Disneyland is open 8 AM to midnight, and you'd still have to drive to the hotel either way. Parking is $30 or so even when parking at the closest options, but there are many other parking areas and shuttles available.
What I suspect is happening is that before when things were cheaper it wasn't "much more" to get a hotel bundle deal, and made it simpler (hotel included parking, after midnight no drive home, just crash at the hotel and check out next day, or hit the other park). But as costs rise, you can't necessarily do what you did the last time, and need to modify your plan of attack. For example, if the kids are older, you'd want to consider Magic Mountain, some miles north of LA, but with cheaper (or free if you do some tricks) parking and a annual pass for $200 (buy two get one free).
What I suspect is happening is that before when things were cheaper it wasn't "much more" to get a hotel bundle deal, and made it simpler (hotel included parking, after midnight no drive home, just crash at the hotel and check out next day, or hit the other park). But as costs rise, you can't necessarily do what you did the last time, and need to modify your plan of attack. For example, if the kids are older, you'd want to consider Magic Mountain, some miles north of LA, but with cheaper (or free if you do some tricks) parking and a annual pass for $200 (buy two get one free).