Anaheim Desert Inn opinions and experiences /Universal moonlighting?

[lalasmama]

Do your kids need a pool? That’s a flat out no if so.

Omg, I had forgotten about that pool. Maybe it's been improved. Granted, my issue was 9-ish years ago, but I still remember it vividly.

Years ago, I dated a pool guy. He said that if there is the smell of chlorine, the chemicals are not proper.

I ignored this knowledge at DI&S, figuring it would make sense that the smell would be there since it was an indoor pool. I got in the hot tub and it felt hotter than normal, in a stingy way. After 5 minutes the feeling wasn't going away. Went back to the room. My legs were bright red. Not like overheated red.... like chemical burn red. My shower was the most painful thing my skin had ever experienced, and it didn't calm the burning. I probably should have gone to the urgent care clinic. This was day 1 of a 3 day trip in February. I had only packed 1 pair of shorts, because, again, Feb weather. Then I spilled food on that single pair of shorts.

Flaming red, chemically burned legs... and I only had jeans to wear for 2 days.

Now if anyone asks about DI&S and wants a pool, I tell my experience. Even last year when I stayed at DI&S, the chlorine smell was overpowering when I would go to the breakfast room.

 

[amyg1975]

Omg, I had forgotten about that pool. Maybe it's been improved. Granted, my issue was 9-ish years ago, but I still remember it vividly.

Years ago, I dated a pool guy. He said that if there is the smell of chlorine, the chemicals are not proper.

I ignored this knowledge at DI&S, figuring it would make sense that the smell would be there since it was an indoor pool. I got in the hot tub and it felt hotter than normal, in a stingy way. After 5 minutes the feeling wasn't going away. Went back to the room. My legs were bright red. Not like overheated red.... like chemical burn red. My shower was the most painful thing my skin had ever experienced, and it didn't calm the burning. I probably should have gone to the urgent care clinic. This was day 1 of a 3 day trip in February. I had only packed 1 pair of shorts, because, again, Feb weather. Then I spilled food on that single pair of shorts.

Flaming red, chemically burned legs... and I only had jeans to wear for 2 days.

Now if anyone asks about DI&S and wants a pool, I tell my experience. Even last year when I stayed at DI&S, the chlorine smell was overpowering when I would go to the breakfast room.

The one time we stayed there we could smell the pool when we walked by (with the doors closed!).

 

[BobaFettFan]

Well this is insane. Glad to hear but sounds like an issue I should consider for any hotel pool I run across.

 

[lalasmama]

Well this is insane. Glad to hear but sounds like an issue I should consider for any hotel pool I run across.

Always something to pay attention and ask about from people that have stayed there. I've stayed at several motels that don't have the same issue-- just a light chlorine smell which is completely appropriate when the chemical ratios are right.

Off the top of my head, Tropicana, Stovall's, Patk Vue, Majestic Gardens have all been completely good when we stayed at each of those places.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Honestly, the reason the chlorine smell is so noticeable there is because it's an indoor pool, which I believe none of the other ones mentioned have.

We love the DI&S. Staying there tonight after we fly in and also next week. It's always been clean, close and safe and that's all I need. If we need a pool, we stay on property! I always ask for a room closest to the front of the hotel, and we don't park a car so never have to deal with that aspect. The two bathrooms is the BIGGEST selling point for us, since we frequently have 6-8 people in the C2, like this weekend for the races. There are not MANY family suites (if any) with two full bathrooms for that price anywhere near the crosswalk!

 

[mom2rtk]

We just got back from a 3 night stay at DI&S. I agree the mattresses are a little uncomfortable, but not a deal breaker. We were so tired after being on our feet all day we passed out. Honestly, it was an amazing deal for the location it offers.

 

[smartlabelprint]

You're right about 6 months out.

No rooms 11 months out.

I think there is only one of those room types per floor. I check every day leading up to 6 mos until I see it available. We paid $351 avg/night with tax last year. This year it’s $486/night with taxes.

 

[Okleighann10]

This is our go-to hotel when we travel in a larger group (actually, even when we're a smaller group it is a go-to). We had booked the Disneyland Hotel for next weekend because the DI&S and other comparable hotels along Harbor were completely booked back in September when we planned everything out, but we got super lucky and there was a cancellation of the C2 suite. Instead of paying $980/night, now we only will pay $485 for more room, everyone gets their own bed, and it is a much closer walk. Win/win/win.

We've stayed in this room setup several times, it has served us very well. It is spacious, two bathrooms, four beds, one pull out sofa. The hotel is clean and quiet. No frills, but that is not what we are wanting when we stay at this particular hotel. Fridge in one room, adequate dresser space, decent sized bathroom with vanity on the outside. Free breakfast with a decent variety (hard boiled eggs, cereal, milk, cheese, pastries, toast, coffee, yogurt).

There is an increased presence in individuals experiencing homelessness and food vendors hanging outside of DL property (we noticed it this past weekend), but if you've stayed at BWPPI you already know that and probably know how to avoid it.

Edited: I'll try to grab updated photos of the room setup when we're there next week.

Edited again: Also - we actually did DI&S and went to Universal/Disney for a short trip back in May of last year. We Uber'd up to Universal early in the morning. I think we left at 7:15am and got there at around 8:30am-ish on a Saturday for a 9am opening so lower morning traffic. We ended up with an Uber XL and probably paid $50-60 each way. It seems like a long car ride, but it was pretty fun to try out a new park. We stayed for half the day because we paid for the unlimited express pass and got everything we wanted done in the morning. Skipped several rides because the Minions gave us motion sickness lol. There was a Metro train we saw that seemed to travel a pretty big distance from Anaheim(?) to Universal that we were going to check out. We're also doing Universal this next week, but will be staying up north then traveling down to DI&S with quite a bit of luggage so will not attempt the metro this time.

Does the C2 have the connecting door in the front sitting area or is it by the bathroom? I’ve seen pictures of the conjoint rooms being by the bathroom and that is not what we are looking for.

 

[Okleighann10]

Honestly, the reason the chlorine smell is so noticeable there is because it's an indoor pool, which I believe none of the other ones mentioned have.

We love the DI&S. Staying there tonight after we fly in and also next week. It's always been clean, close and safe and that's all I need. If we need a pool, we stay on property! I always ask for a room closest to the front of the hotel, and we don't park a car so never have to deal with that aspect. The two bathrooms is the BIGGEST selling point for us, since we frequently have 6-8 people in the C2, like this weekend for the races. There are not MANY family suites (if any) with two full bathrooms for that price anywhere near the crosswalk!

Does the C2 have the connecting door in the front by the sitting area or is in by the bathroom?

 

[ClaraOswald]

This is the C2 floorplan on their site - https://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/files/6878/anaheimC2.jpg

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Also check out the new home2suites - its behind fairfield - about 6-7ths min walk.
We had a HUGE 1100 sq foot suite. 2 bedrooms. One was a queen or king, the other was a double with single pull out. Sofa in living room was a bed. Huge huge space, fkitchen etc.. and I paid off season $295 a night. HUGE free breakfast buffet was a bonus!

 

[crystal1313]

Also check out the new home2suites - its behind fairfield - about 6-7ths min walk.
We had a HUGE 1100 sq foot suite. 2 bedrooms. One was a queen or king, the other was a double with single pull out. Sofa in living room was a bed. Huge huge space, fkitchen etc.. and I paid off season $295 a night. HUGE free breakfast buffet was a bonus!

Ohhh! Good to know!! We were looking into the suite for November but it was already booked. I love having a bigger room to spread out in now that our kids are teens. Is there one bathroom Or two?

 

[RoseColored97]

Does the C2 have the connecting door in the front sitting area or is it by the bathroom? I’ve seen pictures of the conjoint rooms being by the bathroom and that is not what we are looking for.

The C2 has the "foyer" area with the sofa bed where the connection is, with both areas having doors to close. It's the C1 that connects by the bathroom. We've had both, which are nice for different reasons. But the C2 definitely gives extra privacy/space.