A couple of questions about staying off-site

[nigel-bigel]

Hi-

We'll be spending 3 days at Disneyland this April, and I'm a little undecided as to where to stay.

How important is it to stay within walking distance?

Are the hotel shuttles or public transportation not that desirable? I am so used to taking a bus everywhere at WDW that the idea of shuttles doesn't phase me.

I made ressies at the Embassy Suites South (the newer one with the jungle theme, or so I've been told). Do you think this is too far?

Are there any other nice but reasonably priced suites located closer to the parks? I checked out the Best Western Mini-Suites, but what they call a mini-suite is a half wall seperating the beds from the table and chairs. I don't really understand what that is supposed to accomplish!

Any other advice would certainly be appreciated!

Thanks, Nicole

 

[daannzzz]

It is a personal thing I think. I go to both WDW and Disneyland. At WDW there are so many fun, interesting places to stay on property I like trying them all and don't mind taking a bus or boat to the parks. At Disneyland everything is clumped together and it is really convenient to be with in a short walk. I usually stay at the Howard Johnson which is a 7 minute walk. Also because I live closer to Disneyland and go for 3 or four days I do not want to waste time waiting on a shuttle where as when I am at WDW I am there for 7-12 days! When I go to Disneyland I like to stay across the street. I have tried many of the closest motels and hotels. I can walk to the front gates in 5-7 minutes. From the Best Western Park Place Inn the walk to where the other motels and hotels buses drop off passengers is 2 minutes. If you don't mind taking the shuttles I have heard the New Embessy Suites is real nice.

 

[Sonya in Boise]

We have only stayed off site at DL, I have never been to WDW.

One time we stayed at a hotel that we had to take a shuttle to get to/from the park. I won't do that again until the kids are big enought to not need a stroller. It was a pain in the rear to fold the stroller up to get on the shuttle.

I don't think any of the close Harbor hotels have a real suite set up. So we just get a room (or two if needed) and walk to the park. In a few years I want to stay at the Embassy Suites (the older one) just to check it out since I have hear RAVE reviews.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time and that hotel also gets great reviews.

 

[cuterlt]

I really had good luck our last trip with the shuttle system. It was pretty easy to use and quick. Better than walking, IMHO. Last trip before that we stayed at Best West Park Place Inn, which is walking distance - right across the street. The shuttle to disneyland is a lot better than the WDW shuttles.
I don't know anything about suite hotels, so can't help you there.

 

[nigel-bigel]

Thank you all for your feedback! I really appreciate it...

Nicole

 

[dsnylndmom]

We stayed at the Embassy South last May and it was a great stay!! We really enjoyed it and the shuttle was very quick but pay attention to the last shuttle time(we missed it one night! oops! but the cab ride was only $6)

The BW Park Place Inn is my favorite but you are right there's only a half wall seperating the sofa from the beds.

The Desert Inn on Harbor does offer full suites, it's a 5 minute walk or so to the parks.

 

[ter-moo]

Personally, I don't like waiting for shuttle buses, since I like to get to the parks early. Most of the shuttles (not all) stop at several hotels and wait, and it takes forever to get to the parks. The other disadvantage is not being able to come and go to your room easily (for naps, a swim, etc.) The hotels across the street on Harbor are convenient for this. The other disadvantage to a shuttle is if you want to hang around in Downtown Disney after the parks close. Shuttles don't always run once the park hours are over.

The Carousel Inn and Suites has suites that are quite large and pretty good for the price. I believe that the Portofino also has them. As mentioned before, there are suites at The Park Place Inn and Desert Inn and Suites, but they are very basic. I'm not sure about Howard Johnson's, but I do know that it gets great reviews and has good deals available.

Good luck!

 

[westjones]

We were at DL six years ago (before they had the California Park and Downtown Disney). We stayed at a hotel within walking distance and it was VERY nice to be able to just walk over to the park.

We are going again in 2 months and we are staying 3 nights at the DL Hotel (using DVC points--we have never stayed there before) and then we finally decided to spend Friday and Saturday at the Candy Cane Inn. It has gotten good reviews on this board and it is within walking distance. I am hoping we made a good choice (but it is only for 2 nights).

I would not want to have to wait on a shuttle, especially since there are SO many hotel right there close to the entrance of the park.

DJ

 

[daannzzz]

Originally posted by westjones
We were at DL six years ago (before they had the California Park and Downtown Disney). We stayed at a hotel within walking distance and it was VERY nice to be able to just walk over to the park.

We are going again in 2 months and we are staying 3 nights at the DL Hotel (using DVC points--we have never stayed there before) and then we finally decided to spend Friday and Saturday at the Candy Cane Inn. It has gotten good reviews on this board and it is within walking distance. I am hoping we made a good choice (but it is only for 2 nights).

I would not want to have to wait on a shuttle, especially since there are SO many hotel right there close to the entrance of the park.

DJ

Westjones, the Candy Cane Inn is a great place to stay. The walk is about 7 minutes and they do have a private shuttle just in case. If you happen to time it right you can grab the shuttle. It doesn't share with anyone and goes directly to and from the park. I usually walk from the Candy Cane but have been able to snag the shuttle a couple of times.
I don't know what room level you have booked at the Disneyland Hotel but go ahead and ask them for a room with two queens and a day bed in the Sierra tower and you will get a large room with a nice compartmented bathroom

 

[westjones]

That sounds nice! Thanks for the tip. We are excited about staying there. It looks 'Classic' Disney.

I didn't realize there was a shuttle at the Candy Cane, I will keep my eyes open for it. It would be nice to be able to grab the shuttle if it is ready to leave.

DJ