Considering planning a first DL trip, have questions if anyone can help!

[Minniekins]

This is pretty sudden so just asking some things off the top of my head. If you were going to DL for the first time basically(don't remember much from my stay as a child in either '65 or '66, lol), where would you stay? Disneyland Hotel? Money is somewhat of an issue, such as we won't splurge for the most expensive, but don't want something too cheap and run down either. But very Disney like would be good, doesn't have to be fancy. How do prices compare to WDW resort prices? If you go to WDW, as a comparison, the last few years we usually rent points at DVC which can save a lot of money for a deluxe, or a few nights value resorts as in our short trip to Pop coming up in May for the 24 hr day.

The name Disneyland Hotel seems like maybe it's been there since the beginning? What's special about it?

One other thing, I've been worried that a trip to DL might be much more expensive than the same days at WDW. Is that valid or are they basically pretty comparable? I checked airfares from Southwest and they were relatively close, a little higher, but some flights we'd want are definitely doable. (I checked this may for the same days we'd try next year, just to get an idea). Which airport would be best to fly into, LAX or SAN, and easiest to get to DL from? Is there a Magical Express bus like there is from Orlando airport to WDW?

We are thinking of possibly going for 4 nights May 2016, it would be myself and DD24, from Chicago, and probably going on a Wed and returning Sun. Hoping to catch the Sixty Years celebration still going on maybe!

Thanks to any who can help shed light on possibly starting to plan a trip, I know tons about WDW, but not much about DL or the logistics of getting or staying there, lol!

 

[becks59]

Since you are a WDW vet, I'd say check out Hydroguys post for WDW vets visiting DL. Maybe someone can link it.

Personally, I think staying off site is just great and there isn't much need to stay on site, especially if money is an issue.

There is a shuttle from the airport to DL but it's not free.

 

[Minniekins]

Hmmm, ok, thx I'll have to check that out!

Wanted to note that I'll also need an ECV with all the walking involved, I will have had one knee replacement this summer and waiting on the next one then. Can you rent offsite as you do at WDW?

 

[kalishea]

Yes, ECV's are available at most hotels by maingate through a rental company and are much cheaper then through the park. Plus you can use them to go back and forth.
As far as hotels, we stay at the Candy Cane Inn. We love it but it doesn't have Disney themed rooms or anything. I haven't stayed at the Fairfield Inn Maingate but I heard they remodeled with Disney themed rooms and they have a convenient location as well.

 

[Nicolette11785]

Here is the HydroGuy thread for WDW vets. http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

Flying into SNA will be closer and the shuttle will be cheaper but you can also fly into LAX (sometimes it is cheaper to fly into LAX so I would check both) Here is a helpful thread on transportation.... http://www.disboards.com/threads/ai...nd-ground-transportation-information.2318297/

I would not spend the money to stay in a onsite hotel as the benefits are not like at WDW. There are no "value" disney resorts either. There are some hotels within walking distance that have themed rooms. Depending on the season you would be looking at $300-500/night for a onsite disney hotel. If you rent DVD points for the Grand Californian it is still pretty expensive. Here is some info on offsite hotels... http://www.disboards.com/threads/walking-distance-hotel-list-w-discussion-details-of-hotels.2796786/

I have heard good things about this scooter rental company but have never used them myself. Apple Scooters

Going through the following threads will help a lot with planning http://www.disboards.com/threads/hydroguy-tips-compilation.1520483/

 

[Geemo]

Apple Scooter's of Anaheim saved our last trip to Disneyland!
Everyone in my group got new shoes two months before the trip and did the necessary breaking in for park use.
The first day in the parks our pedometers registered over 10 miles. The next morning my DIL could barely walk. At 9:30 am I called Apple Scooter's and ask how soon they could have a scooter delivered to our hotel. They had one there by 11:45am. The cost was extremely reasonable.

You can find their info online.

Geemo

 

[Minniekins]

Yes, ECV's are available at most hotels by maingate through a rental company and are much cheaper then through the park. Plus you can use them to go back and forth.
As far as hotels, we stay at the Candy Cane Inn. We love it but it doesn't have Disney themed rooms or anything. I haven't stayed at the Fairfield Inn Maingate but I heard they remodeled with Disney themed rooms and they have a convenient location as well.

Great to know, thank you kalishea! Definitely want it for in parks and for going back and forth to the parks! What do you like so much about the Candy Cane Inn? How reasonable are the rates? Interested to hear about the Fairfield Inn, as well!

Here is the HydroGuy thread for WDW vets. http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

Flying into SNA will be closer and the shuttle will be cheaper but you can also fly into LAX (sometimes it is cheaper to fly into LAX so I would check both) Here is a helpful thread on transportation.... http://www.disboards.com/threads/ai...nd-ground-transportation-information.2318297/

I would not spend the money to stay in a onsite hotel as the benefits are not like at WDW. There are no "value" disney resorts either. There are some hotels within walking distance that have themed rooms. Depending on the season you would be looking at $300-500/night for a onsite disney hotel. If you rent DVD points for the Grand Californian it is still pretty expensive. Here is some info on offsite hotels... http://www.disboards.com/threads/walking-distance-hotel-list-w-discussion-details-of-hotels.2796786/

I have heard good things about this scooter rental company but have never used them myself. Apple Scooters

Going through the following threads will help a lot with planning http://www.disboards.com/threads/hydroguy-tips-compilation.1520483/

Thanks for all those great links,Nicolette11785, that was very thoughtful and helpful, I'll check them out asap! How far are the airports? Hopefully if there are no value resorts, the good neighbor rates are good for the close hotels! 300-500$ is definitely way too high, lol!

Apple Scooter's of Anaheim saved our last trip to Disneyland!
Everyone in my group got new shoes two months before the trip and did the necessary breaking in for park use.
The first day in the parks our pedometers registered over 10 miles. The next morning my DIL could barely walk. At 9:30 am I called Apple Scooter's and ask how soon they could have a scooter delivered to our hotel. They had one there by 11:45am. The cost was extremely reasonable.

You can find their info online.

Geemo

Glad to hear two votes for Apple scooters. Though I use walker in Orlando, good to seeł a familiar place there. Thanks for sharing, Geemo!

 

[Nicolette11785]

Great to know, thank you kalishea! Definitely want it for in parks and for going back and forth to the parks! What do you like so much about the Candy Cane Inn? How reasonable are the rates? Interested to hear about the Fairfield Inn, as well!



Thanks for all those great links,Nicolette11785, that was very thoughtful and helpful, I'll check them out asap! How far are the airports? Hopefully if there are no value resorts, the good neighbor rates are good for the close hotels! 300-500$ is definitely way too high, lol!



Glad to hear two votes for Apple scooters. Though I use walker in Orlando, good to seeł a familiar place there. Thanks for sharing, Geemo!

The link I posted about transportation will tell you exactly how far the airports are. It's good to look at all the options and the pros and cons. LAX can be cheaper to fly into but because it's farther away you have more traffic and usually the shuttle or taxi is more expensive. Long Beach is close but is much smaller so it would probably be more expensive to fly there. Just play around with flights to see where is the cheapest. If you would save a lot by flying into LAX then it might be worth it. I would plan to fly into John Wayne (SNA) if at all possible. Also check Virgin America. Sometime I find cheaper flights with them but they do not fly to SNA (only LAX).

I know it is a lot of info to go through but the links I gave you have a lot of good info from some great DL vets on this board.

I personally do not mind not having a hotel that is not walking distance. It really depends on each persons preference. I booked the Marriott Suites for $74 a night on priceline and I thought it was a great hotel. I also love room service which a lot of the closer motels dont offer. I also got the Red Lion Hotel for $72/night which I will be at in May. I don't mind the shuttles but I also have my car if needed.

Here is a general map of the hotels near disney. I cannot guarantee how up to date it is so make sure you still do additional research.. Some hotel names may have changed and new ones added but it can give you a general idea.... http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

 

[Queeneileen]

Minniekins, I am also a Disney World vet, going to Disneyland in June for the first time. I want to see LA and have fun at DL. I am flying into LAX from Boston.
I found that most airlines fly into LAX Not the smaller airports. ( without stop overs.) I booked Best Western Park Place for $161 per night . (AAA RATE) This includes breakfast. I don't want to hire a car. I will take the Disneyland express from LAX. (there is a charge) I would like a bus tour to LA. Does anyone know if the tour buses stop near Best Western Park Place? Thanks for the info.

 

[kalishea]

Great to know, thank you kalishea! Definitely want it for in parks and for going back and forth to the parks! What do you like so much about the Candy Cane Inn? How reasonable are the rates? Interested to hear about the Fairfield Inn, as well!

Okay I found the info on the ECV rentals:
One Stop Mobility: you can rent a scooter for 4 days for $165 and they deliver to your hotel if you give them a day notice. I believe they have offices at the Tropicana Inn and Camelot Inn. I have not personally used them but a couple weeks ago my boss did when they went to Disneyland and his daughter had a broken ankle. He said it worked out really well.

As far as the hotels... We have always stayed offsite. We love Candy Cane Inn and it is in the same block as the resort and even is back to back with Cars Land so it is very close (15 min walk to tickets). The rooms are motel style with two levels. They are nicely decorated in kind of a tropical feel. We had three rooms there in November and all were great and clean. A couple nice features are free breakfast every morning with things like cereal, oatmeal, hardboiled eggs, cheeses, fruit, etc. (this was always plenty for our family). Also, the free shuttle that is exclusively for Candy Cane Inn is a plus. While we usually walked, it was nice when the shuttle was at the park when we were leaving at night and we could catch a ride. They offer free parking if you have a car as well. The pool area is nice but we never use it. When we go to Disneyland, that's all we do from opening to close. We never go back to the room and it's used for sleep and showers only. I believe the rate was around $149 a night when we were there in November.

I have not personally stayed at the Fairfield Inn, but that's where my boss usually stays and stayed again a few weeks ago. It is acrossed the street from the Maingate entrance. Couple notes: They do not have breakfast and parking is $15 a day. It's funny because my boss is a big traveler and usually does the best of the best but when he's going to Disneyland he always asks me to price the Disneyland properties (since I do his travel bookings) and he always goes back to the Fairfield. I told him he should try the Candy Cane but he likes his Marriott Rewards

Hope that helps!

 

[Amommy21]

Don't feel like you need to stay on property at DLR if money is an issue. The 3 hotels available on site on like premium and come with a premium price. There are plenty of nice places to stay and you can take the ART which is the equivalent of staying at a moderate WDW resort and using the bus to get to the parks.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

If you can fly into sna or lgb (long beach) then that is best. Both are closer and smaller than lax which means they are easier and faster to get through, and transfers to the resort are cheaper. Both of these options you could take a taxi for $45 which is faster than using a shuttle.
We love staying at the DLH. The theming is magical and very "disney" in a nostalgic way. Definitely our favorite onsite Hotel. As others have posted though, if you are trying to save some money, than you can find places offsite that a very close and way cheaper. It just depends if you want to pay extra to stay in the "bubble".