Going to DL before DCL cruise?

[Denine]

HI, we are booked on the 14 night DCL cruise from CA to FL in August 2005. We would like to arrive a couple of days early to spend at DL.
We have never been to CA before and have no idea what to expect or even where to stay. Don't want to spend too much on a room since we are already doing the cruise, but we want something nice and close to DL.
I'd really like to stay at a Disney hotel and can use our DVC points, but don't know if I should or pay cash.
It will be me and DH and DD who will be almost 3.

I will take any advice that any of you have to offer.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Id recommend 3-4 days at the DLR (Disneyland Resort) to experiance it -

DL is alot different than WDW where there are several off property hotels that are just as convienant and close (some closer) than the DL Hotels-

What particular did you want to know?

-em

 

[Denine]

We can't do more than 2 days, since that will make it a 16 day trip as it is.

Are there any hotels in particular that anyone would recommend? If Disney, which one? I would prefer something more moderately priced.

 

[carolsherman]

I am also doing the 14 day in August we did disneyland last year and stayed at the Candy Cane Inn cheap hotel comfortable beds, nice continential breakfast daily, only complaint was pool was to small for number of guests. We went in July. I think when we go next year we are going to stay again.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Alot of people have liked Carousel and Candy Cane Inn- I prefer the HOJO for a little bit classier place (usually 70-100 a night) or for budget trips the Super 8 on Katella (usually 30-70 a night)- Its a bit farther away but still within a 10-15 walk (shuttle available)

For the budget disney wise the cheapest is Paridise Pier then DLHotel then the Grand- I heard Paridise was undergoing a huge remodel soon so that would affect the hotel occupancy a bit- I dont know the dates off hand but Id imagine youd find them if ya poked around-

-em

 

[ivanova]

You'd definitely need a full day just for DL, then another 1/2 day to full day for DCA. If you had the time I'd recommend 2 full days in DL with 1 full day in DCA.

As for hotels you'll get better pricing deals by staying off property. But "off property" is closer to the parks than some WDW "on property" resorts are to their parks!! So don't let the "off property" part scare you off.

If you want the Disney magic, then I'd suggest Paradise Pier hotel or DL hotel.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>The least expensive DLR hotel room would be the Paradise Pier, city-standard.

This hotel is almost done with its refurbishment, and the rooms are really nice. Also, they now have a themed pool (that will open soon) that goes along with the Southern California Beach scene. I think it's supposed to be like a wooden rollercoaster theme, but I haven't seen it yet.

Offsite hotels I would recommend

Sheraton - luxury hotel, yet still less expensive than DLR hotels - rooms are very big, grounds are beautiful. It has its own shuttle, but parking is $10/day. Breakfast not included.

Howard Johnson - moderate hotel, right across the street from DLR. Breakfast not included, and you'll need the ART (Anaheim Resort Transportation) $12/adult 10+ for your stay-unlimited rides.

Best Western Park Place Inn - walk across the street & you're at DL parks. Offers continental breakfast, and they have standard rooms or mini-suites.

Carousel Inn - walk across the street. Offers simple continental breakfast. Rooms are plain, but clean, pool is small - and you can have breakfast & overlook DLR (I think that room is on 4th floor).

Candy Cane Inn - probably the most popular non Disney resort - looks like a quaint 2-story motel. Rooms are very nice, beds comfortable, and great service. They have their own shuttle, and offer deluxe continental breakfast.

Coast Hotel - tall building w/great views of DL Resort, if you get that side of the hotel. Need to take the ART from there, too.

Economy Hotel - Ramada Maingate Saga Inn - you can walk to DLR from this hotel, too.

 

[Firefly777]

I disagree about needing the ART at the Coast Anaheim hotel. I stayed there and had no trouble walking to the parks. It's about a 8-9 min. walk. But it's nice to have the option if you are tired and/or don't feel like walking.

I haven't stayed there, but isn't the HOJO walkable to the parks also?

If I was choosing a hotel, I would pick the Grand Californian. It's really beautiful and the closest to the parks as you can get. It can get very expensive, though.

 

[5infam]

Denine,

The cheapest way to stay would be using your points, provided you can spare them of course (meaning you have already paid for them). We stay on points at the Grand Californian every year. The points chart is not available for next year yet (probably won't be out until the end of the year), but we usually use 29 points per night for a standard view room. We usually go in December though, so your time of year may be different (I can't seem to find my Member Book right now). The Disneyland hotel is a few points less, and Paradise Pier is even less than that. If you stay on points, you don't have to pay a resort fee either. You may want to book a room now, provided you can cancel without penalty. Then when the point chart comes out, see if you can get a room on points. Hope that helps, good luck.

 

[debm]

Hi. We wanted to do the same thing---stay at DL a few days before the 14 day back to FL. We would ultimately like to use our points too. Problem is we can only book with points 11 months out. I am so afraid that it will be impossible to get a room that way because of everyone out there for the 50th and the cruises. We tried booking on cash but they haven't opened up the reservations yet unless you book online or thru the cruise as a "land package." Disney was really smart to do this because it is making people pay more in my opinion. Unless people book it and then cancel depending on the cancellation plan. But in my experience from talking back and forth to DCL and DL we have gotten lots of different info. Even our TA who ended up having to book it thru DCL was told incorrect information . It has been a mess I think. Hopefully once it gets going and more people start calling they will learn what is going on. for us the DCL package seemed to work out the best. I didn't want to pay for the "Walk with Walt tour" with my 4 little kids in the DL package. And it would only allow you to stay 2 nights. And we wanted at least 3. Anyway...I'm curious what others have done that want to book for that last week out there. See you on the cruise of a lifetime!!! Debi

 

[pamkass]

We are flying in on thus, we want to stay at Candy Cane , or Paridise Pier . The problem I am having is Transfers. We can Get from a Disney Hotel to the Pier, but can't get transfers from the airport to the hotel uless it is booked with a Disney package. I thought about renting a car, but I am not going to pay the $50. drop off fee that Enterprise wants for picking up a car at the airport and droping it off at the cruise pier.
Pam

 

[ivanova]

if you stay at the Holiday Inn in San Pedro apparently they have a shuttle to DL for a nominal fee ... check out our hotel thread on the cruise meets board. Then you can transfer from the airport to the hotel, shuttle to DL, and transfer from the hotel to the port. No rental car needed.

 

[Denine]

WOW! Thanks for all the great info. It gives me a great place to start. I was worried too, about only being able to book 11 months out with DVC and it being the 50th celebration.
We aren't planning on doing DCA since DD will still only be 2 at the time. We will have to save that for a trip when she is older. I really want to go to DL.