DL- Disney Owned or Good Neighbor?

When we went to DL at the very beginning of this year the Carsland lines were stupid long, so one day we went in the second the gates opened and when we arrived at the fastpass line for the dueling cars ride, (senior moment, the name escapes me) the line had not opened quite yet and was already stupid long just for fastpasses. I really do think that the lines are ALWAYS long for the Carsland area. The $900 difference really makes quite a statement for the Good Neighbor hotels as long as they are the closer ones. Personally I loved being on property at the GC through my DVC points.

The theme and location of Paradise Pier are fairly equal to some of the Good Neighbor Hotels. I haven't stayed at Paradise Pier, but I've eaten there and it is lacking something to me, though the view of the Park is fantastic if you get that view. My choice is always to be on property if I can, even at Disneyland - but I know a lot of people who stay at the Good Neighbors. My favorite Good Neighbor is the Candy Cane.

we're staying at the Sheraton because the DL hotels were booked solid. At least the Sheraton is built to look like a castle.

If you visit www.disneytouristblog.com, they have some great info on good neighbor vs. DL.
I was just reading about it myself.....

Sweet! More Disney to read!

I've stayed at the Candy Cane several times over the years, it is cute, clean, close, and has a small pool

With regard to the FP situation, it's my understanding that FP+ is a WDW phenomenon at this point. Has anyone heard any rumblings of extending it to DL/DCA?

I have heard some rumblings of the Magic Bands (and all that comes with them) expanding to other Disney locations, however as far as I know at this point it's just blue sky talk. The demographics at Disneyland are significantly different than those at Walt Disney World, so while one would think that it's easy to implement programs in both Parks the reality is that it just doesn't work that way. For now you will just have to get regular Fast Passes at Disneyland they are available at the following attractions:

Disneyland Park

Autopia
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Indiana Jones Adventure
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Star Tours

Disney California Adventure Park

World of Color (distributed at Grizzly River Run)
California Screamin'
Goofy's Sky School
Grizzly River Run
Radiator Springs Racers (distributed near It's Tough to Be a Bug!)
Soarin' Over California
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

WDW is being the guinea pig for mymagic+. I think the plan is for mymagic+ to make it's way out to Disneyland. If that were to happen, it wouldn't happen soon since things are still finalizing here at WDW.

I was in the same situation. I had ressies at Hampton Inn for $500 + free breakfast! And then I saw the DL hotels were having a 25% offer. I changed to the DL hotel (for Tinkerbell Weekend). It's over double the price. My friends are all horrible influences, b/c they told me I should do it, as did my mother. I finally decided to eat the money - I don't get to DL often (EVER really, this is my first trip where I'll be there for more than 4 hours). Thankfully, I have a Disney Visa, so I can pay it off over 6 mo and I have already budgeted how to do so.

So bottom line - I have nothing useful to assist you with your conundrum, but rest assured, I feel your pain.

OH - I did get the super cute Toy Story "the story of your vacation" book in the mail from DL this weekend. So that makes up a little bit for the extra money!! Right??

The Sheraton Anaheim (a Good Neighbor hotel) was fantastic with great shuttle service. The king size room was awesome! the double queen rooms were smaller but still adequate. The pool was nice, as was the garden/pond area. It was less than 5 minutes away off Ball & Katella and reasonably priced. The staff were very good as well. Highly recommended.

I've never been so my opinion will mean nothing, but I say splurge and go for the DL hotels! If you're an East coaster and do not travel west much, it would be totally worth doing!

I absolutely it on my Jan 2013 trip to DL and you will also. You can walk to anywhere on Disney property. There is even a bus that picks you up at the front entrance and takes you to a terminal where you can buy sightseeing tours to the rest of southern Calif. Of course that is if you have a lot free downtime.

My favorite of all the DVC Resorts I've been to.

That's awesome

We have stayed at the sheraton park twice. It's a little further, but we had no issue walking. It has a great pool, and way fewer kids than some of the closer hotels.

Yay for another trip on the books!

We just booked the portofino for April. We usually stay at sheraton park, but this time DS (5) and my mom will be with us. Wanted a family suite so DS and grandma could have their own space.