Which DisneyLand Hotel (USA)

[russ_a]

Looking to treat my son to a trip to DisneyLand next year but have not got a clue which hotel to book.

We would want to be reasonably close to the parks as I hate driving on the wrong side of the road

Thanks in advance

Russ

[GoneAnon]

Just to clarify - are you going to Disneyland in California or Disneyworld in Florida?

No experience of Disneyland, but any of the Florida hotels would be fine, but expensive. Unless you really want to immerse yourself in the whole Disney experience, we found better value in off-Disney accommodation in Kissimee and International Drive areas.

Last trip, we stayed in the Sheraton Vistana on I-Drive - nice, spacious, self-catering accommodation with on-site facilities.

Disney is kind of at one end and everything else is at the other, so driving is kind of essential unless you pick one of the hotels that operate shuttles, and I don't know if Disney hotels will take you to Universal,but don't worry about the driving - nothing moves too fast and it's all very well signposted.

Edited by GoneAnon on Sunday 6th January 11:27

[V8LM]

For WDW (Florida) we've stayed in the Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the Grand Floridian. The kids enjoy the Animal Kingdom Lodge the most. They are great places to stay for a night or two, and would recommend staying in a villa or hotel offsite and treating yourselves to a night or two during your stay.

Edited by V8LM on Sunday 6th January 15:01

[russ_a]

Sorry Disneyworld in Florida

[jpringle819]

Any of the Disney hotels are very good which one you go for depends on your budget. They have free shuttle buses to all the Disney parks as well as Downtown Disney and the water parks. You will miss out on a lot of the surrounding area by not renting a car, it is a very easy area to find your way around.

[tvrolet]

Apart from the Dolphin and the Swan all properties within WDW are owned/operated by Disney. Disney are masters at marketing and product positioning, therefore you get what you pay for - nothing more, nothing less. Pay more you get a bigger room or better view or beter decor or better restaurants. Pay less and you haven't got yourself a bargan - it'll be s amaller room, or worse location or less facilities etc.

At any price range there is no 'better' hotel or deal, it's down to whatever themeing or location you want at that price. First choose your budget - then choose whatever suits your taste. All are good at their targetted star rating and price range. But they are more expensive than the hotels outside WDW, so of you want to save some cash but still feel 'in disney' (and connect with the free transit system) then something in/near Downtown Disney is a decent bet. Personaly, I wouldn't stay anywhere other then on-property at WDW or Downtown Disney/Lake Buena Vista; it's part of the Disney experience, although in fainess we have stayed all over the place when the kids were younger and/or we were on a tight budget - I just wouldn't choose to do it again.

It is worth looking at the Dolphin/Swan (I prefer the Dolphn) as not being Disney-owned they sometimes have some quite good deals and are well located next to the Boardwalk. Water transport to Epcot and Hollywood Studios and bus to the rest - and all the other benefts of being 'on property'.

[russ_a]

Many thanks the Dolphin and Swan were coming out as the cheapest last week but had mixed reviews on Trip Adviser.

[jpringle819]

When are you going? Swan and Dolphin are walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you can also take the Friendship boat to both parks. Disney transportation runs from outside both hotels to all the parks. You cannot get the free Disney transport from the airport to either hotel so you may need to factor in this cost. You can hire a car from the Dolphin hotel (I think maybe the Swan) for days you may want to venture off Disney property.