Split stay Hojo and DLH... Strategy for switch over day

[Rubygoose]

We'll be starting out our trip at HOJO and then switching to DLH on a Sunday in late August. We will have a rental car that we will return to DTD Alamo the day we switch hotels (we're going to Legoland the day before and won't need the car after. Free parking at Hojo but not at DLH.)

I'm trying to figure out how to do our check-out/check-in day. Hojo has a check out time of 12noon, so we will probably pack up our luggage and leave it in the room, head to the parks then return to Hojo at around 11:30 or so to get our stuff, check out, bring our stuff to DLH and then return the car.

What I'm trying to figure out, though, is how we should go about checking in at 6am to get our room keys and go to EE at 7am. I don't think they'll let us walk through DTD at that time of day. Should we take a taxi to DLH? Is there short term parking in DTD?

 

[5forMickey]

I don't think they'll let us walk through DTD at that time of day. Should we take a taxi to DLH? Is there short term parking in DTD?

I know you can go from the hotel to the park that early -- not sure about the other way through. So how much would a cab cost you to go that far? It might be a wash with the parking fee.

 

[basketballmom]

There used to be a parking lot at the Disneyland Hotel for checking in. I don't think it cost to park there, but it was short term.

 

[Rubygoose]

I know you can go from the hotel to the park that early -- not sure about the other way through. So how much would a cab cost you to go that far? It might be a wash with the parking fee.

Yes, that's what I'm trying to find out. Is there free parking in DTD? How much would a taxi cost from hojo to DLH? Also, do we all have to be present at DLH to get our room keys, or could DH and the kids wait at bag check while I check in?

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Taxi will probably be under $10.00, and you do not all have to be there at checkin, to get your room keys!

 

[Rubygoose]

There used to be a parking lot at the Disneyland Hotel for checking in. I don't think it cost to park there, but it was short term.

But I'm guessing that would be 15 min max. If we drive and park, we'd leave the car there until 11 for when we head back to Hojo to get our luggage.

 

[Angrose]

You can park in the DTD parking lot for 3 hours for free, or 5 hours free if your parking ticket is validated by a DTD restaurant. The parking lot is right near ESPN Zone, so very close to DLH.

 

[Rubygoose]

You can park in the DTD parking lot for 3 hours for free, or 5 hours free if your parking ticket is validated by a DTD restaurant. The parking lot is right near ESPN Zone, so very close to DLH.

Oh thanks, that's perfect. Does it have to be a restaurant or do the stores valedate as well?

 

[Rubygoose]

Taxi will probably be under $10.00, and you do not all have to be there at checkin, to get your room keys!

Thanks. Might end up doing that since DH and I get lost really easily when we drive.

 

[bumbershoot]

Of course you can walk through DTD that early. It's all open until security gets there and puts in bagcheck lines.

But why go through all that bother? Get everyone up, pack it all up (do most of the packing that night), load up the car with everything and everyone. Let the car sit in the checkin lot outside DLH while everyone goes in for the excitement of checking in. If your room is, by chance, ready, get the bags into the room. If it's not (more likely) hand the bags over to Bell Services. Have someone take the car to drop it off and meet the others somewhere.

That last bit complicates things, but I think it's a lot less difficult than making everyone leave and go back to HoJo to get stuff in the middle of the day.

We stayed at Hilton one late night, got everyone up early, went to PPH at sick-and-wrong in the morning, got checked in, etc, and hit the parks. Didn't have the complication of returning the car, but still, it was way more fun than having to go back to a room at checkout time.

 

[Angrose]

Oh thanks, that's perfect. Does it have to be a restaurant or do the stores valedate as well?

I'm pretty sure it's just the sit-down restaurants. I remember reading it on the Disneyland website.