Booking Disneyland Neighbour Hotel

[Frozen2014]

A couple question about the hotel. From what I've read there doesn't seem to be much advantage to staying onsite (unlike Disney World). It seems more expensive and can even be a further walk to the park, so am looking at one of the neighbour hotels.

1. When I try to look up neighbour DL hotels on Expedia a lot are marked as sold out...not sure if they are actually sold out of if I'm looking too far ahead (but some searches are end of August this year) So how early do you book your hotel? We are looking at booking 3rd or 4th week of August in 2017 but am doing research now to get an idea of prices and good hotel.
2. I notice that on Disneyland site, they seem to have packages for some neighbour hotels which includes your hotel plus park tickets. Is it worth it to buy the package or is this usually more expensive? PS - I haven't done the math, but as a note we are Canadian so if we were to book separately, we'd at least book our hotel in CAD via expedia, so it's hard for me to tell myself since the Disney site is in USD.
3. PS - In a related question, if we end up renting a car (since we'll see other things in CA after DLR), then how much is parking?

Thanks.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Hi Im from Ireland and when I started looking for a hotel I too looked at the Good Neighbour hotel list, for exactly the same reasons as you.

the way I researched was I had the good neighbour list open in one tab and Google maps in the other. I searched the hotels by price and then looked them up on the map. Some hotels have breakfast included, some have a free shuttle, some are on the ART shuttle route.

Its a good idea to have an idea of what you are looking for in the hotel, breakfast, how far from the park etc. Just so you know, many hotels SAY beside or walking distance to Disney but may not actually be. The pedestrian entrance to Disney is on Harbour Bld, so hotels on Harbour are the closest.

Also most of the hotels are motels, ie have outside corridors. The Howard Johnsons on Harbour is one of the few with inside corridors. Again this may be a factor in your hotel choice.

When I found the one that suited me I went direct to that hotels website and booked direct with the hotel. My friend lives in Anaheim and gets my ticket for me so I cant advise you about. When booking via a third party such as Expedia you are relying on the hotel releasing rooms to that third party site. Expedia rooms are cheaper as they block book x amount of rooms and then resell them. Booking direct with the hotel you get much better avilability

 

[AussieCaribou]

Depending on what I am doing with Disney is how I book. If I am looking for a dirt cheap visit (from Australia, sometimes that is the only way we can go), I will book everything myself and will contact the hotel/motel myself. My family's preferred real value is Alpine Inn on Katella. About a 10 to 15 minute walk up Harbor to the parks, or about 15 to 20 through Downtown Disney to the parks. I get our tickets at the front desk of the motel to avoid the lines at the parks.

If I have a bit more cash, then I generally get a Disney Specialist Travel Agent to make my bookings through the Disney site. They can keep an eye on any specials and rebook me. I always get package that includes transfers, hotel, and tickets. If you are going to do character dining, they offer pre-paid dining but I am not convinced that this is cheaper than just going yourself and paying at the end. However, sometimes we get it included in the package so it is all paid before we go.

Generally, if we are going to a good neighbor hotel, we go to HoJo's. Just as close as the Disney hotels and very comfy beds, clean, mostly quiet, good staff, Mimi's across the street. It also has indoor hallways which lock at night (requires key card entry). I like the added security.

Have a look at the map to see where the hotels are that you are interested in. It is possible that you might be a bit farther away but might be close to the Park parking lots and can take the bus or tram in. Have a look.

Enjoy your planning and your time at DLR.

 

[Malcon10t]

Yes, you are looking too early. Generally, hotel rooms are released about 9 mos out. Booking further out, rooms will be at full price. Start looking in October for your rooms, will be easier.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I wouldn't give much value to the "Good Neighbor" moniker. It really gets you nothing and the best hotels IMHO, aren't GN rated.

 

[Frozen2014]

9 months out...than you. That really helps.
And we'd most likely book a room that can be cancelled if booking in advance (in case a different hotel pops up)

We book through Expedia (as opposed to direct) because (1) we're Canadian and prefer to pay in CAD, and (2) we collect points and so can save.

We're probably looking for a place with breakfast included (at least one meal covered) and not $$$ since we'll extend our holiday around CA (plus airline from Ontario for four is not cheap).

Thanks for the note. I do see that the hotels on Harbor Blvd are about 0.4 km from DCA. We'll most likely have a car and thus if so it's not required that we're across the street but I am looking at these for the convenience (and if say, we want to return mid day for a swim when it's super hot). I'm taking notes too on the other hotel thread for recommended hotels.

We've stayed in one / two level motels before where the door to your room is from the outside (which is what I assume you mean by not having inside hallways). As long as they are clean and safe, we don't have an issue. But then we'd need to outside for breakfast, etc which may be a pain.

I see a lot mention HOJO so will look at this one too.

 

[Malcon10t]

I like Hojos. But if it is in the price range, I prefer Candy Cane. The Alpine is also a great cheap place to stay. It is a few steps further, but fairly cheap and clean.

 

[agamble]

Thanks for the note. I do see that the hotels on Harbor Blvd are about 0.4 km from DCA. We'll most likely have a car and thus if so it's not required that we're across the street but I am looking at these for the convenience (and if say, we want to return mid day for a swim when it's super hot). I'm taking notes too on the other hotel thread for recommended hotels.

The thing with having a car is that parking in the Disneyland lots is a pain, and not very convenient either. Better to stay near Disneyland when you're visiting there, and then maybe move hotels to save money when you're visiting the rest of So CA. There are lots of great places to stay. Someone recently started this thread with great ideas http://www.disboards.com/threads/where-are-you-staying-on-your-next-disneyland-trip-and-why.3514493/

 

[DahliaRW]

I would stay directly across harbor from the parks if you can. Parking is a real pain and eats up a lot of time. If you open google maps, looks for the Best Western Park Place Inn. It is directly across the crosswalk from where you go to enter the parks. Then look to either side. Check out those hotels.

I have never found a package to be cheaper than booking separately (even with the bonuses they offer like a free meal voucher, usually I'm still paying more than the voucher is worth).

 

[Bud Ice]

Best advice always...

Are you there for Disneyland or the room?

Transpo options around DL
- Bus - OCTA
- Shuttle - ART
- Uber/lyft
- Rental Car (Try turo for a short-term rental, airbnb of rental cars. Zipcar for those who have it.)

 

[tdhickey]

Usually a year out, you get a better deal with vacation packages and once it gets closer and rooms are released to the expedias of the world it's best to stay tune for flash sales and discounts. Lately, flying from Vancouver BC, I've gotten the best deals through Alaska Vacations and/or West Jet Vacations. Sometimes they partner with certain hotels and the deals are better a year out than booking separately.

 

[Turk February]

I wouldn't give much value to the "Good Neighbor" moniker. It really gets you nothing and the best hotels IMHO, aren't GN rated.

And if I remember correctly, all "Good Neighbor" means is that the hotel has paid Disney to feature them on their website as a Good Neighbor Hotel.

 

[Frozen2014]

Good to know about the parking...that it's much easier to walk.

I'm starting a spreadsheet based on Expedia searches and comments from the other thread. Best Western and Howard Johnson seem to be most popular. They are more pricier ones on the list (but this is a moderate price list so doesn't include anything that is more expensive). There seem to be a bunch that are in walking distance.

I would stay directly across harbor from the parks if you can. Parking is a real pain and eats up a lot of time. If you open google maps, looks for the Best Western Park Place Inn. It is directly across the crosswalk from where you go to enter the parks. Then look to either side. Check out those hotels.

I have never found a package to be cheaper than booking separately (even with the bonuses they offer like a free meal voucher, usually I'm still paying more than the voucher is worth).

Good to know about the package. Thanks.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

As a fellow Canadian I'd recommend looking at Flight Center for your park tickets... I've gotten good deals there the last few times we've bought especially when compared to buying direct from Disney with the exchange rate

 

[Frozen2014]

As a fellow Canadian I'd recommend looking at Flight Center for your park tickets... I've gotten good deals there the last few times we've bought especially when compared to buying direct from Disney with the exchange rate

Thanks so much for the tip. I've noted it and will definitely check it out. Funny that "Flight Centre" sells park tickets. I wouldn't even think of checking there.

 

[farlinm1]

I live in Michigan, taking my first trip to Disneyland in June 2017 and just booked my Good Neighbor hotel for Best Western Plus Park Place Inn which is right across from the Park entrance. I joined the Best Western Rewards Club online first, then I called the Best Western directly and made my reservations for June 28-July 5, 2017...Since I was a BW Rewards Club member I did get a 10% room discount . Said they had many rooms available at that time. Maybe easier to just call the hotel of your choice to see what they have available??

 

[luulu1999]

A couple question about the hotel. From what I've read there doesn't seem to be much advantage to staying onsite (unlike Disney World). It seems more expensive and can even be a further walk to the park, so am looking at one of the neighbour hotels.

1. When I try to look up neighbour DL hotels on Expedia a lot are marked as sold out...not sure if they are actually sold out of if I'm looking too far ahead (but some searches are end of August this year) So how early do you book your hotel? We are looking at booking 3rd or 4th week of August in 2017 but am doing research now to get an idea of prices and good hotel.
2. I notice that on Disneyland site, they seem to have packages for some neighbour hotels which includes your hotel plus park tickets. Is it worth it to buy the package or is this usually more expensive? PS - I haven't done the math, but as a note we are Canadian so if we were to book separately, we'd at least book our hotel in CAD via expedia, so it's hard for me to tell myself since the Disney site is in USD.
3. PS - In a related question, if we end up renting a car (since we'll see other things in CA after DLR), then how much is parking?

Thanks.

I think a lot of times you can only book a year out, there are also many other hotels in the area that aren't tech "good neighbor hotel" so that doesn't really mean anything special, I think they pay for the "good neighbor" title, I think it would be better to book separately you can a lot of times find deals on tickets making them cheaper than buying the thru Disney. Getawaytoday.com has a lot of hotels and tickets and stuff you can make payments on them and a lot of the hotels you get nights free and things like that Park Vue Inn you have to book directly with them and it is a great motel style place directly across from the entrance and has free parking, I can't remember Disney's parking rates but it might be cheaper to just rent the car for the day you are exploring and not the whole trip downtown disney has a rental place and there are a few others on Katella and its A LOT cheaper than renting from the airports!!

 

[Baklava]

Check out Get Away Today. While there's not a huge savings over booking piecemeal, there are small ones and it's nice to have it all handled. We used them several times and were always happy.

 

[Frozen2014]

I think a lot of times you can only book a year out, there are also many other hotels in the area that aren't tech "good neighbor hotel" so that doesn't really mean anything special, I think they pay for the "good neighbor" title, I think it would be better to book separately you can a lot of times find deals on tickets making them cheaper than buying the thru Disney. Getawaytoday.com has a lot of hotels and tickets and stuff you can make payments on them and a lot of the hotels you get nights free and things like that Park Vue Inn you have to book directly with them and it is a great motel style place directly across from the entrance and has free parking, I can't remember Disney's parking rates but it might be cheaper to just rent the car for the day you are exploring and not the whole trip downtown disney has a rental place and there are a few others on Katella and its A LOT cheaper than renting from the airports!!

Thanks for this idea. It does seem like a good idea to wait to rent the car until we are done with Disneyland. Not sure what taxi costs from the airport to Disneyland but it can't be more than paying rental or the 3 or 4 days when we don't need it. Will check out Getaawytoday.com as well, but not sure if it's better for us to go through a Canadian booking site.

And that makes sense why I wasn't seeing Park Vue Inn coming up in searches outside of direct.

 

[GatorChris]

I like Hojos. But if it is in the price range, I prefer Candy Cane. The Alpine is also a great cheap place to stay. It is a few steps further, but fairly cheap and clean.

What would you say is "in the price range"? I was looking at Candy Cane's rates and they seem to be quite a bit more than HoJo. Even comparing to the Superior rooms (I use an AP rate or Dis rate). I'm asking because I'm looking for something next March and was wanting to try something else - maybe something that serves breakfast. Candy Cane looks nice on the outside, but the rooms are set up like MOtel rooms.