12 days at WDW cheaper than 6 days at DL

[boomhauer]

I think it's only fair for me to admit, I'm an All Stars fan through and through. Hotel amenities, big room - Pish posh to me. I stay at All Star Movies, and I feel like I'm right in the middle of the Disney World magic. For me, the resort is a place to sleep, MAYBE get a quick bite in the morning, and have a drink at night.

That being said, it went through the Official Disneyland Guide last night, and it seems as though there are some hotels in the area cheaper than on-site ones. I guess what it comes down to is, I'm simply not familiar at all with Disneyland, so I don't know how to go about it. I can save money a hundred different ways at WDW, simply because I know it so well.

 

[Mousemom]

We drive to DL and try to save money that way but we still spend a fortune. 5 nights at DL hotel and park hoppers were 1500.00. (my husband has a DL AP). We cherish and save our air miles and use them to fly to WDW. We always go for 8 nights and stay at a moderate for almost the same price. We do splurge on AP's and try to get 2-3 trips out of them. I think for us it is still a bit cheaper to go to DL but we love the extra parks and water parks.

 

[mshrm]

I agree with your original post. Ive been able to go to WDW for less money than to Disneyland. I love DL and California so I still make the effort to go. For the 50th we went to WDW last summer when it was just starting and were sliding in on the end of the celebration at DL this summer.

They are very different experiences and personally I hope with your trip that your planning to leave the DL world too. California has so much to offer in the lines of entertainment that your robbing youself of a great trip to only stick to DL. When we go to WDW we have the tendency to stick the the resort for our whole trip but when in California were all over the place.

I personally I think both trips are very expensive! But their unique and both worth every penny spent.

 

[EnnEss]

We're staying at the WL in Disneyworld (deluxe but not the most expensive) for 7 days and flying from Seattle, basically the furthest you can get away and still be in the US (we're from Vancouver).

It came out cheaper for us to go to WDW for 7 days then to go to DLR for 7 days and stay at the DLH. We could not believe it. The airfare should of been way more, but wasn't (we got both prices through disney.com) and the hotels are cheaper in WDW, which is why the vacation is cheaper. Plus WDW has all inclusive dining for a limited time, which we qualified for. That will end up saving us around 300 -400 dollars over the week (we always eat on site at DLR).

We wanted to go to Disneyland but they have no promotions and its cheaper to go to WDW so we did. We were very surprised that it came out cheaper.

 

[mommabo]

Maybe this will help you feel better about your decision to go to DL instead of WDW ......... July in Orlando ....... not enough tea in China to make me want to endure that. (And I am an Arizona girl used to 112 degree days and previous Houston girl used to humidity, but that doesn't mean I want to vacation in it)
As someone who recently went for an all out family blow-out vacation this past January to WDW, you need to plan differently for DL. Off-site hotel (yes, lack Disney charm and are simply places to rest) and add in different experiences besides Disney (blasphemy to some ), but there is so much to do and see
Put yourself in a different mind set, look for deals, and have a great time.

We're staying at the WL in Disneyworld (deluxe but not the most expensive) for 7 days and flying from Seattle, basically the furthest you can get away and still be in the US (we're from Vancouver).

The folks from Alaska and Hawaii might disagree with this , but yes, point taken. Airfare can vary widely depending on your departure city, airline and special deals.

 

[Harmony]

I, for one, love Fl weather! lol I live in STX for a reason...I'm not a 'cold-type' of person at all. Still, my DH and sons are soooo looking forward to the cooler weather this time around! hahaha!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I would really suggest you think about staying offsite and save some money. If you like the values (and I do too) then the rooms at the Howard Johnson and Tropicana will be fine for you. They are very clean. They are both older hotels but Tropicana has been very recently remodeled and the HoJo is also updated and has lovely grounds and two nice pools and a kiddie spray jet area. The pools aren't themed, you won't have a Mickey wake up call but room wise it will be very similar to a value. And while I haven't stayed there , I have heard nothing but rave reviews about the Candy Cane. It has its own free shuttle or is about a 10-15 minute wallk to the park. And provides a very nice free breakfast. The Tropicana is a five minute walk from your room to the turnstiles. You will be about as far from the turnstiles at the Tropicana as you are at the Pop Century bus stop! The Howard Johnsons is nice but is a further walk (no shuttle thats free, you can take the ART for $3 a day) maybe 10-15 minutes. I love the DLH, but those rates keep me offsite more than I would like. There is a sticky on the top of this board with all kinds of information about motels walking distance and nearby to DL. Also, there are many places in Garden Grove which is nearby to DL. Some of them have their own shuttles, some you use the ART which is public transportation and not bad at all. Embassy Suites and Hyatt both have hotels in Garden Grove. Good luck, I hope it all works out for you!

 

[EnnEss]

Staying onsite in Disneyland just is so much better for myself, i know others will disagree and obviously if you're bringing kids the added costs they incur would make it a lot tougher. For me, staying offsite just shatters the illusion that is created when you're at DLR and you stay onsite. Even if I walk over to Denny's and grab a bite (which i did once last time) I notice right away how trashy the sorrounding area is.

I used to always stay off site and never minded... until I stayed onsite, now I won't ever go back.