Best food value at a Good Neighbor Hotel?

[Sully14]

Hi. We are a family of five that usually stays at one of the Disney hotels. Last year we spent most of our vacation at the PPH Concierge level. This year, since we may have a long vacation, we are thinking of spending a few extra days (3-4) at a Good neighbor hotel on Harbor Blvd. Having a breakfast as part of the package is big to us, with three teens who can eat ! Years ago when the kids were smaller we stayed a few times at the BWPPI, the Park Vue, The Ramada Saga, and the Hojo (Saga and Hojo have no food). I see a lot of people talk about the Candy Cane Inn, which we have not stayed at. Any ideas who gives you the best breakfast bang for the buck? Does the Park Vue now have night time snacks too? Does everyone now charge for parking...we never paid for that at a Good Neighbor, only paid at the 3 Disney hotels. Thanks !

[hlbtimes2]

We really love the candy cane, but I feel the rooms would be small for a family of 5, unless you are getting 2 rooms. You would have 2 queen beds, and would need to squeeze a roll away in for the 5th person. It would take up most of the floor space.

As for food, its very basic- muffins, bagels, yogurt, apples, oranges, bananas, cold cereal, juice milk, coffee. Maybe instant oatmeal- not positive. No hot items or meat. Its fine to get my family started in the morning, as we are not big eaters early in the day. But, it is very basic.

[Avery's mom]

Residence Inns always have full breakfast buffets and no parking charges. There are 2 in the immediate area - Residence Inn Maingate and Residence Inn Anaheim Resort.

Both are walkable - but Maingate is closer - and both are have access to ART.

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Thread 2796786 This thread summarizes which hotels within 1 km have breakfast and charge for parking (that I know of).

Red Lion (been there) has a lot of food, all types - you need to get a package with it included. The rest are summarized a bit on the thread. I'm sure you'll get a lot of help from other posters here.

Residence Inn has a GREAT breakfast (thx Avery's Mom), but a little farther away.

Originally Posted by Sully14

Does the Park Vue now have night time snacks too?

They did get rid of the evening snacks, I've heard.

[50sjayne]

No offense but breakfast shouldn't be a major part of any decision regarding a Disneyland vacation. Most hotel breakfasts within walking distance (you want walking distance) aren't very good and run out of items the longer you wait. You want to get to the gates as soon as physically possible so lingering around a big breakfast just doesn't make any sense. In any other vacation scenario a hotel breakfast is a huge plus-- just not Disneyland. We always do fine with muffins or donuts and milk. You can get a free grocery delivery from several different stores around there if you don't have a car.

[coaches24]

Originally Posted by 50sjayne

No offense but breakfast shouldn't be a major part of any decision regarding a Disneyland vacation. Most hotel breakfasts within walking distance (you want walking distance) aren't very good and run out of items the longer you wait. You want to get to the gates as soon as physically possible so lingering around a big breakfast just doesn't make any sense. In any other vacation scenario a hotel breakfast is a huge plus-- just not Disneyland. We always do fine with muffins or donuts and milk. You can get a free grocery delivery from several different stores around there if you don't have a car.

I agree. We always buy a few non refridgerated items to eat for breakfast on our trips. We like to be at the gates early to get a jump on things and hate being held up at a resteraunt.

[danaesacto]

Originally Posted by 50sjayne

No offense but breakfast shouldn't be a major part of any decision regarding a Disneyland vacation. Most hotel breakfasts within walking distance (you want walking distance) aren't very good and run out of items the longer you wait. You want to get to the gates as soon as physically possible so lingering around a big breakfast just doesn't make any sense. In any other vacation scenario a hotel breakfast is a huge plus-- just not Disneyland. We always do fine with muffins or donuts and milk. You can get a free grocery delivery from several different stores around there if you don't have a car.

Maybe it doesn't work for you- but sending the teens to eat so I can get dressed in peace is definitely worth it and yes we always look for the best breakfast value because variety is the key after 4 mornings. I can't even imagine how you think doing groceries in the room is any faster, seems it takes the same amount and at least with some hotels they can have a hot waffle...

[Mandysue1976]

We haven't gone yet, but after lots of research on getting the most bang for your buck, including breakfast, we reserved with Ramada Maingate. It is right across from the park, offers free parking, free WiFi and free hot breakfast, plus it has a pool, frig and micro in every room, and a view of DL fireworks. These were the things that were important to us. Our total is $151 (including all taxes) per night. Not the cheapest...had originally booked at Anaheim Plaza, but after reading negative reviews and adding on what parking, WiFi and breakfast would cost, we wouldn't be saving much at all. In the end, I think we'll save some headaches!

You might want to type in the name of whatever hotel you are considering and read what fellow members posted. That was helpful to me.

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Originally Posted by Mandysue1976

We haven't gone yet, but after lots of research on getting the most bang for your buck, including breakfast, we reserved with Ramada Maingate. It is right across from the park, offers free parking, free WiFi and free hot breakfast, plus it has a pool, frig and micro in every room, and a view of DL fireworks. These were the things that were important to us. Our total is $151 (including all taxes) per night. Not the cheapest...had originally booked at Anaheim Plaza, but after reading negative reviews and adding on what parking, WiFi and breakfast would cost, we wouldn't be saving much at all. In the end, I think we'll save some headaches!

You might want to type in the name of whatever hotel you are considering and read what fellow members posted. That was helpful to me.

Ramada Maingate is nice. Everything is included. I liked the beds and they will provide a rollaway bed free of charge, as long as they have them available. The breakfast is small but nice and there are hard-boiled eggs provided for those who want something a little more than pastries, cereal and fruit. I paid a lot less, but it's all relative based on the time of year and proximity to trip dates. One negative for them at the moment is a long term construction project that will be going on at least until the summer sometime (from their Facebook page).

[Susannajean]

Disney vacation or not, I LOVE Hotels with free breakfast! Everytime I plan a trip for DBF and I, I ALWAYS pick a hotel with free breakfast, even though everytime we wake up, look at each other, and go "do you want breakfast, or do you want to sleep for another 30 minutes?" and of course, we ALWAYS pick sleep! I think its just the idea of if we DO want breakfast, its one thing we won't have to pay for! Idk if we'll go for a hotel with free breakfast for our upcoming trip or stick with the FFI because I know its comfy, but I can't wait to see peoples reviews on food!

[Sully14]

Originally Posted by danaesacto

Maybe it doesn't work for you- but sending the teens to eat so I can get dressed in peace is definitely worth it and yes we always look for the best breakfast value because variety is the key after 4 mornings. I can't even imagine how you think doing groceries in the room is any faster, seems it takes the same amount and at least with some hotels they can have a hot waffle...

Amen ! Last summer we spent a week at PPH concierge. Due to the early 7 am park openings, concierge opened at 6am. It was great having everyone roll out early to ride RSR....we would eat concierge, load up, enter DCA through the GCH entrance, and then I stayed on the fast pass line while the other 4 hit the rides. I at least had some caffeine to keep me company on line.....

We switched over to the GCH for the last 2 days (DVC villa) and the kids were all saying "wish we could have just stayed where we were" as everyone was used to getting the snacks and water bottles, etc.

Our family uses the first in, last out approach on vacations. Taking a break around 2pm to 6pm or so let's us get in early and stay to closing. Having breakfast and snacks at a hotel helps us a lot !

[HollyL]

FYI- The Marriott Residence Inn does charge for parking, unless you are a platinum Marriott Rewards member. We just returned, and it was $15 a day, but we didn't have to pay it since we're members.

It was a great place to stay (we stayed at the one a little farther away from the park on Harbor). The breakfast was great and had a lot of variety, and they also have the free light dinners in the evenings (Monday- Thursday). With hungry teenagers, you will get a lot for your money. They have waffles with all of the fixings, eggs, sausage, yogurt, bagels, muffins, juice, cereal and more.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by 50sjayne

No offense but breakfast shouldn't be a major part of any decision regarding a Disneyland vacation. Most hotel breakfasts within walking distance (you want walking distance) aren't very good and run out of items the longer you wait. You want to get to the gates as soon as physically possible so lingering around a big breakfast just doesn't make any sense. In any other vacation scenario a hotel breakfast is a huge plus-- just not Disneyland. We always do fine with muffins or donuts and milk. You can get a free grocery delivery from several different stores around there if you don't have a car.

For you it may not be but for us it is, then again we are not the rope drop type so breakfast doesn't really play into our timing. We actually chose to stay farther away this time at a hotel that is nicer and includes breakfast. I think when it comes to hotels and food one size does not fit all, even at disneyland.

[lulugirl1968]

Not a GN hotel, but we stayed at The Homewood Suites in May, and loved it! It is about a mile away.

-Free daily hot B-fast.
-Free dinner, beer, wine M-TH
-shuttle for a small fee
-Target is across the street, and there are many restaurants close by.
-all suites

Negative is that they charge for parking.

[50sjayne]

Originally Posted by Bungle

For you it may not be but for us it is, then again we are not the rope drop type so breakfast doesn't really play into our timing. We actually chose to stay farther away this time at a hotel that is nicer and includes breakfast. I think when it comes to hotels and food one size does not fit all, even at disneyland.

If you want to ride radiator springs you must be there at rope drop. Plus just the overall 75% less crowded thing. No worries--- if everyone showed up at rope drop-- it wouldn't be any fun at all...