Vacation Home Rentals Within Walking Distance to Disneyland

[luvflorida]

We've been to Disneyland quite a few times, but never as a group of eleven! My husband and I are planning a trip to San Francisco and Anaheim to celebrate our 40th Anniversary, and for the Anaheim part of our trip, we are inviting our children, their spouses/significant others, and grandchildren to join us at Disneyland.

It would be a lot less expensive to rent a house for four or five nights rather than four hotel rooms, but so far I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. I'd love to find something within walking distance to Disneyland (within a mile or so). I'm planning early, because there is so much to consider and coordinate- work and school schedules, dates for MNSSHP (we're going in October and definitely want to attend the party one night), etc.

I'd love to hear from anyone familiar with renting a house near Disneyland!

 

[HydroGuy]

Some thoughts...

On my trip last month I was in line with a man who visits every year with his adult children and grandchildren. He told me he stays at the Tropicana where they can get particular suite "in the back" that holds everyone or most everyone and has a kitchen where he cooks breakfast for everyone. Tropicana is one of the closest hotels to DLR - like a 5 minute walk.

Other options that are walking distance but a stretch (like 3/4 mile or more) are the Residence Inn type places with multiple BRs and kitchens. There are several like those.

Now with rental homes near DLR, I think they will all be well farther than a mile. However some folks do that and rather than walk to DLR, they walk to a shuttle or bus. That would be walking to the Mickey & Friends parking area or Toy Story lot.

Finally, I thought I read somewhere a month ago that Anaheim is going to start disallowing short term rentals around DLR.

Hope that helps.

 

[starry_solo]

The discontinuing of short term rentals in Anaheim will take a few years to go into effect due to hardship exemptions that are being granted.

Have you tried airbnb? Also the actor who portrayed Andy on little house on the prairie and Bud on JAG has one. You can do a search online.

https://www.ocregister.com/2012/06/22/check-out-the-amazing-disney-rental-home/

https://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/24/nearly-all-anaheim-short-term-rental-owners-apply-for-hardship-extension-to-avoid-start-of-ban-in-february/amp/

 

[Geemo]

We've been to Disneyland quite a few times, but never as a group of eleven! My husband and I are planning a trip to San Francisco and Anaheim to celebrate our 40th Anniversary, and for the Anaheim part of our trip, we are inviting our children, their spouses/significant others, and grandchildren to join us at Disneyland.

It would be a lot less expensive to rent a house for four or five nights rather than four hotel rooms, but so far I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. I'd love to find something within walking distance to Disneyland (within a mile or so). I'm planning early, because there is so much to consider and coordinate- work and school schedules, dates for MNSSHP (we're going in October and definitely want to attend the party one night), etc.

I'd love to hear from anyone familiar with renting a house near Disneyland!

With a family group that size, if you can get space at the Tropicana, I think you'd be very happy there.
It's so close to the parks, only a short walk. This would make it so easy for those in your family to come and go if they decide to break away from the whole group.
You'll be doing enough walking in the parks, stay close.

We have stayed at the Tropicana several times and will again.

Be aware of The City of Anaheim's, House rental laws.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Try to stay in walking distance. We have friends with kids that did a trip like this. There were 9 of them. The uncle was telling us how cool this big house rental was.

Well, the mom came home and I think basically hates Disney now. They had to deal with driving to the park; car seats... leaving for naps. Royal headache in my mind. If there are any young children or people who may like a short respite from the heat—consider something closer!!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-dlr-area-hotel-for-you.3656512/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There are many more hotels with suites now than there were just a few years ago (and some of these hotels are quite new). Some of these suite hotels are walking distance and some are very close to the Toy Story lot (so you can take the shuttles for free). Other people take Uber or Lyft for a small fee to avoid driving to the parks and paying the $20 parking fee. I've heard some headache stories about the short term rental situation around the parks (mainly dealing with false advertising or the walk to the parks now that you can no longer cut through the M&F's lot to get to the tram).

 

[luvflorida]

...Now with rental homes near DLR, I think they will all be well farther than a mile.

Finally, I thought I read somewhere a month ago that Anaheim is going to start disallowing short term rentals around DLR.

...Be aware of The City of Anaheim's, House rental laws.

Try to stay in walking distance. We have friends with kids that did a trip like this. There were 9 of them. The uncle was telling us how cool this big house rental was.

Well, the mom came home and I think basically hates Disney now. They had to deal with driving to the park; car seats... leaving for naps. Royal headache in my mind. If there are any young children or people who may like a short respite from the heat—consider something closer!!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-dlr-area-hotel-for-you.3656512/

Okay, well, I think we'll steer clear of rental homes in Anaheim! Lots of good info from everyone. Thanks!

We are Marriott Reward members and have built up a lot of reward points, which we were going to use on the San Francisco part of our trip, but now I think we'll use them in Anaheim. We like the Marriott Suites and the Residence Inn at Maingate (we've stayed at both in the past) but without using rewards points for one or two of the rooms, the total cost would be very expensive!

We definitely want to be within walking distance (or a short shuttle ride). Our group will range in age from 63 to a just turned 2 year old!

 

[luvflorida]

...I've heard some headache stories about the short term rental situation around the parks (mainly dealing with false advertising or the walk to the parks now that you can no longer cut through the M&F's lot to get to the tram).

I meant to add this to the quotes above! Yeah, we've decided not to go with a house rental!

 

[Nevada Jen]

Maybe look into renting dvc points for the grand? I really like that new Springhill suites convention center. Walkable in my opinion. But if it is just a few days, I would just get multiple rooms somewhere right across the street.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Okay, well, I think we'll steer clear of rental homes in Anaheim! Lots of good info from everyone. Thanks!

We are Marriott Reward members and have built up a lot of reward points, which we were going to use on the San Francisco part of our trip, but now I think we'll use them in Anaheim. We like the Marriott Suites and the Residence Inn at Maingate (we've stayed at both in the past) but without using rewards points for one or two of the rooms, the total cost would be very expensive!

We definitely want to be within walking distance (or a short shuttle ride). Our group will range in age from 63 to a just turned 2 year old!

Check the cost at courtyard by Marriott too. It’s new! Or the residence inn convention is new.

 

[hodad]

I stayed at this 2br rental just west of the Mickey and Friends lot three years ago, and we walked to the parks every day. We enjoyed it just as much as the Grand Californian.

 

[figment_jii]

I've also used VRBO for two rentals near Disneyland; both were in the 1.5 mile walking range of DL. It was nice to have space to spread out and to have more than one bathroom! As others have said, Anaheim is phasing out rental homes, but right now, it still seems like they're available. We did that when we had a group of 9 to 11 adults and 2 kids. Having more than one bathroom was critical!

One was up by the M&F parking garage (Goodhue Ave) and the other was south of Katella (Norma Ln); both were within walking distance to Disneyland. I liked both locations, but while the Goodhue house was closer, I'd be a bit hesitant to recommend that general area to anyone. The house to the west of the M&F Parking Structure (about 1.25 miles from the center of the Esplanade when walking). The walk was fine in the day, but it was kind of dark and a bit quiet/empty late at night. Nothing bad happened, but I would be hesitant to be walking alone or with just a child late at night. I think some of it is because of the M&F structure; it's a giant concert wall that made me feel kind of enclosed on one side.

 

[luvflorida]

Maybe look into renting dvc points for the grand? I really like that new Springhill suites convention center. Walkable in my opinion. But if it is just a few days, I would just get multiple rooms somewhere right across the street.

Check the cost at courtyard by Marriott too. It’s new! Or the residence inn convention is new.

Thanks! I did check out the three hotels mentioned above, but they don't really fit what I'm looking for. If it was just one or two rooms, it would probably work. I love the rooms with the kids' suites, though. They look very nice!

With so many of us getting ready to go to the Parks in the morning, we need multiple rooms or rooms with two bathrooms. So far, the Residence Inn at Maingate looks like the best fit. We've stayed in their bi-level loft room before and really liked it. It has a bedroom and bathroom downstairs, and a king bed with a bathroom in the loft. That would work nicely for four of us. The living room and kitchen area is nice, too. They also have a suite with two bedrooms and bath on a single level, which would be great for our daughter, son-in-law and grandkids, since I don't like the idea of the stairs and loft (doesn't have a full wall) with little kids running around! Then they have a single, king room which would work fine for one adult. Residence Inn Maingate also has a free breakfast, free parking and is within walking distance to the parks.

The Marriott Suites is also a good option. We'd have to get four rooms, but I think it would end up being less expensive than the Residence Inn. However, they don't have a free breakfast (although, I think they do run a special under AAA where two of the rooms would get a couple of breakfast buffet passes). Marriott Suites is not within walking distance, but they do have a reliable shuttle that runs frequently.

No matter what we decide, four nights anywhere for eleven people isn't going to be cheap! The upside to Marriott properties is that we have enough reward points to cover at least two of the rooms. Another upside, I'm sure our accommodations will cost less than the price of our Park tickets! But, inviting our kids and grandkids to help us celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary...priceless!

I stayed at this 2br rental just west of the Mickey and Friends lot three years ago, and we walked to the parks every day. We enjoyed it just as much as the Grand Californian.

I don't see a link, but a 2br rental wouldn't be big enough for all of us!

 

[luvflorida]

I've also used VRBO for two rentals near Disneyland; both were in the 1.5 mile walking range of DL. It was nice to have space to spread out and to have more than one bathroom! As others have said, Anaheim is phasing out rental homes, but right now, it still seems like they're available. We did that when we had a group of 9 to 11 adults and 2 kids. Having more than one bathroom was critical!

Yes, two bathrooms is a must! I think we were typing at the same time with the same thoughts!

When I first started planning this trip, I had a rental home in mind. A house big enough for all of us would definitely be the less expensive option. But after looking into it more (and reading some of the replies here) we're thinking the better option will be to stay at a Marriott property and use our reward points toward a couple of the rooms.

Thanks everyone for all your advice and helpful information! I love Disboards!

 

[hodad]

I don't see a link, but a 2br rental wouldn't be big enough for all of us!

"this 2br rental" was the link. Here it is: https://www.vrbo.com/508174

It would fit half of your party, and the other half could find something similar nearby. But it sounds like you've found what works for you!