First DL trip ever. Help needed.

[mjr0483]

Help. sorry this is long and I am looking for some direction.
I have been to WDW more times than I can count but have never been to Disneyland.

I am going to be staying my first and only trip to DL for three nights. I have narrowed my resort stay down to 4 options.

1. DisneyLand Hotel $99/night plus tax for standard view room.
Add my own tickets and options.

2. Grand Californian $280/night plus tax for Park view.
Add my own tickets and options.

3. DisneyLand Hotel $194/night plus tax for Park view Concierge.
Add own tickets and options.

Now the one that has me wondering.

4. Anaheim Marriott Hotel Standard View. $866 total package including tax.
Including all the options.
4-Day Park Hopper Ticket
Disneyland® Magic Feature
Disney Dining 3-Day Plan
Includes Vacation Magic Package & Vacation Protection Plan

Is option #4 too good to be true? Will I regret not staying at a Disney Resort?
How is the Disney Dining Plan? and I better off going on my own?

If anyone can help with some of my questions.

Thank You.

Joe

[teri]

Well, I always prefer to stay onsite, and if not onsite then within walking distance. Are you travelling with children? Do you really prefer concierge service? Is a park view going to be valuable to you -- would you be in your room enough to appreciate it? Do you want the convenience of walking right out the door and being at the gates or in Downtown Disney for a mere $180 more per night? It really is a matter of individual preference and how much you can afford.

I haven't stayed at the Marriott, but I hear it is nice. I would choose the Disneyland Hotel as a personal preference -- that is a good price at $99.

[WDWfanatic288]

unlike at wdw onsite isnt important...actually i fidn it easier to stay offsite(cheaper and not hard to walk)unless you stay at GC(since its right there for everything)

we always stay at FairField Inn


Im not sure about the disney dining plan thing but I think its usually easier to go by your self if you arent gonna use all the options...i would research and see if it was cheaper to go on your own(i dont think i made sense....lol)

[year2late]

Off site we stay at Candy Cane. It is an easy walk without intersections to cross. They also have their own (reliable) bus service. They have a breakfast bar in the AM (usual juice,cereal, muffins,bagels)

I may be wrong, but the Disney dining plan is for the parks only (not DD) and kind of a voucher thing where one meal is a character breakfast. I don't know of anyone who used it.

The $99 deal for DL hotel is a good one. GCH is convinient, beautiful, and expensive, It might be worth the splurge if this is a one and only trip.

[princessKT]

99 bucks a night? That is a good deal!