Guests traveling to Disneyland have a lot of choices when it comes to accommodations, from Disney owned properties to a large assortment of nearby hotels. Travelers looking to meet a tighter budget often opt for the offsite chains or local motels, also known as Good Neighbor hotels, hoping to save some money on the cost of their Disneyland vacation package. However, one big question remains: can you really do a Disneyland vacation cheaper by booking a Good Neighbor hotel package? Let’s break it down and see.
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What Is a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel Package?
When planning your Disneyland trip, you have several options for booking accommodations and purchasing your tickets. While many travelers will book accommodations at a Disney owned hotel, a local chain or even a vacation rental—then purchase their tickets separately—you’ll realize greater value by booking a vacation package through Disney or a travel agent. A vacation package allows you to bundle the cost of your tickets and hotel together, providing the benefit of convenience, but also allowing you to realize greater cost control.
When purchasing a package, you’ll need to put down a $200 deposit, with the final balance due 30 days prior to check-in. This arrangement makes it easy and more affordable to plan your vacation today, and then make payments over time.
On the other hand, if you book accommodations and tickets separately, you may need to make a higher down payment on your room—usually equivalent to the cost of a one-night stay. You’ll also need to pay the full purchase amount on tickets when you buy them.
To save the upfront cost of the ticket purchase, many guests will decide not to reserve a package booking and wait until shortly before arrival to buy their theme park tickets. This can present planning complications if you book a vacation rental or reserve directly with a non-Disney hotel, since you won’t be able to book your park reservations until you have proof of ticket purchase to enter into the system.
Overall, booking a vacation package provides you with greater payment and planning flexibility. Not only do you receive accommodating payment terms and cancelation policies, but both Disney and many non-Disney owned hotels are available as a package booking.
The latter are known as Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels. Properties that obtain this designation must meet Disney quality standards and offer a minimum set of amenities.
So where will you receive the biggest cost savings? Let’s take a look and see.
Pros of Booking a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel Package
Booking a Disneyland Good Neighbor hotel package comes with a number of perks and some that could save you money. For one thing, there are over 50 different hotels that hold the good neighbor designation, making it easier to meet your budget and price point. However, budget friendly perks are not the only benefits you might be able to capitalize when booking a Good Neighbor Hotel Package.
Some perks that go hand-in-hand with a Disneyland Good Neighbor hotel package include the following:
- Magical Extra Savings: Like a package booking that includes a Disneyland resort, a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel package also includes magical extras—pixie dust that Disney sprinkles on vacation packages to help you make the most of your stay. In addition to an exclusive pin and lanyard, you’ll receive a savings card, offering 10% off at many Downtown Disneyland restaurants. Since Downtown Disney is an easy walk from either Disneyland or California Adventure Park, this is a great way to save some money on dining.
- Convenient Locations: While not located on Disney property like the Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian Resort and Spa or Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, most Good Neighbor Hotels are located within 2 miles of the Disneyland parks, offering additional travel convenience.
- Transportation to the parks: Several Good Neighbor Hotels also offer shuttles to and from the park, making it easy to get where you need to go without driving.
- Suites and Extra Space: Many Good Neighbor hotels offer suites with multiple rooms, usually at fairly competitive rates. Booking one of these resorts may provide you extra room to spread out at a budget friendly price point.
- Save on Tickets: Packaging the cost of your theme park tickets with your Good Neighbor Hotel resort stay, could save you some money. Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim North, for instance, offers a 5% discount off the cost of purchasing tickets separately, when booking a package, according to the hotel website.
- Planning Assistance: While you could book your own hotel and purchase your tickets on your own online or at the gate, booking a Good Neighbor Package through a travel agent provides you with added benefits to plan your vacation. Many agents who specialize in Disney will help you with dining reservations, itineraries and offer other planning guidance as you plan your trip.
Cons of Booking a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel Package
While there are certainly some benefits associated with Good Neighbor Hotel packages, there are some drawbacks compared to booking a Disney owned resort. Depending on how you plan to travel, some of these disadvantages have a direct impact on the cost of your vacation.
Here are some of the cons of booking a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel.
- No free parking: If you plan to drive to Disneyland or rent a car at the airport, be aware that you may be asked to pay a parking fee at the Good Neighbor hotel where you stay. If you are thinking about driving to the parks each day, you will also encounter a daily parking fee there. Be sure to include the daily parking fee for both when you compare the cost of a Good Neighbor Hotel package with one of Disney’s.
- Shuttles may not be free either: Many guests staying at a Good Neighbor hotel plan to use the hotel shuttle when traveling to and from the parks, but here is the catch. While some Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels offer free shuttle service to and from the parks, others will charge a fee. Be sure to find out up front if the hotel where you plan to stay charges a fee and how much it is.
- Missing out on the Disney experience: There is nothing like staying at a Disney hotel when it comes to carrying the spirit of the parks back with you each night. Instead of leaving the magic behind when you head back into your room, you’ll simply extend it through amazing theming and dedicated attention to the guest detail. This is something you won’t find at a Good Neighbor Hotel, since each is decorated and themed to its own branding.
Even if you are willing to slip outside the Disney bubble, be sure to understand what you expect in a hotel stay and what amenities you are willing to forego for a lower price. For instance, many of the hotels built right around the parks were constructed when Disneyland first opened in the 1960s. While any Disney Good Neighbor Hotel will be clean and comfortable, some may not be as modern as you expect.
Fortunately, guests have been vocal about hotels where renovations appear to be decades in the past. If having an updated and more contemporary vibe to your accommodations is important, be sure to check and see when it was last renovated and look for real user photos before booking.
You can also book your Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel package with a travel agent who will help you secure the right accommodations for your needs.
Cost Benefit Analysis of Staying at a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel
Now that you understand the pros and cons of booking a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel package, let’s look at the cost analysis when compared to booking Disney’s own resorts, to see if it really is a good way to book a Disneyland vacation cheap. We’ll use a sample trip and dates. The table below reflects real results that were in effect as of the time of this writing.
| Disney Paradise Pier Hotel 4 nights with 4-day base ticket 2 adults and 2 children aged 4 and 5 Moderate Resort/Standard Room view | Best Western Plus Stovall’s Inn 4 nights with 4-day base ticket 2 adults and 2 children aged 4 and 5 Moderate Resort/Standard Room view | Anaheim Marriott 4 nights with 4-day base ticket 2 adults and 2 children aged 4 and 5 Deluxe Resort/Standard Room view | |
| March 24-28, 2024 | March 24-28, 2024 | March 24-28, 2024 | |
| 3,282.77 | $ 2,498.89 | $2,758.09 | |
| Number of onsite Restaurants | 2 onsite with easy access to Downtown Disney | Free breakfast plus grab and go store | 3 restaurants, 1 coffee shop, lounge |
| Pools | All new rooftop, Finding Nemo inspired pool deck with 186-foot slide | Brand new swimming pool area with 2 pools, 2 hot tubs and a child’s wading pool | 1 indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpool spa |
| Parking | $40/per night at hotel | $20.00 + 17% tax/fees per night Total $93.60 | $25 + 17% tax/fees per night Total $117 |
| Shuttle | N/A | $6.50 per adult, per day $2.50 per child/per day Total $72.00 | $6.50 per adult, per day $2.50 per child/per day Total $72.00 |
| Resort fee | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| TOTAL | $3,282.77 | $2,664.49 | $2947.09 |
As you can see by the table above, it is possible to save money by booking a Disneyland Good Neighbor hotel package. However, if you compare the cost of Disney’s Paradise Pier to the Anaheim Marriott, 2 hotels that are similar in amenities, you’ll see a savings of only about $335. For some guests, that cost savings may not be worth the sacrifice of early theme park entry, leaving the Disney bubble or an easy walk to the park.
Other fees could also increase the cost of a stay at a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel. For instance, some hotels charge a fee for wifi or a resort fee, something not assessed with our sample rates above. These are fees that Disney does not charge.
Is It Worth Booking a Disneyland Vacation Cheaper at a Good Neighbor Hotel?
The moral of the story here is that yes, you can do a Disneyland vacation cheaper at some Good Neighbor hotels. However, before you book, you’ll want to be clear on your expectations. Anwering the questions below will help you determine whether you’ll be happy booking an offsite hotel.
- Do you want a quick walk to the parks or are you ok taking and paying for a shuttle?
- How important is theming to you and staying in the Disney bubble? Will you mind navigating traffic at the end of the day to get back to your hotel?
- Are you prepared to pay for nightly parking or to seek out a hotel that does not charge a nightly fee?
- Are you driving to Disneyland or renting a car when you get there and do you plan to drive to the parks? Have you budgeted for parking fees each day?
- Do you plan to eat breakfast at the hotel? Many Good Neighbor hotels include free breakfast as a package perk.
- Do you plan to partake of character meals at Disneyland and would you like the convenience of having this meal right in your hotel?
And here are some other things to keep in mind when thinking about the points above:
I don’t want to take a shuttle: Some Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels are very close to Disneyland, and could afford you a shorter walk to the park gates than some of the onsite hotels. If you don’t want to ride a shuttle or plan to walk, look for a hotel that is right across the street. These include:
I really want to stay at a Disneyland resort, but a Good Neighbor hotel is more in line with my budget: Keep in mind that Disney does offer discounts for onsite vacation packages. You may save up to 30% off the regular cost of your hotel. Contact us to learn about Disney vacation special offers.
I am driving but don’t want to pay to park at my resort: Many good neighbor hotels offer free parking. Look for a moderate resort for the best chance of finding one.
When it comes to planning your Disneyland vacation, booking a Good Neighbor hotel package can be a cost-effective choice with several advantages, such as a wide selection of hotels to fit your budget, magical extras like dining discounts, and convenient locations near the parks. However, there are some cons to consider, including possible parking and shuttle fees, and the absence of Disney’s unique theming.
The key takeaway is that yes, you can save money with a Good Neighbor hotel package, but it’s crucial to align your expectations with your priorities. Consider factors like proximity to the parks, theming, parking costs, and dining preferences to make the best decision for your Disneyland vacation. With careful planning and clear expectations, you can enjoy a magical Disney experience without breaking the bank at a Good Neighbor hotel.
