Finally making this trip- overwhelmed by planning

[shakalaka]

After years of waiting and saving we're finally ready to make this trip! There are seven of us, and my husband is the only one who's ever been. My kids range from 5-15 and they're going to be so excited!
Maybe someone can help me narrow down my decisions. It's so overwhelming, especially with a large family.
I've found a couple of places with suites that will hold our family. Best Western Raffles, Carriage (which doesn't look as nice to me) and Homewood Suites. They are under $200 so that's okay for our budget. I could also get two rooms.
I'm looking at vacation rentals as well. I love Suite Escapes, that would be my first choice. But $250 a night is higher than I'd like to pay. I found some for around $200 on VRBO.
I'm considering using Hotwire. Anyone taken that chance? 3 1/2 star hotel rooms for under a hundred bucks sounds nice, although of course I'd be unaware of extra fees and where we'd be staying. Does anyone know if there's any guarantee your rooms will be next to each other. I wouldn't want to be separated.
So thoughts are welcome. Between $150-$175 per night would be ideal, although with a big family I know that's a long shot.
Thank you!

 

[sherilaine]

If you are overwhelmed about planning you have come to the right place. There are lots of people here with so much experience.

My only comment would be that even when you book directly with a hotel, never mind a third party website, there is no guarantee you will get connecting or adjoining rooms. All hotels will clearly state how they will do their best but they cannot guarantee it. I also think to book two rooms and come out under $200 in total per night might land you in questionable accommodations - I'd not risk it but others may have had great experience with websites such as Hotwire.

Have fun planning.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Check out desert inn snd suites, they usually have cheaper accommodations with rooms that could fit your whole family.

 

[tzeitel]

When are you going? I've found that you get the best prices the earlier you book. You can get 2 rooms for under $200 a night. I booked 1 room at Desert Inn for $79 a night. I would not take a chance with Hotwire, if this is your first trip you want to know exactly where you will be.

Check accommodationsneardisney.com I would go for one of the hotel/motels across from the entrance.

 

[shakalaka]

Thanks for your responses. We're going early June. I also noticed Costco has a deal with third or fourth night free at a hotel. The catch is you have to buy park hopper, which adds up to a lot more. However I checked a couple of the hotels they listed, and even without the free night they are a good deal (although the park hoppers would be a nice extra). The Majestic Garden Hotel and the Staybridge. Both have very economical double bed suites. They might be an option.

 

[justgrace]

YAY for first trips!!

Camelot has rooms with the ability to adjoin, so you could get 4 queen beds with the space of two rooms. If you stay 5 nights or more, you can get $20 off each night.

My biggest recommendation is to get a hotel that is directly across the street (Harbor Blvd). Even if a hotel says that it's "across the street", be sure to look at the map and make sure that it is in fact on Harbor Blvd. and that it is close to the entrance of Disneyland. Being right across the street is really convenient, especially with little ones in tow! Sure, you could take the Anaheim Resort Transit busses, but that can become a hassle.

I wouldn't do Hotwire, because you could possibly be getting a hotel that is several blocks away from Disneyland.


As a side note, make sure to get your family 1st Time Visitor buttons!

 

[shakalaka]

Thanks for the tips

 

[agamble]

Check out desert inn snd suites, they usually have cheaper accommodations with rooms that could fit your whole family.

I was going to suggest this too. It's not the nicest hotel on Harbor, but it is one of the closest, and they have cheap suites. Depending on when you're going you could get a suite for 8 people for $150 a night. They have a cheap breakfast and are directly across the street from the entrance to the parks. Nice, short walk. There are a few other places nearby that also have rooms that can sleep more people.

Also, the Homewood Suites you mentioned has free food during the week. That could be a good incentive with your large family too.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Costco doesn't have a good package deal. But you can decrease the price with best westerns on that site. We prefer the best western park place inn. You can call and ask for the Costco rate. They're very friendly.

 

[chickapin parterre]

if it is your first visit, then the park hoppers are not all that important..as you have no traditional values for Disneyland and would take you two days just to figure out the lay of the lands. The trick to not having park hoppers is that you visit Disneyland on Wednesday and Friday, DCA on thursday.

 

[sherilaine]

if it is your first visit, then the park hoppers are not all that important..as you have no traditional values for Disneyland and would take you two days just to figure out the lay of the lands. The trick to not having park hoppers is that you visit Disneyland on Wednesday and Friday, DCA on thursday.

This is a matter of opinion - I can't imagine visiting DLR without park hoppers and think they offer tremendous value - especially if members of the group have favorite rides they'd like to ride every day vs. only being able to enjoy on days they are in that park. The parks are so close it's just like one big park to us.

 

[hanna-nana]

The Tropicana has a 2 room kitchen suite that will sleep 8. We stayed there last trip and liked it fine. No complaints.

 

[chickapin parterre]

...but if she is on a budget, first time visit and the range of age of the children, and there is no "every day", as they have yet to have a single day, they are going to have that "every' day and only hop on the third day,

I also value park hoppers and that they should always be the first priority of purchase, then hotel, then meals. OP has put hotel over park hoppers because she has never set foot in the park, hence navigation of the park hoppers will be tough.

 

[sherilaine]

...but if she is on a budget, first time visit and the range of age of the children, and there is no "every day", as they have yet to have a single day, they are going to have that "every' day and only hop on the third day,

I also value park hoppers and that they should always be the first priority of purchase, then hotel, then meals. OP has put hotel over park hoppers because she has never set foot in the park, hence navigation of the park hoppers will be tough.

I am just offering my opinion - the OP can take all the opinions offered and do whatever they want with them. I know that is what I do here. They are pricey though, when it comes to a high number of family members.

 

[chickapin parterre]

I value your opinion Sherilaine many times on this sight, you are straight forward on a lot of advice. You give great advice, which is more than just opinion to hungry folks who are seeking your great insights. Peter Pan being the best ride ever is matter of opinion to anyone. but how to save money and the consequences of thsoe savings is advice.

 

[agamble]

Family of 7 and parkhoppers are $50 more per person; that's $350. That is a lot. We've been with an AP and had the ability to hop as we pleased, and we've been with 4 day non hoppers to save money. Hopping is nice, but not necessary. It's expensive. $350 might pay for two nights in a hotel.

 

[sheetz]

I've used Hotwire on occasion and never had a problem. Just go to one of the sites like Betterbidding.com and look over their hotel lists and you'll have a good chance of narrowing down which hotels you're likely to receive. If you pick a 3 star or above I can't think of any hotel in the DLR area that isn't at least acceptable.

 

[sherilaine]

Family of 7 and parkhoppers are $50 more per person; that's $350. That is a lot. We've been with an AP and had the ability to hop as we pleased, and we've been with 4 day non hoppers to save money. Hopping is nice, but not necessary. It's expensive. $350 might pay for two nights in a hotel.

Park Hoppers are an additional $40 per ticket but that is still $280 for a family of 7.

There is the option to upgrade though I believe, after you arrive. So if you go and then you decide "wait, we really want to park hopper option" after the 1st day, then it can be added then I think - but I am not 100% sure.

 

[JinxedSydney]

Park Hoppers are an additional $40 per ticket but that is still $280 for a family of 7.

Just to address this and to make a comment based on both family size and budget--went to DL with a family size of 7. Stayed at the Peacock because of budget restrictions and we could make our own meals. The park hoppers are unnecessary. It is completely doable and in no way restrictive to have full days in one park or the other. $280 is still $280 at the end of the day, and a copious amount, budget wise. We skipped park hoppers for a 4 day trip (DL two days, CA two days) and had a monumental blast. Didn't feel slighted in the least. As a matter of fact, the second days at each park were better because some of the family members knew what they didn't want to do again.

I'm not attacking your logic, only saying that $280 for a family of 7 already on a budget is an expenditure that may not prove valuable.

 

[whitneyebz]

If parkhoppers were not in our budget, I would not do them. We have 6 people going to disneyland for 3 days (but the little guy is free, he is not 3 yet). I am doing parkhoppers because the people we are going with are also doing them, and we do not want to be stuck at one park all day if they go back and forth. It is, thankfully, within the budget. However, it is not necessary at all. You can have an amazing time at one park per day!