[tragic312]

I told my DH today that we're going to DL for my birthday next year. I'm so excited about the free admission promo they're doing next year for birthdays. We have never been to DL together and I want to start shopping around to book the trip.

I was just shopping around on DL's website for hotels and paradise pier is over $1,000 for 4 nights!! That's just too much for us right now. I was wondering if anyone has stayed off property and if so, what good neighbor hotel would you recommend? Thanks for your help in advance!!!

[Dopey]

We have stayed off site many times at the Candy Cane Inn. It is a beautiful hotel with a pool, free continental breakfast by the pool (if you wish).

Many years ago, you could just walk from there across the DL parking lot in about 10 minutes. Perfect. I think they have moved things around a bit at DL so I don't know if that's still possible

[Andrea]

I've stayed off-property in Anaheim, which I wouldn't consider for WDW. Disneyland really is within easy walking of so many of the Good Neighbor hotels that distance isn't an issue. For me DL and DCA are entirely the destination and all I do at the hotel is sleep, so not being on property isn't a big deal.

A few notes: Ramada Maingate is a little noisy, and Best Western Park Vue Inn isn't anything too fancy, but it's serviceable and clean and the location is fantastic. The Anaheim Marriott is really nice,but I don't remember if we didn't walk because we couldn't, or if we were just lazy.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by tragic312

I was just shopping around on DL's website for hotels and paradise pier is over $1,000 for 4 nights!! That's just too much for us right now. I was wondering if anyone has stayed off property and if so, what good neighbor hotel would you recommend? Thanks for your help in advance!!!

Ah, the joy of convenience...

Until I get tough and start charging what I'm worth, I've been budgeting my trips to Disneyland.

Most of the hotels are well within walking distance/shuttle ride. I can not sing the praises of Priceline often enough for Disneyland. Each and every hotel I've stayed at for the past five years has been through their website, and I've only been slightly annoyed once..

[mickeymommy]

We stayed at the Red Roof Anaheim and while it's not fancy, it was fine for us. Easy walk and great price.

[Cosmicwaves]

We just stayed at the Alpine Inn for 2 nights, and while it was abslutely NOTHING fancy, it was clean and served it's purpose...which for us was simply a clean and safe place to sleep.
You can't beat the price either...it was $60 a night! We could walk right from the hotel into the DCA parking lot, and then either walk to the entrance, or take the shuttle.

[tragic312]

thanks guys for your suggestions. i appreciate it. i'm gonna start taking some overtime at work to save up for my trip. i can't wait!!!

[Voldemort]

Originally Posted by Dopey

We have stayed off site many times at the Candy Cane Inn. It is a beautiful hotel with a pool, free continental breakfast by the pool (if you wish).

Many years ago, you could just walk from there across the DL parking lot in about 10 minutes. Perfect. I think they have moved things around a bit at DL so I don't know if that's still possible

Another benefit to the CCI is that they have their own shuttle to the parks. While still well within walking distance, it's nice to have that shuttle option available.

[ddoll]

It isn't like staying in WDW where you need to stay on property to receive the percs ... there are plenty of great hotels that are much cheaper and are plenty close to the parks. I personally prefer the CCI, but there are many other options too.

[LittleMissMagic]

Off-Property is often the only option at DL. The Good Neighbor Hotels receive EMH. You aren't missing out on bus service because everything in DL is walking-distance. You do miss the special resort gates to Disney's California Adventure, but going in the resort entrance isn't as "wow" as the main gate.

We've stayed at The Desert Palms, and it was walking distance from the main gate. Then again, we're an older, fairly athletic family, and it might not be considered walking distance for those with young children.

I do suggest that you stay on the same side of the street as the Disneyland Parks. When a hotel description says "directly across from main gate," it means that you'll have to cross six lanes of traffic to get there. The cross walk is at the end of the block, so you're really back-tracking. Therefore, I do not suggest Castle Inn, though it is pretty cool-looking. The traffic around DL can get rather scary.

[Andrea]

Also note: the on-property hotels have fantastic AP discounts (when you can get them- sometimes you have to be flexible). It might be woeth looking into getting an AP just for that.

[rshenry]

We stayed in the Portofino in 2003 and it was very nice.

[gemdisney]

I'm all about the perks of staying on property! Period the end.

[ddoll]

Originally Posted by rshenry

We stayed in the Portofino in 2003 and it was very nice.

Oh, we loved the Portofino! Those kids suites were a real treat for us.

[MollyDavis]

We stayed at HoJos. If you have an Entertainment book you can watch for specials. I got a rate of $65 a night without the Entertainment book. If you watch you might catch a great deal.

Are they "as good" as Disney? Probably not. But, for a difference of several hundred dollars a night I can put up with a lot. The rooms were clean and functional. We had an iron and ironing board, hair dryer, coffee pot, and fridge in our room. We were in building 5, bottom floor. If you book through their concierge and request a quiet room, they honor the request.

They have a small shop that sells milk, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, etc. Oh, and even individual styrofoam bowls or plates and plastic silverware. I brought breakfast foods from home, so we were able to save a few bucks by eating in the room each morning.

The walk isn't bad at all...maybe 5 or 10 minutes depending on how fast you're moving. You can ride the ART, but HoJo is the second of many stops on the way there, so allow plenty of time if you do that.

There are several restaurants between the gates and HoJos...McDonalds, Mimi's cafe, and others inside hotels.

They also have multiple pool areas, depending on whether you want the kiddie experience (a pirate ship, I believe) or the quiet adult pool.

I found the people there to be amazingly helpful and friendly. When they realized I'm a single mom they moved us to the bottom floor in a quiet building...no stairs to mess with, good sleep. They also arranged for transport back to the airport...a private van that was the same price as a cab!

I'd trust HoJos any day!