2017 Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel Package Freebies And Perks Guide

Introduction

The 2017 Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel vacation packages offered travelers an attractive alternative to staying at official Disney hotels while still providing access to valuable perks and free items. These packages, available for arrivals throughout 2017, combined accommodations at participating nearby hotels with theme park tickets and a collection of exclusive benefits that enhanced the guest experience. This comprehensive guide examines the specific freebies, perks, and promotional offers that were included with these packages, providing travelers with a detailed understanding of what value they could expect when booking through the Walt Disney Travel Company's Good Neighbor Hotel program.

Overview of 2017 Good Neighbor Hotel Packages

The 2017 Disneyland Resort vacation packages were designed to provide guests with accommodations either at one of the three official Disneyland Resort hotels or at a nearby Good Neighbor Hotel. According to the source material, packages booked through Good Neighbor Hotels offered many of the same perks as those booked through Disney's own properties, making them an appealing option for cost-conscious travelers who still wanted access to Disney's vacation package benefits.

The Good Neighbor Hotel program encompassed a wide range of properties in various price categories. The participating hotels included economy options such as Best Westerns and motels, moderate options like Holiday Inns and Fairfield Inns, and deluxe properties such as Hilton, Wyndham, and Marriott hotels. This diverse selection allowed travelers to choose accommodations that fit their budget and preferences while still receiving the package benefits.

Core Package Inclusions and Freebies

The 2017 Good Neighbor Hotel packages included several specific free items and perks that enhanced the overall vacation experience. According to the source material, these packages came with souvenir tickets that featured Magic Morning Entry privileges. This early admission benefit allowed guests to enter Disneyland Park on specific days of the week before the general public, providing access to popular attractions with significantly shorter wait times.

In addition to early park entry, packages included a Magical Extras Savings Card, which provided discounts at participating dining and merchandise locations in Downtown Disney. This card offered guests opportunities to save money on food, souvenirs, and other vacation expenses.

The packages also included exclusive Disney merchandise items such as a collectible pin, lanyard, and luggage tag. These items served as both practical accessories for the trip and lasting mementos of the vacation experience. According to the source material, these exclusive Walt Disney Travel Company swag items were only available to guests booking vacation packages through these hotels.

Seasonal Promotional Offers and Freebies

The 2017 packages included several additional freebies that were part of seasonal promotional offers. One notable inclusion was the Disneyland Photo Memory, which provided guests with professional attraction photos. This offering allowed families to capture memories at iconic Disneyland locations without the need to take their own photos or pay for Disney's PhotoPass service.

Another promotional freebie was the ESPN Zone Game Card and Burger. This combination provided guests with both entertainment value through game credits and a complimentary meal at ESPN Zone, which was located in Downtown Disney. This offer combined dining and recreation benefits in a single package component.

The source material also indicated that seasonal promotions through Disney's partners could include additional benefits such as in-park dining vouchers and attraction photos. These promotional offers were subject to change throughout the year and could vary by hotel, allowing guests to potentially access unique specials and gifts based on their specific booking.

Special Promotional Offers and Free Night Deals

The 2017 year featured several special promotional offers that provided additional value to Good Neighbor Hotel package guests. One significant offer was a fourth night free promotion that was available for bookings made during a specific period. According to the source material, this offer was valid for bookings from the promotion's launch through November 14, 2017, for arrivals on specific date ranges including April 16 through June 13 and August 13 through November 16, 2017.

The fourth night free promotion came with several specific requirements and limitations. Guests were required to book a minimum three-night stay at a participating Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel, with the fourth free night being added consecutively. The promotion was limited to one free night per reservation and required a minimum three-day, one-park-per-day Disneyland Resort theme park ticket per person. The ticket expiration policy required that tickets be used within 13 days of first use or by a specific date, with each day of use constituting one full day.

The promotional offer was available at many of the participating Good Neighbor Hotels, including properties such as the Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel, various Best Western properties, CAMBRiA Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area, and numerous Marriott, Hilton, and other chain hotels. The availability of rooms for this promotion was limited, requiring guests to book early to secure their desired dates and properties.

Hotel-Specific Perks and Services

Beyond the package inclusions, Good Neighbor Hotels offered several property-specific services and perks that enhanced the vacation experience. One significant benefit was the presence of Disneyland Resort ticket counters within most hotel properties. This convenience allowed guests to purchase or pick up their theme park tickets without having to visit the crowded ticket booths at the resort, potentially saving valuable vacation time.

Shuttle services were another common perk offered by Good Neighbor Hotels. These transportation options provided convenient access between the hotel and the Disneyland Resort, reducing the need for guests to arrange their own transportation or pay for parking. This service was particularly valuable for guests who wanted to avoid the stress of driving and parking during their vacation.

Many participating hotels also offered additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, pools, fitness centers, and other recreational facilities. These property-specific perks varied by hotel and could influence a guest's decision when selecting which Good Neighbor Hotel to book for their vacation.

Booking Process and Official Channels

The source material outlined several methods for booking Good Neighbor Hotel vacation packages. Guests could search for hotels and book packages directly through the official Disneyland website, which provided access to the most current promotional offers and package details. This method was recommended for accessing the widest selection of deals and the most up-to-date information about included perks and freebies.

Alternatively, guests could contact individual hotels directly to book their packages. However, the source material noted that hotels generally were not able to offer different deals than those available through Disney directly, making the official website the preferred booking method for most travelers seeking the best value.

Important Terms, Conditions, and Limitations

The 2017 Good Neighbor Hotel packages came with several important terms, conditions, and limitations that guests needed to understand before booking. The special promotional offers, including the fourth night free deal, were subject to availability and could be changed or discontinued without notice. Blockout dates and other restrictions applied, particularly around holidays and peak travel periods.

The ticket expiration policies were strict, with tickets expiring 13 days after first use or on a specified date, whichever occurred first. Each day of ticket use constituted a full day, meaning that multi-day tickets needed to be used consistently to maximize their value. Tickets could not be sold or transferred for commercial purposes, limiting their transferability to other travelers.

The source material emphasized that vacation packages potentially could incur a cancellation fee of up to 100%, making travel insurance highly recommended for guests booking these packages. This cancellation policy highlighted the importance of understanding the package terms and conditions before finalizing reservations.

Comparison with Disneyland Resort Hotel Packages

While Good Neighbor Hotel packages offered many of the same benefits as Disney's own hotel packages, there were some differences in the available perks. Disneyland Resort Hotel packages included Early Theme Park Entry benefits that allowed guests to enter one of the theme parks 30 minutes before official opening. This benefit was available daily, though only one theme park would be open during these hours, and only select attractions, dining, and merchandise locations would be operational.

The Early Theme Park Entry benefit had a specific end date of January 4, 2026, after which it would be replaced with Lightning Lane entry benefits starting January 5, 2026. The Lightning Lane benefit would provide one Lightning Lane entry for any ride or attraction available through Lightning Lane Multi Pass, though more details about this transition were to be announced at a later date.

Despite these differences in early admission benefits, the core package inclusions remained similar between Good Neighbor Hotels and Disney's own properties, including the Magical Extras Savings Card and the Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard items.

Maximizing Value from Package Freebies and Perks

To maximize the value received from 2017 Good Neighbor Hotel package freebies and perks, guests could employ several strategies. Taking full advantage of Magic Morning Entry privileges allowed families to experience popular attractions with minimal wait times, potentially saving hours of vacation time that could be used for additional experiences or rest.

The Magical Extras Savings Card provided opportunities to save money on dining and merchandise throughout the vacation. Strategic use of this discount could result in significant savings, particularly for families planning multiple meals or shopping trips in Downtown Disney.

The ESPN Zone Game Card and Burger offered both entertainment and dining value. Guests could maximize this benefit by using the game credits to try various arcade games and taking advantage of the complimentary meal to try ESPN Zone's menu without additional cost.

The exclusive Disney merchandise items included in the package served both functional and sentimental purposes. The lanyard could be used throughout the vacation to hold park tickets, while the collectible pin and luggage tag provided lasting mementos of the trip.

Conclusion

The 2017 Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel vacation packages offered substantial value through their collection of freebies, perks, and promotional offers. These packages provided guests with early park access through Magic Morning Entry, exclusive Disney merchandise items, savings opportunities through the Magical Extras Savings Card, and additional benefits such as ESPN Zone offerings and attraction photos. The special promotional offers, including the fourth night free deal, provided significant cost savings for guests who met the booking requirements and travel dates.

The diverse selection of participating hotels allowed travelers to choose accommodations that fit their budget and preferences while still receiving valuable package benefits. While some differences existed between Good Neighbor Hotel packages and Disney's own hotel packages, the core value proposition remained strong, making Good Neighbor Hotels an attractive option for cost-conscious travelers seeking Disney vacation experiences.

The success of these packages demonstrated the effectiveness of Disney's partnership program in providing competitive alternatives to on-site accommodations while maintaining access to Disney's vacation package benefits. For travelers considering a Disneyland vacation in 2017, these Good Neighbor Hotel packages represented a compelling option that combined convenience, value, and Disney magic.

Sources

1. 2017 Disneyland Packages are Now Available
2. Lorem Ipsum Deal - Magical Vacation Planner
3. Perks for Booking a Good Neighbor Hotel - Disney Parks Moms Panel
4. Save on Your Stay at Disneyland's Good Neighbor Hotels
5. What Are Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels
6. Disneyland Vacation Package Discounts