Annabelle, Castle Inn and Suites, or other?

[Bolt4Life17]

Hello!

So the wife and I have been to WDW multiple times together. Surprisingly, living in San Diego, neither one of us are familiar with DL or DCA!

So for our one year anniversary we are going to get passes to Disneyland and also grab a hotel.

I would like opinions on where to stay outside of official Disney hotels that cost $300+ a night.

I think I have it zoned down to Annabelle or Castle Inn and Suites. I can get either for around $110. Are those good options or would you recommend something different? We are complete noobs when it comes to the Disney here in California.


Btw, we plan to eat at Steakhouse 55 and go to Trader Sam's afterwards.

 

[kirstie101]

I have never stayed at either of those properties. I understand that Castle Inn and Suites recently remodeled their rooms so thats something to consider. I think the walk would be similar from both properties. I've stayed at Best Western Stovalls which is across the street from the Annabella and I can recommend it. Free breakfast thats pretty good. You do have to pay for parking. My favorite off site hotel is the Hojo on Harbor but its higher than the $110 range you mentioned.

I went to Trader Sams in May for the first time and loved it! Have fun!

 

[Aladora]

We've stayed at the Castle Inn and it was perfectly fine, although the walk was longer than we would have liked considering the sweltering heat and the kid that at the time still needed an afternoon rest! The walk, btw, was not that long but it sure seemed it in the 100+ temps.

Have you checked out the Desert Inn & Suites? It is closer than Castle Inn and depending on how far in advance you are booking, you can often get a room for less than $100/night. Park Vue Inn is one motel closer than DI&S and it has a good hot breakfast but is higher than your $110 range....although, if you factor in not having to pay for breakfast, you might be able to justify the higher cost.

 

[nikerbokers]

I voted other as I have not stayed at either one. We stay at Tropicana normally- they have clean rooms, it's quiet, the location is perfect, and their military discount is top notch.

We are staying at Desert Inn & Suites this October. They had an awesome promo of $99/night, location is great, and breakfast is included. As long as they have decent beds and good shower pressure, it will be perfect.

 

[fitzherbert2]

My wife and I like to use the Best Western Park Place Inn but it can be a bit pricey. I've also had good success with the Quality Inn on Manchester. The rooms aren't fancy but I figure I'm only going to be in there to sleep, shower, and change. Its a 5 minute walk and usually fairly cheap. They usually charge for parking but my last time there they waived the parking fee if you "liked" their facebook page.

 

[CalgaryTroy]

I stayed at Anabella and loved the actual hotel, BUT did not love the location.
According to Google - Castle Inn & suites is about 1/2 the distance to the actual entrance that Anabella is, so it really depends on which is more important, I think the Anabella is maybe 1/2 star better quality, but since Castle is recently renovated, I'd chose Castle.

 

[Lebestiole]

I stayed at Castle Inn and I loved it! We're staying there again in our upcoming trip in October. The rooms are nice and the walk to Disney is a short one. Also, the staff is great! They helped me out at 2 am when I couldnt get reservations for super shuttle. So I def recommend Castle Inn!!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

We stayed Castle Inn and Suites one night and found it fine for our needs (a place to crash). There is no breakfast offered fyi. Personally, the walk was longer than I prefer, so next time I go off site I'm gonna try for one of the closer hotels. That said, you mentioned being WDW vets so I suspect the walk would be just fine for you. Google maps says it's a 0.6 mi walk to the front gate. (I'm pretty sure the walk to my room at the Animal Kingdom hotel was 0.6mi lol!)

 

[22Tink]

We haven't stayed at either of the others so I can't really comment but we always stay at the Best Western Park Place Inn. It's a bit more money but it does have free breakfast, free wifi and it's literally 5 minutes away from the security checks. So close!

 

[avalon451]

What dates are you going? I really liked Desert Inn. Like Best Western Park Place, Tropicana, and Park Vue, it is very close to the crosswalk and literally 5 minutes to the gates, closer than any of the DL hotels except maybe GCH. It was very clean, comfortable (I like firm mattresses, others do not, though) and the staff were pleasant and accommodating. Simple continental breakfast, nothing fancy. Free WiFi. Parking fee of $9 a night, I think? Pool is small and indoors, but without the kids, we don't swim. I requested ahead of time (and got) top floor, as far forward as possible. When I stayed last year I got it for $109 a night, this Sept. I got it for $99 a night.

 

[mich311e]

My wife and I like to use the Best Western Park Place Inn but it can be a bit pricey. I've also had good success with the Quality Inn on Manchester. The rooms aren't fancy but I figure I'm only going to be in there to sleep, shower, and change. Its a 5 minute walk and usually fairly cheap. They usually charge for parking but my last time there they waived the parking fee if you "liked" their facebook page.

Darn it. I'm going to try that next time! We're a Quality Inn on Manchester family. We've stayed there 6 separate times (12 nights) since November and my only gripe is the parking fee! The first time it was waived because I'm a Choice Privileges member. But since then I can't get them to waive it! It's a pain.

 

[lildreamer101]

I've stayed at both.

The Anabella is too far for walking because you either have to walk through DTD (Which is alright if you want to go to the restaurants i.e. Steakhouse 55) or you can go up Harbor Blvd. However, it's a long walk back after being in the park. No breakfast but I think they have a restaurant.

Castle Inn & Suites takes about 10 mins to get to the park. Close to Cheesecake Factory, etc. Nice and clean. No breakfast and no restaurant. They have a mini store and CVS is close by.

Please let me know if you have any other questions...

 

[GoBears 1980]

I would like opinions on where to stay outside of official Disney hotels that cost $300+ a night.

I think I have it zoned down to Annabelle or Castle Inn and Suites. I can get either for around $110. Are those good options or would you recommend something different? We are complete noobs when it comes to the Disney here in California.

I think they are terrible. Would you stay at a $110 hotel in San Diego for your anniversary?

There are a ton of new hotels in Anaheim, plus some reliable older ones.

Brand new are the SpringHill Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center, Homewood Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center, Hyatt House Anaheim Resort Convention Center and Residence Inn Anaheim Resort Convention Center.

More established, but great hotels are the Anaheim Hilton, Anaheim Marriott, Sheraton Park Tower, Hyatt Place, DoubleTree Suites, Marriott Suites, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Suites and Residence Inn.

 

[Bolt4Life17]

I think they are terrible. Would you stay at a $110 hotel in San Diego for your anniversary?

There are a ton of new hotels in Anaheim, plus some reliable older ones.

Brand new are the SpringHill Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center, Homewood Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center, Hyatt House Anaheim Resort Convention Center and Residence Inn Anaheim Resort Convention Center.

More established, but great hotels are the Anaheim Hilton, Anaheim Marriott, Sheraton Park Tower, Hyatt Place, DoubleTree Suites, Marriott Suites, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Suites and Residence Inn.

Yes. We quite often rent a hotel right in the Gaslamp, either the Ramada or Holiday Inn for special occasions so we can party then have a place to crash. Most of our money spending is in the location we are visiting and we generally don't spend much time at the hotel besides getting ready. When it comes to WDW, we have to have a Disney Resort (usually Port Orleans French Quarter) because when we are there for 10+ days we like to spend an evening or two relaxing in the pool or listening to live music in the lounge. Going to Disneyland for two days we have our two days pretty planned out. DCA + Steakhouse 55 + Trader Sam's the 1st night. Disneyland + going home the 2nd.

I'll take a look at the ones you recommended and see their price.

 

[Dr. G]

We love the Castle Inn and have stayed there many times

 

[smartlabelprint]

Best western park place inN has a discount through Costco. It's not anniversary worthy.

No to quality on Manchester, desert inn, or Stovall's, castle inn.

Spring hill suites, http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...ce/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2