Anaheim Marriott - did I chose poorly?

[WestFamily]

Hi,
We are a Marriott family. I've loved them since I travelled all the time for work years ago. I just booked a trip in October and went with the full size/real Marriott because I like the idea of the full services. Sometimes I get annoyed that the Courtyards and Fairfields don't have room service or a bar or other items the real properties have. However now, I've done some reading and listened to the podcasts and wonder if I should get over my desire for bar and such and book at the Fairfield across the street from the MG.

Long story short: Other than the rooms being smaller and the walk being farther, has anyone had buyers remorse?

Thanks!

p.s. I wish the new Courtyard was a good neighbor hotel!

 

[Zbugz]

Good Neighbor Hotel status is essentially meaningless as far as added perks. I wouldn't let that sway you.

Although the Fairfield is nice and customer service is good, the rooms are not up to par with Fairfields elsewhere. If you are used to nicer properties, you might be disappointed. The only way I'd change to that is if you want to be closer. Personally I wouldn't use the full services, so I'd stay at the Fairfield, but you should go with what is most important to you.

 

[crystal1313]

We have stayed at the Convention Center Marriott before, usually through Hotwire. Parking prices are really expensive! We have always had great rooms, and I think they may have had a renovation since the last time we stayed. I will say, the walk was quite far, even for my husband and I who are active. It was the walk back that killed us. After walking 12-13 miles in the parks, the walk back felt like an eternity and we were regretting not grabbing a cab. We do enjoy the bar in the lobby =) That being said, when we are with our children, we prefer to stay closer to the parks. I am dying to stay at the new Courtyard. The room layout looks really appealing to me. When we stay at a place without a bar, we just buy our own drinks and use the in room refrigerator. How old are your children? Will they enjoy the awesome water park the Courtyard has? Will you be too busy in the parks to use the water park? Some families take breaks and others don't. For me, it would depend on pricing as well.

 

[only1mouse]

The Anaheim Marriott is a nice hotel. Be cautious of wanting "full service" hotels, several large hotels including many Marriott's are eliminating room service as it is costing them too much money. I have recently stayed at two full service Marriott's one in Oakland and another in San Fran and both have eliminated room service and now offer Grab and Go stores. Last time I was at the Marriott Anaheim it did offer Room Service, however I would double check to be sure especially if that is a specific reason why you are choosing this hotel.

 

[WestFamily]

Thank you. The only reason for the good neighbor thing is the package prices are lower right now than buying it all in pieces.

The kids are 9 and 5. The rate for four nights at the Marriott is the same as three nights across the street and lower than three nights at the new courtyard. So the price is one of the helping points.

I know the walk back is going to feel like it's ten miles. Shoot even the way there will be rough due to excitement.

I don't know if we would really go back to enjoy the water park. If we go back it's because they need to nap not play, right? We are going in October so it may be hot if not it will be at least be warm enough for the kids to swim.

I just don't know what to do!!!!!!!

 

[WestFamily]

The Anaheim Marriott is a nice hotel. Be cautious of wanting "full service" hotels, several large hotels including many Marriott's are eliminating room service as it is costing them too much money. I have recently stayed at two full service Marriott's one in Oakland and another in San Fran and both have eliminated room service and now offer Grab and Go stores. Last time I was at the Marriott Anaheim it did offer Room Service, however I would double check to be sure especially if that is a specific reason why you are choosing this hotel.

Good point! I forgot about that. I don't even order it but it's always nice to know I can...

 

[crystal1313]

We went in November and it was 90 degrees and my kids went swimming! LOL. But, we normally are not a family that takes breaks. My boys are 8 and 6. We usually stay in the parks all day. They only swam because it was our arrival day and we did not go into the parks that day.

Since the Marriott you booked is cheaper, I would stick with that. You can always ride the ART shuttle and I am pretty sure I have heard people say they walked across the street to the Toy Story lot and caught a shuttle there as well. Getting 4 nights for the same price as only 3 nights elsewhere is a big difference! You can use that money towards other things =) I have never been disappointed by the convention center Marriott. Quick note: last time I asked for a room away from the elevator and I swear it took 5 minutes to get to our room from the elevator! LOL. It took forever! But room was nice and quiet We also like that there is a Starbucks in the lobby (but it is usually pretty slow going) and there was also a food court area.

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

We just stayed at the Anaheim Marriott. We enjoyed it, but needed that location due to a conference for my DH. We have 3 kids and found the walk back from DL to be quite long at end of day. I would recommend ART & then you would be all set. Oh, and we tried the pool but for us personally found it a bit cold for us, so just used it once.

Oh, you must go to roscoes chicken & waffles if you're there, because it is close and yummy!

 

[WestFamily]

...Oh, you must go to roscoes chicken & waffles if you're there, because it is close and yummy!

HAH! I love that place! We used to go to the one off Sunset Blvd when we lived in LA.

 

[bevcgg]

Just stayed there for the Tink Race this past weekend. I was VERY IMPRESSED with the customer service!!!

I found the hotel to be fresh- recently renovated and not noisy.
The pool area was very nice, partly covered which was a nice touch.
I requested a Parkview room on a high floor (15) where I was able to see the fireworks over top of the Hilton.
They even had a balcony- which I LOVED but you don't often see.
The ART shuttle was super convenient and speedy- the ride was short and I never had to wait for a bus- either way.
I could not have walked faster than the bus- but it was nice to know that was an option.

We have stayed at Best Western Stovalls and Park Place as a family and loved it.
But but I would compare the rates with the Marriott in the future and stay there again.

 

[DizMe]

I'm not sure what your cost is, but you might look into their Disneyland Package. It's generally about $246 per night when available. I did this once and it was quite a nice savings, but that was 3 years ago. Not sure what it includes now but we got a $100 Disney gift card *each night* of our stay at that rate, free parking, and free ART tickets for 4 each day. I believe parking was $25/day--it's pretty high at that hotel. You don't have to do the package every night of your stay, either.

As far as the hotel, I loved it! It worked very well for us. You can walk over to the nearby Toy Story lot and ride to/from Disneyland for free.

 

[Laz]

I stayed at the Marriott for a convention a number of years ago. The walk can be much longer at the end of the day, but we took a Disney bus back to the Toy Story lot which made the walk much shorter. Can that still be done?

 

[Bud Ice]

My best advice to anyone looking at hotels...

Are you there for Disneyland or the room?

 

[WestFamily]

My best advice to anyone looking at hotels...

Are you there for Disneyland or the room?

So true. Which is why I don't mind the smaller rooms but I don't want to come back to a dump at the end of the day. I want some luxury.

I'm not sure what your cost is, but you might look into their Disneyland Package. ....
As far as the hotel, I loved it! It worked very well for us. You can walk over to the nearby Toy Story lot and ride to/from Disneyland for free.

In terms of that package, it wasn't available however the rate through Disney Vacations is low enough that it's tough to beat since it has the 4th night free. The total hotel stay with Tax is about 633 total if I take out the normal price for the park hopper tickets. So 158 a night including taxes. Not so bad in my opinion.

Thanks for the hotel info everybody! I feel more comfortable now. Even with the long walk or dealing with a shuttle.

 

[DizMe]

So true. Which is why I don't mind the smaller rooms but I don't want to come back to a dump at the end of the day. I want some luxury.



In terms of that package, it wasn't available however the rate through Disney Vacations is low enough that it's tough to beat since it has the 4th night free. The total hotel stay with Tax is about 633 total if I take out the normal price for the park hopper tickets. So 158 a night including taxes. Not so bad in my opinion.

Thanks for the hotel info everybody! I feel more comfortable now. Even with the long walk or dealing with a shuttle.

Yes, that's right. For me, it worked well because the regular rate was about $149/night and I paid $249/night with the package. However, I got a $100 disney gc every day (which balanced out the cost difference), plus ART tickets for 4 each day (which I didn't use because they allowed me to sell them back to them for face value), and free parking. Since I paid with a gift card I'd gotten through a points program, it was like being given free money If you add up the value of the perks, it can be a good deal. If you don't need shuttle and parking, you pretty much break even or possibly even pay more.

 

[crystal1313]

Glad you feel better about your decision! Have a wonderful trip =)

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

I stayed at the Marriott for 3 nights in mid April ( saved over $1000 compared to the Disneyland hotel). It was nice to walk in the mornings to the park ( I was by myself and am fairly active) and liked the walk back at night .One night as I was walking back along Katella avenue I saw the high level fireworks over Disneyland. I also headed back to the hotel in mid afternoon to relax by the pool for a couple of hours before heading back to the parks

It is a nice hotel with large rooms ( I found the bathroom sink a little small but adequate) and with a fridge.

 

[WillowRain]

I stayed there several times years ago when we had AP's and got a discount. I loved it. The walk IS pretty long at night, so I would recommend getting the transit passes. Heck, I stayed there when I was a little girl and they had their own trolley to take you to the parks. I too am a Marriott girl! I had the best experience with one of their drivers, but that's a whole other story lol. We went with the new CY simply because of the bunk beds and double shower thing.

 

[ImDMous]

When we stay in the Convention Center area, we always take the Toy Story shuttle back after a day in the park. The walk in the morning is fine but it's a long way after doing the park all day.

 

[WestFamily]

Hah! In typical "I can't figure out what to do fashion" I have both my Disney Vacation package (4 night deal) being held AND a room at the new Courtyard. You all have me thinking how much more FUN it will be at the new location right across the street even if it's for one less day. The rooms at the CY really remind me of the DCL rooms and being closer to the park is very enticing. If we stay one night less and do standard one park tickets, the price is fairly close. With it being Halloween nights while we are there we can always jump to DCA in the afternoon those days.

Pros: Still 3 day park tickets, less money spent on vacation because it's one less day, right across the street. The ticket package has more freebies: oh wait, none that I care about. (photo, lanyard, and pin)

Cons: 1 less day on vacation at the parks. Instead of not going into the park the day we get there (allowing us to leave the Bay Area later) we have to leave really early in the morning to get there around park opening time to enjoy a full first day.

WWYD?

Honestly my vote is to go to the new CY. Which is what it seems most of you have already been doing.