Unexpected trip to DL and need help

[ColoradoDis]

We'll be in San Diego for 4 days in the middle of July. (Older daugher at a volleyball camp!). DH, other DD and I are thinking of a quick trip (2 nights) to DL. We haven't been since 1998. At that time we stayed at the Pacific Hotel (now PP, I think). What's the best way for us to get a good rate on a DLR hotel? I'd like to get Park Hopper passes as well. Can you get Park Hopper passes if you don't stay at a DLR hotel? What are the "don't miss" items that we can truly cover in 1 1/2 days? We've been to WDW a couple of times since we've been to DL. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[LeftCoaster]

You're pretty much SOL trying to get a good rate at a DLR hotel in July. Unlike WDW, Late June through late August is going to be the highest rates. You'll like end up paying $200 a night to stay on Disney property. Honestly, I think you'll be better served to stay across the street on Harbor Blvd. or try Priceline (3 stars and above only).
As someone who coached girls volleyball for 10+ years, I know how much those camp fees and club dues are costing you.
They are offering a 2 day park hopper now for $99 I believe. There's also a special for annual passholders to buy that same 2 dya park hopper for $69 I believe. I'll check into it and see if there's anything I can do for you.

 

[ColoradoDis]

Thanks Leftcoaster!

You're right about those volleyball fees! Especially a trip to San Diego from Denver. Seems like we need to make up for all those volleyball weekends for our younger daughter, so a trip to DL makes sense.

I like your idea of staying at an "off-property" hotel. Doesn't seem like the same as WDW where all the other hotels are so far away. Any recommendations? We'll have a car, but would prefer a hotel that we can walk comfortably back to at the end of a long day at DL.

Thanks

 

[LeftCoaster]

Here's the scoop on what I know of the hotels across the street from Disneyland. For starters, there's the Candy Cane Inn which is on Harbor Blvd. but located on the same side as Disneyland. That hotel consistantly gets the best reviews. I have'nt stayed there but always hear great thngs about it.
Last december, I stayed at the Best wEstern Park Place Inn. It was nice and comfy. It is literally across the street from the park. The Howard Johnson's a little further up the street usually gets pretty good reviews. The Fairfield seems to be hit and miss. The Carousel Inn & Suites seems to get good reviews. I had friends stay at the Castle Inn and they had a decent stay.

At the convention center, there is also a Marriott and Hilton.
I did also find ou tthat the AP discount for the 2 day park hopper is $69. So, we could work it out and I'd go down there and get the tickets for you.

 

[dsnylndmom]

I second staying offsite in the summer it can get ridiculous!! The Best Western Park Place Inn that Left Coaster was talking about is actually a quicker walk to Disneyland that PP! We stayed there in April and had a really good stay, our room had 2Q beds, sofabed, frig, microwave and continental breakfast for $103 night and you literally go out of your hotel room and across the street to the park.

As Leftcoaster said Hojo's and Candy Cane always get great reviews but they are both a little longer of a walk.

We've stayed at the Desert Inn, 3 hotels and an IHOP down from Park Place and it was find, the room was large and there was still a frig and microwave and the light breakfast.

Our stay at Carousal was so so but our stays at Castle and Fairfield were HORRIBLE.

If you are okay with not being right at the park but a 5 minute ride away the Embassy Suites south is great with full cooked to order breakfast and nightly managers recption.

We are staying at the Best Value Inn and suites mid-July, it's about 5 minutes away with a private shuttle and we have a bi-level room with a queen bed and bath upstairs, queen sofabed and queen murphy bed, full kitchen, family room and bath downstairs plus light breakfast including some hot items and a light dinner for $89 a night!!! It's gotten pretty good views on some other boards and it used to be a Residence Inn.

HTH
Tina

 

[audrey2580]

Here's a thought - 1 member of your party can purchase an Annual Pass. Then you are entitled to the "AP Nights" rate at the Disneyland Hotels (all three). Right now the rates are $79 weeknigt / $99 weekend for Paradise Pier through July 10th.
Hope this helps