Hello all,

I was wondering if perhaps you guys could look at my case for staying at a hotel that is not within walking distance to Disneyland during Off-Peak times.

I read HydroGuy's Hotel rule (which happens to hurt our non-walking distance hotel ), so I wanted to check it out to see how it adds up. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
After researching it, I came up with my own Hotel rule and was wondering what you guys think.

Do you see holes, problems, etc? I try to be as narrow and conditional as I could be knowing that my rule only applies to a very specific tourist group and does not apply to all times and all people.


Off-Peak Hotel Rule
It makes more economic & quality sense to stay at a hotel further away from Disneyland and drive rather than staying at a hotel within walking distance.

These conditions must apply in order for this to make sense:
1. Must be traveling during off-peak or medium-peak days.
2. Must have a car that you don't pay extra exclusively for Disneyland. (Such as doing a road trip to Disneyland from one's hometown, or flying in and renting a car to drive to multiple locations in the SoCal region.)
3. Must not need to take a break from Disneyland more than once per day.


Case Study
We had 6 people in our party, four adults, and a 7th grade son and 12th grade daughter. Here's my time schedule of parking at Timon from my visit yesterday (Tuesday, before the Thursday Thanksgiving)

11:11 AM - Left hotel located on Harbor Blvd & Orangewood Ave.

11:14 - Arrived at Timon parking entrance with no wait. $11 parking fee.
Parking was extremely organized and quick.

11:20 - We get on the tram and head for the park main entrance.

11:23 - Tram arrives at drop-off.

11:25 - We get to Security Tent and walk through with basically no line.

Time Savings - We already had tickets pre-bought from the hotel so we didn't have to wait for the tickets

11:27 - We reached the California Adventure entrance, with basically no line and got in.


So in essence, during off-peak times, we left the hotel and got to the security check point in 14 minutes with less walking than a lot of people who are within a "walking distance" hotel.

But then the point comes up regarding if you want to leave the park in the middle of the day, which is what we did to eat dinner.

5:47 PM - Left Disneyland's Main Entrance, getting our hands stamped on our way out.

5:50 - Boarded the Lion King Tram to the Timon parking lot.

5:57 - Arrived at Timon parking lot.

6:00 - We got to our car and drive back to the hotel, cramming six people in a standard sedan!

6:04 - We get back to the hotel and have some hot chocolate before we drive to In-N-Out Burger (a Tourist adventure within itself , and 12 minute drive from the hotel.) in two cars so we can all have seat belts.

6:21 - We arrive at In-N-Out and everyone pretty much pays $2.95 for a Double Decker hamburger, and $1.65 for fries. Essentially a $5 meal. Very yummy and worth the trip considering the cost savings on food and increased quality compared to Amusement Park food.

7:24 - Arrive back at hotel.

7:25 - Cram all six back into one car and drive back to Disneyland.

7:29 - Re-Entry is Free into Timon

7:31 - We park closer to the tram station than when we parked there earlier.

7:34 - We get to the tram stop and wait.

7:39 - Tram arrives and we get on.

7:41 - Tram actually leaves.

7:43 - Tram stops again for the handicapped loading.

7:44 - Tram starts again.

7:47 - We arrive at the tram drop off and head for the security check point.


It took us 14 minutes to get from the moment we waited for the tram at the security tent to get to the hotel by car. For the return from the hotel back to the security tent, it took us longer at 22 minutes, and that was mainly because of the extra stop at the handicap loading zone.

So now, let's look at when we tried to leave the park right after the fireworks show at 9:25 PM.

9:52 PM - We get to the tram stop and wait. The previous tram was full, so we couldn't get on.

9:55 - New tram arrives and we hop on.

9:58 - The tram leaves for Timon.

10:00 - Arrive at Timon and we get off.

10:02 - We get to the car and cram in!

10:06 - We get out past the parking gates and get to Harbor Blvd and head for the hotel.

10:09 - We reached the hotel.

So leaving Disneyland to the hotel, it took us 17 minutes total with minimal walking.


Time Usage Summary:
Hotel to Disneyland 11:14 AM: 14 Minute Travel Time
Disneyland to hotel 5:50 PM: 14 Minute Travel Time
Hotel to Disneyland 7:25 PM: 22 Minute Travel Time
Disneyland to hotel 9:52 PM: 17 Minute Travel Time

Total Time Traveling Between Hotel & Disneyland:
67 Minutes

Total Time Walking from a Closer Hotel (est. 10 minute walking time each way):
40 Minutes

Walking vs Driving Time Savings:
27 Minutes


Cost Savings & Quality Summary
Our rates for last Monday and Tuesday night were $80/night for Two Queens. One of our competitors within walking distance to Disneyland cost $109/night for Two Double Beds. Our breakfast includes freshly made Belgian waffles, cereal, eggs, fruit, etc. Their breakfast has oatmeal, bagel & cream cheese, cereal, eggs, fruit, etc. You can't get waffles with them, but you get bagels with cream cheese.

So in essence you end up paying $34.50/night extra (don't forget the 15% Transient Occupancy Tax Anaheim charges!) to be closer, but you get less for your money, including smaller room & beds, and less quality breakfast should you happen to be a lover of Belgian waffles like me


Time Versus Money Driving to Disneyland Summary
Each night, you'll save approximately $22 (considering gas, and vehicle maintenance, and the $11 Disney parking fees) for "wasting" 27 more minutes in travel time by driving rather than walking.

Something more to consider but not essential to the "Rule:"
If you consider the savings for getting to drive anywhere you want to eat if a typical meal at Disneyland is $10 and you have 4 people to go and experience In-N-Out Burger, it'll be about a $20 savings total. This is all considering you were going to go back to the hotel anyway about dinner time to relax a little before going back. Time wasted here would be negligible should you had already planned to leave Disneyland anyway.


Your Time Worth @ Disneyland
Considering two adults ($120/each) and two children ($100/each) at the ticket prices our hotel charges for a two day park hopper ticket, you're looking at $440 total. That ends up being $220/day and divided by about 12 hour potential hours on off-peak days, you're looking at each theme park hour being worth approximately $18.33.

Take the $18.33/hour "value" and each minute of your potential time at Disneyland is approximately $.30 and 55/100 cents or $.3055.

It's a very valid to point out that some people can value Disneyland time differently considering taking time off work, emotional value, travel time, etc. But just for simplicity's sake, I'm just looking at it from a strictly numbers point of view.


Time Worth @ Disneyland Versus Savings
If you can save $22 for staying at a higher quality hotel that you drive from in exchange for "wasting" 27 minutes in comparison to a hotel within walking distance, then you're saving about $13.75 overall (27 minutes * $.3055/minute = $8.25, subtract that from the $22 you saved from your hotel savings by staying further away and driving in) during off peak days.


Overall Summary
This rule ultimately is dependent on how much you value your time at Disneyland. If you consider 27 minutes of travel time wasted of your 12 hour visit to be too much of a sacrifice for the $22 savings/night, then you're probably better suited to stay at a hotel within walking distance to Disneyland.

If you want the best bang-for-your-buck with your Disneyland experience, however, the numbers and quality point toward paying less per night and driving to Disneyland

For good location, you're often paying a premium compared to another location and depending on your situation, the better location doesn't always justify the increased cost.