Staying off site?

[IAmElsan]

Magical evening to all,

So I would like some opinions about a possible trip in Oct of this year or next.
I had my first-ever trip to Disneyland/California Adventure in 2015. We stayed at Paradise Pier and had 4-day hopper tickets. My partner and I both had never been to DL/DCA so we were trying to do and see everything we could. Now I will say we got rather spoiled staying on property and taking advantage of the 7AM entries into the parks every other morning. We were also there for the 60th Diamond celebration.

We had gotten an amazing deal on the entire trip which was too good to pass up, and I truly realize now what an amazing deal it was looking at prices for PPH and park tickets, etc.

My question now is having experienced an on property stay and now knowing the parks a bit better, would it be in our best interest to stay on site again or stay off property. It would def be more of a budget trip this go around but again we were spoiled with all the early access to rides and attractions that by the 4th day on the last trip we just kind of took it slow and literally staked out a spot for the fireworks that night for several hours! LOL

Is it really that bad to not have the extra magic hours (besides the one morning we would get with 4-day hopper tickets again this go around)? I know there are fast passes for the most popular rides and I know Disney is adding 2 more this year at the park.

We are trying to catch a Halloween party as to why we want to plan the trip for Oct 2017/18 and I just am wondering the traffic in the parks around this time to see if its better off to stay on or off property.

This trip is intended to be a road trip so we will def save some $$ on flight/rental car but still will need to purchase a room and park tickets plus food/purchases/etc.

Well I think I got my questions out amongst my babbling on, so any and all help and information is ALWAYS greatly appreciated. If you have any further questions about info on the trip etc, please feel free to ask me too!

Thank you!!

 

[Darkbeer1]

On a budget, I would clearly stay off property, now the question is where and how much?

There is the question about Walking Distance so you don't have to worry about a shuttle or driving to park. Is that important to you?

How lower do you want to go, a basic Motel to shower and sleep only?

Or something nicer like a limited service Hotel?

Those questions would help folks give you recommendations on a place to stay off-property.

And if you are into Halloween, you might also want to look at an Adult themed event, such as Knott's Scary Farm nearby during your visit. An awesome experience, but nothing like what Disney offers. Price is reasonable.

 

[IAmElsan]

The trip in 2015 we did have to stay off property for one night as we decided to fly out a day ahead of the vacation package we had.
We stayed at Tropicana Inn and Suites which to me was pretty sufficient. We would def spend most if not the whole day in the park so we won't be spending much time in the room outside of sleeping and showering/getting ready but at the same time I don't want to have a total disaster of a room either.

Anything along Harbor street would be fine as far as walking distance or perhaps the street that is right behind DCA as well, can't think of the street name at the moment but it is the one directly behind the park.

Thank you!

 

[Darkbeer1]

There are no off-site properties that I would say is walking distance on Disneyland Drive.

The nicest option is the Courtyard on Harbor near Mimi's Cafe.

the Holiday Inn Express next door is new, lesser in price and offers a free breakfast.

Those would be my top choices in the better than a Motel in walking distance.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The money you save by staying off site could be used for some fun extras in the parks, e.g. WOC or parade Dining Packages, Halloween Dining Package (if there is one this year) or a second MHP, WOC Dessert Package, tours, etc. Maybe you could splurge on some nice TS meals or character meals? Maybe some nicer souvenirs? It's never hard to think of ways to spend money at DLR! You might want to look at the Candy Cane Inn, especially at the premium rooms. The CCI is clean, has super nice staff, has free parking, free continental breakfast, a private shuttle that runs on time, and the premium rooms come with amenities and have breakfast delivered to your room.

 

[StormyCA]

The biggest perk to me is package delivery. EMH is right up there, but I love being able to shop whenever and wherever and just say 'send it to the hotel' and forget about it.

That being said, renting a locker in DL and 'consolidating' your shopping time and locations works pretty well. We looked around and decided what we wanted then set a time to go back to Main St and buy it all. Popped it in a Main St locker and we were good to go. We had a locker on the Esplanade the next day on the DCA side and used the 'package holding' option for a few things, picked them up later and took them to the locker, which also worked pretty well. It's just a little more time consuming.

We used Uber for to and from the parks. It really opens up the distance from the parks options when you get a 'non-stop door to Esplanade' ride. But it still isn't as good as that short walk to the Grand or DLH for a mid-afternoon break!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Is it really that bad to not have the extra magic hours (besides the one morning we would get with 4-day hopper tickets again this go around)?

Since I have never used extra magic hours and I've been to Disneyland many times, I would say no, you don't need it. Getting there early is key, especially in October when it will be very busy, but you don't need to be there for early hours.

We are trying to catch a Halloween party as to why we want to plan the trip for Oct 2017/18 and I just am wondering the traffic in the parks around this time to see if its better off to stay on or off property.

It gets busier as time goes on. So, if you arrive at 11:00am, it will be busy and every busier if you arrive at 1:00pm. If you stay in Harbor Blvd, the traffic won't make any difference. Some of the places on Harbor are a closer walk to the parks than the Disneyland hotels are. Park Vue Inn is listed as the closest for walking. There are plenty around that hotel that are only a couple minutes further.

Some places have their own shuttle such as Candy Cane Inn and Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel. I was recently as the Majestic Garden and I didn't go to the parks, but the lines were long for people waiting to take the shuttle. Candy Cane Inn is close enough to walk, but has the shuttle in case for some reason you cannot walk.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I really thought I needed those extra magic hours and that was what was keeping me on site (and usually at PPH). Then I tried HOJO because everyone said offsite is just as good if all you do is sleep in the hotel and I broke down and believed them. I really regretted it. But not because of the extra magic hours but because it turns out that what I call just sleeping is slightly more than that. Despite the fact that I would never go sit in a hotel bar or use a hotel pool, I really do expect some amenities. Like a lobby, heating and air conditioning that does its job with no breeze coming under the door, somewhere to sit outside the room, and, if I am being honest, somewhere in the hotel to grab breakfast or the dinner that I now need at 10 pm. I didn't miss EMH at all. This last weekend we stayed at the Courtyard. I'm an offsite convert. I think the hotel was nicer than PPH and fit our needs better than the GCH. The truth is that it was only 40 bucks a night less than PPH but we were determined to try it and I am glad we did. It will be our go-to hotel from now on.

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

You have time in your side, so start researching the off site hotels which appeal to you. Decide what's most important (walking distance etc) and start weeding some out.

I can tell you that we only had Marriott properties to choose from (we booked on points so our hotel is free) and it still took me like 6 weeks to decide!

I think you'll find there are some good options about there just as close as PPH and you'll save a lot.

 

[goooof1]

October has gotten very, very busy......EMH would be really helpful!

 

[bumbershoot]

Is it really that bad to not have the extra magic hours (besides the one morning we would get with 4-day hopper tickets again this go around)?

Just go opposite the early morning parks. So if Disneyland is open early that day, go to DCA. And vice versa.

There are no off-site properties that I would say is walking distance on Disneyland Drive.

Anabella is totally walking distance, even with the new jog to the left to the Grand instead of going through the Grand. And Stovall's and a couple over there.


OP we stayed at the new Country Inn&Suites this month, and although there were some quirks that made ME unhappy because I have solid needs for running trips and they had some bad info on their site about what was open (laundry room) but wasn't, it was a decent hotel. And while it wasn't a hop, skip, and a jump, if I can do the walk before and after a weekend where I walked to and from the 5K, back to and from the expo, then to and from and THROUGH a 10K and Half marathon, it's a walkable distance.

 

[IAmElsan]

Thank you everyone for the information and suggestions!! Much appreciated!!

 

[Jimmiesatx]

We opted for Staybridge Suites which is down a ways, but overall it was good. All we did was have Vonn's deliver groceries, and we were good to go. Saved a bundle on a weeks stay. We used the ART to get their somewhat early, and enjoyed breakfast in the park.

 

[VandVsmama]

BW Stovall's to the Esplanade is now a mile walk with the detour you have to take through security near ESPN Zone.

 

[tarheelalum]

The magic mornings are nice but they are not worth the much greater expense. As others have mentioned, you can mitigate not having the magic mornings by going to the other park first thing in the morning. Halloween time is my favorite time of the year at the parks as well as many others people's favorite time. It will be packed for sure so plan it out but not so much that you stress yourself or your family out with it. But be sure to buy the tickets for the party when they come out. Especially if you plan on going closer to halloween. Those tickets sell out quick.