Which hotel should I stay in for a super short stay?

[AndrewC]

So first, I'll be at Disney (staying at the Disneyland Hotel with a friend) Oct 19th (Sat) - Oct 24th (Thur) with a friend. We'll be checking out Thursday and moving to the Universal Hilton for Thur and Fri night. (She'll be there all day Friday but leaving in the evening, I'll be there doing the Halloween event Friday night and will check out Saturday.)

My plan is to head back over to the Disney area Saturday morning and either doing Disney again (I'm a crazy person ) or Knott's or something. Then that night doing Knott's Scary Farm, and Sunday flying out of SNA. It makes sense that I stay Saturday night in a Disney area hotel again. Should I...

Stay at the DLH again, I know it and like it...

Stay at PPH to see what it's like and save a few bucks (maybe I'll like it as much for next year and it's cheaper!)...

Go crazy and stay at GCH to experience that and be so so dang close to the parks...

Stay at an off site hotel to see what that's like and maybe I'll warm up to that idea for future years (which saves a bunch!)... (<---- Any suggestions for which?)

I'll be having the hotel hold my bags around 10am Saturday, hit the parks, return to the hotel around 4pm for a quick shower and then driving to Knott's Scary Farm. I won't be back at the hotel until ~1am when I'll basically head to sleep and probably leave by 9am for the airport.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I’d get a hotel by knotts.

 

[AndrewC]

I’d get a hotel by knotts.

I thought about that as well, but I probably would only do that if I decided to spend Saturday day at Knott's before the Halloween event. I'm not a huge fan of just coasters so I was leaning toward hitting Disney again (I could live there) for the day and just do the Halloween event at Knott's. I certainly would want to hit the hotel before doing the Halloween event (just to get refreshed a bit, maybe change into something a little warmer, etc), and I'm not sure if the Knott's hotels would be convenient to do that or not.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I'm a proponent of the off-site hotels, especially because it sounds like you won't be at the hotel much at all, so why not save a bunch of money? My personal favorites across the street are Camelot Inn, Park Vue, Tropicana, and Desert Inn & Suites.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I thought about that as well, but I probably would only do that if I decided to spend Saturday day at Knott's before the Halloween event. I'm not a huge fan of just coasters so I was leaning toward hitting Disney again (I could live there) for the day and just do the Halloween event at Knott's. I certainly would want to hit the hotel before doing the Halloween event (just to get refreshed a bit, maybe change into something a little warmer, etc), and I'm not sure if the Knott's hotels would be convenient to do that or not.

I thought they had an on site hotel at Knott’s. To make sure I understand: You’re going to Disneyland Saturday, stop in the hotel briefly, then going to knotts at night? I’d want to end my night near the park I was at.
ETA: I’d stay offsite at Disneyland if you go that route. Courtyard by Marriott theme park entrance, Hyatt house, or Spring Hill suites would be my choice.

 

[AndrewC]

I thought they had an on site hotel at Knott’s. To make sure I understand: You’re going to Disneyland Saturday, stop in the hotel briefly, then going to knotts at night? I’d want to end my night near the park I was at.
ETA: I’d stay offsite at Disneyland if you go that route. Courtyard by Marriott theme park entrance, Hyatt house, or Spring Hill suites would be my choice.

That’s correct. Drive over from Universal area and “check in” and hold bags at about 10am and then head into Disney. Leave Disney around 4pm & spend 30 to 45 min in the hotel for a shower and stuff and head over to the Halloween event at Knott’s.

 

[ImDMous]

I would also stay at Knott's, they do have a hotel on-site. It would just be much easier for parking and such to be able to walk to it. Have the hotel hold your bags until about 3, get them and drive up to Knott's to check in, change, whatever, then walk over the park. When you're done, just a short walk back to your room. We stayed there once but it was a very long time ago, probably around 20 years, but we like it a lot. I think it used to a be a Radisson at the time.

 

[ParkHopper1]

While I am the biggest proponent of staying on site...not for a one night stay. You will hardly get to experience the benefits to justify the cost when you just need a bed and a shower for one night.

Off site, Courtyard Inn is the nicest off site walkable property IMO

My ranking beyond that:

Fairfield Inn
Holiday Inn Express
HoJo
Candy Cane Inn

Springhill Suites, Residence Inn and Hyatt House are all super new and nice...but a bit more of a walk (in the 15 min range for an able bodied adult)

 

[Whistlebee]

We love staying on-site but for your situation I would definitely stay off-site. I’d pick a hotel that you might consider for a future stay. Or, stay near Knott’s since that is where you’re ending your night.

 

[MrsD.Duck]

I would stay at Knotts hotel it's not a bad hotel for one night convient to the park and if you take surface roads to disneyland it is an easy drive to disneyland. (Beach to Katella). We stayed there a couple of years ago and are staying there again in exactly 30 days tomorrow (happy dance).

 

[avalon451]

I love these kinds of posts where people give a definite date. It gives me something to do that I enjoy, which is research what Disney-area hotels are costing at a particular time of year. I find it so interesting. I found this eye-opening, and it confirms something I've been saying for a few years: you just can't get a better rate for a closer room than at Desert Inn and Suites, which is RIGHT at the crosswalk. Fancy? No. Breakfast? An inadequate "continental." But if you need clean, reasonably comfortable, a place to shower and crash that is literally 5 minutes from the turnstiles, DI&S is always the least expensive by at least $30 a night. It's actually closer than PPH or DLH. You might need earplugs or a white noise app or machine, but you just can't beat it for price and closeness. The other places mentioned above, that I would consider nicer (i.e. Courtyard, which, I love that chain) are also a bit more of a walk AND more expensive.

Note that Disneyland Hotel is claiming no availability for standard rooms for your date; just premium view; also GCH and PP are outrageous and I would hope there'd be a price break available between then and now. Also, most of these are standard rooms, "best available," but you can get $10 off most of these with AAA or AARP if you've got it. Also, HoJo says no availability, but is usually around $200 or more.

Here's the results I got from the suggested places, plus all the hotels in the block on Harbor that qualify as "near the turnstiles":

Onsite: DLH: $659 GCH $731 PPH $396

Harbor Blvd, north to south:
Holiday Inn Express: $247
Courtyard Theme Park Entrance: $256
Fairfield Inn: $246
Camelot: $189
Tropicana: $179
Best Western Park Place Inn: $229
Park Vue: $179
Desert Inn and Suites: $149
Del Sol: $186
Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn: $229
Grand Legacy at the Park: $189

Others mentioned:
Candy Cane Inn: $179
Hyatt House: $228

Knott's Berry Farm Hotel: $199

Make of it what you will! For a one-night stay, I guess I'd definitely stay across the street.
Sounds like you're going to have an amazing trip, regardless!

 

[AndrewC]

I love these kinds of posts where people give a definite date. It gives me something to do that I enjoy, which is research what Disney-area hotels are costing at a particular time of year. I find it so interesting. I found this eye-opening, and it confirms something I've been saying for a few years: you just can't get a better rate for a closer room than at Desert Inn and Suites, which is RIGHT at the crosswalk. Fancy? No. Breakfast? An inadequate "continental." But if you need clean, reasonably comfortable, a place to shower and crash that is literally 5 minutes from the turnstiles, DI&S is always the least expensive by at least $30 a night. It's actually closer than PPH or DLH. You might need earplugs or a white noise app or machine, but you just can't beat it for price and closeness. The other places mentioned above, that I would consider nicer (i.e. Courtyard, which, I love that chain) are also a bit more of a walk AND more expensive.

Note that Disneyland Hotel is claiming no availability for standard rooms for your date; just premium view; also GCH and PP are outrageous and I would hope there'd be a price break available between then and now. Also, most of these are standard rooms, "best available," but you can get $10 off most of these with AAA or AARP if you've got it. Also, HoJo says no availability, but is usually around $200 or more.

Here's the results I got from the suggested places, plus all the hotels in the block on Harbor that qualify as "near the turnstiles":

Onsite: DLH: $659 GCH $731 PPH $396

Harbor Blvd, north to south:
Holiday Inn Express: $247
Courtyard Theme Park Entrance: $256
Fairfield Inn: $246
Camelot: $189
Tropicana: $179
Best Western Park Place Inn: $229
Park Vue: $179
Desert Inn and Suites: $149
Del Sol: $186
Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn: $229
Grand Legacy at the Park: $189

Others mentioned:
Candy Cane Inn: $179
Hyatt House: $228

Knott's Berry Farm Hotel: $199

Make of it what you will! For a one-night stay, I guess I'd definitely stay across the street.
Sounds like you're going to have an amazing trip, regardless!

NICE!

I didn’t realize Knott’s had an “onsite” hotel and it was that reasonable...

The first three all seemed more expensive than I expected for being off site and “further” then just across the street. For some reason I was thinking they would be sub $200; maybe I’ve been running across people talking about them recently and they’ve dropped prices but anticipate a popular fall.

I also feel like I saw PPH on AmexTravel for less than that, like ~$349 range, but maybe I was mistaken or that room price has jumped. Double for PPH is probably worth staying off site instead, but if we’re getting close to $100 difference, I kinda was leaning toward PPH to see what it’s like and evaluate maybe switching my standard DHL to PPH for future trips.

I guess now I’m leaning towards Desert Inn for the off site pick. Rooms are clean and bathrooms are decent? I’ll be so exhausted that I should crash pretty easy, even if it isn’t silent. I don’t mind no breakfast since I’ll probably just head off to the airport, or swing by DTD and hit Starbucks or something.

And yes, this will be one heck of a trip. I basically don’t take any time off during the whole year, save every penny I can, and then go wild for Halloween (and still feel guilty about the cost, but so recharged)

Flying down Saturday Oct 19th, checking into Disney Hotel and having the tea. Driving over to Universal for Halloween Horror Nights. Waking up Sunday morning and hitting Disney for a solo day. My friend will fly in late Sunday night or Monday morning, we’ll do Disney like crazy until check out on Thursday (spend most that day in the park). Drive over to Universal Hilton Thursday night and do Universal Friday together, then I’ll say goodbye to her and get her a car to BUR while I head back over from the hotel for Halloween Horror Nights again (she’s a scaredy-cat, lol) and then check out Saturday morning to trek back over toward the Disney area. Half a day in Disney again, then a Knott’s Scary Farm, and fly home Sunday. Insane and packed full!

Speaking of the whole trip, does Disney sell a 6 day park hopper? Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat....

 

[avalon451]

NICE!

I didn’t realize Knott’s had an “onsite” hotel and it was that reasonable...

The first three all seemed more expensive than I expected for being off site and “further” then just across the street. For some reason I was thinking they would be sub $200; maybe I’ve been running across people talking about them recently and they’ve dropped prices but anticipate a popular fall.

I also feel like I saw PPH on AmexTravel for less than that, like ~$349 range, but maybe I was mistaken or that room price has jumped. Double for PPH is probably worth staying off site instead, but if we’re getting close to $100 difference, I kinda was leaning toward PPH to see what it’s like and evaluate maybe switching my standard DHL to PPH for future trips.

I guess now I’m leaning towards Desert Inn for the off site pick. Rooms are clean and bathrooms are decent? I’ll be so exhausted that I should crash pretty easy, even if it isn’t silent. I don’t mind no breakfast since I’ll probably just head off to the airport, or swing by DTD and hit Starbucks or something.

And yes, this will be one heck of a trip. I basically don’t take any time off during the whole year, save every penny I can, and then go wild for Halloween (and still feel guilty about the cost, but so recharged)

Flying down Saturday Oct 19th, checking into Disney Hotel and having the tea. Driving over to Universal for Halloween Horror Nights. Waking up Sunday morning and hitting Disney for a solo day. My friend will fly in late Sunday night or Monday morning, we’ll do Disney like crazy until check out on Thursday (spend most that day in the park). Drive over to Universal Hilton Thursday night and do Universal Friday together, then I’ll say goodbye to her and get her a car to BUR while I head back over from the hotel for Halloween Horror Nights again (she’s a scaredy-cat, lol) and then check out Saturday morning to trek back over toward the Disney area. Half a day in Disney again, then a Knott’s Scary Farm, and fly home Sunday. Insane and packed full!

Speaking of the whole trip, does Disney sell a 6 day park hopper? Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat....

Wow, can I come with you? That sounds amazing!

Re: Desert Inn: I've stayed there myself, twice. It's very basic. The first time, I was on a solo trip in March and they upgraded me to a parlor suite for no other reason than I asked for "top floor, as far forward as possible." That was awesome; I had a window with a view that looked right out at the Disneyland sign and the crosswalk. The second time in 2016, it was DH and I; I made the same request but this time "as far forward as possible" was three rooms from the back. It was very dark, way back there in the courtyard area; the air conditioner was rattly (I wear earplugs so it didn't bother me), and the shower pressure was dismal. They forgot to clean the room one of the days (the management was very contrite however and sent enough towels for a family of eight when I complained). The breakfast consists of some muffins, bread for toast, cereal, boiled eggs, juice milk and coffee. But I kind of prefer having stuff in the room to eat, anyway, and/or picking up Starbucks in DTD. The room itself was quite clean and we found it comfortable. Sink and vanity outside the bathroom with the shower and toilet, which is handy. Microwave and mini-fridge. We've always had friendly, professional staff service. It's outside corridors, which most if not all of the "across the street" hotels have, but it felt safe; lots of families. Pool is indoors, small, and lame. I don't swim at Disney. So: basic, but clean and cheap.

Edited to add: keep in mind these are just the prices I saw today; they are mostly rack rate for a standard room. A lot can change between now and then; specials go on all the time for all these places. Most of the places you can hold a reservation for, and if the price goes down you can call them and they will adjust your rate. You can hold several reservations for your date, wait for a good deal to show up, and then cancel the others before the penalty date. I was holding a reservation for a 2 bedroom suite and another room at DI&S until we made the decision to splurge on DLH this time.

So, we're going in September with the whole family for the first time in 12 years: our 3 daughters including our oldest married daughter and her husband. So I splurged and we are staying at DLH this time! I'm pretty psyched.

 

[avalon451]

Speaking of the whole trip, does Disney sell a 6 day park hopper? Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat....

Forgot to add... no, 5 day is the best you can do; at that point you might as well get an Annual Pass. Aussies and New Zealanders have access to longer passes than that, but you have to be from there! Weird.