Anaheim Desert Inn?

[JenLoy]

We are thinking of staying here in August. I guess I'm just looking for some confirmations that we're making the right decision before I actually book. Is the Desert Inn a good choice or is there a better option out there?

There is 6 adults in our group (DH, myself, and the In-laws on both sides) Luckily, everyone gets along wonderfully so we were thinking for the two days we're in Anaheim, we'd all share a room/suite. Trip advisor had both neg and pos reviews so I'm looking to my fellow DISers to point me in the right direction. Please let me know your opinions of the Desert Inn This is going to be a long summer. The anticipation of this vacation is killing me!!

 

[Mom2micayla]

This is copied off of Doombuggy's post about off-site hotels...

We just got back from a stay yesterday at the Desert Inn.

The positives-
Right across the street. There is only 1 hotel that's closer (Park Vue). It took us literally 3 minutes to walk across, and that was with 3 kids. It's so nice being able to walk to DLR and not bother with ART.

The rooms are large. We planned a last minute trip and all they had was regular deluxe rooms. We were able to fit all 5 of us in there with no problems at all. We even used a pack n play for the baby and could still move around with it open.

Cleaning staff was really good. Our bathroom was spotless.

It was cheap.

The negatives-

It's old & the furnishings are outdated. The carpets were badly stained (at least in our room). They countertop in our room was scratched up pretty bad.

Parking sucks. It's fairly limited and if you get there during a peak time, it might be hard to find a spot. Considering when you're going though, I'd think you'd be okay.

The "continental" breakfast is a joke. Toast, crappy danishes and apples/oranges is it. They had OJ too. I'm assuming there was coffee but I'm not sure since we don't drink it.

Overall the hotel was alright.... the location can't be beat and it is very reasonable as far as costs. IMO it's one of those "I'd rather get a cheap basic hotel and spend the extra money in the park" kind of hotels.

I've heard the same basic things about parkvue. www.parkvueinn.com I've heard great things about CCI and good things about Hojo's. I think we'll likely try and stay at HoJo's next time.

So basically, IMO, it's an okay place for the budget traveler that doesn't mind a very basic room. It wasn't fancy at all, but for us that wasn't overly important. We prefer to spend the money we save on hotels in the park on a character meal or souvenirs.

 

[amw]

So basically, IMO, it's an okay place for the budget traveler that doesn't mind a very basic room. It wasn't fancy at all, but for us that wasn't overly important. We prefer to spend the money we save on hotels in the park on a character meal or souvenirs.

It's certainly on our short list.

It's not only a basic room. What is appealing to me is the idea of their 2-bedroom suites with 4 Queens. Not only could we sleep in a separate room then our girls, they can each get their own bed too! Does anyone have experience with these suites? How are the noise levels?

Also, I'm sure the indoor pool helps for a trip in off-season.

As for the basic breakfast... I'm sure it's better than Disney's free breakfast.... oh that's right, they don't offer a free breakfast

 

[MATTERHORN]

It's certainly on our short list.

It's not only a basic room. What is appealing to me is the idea of their 2-bedroom suites with 4 Queens. Not only could we sleep in a separate room then our girls, they can each get their own bed too! Does anyone have experience with these suites? How are the noise levels?

Also, I'm sure the indoor pool helps for a trip in off-season.

As for the basic breakfast... I'm sure it's better than Disney's free breakfast.... oh that's right, they don't offer a free breakfast

We stayed there 2 months ago with a four queen room for $89 a night, you absolutely cannot beat that!!! It was fine for sleeping, and had a fridge and microwave so we had cereal in the room and the cont. breakfast was good enough so that we didn't have to buy milk for the cereal, just ran down and got some. They had toast, orange juice, and some fruit. That was it, it is very basic, but I didn't book the hotel for the breakfast so I didn't care.

We had no noise at all and we were first room off the elevator. I will say if you have a stroller, we usually had a ten minute wait for the elevator, but with a double the stairs were not doable and there are no 4 queen rooms on the first floor (I asked).

So I recommend it for a no frills place to stay. It was clean, close, and did the job I needed it to do.

Andrea

 

[Brutie]

I personally havent stayed there, though I've wanted to cause in the Via magazine that AAA sends out, its always listed in there for cheap. I think its something like $69 and I have seen ads for them as cheap as $49, a night of course.

We have family with 4 kids who stayed there recently and they said it was very old, the carpets were really nasty, but for a cheap room thats close to the park, if you dont care about the old stuff and dirty carpets, its probably ok.

After having family go and giving me the details I've decided that I didnt really want to stay there after all. We usually stay at one of the marriott residence inn locations. They are higher priced, but I love the bigger breakfast selection and the afternoon social is good too, though their prices there have gone up recently and we were there in January and they no longer had the courtest martiott shuttle which was disappointing.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I just got back last night from a 3 night stay so I thought I'd weigh in.

First of all, the location was great!! Right across the street. It was an easy walk to the parks and back.

Check in was easy and quick. The room was fine, we had the Parlor Suite A. It was clean and comfortable and had plenty of room for two adults and two kids (3 & 5). The fridge came in very handy. It also had microwave, but we didn't use it. The bath towels are very small, but there were plenty of them. The pillows are rather flat, imo, so I used 2.

We brought our own breakfast food because I heard their breakfast is rather skimpy. I did see people walking with toast and juice/coffee. The pool and spa are indoors. We didn't use it. It looked fine, we just didn't have the time. I'm not a big fan of indoor pools though.

My main complaint: we were on the 5th (top) floor. While there were three elevators in the hotel, only one elevator went to the 5th floor! So we often had a wait. Also there was no ice maker on the 5th floor (that we could find) so we had to go down to the 4th floor each time.

I would definitely stay here again. It was not fancy but I wasn't looking for fancy, just somewhere clean and comfortable and close to the magic.

 

[doombuggy]

Thanks, Katelynnsauntie! We might be making a ressie here as a back up in case teh timeshare does not come thru. We are looking to book at Parlor A suite, as we may have another friend meeting us in CA. We are going to make a final decision tomorrow night - I work everyday, so Rikersmom needs to catch me whenever!

 

[kristenhh]

We love the space. We had the Family Parlour Suite with 2 bedrooms (each with 2 beds) and a little room with a couch bed and tv. There was a mini fridge, microwave and chairs and tables, plus 2 bathrooms. You cannot beat that kind of space and it was not too expensive.

I would especially do to for that many adults.

 

[Future Guy]

I've stayed here.

The hotel is on a cramped piece of land and parking is difficult. You'll probably have to park in the undergound parking lot. The room wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything spectacular.

I would rather stay at the Park Vue Inn. The Park Vue Inn was the closest offsite hotel to Disneyland. The rooms were basic, but clean. Parking was abundant.

 

[tinkryansmom]

I have stayed here my last 3 trips to DLR. I am staying here again in September.

You simply can't beat the room size for the money. My mother has been with us the last two trips and with 4 queen beds in two separate rooms, she can be in her own space and we can be in ours. Though our DD6 always sleeps in the other bed in grandmas room.

I am not a big breakfast eater anyways, so an apple it good for me. We travel with plenty of food so this is not important to me. You should be able to put anything you need in the fridge and even warm oatmeal in the microwave.

Parking does indeed suck. We arrived very late at night and the underground lot was full. They made a spot for us - not sure the fire marshall would have liked it but in the morning moving the car was not a problem. There is a strict one car per room rule so be aware if you have extra cars they will have to be parked at the Hilton for a fee. At least that is how they worked it on our last visit.

Hope this info helps. Have a great trip!