I'm looking for the cheapest "across the street" motel that also has free parking

[alleycatmom]

Yay! We're probably going to Disneyland in early July. Boo! We won't have the budget to stay at the Disneyland Hotel like we'd hoped. So, if we're not going "all out" we want to instead spend as little as possible on accomodations.

We've been three times, and once we stayed at a friend's house and the other two times we stayed at the Best Western Anaheim Inn, which is almost across the street from the gate on S. Harbor. I remember that one time we got what felt like a good rate (I think it was a buy two nights get one free the same year as the Give a Day Get a Day and it amounted to maybe $80 or less a night including taxes/fees if I remember correctly) and another time it was less than $100. But now it's coming up $116 a night even with a 10% discount for Costco or AAA.

I've looked at the maps but I'm not clear on which hotels are the best deal for small families. There are only three of us (kid is 7), so we don't need a suite. We thought the Anaheim Inn was pleasant. We really don't care about amenities -- it's just a place to sleep. We want to stay four nights.

Also, one of the things we like about the Best Western Anaheim Inn is that you could leave your car there (even before check in). I thought I'd read that they've started charging to park, but their website doesn't say anything about it.

Can we get a better deal at a motel this close or nearly this close? Do you think there will be promotions? Should be book now? (I could swear I looked last week and the rate for July was $10 or $20 less than it is now.) We definitely want an "across the street" (South Harbor) motel where we can park for free.

Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

If you look for free parking you exclude cheap options. If you consider that paid parking is part of the rate, you can compare more hotels to figure out where you will spend the least.

The Anaheim Plaza is the cheapest/closest option. The Ramada Maingate is another cheaper than most option. The Del Sol sometimes is higher sometimes falls in the cheap list.

Much further but still walkable is the Quality Inn and Suites Anaheim Resort and Super 8 Motel Anaheim.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Yup pretty much everyone charges now

 

[8timesblessed]

We stayed at the Red Lion and got free parking and breakfast for $99 a night in December. I went onto Priceline recently and noticed that the Red Lion came up at $75 a night. So it would probably be worth looking around. I noticed if you go to the hotels website that alot of times they offer packages that include parking. What are your dates??

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

I agree with skiingfast. Just add in the price of parking and then compare them all. The BW Anaheim still offers "free parking," but they now charge a 5.00 daily resort fee whether you have a car or not. Just make sure to read all the fine print and add in all the fees first and then compare.

We find that the BW Stovalls at the corner of Katella and Harbor offers excellent AAA rates. They charge 8.00 for parking, but even with this fee the total is usually less than 80.00 a night and it includes a decent breakfast. We walk up Disneyland Drive and cut through the Grand Californian so the walk isn't too bad. Candy Cane Inn had rates starting at 95.00 for several dates this year and they have free parking, breakfast, and a shuttle if you want to use it. Of course, HOJO's has free parking, and it's still my first choice if I can a great rate.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Check getawaytoday.com. There are some third night free deals, but July dates may be blocked out.

 

[alleycatmom]

Thanks so much! I'll check these out.

Our dates are July 1-5, but I need to book something that I can cancel if we don't end up saving enough money by then.

 

[alleycatmom]

Wow -- the reviews sure are mixed for Anaheim Plaza.

 

[Malcon10t]

The Anaheim Plaza is an older, clean, worn motel. My kids stay there when they are traveling on their own dime. (They prefer Residence Inn or Candy Cane on mom's dime...) It is a decent motel, the beds aren't the softest (my youngest jokes she should just bring a pillow and blanket and sleep on the floor as it is about the same, while oldest daughter says the bed is fine, but she likes rock hard beds...) but it is in a good location, and the price is right.

 

[skiingfast]

Wow -- the reviews sure are mixed for Anaheim Plaza.

They are mixed for everywhere that is cheap. You can't go into places like that expecting it to be like a 4 Seasons, but people do.

 

[starshine514]

Super 8 on Katella is fine and consistently cheap - it's a bit of a walk, though, but doable.

 

[mouseymommy]

We are staying at the BWPPI this mid March, and we are paying $116 a night, plus $8 for parking. Closest to the park, and I was happy with the rate. We have little ones so we like to be close enough to go back often.

 

[VandVsmama]

Hojo's doesn't charge for parking or for Wifi access, from what I've read. Their rates are really excellent if you can get their Entertainment Book rate, otherwise there are coupon codes available for 15% off.

 

[Mugglemama]

It's not on Harbor, but the Super 8 on Disneyland Drive has served as our "budget trip" hotel. It's about a 15 minute walk (it doesn't feel like a long walk at all IMHO, even after being in the parks all day...).

We're buying AP's next week, and as such, are planning several trips to DLR this year, most of which will be "budget trips". We're getting a room there this Sat thru Wed, for $50 a night.

It's much cleaner than Comfort Inn, which we've paid $120 a night for in the past. It's a very old motel, and I've begun leaving the "do not disturb" sign on the door so the cleaning staff won't come in during our stay (I bring Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, and our own towels anyway so I just prefer that they aren't in the room during our stay - because quite frankly, they don't seem to do much actual "cleaning" while we're there, anyway?...doesn't seem like they do more than make the beds, but I'd really rather strangers weren't touching our bedding, anyway...), but it serves our purpose.

They have a free breakfast...usually pastries and fruit, juice, milk, and coffee. We typically skip the breakfast and eat fruit and granola bars in line at the parks, but it's there if you want it.

The parking is totally free, and no more congested than many other hotels in the area.

The pool is small, but fine. We were there Summer of 2010 and my in-laws had some noise issues with the people who were above them. But you could always request a top-floor room to avoid that problem (we've stayed there several times over the past 10 years and have never had any noise issues).

You can see the fireworks great from the balcony at Super 8 (again, the one I have experience with is the one on Disneyland Drive...not the one on Katella). 2010 was the first time we'd ever watched the fireworks from the hotel...and I have to say, it was *really* nice to have everyone bathed and jammied, let them watch the fireworks, and then immediately crawl into a comfy bed and go to sleep. It was a nice change from watching the fireworks and then having to walk a ton more and fight through hoards of people to catch a tram.

It's nothing special...but it does the job, is within walking distance (it's directly across from the entrance to the Mickey & Friends parking garage), has free parking, free breakfast, and is super cheap.

 

[ToodlesRN]

Hojo's doesn't charge for parking or for Wifi access, from what I've read. Their rates are really excellent if you can get their Entertainment Book rate, otherwise there are coupon codes available for 15% off.

Ditto, stayed in December on a weekend paid $59 a night with the AP rate, had free parking, wifi plus I won a Ipad2 from a game in the game room!!!

 

[nicolispicoli]

Thanks so much! I'll check these out.

Our dates are July 1-5, but I need to book something that I can cancel if we don't end up saving enough money by then.

The red lion has a great cancel policy, a little further, but not too bad. You can check out the rates on their website and book/cancel on there. Not sure about July rates, especially the 4th weekend, but might be 99 at most with free parking and breakfast. They're remodeled and it's a great rate for what you get.

 

[skiingfast]

Hojo's doesn't charge for parking or for Wifi access, from what I've read. Their rates are really excellent if you can get their Entertainment Book rate, otherwise there are coupon codes available for 15% off.

Ditto, stayed in December on a weekend paid $59 a night with the AP rate, had free parking, wifi plus I won a Ipad2 from a game in the game room!!!

While the Hojo is a helpful suggestion, not in this thread. The OP is going in July and they won't be paying anything close to that rate if staying at the Hojo.

 

[Thundergod]

It's not on Harbor, but the Super 8 on Disneyland Drive has served as our "budget trip" hotel. It's about a 15 minute walk (it doesn't feel like a long walk at all IMHO, even after being in the parks all day...).

We're buying AP's next week, and as such, are planning several trips to DLR this year, most of which will be "budget trips". We're getting a room there this Sat thru Wed, for $50 a night.

It's much cleaner than Comfort Inn, which we've paid $120 a night for in the past. It's a very old motel, and I've begun leaving the "do not disturb" sign on the door so the cleaning staff won't come in during our stay (I bring Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, and our own towels anyway so I just prefer that they aren't in the room during our stay - because quite frankly, they don't seem to do much actual "cleaning" while we're there, anyway?...doesn't seem like they do more than make the beds, but I'd really rather strangers weren't touching our bedding, anyway...), but it serves our purpose.

They have a free breakfast...usually pastries and fruit, juice, milk, and coffee. We typically skip the breakfast and eat fruit and granola bars in line at the parks, but it's there if you want it.

The parking is totally free, and no more congested than many other hotels in the area.

The pool is small, but fine. We were there Summer of 2010 and my in-laws had some noise issues with the people who were above them. But you could always request a top-floor room to avoid that problem (we've stayed there several times over the past 10 years and have never had any noise issues).

You can see the fireworks great from the balcony at Super 8 (again, the one I have experience with is the one on Disneyland Drive...not the one on Katella). 2010 was the first time we'd ever watched the fireworks from the hotel...and I have to say, it was *really* nice to have everyone bathed and jammied, let them watch the fireworks, and then immediately crawl into a comfy bed and go to sleep. It was a nice change from watching the fireworks and then having to walk a ton more and fight through hoards of people to catch a tram.

It's nothing special...but it does the job, is within walking distance (it's directly across from the entrance to the Mickey & Friends parking garage), has free parking, free breakfast, and is super cheap.

We've done Super8 twice and I think I'm done with that place. I love how it looks from the road but the carpeting in those rooms needs some serious attention, plus their breakfast is weak.
My wife and I walked from there to downtown disney one day and it seemed like it took forever but maybe it's not as far as it seemed.
It's definately a cheaper option but I'm just no longer a fan of it.

We're trying ParkVue this year

 

[starshine514]

It's not on Harbor, but the Super 8 on Disneyland Drive has served as our "budget trip" hotel. It's about a 15 minute walk (it doesn't feel like a long walk at all IMHO, even after being in the parks all day...).

We're buying AP's next week, and as such, are planning several trips to DLR this year, most of which will be "budget trips". We're getting a room there this Sat thru Wed, for $50 a night.

It's much cleaner than Comfort Inn, which we've paid $120 a night for in the past. It's a very old motel, and I've begun leaving the "do not disturb" sign on the door so the cleaning staff won't come in during our stay (I bring Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, and our own towels anyway so I just prefer that they aren't in the room during our stay - because quite frankly, they don't seem to do much actual "cleaning" while we're there, anyway?...doesn't seem like they do more than make the beds, but I'd really rather strangers weren't touching our bedding, anyway...), but it serves our purpose.

They have a free breakfast...usually pastries and fruit, juice, milk, and coffee. We typically skip the breakfast and eat fruit and granola bars in line at the parks, but it's there if you want it.

The parking is totally free, and no more congested than many other hotels in the area.

The pool is small, but fine. We were there Summer of 2010 and my in-laws had some noise issues with the people who were above them. But you could always request a top-floor room to avoid that problem (we've stayed there several times over the past 10 years and have never had any noise issues).

You can see the fireworks great from the balcony at Super 8 (again, the one I have experience with is the one on Disneyland Drive...not the one on Katella). 2010 was the first time we'd ever watched the fireworks from the hotel...and I have to say, it was *really* nice to have everyone bathed and jammied, let them watch the fireworks, and then immediately crawl into a comfy bed and go to sleep. It was a nice change from watching the fireworks and then having to walk a ton more and fight through hoards of people to catch a tram.

It's nothing special...but it does the job, is within walking distance (it's directly across from the entrance to the Mickey & Friends parking garage), has free parking, free breakfast, and is super cheap.

Are all 4 of the kids in the picts. in your siggy going? For some reason, I thought the Super 8 only allowed 4 to a room, but I usually look at the one on Katella. Does the one on Disneyland drive allow more people, or do you get 2 rooms?

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I *think* you are getting confused with the names of the hotel. If you stayed at the motel right across the crosswalk from the entrance, then you stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn (BWPPI).

Starting last year, many of the hotels started charging for parking. You just have to factor that in with the price per night--and don't get hung up on the fact that you will be paying it. Candy Cane Inn doesn't charge for parking, but the cost is often higher than some of the other motels. They do include free breakfast though. You have to just be smart at comparing everything in your list and figuring out the total cost for what you need.

I have not stayed at Anaheim Plaza, but have a friend who stayed there and she said "never again".