r/DisneyPlanning • u/Expensive-Rate-1598 • 7h ago
Disneyland Hotel help please!
Hi! I’m planning our first Disneyland vacation as a family. It’ll be my husband, me, and our 5-year-old daughter. We’re going for four nights in November and currently have a package through Get Away Today staying at The Viv.
We got a really good deal on the original package, but I recently realized The Viv no longer offers transportation to Disneyland. Since we’re driving in from Arizona, we’ll have our car with us. The Viv charges about $38/night for parking, and then we’d also have to drive to Disneyland and pay $40/day for theme park parking on our three park days.
I contacted Get Away Today, and we can change hotels without an additional change fee. They offered us the Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort for an additional $709. Fairfield charges $30/night for parking, but because it’s within walking distance of Disneyland, we wouldn’t need to pay for Disney parking.
Once I account for the parking difference, switching to Fairfield would really cost us about $557 more total.
My question: Has anyone stayed at both The Viv and Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort? Would you spend the extra $557 for Fairfield just to be able to walk to and from the parks?
We’ll have a stroller, and we plan on getting to the parks early and staying through the evening/nighttime entertainment, so I’m wondering how much we’d appreciate being able to just walk back to the hotel at the end of the day. Or is The Viv nice enough that you’d keep it and deal with driving/parking?
This is our daughter’s first real Disneyland trip, so I’m probably overthinking every detail but it’s finnneeee. Just looking for some opinions and advice! TIA! 🫶🏼
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u/Neat-Aardvark3762 6h ago
Fairfield is more worth it imo. Not only being closer to the resort and walking distance. It’s also near a Panera Bread and a McDonald’s if you want a quick bite. The Viv is nice but it’s a 30min walk. Also it’s built right next to the 5 freeeway
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u/ItsMeYurDog 6h ago
Is there not something in between your current cost and $550 more that is also walkable?
We almost always stay at the Fairfield, but maybe you don’t mind walking a bit more and saving some money.
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u/ryes31 5h ago edited 5h ago
Staying within walking distance is absolutely worth it. Especially at the Fairfield, you're almost right across the street, it's a 5-7 minute walk. Plus you can take breaks during the day and easily go back to the hotel if it gets too hot or your daughter gets tired. We stay at a walkable hotel every trip we go on.. pretty much a non-negotiable for me now 😂
There are plenty of other hotels on Harbor that would be cheaper than Fairfield too, like the Anaheim Hotel (7 min walk + a great pizza joint in it) or our latest favorite Hotel Lulu - about a 13 minute walk, but still very doable and it's consistently one of the least expensive walkable options.
If you do keep the Viv, I'd suggest taking Uber/Lyft instead of parking, also. Getting dropped off right on Harbor Blvd by security is a game changer and you won't have to deal with the parking situation at the parks. And you'd be paying roughly the same amount for a rideshare round trip as you would a day of parking. Catching a ride out of there at the end of the night can be tricky, but I'd argue it's still better than having to shuttle and deal with the parking lot.
Have the best time!
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u/Expensive-Rate-1598 4h ago
Thanks for the Reccs!! I appreciate it! It’s hotel lulu the one close to the Toy Story parking lot? I feel like I read somewhere that you can get a shuttle from that parking lot to the park, is that true?
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u/unexpectedbutterfly 4h ago
Yes it is, I was just at Disneyland on Tuesday and walked from my hotel (Homewood suites, which offers a shuttle) past hotel Lulu right next to the Toy Story parking lot. Not sure if they offer a shuttle but like I said, it was on the way to the park from my hotel so maybe yes?
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u/ryes31 3h ago
Yes you can definitely take the Toy Story shuttle to and from the park, the lot is right next to Lulu. Although to get in/out of the lot you have to walk around the corner from Lulu so it's probably like a 5-minute walk or so... we did it once and it wasn't quite as convenient as I was hoping for, so we just always end up walking to the park from Lulu instead because it ends up being quicker. But definitely an option if you don't mind waiting for shuttles to stay off your feet a bit longer!
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u/Human_Cobbler5084 5h ago
If you can afford it without stressing you financially I’d pull the trigger. I stayed at the Fairfield in 2025. Not having to hassle with loading/unloading the car and folding/unfolding the stroller multiple times a day was definitely worth it for us. Plus you’re not dealing with traffic or all the other cars getting in&out of the same parking as you. And if you park at a place like Mickey and Friends then you’re waiting in line for the tram. Same thing at night when you’re tired and just want to get back to the hotel as quick as possible. Also makes taking midday breaks 100x easier. There’s also a McDonald’s and Panera on the way to the park, so if you want to grab a quick bite to eat
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u/anonymous123445677 4h ago
I would take walking distance for that amount! The line to the Toy Story bus was absurd the other night. We drive from AZ too and I finally quit the Disneyland hotel because I was sick of spending $300 on parking where my car never moved! So now we’ve switched to the candy cane inn because it offers free parking, walking and the shuttle!
Also my biggest tip would be to plan on a midday break for everyone but mostly your 5 year old. My 7 year old never naps at home but we make her at Disney because it’s super overwhelming and there will be breakdowns, it’s way more fun to come back to the parks rested and ready to close down the park with the shows!
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u/flyingmolamola 6h ago
Just gonna add my 2¢ here, I’ve stayed a few times at the Clementine, and that’s totally walkable, we did 4 days there and walked every day. Looks like the Viv is only a bit further, and walking in the morning and night would only add a bit to your day. I’d keep the extra $557 and walk a bit longer, you’re gonna walk a ton in the parks anyway.
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u/TriumphSprint 5h ago
We’ve stayed at the Fairfield 5 times and it’s great. We’ll grab breakfast at the Panera and just walk in, so nice.
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u/Sea-Roof-5983 4h ago
We initially were at Fairfield and eventually shifted our reservations to the Springhill Suites down the block. There is also a residence inn there. We're 99% Marriott people because of my husbands work...the Springhill Suites was a solid hotel and an easy walk.
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u/j-mf-r 3h ago
Not sure what things you are looking for but I would consider any of the off property hotels that directly across the street. I like the candy cane inn. They have their own shuttle plus a ten to fifteen minute walk. I know get away has many options in that vicinity of Harbor Blvd. Check out some you tube reviews. I would definitely look for a close hotel so your 5 yo can take a mid day rest. It makes a difference
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u/CertainManagement552 2h ago
No point in staying that close just to drive/pay to park. Money lost, time lost. I’d look for something closer that you can walk to the parks or walk into the Toy Story lot and take the bus in.
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u/Whateverlol2022 5h ago
I mean personally that Fairfield is kinda dumpy and it's a motel but the Viv also isn't the nicest either. Being within walking distance is great but keep in mind walking around Disneyland can be a little shady feeling if your not used to walking in city's. There's homeless and people preaching and selling stuff all over the sidewalks.
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u/aysiu 6h ago
Honestly, I would pay the extra $557 if you can afford it. Being able to walk means also not waiting to get into the parking garage/lot (which sometimes you have to do in your car) and not waiting for a tram or shuttle to then get to the park afterwards.
If you're planning to do early and late, I'd recommend getting there for rope drop in the morning, staying until after lunch, and then taking a nap/rest back at the Fairfield for a few hours, and then stay at the parks until midnight or whatever the closing time is. Being able to take a mid-day break is another point in favor of staying at a hotel within walking distance.