On property or Off property? About This Page:

[MomtoCCC]

Hi all,

We've been going to WDW the past few times but we actually live closer to DL and thought it might be fun to do a short trip there with 5yo dd (while she is still in the fun princess stage). At WDW we always stay on property. Does it matter than much for DL?

Thanks!

[scottjs]

Kellye, we stayed off property at Disneyland and had a great time. That California Motel(Is that the proper name?) is very impressive, but the Disney motel(IMHO) could use some work. And it doesn't seem all that Disney looking to me. We stayed across the stret at the Caresoul and had a great time.

[DebiDebiDebi]

The Grand Californian is located with an entrance right onto the DCA Grounds. It is a deluxe resort, and quite spectacular. The Disneyland Hotel is near, with Paradise Pier being the 'farthest" away, but still quite close. There are plenty of hotels in all price ranges within walking distance, so we have never felt the need to stay in a DLR hotel.

[RobinKay6573]

My friend and I stayed at the Howard Johnsons. It was a short walk (even shorter shuttle ride) from DL. With the "good neighbor" program you can actually buy a package from DL and stay off property (something you can't do at WDW). I honestly didn't care either way....but I wanted to save money. We paid $400 each for a week when some of my fellow travelers paid $800 each (3 to a room) for a shared room for the same time period. I say save your money....stay offsite!

[DawnDenise]

DL offers so many good neighbor hotels with packages where WDW does not. I have stayed both on and off property and have had enjoyable stays both ways. Off-site hotels are significantly cheaper and most are an easy walking distance away or you can take a shuttle.

I've stayed at the Grand Californian as it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and loved every minute of it. Would I stay there every trip, probably not. I'm staying at the Disneyland Hotel on my upcoming trip at my DH's request to stay onsite and it was cheaper than GCH.

HTH!

[coffeechef]

I have stayed at the Tropicana Inn and the Howard Johnsons. They were as close as close could be. I looked at staying at the DL ones but the price just did not justify the stay. I would pick a good neighbor hotel

[Politzania]

We've stayed at 1 on-property (Disneyland Hotel) and 2 off-property (Tropicana & Coast Anaheim) - walking distance was comparable between DH and Tropicana (Coast was a bit further down Harbor) and the amenities were about the same between all 3.

We're staying off-property again on our next trip - saving a bit of $$ means more souvenirs or another nice meal in the park!

[duck addict]

I would to stay on property. but....... the 3 Disney hotels are pricey for the area. I can usually stay at a 'good neighbor' hotel for about 40% of the Disney price. When I buy my parkhoppers through AAA I usually get at least one early entry.
For comparison, it is like the difference between value resort prices and the low deluxe prices at WDW. (and many of the 'good neighbor' motels include a continental breakfast, too. )

[mickeycrazy]

DL is very different from WDW as some of the offsite hotels are just as close as DLH or PP. We stayed at DLH just because I had wanted to stay there as a little girl and my DH wanted me to get to stay there for our anniversary. I enjoyed our stay there and they did special things for our anniversary, but I was underwhelmed with the it overall. I would save my money and stay somewhere off property next time. If you do decide to stay on property and you can, splurge and go with the GCH.

We did stay one night at Candy Cane Inn and enjoyed it and it was half the price of DLH and still in walking distance to the parks.

[Joy J]

I have stayed both on and off site at Disneyland and although we had a fantastic stay at the Disneyland Hotel, I agree that it truly isn't worth all the extra money to stay on site since there are so many good hotels within walking distance of DLR that cost a fraction of the price of the on site ones.

Joy

[Tricia Davids]

The Grand Californian is our favorite splurge for our anniversary or a birthday but we generally stay across the street at Tropicana. If this is once in a lifetime trip and you can swing it, the convience of the GCH can't be beat! I would recommend bringing a stroller if you stay across the street as little legs get tired by the end of the night!

[Bugsmom]

We are staying at the Hojo.

[Never Enough Mickeys]

I've stayed many times on-property, but most of the time, I stay off-property at one of the good neighbor hotels. I find that I can save a whole wad of money staying off-property and taking the Anaheim Resort Transit shuttle to and from the parks and the hotel. Although I'm not in walking distant from the park, the good neighbor hotels are still quite convenient. With the extra money I save, I use it to go shopping--there's a whole lot of Disneyland souveniers you can buy with an extra few hundred dollars!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

We have always stayed off property at DL, this link may be very helpful for you.
Bret's Disneyland Lodging LinkMap
This trip we are staying at Knotts Berry Farm Resort because we got a unreal deal, $46.00 a night.. Regular price is $120.00
It's only 6 miles from DL & we will have a rental car. They also have a free shuttle to DL
Deb

[jlp879]

As much as I've loved staying at the Disneyland Hotel and the Paradise Pier, I always cost out our trip with a Disney hotel and a non-Disney one. We most often choose non-Disney because the savings are so much more significant. I plan on using the savings by eating in the Disney hotel restaurants, thereby soaking up their magic without staying overnight there!

Many of the "Good Neigbour" hotels include a hot or continental breakfast, which helps our family of five's food budget by quite a lot.