Hotels/motels

[Martin Holder]

Three of us, wife, son aged 15 and I are going to Anaheim in August doing a fly drive. Just wondering if it is advisable to book a 4 night stay or take a chance and see what is available when we get to Anaheim? What are peoples experiences of the availability of accommodation?

Thanks all.

 

[mom2rtk]

You would show up without accommodations booked? What is the up side to that?

 

[bumbershoot]

It's advisable to book something.



Unless you're my dad. He likes waiting. And wasting 5 hours of his family's life trying to find something. Maybe I'm bitter lol.

 

[Imdboss]

I would definitely get something booked. I'm a bit unclear as to why you would want to wait. You said "fly drive", does that mean you are driving part of the way and not sure on your actual arrival date? A lot of hotels you can book and still be able to cancel 24 hours prior to arrival so I'd go that route. We are making an unexpected trip in July and the hotel I wanted was booked so I had to go with my second choice and it seems I grabbed one of the last rooms, that was 2 months prior to arrival.

 

[Butterfly123]

Yes, I would definitely book, and I would also recommend booking something on Harbor that is walking distance to the parks. It is really handy and saves so much time versus driving or taking ART over.

I'm editing this to add that I would also book ahead if you want on the the DLR hotels.

 

[Happyjenz]

If you wait you more than likely get stuck in a place you don't want to stay at a price you don't want to pay....don't see a lot of pro's. Not to mention the possible time involved as bumbershoot mentioned.

 

[sheetz]

It used to be that hotels would count on walk in traffic so there would be lots of rooms available last minute. But everything's done online nowadays, and for a busy tourist area like Anaheim it could be really tough to find a room last minute.

 

[msr709]

I would never dream of going without a booking anywhere, specially not a heavy tourist attraction spot. There are so many hotels you don't have to pay until you arrive that its a given to book something. For example, I've book for Residence Inn by Marriott at Maingate, Tropicana, Best Westerns, Homewood Suites (both the new one on S. Harbor which I am staying at in July) and the other, there are so many. Look at Booking.com or hotels.com, Expedia, Orbitz. They all are very specific as to the ones you don't have to pay upfront. Good Luck!

 

[Astylla]

Typically you can always find something online or by app like Hotel Tonight, however I would never advise that traveling with family as usually those are only guaranteed for two people. It works great for last minute trips for us as just two adults because we have more options , but for a vacation just don't risk it.

If you do enough research you can find good rates almost anywhere you choose.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You can book your stay at more than one hotel, keep watching the rates, then keep the booking you want and cancel the others as your trip gets closer. Along with the other posters, I would never advise anyone to show up at DLR without a hotel already booked.

 

[lalasmama]

There's 15 hotels on Hotels Tonight that identify as being in Anaheim/Disneyland Resort area and have rooms. They are all $100-200 for the night. There's 2 that are "close" and walkable, but most aren't. Some schools are out, but many are not, so crowds are going to be increasing from here until after Labor Day weekend.

In other words, I wouldn't wait to see what is available when you get here. You're going during a high-capacity time, and there's a chance you would end up seriously far away, or spending more than you would like.

 

[Martin Holder]

Thanks all. Will book this week.