Do I Really Need To Rent A Car???

[DisneyFans4]

I've been debating this issue all week!! Before we get to Disneyland we will be in Hollywood and we're staying at the Sheraton Universal. Our intent was to have a car while there and then drive from there to Disneyland and then to the airport. Now I find the Sheraton charges $16 a day to park

Does the Disneyland Hotel also charge a parking fee? If so, what is it?

There are so many shuttle services, cabs and buses that I'm wondering if I really do need a car. Of course I would need to get to the airport from Disneyland but what about going to other parks and sightseeing?

I need all the help I can get on this subject.

Thanks

 

[KerTggr]

Which airport are you looking @? LAX? Also how many people in your party? If I recall, PP did not charge us for parking (and we could drive to the Mickey & Friends structure if we wanted to). I think it matters on how many people (as a shuttle/towncar to the airport can get expensive if enough people are involved).

 

[DisneyFans4]

Yes, LAX and then we had planned to drive to Disneyland. We're staying at the Sheraton Universal and they told me $16 a day to park and it was my TA that told me Disney charges to park but she didn't remember the fee.

There are 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 teenagers.

 

[farmfresh]

We have done exactly what you are planning to do and found the rental car was a good option. As for parking at Disneyland resort, as I recall parking charges were if you used the valet service. (i dimly recall (and this was only last year!) my husband taking it out of valet to save on parking after we had arrived there and unloaded everywhere.)

The price of a rental car left in disney parking for a few days was equivalent to a town car from LAX (which we have also done) to and from DLR for four of us.

We found one day at Universal was plenty, so that might help with your calculations.

Incidentally, the Sheraton Universal did a good job - we weren't expecting too much given it really lives to serve the park, and would survive if it was awful! As you are probably aware, you just walk up to the park from the hotel.

Another option might be to look at hiring a car whilst at Sheraton Universal - it's a lot closer to LAX than DLR. So you could take a car/shuttle to Universal, have no parking hassles, take Hollywood tours if you like (parking is a little more complicated round the walk of stars etc but not impossible)then pick up a rental and drive down to DLR so you do have freedom of movement if you want to head to knotts etc and for the drive back to LAX.

However, I would bear in mind (and this sounds bad! ) that in the scheme of theme park days, $16 is not really your biggest expense worry! Depending on how far you are travelling from to LAX (we come from overseas so it's perhaps more important to us) not having to hang around waiting for shuttles etc when you are tired and just want to get on with the holiday is worth a certain amount. The driving itself is not difficult.

Anyway, probably too much advice here!

 

[bumbershoot]

I do believe that the Disneyland hotels charge a resort fee, and parking is included in that resort fee, and everyone pays the resort fee even if they aren't parking. I know that the resort fee was included in our package and it wasn't obvious that we had paid it. But if we had booked the hotel directly (not in a package) it would have been more obvious in the billing.

 

[blue donkey]

IMO, if you are looking to do things other than go to Universal & Disneyland, then a rental is a must. It allows you freedom in your schedule of where to go & when.

If it helps, DL Hotel included self parking in their resort fee as well as internet. Self parking is really close too. Park on rooftop parking (ramp right after the regular self parking & registration parking area) & you'll be close, close, close. Plus, I valeted it the first couple of days before discovering how close self parking was & waited 10 min. to have my car brought around. Much faster to park on the roof of the convention center area.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Bumber, I was trying to remember myself, and my thinking was the same as yours.

I know for sure you pay the $10/daily resort fee, and I'm pretty sure that the parking is included in that fee. I tried to find the info on the Disneyland site to be sure, but didn't locate it. I suggest calling the hotel for confirmation.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks so much everyone for the info!

Farmfresh-Thanks and no, I didn't realize Universal was that close to the Sheraton Universal so that's great news! We did want to do some sightseeing and that's why we figured we would rent a car but for 4 of us and the prices I've been getting for shuttles at this point their $16 parking fee is cheaper. I still can't figure how they can charge that much when I'm a guest

When I look at the car rental rates right now for a standard vehicle with Hertz for 8 days it would cost $231.00. Right now that is sounding pretty good

 

[farmfresh]

Yes, that's what we found too pricewise. Can't understand the parking charge either, but that's life in a (virtual) monopoly!I'm also pleased my recollection about valet was somewhat accurate, its amazing how much just slips away.....

Glad to help on the universal thing... even if it is uphill! (but you can take an elevator)

You should have a great time

 

[DisneyFans4]

Uphill??? How long is the walk? Me and my DS are asthmatics.

 

[Dobie]

I hate the way people nickel and dime you--like parking fees, resort fees, fuel surcharges, $4 for a bottle of water in the hotel room, for criminey sakes.

However, in the universe of petty irritating hotel charges, $16 for parking in a major urban area is really not that steep. As I recall, the Westin that I stayed at in San Diego last summer cost $30 per day, and I think that the Westin that we stay in all the time in Seattle costs at least $20.

You might want to call the Sheraton directly and ask if they have a free hotel shuttle to LAX and to Universal. If they do, you might just want to take a cab to the few other things you want to see, and then as as Farmfresh suggested, rent a car to drive to Disneyland.

 

[farmfresh]

Re asthma and hill - you should be fine. You can take an elevator through car park or the hotel has a little shuttle. the whole park is on a hill, divided by a large escalator system. You tour the top and bottom halves. The hotel is likewise on the same hill. But none of it will be a problem for you.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Re asthma and hill - you should be fine. You can take an elevator through car park or the hotel has a little shuttle. the whole park is on a hill, divided by a large escalator system. You tour the top and bottom halves. The hotel is likewise on the same hill. But none of it will be a problem for you.

Ok, thanks! For a minute you had me worried

 

[DisneyFans4]

I hate the way people nickel and dime you--like parking fees, resort fees, fuel surcharges, $4 for a bottle of water in the hotel room, for criminey sakes.

However, in the universe of petty irritating hotel charges, $16 for parking in a major urban area is really not that steep. As I recall, the Westin that I stayed at in San Diego last summer cost $30 per day, and I think that the Westin that we stay in all the time in Seattle costs at least $20.

You might want to call the Sheraton directly and ask if they have a free hotel shuttle to LAX and to Universal. If they do, you might just want to take a cab to the few other things you want to see, and then as as Farmfresh suggested, rent a car to drive to Disneyland.

Well thank goodness I'm not renting a car while in San Fran because that hotel told me they charge $43 plus tax to overnight park a car!!! That hotel is a Sheraton. I was told parking fees were high there but I had no idea it was that high! I just don't get it that if your a guest that you have to pay such a high fee. Maybe a nominal charge at best.

We are flying from SanFran to LAX and while in Hollywood thought about renting a car and then driving to Disney. Right now I guess the Sheraton Universal's charge of $16 a day to park isn't so bad.