Just canceled - Bummed

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We have splurged and stayed at PPH & DLH for special anniversaries, but my go-to is to stay off-site and I've never been unhappy in doing so, honestly. I've gotten deals on the hotel rooms on-site or I wouldn't have stayed then, either.
 
Totally, I absolutely hate the prices the onsite hotels charge, but there are only 3 at DL compared to what, like 10 or something at WDW? If you want to do it cheap you've got to stay off site, which can still be VERY close, in fact probably closer then the walking distance from Paradise Pier and maybe even DLH. It would be nice if Disney could buy out three or four of the hotels along Harbor and build two or three Disney "on property" (connect with some walking bridge) hotels with more approachable prices (like $199/night or something)

There's like 30 hotels on WDW property now. The difference between Orlando and Anaheim is, Orlando has a gazillion hotels off property and MANY of them are as nice (or nicer) than those on property and have easy access to the parks. Anaheim's motels within walking distance, with the exception of a rare few, are old motor courts with rectangle holes in the parking lot with water for pools. Disney takes advantage of this in Anaheim. WDW Deluxe prices are stupid as well, but at least they have options for those that aren't independently wealthy.
 
There's like 30 hotels on WDW property now. The difference between Orlando and Anaheim is, Orlando has a gazillion hotels off property and MANY of them are as nice (or nicer) than those on property and have easy access to the parks. Anaheim's motels within walking distance, with the exception of a rare few, are old motor courts with rectangle holes in the parking lot with water for pools. Disney takes advantage of this in Anaheim. WDW Deluxe prices are stupid as well, but at least they have options for those that aren't independently wealthy.

I can't figure out why those haven't been torn down and newer larger (3+ story) hotels haven't been built... Even if they didn't sell out to Disney or Hilton or someone else big, it seems like investing in rebuilding one of those hotels would just let you keep printing money even faster. Even if your rates didn't double, being able to have 300 rooms instead of 75 or 100 or something seems like it would make sense.
 


True. But you can blame them for charging $600+ a night to stay at the onsite hotels (excluding Paradise Pier).

If they charged significantly less than that, then you (or I) wouldn't be able to stay there anyway. Ever. Because they would always be booked up.

Charging what the market will bear is actually a good thing for the consumer because then you at least have an opportunity to get a reservation, even if it has to be at the admittedly expensive market value of the room.
 
I can't figure out why those haven't been torn down and newer larger (3+ story) hotels haven't been built... Even if they didn't sell out to Disney or Hilton or someone else big, it seems like investing in rebuilding one of those hotels would just let you keep printing money even faster. Even if your rates didn't double, being able to have 300 rooms instead of 75 or 100 or something seems like it would make sense.

I thought there was a height restriction on buildings in the general vicinity BECAUSE of Disneyland?
 
I can't figure out why those haven't been torn down and newer larger (3+ story) hotels haven't been built... Even if they didn't sell out to Disney or Hilton or someone else big, it seems like investing in rebuilding one of those hotels would just let you keep printing money even faster. Even if your rates didn't double, being able to have 300 rooms instead of 75 or 100 or something seems like it would make sense.
More rooms means they have to have more parking... more parking means more sq footage needed. So they can go up to an extent but not enough to put a parking structure and new hotel on top. And they can't just buy up the adjoining property because if a hotel is going to sell Disney is going to buy it... and probably for higher than market value.
 


To the OP: I think that there has been a lot of good advice on this thread and in your previous thread about staying somewhere else rather than on property. In august, my room was $128 night and then the parking at the Disney parking lot was $25, which is still much cheaper than a hotel right on Harbor. I am going again in 2 weeks and the hotel is down to $102 a night. I can totally understand you comparing DL with WDW. I live 10 minutes from WDW and went 25 times when I lived in PA, before I moved here. I've been to Disneyland twice now, in March of 2018, this August (2019) and am going again in 2 weeks. I feel like you can't compare the two and they are totally different experiences. I know you said you visited before and stayed on-site but I'd hate for you to give up going all together just because of hotels. I see you have a Christmas trip for Universal planned so that will be fun....could be warm or cold or both LOL!! Have a good trip :-)
 
Considering how many Germans and Asians we encountered in the parks this summer, this really isn't true.

I'm not saying tourists don't come to Disneyland, just that Disney doesn't do a whole lot to bring tourists in. I wouldn't be shocked if they offered people from foreign countries special longer tickets like WDW does.
 
Intota
So we just canceled our Disneyland Vacation for next summer. I just couldn't stomach the price. Coming from Massachusetts, to fly across country to only spend 5 days at the park just seems silly to me, and we wanted to stay on property. For 7 nights, to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando in a Club Level room, was literally half the price of a standard room at the Disneyland Hotel. And we pay less for a Preferred Universal AP than a 5 day park hopper to Disneyland. It's very sad as we loved Disneyland on our 1st visit, but $7,000 for hotel and tickets is egriogous.
I totally get it. Husband and I just got back from a july trip there, we worked our way up to the grand over a course of 20 years the last 6 trips at the grand so we don't like off property now. Disney has priced us out now, so this was our last trip for awhile. We can do a hawaiian island cruise for 7 nights and 5 islands for what we paid for this last trip to Disneyland.
 
There are lots of comfy and nice hotels on Harbour Blvd that have shuttles that go to the parks. I've never stayed on property before (it's a dream!), but for budgeting reasons :)
 
And do more than just dress up -- actually buy tickets to the DD Expo (very inexpensive!) and buy some DD merchandise (on their website or at the Expo -- cute, inexpensive pins, etc.). Dressing up is fun, but it doesn't put a penny in the coffers to help pay for the convention. And you can imagine what a pretty penny Disney charges Dapper Day to hold their convention at the DLH! Supporting the convention by buying Expo tickets and merchandise prevents abuse of the convention discount rates. :)
Thank you for correcting my wording. I meant to say to be sure and buy tickets to the Expo but I didn't say it that way at all. As one who goes to almost every DD, I appreciate the time and effort they put into it as well as the great discount afforded to those who attend. It's important to support these groups and not just take advantage of the discounts.
 
Totally, I absolutely hate the prices the onsite hotels charge, but there are only 3 at DL compared to what, like 10 or something at WDW? If you want to do it cheap you've got to stay off site, which can still be VERY close, in fact probably closer then the walking distance from Paradise Pier and maybe even DLH. It would be nice if Disney could buy out three or four of the hotels along Harbor and build two or three Disney "on property" (connect with some walking bridge) hotels with more approachable prices (like $199/night or something)
WDW has more like 25 resort hotels. All are more reasonable than DLR hotels and they have free transportation between the airport and the hotels. Disneyland will always be different and that is ok. I like things the way they are at Disneyland, I am ok not staying on site and I like short walks to the parks.
 
I'm not saying tourists don't come to Disneyland, just that Disney doesn't do a whole lot to bring tourists in. I wouldn't be shocked if they offered people from foreign countries special longer tickets like WDW does.

They do offer longer tickets for Australians for sure. Not sure about other countries.

Maybe it would help OP to re-frame their expectations of a DLR vacation to be less like an Orlando resort vacation. Spend fewer days at the parks (really 5 days should be more than enough for two parks) and then visit a more "resort" hotel destination somewhere else in California to fufill the hang at the pool part. Or even better- head on to Aulani for a few days (I know, that's hardly a budget option but...)
 

Wow! Well that certainly explains it (along with parking issues). I like that now that I think about it, I never do see anything outside the park, even Disneyland Hotel is kind of hidden away. I only notice GCH when over at DCA but it's themed really well into the park.

I guess Disney needs to buy up the property and build a bunch of Disney themed hotels that fits the mood. (Giant GOG look a like hotel ;) )
 
Just so you know, there is a Courtyard Marriott across from Disneyland that has an AMAZING pool. It is a 5-10 min walk. It's a full on waterpark.

We are locals, but for awhile we weren't. We lived on the east coast for a few years and came back to DL on vacation. Really, 5 days is more than enough. There are plenty of other things to do in the area on the other 2 days if you need to fill a week. Beautiful beaches, other theme parks, (including Universal Hollywood) museums, hiking trails, whale watching tours, etc. There is also a Great Wolf Lodge about 3 miles down the road from DL and it's excellent. They sell day passes now to the waterpark, if that's your thing. I know you already cancelled your trip, but maybe in the future you will come back here and see some things outside the Disneyland bubble.
 
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