On Property, off Property, DVC rental, suggestions or insight

[LovesTimone]

I am trying to put together a rough budget, for possibly taking a trip to DLR. We would be surprising our DD, SiL and sweet little grandson with this trip.

So there would be 4 adults, and 1 kiddo he would be 4 at the time of the trip. DH and I have been once to DL and we stayed off site, at a partner hotel. So trying to figure out if staying on site would be the best way to go...or staying off site (suggestions please) would be more cost effective, but the proximity to the parks and EMH be worth the extra cash. Staying all in one room would not work, as my SIL snores terrible. So 2 rooms, for sure.

A second thought are there any type of Vacation rentals close by DL and offer transportation to the parks, Like here at WDW there are all kinds of vacation clubs( time shares) that you can rent. Most offer transportation to the parks.

 

[HydroGuy]

I am trying to put together a rough budget, for possibly taking a trip to DLR. We would be surprising our DD, SiL and sweet little grandson with this trip.

So there would be 4 adults, and 1 kiddo he would be 4 at the time of the trip. DH and I have been once to DL and we stayed off site, at a partner hotel. So trying to figure out if staying on site would be the best way to go...or staying off site (suggestions please) would be more cost effective, but the proximity to the parks and EMH be worth the extra cash. Staying all in one room would not work, as my SIL snores terrible. So 2 rooms, for sure.

A second thought are there any type of Vacation rentals close by DL and offer transportation to the parks, Like here at WDW there are all kinds of vacation clubs( time shares) that you can rent. Most offer transportation to the parks.

My understanding is that vacation rentals have been banned in Orange County.

This may help: "Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/

If you need separate rooms consider looking at getting two rooms at a place like BWPPI or Candy Cane Inn.

Tropicana has suites you can rent with multiple rooms and a kitchen.

Those are all nice and close to DLR.

A bit further but not terribly far are places like Residence Inn and Homewood Suites.

If it were me I would try and make Tropicana work as I value proximity to DLR by feet over just about everything else.

 

[cruisehopeful]

So trying to figure out if staying on site would be the best way to go...or staying off site (suggestions please) would be more cost effective, but the proximity to the parks and EMH be worth the extra cash.

The cost is shockingly high to stay on property, but if you are going to use EMH every day, it may be worth it to you. For hundreds of dollars less per night, you can stay within a walking block of the parks. Some of those places will offer a light breakfast for free.

You can stay about a mile away at Embassy suites, Homewood Suites or Hampton Inn (all in Garden Grove) and have either one or two rooms (the bedroom has a door and the living room has sleepers) and get a full hot breakfast every day for less than half of the price of a DL hotel. You can use their shuttles for transport, walk or take a Lyft to the parks.

A second thought are there any type of Vacation rentals close by DL and offer transportation to the parks

Nothing like that around here. The vacation rentals are still available for now, but they have been banned as of some future date. There aren't any shuttles or anything for transport, but you can just use Lyft which will probably run you $10 or less per ride. That's a lot cheaper than parking in the parking lots at the parks.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We have done connecting premium rooms at the Candy Cane Inn with great success. Those rooms are larger, come with a small refrigerator and a microwave, DVD player, breakfast delivered to the room, amenities basket, and with the two bathrooms (more if we do more than two rooms), this set up works like a suite for our multi-generation family trips. The CCI is very clean, has great staff and wonderful customer service, free parking, a private shuttle (a rare perk in the DLR area), and is about 10 minutes walk to the park gates. Our last family stay there saved us over $600 a night compared to the GCH -- quite a pretty penny which meant we could do more dining packages and other extras in the parks!
The Residence Inn Convention Center is relatively new (about a year or so old), at Katella just off Harbor -- maybe 20 minutes walk to the gates. You could easily Uber/Lyft back and forth (check out Bubblebum or Mifold boosters for your grandson -- I think both are available on Amazon.com).
With good FP/MP skills and rider swap (if needed), the EMH/EE advantage can be made up to some extent. And with a multi-day ticket (purchased in advance, not at the ticket booths), you'll get a MM at DL.

 

[MaleficentRN]

As someone who has done all three options in the past two years let me offer my opinion. Loved Disneyland Hotel. Theme, ambiance are classic Disney. But you'll have to pay a huge amount of money for a room/rooms for all of you. I've rented points for Grand Californian and again, loved the property and EMH. I'd go here to figure out how much it would cost for a one or two bedroom during your stay and if it's worth it to you: https://www.dvcrequest.com/cost-calculator.asp Still a large amount of money for someplace to sleep.
Last week I stayed at Grand Legacy. It was much, much less expensive and the walk was just as close, if not closer, than the Disney hotels. But, no EMH and you are not in the "Disney Bubble" meaning you loose a little magic when you have a woman trying to shake you down for money to "pray for you" .
Those are my opinions. Only you can decide what will work for you and what concessions you are willing to make.

 

[DnA2010]

We are heading to DL on Saturday and are staying at the budget friendly Desert Inn and Suites- across the street from the main entrance. We have the largest suite which has two rooms which each contain 2 queen beds, fridge, microwave etc, and then another room with a TV, pull out couch etc. We have 2 19 month olds so, it will be nice to put them to bed in the rooms and still have the third room to be in. Will report back later on how it works.

 

[AndreAggie]

We check into a 2-bedroom villa at the Grand Californian on DVC points later this month, so I'll have more ideas then. We haven't stayed there before. I would think if money weren't an issue, I'd swing for a 2-bedroom DVC rental. We've stayed off-property, but we're Marriott points folks, so we stayed at the Springhill on the corner of Katella and Harbor. It's just 1/2 mile walk to the gates and includes free breakfast. I'd stay there again if I couldn't get a room on DVC points. There is a brand new Courtyard Marriott with a nice little water park almost directly across Harbor from the gates to the parks. You could get connecting rooms there. Also, a little further away, there is a Residence Inn by Marriott. It is more of an extended stay hotel with a kitchen. They have 2 bedroom rooms. This hotel offers a shuttle, but the website indicates it's with a charge. However, it has a complimentary breakfast buffet.

 

[Nonsuch]

We check into a 2-bedroom villa at the Grand Californian on DVC points later this month, so I'll have more ideas then. We haven't stayed there before. I would think if money weren't an issue, I'd swing for a 2-bedroom DVC rental...

While likely still expensive, a VGC rental is much cheaper than similar sized GCH suites.
You will love your 2-bedroom villa:

• 3 full baths (huge master bath)
• Full kitchen
• Washer/dryer

 

[SlickWilly]

We've stayed on DVC points at Grand Californian and it was a reasonable price for 5 in our party, but can be hard to get rooms at the 7 month mark. We also have stayed at the Hyatt which has a (paid) shuttle that worked very well. I think the key is looking for the best room options for your group at the area hotels and then figure how to work your trip around those options.

 

[SeansMom]

I am trying to put together a rough budget, for possibly taking a trip to DLR. We would be surprising our DD, SiL and sweet little grandson with this trip.

So there would be 4 adults, and 1 kiddo he would be 4 at the time of the trip. DH and I have been once to DL and we stayed off site, at a partner hotel. So trying to figure out if staying on site would be the best way to go...or staying off site (suggestions please) would be more cost effective, but the proximity to the parks and EMH be worth the extra cash. Staying all in one room would not work, as my SIL snores terrible. So 2 rooms, for sure.

A second thought are there any type of Vacation rentals close by DL and offer transportation to the parks, Like here at WDW there are all kinds of vacation clubs( time shares) that you can rent. Most offer transportation to the parks.

I’m wondering if you can expand a bit on what kind of rooms you like (star level), what you’d like to pay per night, and if you want a shuttle or if you’re ok with a car or Uber?

For example, Candy Cane Inn has a shuttle, free breakfast, and is within walking distance. Personally, though, I thought the rooms were fairly small and the beds too firm for my liking. On the other hand, hotel Indigo has no shuttle or breakfast, the rooms are medium size, and the beds are like clouds. Walkable and also on ART system.

 

[Lesley Wake]

One other thing about on-site hotels: demolition/construction is starting very soon on the new hotel, which is located at the end of Downtown Disney, next to the Disneyland Hotel. Anyone coming from DLH or PPH is going to have to walk around the construction site for the next few years. There isn't word yet on how it will all be impacted, but it's hard to believe there won't be any impact. At some point the Monorail will also go down when they are extending the platform to connect to the hotel. I don't know when you will be visiting and how that fits into the schedule, but its something to think about if you are going to shell out $$$ for an on-site room.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I’m wondering if you can expand a bit on what kind of rooms you like (star level), what you’d like to pay per night, and if you want a shuttle or if you’re ok with a car or Uber?

For example, Candy Cane Inn has a shuttle, free breakfast, and is within walking distance. Personally, though, I thought the rooms were fairly small and the beds too firm for my liking. On the other hand, hotel Indigo has no shuttle or breakfast, the rooms are medium size, and the beds are like clouds. Walkable and also on ART system.

This is a very good example of why knowing what you want/like in a hotel room makes a big difference in where to look and in the advice you will receive. One reason we choose the premium rooms at the CCI is because they are larger than the standard rooms. We found them to be quite spacious for 2 families -- and with 2 connecting rooms with the connecting door open so the people could go back and forth, we had plenty of room. And we really liked the beds -- firm but not hard, not lumpy, not squishy or too soft. (For comparison, we also like the mattresses at the Sheraton Park, too.)

 

[SeansMom]

This is a very good example of why knowing what you want/like in a hotel room makes a big difference in where to look and in the advice you will receive. One reason we choose the premium rooms at the CCI is because they are larger than the standard rooms. We found them to be quite spacious for 2 families -- and with 2 connecting rooms with the connecting door open so the people could go back and forth, we had plenty of room. And we really liked the beds -- firm but not hard, not lumpy, not squishy or too soft. (For comparison, we also like the mattresses at the Sheraton Park, too.)

Thanks; and you make a good point about Candy Cane Inn. In the past we’ve stayed in their premium rooms but at this point I’d rather spend my $ on park experiences then rooms. Knowing what you want will net you clearer advice.

 

[goooof1]

Really, @HydroGuy's post gives you all the info you need to know!! Location, location, location..... you do not want to be messing around with shuttles, etc.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/

 

[LovesTimone]

Op here, around 3 to 4 stars is what we normally stay in, I am leaning more to offsite, Uber and Lyft are fine we use them all the time when we travel...Breakfast included is not really important for us, as we normally grab a breakfast bar or something in room, then a early lunch = character meal, then QS in the evenings when the grandkids are with us... I think more space is important for us, and a nice pool...

 

[soniam]

If you want to rent Disney Vacation Club points at GCH, then you have to do that ASAP. There are not very many rooms, so they are really hard to get. The prices are amazingly reasonable though, compared to the rack rate at GCH, assuming you can get one. David's Rentals has a lot of great information about how to do it and what the costs are. They are very reputable. If you want to rent points earlier than 7 months out, which you would probably need to do to even get a room, then you have to pay a little extra. I tried to do it for July back in February, and it was too late. So think 11 months ahead of time. DVC point rentals are non-refundable too.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Op here, around 3 to 4 stars is what we normally stay in, I am leaning more to offsite, Uber and Lyft are fine we use them all the time when we travel...Breakfast included is not really important for us, as we normally grab a breakfast bar or something in room, then a early lunch = character meal, then QS in the evenings when the grandkids are with us... I think more space is important for us, and a nice pool...

Then you should look into Grand Legacy. They really only have a "snack bag" in the morning with granola bars and fruit and the pool area was pretty good. I have heard of noise issues with the main building and I think the suites are all in there. Check on that.

 

[LovesTimone]

Then you should look into Grand Legacy. They really only have a "snack bag" in the morning with granola bars and fruit and the pool area was pretty good. I have heard of noise issues with the main building and I think the suites are all in there. Check on that.

Thanks for the tip... I most certainly will check it out.