Checking In! Disney Resort Roll Call

One of my favorite ways to prepare (or dream!) about a Disney vacation is to consider the different resort options and places I've never stayed. Do you have a favorite resort? Do you prefer Disney World or Disneyland? The best part about Disney resorts it that they're all so unique! In this post, I'll review the places I've stayed in both locations, including upcoming trips, and forecast where I think we'll stay in the future.

Disney World

The resorts at Disney World are difficult to choose between because there are so many of them! I've heard from many families that say cost is the biggest factor in choosing where to stay and I totally understand. As a quick reminder, there are four types of accommodations at Disney World: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club). There's also a higher-level Value resort, Art of Animation, but it's in a category of its own. I'll name the resorts in each category and provide my personal review,  as well as what I've heard/seen from the forums and Disney groups.

• Value
• Pop Century: often regarded as the best Value resort, this option is nostalgic with its 1950s-1990s themes. The rooms here recently underwent a refurb and they're even nicer than before! 
• All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports: these are three resorts that are tied to a single bus line. Getting to-and-from the parks is a nightmare. These resorts often host school groups and tours so they can be noisy and crowded most times of the year.
• Art of Animation: usually considered the "Value Plus" option, it's a newer resort and immerses guests into the artist experience. It has highly-coveted family suites that offer plenty of room to sprawl out and it boasts the largest pool of all the Disney World resorts!

• Moderate: 
• Caribbean Beach: I stayed at this location in 2014 before they made a lot of big updates (changed double full-beds to double queen beds, removed the aquatic rentals, 2017 construction). I love this resort! It sometimes gets a bad review because it is the biggest resort at Disney World and the food court can get quite busy but I like the tropical theme and quiet pools in each 'village'. The resort transportation seemed to be reliable although the buses to the parks were usually very crowded.We stayed in Jamaica and loved the location!
• Port Orleans - Riverside: this is probably the most popular Moderate resort although it's not my cup of tea. There are guest room buildings reminiscent of plantation-style homes (Magnolia Bend) and other buildings that are more rustic (Alligator Bayou). Magnolia Bend is usually quieter while Alligator Bayou is closer to the action.
• Port Orleans - French Quarter: I stayed at this location in 2015 and it was a wonderful experience! This is the only place on Disney World property where you can experience the amazing Mickey beignets and celebrate Mardi Gras all year long. French Quarter is much smaller than its sister resort, Riverside, but it's also a lot quieter. French Quarter also features a children's play area that was recently constructed near the pool.
• Coronado Springs: this resort is often overlooked but is a favorite among its frequent lodgers. Coronado Springs is often considered a business convention hotel and typically caters to business clientele although it's perfectly suitable for vacations, too! It's currently undergoing construction and should be in tip-top shape around 2019.

• Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas
• Animal Kingdom Lodge: this is a favorite location for many DVC owners (the deluxe villas part of AKL) because the point costs are low and the opportunity to see safari animals all day is a great perk! Animal Kingdom Lodge is not often a favorite for standard deluxe rooms because the cost is prohibitive and the location is removed from most park experiences. We intend to stay at AKL using our DVC points in 2018 and fully intend to take advantage of being near some of the best food options on property (Sanaa, Jiko, and Boma).
• Polynesian: a major crowd favorite, Polynesian (affectionately called "Poly" for short) is booked up frequently for DVC owners and demands a hefty price tag for its prime location, beachfront views of MK fireworks, and wealth of dining experiences (plus Dole Whip access!) This is our home DVC resort and we will be staying here in 2018.
• Grand Floridian: often regarded as the nicest deluxe resort, Grand Floridian can sometimes be too nice for a family vacation. It's too expensive for most families although it has a great location on the monorail with views of MK fireworks.
• Wilderness Lodge: I like to refer to WL as the "forgotten deluxe" because it seems like nobody ever talks about it! Truthfully, this is my dream resort and I can't wait to stay here although it may be a few years before I can make that happen. It's themed after the Pacific Northwest and offers several DVC deluxe villas, as well, including Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek. Wilderness Lodge is also near the campground, which offers cabins (moderate accommodates) and campsites.
• Beach Club: this property has the best pool on property (read again: best, not biggest) and a great location on Disney's Boardwalk. It's another crowd favorite although the theme isn't my favorite. It's a quick boat ride or walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
• Contemporary Resort: I stayed here in 2016 and it was my first Deluxe experience. The theme is often a topic of discussion as most people don't feel it's "Disney-enough". The Mary Blair mural in the lobby is a sight to behold and California Grill is regarded as one of the best signature dining experiences on site. It's got a great view of the MK fireworks and a direct walking path (with its own security checkpoint!) to Magic Kingdom.
• Yacht Club: this resort is next door to Beach Club although it's often overlooked. It's a quiet resort with all the same transportation options as the other Boardwalk-area locations but it just doesn't garner as much attention. Yacht Club is one of the first Disney resorts to allow dogs to stay onsite with their owners.
• Boardwalk Inn: I stayed here this year and it was a lackluster experience. The best part of this resort is its proximity to Epcot and the Boardwalk, which is a treasure trove of activity and fun. There are lots of folks that enjoy staying here but just remember that it's a popular wedding destination and you may have to contend with wedding parties and photographers during your stay.

• Deluxe Villas - not mentioned above
• most of the Deluxe Villas are attached to Deluxe resorts and offer similar experiences. 
• Deluxe Villas are DVC properties
• Saratoga Springs: famous for its expensive treehouses, Saratoga Springs offers quick access to the nearby golf course and serene views of Village Lake. This resort is also near Disney Springs and all of the dining, shopping, and nightlife that you can handle!
• Old Key West: this is the original DVC property and has the biggest rooms on property. It's also typically the most affordable villa option and has a great pool!

Disneyland

There are currently only three Disneyland resort hotels, although only two of those are Disney originals. A new resort hotel was recently announced, and should be completed by 2021. Unfortunately, the prices of the Disneyland resort hotels are quite high and I would label most of these options "Deluxe". Sometimes Paradise Pier can dip down to "Moderate" prices but it doesn't happen often. All locations are within walking distance to the parks and have great dining options, as well as close proximity to Downtown Disney for additional selection.

• Paradise Pier: I stayed here earlier this year and enjoyed the experience although it didn't quite feel "Disney" enough. This hotel was originally built separate from Disney and was acquired in 1995. It has a southern California beach vibe and is the furthest walk from the park entrances.
• Disneyland Hotel: beautiful theme, fantastic pool, Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, and Downtown Disney access - I can't wait to stay here although it won't be anytime soon. We loved Steakhouse 55!
• Grand Californian: the super Deluxe hotel option that often demands the highest price. It has direct access to Disney's California Adventure park and has great wedding venues. This is the only DVC property onsite and will be our next accommodation when we return to Disneyland.

That's it for the Disney resorts; I hope I gave enough information to get you interested in one or two properties. Take a look around the Disney websites and check out individual reviews via TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Disney-specific forums/sites. I'm sure you'll find something that feels like 'home'!

Disney World Resort Review - Boardwalk Inn

It's been a busy couple of months! Many apologies for being MIA. A quick catch-up: I've accepted a new position and our little family will be moving to Seattle this week! It's quite a change for us and while it means that we'll be farther from Disney World, it will take us closer to our beloved Disneyland and that's exactly where we aim to vacation next January. More details soon!

This post is about our most recent trip to Disney World in May 2017 and will focus on our accommodations: Disney's Boardwalk Inn. This is our second foray into Disney's Deluxe resorts, and I hate to admit that we weren't exactly impressed. Perhaps the excitement of Contemporary Resort was still fresh in our minds but our expectations of Boardwalk Inn were squashed from the moment we arrived at the lobby and found that bell services could not find our Amazon Prime Pantry order. Allow me to set the scene for you....

The day started as all Disney arrival days do, with lots of anticipation and eagerness. Our flight was on-time, no delays with Magical Express, and we were very happy to find that we were the first stop from the airport. We nearly galloped with joy from the Magical Express to the beautiful entryway of Boardwalk Inn with roller suitcase and carry-ons galore. Our plan was to check with bell services for our groceries, grab some celebration buttons from the front desk, and ask the concierge to confirm our reservation for the Wishes Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom. We made it to the hotel around 2:15pm, still no room text, and waited in the lobby for 45 minutes after retrieving our celebration buttons. I also met with the concierge desk during this time and, after many confused questions from the Cast Member about the location of Wishes (really? she doesn't know?), finally determined that I was better off just finding my own answers. About 3pm we decided to walk down to the Boardwalk and grab some ice cream and at 3:15pm our room text arrived - not the exact room or view we had requested but it was close. King bed is all that really mattered anyway.

Upon arriving at our room, we found it to be quite spacious and relaxing. The bathroom and vanity area are separated enough from the room to make it feel like more than just a standard room. The balcony faced Hollywood Studios and the front of Boardwalk Inn so we had a birds-eye view of the action (and Hollywood Studios' Star Wars fireworks later that night!) I had almost forgotten the stress of the day when I realized I needed to call down to bell services for an update on the Great Grocery Goose Chase of 2017. The poor girl on the other end of the line had no idea what had transpired and said she would send a Cast Member to our room to discuss. The Cast Member showed up about 10 minutes later and he was the most unsympathetic, uncaring individual I have ever met. He proceeded to explain that the Boardwalk Inn is "not good" with packages and that bell services doesn't hold grocery packages so they probably sent them back to Amazon. He then proposed a solution to call Amazon and ask for a refund. This, folks, is an unacceptable response and definitely not the Disney way. First of all, I've not heard of any issues with bell services holding packages (groceries that need refrigerated, maybe, but not a boxed package without any markings on it). This is the very reason why some people choose to send their luggage ahead of them instead of taking it on the flight so that they can arrive to the parks directly instead of taking luggage to the hotel first. But I digress. I thanked the Cast Member for his help and stewed in our room a few more minutes. Finally, we received a call from bell services and they had found our package - 10 more minutes and it was delivered to our room without issue. Hallelujah!

The remainder of our stay at Boardwalk Inn was mostly pleasant although the hordes of wedding parties and photographers made the hallways and common areas quite crowded. We didn't have the opportunity to enjoy the pool but walked through the area and appreciated how serene it seemed. It's tucked away from the action on the Boardwalk so it doesn't feel quite so busy. There were a lot of activities held out in the courtyard area every day and the biggest perk of all is, of course, the proximity to the Boardwalk and Epcot. We really enjoyed the ability to walk down and grab ice cream or a drink, or stop by Big River Grille & Brewing without a reservation. If we ever stay at Boardwalk Inn again, it will be for its location alone.

I haven't stuck by a star or rating system throughout these review posts but I would give Boardwalk Inn a firm 4 out of 10. Service was terrible, food options are slim unless you want to walk down to the Boardwalk, and the crowded common areas were a nuisance. Let me know how you fared if you've experienced this resort! I welcome any opinions that could help us make the decision to give it another try.

Trip Planning Update and Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Sorry, it's been far too long since I last made a blog post! And I promised an overview and review of the Chase Disney Visa options, but so much has happened in the past couple of months that I think a trip planning update is in order.

First, I joined several Facebook planning groups and browsed disboards.com for ideas and reviews on my dining reservations. I was able to make ADRs (advance dining reservations) at 180 days and I shared those with you a couple of posts ago. As with most trips, my plans have changed a few times and I have an updated itinerary that is still composed of mostly the same restaurants I mentioned previously. Notable additions include Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom (because they recently changed this new restaurant to allow for reservations) and Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort (because I've never had Tonga Toast and all of my new virtual friends recommended it!) After the 180-day mark, not much happens until we reach the 60-day countdown so I've been taking it easy on the trip planning stuff.

But something big has happened.

And when I say big, I mean BIG.

My annual Orlando trip is almost always 10 days in duration and usually includes two hotel stays - one for Disney World and another for Universal. This trip is no different. I had originally planned to stay at the Best Western Orlando Gateway hotel near Universal because I got a great deal at hotels.com but I was presented with a special travel agent offer directly from Universal to get a Cabana Bay Beach Resort family courtyard poolside suite at a discounted rate. Normally I would pass on a deal like this because the family suite is way too big for just two adults but then I thought about the opportunity to walk out of my room and directly to the lazy river. Yes, that's right, the LAZY RIVER! One of my most favorite memories from my stay at Cabana Bay last year was getting my raft in the water and letting the lazy river wash my cares away. It was truly an amazing experience and that's why I'm going to dedicate the rest of this blog post to giving an overview of my last stay at Universal's Cabana Beach Resort and the things to come.

Universal Orlando has five on-site resort hotels, all of which are owned by Loews. The prices range from about $125/night on the low end (Cabana Beach) to $400+/night on the high end (Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay Hotel). The top three most expensive options also include an express pass to skip the lines on certain attraction at Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure. While I may someday decide to take the plunge and stay at one of the more expensive properties, I found Cabana Bay quite delightful and it suited my needs just fine. The newest hotel addition is Sapphire Falls and it will open this month. The only hotel I haven't mentioned here is Royal Pacific and it's one of those more expensive options.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort opened in 2014 and is the largest hotel on Universal Orlando property:

The notable details of this resort hotel include two pools areas, a bowling alley, retro theme, a rec center, and a better-than-average arcade. The two pool areas are a huge plus because they each cater to a different audience. On the left side of the map you'll notice the Lazy River Courtyard, which is home to a fairly large pool with sand beach and, of course, the lazy river! On the right side of the map is the Cabana Courtyard which houses a zero-entry pool, water slide, and kids' play area. As previously mentioned, the arcade is definitely better than most you'll find inside hotels and I enjoyed spending some time here on my last visit. They even have small prizes to trade for the tickets you earn!

We didn't have the pleasure of experiencing the bowling alley last year but I've heard great reviews and I look forward to finding some time to visit that part of the resort on the next trip.

My last reservation was for a standard room, which was booked for us in the Americana building. I'm not certain that Cabana Bay is as accommodating on room requests as Disney, but it's certainly worth a try if you have a specific pool you would prefer to visit. Also, keep in mind (see map above) that the shuttle to the parks stops in front of the Americana building and could be a bit of a trek if your room is located in Starlight or Thunderbird. The rooms are all themed similarly to the overall resort and provide ample space for families of all sizes. 

Two queen beds in a standard room

Vanity area is separate from bathroom

The option I booked for the next trip is a Courtyard Family Suite Poolside, as opposed to a Tower Family Suite Poolside. In this case, if you're booking a family suite then you have the option to choose and pay for a room closer to your pool preference. The Courtyard Family Suites are near the Cabana Courtyard (the kid-friendly pool) and have outward facing doors like a motel. The Tower Family Suites are near the Lazy River Courtyard and are hotel-style with inward facing doors and hallways to the main lobby area. There are perks to each option; the Courtyard Family Suites offer immediate access to your room from the pool (i.e., no cold a/c on your wet skin as you're walking down the hall to your room) whereas the Tower Family Suites will offer protection from the elements if it should rain while your trying to get from one place to another (your room to the bowling alley, etc.). I think the overall decision here should be based on your preference but we value the ability to reach our room quickly after hanging at the pool over the hallway access to the main building.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort has several dining options, including a food court-style area called Bayliner Diner, the Galaxy Bowl Restaurant inside the bowling alley, two poolside bars, a lounge bar, and a Starbucks. I enjoyed a burger from Bayliner Diner on my last trip and it was pretty standard. I ordered a few drinks at the Hideaway Bar & Grill near the lazy river and I highly recommend it if you enjoy sipping a cocktail while soaking in the sun. The drinks are expensive (no surprise) but well-made and the bartenders are incredibly fun. You can also get your drink poured into a souvenir glass for an extra charge:

Souvenir glass on the left, standard cup on the right

Overall, I highly recommend Cabana Bay Beach Resort and hope you'll give it a look when planning your next trip to Orlando. Some cheaper options may catch your eye on International Drive but trust me, those I've used before now haven't been worth the money that was saved. If you happen to have any recommendations then feel free to share them in the comments!

Next, I'll look to make Fastpass+ reservations in about two weeks (my 60-day mark!) and keep watching for upcoming posts on the Chase Disney Visa cards, as well as Fastpass+ updates and Universal's Halloween Horror Nights!

Happy New Year! Looking Forward to 2016

While most people are making resolutions to eat less, I'm making plans to eat more - at Disney World! My December Disneyland trip is behind me and it's time to start looking toward the next big stop, which will be Disney World in September. My goal with the blog this year is to share each step of the planning process with you and give additional advice along the way.

Let me start by showing you a checklist of what I've completed already:

Disney's Contemporary Resort booked (dates: 9/16-9/23) and deposit ($200) paid
Best Western Orlando Gateway hotel booked (dates: 9/23-9/26) with no deposit required

Disney's Contemporary Resort was available to me at a special discount through the Disney travel agent rate.

I found the Best Western hotel on a "secret" price deal through hotels.com - the fine print indicates that the $254.45 is for a King bed suite and includes all resort fees and taxes. This hotel is located 1.3 miles from Universal Orlando.

I also took the plunge and applied for the Disney Premier Visa card. The perks include 1% back on all purchases and 2% back at gas stations, grocery stores, and most Disney locations. The rewards are offered in two forms: as a statement credit toward airfare purchased on the card or as Disney Dream Reward Dollars. For a frequent Disney traveler, the Disney Dream Reward Dollars can be added to a reloadable card and used, dollar for dollar, at the parks. I received my Disney Premier Visa in October and have been using it for all of my daily purchases in order to accumulate rewards for my trip! I will be writing a blog post dedicated to the Disney Visa card options in the near future.

So let's re-cap: Disney World hotel, Universal Orlando area hotel, and Disney Premier Visa card. Yup, those are the three things I've accomplished so far. I am currently creating a spreadsheet of dining options for each park, complete with prices of the options we would most likely choose, so that I can compare the cost of the Disney dining plan with the actual cost of the meals we would eat. I'm still on-the-fence about the Disney dining plan for couples. I absolutely see the value in using it for families because it offers snack options and fast dining but I'm a bit of a foodie when I visit the Disney parks and I don't like to be restricted with the options of where I can eat. I'll give an update on my progress with this task in the next month or two.

Nine months prior to the Disney World vacation is what I consider the "grey zone". There isn't much I can do at this point because airline schedules haven't been released, which also means most car rental agencies don't have updated pricing available either. I can't make dining reservations for Disney until 180 days (6 months) so I'm stuck in planning mode for a while longer. I'm taking this time to read reviews on restaurants and the new additions to Disney World and Universal Orlando. I am super excited to see progress on the Pandora expansion at Animal Kingdom and try out the new Skull Island: Reign of Kong experience at Universal's Islands of Adventure! Stay tuned for more planning updates :)

Disney World Caribbean Beach Resort Review

Wow it's been two weeks since the last post! I wanted to give everyone (myself included!) a little break from all of the information. I know planning a Disney trip can be exciting but it's a job in itself. This post will be a departure from the previous line of information as I prepare to give you my honest review of Walt Disney World's Caribbean Beach Resort.

Caribbean Beach Resort

The decision to book Caribbean Beach Resort for my 2014 vacation was completely involuntary. I had already selected travel dates in late February and wanted to wait for the room-only discounts to pop up. Anyone trying to plan a vacation at the beginning of the year probably knows that there are a few obstacles - such as spending money over the holidays - that can make the process more difficult than it should be. I had originally planned to book a Port Orleans resort but by the time I had the cash to snag the hotel (because I was booking through Orbitz), the only resort available was Caribbean Beach. It's not that I didn't want to stay there, just that it was not my first choice at the time. I got a great deal, though, and only ended up paying about $150/night. If you aren't utilizing the deposit option on Disney's website, then you definitely should keep updated on the travel site discounts.

Create an account on ebates.com and you could earn cashback on your booking! Be sure to check the details on the offers but you can get a bit of your money back just for clicking to the website from the ebates site first. I've earned over $120 in cashback over the past year just by using the ebates plugin for Chrome browser! (please note, I am not affiliated with ebates whatsoever - I just love how easy it is to use!)

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The physical check-in process at a Disney hotel is quite tedious. The lobby is often full and nearly everyone has a question about something. Thankfully the process is more electronic now and you don't even have to stop by the lobby to check-in anymore but in 2014 that wasn't the case. I waited in the lobby for nearly 45 minutes just trying to get checked in but the staff was very friendly and treated each person with the same candor. Finally my room was assigned to my MagicBand and I was off to the Jamaica building!

I should probably warn you here that Caribbean Beach Resort is the most spread out of all the Disney World hotels. That means lots of walking if you're stuck in a remote building such as Trinidad South. Take a look at the map for a better idea:

I was a little worried about being assigned to Jamaica but it was actually one of the better buildings on the property because it was a shorter walking distance to the common building (via the bridge across the lake) and it was the first stop on most of the theme park buses. 

As soon as we parked, we knew we were going to like our stay. The buildings are all very bright and tropically decorated. There was definitely an island feel about the property with lots of greenery. Each building has its own 'quiet' pool nestled nearby.

We paid for a standard room with a king bed and found that it was ample space for two people. I would imagine that a family of five or more would probably get cramped in the standard space with two beds. There was a towel Mickey folded and waiting for us on the bed (in true Disney fashion!) and the whole room felt warm and inviting.

A mini-fridge is tucked away in the television console/dresser space but a microwave is not available, which I hope will change in the near future. The curtain divider for the vanity area is a nice touch because it allows three spaces of privacy (the bathroom, vanity area, and bedroom) for family members that need to get ready at the same time. 

After settling into our room, we decided to explore the property with a walk across the island, known as Caribbean Cay, to the Old Port Royale common area. 

The first thing we noticed was the white sandy beach. Swimming is not allowed but there are plenty of beach activities and hammocks to make it worthy of visiting. Caribbean Cay is a beautiful little island situated in the middle of the property. Here you can find a playground and several little romantic hideaways. You can spot Old Port Royale from the island (as pictured above), with its bright theming and will typically hear noise of splashing from the main resort pool located to the east of the building. It is here that you will find the food court, a casual restaurant, and bike rentals. There were watercraft rentals available at the time of our stay but I've since heard rumor that they aren't available anymore.

Following the theme of the resort, the food court area is very colorful. I expected it to be crowded because the property is so large but we never had any issues with waiting in line. The food is decent, pretty much the same as what you can find at any quick service spot in the parks. I found that the bakery/deli area was the best place to stop for a snack and was typically restocked with new sandwiches and sweets pretty often. 

We really enjoyed our stay at Caribbean Beach Resort, which is a surprise considering we weren't incredibly hyped about being 'stuck' with this option initially. The size of the property makes it more peaceful because everyone is spread out. Disney really nailed the feeling of a vacation-within-a-vacation with this resort. You can stay at Caribbean Beach and feel like you're in the islands or come back to reality and hit up the parks. There is so much variety available that I know anyone visiting this resort will love it as much as I do!

Stay tuned and I'll give you another review of my most recent Disney World trip - and my stay at Port Orleans French Quarter!

So You Want to Stay...at Disneyland!

If you're looking to stay on Disneyland property, then I've got terrible news: it's quite expensive. I've never personally splurged to stay at a Disneyland hotel but I've done enough research to share a little knowledge on the subject. What I can tell you, with complete certainty, is that your choice of accommodations off-site can be just as rewarding and will probably save you a lot of money. I'm going to give a quick overview of the properties at Disneyland and then show you some comparable options nearby.

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel

The most affordable of the on-site options is the Paradise Pier Hotel. It boasts a rooftop pool and water slide with views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the third floor pool on select nights. In terms of location, it has the longest walking commute to the parks but rooms start at about $300/night.

Disneyland Hotel

Starting at around $400/night, you can book your stay at Disneyland Hotel. The theme is a bit more mature with a lot of throwbacks to the original Disneyland charm. One of the coolest options at this hotel is the Monorail Pool, which features two water slides and a themed children's play area. Disneyland Hotel is located near Downtown Disney and is a straight-shot walking to the park entrances.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

The most expensive, and most immersive, of the Disneyland resort hotels is the Grand Californian. The name is fitting because this hotel has it all! Rooms start at an astonishing $500/night but it is located between Downtown Disney and Disney's California Adventure - with entrances from the hotel to both locations. The theme of this hotel is quite extensive with rustic features throughout. It is also the only Disneyland resort hotel to offer spa services. If you want a convenient location with all of the bells and whistles, the Grand Californian is your best bet.

Off-Site Hotels

There are dozens of accommodations within 2-3 blocks walking distance from the pedestrian entrance of Disneyland. There are also a handful of hotels located right across the street that won't break the bank. I will caution, however, that you should check the reviews of any hotel you choose because some are questionable - especially the further down Katella Avenue you go. Here's what you need to know about the area:

Any hotel you choose on Katella Avenue is going to be at least a 15-20 minute walk to the park entrances. If you choose a hotel near the intersection of Katella Ave. and Harbor Blvd, then you'll want to utilize the main pedestrian entrance. If you are staying closer to the intersection of Katella Ave. and Disneyland Drive, then your best bet is to use the Grand Californian entrance because the pedestrian entrance on Disneyland Drive is further north (closer to Ball Rd.). As you can see, the parking structures are pretty far from the parks; there is a free tram to Downtown Disney but the wait time for the tram can be anywhere from 10-20 minutes if the parks are busy that day. Combined with the $17/day parking fee, I find that staying in a hotel across from the pedestrian entrance on Harbor Blvd. works best. 

Walking Time: 15-20 minutes

From most expensive to least, you've got Desert Palms Hotel and Suites ($200/night), Ramada Plaza Anaheim ($150/night), and Super 8 Anaheim (<$100/night). These are the hotels with which I have personal experience or know people that have stayed at these locations. There are plenty of other options in this area but if you venture too far south on Harbor Blvd. then you'll run into the Anaheim Convention Center and could potentially be stuck with a perpetual crowd of people. Also, some of the options further down (east or west) on Katella Ave. have a nasty reputation of bed bugs so make sure to check the recent reviews to see what travelers are saying.

Walking Time: 10 minutes

East of the pedestrian entrance hotels, you'll find a little nook of properties that are on a very slow street with an easy commute to the parks. These options include the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground ($200/night), the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim ($150/night), and the Quality Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort ($100/night). Of these options, I've only stayed at the Quality Inn & Suites and I can say that it is was very lovely. It's definitely a no-frills accommodation but there is an affordable gift shop on-site (affordable for souvenirs, not sundries! $7 Suave shampoo...no thanks). Also, its location is closer to the Magic Kingdom side of the Disneyland resort so you can leave the park early and still have a decent view of the fireworks on your walk back to the hotel. Have a look for yourself:

In fact, the view was pleasant enough that we sat down on the sidewalk and ate the remaining snacks from our bags. 

Walking Time: 5 minutes

I have to list 5 minutes because the pedestrian entrance itself is a bit of a trek but the hotels located across the street are the most convenient - and typically the nicest - options you'll find in the area. This list includes properties like Carousel Inn and Suites ($200/night), Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn ($150/night), and Tropicana Inn and Suites ($150/night). Some of these locations even have balconies so that you can get a good view of the fireworks from your room. I highly recommend a close, off-site hotel if you have children that require naps or if you plan to schedule a break in the middle of your day. Additionally, there is a McDonald's, IHOP, Denny's, and Mimi's Cafe located near these hotels and may prove to be a more affordable dining option than the resort food.

In addition to checking major travel booking sites, be sure to check the individual hotel websites for pricing and availability. For my upcoming trip to Disneyland in December, I wanted to book the Tropicana Inn and Suites but could only find an option on the travel sites to put down a $50 deposit and a final price of $149/night. I went to the Tropicana Inn and Suites website and was offered a free booking (no deposit) and a final price of $129/night. I saved $60 and my deposit by booking directly with the hotel! 

Please fill me in on your trip if you've stayed at a property on-or-near Disneyland! I would love to get more feedback about the options in the area.

So You Want to Stay at....Disney World!

Let's talk about Disney World resort hotels! Why should you want to stay at a Disney property? First of all, the transportation options are phenomenal. You can take the Magical Express from MCO airport for free and never need a rental car (unless you plan to visit other places while on vacation). If you have a vehicle, you can park for free at any property and take the bus from your resort - or any other resort - to the theme parks and Downtown Disney. If you choose to drive to the parks, all you have to do is show the parking attendant your MagicBand and they'll let you pass without paying (be sure to catch my post about MagicBands and other tools coming soon!) The resorts serve as their own source of entertainment, as well! You can spend an entire day hanging out at the pool, arcade, and food court. I will often divide my days at the parks with a "break" day to unwind and rest.

I've had the pleasure of staying at two Disney resort hotels so far: Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans - French Quarter. Check out my personal review of these properties in upcoming posts!

The hotels are divided by category:

Disney World Resort Hotels
Name	Category	Price/Night	Location
All-Star Movies	Value	$0-$175	Animal Kingdom
All-Star Music	Value	$0-$175	Animal Kingdom
All-Star Sports	Value	$0-$175	Animal Kingdom
Pop Century	Value	$0-$175	ESPN Wide World of Sports
Port Orleans - Riverside	Moderate	$175-$250	Downtown Disney
Port Orleans - French Quarter	Moderate	$175-$250	Downtown Disney
Caribbean Beach	Moderate	$175-$250	Epcot
Coronado Springs	Moderate	$175-$250	Animal Kingdom
Art of Animation	Value-Plus	Over $250	ESPN Wide World of Sports
Cabins at Fort Wilderness	Moderate	Over $250	Magic Kingdom
Old Key West	Deluxe Villa	Over $250	Downtown Disney
Saratoga Springs	Deluxe Villa	Over $250	Downtown Disney
Wilderness Lodge	Deluxe	Over $250	Magic Kingdom
Beach Club	Deluxe	Over $250	Epcot
Yacht Club	Deluxe	Over $250	Epcot
Animal Kingdom Lodge	Deluxe	Over $250	Animal Kingdom
Polynesian Village	Deluxe	Over $250	Magic Kingdom
Boardwalk Inn	Deluxe	Over $250	Epcot
Contemporary	Deluxe	Over $250	Magic Kingdom
Grand Floridian	Deluxe	Over $250	Magic Kingdom
Animal Kingdom Villas	Deluxe Villas	Over $250	Animal Kingdom
Beach Club Villas	Deluxe Villas	Over $250	Epcot
Polynesian Villas and Bungalows	Deluxe Villas	Over $250	Magic Kingdom
Boardwalk Villas	Deluxe Villas	Over $250	Epcot
Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary	Deluxe Villas	Over $250	Magic Kingdom
Villas at Grand Floridian	Deluxe Villas	Over $250	Magic Kingdom
Villas at Wilderness Lodge	Deluxe Villas	Over $250	Magic Kingdom

The differences between the categories, aside from price, are the amenities and themes. Value resorts have minimal themed public areas and only offer the basics. There is a food court, several pools, an arcade, and gift shop located at each value resort but you will not find table-service dining or room service at these locations. The newer Art of Animation is considered "value plus" because it is mostly composed of family suites and boasts a nicer food court. The moderate resorts are extensively themed and offer the same amenities as the value resorts with the addition of table-service restaurants and additional activities such as boating. Coronado Springs sticks out in this category because it is newer and also offers a salon, health club, and room service. Deluxe resorts are at the top of the list with the most attractive decor and extensive amenities. Additionally, many of these resorts have more convenient transportation options. For example, Polynesian Village, the Contemporary, and Grand Floridian are all on the monorail line for Magic Kingdom (and Epcot via connection). Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk Inn are all within walking distance from Epcot and Hollywood Studios but also offer the convenience of ferry transportation. Wilderness Lodge offers ferry transportation to Magic Kingdom.

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

Coronado Springs Resort

Contemporary Resort

You can camp at Disney World! The Fort Wilderness Cabins and Campsites are a fun and affordable way to enjoy your vacation. The campsites are designated as partial hookup, full hookup, and preferred hookup and offer the same ferry transportation to Magic Kingdom as Wilderness Lodge. Additionally, the cabins and campsites have access to an inexpensive buffet at Trail's End Buffeteria and a unique dinner show opportunity at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. There is also a marina nearby to rent boats and other water activity options.

You can save hundreds of dollars by booking at the correct time of year for your travel dates! Disney offers room-only and package specials throughout the whole year, but here is a glimpse at the dates when they offered discounts in 2014 and current offers for 2015. This chart is especially helpful if you think you may want to plan a trip more than a year in advance.

Checking into your Disney World resort hotel room is easy! Check your email inbox starting a month ahead of your trip for communication regarding "online check-in". The hotel will allow you to log in to your Disney account, select your time of arrival, and request specific room locations and extra options all before you leave home. If you elect to receive text and/or email alerts then the hotel will contact you the day of your arrival to let you know when your room is ready. You can skip the front desk and use your MagicBand to access your room! It's....wait for it....MAGIC! 

The next post is dedicated to everyone's favorite vacation topic - food! Stick around to see what's cookin' at Disney World!