Help with hotel choice

[570traveler]

Narrowed my choices to The Anaheim Hotel or Best Western Park place Inn. Is there any key differences between the two?
Also, if I book now through Disney and prices of tickets go up, what will happen if I need to add a person to the reservation? Would it increase all our tickets or would the 4th pay the ticket price we paid? So is it better to book for 4 and drop one guest if needed???

 

[Cal-Pie]

BWPPI is nicer, closer, and gets consistently gets better reviews here. I can't answer the questions about booking through Disney, because I've always found a better price with more flexibility booking everything separately. For my trip next year, booking BWPPI separately saved me over $200. Also look at 3rd party discount tickets through a reputable seller, I like Undercover Tourist.

 

[570traveler]

BWPPI is nicer, closer, and gets consistently gets better reviews here. I can't answer the questions about booking through Disney, because I've always found a better price with more flexibility booking everything separately. For my trip next year, booking BWPPI separately saved me over $200. Also look at 3rd party discount tickets through a reputable seller, I like Undercover Tourist.

Thanks! I’ve worked the numbers (many times!) and I can’t get the price to be cheaper than through Disney. I buy discounted gift cards (saving an average of 10%) so even when I price out booking the hotel and tickets separately I still come out saving around $60 booking Disney direct. We are also coming in from the east coast and would like the piece of mind that I could easily cancel if we had to! I don’t want to hold off buying the tickets because I know Disney raises prices each year!

 

[katyringo]

The best western for sure!

 

[Ross Kratter]

The Anaheim Hotel got some very poor reviews from the DIS team this past spring.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Narrowed my choices to The Anaheim Hotel or Best Western Park place Inn. Is there any key differences between the two?...

Between those two hotels, the BWPPI every time. We would rather pay more to stay at a hotel where we know we will have a nice stay (and good water pressure and consistent temperature in the shower and a clean room!), than try to save a buck by staying at the Anaheim Hotel. The only advantage we can think of for the Anaheim Hotel is that Pizza Press is located there. But you can eat at Pizza Press without having to stay at that hotel.

 

[azdisneylover]

Thanks! I’ve worked the numbers (many times!) and I can’t get the price to be cheaper than through Disney. I buy discounted gift cards (saving an average of 10%) so even when I price out booking the hotel and tickets separately I still come out saving around $60 booking Disney direct. We are also coming in from the east coast and would like the piece of mind that I could easily cancel if we had to! I don’t want to hold off buying the tickets because I know Disney raises prices each year!

If you belong to Costco, you can get the same price that Disney shows but get a few extra perks. I have paid with Disney gift cards (weekly) to pay off trip. You may want to check that out.

 

[570traveler]

If you belong to Costco, you can get the same price that Disney shows but get a few extra perks. I have paid with Disney gift cards (weekly) to pay off trip. You may want to check that out.

I did see that but we aren’t members of Costco. (Closest one is over an hour away). I even called Costco to ask about paying with gift cards and what the cancellation policy is. I’m traveling tomorrow and will pass by one and I am tempted to get a membership. I saw they have a promotion to get a free gift card and coupons for signing up.

 

[azdisneylover]

I did see that but we aren’t members of Costco. (Closest one is over an hour away). I even called Costco to ask about paying with gift cards and what the cancellation policy is. I’m traveling tomorrow and will pass by one and I am tempted to get a membership. I saw they have a promotion to get a free gift card and coupons for signing up.

I would suggest getting a membership. You can have a lot of the items shipped to your home, infact, they have lots of online only deals. If I remember correctly, you can cancel your membership and get the remaining back. I would suggest reading the fine print on cancelling the membership. I have had a membership for decades.

 

[Cal-Pie]

I did see that but we aren’t members of Costco. (Closest one is over an hour away).

I live an hour away from the closest Costco, but I make monthly pilgrimage with 3 coolers in tow. I come back with my car loaded to the roof with meat, frozen foods, and of course toilet paper! I love me a Costco run!

 

[azdisneylover]

I wish they (Costco) would bring back and/or some of the gift cards they used to carry. 20% off is a fantastic saving. We always walk out of there spending at least $300. But, in my defense, it is things we use and on sale.

 

[570traveler]

I would suggest getting a membership. You can have a lot of the items shipped to your home, infact, they have lots of online only deals. If I remember correctly, you can cancel your membership and get the remaining back. I would suggest reading the fine print on cancelling the membership. I have had a membership for decades.

I live an hour away from the closest Costco, but I make monthly pilgrimage with 3 coolers in tow. I come back with my car loaded to the roof with meat, frozen foods, and of course toilet paper! I love me a Costco run!

Well I think you guys have me convinced to get a membership. We are members of Sams club but just the extra gift card with the Disney package plus all the freebies for joining will more than make up for it. If we end up not getting to Costco often, I’ll just cancel.

Edit to add...my sister is a member. I’m assuming she couldn’t book a package in my name could she???

 

[Aurora0427]

Thank you for asking this..... I was intrigued by The Anaheim Hotel as we walked past it on our last trip. I will avoid!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Well I think you guys have me convinced to get a membership. We are members of Sams club but just the extra gift card with the Disney package plus all the freebies for joining will more than make up for it. If we end up not getting to Costco often, I’ll just cancel.

Edit to add...my sister is a member. I’m assuming she couldn’t book a package in my name could she???

I’ve heard you can. Have her call and ask.

 

[azdisneylover]

Well I think you guys have me convinced to get a membership. We are members of Sams club but just the extra gift card with the Disney package plus all the freebies for joining will more than make up for it. If we end up not getting to Costco often, I’ll just cancel.

Edit to add...my sister is a member. I’m assuming she couldn’t book a package in my name could she???

I think she can. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

[570traveler]

So I just went ahead and joined Costco today (we were at KOP shopping and there was one right by BUT boy was that placed packed!) My sister lives in another state and just didn’t want the hassle. Costco has a deal for teachers (over $60 in freebies) so it is essentially free. We plan on going to the one closest to our house next weekend to compare it to Sams. I’ve already booked our vacation and will receive a $145 Disney gift card. That plus being able to pay off with discounted gift cards makes it a pretty sweet deal!
Thanks to everyone for their input. We did decide on best western. Now to plan our days out!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... We plan on going to the one closest to our house next weekend to compare it to Sams...

Be careful not to buy your DLR tickets from Sam's Club -- they charge tax and DLR tickets are not taxable in CA. After tax and fees, the Sam's Club tickets can be more expensive than buying direct from Disney! There are better discount vendors for DLR tickets that don't charge tax. There are several recent threads on the board now with great information.

 

[Cal-Pie]

That plus being able to pay off with discounted gift cards makes it a pretty sweet deal!

I'm glad you got everything booked! May I ask how you got your discounted Disney gift cards?

 

[mouschievous]

@570traveler , I'm also a teacher! I had no idea Costco does deals for teachers - can you elaborate? I'm wondering if it's time to renew our costco membership.

 

[570traveler]

Be careful not to buy your DLR tickets from Sam's Club -- they charge tax and DLR tickets are not taxable in CA. After tax and fees, the Sam's Club tickets can be more expensive than buying direct from Disney! There are better discount vendors for DLR tickets that don't charge tax. There are several recent threads on the board now with great information.

I'm glad you got everything booked! May I ask how you got your discounted Disney gift cards?

Oh I didn’t mean DLR tickets at Sams club. I just meant to compare prices of things we buy at Sams (like toilet paper, food items, etc) to see if Costco is any cheaper. I booked a DLR package through Costco so tickets & hotel are taken care of!
I use credit cards to get discounted gift cards. For example sams club sells them at a discount plus some credit cards will give 5% cash back at warehouse clubs. (My daughter just signed up for the discover card and will get double cash back the first year so I’ll use her card for 10% back at Sams so $100 for $86.36) Sometimes there are offers on Amex like $10 off $50 or $20 off $100 at places that sell Disney cards. I can always get at least 5% off but aim for at least 10.