Disneyland Hotel

[yxe dad]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice from any of you that may have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. I just booked for Nov 19-23 with an AP rate of $182/night all taxes in. Can anyone tell me the advantages of staying onsite at the DLR, instead of across the street for less $$$. I really enjoy staying onsite at WDW and don't mind paying the extra $$$ to do so, but without the EMH's is it really worth it at DL?

Thanks,
Shayne

 

[drag n' fly]

We have always stayed offsite at Disneyland. That was until this past November and we stayed onsite at the Grand Californian for the first time...Oh boy we are spoiled now and will probably add on DVC points when available. The DL hotel main advantage is you can catch the monorail from there and it has the most Disney magic of the three...plus a very sweet pool to boot! The main advantage to staying at the GC is the private entrance to California Adventure and direct access to Downtown Disney. I did not like the Paradise Pier. It seemed like a cheap overrated Holiday Inn to me. I actually prefer the HOjo to PP

 

[yxe dad]

Thanks drag n' fly,

Do you know if guests of all three DLR hotels can use the the CA entrance in the GCH.

I too want to add-on some more points at GCV when they start selling!

 

[drag n' fly]

Yes as long as you are a registered guest at one of the Disney hotels you can use the private entrance

 

[c&m]

We have stayed onsite and offsite at DL. At DL, we now only stay offsite. Here are our reasons:

Huge Price Difference
The savings are too huge. You can get a room at the Anaheim HOJO for the Entertainment rate of $59 or at a rate significantly lower than the DLH. Or you can use Priceline.com to get a $50 room too. HOJO is just across the street from the DL gate. I have gotten the Anaheim Marriott for $65, the Anaheim Hilton for $79, and the Hyatt Orange County for $45 -- all thru Priceline.com. Our most recent trip last month, we stayed at the Hampton Inn for $100 which included daily free hot breakfast and a $50 Chevron gas card. With the $$$ saved, you can buy yourself some very nice dinners at the Napa restaurant at the GCH.

Limited Time in Your Room
We also realize that we barely stay in our room at the resort. Our days are spent at the parks. We're gone early in the morning and we return late at night.

Not so Private Entrance at GCH to CA
That entrance is open to everyone, even those who are not guests at the GCH. We went thru that entrance multiple times every year we go.

Our experience is that staying at a DL hotel is very different from staying at a WDW resort. If you are keen on saving $$$ as you mentioned in your post, you should definitely look into other hotel deals in the surrounding area. Do your research (tripadvisor.com) to find the more popular, nice hotels. Some that I know of are: Candy Cane Inn, Anaheim HoJo, Anaheim Marriott, Sheraton Park Hotel, Hyatt Orange County, Embassy Suites, Anaheim Marriott Suites, Residence Inn Anaheim, Doubletree Guest Suites, etc. Some of those places have breakfast included.

Good luck in planning your trip!!!!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

The DL hotel main advantage is you can catch the monorail from there and it has the most Disney magic of the three...plus a very sweet pool to boot! The main advantage to staying at the GC is the private entrance to California Adventure and direct access to Downtown Disney. I did not like the Paradise Pier. It seemed like a cheap overrated Holiday Inn to me. I actually prefer the HOjo to PP

I agree w/ drag n' fly, the GCA hotel is gorgeous, I don't prefer PP, but of the three for Disney magic, my choice is the Disneyland Hotel. My room felt like it was straight out of Mary Poppins and the Neverland pool area is fun, grounds are lush. You can't go wrong w/ the DL hotel or GCA.

Have also stayed at the Hojo Anaheim and that was fine too.

 

[amw]

We have never stayed onsite -- at WDW or DLR -- but in the case of DLR, I regretted that decision. We stayed in a beautiful Hyatt with a Kidsuite on points ... didn't cost us a cent. But, I'd rather have paid out of pocket for the DIsneyland hotel. The reason -- in California, Disneyland doesn't have the "escapism" feel that WDW has. It's right off a busy street. Sure, staying at the offsite hotels across the street is closer and MUCH cheaper than the disney hotels. But, it's not the same, walking across the street from the McDonalds and motels.

On our last day of our trip, we went and did a character meal at PP, and we noticed how lush the Disney grounds were on that side ... how around their hotels, DLR was trying to create a resort feel. If you hopped a Disney shuttle and entered the hotels from the "official" hotel side and only went to the parks, you may feel that you weren't in a very busy part of town.

The only negative for you is that in November, you may not be able to enjoy that Neverland pool.

 

[drag n' fly]

FYI In November they were checking everyone's room key at the private entrance to CA from GC

 

[yxe dad]

I really want to thank everyone for the advice!

I really, really, really enjoy the DLR parks, even more so than the WDW parks, but enjoy the WDW feel more. So I'm going to stick with DL hotel and the AP rate and not have to leave the magic.

If you have any DL tips please share, as the last time I was there I had no idea the disboards even existed. Has anyone used ridemax or is there something better out there?

Shayne

 

[amw]

I really want to thank everyone for the advice!

I really, really, really enjoy the DLR parks, even more so than the WDW parks, but enjoy the WDW feel more. So I'm going to stick with DL hotel and the AP rate and not have to leave the magic.

If you have any DL tips please share, as the last time I was there I had no idea the disboards even existed. Has anyone used ridemax or is there something better out there?

Shayne

When I planned our last trip, I spent endless hours over at the DLR disboards ... they're much smaller, and quite friendly - just like our Canadian board.

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

We went in off-season for CA (March) and we didn't have to "plan" the rides. The only problem was the parks had restricted hours (10-6) and the shows (like the amazing Aladdin one) were only offered on select days. Make sure you get the schedules ahead of time.

I did enjoy the parks at DLR. It just wasn't the relaxing "getaway" feel of Florida. More like visiting Wonderland ... albeit a REALLY NICE wonderland. The plane ride and time difference was hard on my DDs who had just turned 7 and 5 at the time. I'll definitely visit again when they are older and can enjoy Hollywood, and California's natural wonders.

 

[edit1]

When I planned our last trip, I spent endless hours over at the DLR disboards ... they're much smaller, and quite friendly - just like our Canadian board.

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

I found the DLR disboards so helpful in planning our DL trip. I also found mousesavers.com a great source especially for money-saving ideas with regards to tickets, car rentals, etc.

 

[yxe dad]

When I planned our last trip, I spent endless hours over at the DLR disboards ... they're much smaller, and quite friendly - just like our Canadian board.

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

We went in off-season for CA (March) and we didn't have to "plan" the rides. The only problem was the parks had restricted hours (10-6) and the shows (like the amazing Aladdin one) were only offered on select days. Make sure you get the schedules ahead of time.

I did enjoy the parks at DLR. It just wasn't the relaxing "getaway" feel of Florida. More like visiting Wonderland ... albeit a REALLY NICE wonderland. The plane ride and time difference was hard on my DDs who had just turned 7 and 5 at the time. I'll definitely visit again when they are older and can enjoy Hollywood, and California's natural wonders.

I believe we will also be there in off-season but from Wed night to Sun afternoon. The Friday is the official start of the Xmas decorations and fireworks show so I expect it to be busier then a normal Friday.

The theatre that the Aladdin show is in, is under a rehab so we'll have to wait to see that another trip.

This trip is more about my brothers wedding in Palm Springs, with a few extra days with the mouse. The cost of flights is just way to high to bring my two boys(9&11) this time, plus taking the extra time off school, so they get to stay with the ex! Don't worry about the boys, I'm taking them to WDW in Feb for 12 great nights @ AKL&SSR with a day trip to the Daytona 500.

Shayne

 

[yxe dad]

I found the DLR disboards so helpful in planning our DL trip. I also found mousesavers.com a great source especially for money-saving ideas with regards to tickets, car rentals, etc.

I'm worried about spending more time on the boards, I already get dirty looks from her about being here so much .

I also agree about mousesavers, that site has saved me 1000's of dollars.

Shayne

 

[drag n' fly]

Tips

-Goofy's Kitchen!!
-Blue Bayou a must...cheaper at lunch
-Carnation Cafe- Baked Potato Soup to die for
-Pirates, Space Mountain and Fantasmic far better at DL
-Billy Hill and the Hillbillies...don't miss
-Indiana Jones
-Fantasyland at rope drop Mon-Wed
-We used ridemax for the first time on our last trip. Ditched by day 2 and used common sense. Too much crisscrossing the park on ridemax.
-Finding Nemo.
-Club 33
-avoid DL park on weekends and do some shopping or drive down the coast. Locals swarm the place.

California Adventure

-Wharf Cafe soup in a fresh made sourdough bowl....yummy
-maximize fastpass here soarin, GR next etc newbies always go left into the plaza



Most of these you might know being there already but if it has been awhile you at least have some updated info. Recent travellers may want to update the lines for Nemo.

 

[yxe dad]

Tips

-Goofy's Kitchen!!
-Blue Bayou a must...cheaper at lunch
-Carnation Cafe- Baked Potato Soup to die for
-Pirates, Space Mountain and Fantasmic far better at DL
-Billy Hill and the Hillbillies...don't miss
-Indiana Jones
-Fantasyland at rope drop Mon-Wed
-We used ridemax for the first time on our last trip. Ditched by day 2 and used common sense. Too much crisscrossing the park on ridemax.
-Finding Nemo.
-Club 33
-avoid DL park on weekends and do some shopping or drive down the coast. Locals swarm the place.

California Adventure

-Wharf Cafe soup in a fresh made sourdough bowl....yummy
-maximize fastpass here soarin, GR next etc newbies always go left into the plaza



Most of these you might know being there already but if it has been awhile you at least have some updated info. Recent travellers may want to update the lines for Nemo.

Awesome and THANKS,

I noticed on your signature your going to Busch Gardens on your upcoming trip, can you let me know how it is? I've been wondering if my boys 9&11 would enjoy it or not.

Shayne

 

[c&m]

Also, try to make it to:

Cafe Orleans (across from Blue Bayou)
- great gumbo and Mickey beignets
- they also have the famed Montecristo sandwich that's served at the Blue Bayou.

Storytellers Cafe (in the GCH)
- a really nice buffet dinner or order off the menu

Whitewater Snacks (in the GCH)
- fresh off the grill food; good value and great food

For offsite food:
- Mimi's Cafe (check out their website for a menu)
- Cheesecake Factory (in the new Anaheim Garden Plaza on Katella)
- Bubba Gumps (also in the new Anaheim Garden Plaza on Katella)

For free coffee refills:
- Keep your receipt when you buy coffee at that coffee shop on Main Street USA (near the lockers). You can get free refills all day.

If you have a AAA card:
- Show it at Goofy's Kitchen to get a 10% off.
- Storyteller's Cafe has a AAA discount too, which we have had. However, friends of ours had their AAA discount denied there...so you may want to try anyways.

 

[edit1]

Also, try to make it to:

Cafe Orleans (across from Blue Bayou)
- great gumbo and Mickey beignets
- they also have the famed Montecristo sandwich that's served at the Blue Bayou.

Storytellers Cafe (in the GCH)
- a really nice buffet dinner or order off the menu

Whitewater Snacks (in the GCH)
- fresh off the grill food; good value and great food

For offsite food:
- Mimi's Cafe (check out their website for a menu)
- Cheesecake Factory (in the new Anaheim Garden Plaza on Katella)
- Bubba Gumps (also in the new Anaheim Garden Plaza on Katella)

For free coffee refills:
- Keep your receipt when you buy coffee at that coffee shop on Main Street USA (near the lockers). You can get free refills all day.

If you have a AAA card:
- Show it at Goofy's Kitchen to get a 10% off.
- Storyteller's Cafe has a AAA discount too, which we have had. However, friends of ours had their AAA discount denied there...so you may want to try anyways.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know about the free coffee refills. Does anyone know the name of the coffee shop or will it be obvious? I'm always learning something new on the disboards!

 

[ABCanada]

We have not been in over a year. (cheaper airfares to Orlando???) DL Hotel is our preferred accommodation. I noticed that you were using AP rates. It is worth checking the Concierge Rooms. One time we were able to get a lower rate on the Concierge Room than a regular.
In addition to the regular Concierge benefits you can watch the fireworks with piped in music. Not as nice as being on main street but much less crowded.

When prices are too high at the DL Hotel we stay at the Candy Cane Inn, previously mentioned. It is lovely but not Disney.

It used to be that if you stayed at a Disney property you were able to take advantage of Early Entry whenever it was offered. The last two times we were there this was offered again but not advertised. (If I remember correctly the CM that took the reservation did not know whether it was offered or not.) We were also able to get into CA half an hour early. I think only Soaring was open. There is likely more on this on the DL board.

Food
Coffee shop at DL Hotel had refillable mugs for the length of stay and great dark blend coffee (unusual for Disney) I believe you need to request a coffee pot if you want one in your room.

We enjoy Wine Country Trattoria for a quiet sit down meal in CA
Sitting outside at Ariel's Grotto is nice in the evening with the lights on the rides
Blue Bayou is great for atmosphere but even at lunch is very expensive and rushed definitely need advanced reservation
Lilo & Stitch breakfast at PP is good. You can have the buffet or order off the menu.

 

[LuvBaloo]

I recommend staying at the DL hotel once if you are curious about it and can afford it. It is nice in that you are surrounded by the Disney Magic in your resort. I don't find the monorail that big a deal, because it no longer goes to DL hotel it goes into DTD. I didn't enjoy walking back through DTD at night after the park closes, and found that the Hotels right across the street are actually a shorter walk; but they are not the same magic atmosphere.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know about the free coffee refills. Does anyone know the name of the coffee shop or will it be obvious? I'm always learning something new on the disboards!

When I was planning my latest DL trip, I found the best info on the Disneyland board! Including the coffee info which I took to heart!

Market House is on the right side of the street as you walk down Main Street towards the castle. Keep your receipt for refills throughout the day/night of purchase. I found the cast members there to be very nice!