Where are you staying on your next Disneyland Trip and Why?

[mrsheppo]

We are staying at the Carousel Inn because of a great deal I got through Costco Travel. Originally I had the DL Hotel booked as I had never stayed on property. When I saw later that I could stay an extra day and save over $700 too, I made the switch. Stayed at Carousel Inn the first time DH & I went to DL after we were married. Looking forward to December

 

[Diszona]

We'd love to stay at DLH or GC one of these days, but we can just never justify the cost.

We keep saying want to stay in one of those as well but like you we just can't bring ourselves to pay that much, particularly in the past when we have gone at least twice a year. We could do it if I thought we we would take advantage of the amenities but our whole family are marathon park/dtd people who leave in the morning and don't come back until after midnight. We are still planning on getting APs someday and going more than twice a year so maybe on one of our shorter trips we'll splurge for an on-property hotel.

 

[WestMom2two]

We are staying at Disneyland Hotel in October because we recently moved to Texas from Northern California and want to be totally submerged in the magic for the week we are there. That and I started planning enough in advance to allow us to pay for the extra experience. We loved DLH last time and I had to do it again!

 

[bethbuchall]

Well, we just settled on the Park Vue for our July trip. I would have loved to do the Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian, but I just couldn't justify the price with everything else this trip is costing me. As long as it's clean, I'll be happy.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I was talking about staying at a hotel as a guest and being able to park the RV there. I was thinking about it as a backup plan in case we decided we wanted to extend our trip a few days and Anaheim RV Park was full and couldn't accommodate us. I don't recall seeing any RVs in any of the lots where we have stayed before, but do remember how tight a lot of those lots are and how hard it was to even find open stalls to begin with.



I have read good reviews about Anaheim RV Park too (mostly Trip Advisor, Yelp and Facebook posts). I did find the podcast episode where Mary Jo recommended them over the other 2 RV parks in the area and a few posts with similar information. I was honestly expecting to find a lot of posts and/or trip reports about other people that have taken their RVs, but almost everything is about WDW and Fort Wilderness and there is hardly anything about people doing it at Disneyland.

We have a friend that offered to let us take their RV, so it will be a surprise (both the RV and our final destination) for as long as we can keep it. We will pack everything into the RV at their house ahead of time and pull up and load the kids and hit the road. We will leave some clues (disney books, guides, movies, coloring books, etc.) throughout the RV and see how long it takes for them to figure it out. We have even joked around about if we could make it all the way until we hopped on the ART shuttle or even arrived at the park before they figure it out.

We are crossing our fingers that it doesn't end up turning into a "National Lampoon" style vacation, but everyone that is in on the secret keeps teasing us about that possibility...

We are staying there in a month. I'll report back with lots of pictures & ART times

I hope you'll both write up trip reports!!

 

[clb79]

I hope you'll both write up trip reports!!

I definitely plan on reporting back after our trip. It looks like TheZue's trip will be just a few weeks before ours. We will be there towards the end of July (I just noticed that I had a tracker for different dates in my signature and deleted it to avoid confusion)

 

[ADLFAN]

Just booked the Tropicana for 4 nights at the end of August. It was the lowest price I could find and the location is perfect! We've spent our last two short trips at the Hotel Menage up over the freeway because it's been so cheap and I love the 24 hour pool, but when I went to book them again, they'd changed to a "Starwood" brand and the price went up 50.00 a night from 108.00 to 161.00! So apparently they've been bought and will soon be re-branded.

 

[ludari]

I will stay at GCV.... why because I'm a DVC member. Plus I like the location and convenience to the parks and DTD not to mention the magic morning hours. However staying at GCV is not always necessary since I live 10-miles away from the parks and only stay when I plan ahead like during a race weekend or when friends visit that want to go to DLR.

 

[heybets30]

We almost always exclusively stay at the Grand Legacy (previously Ramada Maingate). As you can see from my siggy below, we've stayed there often. Our October reservation is for Grand Legacy at $145 per night (AAA/AARP - husband is in 50s - discount, and got free parking deal - parking used to be free, then $5, now $12/night). When it was Ramada, we'd usually get the SAME room for about $100-$125/night for SAME timeframe. Prices have gone up with the construction. I booked our Feb 2016 rooms for $90/night when it was still Ramada, and our stay commenced the week after the name change - I have a feeling those prices are LONG gone. We always request what used to be called "premium" then "deluxe view with fireworks" now "deluxe 2 queen" room, as the rooms are larger than the "classic" room - tucked on the 3rd/4th floor. Elevator accessible, free nibbles in the morning (donuts, fruit, cereal, toast, bagels - PERFECT for us!). The new breakfast room supposedly opening very, very soon (if not already).

We like the Deluxe room better than the new premier/superior because the showers are adjustable (pressure), and there is only 1 sink. With 2 adults, 2 kids, that extra counter space next to the sink is really appreciated. Also in the deluxe room, there was better "space" for putting all our cr*p. Beds all comfy, pillows good & plenty. They also give coupons to local places on Harbor as you check in - we had a 20% off Dennys, a pizza coupon of some kind, 10% off McDonald's.

The walk to DLR main entrance is pretty sweet - 7 minutes dragging with kids. They've got stroller rental in the building too. The pool is AWESOME - open early and stays open late. We're holding a DL-facing room at HoJos for the same dates, same price, but the hours for the water play don't start until later, so kids would lose at least 2 hours in the pool our last morning. Not sure we want to try it. HoJos front desk told me when I called that if really chilly (possible in Oct), the pool could have shorter hours, water features included, even though they are "heated". Heading back to Chicago, that last Saturday morning pool time is KEY. I like the pool at Grand Legacy A LOT for littles - it is zero-entry, and stays less than 3 feet for a good part, so my 7-year old, who doesn't like "deep water", can frolic nicely. The kids love the water cannons and sprayers too on deck. The GL pool will be open whether it is 50 degrees out or 100. Doesn't close for weather. In February, my kids were at the GL pool at 10pm in 60 degree weather - IN THE RAIN - having the time of their lives. Again, coming from Chicago during a very cold spell, that was HEAVEN for them.

We looked into the new courtyard - it looks AWESOME! But, the slide timing (the front desk says the slides don't get turned on until about 30 minutes after the pool opens at 10), again doesn't work when we need to check out at noon for our flight back to Chicago. Our stay for 3 days would be close to $1000 - parking not included, no breakfast. Nor does the timing work when we come back from a day at Universal (~8pm). Both instances - morning or night, we can hop in the pool at the Grand Legacy!

We tried to rent points at the Grand Cal. to check it out, but NO POINTS were available to rent as we tried too late. Honestly - renting points for GCH would've been cheaper than the Courtyard!!! Insane. For the price, we feel we can't beat the Grand Legacy, and we know exactly what we're getting, so that's nice to know too.

 

[heybets30]

We're going back October 2nd thru the 6th, possibly extending to the 7th. We're staying at The Grand Californian becuase we have DVC. We're excited! We've never stayed there, we usually stay at The Disneyland Hotel!

We so wanted to try to rent points for the 5th through the 8th ... so bummed nothing was available! Perhaps we'll pass you in the parks!

 

[quiltymom]

Here's our experience with the Disney-area hotels.

We used to stay at the Ramada Maingate (now Grand Legacy) when we first started bringing the kids when they were young (starting 2003). The prices then were fantastic, but they continued to raise the price until we were priced out. The pool was good for the kids (although it felt like it was never heated) and the continental breakfast got us by until we ate our early lunch in the parks. My only complaint was how noisy the hotel was. The walls were so thin that we could hear conversations from next door, and when the people upstairs would come in late at night it would sound like a herd of elephants. Yet one year we found you got what you paid for when we booked too late and had to get one of their more expensive rooms. It was like night and day - quiet, clean, more fancy and spacious.

A few years ago we stayed at BWPPI. I loved the location, the sit-down hot buffet breakfast. The room was ok, but we hated the miniscule pool. My biggest beef was that no one told me when I called to book the room that we had to pay to park. Not only that, we also MUST move our car by 3:00 pm the day of check out or be towed! I found that out at check-in. So I had the double-whammy of paying to park at the hotel and at Disney. I'll never stay there again.

We stayed one year at the GCH villas as a treat from a friend who let us purchase her DVC points. That was amazing!

For this summer's trip we booked at a good rate at the Camelot, but when we had to change the reservation a week later we were charged $20 extra a night. Now I'm going to try and find somewhere else that might be cheaper, if I can. This will be our last trip to Disney because of how expensive it is - we've been priced out of going anymore. I'm so sad about it. So much for my college days when we could get in for $18.00! We're using my Disney Visa points for our tickets, which is the only way we can afford the side trip here (we'll already be in California to visit family).

 

[Kender]

My mom and I stay at La Quinta usually further down Harbor in Costa Mesa. But we have annual passes with parking and like the 20 minute drive separation. This next trip we're staying at the Anaheim property because per night (before tax) it was somehow cheaper than the Costa Mesa property. After tax it's about $40 more to stay in Anaheim, but not enough of a difference to give up walking distance closeness.

We stay exclusively at La Quintas because we bring my cat. It is one of the only property I've found that:

a) allows cats
b) doesn't charge a pet fee
c) doesn't care we leave my cat Riley unsupervised in the room while we're in the parks

I love that they have breakfast included. While I'm not huge on eating in the mornings, I love orange juice. We usually grab a couple extra cups with lids to store some in the mini fridge so I can drink them later in the day.

I hate that parking has a fee and is valet at the Anaheim property (pain in the butt unloading and loading because of the cat when I have to use a luggage cart), but it is an easy walk to and from the parks and isn't on Harbor directly so getting in and out is easier with a car.

We also stay because I have top tier status with them at this point and it seems silly to stay elsewhere even when Riley isn't with us. They're generally clean and meet my minimal needs.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We stay exclusively at La Quintas because we bring my cat. It is one of the only property I've found that:
a) allows cats
b) doesn't charge a pet fee
c) doesn't care we leave my cat Riley unsupervised in the room while we're in the parks...

It's great you can travel with your cat.
We rented a condo in Long Beach a few years ago, specifically because our cats could accompany us.

 

[Kender]

It's great you can travel with your cat.
We rented a condo in Long Beach a few years ago, specifically because our cats could accompany us.

She hates the drive (about eight hours since we're coming from the Bay and make a detour to Bakersfield to get gas at Costco plus several stops to let her stretch her legs at rest stops), but she's just beside herself when left for more than a day alone at home. Plus I'm paranoid. I would never forgive myself if she was left home while I was visiting the Mouse and something happened to her.

We also make sure to bring her vaccination records with us in case we need to kennel her at Disney for any reason. It's our ideal not to, but it's a back up option we keep open.

Thank heaven for those properties that allow pets

 

[AmberK24]

I'll stay at Eden Roc again when I return...immaculate rooms, very close & under $100/night.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We're headed over towards the end of next month. My parents are DVC members, so we'll be staying at GCV.

Since I'm getting an AP, I will probably go at some point in the first half of 2017 with a friend. My budget is about $100-$120 per night, so we will stay at whichever is the nicest hotel that falls within the budget.

Probably desert inn. Book early for the cheapest rate.

 

[usschmidt]

I just booked the PVI for the second week in August. We've never stayed there, but got (what I think) is a pretty good rate. We've stayed at CCI, HoJo, FFI, DI&S, and Residence Inn Maingate.

We used to have AP's but haven't been since 2012. We've been priced out. We've been saving for a Disney cruise, but I can't justify $10k for a single vacation. This trip is special for these reasons and more - my odd has recently been dx'd with Type 1 Diabetes and we've had to cancel all her summer plans. This trip is kinda like a consolation prize.

 

[redkop1969]

We are staying at the Camelot, why, because it is across the road from the entrance. We have stayed further down Harbour blvd and walked up, but we think we have a good deal for 5 nights. Also as we have a car, nice and close to get on the freeway and over to Knotts Berry for Scare Farm

 

[xxliz28xx]

First time out west....has anyone stayed at the Ramada Inn Main gate North?

 

[Mjmdiva]

We used to stay at the Ramada Maingate (Legacy) but the price has increased. We will be staying at BW Stovalls for
3 nights late August/September. I can usually get a good price on LMTclub.com. And they have an excellent breakfast
We will then be staying at the DLH for 3 nights for our anniversary and race weekend. Great location for the race start.