NEW to DL planning...do you need to stay onsite? What are the advantages or off site?

[barbnjmom]

Hi there..new to planning for DL...avid WDW visitor so I know staying onsite there is very important...what is opinions on where to stay....looking to go in July with family (husband, and 2 boys, ages 5 & 10)....want to be close to the park to either shuttle or walk if possible.

Also...we love staying at Embassy Suites hotels....any nearby?

Thanks!

 

[Buttercup26]

FIrst, staying onsite vs off site. The 3 DLR hotels are hotels, not resorts like at WDW. There is no resort feel at all IMHO. They have disney 'magic' but they aren't comparable to WDW. The only one even close is Grand Californian.

I don't stay onsite anymore, it's not worth the $$. I'd rather have more to spend on churros and lunch in the Blue Bayou (not to be missed).

We love the Howard Johnsons on Harbor Blvd. It is a great hotel for a great price. It's a 7 - 10 minute walk to the parks. http://www.hojoanaheim.com/index.html

There is an new Embassy Suites very close to DL. I haven't stayed at that particular one, but I'm sure it's a nice as all the others (my family is also big fans of Embassy Suites!!). Be sure to book the newest Embassy Suites, closest to DL. There are two others in the area, but both are farther away, they are both great - have stayed at both of them (prior to discovered the amazing HoJo on Harbor Blvd) they are each a 20-30 minute shuttle/car ride from DL.

 

[poohj80]

I'm also planning a DL trip and wouldn't think of not staying at the Grand Californian! Since we don't get to DL nearly as often as WDW, we're going to do it right!

One question for the DL vets...does it make much difference if we fly into LAX or John Wayne? What are the pros/cons of each? We'll be using frequent flyer miles so cost isn't an issue.

Thanks!
PJ

 

[peachgirl]

I'm also planning a DL trip and wouldn't think of not staying at the Grand Californian

I agree! We stayed there on our first DL trip in 2001 and are staying again for our trip in May. I don't know about the other DL hotels, but the GC had as much magic for us as any onsite WDW resort. It was so nice to be able to virtually walk out the doors of the GC and be inside DCA!

We didn't think being onsite was all that important for DL, so we opted for staying offsite the last night we were there. I don't even remember the name of the offsite hotel, but we absolutely hated it and will never do it again.

The GC at DL is like the Wilderness Lodge at WDW....times 10!!!!

 

[Snurk71]

I disagree that the DLR are just hotels and not resorts (though I'm not real sure what consitutes the difference between a hotel and a resort). We've stayed at DLH twice and GC once and consider both comparable to WDW "resorts", but better in some ways. They can have just as much dining options, nice pools, and good theming. All that, and they're within a short walk of everything vs. buses and monorails.

We'll always stay at either DLH or GC. But to be fair, we're not too stringent on hotel costs.

 

[MrShiny]

I find the DL hotels very resort like - Paradise Pier probably the least, but not bad.

The GC is well worth it if you can afford it. It's a wonderful place on the level with any of WDW's resorts (albeit with a smaller pool).

Thething to note is that while at WDW only the Disney resorts give you the closest access to the parks, this isn't a all true at DL. GC is indeed "inside" DCA, but getting from the GC to DL park itself is a long walk (best bet is through DCA, if it is open - DL often opens first). PP is also close to DCA (entrance across the street), but again a long walk to DL (probably akin to walking from the Contemporary to the gates of MK - not hugely long, but noticeable).

The resorts on Harbor are much closer to the gates of both DL and DCA, and much cheaper as well. Haven't found one yet with a really nice pool, but most seem clean and safe.

DL Hotel has the best pool, GC the best ambiance, PP a good location and great service. The closest non-Disney hotels/motels are cheap and close.

 

[missmulan]

The closest non-Disney hotels/motels are cheap and close.

In all fairness to the hotels nearby, although some are cheap & close, others have standards to meet in keeping up with their brand (i.e. Sheraton, Hilton, Hyatt, Fairfield, Marriott). You know you can get that brand quality service & value for your dollars PLUS "frequent stayer" points that will help you earn towards another vacation stay somewhere else.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I agree with both sides! I love the Disneyland Hotel more than any other hotel we have stayed at anywhere (and we have stayed at many 4 & 5 star hotels). However, sometimes the cost is hard to justify. I wish Disneyland had value and moderate resorts onsite like WDW but they don't and never will I guess. While the nearby hotels, especially the HoJo are very nice they don't feel as magical. I miss the pixie dust wallpaper, the Mickey wake up calls and just being part of it all. Still, you can often save $150 or more per night so sometimes magic gets pretty costly. For some people those little perks just don't add up to the cost difference. At home we are the biggest penney pinchers but when at Disneyland we like to go all out whenever possible. If this is going to be a one time trip to Disneyland then I would opt for the Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel if you feel like spending a little more. The Neverland Pool at the DLH is very cool for kids with a big slide. My kids ages 8 & 10 like their time there as much as the parks. If you just don't want to spend that money than the HoJo is a great bet. The walk is about the same, although walking down Downtown Disney is a little more pleasant than walking up Harbor. The rooms are spacious and very clean and the staff very friendly and helpful. Your boys will lenjoy their pool area and they have a neat arcade. Enjoy your planning and have fun!

Note to Poohj80: John Wayne/Santa Anna is much closer, so if possible fly into that airport. Flew into LAX once and it wasn't too bad but did take twice as long to get to Disneyland. If you are planning on arriving very late or leaving extremely early that can be a problem with John Wayne. Due to a noise ordinance no planes land after 11:00 p.m. or take off before 7:00 a.m. We sometimes leave out of Denver late and once due to a blizzard literally landed at 10:59 p.m., around two hours later than we should have. I have no idea what would have happened if the pilot hadn't driven like a bat out of **** to get us in on time! Maybe they divert you to another airport?

 

[poohj80]

Thanks for the tip on the JW airport. Since it's smaller than LAX, does that mean less congested too? Shorter lines/waits, etc? I've always flown into LAX so this will be new to me.

Thanks again!
PJ

 

[almostGoofy]

Thanks for the tip on the JW airport. Since it's smaller than LAX, does that mean less congested too? Shorter lines/waits, etc? I've always flown into LAX so this will be new to me.

Thanks again!
PJ

Exactly! If price is not a concern, that or Long Beach would be the airports to fly into. John Wayne is closer but Long Beach isn't much further.

 

[LucyKate]

We stayed at the HoJo and loved it - great value, very cheap, and only 10 mins walk from DL. Nice touches life free internet access, only a tiny surcharge on phone calls and a shop selling breakfast goodies, ponchos, drugs, chocolates souvenirs etc. No restaurant on site but Mimi's across the street was superb.

Came in via LAX and went out to John Wayne - no comparison. John Wayne was half hour drive, no crowds, easy access, LAX 1 hour, huge crowds, long delays. Shuttle to John Wayne is also cheaper.

 

[poohj80]

Came in via LAX and went out to John Wayne - no comparison. John Wayne was half hour drive, no crowds, easy access, LAX 1 hour, huge crowds, long delays. Shuttle to John Wayne is also cheaper.

Thanks! Sounds like JW is the way to go if flight times work out.