1st Time with Kids

[DonnaRy]

My husband and I don't have kids, but are taking my 2 nieces (ages 7 & 9) to DL in April (Thursday - Sunday). We live in the Phoenix area and go to DL at least once a year, but have never experienced it with kids and we are really looking forward to it!

We really splurged and stayed at the Grand Cal for our last 2 trips, but we are trying to decide where to stay with the kids. Although I love the Grand Cal, I'm wondedering if the DL Hotel is more kid friendly.

Any opinions on which Disney property to stay at or if we should just consider saving some money and staying across the street on Harbor (maybe the Carousel Inn, Fairfield Inn, Best Western, etc.).

As of today on Expedia, the DL Hotel is $200 per night, Grand Cal is $245 and the off-property hotels on Harbor are in the $70-$90 range.

 

[CalGal]

While the Disneyland Hotel is a little more kid-friendly with the Neverland Pool, and a little more theming, I would still go GC if you can afford it. It can save a lot of walking. The kids are likely to appreciate being so close to the park. I recommend that you come back to rest and relax during the afternoons, and the GC will save you lots of steps. The kids will love being in the middle of the action.

Saving money and staying off-site is a matter of personal choice. Some of the hotels mentioned are about as close as the Disneyland Hotel. They also encourage you to eat off-site as well, which can be a big money saver. Your nieces are very lucky to have a such great and thoughtful aunt and uncle, so I am sure that they will find it memorable either way. (But on-site will make it even more memorable)