Constance]

Anyone know how far and what the walk is like from the Anaheim Hilton?

Also how is theAnaheim Motel these days? (The one with the Pizza Press) Has it been renovated? It was crappy when we stayed here years ago.

Castle Inn on Harbor? Clean???

 

[bryanfze55]

Anyone know how far and what the walk is like from the Anaheim Hilton?

Also how is theAnaheim Motel these days? (The one with the Pizza Press) Has it been renovated? It was crappy when we stayed here years ago.

Castle Inn on Harbor? Clean???

I stayed at the Anaheim Hotel a year ago. I would never go again. The lobby is nice, but the rooms are pretty lousy.

I, too, am curious if anyone has any insight on the Castle Inn & Suites. I was looking for the cheapest possible thing this summer, and GetAwayToday has a package deal that essentially makes the Castle Inn $100/night, a figure that includes parking, taxes and fees. Excited to find a good deal, but I’m hoping it’s not as depressing as the Anaheim Hotel was.

 

[chadwpalm]

Anyone know how far and what the walk is like from the Anaheim Hilton?

According to Google Maps it's approx. a mile walk from the front entrance to the hotel to the middle of the esplanade. Depending on how fast you walk, about 20 minutes?

The Toy Story parking lot is about a 1/3 mile walk and gives you a free shuttle for a shorter walk.

Lastly, the ART Grand Plaza line goes from the entrance of the hotel straight to the parks. A small fee for not walking or driving.

As far as the other stuff, I have no clue.

 

[Phroobar]

It might be worth our time to start a thread on reviewing Disneyland good neighbor hotels. We all know the pros and cons of the official Disney owned hotels but which ones on Harbor and Katella are flea traps.