Help convincing my mom

[bbangel]

I want to take my mom to Disneyland for her 60th birthday. We were there in April and had a blast. She will be a bit reluctant because we will have been to Disney World in December.
So help me prepare to convince her to go.
Is the middle of May a good time to go?
Is there a nice (budget) hotel right across from the gate? We stayed at the Red Roof Inn last time and it was great apart from the long walk home!
Apart from the plane tickets, what is a reasonable budget for 4 nights/3 days in Anaheim (with most of it being in the parks)?
Are there other things you would do in Anaheim/LA (we won't have a car)?
Thanks!

 

[kuusimo]

It should be a good time to go. Not overly hot then. Crowds are not as bad as summer or holidays[/COLOR].

Is there a nice (budget) hotel right across from the gate? We stayed at the Red Roof Inn last time and it was great apart from the long walk home!
I have stayed at BW Park Place Inn, Desert Inn and Suites and Del Sol Inn. All across the street and budget hotels. It might help if you specified how much you wanted to spend a night though and for how many people. I know that HOJO's is a little further to walk, and Candy Cane you can walk and they have a shuttle, but both can be $100 or more a night.
Apart from the plane tickets, what is a reasonable budget for 4 nights/3 days in Anaheim (with most of it being in the parks)?
Once again, it depends how many people and their ages. I used to be able to get by with making PB&J sandwiches for my boys and have them eat that at the park. Now they can split a kids meal. Are you buying souviners?
Are there other things you would do in Anaheim/LA (we won't have a car)?
I am too tired after Disneyland to go anywhere. We generally stay 4 nights as well and move our car one time. That is to go to the store. We hit the beach before we head home. There is not much else to do around Disneyland that you could walk too though. Downtown Disney would offer you some night-life if you are looking for that.
Thanks!

------

 

[bbangel]

It will just be my mom and I. I would like the hotel room to be less that 100 a night if possible. We will likely do breakfasts in the room and only buy lunch and supper. I will check out the hotels you mentioned, thanks.

 

[dohgusgus]

well since its just you & your mom then I suggest Best Western. BW is a pretty good hotel chain. The Best Western Courtesy Inn is adjacent to Disneyland park according to the website http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do#null

I checked the 2nd and 3rd week of May and the rate is $71.99 a night for two adults with two double beds (that is if you check in and out during the week) for weekends its about $10 more (Sat.)

So I think its pretty reasonable.

For food we usually say about $10 a meal, I don't know if you plan on buying snacks but that would be another $10.

There isn't much else to do in Anaheim without a car. DTD is always a great way to end or begin a trip

 

[kuusimo]

Actually- I found that BW's website was cheaper than the one you gave: www.parkplaceinnandminisuites.com Not exactly the shortest, but I went through best western's site as well as through Costco, and I found the hotels site was the cheapest. Any of the hotels I mentioned would work.

As far as money- you could split some meals they are so large. Plan on about $6-10 per meal.

You can sign up for the Rainforest Cafe club and they will mail you a gift certificate for $10. You also get seated first priority and they send other coupons to you. That would make a nice dinner as well one night.

All three hotels I mentioned have microwaves and fridges inside. They also have a continental breakfast, and you could get any of them for under $100 a night. Candy Cane Inn is a possibility and HOJO's is a possibility as well.

 

[jakoky]

hi there, first, we are almost neighbours, i am over on vanouver island....anyways, we were just at disneyland in may...we arrived on may 13th and were there until the 23rd....awesome time to go, we had great weather and minimal wait time on rides...we did choose to go to the parks on a weekday 4 out of 5 of the days...we went in once on the saturday and it was crazy busy, so we only did a part day...we stayed at the candy cane inn(i highly recommend it-very clean, very close, comfy beds, and a nice continental breakfast in the mornings)...we were there 10 nights and with a family of 5 (me, DH, DD-15, DS-almost 13 and DD-10...we spent less than 1000 dollars american(i had budgeted 1500 dollars)...we found the meals sizes quite large in most cases, and in some, absolutely huge....we did dennys for breakfast for some mornings, and even my husband and my son shared a breakfast there...they both can eat lots and they barely finished their breakfast....most places we ordered 4 meals, and my youngest daughter(10) shared with me and everyone else gave her a bit too...the first 2 days we all ordered our own meals and there was always so much left over i got frustrated...i wouldnt doubt you and your mom could share some meals and save quite a bit....if i shared with my son we always ordered a side salad for a little extra food....anyways, have fun, i am hoping we will get back soon

sharon

WDW-Dec 04-first disney experience for my DH, DD, DS, DD and first time at WDW for us all
DL-MAY 04-first time at DL for DH and kids , and my 9th(but the first 8 were all by the time i was about 13) so it was all new to me

 

[Zoemakes5]

Though it's not mentioned very often here, and doesn't seem to show up in some of the overhead pictures, we've stayed at Anaheim Plaza, and though it's older and doesn't have a ton of amenities, we've really liked it alot. The rooms are large, the beds are confortable, they have a big pool, it's right across Harbor from DL, have micro and fridge. We're paying $72 per night when we go in March, and I'm finding it runs about $72 per night if you book online at anaheimplazahotel.com. (Using the dates, 5/13-5/17, the price does bump up to $119 per night for 5/19-5/22). I like going across the street right there where the hotel is, that way you get rid of some of the congestion of all the other hotels on Harbor, plus, you get Disney landscaped walkways to walk down. So, let's say $288 plus tax for the room, if you're going 4 nights at $72.
4 day hoppers will run you about $179 if you're able to take advantage of the discount they are offering right now of $30 off. Otherwise, the website says they are $209. So either $358 or $418 for tickets.
You can keep food cost down, but I think a minimum of $50 per day x 4 days will be needed. Maybe plan one day with a nicer meal, so let's say $100 that day. If you bring breakfast stuff to eat in the room, and maybe snacks, you might be able to cut that down a bit, but let's say $50 x 3=150 + 100 (for day 4) and that's $250 for food.
I've never done the shuttles, but let's guestimate $40 for round trip.
Not counting any souvies or extras, that would be 250 + 40 + 358 + 288=$936 not including flight or transportation down there.
The only part of the budget I can see reducing much is the food costs.
May is a beautiful time to be there, though I think you might have shorter park hours. But, you'd have less crowds. Depending upon the hours, you may need to make sure you get a couple weekend days to see fireworks and fantasmic and parades.

 

[bbangel]

Thanks everyone for all your hotel suggestions. I definately think I can keep it under 1000. Here's hoping I can convice mom!

 

[jemilah]

My sister celebrated her 50th at DL , what a great place to feel like a kid again...........wish I was going for my big 35