Planning first trip to DL in 8-12 months

[Jeremiah Bush]

Did a significant amount of Google searches earlier and combed thru threads on this site for the last hour...
Head is spinning! So I'm throwing out a plea for help. Need some advise on where the best booking values are hiding. Would like to stay in a Disneyland resort that would be what I see people commonly calling "moderate".

Open to all other suggestions and thanks in advance for any help!

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

If your heart is set on a Disney-owned hotel (we don't really have "resorts" here like at WDW), the closest to moderate is Paradise Pier Hotel, but it is still pricey. I'd suggest looking at off-site hotels, some of which are a shorter walk to the parks than Paradise Pier is. There are several nice chain hotels as well - Marriott, Sheraton, Hyatt, etc. - some of which offer dedicated shuttle service.

Disneyland hotel prices are so high that is usually makes sense to look off-site, unless money is truly no object.

 

[bcalltimandanna]

We stayed at the Tropicana Inn and Suites two weeks ago and loved it. About a 10 minute walk to the park gates, if that. I think we paid 140/night

 

[TP2000]

Did a significant amount of Google searches earlier and combed thru threads on this site for the last hour...
Head is spinning! So I'm throwing out a plea for help. Need some advise on where the best booking values are hiding. Would like to stay in a Disneyland resort that would be what I see people commonly calling "moderate".

Open to all other suggestions and thanks in advance for any help!

Welcome! I assume you read this thread, Guide To DLR For WDW Veterans, the prerequisite for Disneyland newbies? http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/guide-to-dlr-for-wdw-veterans.875596/

Your phrasing is a bit off for Disneyland, and will muddle your quest for information here. There are no "resorts" at the Disneyland Resort, just "hotels". There is one Resort, and it's the entire property. There are three Disney owned hotels on Resort property, and all three of them would equate to a Deluxe at WDW, especially when it comes to the nightly rates.

If you are wondering about off-property hotels, especially the Disney approved "Good Neighbor Hotels", then your best bet is an online search site like Expedia once you've narrowed down your selection to two or three.

 

[Figments Friend]

Yeah, a non-Disney owned hotel is really your best bet for Disneyland.
The three Disney owned hotels are quite expensive and not necessary to receive any 'benefits' like one would if staying 'on-site' at a Disney owned hotel at Walt Disney World.
There are NO benefits except a short 'Extra Magic Hours' option which is not worth the extra expense in my own opinion.
Save your money to spend in the Parks dining and shopping...and stay nearby at a non-Disney hotel.
Plenty of options to choose from to fit any budget, limit, need, or outright want or luxury splurge.

There are many decent, reasonably priced hotels in the immediate area within walking distance to the front gate.
There are also some nice higher end chain hotels and all-suite locations for those looking for those accommodations a short drive or bus ride away.

I find Travelocity is a great website to do a quick search with when i want to peek at what the prices are like for the hotel options around the area at any given time.
I do not book through them however as i prefer booking directly with the hotel i choose, but it is a good guide for 'feeling around' for what is 'out there' price-wise.
Once i see something i like, i will visit the hotel's website and book with them directly.

Link -
www.travelocity.com

When you do your hotel search, and are looking over your results, beware of the terminology that many hotels out there use in their name - 'Main Gate', or 'near Disneyland entrance', etc.
Many claim to be 'right near the Main entrance of Disneyland' but that term can be used very loosely.
A hotel claiming to be 'right across from the Main Gate' may be 10 miles down the road from said gate!
My advice is to get a good map of the Anaheim Resort area and base your hotel search there.
This will help you avoid being misled into thinking your hotel choice is close by when in reality it might be quite a walk !
Harbor Blvd and Katella Ave both have several hotels on them within walking distance, so i would start there.

A website that might be useful in planning your visit -

http://anaheimoc.org/

Here you can download maps of the Anaheim Resort Area, just scroll down to the bottom of the page -

http://anaheimoc.org/plan-your-trip/maps-and-transportation



Hope this helps you out a little...and happy planning !

 

[stephbreynolds]

We stayed off-site and loved it. We got deal at the Renaissance Inn and paid less than a 100 dollars a night. They also had a breakfast buffet and my two toddlers loved it.

 

[disney4life2008]

Unlike WDW - I am not sure there are added benefits to staying onsite at DLR. I think they have early morning access though. I would strongly encourage off site stay and use the extra money for the parks. Trust me, the food is AMAZING.

 

[disney4life2008]

Also want to add - the day I visited in October it was packed at Disneyland. Waits were 60 minutes for major attractions yet I was able to do most of them (and this is on top of going to DCA the same day). You can read my trip report below. If you make it - do not miss the Plaza at Disneyland - PERFECTION!!

 

[JillC LI]

We stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn directly across the street in May and it was great, convenient, clean, and reasonably priced with a hot breakfast included.