Aulani and Disneyland
Seven nights on the Ko Olina coast, then four nights in Anaheim. Aulani is already confirmed, so what follows covers getting there and back and where to stay for the Disneyland half.
Flights
Two flights, each booked on its own so the routing on each is the best available rather than whatever a single package happens to bundle together. Travel to Hawaii is being arranged separately.
| Airline | Schedule | Travel time | Route | Per person | All four |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska AirlinesEconomy, Main | 12:45 PM to 9:10 PMArrives Long Beach the same day | 5h 25m | Nonstop | $312.10 | $1,248.40 |
The only nonstop between the islands and the Los Angeles area at a workable hour, and it makes for an easy last morning at Aulani rather than a pre dawn checkout. Long Beach is a small airport about 25 minutes from Anaheim and far quicker to get through than LAX.
| Option A Home Monday night | Option B One more day in the parks | |
|---|---|---|
| Airline | Delta Air Lines | Delta Air Lines |
| Schedule | 7:10 AM to 5:40 PMHome Monday evening | 5:05 PM to 5:41 AMHome Tuesday, June 29 |
| Travel time | 7h 30m | 9h 36m |
| Route | One stop, Salt Lake City1h 14m connection | One stop, Salt Lake City3h 30m connection |
| Last day in Anaheim | None, straight to the airport | Park until early afternoon |
| This flight, per person | $499.20 | $335.20 |
| This flight, all four | $1,996.80 | $1,340.80 |
| Both flights, all four | $3,245.20$811.30 per person | $2,589.20$647.30 per person |
Both fares are non refundable with no change penalty, so a change is possible and the value is held as credit.
Where to stay in Anaheim
Every option carries the identical park package: a 2 day ticket with admission to one park per day, the Park Hopper upgrade, and Lightning Lane Multi Pass for all four guests on both days. Because the tickets are the same in every quote, the entire difference between the options is the room.
| Option 1 Courtyard Theme Park Entrance |
Option 2 Tropicana Inn & Suites |
Option 3 Delta Hotels Garden Grove |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Package, 4 nights | $3,619.04includes taxes and fees | $3,169.16includes taxes and fees | $2,777.01includes taxes and fees, 4th night free |
| Getting to the parks | About a 5 minute walk0.4 miles up Harbor Blvd | Across the streetBeside the pedestrian walkway | Complimentary shuttle1.2 miles, included with the package |
| Location | Good Neighbor Hotel 1420 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim |
Good Neighbor Hotel, Moderate 1540 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim |
Good Neighbor Hotel, Superior 12021 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove |
| Room | 2 queen bedsExtra large rooms | 2 queen bedsAdjoining rooms on request | 2 queen bedsNewly remodeled |
| Included in the package | 2 day ticket, one park per day · Park Hopper upgrade · Lightning Lane Multi Pass · all four guests, both days | ||
| Breakfast | Cooked to order, additional charge | None, coffee and pastries at The Cove | Hot buffet includedUp to 4 guests, every night |
| Pool | Water park with 6 waterslides, children's play area, pool and spa | Heated oversized pool and jacuzzi | Heated pool and spa, free poolside cabanas |
| Food on site | Bistro, Starbucks cafe, 24 hour market | The Cove market and cafe | 4 restaurants, lounge, Starbucks bar |
| Parking | Valet only, for a fee | Self parking, for a fee | IncludedValet for a fee |
| Daily housekeeping | Not offeredPer Disney's hotel listing | Not noted as restricted | Not noted as restricted |
| Flights, all four | $3,245.20$811.30 per person | $3,245.20$811.30 per person | $3,245.20$811.30 per person |
| Estimated trip total | $6,864.24flights and Anaheim package | $6,414.36flights and Anaheim package | $6,022.21flights and Anaheim package |
Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
1420 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim
A five minute walk from the Disneyland Resort, and the water park is what sets this one apart: six waterslides, a separate water play area for younger children, an outdoor pool and a whirlpool spa. Fireworks from Disneyland Park are visible from the hotel in the evening.
Rooms are extra large with two queen beds, and come with a microwave, mini refrigerator, and coffee and tea maker. The Bistro handles meals with a lounge and bar alongside, and there is a gift shop, fitness center and laundry facilities on site.
Two things to weigh. Parking is valet only and charged, so there is no self park option. And this hotel does not offer daily housekeeping, which is worth knowing across four nights. Check in is 4:00 PM, check out is 11:00 AM.
- Two queen beds
- Extra large, all 221 rooms
- Microwave and mini refrigerator
- Coffee and tea maker, Pack 'n play available
- Water park with six waterslides
- Separate water play area for children
- Outdoor pool and whirlpool spa
- Evening fireworks views
- The Bistro, lounge and bar, gift shop
- About a 5 minute walk to the Resort
- Daily housekeeping is not offered
- Valet parking only, for a fee
- Laundry facilities and fitness center on site
- Water park maintenance falls in January 2027, well clear of these dates
Tropicana Inn & Suites
1540 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim
Disney lists this one as across the street from the Resort, sitting right beside the pedestrian walkway in. Of the three it is the shortest distance to the gate, and the lowest priced of the two walkable options.
A 197 room Mediterranean style property with an outdoor pool and whirlpool spa, renovated in a warm craftsman style. The Cove on Harbor is the market and cafe on site, with a deli counter, coffee and food to take away. Wi-Fi is complimentary, there is a gift shop, and parking is self park for a fee rather than valet. Adjoining rooms can be requested. Check in is 4:00 PM, check out is 11:00 AM.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Whirlpool spa
- The Cove on Harbor market and cafe
- Gift shop
- Coin operated laundry
- Two queen beds
- Adjoining rooms available on request
- Some rooms shower only, others tub and shower
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Across the street, beside the pedestrian walkway
- Disney category: Moderate
- Self parking, additional fee
- No breakfast, coffee and pastries at The Cove
- Lowest priced of the two walkable options
Delta Hotels by Marriott Anaheim Garden Grove
12021 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove
Booked as a Disney vacation package this one carries a set of inclusions the other two do not. Complimentary shuttle transportation to and from the Disneyland Resort, which applies to check in dates through December 31, 2027 and so covers these dates. A hot breakfast buffet with an omelet station at California Grill for up to four guests per room, every night of the stay, with coupons issued at check in. Self parking, Wi-Fi and bottled water at no charge.
It is the only full service hotel of the three, with four restaurants inside the complex. California Grill for meals, the Wine Down lounge serving wines, local craft beers and cocktails alongside lunch and dinner, a lobby bar, and a coffee bar pouring Starbucks. Delivery runs from Joe's Crab Shack, Red Robin, Oggi's Pizza and Outback Steakhouse, and there is a convenience store on site and a department store across the street.
The heated outdoor pool and whirlpool spa come with towels and complimentary poolside cabanas, and the fitness center is open around the clock. It sits 1.2 miles from Disneyland and Downtown Disney, so it is not a walk, but with the shuttle included that distance costs time rather than money. Check in is 4:00 PM and check out is 12:00 PM.
- Shuttle to and from the Disneyland Resort
- Hot breakfast buffet with omelet station, up to 4 guests per room, per night
- Self parking
- Wi-Fi and two bottled waters
- Express check in and check out
- California Grill
- Wine Down, wines, craft beers and cocktails
- Lobby bar and Starbucks coffee bar
- Delivery from four nearby restaurants
- Convenience store on site
- Heated outdoor pool and whirlpool spa
- Complimentary poolside cabanas, towels provided
- 24 hour fitness center
- Newly remodeled rooms, two queen beds
- Department store across the street
Day by day
| Date | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Jun 17 | Philadelphia to Ko Olina | Travel to Hawaii, arranged separately |
| Fri, Jun 18 to Wed, Jun 23 | Aulani, Ko Olina | Six full days on Oahu |
| Thursday, Jun 24 | Ko Olina to Anaheim | Last morning at Aulani, depart Honolulu 12:45 PM, land Long Beach 9:10 PM |
| Fri, Jun 25 to Sun, Jun 27 | Anaheim | Two park days plus one open day, in whichever order suits |
| Monday, Jun 28 | Anaheim to Philadelphia | Option A: depart 7:10 AM, home 5:40 PM. Option B: morning in Anaheim, depart 5:05 PM, home Tuesday 5:41 AM |
Two decisions
Which hotel, and which Monday flight home. Everything else is set, and I will hold the rest while those two are settled.