OCTOBER and family rooms

[aaronandterri]

Hi
Were thinking of travelling from the uk on 23- 30th October (our halfterm), im looking for a hotel either onsite or off (but close), that will sleep 6 (2ad 4 kids) plus cot, i dont mind 2 rooms if need be (but would prefer one with facilities), as long as its not too way expensive

Weve never travelled to LA or disneyland before, only florida and disneyworld, so this is all new to us, any suggestions please!

Will the parks be shutting early for halloween this week, would we need extra tickets?

My hubby has an AP for florida, can he upgrade this to include the disneyland park too, or does this entitle us to more discounts ?

Thanks in Advance
Terri x

 

[Sherry E]

Hi, Terri!

Well, I will tackle the Halloween part of the question, and others will jump in and help with the rest.

It looks like, based on the days you will be in town, Disneyland will close earlier on 2 of those nights to allow for Mickey's Halloween Party. Those closing times for DL and dates will be: at 6 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 26 and at 7 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 29. This party will be a separate ticketed event (not included in regular park admission), but we won't know what the prices for the tickets are until later this week. The very popular Halloween Screams fireworks from last year (featuring Jack Skellington from "Nightmare Before Christmas" as Master of Scareamonies and various villains) will be exclusive to this party. Regular visitors to DL will not see them. However, if guests visiting DL choose to not attend MHP, they will have to leave DL at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. (depending on whether it's Tuesday or Friday). DCA (Disney California Adventure) will be open and active with the new World of Color show.

If you haven't already had a chance, do check out our "Halloween at DL" super thread. It's full of great information and photos, so you will be able to see what you can expect at DLR when you get there in October. Plus, we are constantly updating it with news on the Halloween season as it comes in:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2408927


Also, check out "HalloweenTime begins September 17, 2010 - Mickey's Halloween Party & Fireworks News!!" for additional info:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2476025

 

[maryr1oz]

Hi... we stayed across the street from the parks at the Desert Inn and Suites last year, as a group of 8 adults.

We had their family suite, which was 2 adjoining rooms, each with 2 queen beds and one with a fold out sofa bed in a seperate sitting room. There was 2 bathrooms and each room had a firdge and a microwave.

The rooms were not luxurious, but very comfortable and cheap! I would highly recommend this hotel to guests travelling with several people...

 

[aaronandterri]

thanks....just giving this a little bump up...

 

[junglejoy]

Residence Inn Anaheim. It's a fairly long walk, but doable. You can take a shuttle if the walk is too long - google Anaheim Resort Transit for cost info.

The smallest "room" at the Residence Inn sleeps six and would have room for a crib. It has a front room with a full kitchen - dishwasher, dishes, pots, pans, oven/stove, full-size fridge, kitchen table, TV, pull-out sofa, fireplace, etc. There's a back room with two queen-sized beds a very large bathroom, two closets, another TV - lots of space. And the best thing about staying here - the breakfast! Cook your own Belgian waffles, eggs, bacon, oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit, granola, french toast, etc.

There are larger rooms too which have two bathrooms and that may work better for your group. I always book at marriott.com.

We've also stayed at Desert Inn and Suites - it's fine, but no frills. Maybe a little anti-frills. Much closer to the parks so walking is not an issue with anyone. The biggest problem for us was parking and cockroaches, but if that doesn't bother you, you'll get a room for about 1/3 the price. Breakfast isn't worth mentioning - sweet rolls, orange juice - I think that was about it. But if you're looking to save some $$ and be MUCH closer to the parks, this is a nice place.

Residence Inn is more like a home. Desert Inn & Suites is more like a Motel 6.

 

[aaronandterri]

im not that bothered about the $$,(ob there is a limit) but want somewhere nice, which are the closest to the park i guess thats a factor....ill have a look at that place.

For some sort of comparison we normally have a private villa at wdw or have stayed at the boardwalk villas and the poly and cypress pointe befopre, all were nice , a good pool is important for the kids.

 

[camouseketeer]

You can try the Howard Johnson Family Suite. I'm not sure if they are booked up or not, but the hotel is nice and it has a very nice pool and a wonderful water slides/water play area for the kids.

The grounds of the Desert Inn & Suites, a PP mentioned, are not as nice as HOJO, but they are a closer walk. You can't get much closer than the Desert Inn. Their pool is inside and is nothing special.

It terms of comparing it to WDW villas, there is no comparison. If you want deluxe accommodations like that, you'll need to get a villa at the Grand Californian (which are expensive) or a suite at one of the onsite hotels (again which are expensive.) You will have nice amenities and wonderful pools, but they will be at a price.

Offsite hotels are much more basic. They are not deluxe in any sense, as many are 30 years old. But, for the most part, they are clean, close, and fit most budgets. And for the kind of room you want, at an inexpensive price, they are the way to go. You are just not going to get huge pools and posh rooms.

You have to weight the following factors:
cost
distance
amenities

There isn't a cheap, deluxe, offsite hotel with a suites and fabulous pool just across the street. I think the HOJO's comes the closest, but it's walk is about 10 minutes. Very doable, but not as close as Desert Inn.

Good luck with your search!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you decide to stay onsite, I'd look into getting 2 connecting rooms over a suite. It is a fraction on the cost.

 

[dismom73]

We have the Desert Inn and Suites booked for the first week of Oct. I think it's the parlor C1 suite. Two bedrooms each with 2 queen beds 1 1/2 bath for $119 not. They also have continental breakfast and are right across the street from DL.

 

[nana50]

I have stayed on the Sheraton Anaheim for a great price, ($129.00)and even the Hilton Anaheim towers for under $100.00 many times. If you want deluxe at cheaper prices. The onsite hotels are expensive.

 

[tinkermell]

I believe that Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel has some rooms big enough for all of you. A fun hotel that would give you the advantages of staying onsite also. Early entry, Fastpasses to World of Color, (at least that is the rumor going around now), sending packages back to your room for you, and so on.

I'm not sure if the internet will give you the information on these rooms. You will probably have to email, or call Disney to book one.

Good luck!

 

[farmfresh]

We have fewer kids. but usually book interconnecting room on site, either GCH or DLH. You might find the bunk beds/trundle bed combo works for you at GCH.

 

[aaronandterri]

thanks for all the replys, i got a quote for the hojo for 99$ a night using the entertainment book code ~ is this a good price?, im waiting for my disney quote, i need to look into both hotels more, might do a split stay.
Thanks xx

 

[heatherleigh]

Either get two rooms at HoJo, or two standard rooms at the Paradise Pier Hotel. The suites and hotels on-site in DL are more pricey than those at WDW, from my understanding. This is probably due to the fact that WDW has a larger offering, whereas DLR only has 3 to choose from.