Where to stay further away?

[Tinkerbell19672]

We’re a family of 3 planning on driving this summer, going to DL for a few days but also going other places around SoCal and being in the area for atleast a week. Can anyone recommend a hotel that isn’t right near the parks where we could stay? We have APs, so can drive to one of the lots and park there. Doesn’t have to be fancy, but I’m guessing staying further away would be cheaper and hopefully have free parking. TIA for your help

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I don't know that it would be much cheaper to stay further away. A lot of hotels charge for parking these days, even those not right across the street from DL. It would definitely be more of a hassle, dealing with traffic and parking and getting from the parking lot to the parks.

I am "local" (about 40 miles south of DL) and I factor in 30-45 minutes for parking and getting to and from the parks EACH WAY. So if I want to be in my car and leaving at say, 7pm, I need to start exiting the park around 6:15 to 6:30. Then for me, I have about a 45 minute drive each way (I assume you would be staying closer than that). So I give my self 90 minutes from the time I leave my house until I'm at the park gates and 90 minutes from the time I start walking out of the park until I'm home. (Three hours per day trip.)

If you choose to stay some distance away, factor in an additional 60 to 90 minutes daily for coming and going, plus your drive time (factoring in more time for traffic depending on the time of day and whether you need to be on the freeway or not).

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Thanks Mousemom. Yep, I realize it will take longer but we stay across the street from the entrance a lot and want to stay somewhere different. Looking for something away from the bubble since we’ll be doing other things also.

Wondering about Comfort Inn on Katella...guessing Mickey parking lot would be closest?

 

[Pamela M]

I stay at the Marriott Residence Inn Maingate - It doesn't charge for parking (it's one of the only reasons I stay there instead of the near the convention center) and is about 1/2 mile from the park. I think what everyone needs to know is where else you want to go. That will help with where to stay.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thanks Mousemom. Yep, I realize it will take longer but we stay across the street from the entrance a lot and want to stay somewhere different. Looking for something away from the bubble since we’ll be doing other things also.

Wondering about Comfort Inn on Katella...guessing Mickey parking lot would be closest?

Ahhhh... still in Anaheim. That is still very close to the parks. I still think you might find the parking a hassle but at least you won't have a commute.

 

[DLgal]

Look down Harbor towards Garden Grove.

There are some nicer hotels down by the Toy Story Lot that are full sized hotels (not motels). The convention center hotels are all there and are all very nice.

What other things do you want to do in the area? I.e. which direction will you be going?

 

[Niltiac]

On our last trip we stayed far enough away that we needed to drive, but not far enough that we had to use the freeway, and we were surprised how quick and simple it was considering we were there on a busy holiday-season weekend. We stayed at Hotel Peppertree and thought the room was cute and spacious, we made good use of the kitchen, and the drive to Micky and Friends was super easy and didn't take long. The price of the room was about in line with the Harbor motels, but the room was much nicer. We had planned this trip to be relaxing and not so park-centric, so we didn't rope drop or close the parks, we took afternoon breaks eating lunch at the hotel, etc. This turned out to be very fortunate because I ended up being sick (not contagious), so having a nice room to hang out in when I didn't have energy for the parks was great. If we had been trying to optimize our time and hit rope drop every day, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed staying farther away. While the drive and the parking wait never seemed too bad, it's still something that's out of your control and it might have stressed me out if I had it in my head that we needed to arrive at the parks by a certain time.

 

[DharmaLou]

With my AP I almost always stay at Baymont Inn & Suites near the corner of Beach and Ball. Their rates are always excellent, they have a pool, breakfast and free parking. They are also super close to Knotts. It's a 4 mile drive, I believe, to Mickey and Friends.

 

[agamble]

We're staying at Knotts hotel in a few weeks. I can let you know how it is. Someone on the boards told me it's their go to hotel for Disneyland. We got 2 free nights, otherwise we'd stay closer.

I'd also look and see if you could rent a timeshare. They tend to be a bit further away. We have stayed at Peacock Inn with our points and also the two World Mark resorts with my parents. I know Peacock and the Dolphin's Cove (older World Mark) both rent rooms online outside of their time share. Then you would get an apartment like feel.

 

[mel2014]

Our last trip to Knott's Berry Farm we stayed at the Best Host Inn in Buena Park, which is right across the street from Knott's. With a Travelocity or Orbitz coupon code, a room can be had for around $100 per night and they had a good free breakfast, free parking, and small heated pool. You also get a complimentary basket of snacks and bottle of wine in the room, they have popcorn and cookies in the lobby in the evenings and two free sodas or bottles of water per day from the front desk. They have free shuttles to Disneyland at the beginning and end of the day. We're staying there again in August for a few days for part of a weeklong trip when we're going to Knott's (for the Disneyland portion of our trip, I decided to pay the extra money for a walking distance hotel).

 

[gary1955]

Wondering about Comfort Inn on Katella...guessing Mickey parking lot would be closest?

I stay there regularly. it is part of the Choice hotels group so I get points. I drive to both the Toy Story lot or Mickey and Friends depending on our plans.

I also stay at the Clarion Hotel at the convention center when they have specials, also part of Choice. it is across the street from the Toy Story lot and it is ok to walk in to catch the bus.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Thanks everyone for the great tips and advice! I’m going to check out all the places you recommended. Other things we plan on doing are going to the beach, LA touristy stuff including Griffith observatory and possibly Knotts.

 

[SteveH]

Back when we had our APs for DL we'd Priceline hotels, the savings was enough that paying to park didn't matter. We usually landed the Sheraton, Hilton or Marriott.

Just another thought for you...

 

[GenGen22]

We have stayed in Buena Park, Garden Grove and Orange all within a few minutes drive. Double tree in Orange near the outlets usually has good prices and is pretty nice too. And its true farther away does cost less.

 

[GenGen22]

We're staying at Knotts hotel in a few weeks. I can let you know how it is. Someone on the boards told me it's their go to hotel for Disneyland. We got 2 free nights, otherwise we'd stay closer

I would love to hear your review of this hotel. I've been curious about it for some time. Rates are usually pretty good too.

 

[lalasmama]

This summer we stayed at Baymont Inns and Suites on Beach Street. It was cheap-$125/night for a suite, including tax. Free parking, free breakfast. Small pool and hot tub; looked well-kept. The neighborhood isn't attractive, but didn't seem "bad." It was a step up from a Motel 6 or Super 8. About 10-15 to Mickey and Friends. About the same (maybe even less?) to Knotts. We loved the suite's set up-the main room had 2 queens and the bathroom, along with the normal furniture. The side bedroom had a pull-out sofa (comfy per whiny 13 year old!), with an additional dresser. So many suites we've stayed in have the bathroom in a living space with the 1-bed-in-the-room side, which makes it tough for Hubs and I, who have old people bladders requiring night time bathroom trips that would always wake the kid up. So, Baymont's layout with the 2 queens in the main area was a HUGE selling point!