I am trying to help someone plan a trip for her family...they are on a tight budget - they have six kids (2 are actually adults over 18), so I guess it's four adults and four kids going. So, obviously tickets are going to cost quite a bit.

What's your suggestion for the best budget friendly hotel for all of them?

They are only planning on doing two days at Disneyland - they do want to do a day at Sea World and Legoland if they can pull it off - any suggestions of a good hotel for them close to those attractions?

Would it be better to have them do Legoland and Sea World staying at one hotel, then moving up to DL area for their Disneyland portion (or the other way around)??

Thanks!!
~Annie

It depends if they want two seperate rooms or plan to squeeze all together. I'd look on getawaytoday they have awesome hotel deals if you're planning far enough out- you can usually get free night stays and breakfasts- a big deal for a fam on a budget! If they want to squeeze into one room they'll probably have to pay a fee for each extra adult, although I read that g.a.t. policy is per room not per person. Call their number on the site they are very friendly and helpful and extremely family oriented. Lots of hotels offer fam suites with a seperate bedroom and bunkbeds but it raises the price so much it may be cheaper to get seperate rooms with a connecting door. Then you get an extra bath! GOOD LUCK!

I am not sure but, I have seen Fairfield has a deal to get a connecting room for an additional $49.00 instead of the full room rate. That may be a good option for them. Good luck!!!

I would recommend the Desert Inn and Suites.

It is possible to get a two-bedroom suite that will easily sleep eight (4 queen beds, as well as a sleeper sofa) and it also has two bathrooms. You don't mention when they are going so I can't price it out for you, but I would assume that it would be cheaper to do this than to stay in two seperate rooms.

The location of this hotel simply can't be beat - it's literally a five minute walk to the Disneyland gates, so it's perfect for families with young kids. We've stayed at this hotel three times and we've got only good things to say about it. The rooms are clean and very spacious.

ETA: Here is a link (http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/room_suites.htm)to the Desert Inn & Suites page that lists all of their room configurations. The B, C1 and C2 suites all sleep 8+ people. Hope this helps with the decision making! :)

I really like the Desert Inn and Suites. It works well for large families and is decently priced. I would also recommend the View Suite at Carousel. (MDM will second this.) It sleeps 8. Drawback, 1 bathroom. But it has 2 fridges and microwaves. It has 3 queens and a sofa sleeper. View is great.

Well, I am really in need of help! Wow...I found out they're leaving next weekend to arrive on Easter...they are going to do four nights in Anaheim, and three nights in San Diego...I don't think they have a preference to which one they do first...just gotta help them find a hotel. And they're ok with splitting into two rooms, which at this point might be their only option.

They are going to do the Citypass - so three days at DL. Then they're going to do the San Diego stuff plus Legoland. I've got my work cut out for me (but I love helping people plan for Disneyland!).

I cant review it yet, but we are staying at the Desert Inn this time because there will be 5 of us and we wanted more room. I have read lots of good reviews on here. and i know they are close to the entrance.

I second(third? lol) the Desert Inn. Their family suites are really nice and have separation between the beds and the "tv" room. The other option is the Camelot Inn. They have a nice family suite too that is very spacious. Most any "decent" hotel is going to be book already if they are coming in this coming week though. Good Luck!

do the suites have micro/fridges.........web site says reg rooms do but says nothing about the suites.

Let me get this straight, you have to find inexpensive rooms to sleep 8, with one weeks notice, during spring break???!! :eek:

At this point I think the only thing you can do is check out the websites and hope to find something (anything!) available for a reasonable price.

Good luck!

do the suites have micro/fridges.........web site says reg rooms do but says nothing about the suites.

The one I stayed in years ago had a min-fridge and microwave. Not sure if they still do though...

Yeah...at this point, it's looking like the best prices are found on priceline.com (not the bidding portion). I think they're going to have to do two rooms...but man, it's gonna be expensive!!

do the suites have micro/fridges.........web site says reg rooms do but says nothing about the suites.
All three of the suites that we have stayed in have had both a microwave and a mini-fridge.

I am not sure but, I have seen Fairfield has a deal to get a connecting room for an additional $49.00 instead of the full room rate. That may be a good option for them. Good luck!!!


Rojasboys -- Wow -- how does this work?!! Where did you see this deal?

Nothing within walking distance was available that I could find - at least at decent places. The best I could do is Best Western Cypress in Stanton. I got it for them for $62.99/night per room (2 rooms). Looks like it has good trip advisor reviews. Includes breakfast and shuttle to DL - though the shuttle isn't necessarily the best, they will probably just drive in and park.

If they can buy at least one ticket through AAA they can park free at DL- You are an awesome friend to do all that for them! Good Find-the breakfast makes it all worth it- not a bad rate too on such short notice. We arrive easter too!

If they can buy at least one ticket through AAA they can park free at DL- You are an awesome friend to do all that for them! Good Find-the breakfast makes it all worth it- not a bad rate too on such short notice. We arrive easter too!

Yeah...and it's more than danishes...reviews say they include eggs and some sort of meat (bacon/sausage) plus yogurt, cereal, fruit, juice, milk, coffee. So that will save them some good money - with such a large family!