Doing a "cheap" trip

[kikismom]

I am planning a trip for early June and am letting my DD6 (will be 7 then) bring a friend. Since we've decided to bring a friend it ups the price about $600. I'm choosing to offset some of that cost by staying at a cheaper hotel.

Discovery Inn has a 4 star rating on Trip Advisor and is $104 per night for our dates. BW Courtesy Inn also has a 4 star rating on Trip Advisor and is $103 per night.

We don't mind walking at all. For Courtesy I think we could walk to Mickey and Friends and take the tram if we get tired though. I know theres no option for that to Discovery inn.

I really don't like using ART but we can take Ubers if needed.

Does anyone have thoughts on these hotels?

 

[Pamela M]

Be sure to double check if there are any extra fees. I was looking at staying a few hotels close to the park that said $94 a night but then there was a bunch of fees so it ended up only like $10 cheaper per night and much farther away from the park,

 

[billyjobobb]

I was actually just talking to a friend about the quality of hotels around Disneyland. They're all so interchangeable and none particularly stand out. Some are a little better, but cost way more.....

The $200 hotels are only maybe 25% better than the $100 hotels, but they cost twice as much.

I will also warn you that there are $100 hotels that are way overpriced.

 

[Jerryp49]

How would you get to M&F tram from BW Courtesy ? They used to allow you to walk thru employees parking but i thought they stopped that.

 

[kikismom]

How would you get to M&F tram from BW Courtesy ? They used to allow you to walk thru employees parking but i thought they stopped that.

Well it looked like you could on Google satellite. I could definitely be mistaken though. Hopefully someone can answer that.

 

[WonkaKid]

I've only used AiRB&B once myself but several friends have used them more regularly and have always had a positive experience, as have I. I see that there are many decent places in Anaheim that might be worth investigation. FWIW, I always bring my own lunch, mainly, though, because I'm a vegetarian and don't eat sugar. Certainly it's advisable for you to bring snacks and to get free ice water at places such as Pizza Port. I always squeeze a little lemon into mine. I haven't had a real soda in about 30 years so this, to me, is kind of a treat . Hopefully there will also be some AP bargains when you go next year and perhaps you can persuade an AP-holder or two to help you out. Best of luck, whatever you choose! Let me know if you'd like some park maps to get the kids excited about the upcoming trip.

 

[tink89]

no help with those hotels since i have never stayed there. But have you looked into the different places that sell tickets like Getaway today and LMT. Many people on here use those to get better pricing. Also maybe doing 1 park per day instead of hoppers could help. Is it 100% certain they will bring a friend? I'm just not sure on how many parents actually let their 7 year olds leave with a friend on vacation.

 

[kikismom]

I've only used AiRB&B once myself but several friends have used them more regularly and have always had a positive experience, as have I. I see that there are many decent places in Anaheim that might be worth investigation. FWIW, I always bring my own lunch, mainly, though, because I'm a vegetarian and don't eat sugar. Certainly it's advisable for you to bring snacks and to get free ice water at places such as Pizza Port. I always squeeze a little lemon into mine. I haven't had a real soda in about 30 years so this, to me, is kind of a treat . Hopefully there will also be some AP bargains when you go next year and perhaps you can persuade an AP-holder or two to help you out. Best of luck, whatever you choose! Let me know if you'd like some park maps to get the kids excited about the upcoming trip.

Thank you! That is so nice. I may take you up on that, it will be her friends first trip.

no help with those hotels since i have never stayed there. But have you looked into the different places that sell tickets like Getaway today and LMT. Many people on here use those to get better pricing. Also maybe doing 1 park per day instead of hoppers could help. Is it 100% certain they will bring a friend? I'm just not sure on how many parents actually let their 7 year olds leave with a friend on vacation.

It's a family friend. I'm hoping I can talk her mom into coming but I don't think it will happen. She's traveled with us often.

 

[mouschievous]

When we were there in November, there was no shortcut to M&F. Maybe once they are done with Pixar Pals, but we walked all the way around many many times.

 

[goooof1]

Stayed on Ball Rd. once......NEVER AGAIN. Look on Harbor between the HoJo and Candy Cane (Katella). Those are the closest. Check out the "stickies" above and @HydroGuy's tips:
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/

 

[tarheelalum]

Well it looked like you could on Google satellite. I could definitely be mistaken though. Hopefully someone can answer that.

Years ago yes, but I don't think they allow that now.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

How would you get to M&F tram from BW Courtesy ? They used to allow you to walk thru employees parking but i thought they stopped that.

Well it looked like you could on Google satellite. I could definitely be mistaken though. Hopefully someone can answer that.

As of Jan. 2017, the Pluto Lot is now CM only access. Pedestrians are no longer allowed to cut through the lot to access the M&F tram. The pedestrian entrance for the tram is on Magic Way, just west of the corner of Disneyland Dr.

I've only used AiRB&B once myself but several friends have used them more regularly and have always had a positive experience...

People need to be very careful about using STRs in the DLR area. Anaheim banned these, then allowed extensions (which ran out), then extended the extensions, etc. There are STRs that are running illegally and others that are legit. But the ones closest to the parks aren't always a convenient walk, even if they look close on Google Maps. We've had posters report that being 5 minutes away meant driving to M&F and paying $25/day for parking because the walk was not direct. And being further away can be a total time suck with commuting and parking.

OP: these threads have good information about lodging at DLR --
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/
Update-we chose Hyatt Place Safe clean hotel within walking distance or good shuttle times? -- there are some good budget hotels listed in this thread

 

[smartlabelprint]

As of Jan. 2017, the Pluto Lot is now CM only access. Pedestrians are no longer allowed to cut through the lot to access the M&F tram. The pedestrian entrance for the tram is on Magic Way, just west of the corner of Disneyland Dr.


People need to be very careful about using STRs in the DLR area. Anaheim banned these, then allowed extensions (which ran out), then extended the extensions, etc. There are STRs that are running illegally and others that are legit. But the ones closest to the parks aren't always a convenient walk, even if they look close on Google Maps. We've had posters report that being 5 minutes away meant driving to M&F and paying $25/day for parking because the walk was not direct. And being further away can be a total time suck with commuting and parking.

OP: these threads have good information about lodging at DLR --
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/
Update-we chose Hyatt Place Safe clean hotel within walking distance or good shuttle times?

There was a recent updated posted that the STR ban is off. But they’re limited to those already running, I believe.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There was a recent updated posted that the STR ban is off. But they’re limited to those already running, I believe.

Correct. And people have posted that you have to be very careful about making sure that your rental is one of the legal ones and that most/all of the ones that look to be very close walking distance to the parks really aren't super conveniently located, e.g. no close crosswalk, added parking expense, added time suck for commuting, etc.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Correct. And people have posted that you have to be very careful about making sure that your rental is one of the legal ones and that most/all of the ones that look to be very close walking distance to the parks really aren't super conveniently located, e.g. no close crosswalk, added parking expense, added time suck for commuting, etc.

OK. Good to know. Thanks

 

[ZJ5/9D47]

If you are planning on staying for a week, Extended Stay America has great rates (~ $75) and is a little less than a mile from the front door of the hotel to the turnstiles of the parks. The ART bus has a stop in the parking lot too. There are a bunch of negative reviews online, but I stayed recently and found the staff to be extremely helpful and place clean and quiet. It was really nice to have a full-size fridge/freezer, stove, sink, and kitchenware. It's cheaper because you only get weekly housekeeping (can swap towels out for clean ones at the front desk) and breakfast is only coffee, tea, granola bars, oatmeal, and sometimes muffins.

 

[kikismom]

If you are planning on staying for a week, Extended Stay America has great rates (~ $75) and is a little less than a mile from the front door of the hotel to the turnstiles of the parks. The ART bus has a stop in the parking lot too. There are a bunch of negative reviews online, but I stayed recently and found the staff to be extremely helpful and place clean and quiet. It was really nice to have a full-size fridge/freezer, stove, sink, and kitchenware. It's cheaper because you only get weekly housekeeping (can swap towels out for clean ones at the front desk) and breakfast is only coffee, tea, granola bars, oatmeal, and sometimes muffins.

Thank you for the tip!