disneyland half marathon - where to stay?

[surfergirl602]

I have a military friend that will be running - she's asked me about places to stay, on disney property, if possible. I really know nothing about disneyland so I was hoping you could help me out.

I notice on the Disney website that Disneyland has several "Good Neighbor" hotels. Do you know if they have military discounts?

What are the Good Neighbor hotels?

Thanks so much!

 

[jory29]

Tell your friend to ask at Hojo's if they have a reduced rate for those running in that marathon - I think they might have been offering 25% off rooms then for those running the marathon.

Edited to add: Here's the posting from their Facebook page regarding this:

Great news! Disney has just announced a second half marathon event for January 27-29, 2012! The HoJo will offer a 25% discount off of normal rates for all you runners out there! Call or email to book or for rate information to stay@hojoanaheim.com, 800-422-4228. Ask for in-house reservations as Central Reservations will not have this great rate available. Enjoy!



My family, and many others on this board can vouch for a great stay at Hojo's. 7-8 minute walk to the turnstiles at DL Park, (for your friend, a runner, perhaps only 3-4 minutes? LOL!) Keurig coffee machines, in-room safe, pillow top mattresses in most rooms, very comfy bedding, super clean thanks to great housekeepers, great pool area and kid pool pirate's cove splash play area, fridge and microwave, can get food delivery from Von's, Mimi's cafe super good food and reasonably priced, nearby. Excellent gift shop, too. It is like our second home when we are in DL.

 

[skiingfast]

Good Neighbors is a marketing term. They are hotels the DL partners with to offer a variety for packages. It doesn't mean the hotels are nicer, cheaper or closer than other place. So basically nothing special.

Disney itself does offer military discounts. Ticket through your friend's base, but call Disney to find thier special military hotels rates. ( perhaps one of our Disser's can chime in on this that is a partner of or service person them selves.)

Otherwise hotels on Harbor Drive across from the parks are decent, nothing luxrious, but nothing horrific. Mostly built around 1960 so old buildings, motel style, but clean, friendly and some little perks, life breakfast. Most of these are independent hotels and franchises, so military discounts will be harder to find but normal prices range from $50-$150. These are within a 10-5 minutes walk to the gate.

Near the convention center are nice chain hotels. Red lion, Marriiot, Clarion, Hilton and Sheraton. But about a 15-20 minute walk to the gates so shuttles become important. You can priceline these for $75 or expect to pay $100-$200.


The Disney Hotels go from $200 and up. But while the Gran Californian is very nie, expensive and close. The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel are 10-15 minutes from the gates.
On stite

 

[kim3339]

When your friend is looking at the different hotels, tell her she doesn't have to worry about staying at one of the resort hotels if she doesn't want to. All the hotels around DL are accessible to the race area. If she wants to stay at on of the hotels, recommend the DL Hotel. That's where the expo is and the staging area is in the parking lot right next to the hotel. She basically just has to go downstairs the morning of the race. That one is the most convienent.

If she wants to stay at one of the hotels around DL, there are a lot along Harbor b/w Katella and Ball Road work. There are also hotels along Katella from Harbor to just on the other side of Disneyland/West Dr. There are also a few hotels around the corner of Disneyland Dr and Ball Road. That's where I am this year. They're all walkable to the staging area the morning of. If she stays on Harbor, all she has to do is walk through DTD to get to the staging area. If she's staying at one of the one's on Katella, just walk down Disneyland Dr and cut through the Paradise Pier parking lot near the back entrance of DTD by the AMC Movie theaters.

They're all pretty accesible to get to the staging area. Plus, she'll see everyone walking over and here the music from the staging area. Just tell her to look for people walking with big plastic bags.

 

[Barbday62]

Ive done the Half at Disney land twice and one thing to note. Afterwards I had to walk back to my hotel on Harbor which meant going through Securtiy check (In the morning it wasnt open that early so no problem.) Due to excessive heat my second time I got some dehydrated and suffered terrible charley horses. I told my husband I culd make it but absoilutly no stopping. When we got to security they wanted me to lift the back pack off his power chair so they could inspect it. I said sorry I just ran a half marathon and not doing well medically. I have nothing on my person right now here is my medal to prove what i say and I cant stop or i wont make it to the hotel. I said your welcome to lift it off yourself, escort us to other side or just let me go to my hotel please. LOL They decided to let us pass with out much stop what so ever and no inspection. I like Best Westen Park place Inn over Hojos because Hojos is way way to far after doing 13 miles for me. On a normal trip Id choose Hojo any day just not after a half marathon.

I agree with others. If Disneyland Hotel is in budget its right where you start and end pretty much