Looks like I'm gonna be in SoCal....

[BrianL]

So, I'll be in LA for a family affair, but I am insisting on sneaking away to DL for a couple of days. It is the week of Thanksgiving *GASP* but that's outside my control. Right now, it looks like I can have that Sunday and Monday to myself, so only two days. The family is renting a house, but I want to stay in Anaheim so I can get to the parks freely.

As I am more of a WDW guy (been to DL once), if anyone can recommend a close and cheap hotel, I would appreciate it. Walking distance would be great, but I can use the ART too. For just two days, is it even worth booking a package through Disney, or should I just grab what I can find and buy tickets seperately?

I know it'll be a busy week so I want to get it booked. I have my plane tickets now, but not the house or anything else yet. DL is my personal priority!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Cheap and close (both older but clean every time we have stayed there):

Anaheim Desert Inn-right across street, free breakfast (mediocre at best)
Anaheim Plaza Hotel and Suites-one block down across the street (no breakfast)

Busy week, crowds actually tail off a bit after turkey day, early in the week can be paaaaaaaacked. I am sure you know this, but get there early, crowds may die down a bit an hour or two before closing, maybe.

 

[BrianL]

Cheap and close (both older but clean every time we have stayed there):

Anaheim Desert Inn-right across street, free breakfast (mediocre at best)
Anaheim Plaza Hotel and Suites-one block down across the street (no breakfast)

Busy week, crowds actually tail off a bit after turkey day, early in the week can be paaaaaaaacked. I am sure you know this, but get there early, crowds may die down a bit an hour or two before closing, maybe.

Hmm, I'd have thought that Friday and Saturday after T-day would be the most busy. Unfortunately, the whole trip centers around my Sister's 40th birthday, which is Tuesday. She did not want to spend her birthday at Disneyland...! We leave that Saturday anyway, so it is what it is. I can probably work the crowds.

Is it worth going through Disney and booking a Good Neighbor hotel or can I get better deals on my own?

 

[figment_jii]

For just two days, is it even worth booking a package through Disney, or should I just grab what I can find and buy tickets seperately?

Unless you're getting some really good deal, I doubt a package is the more economical way to go. Certainly the "dining package" is not considered a good value (it's a voucher system and only good at a few locations). So I would opt to get a room and tickets separately. There are a few legit discount ticket sellers (e.g., aRES, way.com, orbitz, etc.) that can help save money there.

 

[Angrose]

If it's just you and you want something inexpensive, I would book separately. I did a solo trip in March and stayed at the Tropicana, just across the street on Harbor. It was fine for just me, not fancy, but not a dump either. No breakfast, but I just packed granola bars and grabbed a drink in the park. On cheaptickets.com right now they have rooms for $110, plus 20% off with their code SEEYALATER. Sign up for emails from cheaptickets and orbitz and they will notify you when new promos codes are released.

I wouldn't worry too much about crowds. If it's just you and you get there at rope drop, you can get a lot done before the crowds arrive at 11-ish. Plus, it's so much easier to maneuver through the park when solo. Do the single rider lines and you shouldn't have a problem!

 

[BrianL]

If it's just you and you want something inexpensive, I would book separately. I did a solo trip in March and stayed at the Tropicana, just across the street on Harbor. It was fine for just me, not fancy, but not a dump either. No breakfast, but I just packed granola bars and grabbed a drink in the park. On cheaptickets.com right now they have rooms for $110, plus 20% off with their code SEEYALATER. Sign up for emails from cheaptickets and orbitz and they will notify you when new promos codes are released.

I wouldn't worry too much about crowds. If it's just you and you get there at rope drop, you can get a lot done before the crowds arrive at 11-ish. Plus, it's so much easier to maneuver through the park when solo. Do the single rider lines and you shouldn't have a problem!

Oh yeah! DL does have a lot more Single Rider lines than WDW...that is a heartening realization! Tropicana sounds good...thanks for the tip!

EDIT: I booked Tropicana with that promo code. Thanks so much! It was actually $119 base rate when I got to it, but still cheaper than other places...and talk about walking distance! It's right there! Awesome!

 

[Angrose]

Oh yeah! DL does have a lot more Single Rider lines than WDW...that is a heartening realization! Tropicana sounds good...thanks for the tip!

No problem, hope you have a great trip!

 

[RandFamily]

For what it's worth, we were at DL early in the week of Thanksgiving last year and the crowds were surprisingly manageable. Sunday will probably be worse because of locals, but I think Monday will be fine.