Budgeting question

[MarBee]

Hello!
WDW vet looming to possibly take my first trip to DL. I realize that the pricing for next year has not been released yet, and I know that everything is up in the air due to Covid. However, I’m wondering approximately how much I should be budgeting for my family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) to stay at Paradise Pier for 4 nights with park hoppers and max pass? I’m looking at 2 different times- mid April or late June.
if anyone has a ballpark amount they would like to guess at and share I’d be super grateful.
Thanks in advance!

 

[kikismom]

Depending on how old your kids are, I would budget $3400 to $4000 just for hotel and tickets.

 

[MarBee]

Depending on how old your kids are, I would budget $3400 to $4000 just for hotel and tickets.

They will be 9 when we go. Thank you for the info! Seems about the same price as a WDW trip.

 

[gottalovepluto]

They will be 9 when we go. Thank you for the info! Seems about the same price as a WDW trip.

Fwiw please know some people feel PP is more of a mod+ than a deluxe. (I’m just warning as some folks don’t quite make that connection when they’re used to what $500-$600/night gets for a hotel at WDW )

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This recent DIS article has a good point about staying off site (if on site isn't a must do for you): 5 Things Walt Disney World Veterans Should Know About Disneyland. We still don't know what Disney will include with on site stays once the parks reopen, but if budgeting is important, keep in mind that staying off site at DLR is easy, close (staying across the street on Harbor can be a closer walk to the gates than being on site!), and can save hundreds of dollars per night. We have DLR vets who always stay on site, who always stay off site, and who do both/either depending on the budget. So when the budget matters, don't be fixed to staying on site -- at DLR, you have a lot of flexibility.

 

[MarBee]

Fwiw please know some people feel PP is more of a mod+ than a deluxe. (I’m just warning as some folks don’t quite make that connection when they’re used to what $500-$600/night gets for a hotel at WDW )

This recent DIS article has a good point about staying off site (if on site isn't a must do for you): 5 Things Walt Disney World Veterans Should Know About Disneyland. We still don't know what Disney will include with on site stays once the parks reopen, but if budgeting is important, keep in mind that staying off site at DLR is easy, close (staying across the street on Harbor can be a closer walk to the gates than being on site!), and can save hundreds of dollars per night. We have DLR vets who always stay on site, who always stay off site, and who do both/either depending on the budget. So when the budget matters, don't be fixed to staying on site -- at DLR, you have a lot of flexibility.

Thank you both! I originally had an off site property in mind, but with Covid concerns I feel like Disney has been doing a better job with safety protocols (and actually following them) than other hotel chains from what I can tell. It stinks bc we are more just looking for a place to shower and sleep this trip since we will be at the parks most of the time. But I think with given everything going on, I’d rather pay extra for the peace of mind this time.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thank you both! I originally had an off site property in mind, but with Covid concerns I feel like Disney has been doing a better job with safety protocols (and actually following them) than other hotel chains from what I can tell. It stinks bc we are more just looking for a place to shower and sleep this trip since we will be at the parks most of the time. But I think with given everything going on, I’d rather pay extra for the peace of mind this time.

Keep following this board for updates on the off site hotels and don't be afraid to post questions asking for recent experiences with the off site properties regarding COVID protocols. We've had posts from people who've stayed off site very recently which said that things were handled quite well. Some of the off site hotels close to the parks get consistently excellent reviews for customer service and cleanliness (e.g. Candy Cane Inn, Courtyard Themepark Entrance, HoJo, etc.).

 

[MarBee]

Keep following this board for updates on the off site hotels and don't be afraid to post questions asking for recent experiences with the off site properties regarding COVID protocols. We've had posts from people who've stayed off site very recently which said that things were handled quite well. Some of the off site hotels close to the parks get consistently excellent reviews for customer service and cleanliness (e.g. Candy Cane Inn, Courtyard Themepark Entrance, HoJo, etc.).

Thanks! I definitely will! We originally were going to stay at the Sheraton Park Anaheim on some free night points I had. Hopefully I get good feedback!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks! I definitely will! We originally were going to stay at the Sheraton Park Anaheim on some free night points I had. Hopefully I get good feedback!

We've always had good stays at that hotel!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you both! I originally had an off site property in mind, but with Covid concerns I feel like Disney has been doing a better job with safety protocols (and actually following them) than other hotel chains from what I can tell. It stinks bc we are more just looking for a place to shower and sleep this trip since we will be at the parks most of the time. But I think with given everything going on, I’d rather pay extra for the peace of mind this time.

If you want COVID peace of mind I would definitely steer clear of PPH. The elevator situation there was problematic before covid with long waits and packed people during peak times. With elevators limited to one party it could be misery waiting around for one now. I would absolutely not be comfortable waiting around 30 mins in a hallway with a bunch of strangers and over-hyped children...

 

[MarBee]

If you want COVID peace of mind I would definitely steer clear of PPH. The elevator situation there was problematic before covid with long waits and packed people during peak times. With elevators limited to one party it could be misery waiting around for one now. I would absolutely not be comfortable waiting around 30 mins in a hallway with a bunch of strangers and over-hyped children...

Thank you! I’m assuming no stairs? I actually hate elevators even pre-Covid bc I’m claustrophobic.
Do DLH or GCH have similar issues?

 

[CateinPhoenix]

Thank you! I’m assuming no stairs? I actually hate elevators even pre-Covid bc I’m claustrophobic.
Do DLH or GCH have similar issues?

Ask for a 3rd floor "Cabana" room if staying Standard View. They come with a patio off the pool deck. Not much of a view as the pool is elevated above the room, but the room feels larger and it's an easy walk down the stair corridor to 2 or 1, therefore bypassing the elevators.

 

[MarBee]

Ask for a 3rd floor "Cabana" room if staying Standard View. They come with a patio off the pool deck. Not much of a view as the pool is elevated above the room, but the room feels larger and it's an easy walk down the stair corridor to 2 or 1, therefore bypassing the elevators.

Thanks so much!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you! I’m assuming no stairs? I actually hate elevators even pre-Covid bc I’m claustrophobic.
Do DLH or GCH have similar issues?

Definitely have stairs. Safety hazard if they didn’t. But with 15 floors bring your walking shoes

I have stayed DLH and GCH. I recall a bit of a backup in the mornings in the DLH towers. Not much of a backup at GCH that I can recall (which at 6 stories is the shortest of them all).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks! I definitely will! We originally were going to stay at the Sheraton Park Anaheim on some free night points I had. Hopefully I get good feedback!

Do you have enough points for the Fairfield Inn on Harbor? Right across the street from the parks -- super location! I read a good review from a trustworthy DISer who just stayed there -- said the COVID protocols were handled well. The FFI is a much closer walk than the Sheraton Park (although we do like that walk!).

 

[MarBee]

Do you have enough points for the Fairfield Inn on Harbor? Right across the street from the parks -- super location! I read a good review from a trustworthy DISer who just stayed there -- said the COVID protocols were handled well. The FFI is a much closer walk than the Sheraton Park (although we do like that walk!).

After you said this I looked it up- this was actually where I was going to stay! (I messed up the name bc I had a Sheraton stay booked in LA. ) Any chance you could link me to the review thread for this? All of the reviews I saw pre-Covid were great, so I’d love some updates ones.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Thanks! I definitely will! We originally were going to stay at the Sheraton Park Anaheim on some free night points I had. Hopefully I get good feedback!

Sheraton Park Anaheim is below average for Sheraton brand. I do not recommend it if you're paying in Marriott points. They are supposed to be renovating this year so things may be a better next year though. For that price in points, you may want to look at the convention center Marriott for greater luxury, the Fairfield for proximity or the Springhill for more space. Springhill has free breakfast if you don't get that through your Marriott status.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Sheraton Park Anaheim is below average for Sheraton brand. I do not recommend it if you're paying in Marriott points. They are supposed to be renovating this year so things may be a better next year though. For that price in points, you may want to look at the convention center Marriott for greater luxury, the Fairfield for proximity or the Springhill for more space. Springhill has free breakfast if you don't get that through your Marriott status.

Fwiw if COVID protocols are still active the Springhill may offer a bagged breakfast or no breakfast at all. Different Marriott’s are taking different tactics. (Although Fairfield doesn’t offer a breakfast at all in Anaheim from my recollection, luckily Panera is right next to it.)

 

[crystal1313]

Fwiw if COVID protocols are still active the Springhill may offer a bagged breakfast or no breakfast at all. Different Marriott’s are taking different tactics. (Although Fairfield doesn’t offer a breakfast at all in Anaheim from my recollection, luckily Panera is right next to it.)

This is true. We attempted to stay at springhill (above CVS) and it was a grab n go for breakfast. They didn’t say what that entailed. Be aware, it looks like parking is $24 a night at all the area Marriotts.

 

[MarBee]

This is true. We attempted to stay at springhill (above CVS) and it was a grab n go for breakfast. They didn’t say what that entailed. Be aware, it looks like parking is $24 a night at all the area Marriotts.

I wasn’t planning on renting a car since it is walkable to the parks. Do you DL vets think I’ll need one?