Advice needed on budget-friendly large family trip

[GracieB]

The group would be 2 or 3 adults, 2 teens, 2 kids. We would need two hotel rooms or a large family suite that allows 6 or 7 occupants. I favor Hampton Inn or Embassy Suites generally, due to free breakfast and large rooms. I've used ART on previous trips, but not with such a big group. Same for Uber. It would be a time saver to stay across the street, but only if the rate is decent. Otherwise, we are fine with shuttles or Uber. I've walked in the past as far as the Garden Walk area. I've also considered Howard Johnson, though there's no breakfast (I'd probably get Panera or McDs to go.)

Hotels are running high for late August. Dates are flexible, and I might wait till fall. Any thoughts on Stovalls (two rooms) or Park Vue? I usually buy park tickets online through LMT. I plan on dinner at Goofy's and possibly a Fantasmic Blue Bayou package. Thanks for any feedback

 

[stewart715]

Have you considered home rentals like Airbnb? You can save a bundle compared to hotels.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We like homewood suites. We usually book 9 mos early though. Lower prices

 

[mouschievous]

I haven't looked at the rates for summer, but we stayed in a home from vrbo over Thanksgiving and it was very affordable. 4 nights for 6 adults and 4 kids worked out to under $150 per person - total. If you're interested, I can give you the info. It is a legit rental in Anaheim and I know it saved us a bunch of money on hotels. The walk to the parks is a little long - the house is on walnut at ball - but we walked it 2+ times a day. It's a cheap uber ride though!

 

[CherylGonz]

We usually get a grocery delivery for breakfast items and water. Nothing fancy but cheaper than buying breakfast every AM

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Have you considered home rentals like Airbnb? You can save a bundle compared to hotels.

Be very careful about STRs in Anaheim. Some are legal and some are not. Many are not conveniently located. We get posts from people reporting that things did not turn out they way they expected. It really can be worth the investment to stay as close to the parks (i.e. walking distance) as you can afford -- what you invest in money, you can save in sanity, physical wear and tear on your legs and feet (especially at the end of the day), costs in commuting and parking, time suck in commuting and parking, etc
OP: The Clementine by GardenWalk used to be a Residence Inn -- they might have a suite that will work. Someone here reported getting a great rate on Expedia. We usually get two connecting rooms at the CCI. Check to see if you qualify for any discounts. Also look at connecting rooms at the Majestic Garden -- they have larger rooms, a private shuttle, and they are walking distance to the M&F tram. Rooms have a small fridge, so you could keep some breakfast things on hand. Stovall's gets good reviews here. You can either use ride share to the DTD drop off or walk to the DLH bag check (go north on Disneyland Dr., cut through the PPH parking lot to the path along the DLH to DTD, go through DLH bag check, then go through DTD to the gates). On the walk back, you are allowed to cut through the GCH from DTD. Park Vue has a great location -- breakfast isn't much, but you can supplement with your own things in the room. If you are willing to use ART, ride share, or the hotel shuttle service -- look at the Embassy Suites Garden Grove, Hampton Inn & Suites, and the Hilton Garden Inn -- they are all located next to each other on Harbor about a mile south of the parks. Garden Grove can have lower rates because it is outside the "Anaheim Resort" area.
If you don't have to do BB for F!, HB has the most economical package and (if you sit right next to the tape) you can be literally inches away from the BB guests for a lot less money.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

We like homewood suites. We usually book 9 mos early though. Lower prices

The Homewood has the best breakfast of all that we have stayed and and a great dinner M-Th. It's not just appetizers like at Embassy, it's a full dinner. Can really save on food costs if you make it back for a break and dinner. The suites are touch smaller than Embassy, but still a 2-room suite and you can get adjoining suites.

 

[bethannie203]

We shared a suite at Castle Inn & Suites that had a separate bedroom in one room (in-laws stayed there), and hubby and I took the pull-out couch in the living room. They also have Parlor Suites and Family Suites that say they sleep up to six. They have 2 separate bedrooms, and probably a pull-out couch. Of course you could also get 2 standard rooms, as that would sleep up to 8. It's a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel had very reasonable rates (but this was early December in 2017, so things change of course!) When we went, they were having a Buy 3-nights, get the 4th night free deal going on when we booked through Disney. It was about a 10-15 minute walk to the DL entrance. We really liked it, although it did not include free breakfast, but we are not big breakfast eaters. Plenty of places to grab a cheap meal on the way into the parks though! It was also really close to a local CVS or Walgreen's... I can't remember which one is there, but you could also pick up some breakfast items there and have them in your room. The room have a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. The staff was really friendly and helpful also!

 

[bethannie203]

Here's a link to their room types: https://www.castleinn.com/guest-suites.htm