Best Disney bang for the buck?

[araes2102]

Planning our trip for next June and, since we have never been and may not go again for a few years, I would really appreciate any tips for getting the most "Disney Experience" for the money we will spend. I do plan to stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, but am trying to figure out the best option. Leaning toward Disneyland Hotel, but it looks like we can spend about the same amount of money to stay at the Paradise Pier with concierge level. Which do you think is the better option? We plan to be there for 5 days. Also, can you see any of the shows from rooms in either of these hotels? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated as well. Specifically, how to get the best deal? Was planning to book through Disney or maybe costco? And is the meal plan worth it? Thanks!

 

[MermaidHair]

araes:

I cannot answer all of your questions but I can give some perspective.

First the easy one: I understand that the meal plan is generally considered to be a BAD deal at Disneyland and not something you should buy.

As far as the best deal goes, I was trying to schedule a trip to the Grand Californian in October (which is not going to happen ) so I was checking around. There were no "special offers" out at the time and I was surprised that the best deal I found was from AAA. I did NOT check Costco. So you have to do your own investigating but be sure if you book that there is some flexibility allowed so when the seasonal deals come out (and there seem to always be seasonal deals) you can adjust your reservations to take advantage of them. AAA and WDTC will allow for these adjustments.

As far as concierge at PPH vs a regular room at DLH, I would go with the regular room at DLH. Some people love concierge level. For me, I do not think I would eat enough food in the lounge on a daily basis to justify the cost. Perhaps others can comment on what types of views you can get at the hotels to help you make your decision.

Happy planning! Hope this helps a little bit.

 

[tylerg]

Check alaska.

Seemed like the Park hopper ticket included was a good price. also was able to get my hotel for fewer days that the days of my flight.
Priceline my car.
Good luck

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

Planning our trip for next June and, since we have never been and may not go again for a few years, I would really appreciate any tips for getting the most "Disney Experience" for the money we will spend. I do plan to stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, but am trying to figure out the best option. Leaning toward Disneyland Hotel, but it looks like we can spend about the same amount of money to stay at the Paradise Pier with concierge level. Which do you think is the better option? We plan to be there for 5 days. Also, can you see any of the shows from rooms in either of these hotels? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated as well. Specifically, how to get the best deal? Was planning to book through Disney or maybe costco? And is the meal plan worth it? Thanks!

I can't answer all of your questions, but we had the same dilemma about which hotel choice for about the same money for our last family trip in 2007. We ended going with the PP concierge and we were glad we did because for a family of 5, we saved a lot of money on food by having access to the concierge lounge, eating breakfast there every day and going back for snacks and drinks before going swimming a couple days and going there for dinner a couple nights. It's just light fare, but it was enough to serve as dinner the nights we were there. I know one night was mini burgers and fries, one night was some kind of little rolled taco things, can't remember the other night, and in addition to whatever hot appetizer/entree they had, there were cheese and crackers, veggies & dip, etc. It was perfect for us the nights we did it because it was quick, just enough food to be satisfied but then leaving room to buy yummy treats in the parks later. We only ended up spending something ridiculous like $300 on food for 5 people for 5 days and about half of that was one meal at the Blue Bayou, the rest was counter service with AP discount.

 

[Dobie]

At the DLH, you can see fireworks from your room if it is a premium room.

At the PPH, you can see WOC (from a distance) from a premium room. PPH also has a great view of the fireworks from the pool deck that anyone can see...it is quite far from the pool, just a large patio, but people haul pool chairs over and they pipe in the music.

DLH has a much more elaborate pool area. PPH just has a basic rectangle pool, a little wading pool, and a very cool slide.

The Dobies found the walk from PPH to both parks to be way easier than the walk from DLH, although neither are bad. From PPH you can short cut through GCH.

The Dobies were unimpressed by PPH onsite food choices, although with concierge services you probably wouldn't worry about that.

We did think that the room at PPH was a bit bigger than the one at DLH. However, the sink area was inside vs outside the bathroom, which made it harder to share.

Also, I don't know if your dates or flexible or not, but the later you go in the summer the more likely that Carsland will be open when you get there. Have a magical trip!!!!

 

[wbl2745]

I know you said "bang for the buck" and the GCH is certainly a lot of bucks, but if you can swing it, you'll love the Grand Californian. The hotel was designed by the same architect as the Wilderness Lodge and the Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House) at WDW. The lobby is spectacular and the location can not be beat. DCA kind of curves around the hotel and DL is not a long hike. The rooms are very nice and if you're in to architecture taking the tour of the hotel (on Fridays, I think) is a lot of fun. For guests of GCH and VGC there is a morning power walk in DCA before it opens, which is a fun way to see the park without people in it.

Even if you don't stay at GCH, you ought to walk through the lobby at least. Storyteller's Cafe is a nice place for lunch when you're in DCA. It is away from the crowds, fairly quiet, and good food.

Hope you have a good time!

 

[llump41]

I wasn't a big fan of the meal plan. I don't think I saved any money using it but it didn't cost me more either. If you do the PPH concierge level you will get a breakfast+snacks/ water and soda. I would do that over again.

We ended up park view PPH and could see, from the side, WOC. They do have the sound track on TV for you. I hear you can see the fireworks at DL from the pool deck. It was a very simple walk across the street and thru the GCH and not a bad walk, although not scenic at all, from the DTD monorail station back to the hotel.

Some pics with a few from our room. www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2302209000461.138479.1406302301

 

[GrandBob]

Personally, I think that "best bang for the buck" means staying at one of the walking distance motels on Harbor. Staying at a Disney property (pricey) puts you into "I want a great experience and am willing to pay for it" territory. Which is great, too; everyone has their own style, their own taste. That's why there are so many choices. But IMHO it's not "best bang for the buck."

-Bob

 

[araes2102]

Thanks for all the replies, any information to help with decision making is great!

llump - would love to see your pics, but it won't let me? Maybe because we aren't friends?

Also, I keep hearing about Carlsbad but I can't find anymore info on what this is? I assume I am just not looking in the right places because it sounds like something big, can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[araes2102]

Bob - Do you have a recommendation for a good non-Disney hotel?

 

[aurorae]

Bob - Do you have a recommendation for a good non-Disney hotel?

I'm not Bob, but here is the hotel review sticky:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32467200&postcount=2

 

[rentayenta]

I guess it depends on what you mean by bang. If you mean most magic then stay at the GCH. It's amazing and the location cannot be beat. If by bang you mean close but less expensive, stay off site. There are tons of hotels close by.

 

[wbl2745]

Bob - Do you have a recommendation for a good non-Disney hotel?

I'm not Bob either, but we've stayed at the Tropicana before and it was very well located. The rooms were clean and since you can be fairly far off the street, generally they are quite. You're actually close to the entrances of Disneyland than most of the rooms, even at the Grand Californian!

Friends have stayed at the Fairfield Inn, just a block up from the Tropicana, and liked it very much. You can get pizza delivered, which is what they did the evening they arrived. The Anabella, which is on Katella and a little further away than the PPH, also got good reviews. If I'm not staying at a DLR hotel, I like to stay at the Embassy Suites on Harbor. (I think it might be called "Anaheim South" although it is in Garden Grove.) It is a little too far to walk, but the shuttle bus is fairly frequent. What I like about Embassy Suites is that they have a real, full breakfast in the morning, and it is nice to be able to put the kids to bed in the front room, and then Mom and Dad can stay up if they want.

I agree with the PP who said that staying at any DLR hotel is not "bang for the buck," but if you want to stay at a DLR resort and pay for it, I still think that the GCH is the best.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[MermaidHair]

You asked about "Carlsbad" which is a city in Southern Ca. I think you meant "Cars Land" which is a new land being built inside DCA. Will be a great new addition to the park and is scheduled to open in July 2012. Search these boards or google it.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Also, I keep hearing about Carlsbad but I can't find anymore info on what this is? I assume I am just not looking in the right places because it sounds like something big, can anyone point me in the right direction?

Maybe because you have name wrong? People are talking about Carsland, not Carlsbad (which is located in San Diego). Carsland is a new land at Disney California Adventure Park. Think: the Movie-Cars---and then you will get it.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Skip the dining plan and I'd wait till July - read *this* for more info.

 

[KCmike]

Hotels - book separate from tickets (some parts of the year you can get a 4th night free at the good neighbor hotel). If you want to stay onsite keep watching for room only deals. I prefer to stay onsite but only because we get to go once a year and we like to relax by the pool and have "days off".

Food - Plaza Inn (great portions, great food)

Discounts if you have Disney Visa Gift Card as well.

I'll add more as I think of stuff. Have a good visit.

 

[GrandBob]

Bob - Do you have a recommendation for a good non-Disney hotel?

Sorry, I seem to have lost track of this thread. Didn't notice you had asked me a question. I see you've gotten a lot of good answers so far.

When HoJo's has their retro-rates available, I think they can't be beat. You can get the retro-rate either with an Entertainment card (for any city) or by showing a Disneyland AP. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of dates available right now. But you can keep an eye on them here:

http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=29

A good source for what's nearby is this (anything in the green is walking distance):
http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

It seems that most, if not all, the accomodations that are truly in walking distance are motels. Not fancy, certainly not 4 star, but just fine for sleeping at night. If you want one of the upscale name brands, you can find Hilton, Sheraton, etc, but not quite in walking distance. A lot of people find the suite hotels to be a very good fit for your family -- Doubletree Suites, Embassy Suites, Residence Inn, etc. Again, though, not within walking distance. Some of them have private shuttles; others rely on ART.

So, outside the pricey Disney hotels, it seems you have a choice -- walking distance or upscale. While I like the upscale, name-brand hotels as well as anybody, before you choose this option, you really should read HydoGuy's Hotel Rule.

HTH,
Bob

 

[araes2102]

Thanks for all the tips everybody, especially helpful to have the links to various threads and other info. And LoL about the CarsLand mixup!! Don't know why on earth I kept seeing Carlsbad. Oh well

Anyway, we have started re-thinking our whole approach to this trip. Looking at buying the citypass and spending 5 days in Anaheim (3 Disney, probably upgrade to 4), and then 5 in San Diego!! Saving the money from staying at a DL resort hotel has allowed us to add another leg to our trip, so excited!

As it stands I am looking at the BWPPI and Ramada Inn Maingate. Guess we will just have to look at prices and see what deal we can get where when the time gets closer