Disneyland Help!

[Lillian Gracey]

I sincerely apologize for this being a novel. I know I should use the search tool, but I think it would be easier to get all my questions answered by posting a thread. Please no flames!

My boyfriend and I are debating on going to DL instead of DW. I have been to both and while I prefer DW, I think DL will be less stressful and cheaper for us. I don't want to half-a** the DW trip so we could afford it so we thought about going to DL since there are only two parks and we don't have to worry about missing a few rides because we will have a lot of time to do both parks. We are debating on whether to go May 1st - 8th or the 4th - 8th.

Now I'll be saving roughly $500+ by going to Disney Land and staying at a super cheap hotel. I was looking at the Days Inn on Ball Road and Disneyland Dr. I am not particularly picky on a hotel because I will only be sleeping in it, but I don't want to be in a hotel that isn't well kept. Has anyone stayed at this hotel or can anyone recommend me a hotel that is just as cheap (looking at spending less than $100/night and within walking distance to DL), but nicer (if it isn't a nice hotel)?

What is there to do around the Disney Land area? I have only been to the main DL park and not California Adventures. Is there a DTD? I'll be turning 21 on the 2nd and was hoping to go to a really nice restaurant and have a glass of wine. Is there a restaurant where we can view Colors if it's showing on my birthday? Also, are there bars that you recommend going to?

I also plan on going to Bats Day which is the 6th - 8th! I am very lucky that it falls on the days I plan on going. It used to be on my birthday and I wish it was this year, but I will take what I can get! Has anyone been to that? I'm really hoping to get tickets for it! It seems like lots of fun!

If you have any advice or questions, please feel free to ask/give advice! I want this to be a relaxing, but tons of fun vacation! I sincerely apologize for this book of a post! I'm just full of questions!

 

[nana50]

As to the hotel there are tons of motels and hotels cheaper than $100.00 waiting walking distance. The Hilton Anaheim and towers for $89.00 a night and it is quite snazzy. Have you checked on expedia?

 

[Lillian Gracey]

I have been checking those kinds of sites and I think the Quality Inn will be the one my boyfriend and I will choose. It's right across the street from the park and it's $57/night on priceline. I will talk to my boyfriend this coming week about what hotel he would want to stay at. I'm pretty sure he would want the cheapest, but the Hilton Anaheim sounds really nice! I will have to look into it! Thanks!

My mom doesn't think that we will need a whole week for DL, but from going through the DL website (which I should have been doing before posting this enormous post), it looks like there will be plenty for us to do. I could easily do what I want at DL and DCA in two days, but this trip, I want to relax and take things slow and not care if I miss a ride or two. That's what a vacation is all about, right?

 

[Ariel224]

Here is a map of area motels/hotels that might be helpful. While the Days Inn might appear on a map to be "right across the street", in reality it is completely opposite the entrance to the parks (the area in between Disneyland and California Adventure), which translates into a considerable walk. Note that is is coded yellow, which is the area where a shuttle of some sort is recommended. I haven't really paid much attention to how pedestrian friendly the Disneyland Drive area would be, nor have I stayed there, so I can't offer much advice in that respect.

For convenience in walking, you probably want to stick to the hotels on Harbor Blvd, especially those in green on the map. These will put you in close proximity to the crosswalk that takes you right into the entrance promenade. You can get Howard Johnson for as low as $59 per night with their in house Entertainment Card special; Anaheim Plaza has been gotten for $50ish on some of the travel sites, and I know there are others that can be had for under $100.

Yes there is a DTD, consisting of shopping and restaurants.

There are some nice restaurants in the DLR hotels (Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55 are a couple of examples). If you want to see World of Color, Ariel's Grotto and Wine Country Trattoria (both located in California Adventure) both have dinner packages that will give you access to a preferred viewing area for WoC. (Note that you do not watch the show from the restaurant; you eat and are given a ticket to get into the preferred viewing area later). Both will have wine.

As for number of days, with just the 2 of you, 3 or 4 days would probably be plenty. The beginning of May won't be a horribly crowded time of year, so you should be able to do a lot. If you want to do other things in Southern California, such as go to the beach or visit Hollywood or San Diego, then you could easily fill out the remainder of a week.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Oh my gosh! Thank so much for all that information! I really appreciate! I asked so many questions and you were so kind enough to answer them! You have made me a happy penguin.

I think I may just go from the 4th to the 8th if we won't need a whole week for them. I would LOVE to be at Disney ON my birthday, but I am willing to sacrifice that to go to Bats Day (if I get tickets for it)! Still wish it was on my birthday again like previous years!

That map is SO helpful! Now I can quit googleing "cheap hotels near Disneyland."

You have been very helpful! I truly appreciate it. You have made planning a lot easier for me.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I spent my 21st at Disneyland last year (this was when it was free admission for your bday and, being a passholder, I opted for a gift card in the amount of a one day ticket... HUGE draw )

Here is a recent link of all the bars in the DLR area. Personally I like the Wine Country Trattoria for a nice meal with wine, though quite honestly I haven't really tried anywhere else. On the upside you can book one of the WoC dining packages here.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Thanks so much for the link! I was just looking at that! I need to make a list of what bars will have beer that my boyfriend will like. I don't want him to feel left out if a bar we go to has nothing, but miller, bud, etc.

As soon as I find out when WoC is going on during my stay, I'm definitely going to book a package for me and my boyfriend! I think it will be super romantic. I watched a video of it on youtube a couple of weeks ago and I teared up, it was so beautiful. Same thing with Fantasmic! I'm such a sap.

 

[skiingfast]

Since it is your 21st you might avoid drinking at DLR. I'm not sure there you will benefit from free drinks that bars may give you on your 21st. Just giving an idea that you might like.


Also for hotels. Maybe Del Sol, Anaheim Plaza or A hotel on Disney Way, or Manchester a little more walk but cheap. I would rule out ball road and consider Katella. To keep it cheap look at the fine print for resort and parking fees. If you are too far you will end up paying for transport or parking too.

Even though third party sites may have good rates, call the hotel directly and see if they will match of beat it.


You asked about watching WoC from a bar or restaraunt. Can't be done. For WoC information see this thread. Hydroguy's WoC suprethread.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Thanks for the tip!

I think I'm gonna go with Tropicana Inn & Suites. It's right in front of the entrance and it's $109/night. We can afford spend a bit more than $100/night since we are probably ending up just going from May 4th - 8th. But I will take all of the ones you listed into consideration because I still need to talk this over with my boyfriend (we still need to make sure we are for sure going to switch from DW to DL). He's apart of this trip too. It may be mainly for me, but I don't want him to be left out. He may get annoyed with me talking about the trip all the time, but he's been a good sport about it.

Awe! That's no fun. I will definitely have to do that package though! It sounds like it is similar to the Fantasmic package at DW! Thanks so much for that link!

I appreciate so much all the information you guys are giving me! It is helping me so much!

 

[DnA2010]

We stayed at the Peacock Suites- it was really cheap..I think like $40 or somewhere around that...it had a breakfast room (we also took apples and oranges with us to eat at the park later) and the room was really nice! Clean, fridge, toaster, flat screen..better than we expected!
The walk was 8 minutes if we walked fast and 12 if we walked slow...nice pool as well!
On that map it says "shuttle recommended" but you have to wait for the shuttle so we just walked..in the am we would grab a coffee to go and in the evening it was a nice walk after the park closed- chatty chat chatting! There was also a 7-11 right behind it, a liquor store and some restaurants as well.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I saw your post about a F! package at DW. I wanted to let you know that DL has one also. It's a dessert package and you get to sit in chairs instead of the cold ground. I've heard that when compated to DW, our F! is better. I've never seen DW's version so I can't say first had. Instead of the Pocahotas sequence, we have a Peter Pan with the Columbia. The finale has a ton of characters riding on the Mark Twain. We may or may not have a dragon, last I heard Murphy was still out of commission.

I've stayed at a few Inns on Harbor and I must say the location can't be beat. Such an easy walk to and from the parks. Happy planning

 

[JH87]

I just booked 3 nights at the Ramada Maingate in January for $60/night! (priceline)
I have stayed there a few years back and paid waaay more. I don't know what the rates are like in May but you might wanna give it a look.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

So I talked it over with my boyfriend and it looks like we are staying at the Del Sol Inn. It's $75/night and it's right across the street! Our other option was the Ramada Inn, but from the website, it doesn't have a hot tob and my boyfriend REALLY REALLY wants to stay at a place with a hot tub. He's so silly. The Del Sol Inn is also cheaper and a bit closer! I am so indecisive.

Does anyone know if I am able to use my mom's AAA membership to get a discount even though she's not coming? Or does it depend on each hotel? I plan on calling tomorrow, but I wanted to see if others already knew the answer.

And I think I will do that F! package as well! I really enjoyed Fantasmic! when I went to DL in 2007 and can't wait to see it again!

I also found a coupon for $5 off the Disneyland express on http://www.anaheimoc.org/! And it's saving me and my boyfriend $20!

Thanks so much for all your advice! It's really making planning so much easier! Once my boyfriend gives me money for his plane ticket, I will buy them so I have to go to DL no matter what. I keep changing my mind when we think we settled on a decision so my boyfriend wants me to by the tickets so I can't back out.

 

[aidan04]

It looks like you can get the Entertainment rate ($59 per night) at the HoJo for the dates you are considering. Just a thought.

May 2011:: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 12th


The Entertainment Card Retro Rate::


$59 per night + tax for a Standard Room with one king bed [NK1], a Standard Room with two oversized double beds [NDD1] or a Standard Room two queen beds [NQQ3]
$69 per night + tax for a Deluxe Room with two queen beds [NQQ2]
$79 per night + tax for a Premium Disney View Room with two queen beds [NQQ1]
$99 per night + tax for a Kids Suite with one king bed, twin bunk beds and a pull-out sleeper [SNK2]

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Oh wow! Thanks for that! Unfortunately they don't have a complimentary continental breakfast and that's something we really wanted so we didn't have to pay for an extra meal. We ended up booking at the Del Sol Inn. It has everything we want, it is across the street from DL and it is $67/night (with AAA discount. My mom is adding me to her plan) which isn't too bad!

Thanks everyone for all the hotel suggestions! I really appreciate it. I am so indecisive. I say I'm gonna do one thing, then a day later I say I'm gonna do another thing, etc. etc. Thanks for putting up with me.

 

[pennym]

I would totally recommend HoJo, give it another look! Such comfy beds, and a frig so you can get cereal and milk from the shop for a quick breakfast - quick and probably just as nice as a free continental! plus the savings you get staying there!
You sound like a real Disney fan - we are, and would never spend less than 10 days at the park - we're coming for 2 weeks in April! We like to cruise and ride our favourites over and over, plus take in all the shows and fireworks - you can't do that in 4 days! There's heaps to see and do. Have fun!

 

[Lillian Gracey]

I will talk to my boyfriend about it and see what he thinks about HoJo. I will give it another look since a lot of people recommend it How far of a walk is it from the DL entrance?

If I could, I would do the whole week because my birthday is two days before we leave, but I don't want to miss my Anthropology class that is the day before we leave.

Besides, it gives me an excuse to go back.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

So my mom suggested/asked if the family could go on the trip with me and my boyfriend. I don't mind it since she would feel better if it weren't JUST me and my boyfriend. Now I haven't mentioned it to my boyfriend yet because she isn't sure if the others will want to or how my dad's schedule is going to be at the time.

Do you think it is a good idea for the whole family to come along as well? It would be nice for them to come along to celebrate with me and it would be easier on my pockets, but I also feel bad because I am not sure how my boyfriend will take it. I think he would be all right with it, but I'm sure he will be disappointed that he and I won't be sharing a bed.

 

[skiingfast]

Do you think it is a good idea for the whole family to come along as well? It would be nice for them to come along to celebrate with me and it would be easier on my pockets, but I also feel bad because I am not sure how my boyfriend will take it. I think he would be all right with it, but I'm sure he will be disappointed that he and I won't be sharing a bed.

Yeah, he won't be happy to hear this. Maybe you can ask Mom if parents who are invading your special trip will foot an extra porportion of the bill.

 

[ajloops]

How far of a walk is it from the DL entrance?

Some say its an 8min walk. This depends mainly on the age of the walkers You and your bf are young people, you can do it in 8-10mins I guess. In my case, it took us about 12-15 mins from hojos parking lot to the security check entrance. We are early 30s couple, a 7yr old, grandparents and strolling a baby