Planning my first solo-trip next Friday. Need Hotel advice

[whoever]

I'm working on San Diego M-R, dropping off my coworker at the AP on Thursday afternoon, and heading up to Anaheim. I'm covering the cost of my rental car, and hotel Thursday night, so trying to keep this on a budget. Are the Super 8 hotels really bad? They are showing about $75/night before taxes, but only showing as 1-star hotels. Bed bugs? There are some slightly nicer/closer hotels for 100-110ish before tax. Any options/preference for someone on a budget?

Anybody want to meet up for dinner/drinks while I'm there? I plan on hitting Trader Sam's Thursday night. Have to activate my AP and hopefully get in some park time that night as well. Do I have to activate my AP before parking onsite in the garages, or can I exit for free with it? I've got the premium which includes parking. Should be a fun Friday, probably have to leave 5pm-ish to get over to John Wayne for my flight back to Phx.

 

[GracieB]

Super 8 on Katella is a decent, clean budget motel. Actually quite good for the money.

You could also try Last Minute Travel Club, Google free membership promo code. They had Marriott Suites Garden Grove for $78 recently.

Priceline is another option. Check winning bids at betterbidding.

 

[Girimama33]

If you need to park before activating, you will need to pay for parking and take the receipt with you to the ticket booth to activate the pass and they will reimburse your parking fee. Keep in mind that the pass only covers parking in the theme park lots and not in the DTD or hotel parking lots.

 

[SMD]

You have to pay for parking on the way in. You can try showing your voucher, but they usually scan the AP, so allowing your through would be at the CM's discretion. I've paid to park and then had it applied to the premium AP, but that was when upgrading, not exchanging a voucher. If you do have to pay, take the receipt, they may refund it at the ticket booth. You could also walk from your hotel or park in DTD for 3 hours free the first night before you exchange the voucher.

 

[GracieB]

Looking at Last Minute Travel Club for this Thursday and Friday, 5/29-31, I see rates as low as $60 ish for Travelodge. Holiday Inn, $83. Marriott Suites, $78.

 

[Angrose]

I took a solo trip in March and stayed at the Tropicana. It was fine for one night and the location was fantastic, right across the main entrance on Harbor. I think you can usually get it for around $120, but maybe less with the orbitz/cheaptickets promos...just go to their website.

I stayed at the Marriott Suites last year as well. It's nicer than Tropicana, and if you can get it for $78 on LMTClub then that would be a good option, especially since it sounds like you will be driving to the parks anyway.

For Thurs night, you could park in the Downtown Disney parking lot. It's free for 3 hours, but I think if you validate it at a shop/restaurant, then it is 5 hours free. Depending on how long you think you will be there it might be better than parking in a DLR lot. Call Trader Sam's to see if they validate.

I loved my solo trip so much! You will have a great time!