First visit to DL....your advice please

[maryrm]

Hi all,

this is our first visit to DL and we can't wait. we are going the end of august beginning w/a stay in San Diego.

1) We are thinking of staying at the DL hotel. Is it "worth" the money? How are the accomodations specifically pool, "disney" feel?

2) If we don't stay in DL, what hotels would you recommend nearby?

3) Have the choice of arriving to DL on Tuesday leave Saturday or arrive Wednesday leave Saturday. What would your choose?

Thank you so much for all your feedback.

Mary

 

[Disco]

Everyone has a different opinion but I don't think it is worth it. The cheapest DL hotel it 2-3x the cost of the ones across the street. I usually just try to stay in the most affordable possible hotel as directly across from the park as possible.
The way I think of it is I can stay on Disney property or I could stay off and go 1-2 extra times a year for the same price. Also I just sleep in the room so it doesn't matter how cool the place is. I will admit the pools are a big plus on DL property though.
The DL hotels are definitely nicer than the ones across the street but the Grand Cali is the only that is actually physically closer and that place is expensive.
if people want the complete on park feel I would suggest doing it at WDW. They are totally price gouging you at DL in comparison. The sister hotels in Florida are 2/3 to half the costs of the ones in DL.

 

[pittypat]

So, just to confuse you, here's another perspective. We absolutely love the DH. Not only is it very convenient, but it has a marvelous Disney vibe-you feel like vacation has started as soon as you enter the hotel. I'm sure you're aware that it is currently undergoing substantial renovation, but check the other threads here-someone posted today how very little that disturbed them. Also, the new themed pool bar area sounds amazing. DL is a very different animal than WDW. Love them both, but DL is much more relaxing and you can easily "do" it all in just 3-4 days. Have a wonderful time!

 

[maryrm]

thank you both so much!

what hotels are directly across the street from DL? I've been to WDW and am trying to "orient" myself to DL

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

We've never stayed in the DLH so take that FWIW. I haven't missed it because I haven't done it. I hear great things (like what pittypat said) but I just can't bring myself to do it. I'd love to try it tho, don't get me wrong!

I've heard that the Desert Inn and Suites is technically closer than PPH and DLH? Someone is welcome to correct that tho!

The other hotels are a great place to rest your body. So if that's what you care about, they'll be great. An alternative is HOJO that has a cool splash area that's themed. Longer walk tho.

As for days in the park..well I'll always pick an extra day

 

[SpaceMania]

I have stayed in the DL hotel, and off property. & if i could afford it i would DEFINITLY prefer the DL hotel.
It has more of a disney feel to it,and its better location wise. It may be the same distance of a walk to the gates as some off property hotels, but you get to walk thru downtown disney.
The pool seemed really nice there as well (i didn't use it, so i cant comment on much about it ) If i really had the money, i would spring for the Grand Californian. Its all about the money, really.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Here's a map that can give you a better idea of where stuff is

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/images/AnaheimMap.gif

 

[maryrm]

thank you soooo much for the map link!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you all for the info - this is very helpful!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

We stayed at Desert Palms..it's on the same side as the ped entrance. It was a bit of a walk but my kids were fine (and we didn't mind it). It had a pretty good free breakfast. The usuals like fruit, cereal..but also warm stuff...biscuits and gravy, sausage, pancakes..etc. But it's not as cheap as Desert Inn and Suites (which says it has a continental but I hear it leaves something to be desired)

 

[PinkBudgie]

We like the Candy Cane Inn, next door to DCA. You can see a link with pics in my sig. For us, the choice is stay on property for a short time or stay more days off property. So far we choose: stay more days. This trip we are arriving on a Sunday and leaving on a Saturday.

At CCI we love the short walk, the free breakfast, and the free shuttle (but we usually walk- it's faster). I've seen other good reviews for Hojos and Park Vue but haven't stayed at those.

As for time, if you arrived on Tuesday but didn't go to parks, that only gives you 3 full days in the park. You didn't say if you would going to the parks half days on your arrival and departure days, but I always say more is better!

 

[wbl2745]

Hi all,

this is our first visit to DL and we can't wait. we are going the end of august beginning w/a stay in San Diego.

1) We are thinking of staying at the DL hotel. Is it "worth" the money? How are the accomodations specifically pool, "disney" feel?

Depends on how much you're willing to spend. I agree that the DH is great, but with all the construction around there I'd think that it would have temporarily lost some of its pixie dust. If you're willing to spring for the GCH and not worry about the cost, you can't beat it. It is MUCH closer to the parks than DH and PPH, and just about as close as the hotels across the street. However, the ambiance is fantastic. Even if I'm not staying there I'll go in just for the feel of the place. It is great to be able to get back to your room after WoC or getting soaked on Grizzly River in just a couple of minutes. It is expensive, however. There are two forums on the Grand Californian. This one is about the hotel and this one is about the Disney Vacation Club at the Grand Californian.

2) If we don't stay in DL, what hotels would you recommend nearby?

A couple of places have been mentioned already. I've stayed at the Tropicana, which is almost next to the crosswalk into the resort. It was OK. The breakfast is pathetic, but the room was clean and it is much closer to the park entrances than either DH or PPH.

One thing you might consider is staying at the Embassy Suites, Anaheim South. You can see it here. It is two VERY LONG blocks away from the resort and you'd have to use the Anaheim transit, which works quite well. The advantage is that you'll get a very good breakfast. That saves a lot of time. If you're traveling with kids, you can also put them to bed on the fold-out in the living room area, while you stay up for a bit in the bedroom.

3) Have the choice of arriving to DL on Tuesday leave Saturday or arrive Wednesday leave Saturday. What would your choose?

Thank you so much for all your feedback.

Mary

So in the first instance you'd have three full days and two partial days, while in the second instance you'd have two full days and two partial days. I think that you can see what you want in the second instance, two full days, but you might be glad to be able to take things a little slower by staying that extra day.

Hope you have a great time! There are a lot of us to like the Disneyland Resort more than WDW. (Don't let DW hear me saying that.)

 

[Poohbug]

My family had our first visit to DL in January.

Sorry, we did not stay onsite, so I can't really tell you if it is worth it or not. We did stay at the Best Western PPI, directly across the road from the park entrance. The walk was very easy. The hotel was nothing special but clean, spacious, and much cheaper than onsite. I would stay there again.

If I had a choice, I would take as much time as possible to visit the parks. We only had a day and a half and it was way too short. I loved DL and hope to visit again in the future when we have more time.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi all,

this is our first visit to DL and we can't wait. we are going the end of august beginning w/a stay in San Diego.

1) We are thinking of staying at the DL hotel. Is it "worth" the money? How are the accomodations specifically pool, "disney" feel?

2) If we don't stay in DL, what hotels would you recommend nearby?

3) Have the choice of arriving to DL on Tuesday leave Saturday or arrive Wednesday leave Saturday. What would your choose?

Thank you so much for all your feedback.

Mary

This thread might help:

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

DLR really needs four days to get a full, non-rushed experirience. If you have that the days of the week will not matter much in August.

 

[specialks]

Hi there,
If you are going in August and have never been to DLR, then I would say 4 days.

We personally have never stayed onsite because you can find better deals just as close. And, money is a big incentive for us to stay offsite (and free breakfasts). That being said, we will stay onsite at WDW; but DLR just doesn't matter as much. However, one other point...if you are morning people and will get up early, you can get 2 Magic Morning entries by staying onsite (Thur & Sat) as opposed to just one that typically comes with a 3+ day PH ticket. That might really make a difference in the summer so you can beat some crowds -- arriving early is one of the biggest tips I have learned from these boards.

I really like this site because I think they do a nice comparison of distance and pool rating for hotels near DLR.

http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/where_to_stay.htm

For an idea of the area I really like this map:

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Hi there,
If you are going in August and have never been to DLR, then I would say 4 days.

We personally have never stayed onsite because you can find better deals just as close. And, money is a big incentive for us to stay offsite (and free breakfasts). That being said, we will stay onsite at WDW; but DLR just doesn't matter as much. However, one other point...if you are morning people and will get up early, you can get 2 Magic Morning entries by staying onsite (Thur & Sat) as opposed to just one that typically comes with a 3+ day PH ticket. That might really make a difference in the summer so you can beat some crowds -- arriving early is one of the biggest tips I have learned from these boards.

I really like this site because I think they do a nice comparison of distance and pool rating for hotels near DLR.

http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/where_to_stay.htm

For an idea of the area I really like this map:

Thanks for this map..it's the one I was trying to find LOL

 

[rentayenta]

Hi all,

this is our first visit to DL and we can't wait. we are going the end of august beginning w/a stay in San Diego.

1) We are thinking of staying at the DL hotel. Is it "worth" the money? How are the accomodations specifically pool, "disney" feel?

If it's in the budget, it's absolutely worth it!

2) If we don't stay in DL, what hotels would you recommend nearby?

The Howard Johnson though it's about a 3 block walk.

3) Have the choice of arriving to DL on Tuesday leave Saturday or arrive Wednesday leave Saturday. What would your choose?

Thank you so much for all your feedback.

Mary

The longer the better!

 

[specialks]

Thanks for this map..it's the one I was trying to find LOL

It is found at http://www.anaheim411.com

It is an easy enough web address that I've always been able to remember. Then you just click on the Anaheim Resort Map tab at the top.