It’s finally happening...

[luvthemouse71]

I have booked DL several times and canceled, because it just seems so far away and flying to Florida is just easier.

I always had DL on the bucket list though and I’ve never been to California.. I also have been really stressed these past few months so I went ahead and bought plane tickets to California today. I’m not staying long, Saturday to Wednesday. I’m staying at the Fairfield Inn which is very close to the parks. I’m toying with the idea of pricing out the DL hotels but do you think it’s worth it? I haven’t been to DL before so I would be maximizing park time.
I’m a WDW long timer, I’ve made over a dozen WDW trips but I’m excited to see how it all began. This is also a solo trip.

 

[Indiana Scott]

It's really a matter of personal preference but I would keep the resi at FFI. It's a nice hotel and a very short walk.
Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[twitch]

IMO, don’t bother with on property hotels. Use the money saved for Park hoppers, Maxpass, and a few nice meals. The difference between staying on/off-site is nothing like WDW.

 

[WonkaKid]

IMO, don’t bother with on property hotels...

Agreed. They’re nice but cost at least twice as much as they should. If it’s important to you - sure, then do it. That’s the only real reason to stay at one (MM excepted but that’s not enough to justify the price).

 

[gerilyne]

I loved staying at the FFI a few years back. I loved being able to get breakfast at McDonald's on my walk to the park plus the water they had in the lobby for guests. Stay and save your money for dinner at a sit down restaurant or a souviner.

 

[Becca1007]

When are you going? How many people in your travelling party? If you are going at a peak time with several people there is value to the extra park hours. If you are going during a moderate/slow time or going solo than there is not much extra value in the extra hour per day.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

We have stayed at FFI also and it is a clean, nice hotel and as PP mentioned, Panera and McDonalds are right next door.

 

[JohnR5101]

Stayed at FFI a few years back. Its fine and a short walk. We stay at the GC only because I spoiled my wife several trips back and she absolutely loves the extremely close proximity and ability to pop back in the room to change after Grizzly River, and easy to take a short nap to recharge. All that with a very easy reentry through the hotel's security points. It is the most convenient. Worth it? Depends on your finances. For me its the difference between if she will go or not so its worth it.
Just snagged a 1 BR rental at the Villas Grand Californian for next Sept and that actually makes the price/value MUCH better. Our group would be 5 people (2 families) and would have required 2 rooms. But the 1BR villa has 2 bathrooms and separate sleeping spaces for the 2 families. And the price is equivalent to getting a regular room for each family at $275/night. Great accommodations at a great price.

 

[MonocularVision]

Just snagged a 1 BR rental at the Villas Grand Californian for next Sept and that actually makes the price/value MUCH better. Our group would be 5 people (2 families) and would have required 2 rooms. But the 1BR villa has 2 bathrooms and separate sleeping spaces for the 2 families. And the price is equivalent to getting a regular room for each family at $275/night. Great accommodations at a great price.

Mind sharing who you used for the rental?

 

[SteveH]

As much as I like being on property at WDW, being on property is just not worth the cost at DL in my mind. My son and his fiance stayed at FFI last March and really liked it. A quick walk to the parks and a nice room for the money. We stayed down at the Sheraton this past summer. I wish Disney would have something like a "moderate" on property but that's not going to happen.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I think we have at least eight stays at the FFI and would highly recommend the hotel to anyone. This year we are doing a week long Blowout Disneyland trip and staying in a premium view room at the Grand Californian, a one time bucket list wish getting checked off. Of course next year it's back to the FFI!

You'll find a lot gets done fast on a solo pace, so I don't think it's necessary to have the advantage of the extra hour gained with staying in a Disneyland property.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Some threads with good information for you:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- from the sticky threads at the top of the first page -- SO much helpful information found here!
From that sticky:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- a classic thread and a must read for you!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- a treasure trove of helpful threads for you!
From the above link:
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/ -- at DLR, it's not about on site or off site (both have their pros and cons) -- it's all about location, location, location! You want to be close walking distance to the gates (and this is totally possible!) -- what you invest to be close walking distance will save your sanity, wear and tear on your feet and legs, and give you major convenience as you can keep things at the hotel instead of lugging things with you all day, allow you to take breaks during the day because your hotel room is so close by, etc.
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- DLR doesn't have FP+, we have MP -- read through this very helpful superthread, then ask all your questions there -- you'll get great help! Almost all WDW vets love MP the first time they use it and prefer it strongly over FP+.
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyorewww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- ask all your airport and transportation questions here.
Let us know if you have any more questions -- we're here to help! You're going to have a great trip!

 

[mamapenguin]

Nvm

 

[sjmac42]

I too would stick with the Fairfield Inn, it’s actually closer to the turnstiles than 2 of the 3 on-site hotels and there’s plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.
Remember with a 3 day or longer ticket, you will get 1x early entry to Disneyland on a Tue/Thu or Sat no matter where you stay.
All the best.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Thanks..I’m going to keep the reservation at FI..I’m going at a slow time so I think this will work out nicely. Now I just have to get my park tickets.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks..I’m going to keep the reservation at FI..I’m going at a slow time so I think this will work out nicely. Now I just have to get my park tickets.

What are your trip dates? "Slow time" is relative at DLR -- with so much of the guest demographic being local, the crowd predictions aren't the same as they are for WDW. "Slower" is quite possible. "Slow" isn't always so easy to predict with consistency. Just want you to be mentally prepared in case the parks are more crowded than you expected. Some people get really thrown by this.
As for tickets, there are authorized discount vendors that are popular around here. Check Mousesavers.com for any current deals. Any vendors listed there are legit. Posters here like aRes, Getawaytoday, Undercover Tourist, LMTC (by phone only for now -- usually the lowest price for multi-day tickets), etc. Some vendors sell tickets with MP, some don't. Doesn't matter too much since it is easy to purchase MP each day through the app once your ticket is activated at the gates.

 

[luvthemouse71]

What are your trip dates? "Slow time" is relative at DLR -- with so much of the guest demographic being local, the crowd predictions aren't the same as they are for WDW. "Slower" is quite possible. "Slow" isn't always so easy to predict with consistency. Just want you to be mentally prepared in case the parks are more crowded than you expected. Some people get really thrown by this.
As for tickets, there are authorized discount vendors that are popular around here. Check Mousesavers.com for any current deals. Any vendors listed there are legit. Posters here like aRes, Getawaytoday, Undercover Tourist, LMTC (by phone only for now -- usually the lowest price for multi-day tickets), etc. Some vendors sell tickets with MP, some don't. Doesn't matter too much since it is easy to purchase MP each day through the app once your ticket is activated at the gates.

January 11-15

 

[JohnR5101]

Mind sharing who you used for the rental?

DVC Rental Store

 

[Amunet]

We are the same, we much prefer WDW to Land. Granted, I haven't been since 2013 and my fiancé hasn't been since the 90's. Getting off property lodging is weird but makes sense financially.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

January 11-15

Since that's the week before ROTR opens, no one is absolutely sure about crowds. Could be low with most people waiting for the ride to open and for the holiday weekend. Or could be higher with people trying to avoid the ride opening and the holiday weekend (like what happened when SWGE opened earlier this year). Either way, you can have a great trip with good planning and organization and flexibility. And going solo totally helps with that!
If you haven't already, join the January 2020 Check In***Official*** thread to keep up to date on all the January 2020 news.