Sticker shock! Also 2 quick qs: crosswalk & convention

[Angel Ariel]

Hi all! It's been quite a while since I've been on the DIS, but we're looking at a possible DLR trip next year and after my initial searches yesterday, it's clear I need to spend more time here if we end up going!

On our 2015/2016/2018 trips, we stayed at the Tropicana Inn & Suites, just across the crosswalk. The per night rate in 2018 was $135 (just after their most recent renovation to the rooms). So, seeing the same time period (late January) in 2024 at over $200/night was a bit of a sticker shock! But, doing some dives into other area hotels, it seems like this is the cheapest with the close proximity, so we're willing to adjust to it. I remember that back in 2018 they were talking about the new parking garage on Harbor (and the pedestrian bridge) meaning that the crosswalk right by the Tropicana would no longer be an option for crossing the street. But I also recall the hotels there raising serious concerns about that. Did that ever happen? Or is the crosswalk still accessible?

Some searching shows that the NAMM trade show will be at the Anaheim Convention Center the week we're looking at (which happened in 2018 also). I don't recall having any concerns about the parks being too crowded due to it, but this was before Galaxy's Edge and Avengers Campus. Should we be concerned about crowd levels? Many hotels seem to be booked up (while there is still space at the motels on Harbor like Tropicana).

I don't know if we will have a rental car or not, so parking at the hotel may or may not be needed. There may be some discussion of going to Universal Hollywood now that DD is taller (esp. with Harry Potter and Super Mario World), but I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you have!

 

[dina444444]

That parking garage and bridge were scrapped after a fight with the city over the bridge. Disney ended up building another structure on the Pinocchio surface lot at the Mickey and friends structure.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That parking garage and bridge were scrapped after a fight with the city over the bridge. Disney ended up building another structure on the Pinocchio surface lot at the Mickey and friends structure.

good to know, thank you!

 

[DizMe]

Hi all! It's been quite a while since I've been on the DIS, but we're looking at a possible DLR trip next year and after my initial searches yesterday, it's clear I need to spend more time here if we end up going!

On our 2015/2016/2018 trips, we stayed at the Tropicana Inn & Suites, just across the crosswalk. The per night rate in 2018 was $135 (just after their most recent renovation to the rooms). So, seeing the same time period (late January) in 2024 at over $200/night was a bit of a sticker shock! But, doing some dives into other area hotels, it seems like this is the cheapest with the close proximity, so we're willing to adjust to it. I remember that back in 2018 they were talking about the new parking garage on Harbor (and the pedestrian bridge) meaning that the crosswalk right by the Tropicana would no longer be an option for crossing the street. But I also recall the hotels there raising serious concerns about that. Did that ever happen? Or is the crosswalk still accessible?

Some searching shows that the NAMM trade show will be at the Anaheim Convention Center the week we're looking at (which happened in 2018 also). I don't recall having any concerns about the parks being too crowded due to it, but this was before Galaxy's Edge and Avengers Campus. Should we be concerned about crowd levels? Many hotels seem to be booked up (while there is still space at the motels on Harbor like Tropicana).

I don't know if we will have a rental car or not, so parking at the hotel may or may not be needed. There may be some discussion of going to Universal Hollywood now that DD is taller (esp. with Harry Potter and Super Mario World), but I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you have!

Typically, NAMM has little impact on park crowds, but a large impact on airport transportation, hotel availability and price, and restaurants. I often went during the NAMM convention because my birthday was at the same time (in Jan).

Now, though, they've moved it to spring and I don't know how it affects the parks. I'm guessing it's probably mostly like it was but now with "vloggers and bloggers welcome!", that may have changed.

 

[tzeitel]

Have you tried Desert Inn and Suites? They are the cheapest right across the street from DLR - love their location.

Edit - just checked and Jan 2024 has rates of $129!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Have you tried Desert Inn and Suites? They are the cheapest right across the street from DLR - love their location.

Edit - just checked and Jan 2024 has rates of $129!

We haven’t stayed there before - but will check it out! Thanks!

 

[DizMe]

A big second to DI&S. Not fancy but love the front parlor with sofa bed that can be closed off from the bedroom. Worked well for my family and the location is excellent. I think they charge for parking but I suspect most of the hotels/motels do (we usually don't have a car).