Help about hotels DLR area

[GhostHostMatt]

Ok, in Mid June I am going out to Califorinia for 2 weeks with Family (first week is a cruise **non-disney**) and thinking about spending the other week by myself at DL (It's going to be my first time at DL :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy. Now because the rest of my family will have the transportation (they are sightseeing) I will not have any (and I don't think I'd need it, as I intend to be only at DLR)

My parents (save money / go cheap) are freaking over the prices of the 3 DLR Hotels:shrug:. The only one I am considering is Paradise Pier Hotel because it is the lowest of the three---standard room being at approx $240. I really don't have a problem with the price. Personally, being the first time to DLR I would like to stay on property.

But if I am forced to take heed to prices or if there is a better hotel to stay at....are there any hotels outside DLR that are within a short walking distance and below $150?

I have been looking on expedia and travelocity (before anyone says to check them).......the Howard Johnson seems nice, but I'd like to hear opinions and recommendations of people who've been to the DLR area.

Any questions or need clarification on anything I've wrote, please ask:animwink:

Thank you everyone!

 

[NemoRocks78]

I stayed at the Best Western Anaheim Inn on my last trip in 2005 and will be staying there again in a few weeks. It's right across the street and was a really good hotel for the price.

 

[lilclerk]

DLR is very different from WDW. There is absolutely no need to stay on Disney property in Disneyland. There are so many nice, MUCH cheaper hotels within walking distance, with a view of the parks. And since they're "good neighbor" hotels, you get virtually all the same benefits as someone staying in one of the Disney owned hotels.
I stayed in the Anabella. On Tripadvisor, there are some pretty bad reviews, but they recently renovated everything and it was VERY nice when I was there. The staff was incredibly helpful, and I couldn't hear anyone unless they were directly outside my room. And I had a view of DCA from my window. Not too shabby.

Stay offsite, it's worth the savings.

 

[DAKOTADISNEY]

In '05 we stayed at the Fairfield Inn, across the street from DL and it was nice. It was February so I don't know what the rate would be in June but we payed around $90/night. The Fairfield is next to Howard Johnson's. There were other motels on the same street and they all looked(from the outside) good. It was a very affordable place for us to stay but if you can afford to stay on property, go for it.

 

[coasterphil]

The Howard Johnson was perfect for my family's needs when we stayed there last June. Plus we were able to get rooms for $59 a night thanks to the Entertainment Book discount they offer.

 

[BRER STITCH]

Hey GHOST HOST!

Don't worry about being within walking distance, as most of the hotels nearby are on the shuttle route. Some are free, some are pay, but there's no need to limit your choices just to walk. I think the 3-day shuttle pass we got was like $4 or something.

I've stayed at the Embassy Suites, Hilton, and Homewoos Suites, all within view of the park, but without all the nearby traffic. They are all just down the street a little and well under what the Disney properties cost!

Save your money for meals and souvenirs -- all you need the Hotel room for is a place to sleep, shower, and store your stuff!

HAVE FUN!

:wave:

 

[nemofinder22]

IV stayed at a few over the years but always go back to Hojo's they are very clean and nicely priced and has a nice set of grounds to walk around on. If you care about the view buildings 1 and 2 have a back side that faces I-5 but the other side of building 1 faces DLR. but when ever I go I request building 3-6 there only 2 stories tall but are pretty much have a great view since its either garden/walkways or the pools.
Theres a Mimi's Cafe aross the street and theres also the ART buses that will take you to the East Shuttle area but you might as well walk since its a pretty short walk. Otherwise I think its like 3 for and all day pass.


Theres Desert Palms and Desert Inn too

About Desert Inn- though its right across the street from the East Shuttle area you really get what you pay for. I dont know if its improved since the 50th but it was really dirty there and it smelled bad too. The parking is very limited and if your on the top floors you have to wait for 1-2 elevators which take forever and better off walking up the stairs. Theres an indoor pool diidnt check it out though. But they also have have a contenental breakfast which is nice to pick up something for free before heading into DLR.

Desert Palms is on the corner of Harbor/Katella- Its a very nice hotel with indoor corridors like Hojos. The rooms are very nice since it was remodeled a little bit after DCA was opened. Theres a lot of room styles to choose from as well as a continetal breakfast. The only draw back to this place was the distance from the entry plaza its right behind the Timon lot(which is behind DCA) to get there a little easier we took the Timon tram which was nice but it was still a bit more walking and having to wait for the trams. Careful though as sometimes the lot is closed and then the trams dont run.

So I say out for the 3 I always go back to Hojo's. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

i stayed at the BW stovall's and it was nice, adequate for us as we spent all our time in the parks except sleeping and an afternoon at the pool. it was a short walk, and to make the walk shorter we cut through the grand californian so it was like we were staying there. we also looked at the howard johnson, but got a better price at stovalls.

 

[GhostHostMatt]

Thanks for your input everyone!!

I spent this afternoon thinking about it and reading all of your comments. I think I'll go for an a hotel outside DLR. I was looking a few up, and some of them are quite impressive and the prices are pretty good for what room types are available.

Stay offsite, it's worth the savings.

You know, at the time i wrote my original post, it didn't even cross my mind about how much extra money I'd have available, to spend on other things, by staying at a cheaper hotel......:brick:.....man, i feel stupid:lol:

Save your money for meals and souvenirs

Definitely!!!

I am SO excited for this trip:sohappy::sohappy:......the funny thing is I'm more excited about going to DL than going on the cruise:ROFLOL:

Again, thank you all so much for your help
If anyone else has comments or recommendations, please post them.

 

[Nicole220]

Thanks for your input everyone!!

I spent this afternoon thinking about it and reading all of your comments. I think I'll go for an a hotel outside DLR. I was looking a few up, and some of them are quite impressive and the prices are pretty good for what room types are available.

You know, at the time i wrote my original post, it didn't even cross my mind about how much extra money I'd have available, to spend on other things, by staying at a cheaper hotel......:brick:.....man, i feel stupid:lol:
Definitely!!!

I am SO excited for this trip:sohappy::sohappy:......the funny thing is I'm more excited about going to DL than going on the cruise:ROFLOL:

Again, thank you all so much for your help
If anyone else has comments or recommendations, please post them.

You should be more excited!

I don't have any more recommendations for ya. Everyone covered the most important one- stay off site when visiting DL.

 

[primetime52]

I stayed at the Residence Inn, which was pretty nice, pretty cheap, and within walking distance. It's one of the "good neighbor hotels" so we were able to purchase our park tickets in the lobby. If I read your post correctly, you will be staying by yourself (?), so in that case it might not be the hotel for you since I think they only offer suites. I have a friend who stayed at the Anabella and she said it was nice as well.

If I remember correctly, the Paradise Pier is actually a somewhat lengthy walk from the entrance to the parks (but maybe the monorail goes there?? I never took the DLR monorail so I'm not sure). There are some off site hotels that are actually closer.

 

[Nicole220]

^ The monorail does not got to the Paradise Pier Hotel.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Nicole's right. The monorail takes you to Downtown Disney near the Disneyland Hotel and Tomorrowland.

The quickest way to the parks from Paradise Pier is through the Grand Californian.

 

[disnyfan89]

The Howard Johnson was perfect for my family's needs when we stayed there last June. Plus we were able to get rooms for $59 a night thanks to the Entertainment Book discount they offer.

Care to expand on this a bit more??? Like more importantly how one can get this discount.

 

[primetime52]

Nicole's right. The monorail takes you to Downtown Disney near the Disneyland Hotel and Tomorrowland.

The quickest way to the parks from Paradise Pier is through the Grand Californian.

I'll remember that for the future. We walked there from the parks to go to their Japanese Restaurant and the walk took forever, especially at night with sore feet from all day in the parks. I'm pretty sure we had a shorter walk to our off site hotel.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

No problem primetime52.

The Howard Johnson entertainment rate is awesome. It's $59 a night. All you need is an entertainment book. If you don't know what that is, it's a huge book of coupons sold in just about every city, and on ebay for that matter. You don't need Anaheims, any book that hasn't expired will work.

Before you buy the book, check hojo's website or call to see if the rate is available for your dates. Online, just used the advanced search function and enter the code sd50. If it's available on your date, book it and then get an entertainment book.

Mousesavers has a blurb on how to get entertainment books cheaply. They're $30-40 starting price, so well worth them to get this rate.

 

[disnyfan89]

Thank you so much! :wave:

 

[coasterphil]

Care to expand on this a bit more??? Like more importantly how one can get this discount.

Call and ask for the Entertainment Book/Card rate when you reserve the room and bring the card when you check in (although they didn't ask for it when we did, but I wouldn't take that chance). Just make sure you call the hotel directly as opposed to HoJo's central reservation center.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

You're welcome!