2 bedroom suites or condo-like accomodations within walking distance?

[mkunichi]

Hi,

OK, I've done a basic search and couldn't find anything that fit exactly.

I'm planning a 2.5 family vacation with 5 adults and 1 child (not me, lol). I normally vacation in WDW at a DVC two bedroom so that's kind of my target room.

Other than VGC, are there any nice suite hotels near DLR? Failing that, what's the best resource if I'm looking to visit and avoid driving every day?

Apologies if this has been asked a zillion times.

Mark

 

[BMICKEY]

Check out: http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/

We've stayed there almost yearly for the past 18 years. They are located right across the street from old main gate. Lots of different types of rooms. It has an indoor pool that isn't fancy but the kids always loved it. It's right in between Denny's and IHOP - both of which have a kids eat free program. The hotel offers a very simple continental breakfast - not the greatest but free and does the trick. Or the rooms have a small microwave and refrigerator and enough room for a cooler of goodies.

Good luck!!

 

[skiingfast]

To simply get the number of beds needed it's not hard. Most of the nearby hotel/motels have suites and/or connecting rooms.

To get something more like a condo there is really only one option. Marriot's Residence Inn Maingate. Though it's not very close, it's walkable but almost eveyone defaults to using the shuttles most of the time.

 

[Disneymooner07]

I was looking for the exact same setup for our most recent visit to Disneyland in December. After looking at all the lodgings in the area, I wasn't that happy with the options within walking distance because the rooms didn't seem as nice or the walking distances ended up being kind of far. So we booked a 2BR suite at the Hyatt Regency Orange County and were very very happy with the room. Although it's not walking distance, the Hyatt Regency has its own private shuttle (not the ART shuttle that everyone says bad things about!) that runs every half an hour and we found it to be *really* convenient. It's a very short drive and it was always punctual. The drivers were unfailingly nice and helped us with strollers every time. My husband also kept reminding me that it was just like WDW in that we almost always have to take a bus or boat or monorail to get to the parks anyways, except this was much much closer! We even went back to the room for naps everyday and it wasn't a problem at all. Plus, they had a good rate sale and the 2BR was really big. The only drawback was that it didn't have a kitchen, but the little bar/lounge restaurant in the lobby was actually quite good and the kids could watch Disney movies in a little area to the side while you ate, so it was pretty relaxing.

Overall, I thought it was a great place to stay and would stay there again despite it not being walking distance.

 

[dbbydk]

I was looking for the exact same setup for our most recent visit to Disneyland in December. After looking at all the lodgings in the area, I wasn't that happy with the options within walking distance because the rooms didn't seem as nice or the walking distances ended up being kind of far. So we booked a 2BR suite at the Hyatt Regency Orange County and were very very happy with the room. Although it's not walking distance, the Hyatt Regency has its own private shuttle (not the ART shuttle that everyone says bad things about!) that runs every half an hour and we found it to be *really* convenient. It's a very short drive and it was always punctual. The drivers were unfailingly nice and helped us with strollers every time. My husband also kept reminding me that it was just like WDW in that we almost always have to take a bus or boat or monorail to get to the parks anyways, except this was much much closer! We even went back to the room for naps everyday and it wasn't a problem at all. Plus, they had a good rate sale and the 2BR was really big. The only drawback was that it didn't have a kitchen, but the little bar/lounge restaurant in the lobby was actually quite good and the kids could watch Disney movies in a little area to the side while you ate, so it was pretty relaxing.

Overall, I thought it was a great place to stay and would stay there again despite it not being walking distance.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency OC on our 2008 trip, and had one of those 2BR suites. Ours had a king bed in one room, and 2 queens in the other. At the time, our youngest was 7 months, so we got a Pack N' Play for him. There was a living room type area with a sofa and chair (and the sofa may have had a bed), and a kitchenette type thing with fridge and microwave. It was a great room for us and my mom and MIL, as well as our then 4 year old daughter. The free shuttle was easy to get to, fast, and reliable.

 

[Malcon10t]

Our choice is the Residence Inn Maingate. The suites are large and comfortable, the staff is great, and the breakfast is plentiful!

 

[mkunichi]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. It really does help to narrow things down.

My sister said we should look at the Embassy Suites as well.

It seems to me that the tradeoffs here are:
1. The Residence Inn seems the only one with a full kitchen.
2. The Hyatt is super-nice but has a microwave and mini-fridge instead of the full kitchen.
3. The Anaheim Desert Inn is the only one that is within easy walking distance.

Regarding the hotel shuttle vs. ART for either the parks or for Downtown Disney: how often do they come? Do you have to call for them? How are they at park opening and closing? How about mid-day for a trip back to the hotel?

Also, is DD worth going to in the evening or are there better offerings in the area? I guess for this I should use the "search" feature.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Our choice is the Residence Inn Maingate. The suites are large and comfortable, the staff is great, and the breakfast is plentiful!

We like this place alot if off site.

Jack

 

[8timesblessed]

There is a worldmark timeshare place on katella. Not sure if you can find rental info??

 

[skiingfast]

Regarding the hotel shuttle vs. ART for either the parks or for Downtown Disney: how often do they come? Do you have to call for them? How are they at park opening and closing? How about mid-day for a trip back to the hotel?

Every 20 minutes for ART, some shuttles upto 30 minutes. They run on regular routes. ART starts before park opening, though during long hours it's tight to make a 7 am Magic Morning. It runs later after closing on short our days but only 30 minutes after closing on long hour days. This can be a problem when the ART leaves at 12:30 on a 12am close, but Mainstreet is open until 1 AM, or you are in line at Space Mountain at 12:10.

 

[pixiewings71]

There is a worldmark timeshare place on katella. Not sure if you can find rental info??

The WM Anaheim is near the Garden Walk, not sure what rental rates would be but it looks very nice. There is also the Peacock Suites, they have what they call a 3 bedroom suite, it is in reality a 2 bedroom suite with a living room. There is 1 room with a King bed and a bathroom and there is another room with 2 queen beds, the living room has a queen sleeper sofa. There is no kitchenette but there is a small fridge, microwave, coffee pot. I have no idea what the room rates might be, when we stay at the Peacock we use our SVC points, it is also worth noting the Peacock has a mandatory $8 per day valet fee and the shuttle service is provided by ART for an additional fee. Peacock Suites is not a fully walkable hotel IMO, we have walked it in the morning but rarely at night and the kids don't really like to do it after a long day in the parks...heck, I don't like to walk it after being in the parks all day. lol

 

[loveysbydesign]

What would be considered a really great price at one of the hotels that sleeps 5 and includes breakfast or has a fridge/micro/kitchenette?? We always stay offsite in a condo or rental home when we're in Fl so we're spoiled with getting lots of room for around $75 a night!

 

[bzkds]

Just saw on the Hyatt's website that beginning in Jan 2012 (last month) they now have a shuttle fee of $4/per person/per day. Ages 10 and under free. That might make a difference for some people.. for us it would add $16/day. Still nice that it's not a shared shuttle like the ART however!
Beth

 

[blackjackdelta]

What would be considered a really great price at one of the hotels that sleeps 5 and includes breakfast or has a fridge/micro/kitchenette?? We always stay offsite in a condo or rental home when we're in Fl so we're spoiled with getting lots of room for around $75 a night!

Spoiled I guess, I doubt you see anything close to that price with amenities you are listing, but good luck.

Jack

 

[jensenba]

My brother just booked this condo for his trip in September. It is within walking distance to the parking garage trams. I think it might be what you are looking for. There were a few other condos in the same area on the website. You just have to search.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p945689

 

[loveysbydesign]

My brother just booked this condo for his trip in September. It is within walking distance to the parking garage trams. I think it might be what you are looking for. There were a few other condos in the same area on the website. You just have to search.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p945689

Thanks for the tip about these rentals!

 

[jensenba]

Thanks for the tip about these rentals!

Glad to help.

 

[mkunichi]

My brother just booked this condo for his trip in September. It is within walking distance to the parking garage trams. I think it might be what you are looking for. There were a few other condos in the same area on the website. You just have to search.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p945689

This might be perfect! Thanks soooo much!

 

[jensenba]

This might be perfect! Thanks soooo much!