Another hotel question. Need some Disney expert advice!

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Our favorite hotel on S. Harbor (Ramada Maingate) is almost as expensive as a Disney hotel! Yikes! So now I'm shopping around for another one for our December trip. The distance to DL is all about the same.

Has anybody had recent experience at any of these hotels:

Best Western Park Place Inn (BWPPI)
Desert Inn and Suites
Park Vue Inn
Carousel Inn


We're also considering Hojos, but we've stayed there in the past and know what to expect. We like it there, but would prefer something closer.

Any thoughts (good or bad) on the above hotels?


Thanks!

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Just curious... how many people are in your party? What are your dates? What is the limit that you would be willing to pay? (FYI, I've been shopping around for a room during Christmas break and have been doing a lot of research).

And you know what is funny about Ramada Maingate? Those rates are up there (comparatively) AND they are doing construction!!

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

2 Adults and 3 children. So probably 2 queens and a rollaway or sofabed.


Last May (5 months agao!) we paid $89/night at the Ramada Maingate. Today they quoted me $195/night!!! Umm.. I was shocked.


The Paradise Pier is $225/night. I'll pay $30 more a night to stay at a Disney property anyday.


We're flexible with dates, but are probably looking at Dec 4th or Dec 11th. 2 nights.



There are just SO many hotels in the area to choose from. I picked (what looks like) 8 of the most popular ones on Harbor and just called 'em. The ones above gave us the best prices.


If you have any other suggestions, I'm open! We want something close, though. No shuttles.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Just sort of scanning around the sites I would say, yes, looking at those dates if you can find a room with 2 doubles and a sofa/bunk bed combo for less than $400 for both nights (including taxes, parking and breakfast maybe) I would jump on it.

 

[Butterfly123]

We really like BWPPI. It is right across the street, so no hotels are closer. It fits our family of 5 (the mini suite) because it is 2 Queens and a sofabed. The breakfast is nothing special, but is decent. We have had two very nice experiences here, and it is now out go-to spot to stay at. If you are flying they even have a no car rate that saves you some money.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

...and I think Desert Inn has the best deal for you on the 11th. I would put a reservation on it and then keep searching around as the date approaches.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Just sort of scanning around the sites I would say, yes, looking at those dates if you can find a room with 2 doubles and a sofa/bunk bed combo for less than $400 for both nights (including taxes, parking and breakfast maybe) I would jump on it.

All of the ones I listed above are under $400 for both nights (including parking and if they have a rollaway charge).

We really like BWPPI. It is right across the street, so no hotels are closer. It fits our family of 5 (the mini suite) because it is 2 Queens and a sofabed. The breakfast is nothing special, but is decent. We have had two very nice experiences here, and it is now out go-to spot to stay at. If you are flying they even have a no car rate that saves you some money.

Thanks!

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

...and I think Desert Inn has the best deal for you on the 11th. I would put a reservation on it and then keep searching around as the date approaches.

All of the ones I listed are in our budget. The prices difference isn't that much. I'm just trying to get some feedback on the individual hotels now and see if any stand out as better or worse than the others.

 

[awdsmama]

We really like BWPPI. It is right across the street, so no hotels are closer. It fits our family of 5 (the mini suite) because it is 2 Queens and a sofabed. The breakfast is nothing special, but is decent. We have had two very nice experiences here, and it is now out go-to spot to stay at. If you are flying they even have a no car rate that saves you some money.

Can you tell me, if you book online do they charge your card 1 night stay in advance or is it just a guarantee?
THanks!

 

[mellers]

Our favorite hotel on S. Harbor (Ramada Maingate) is almost as expensive as a Disney hotel! Yikes! So now I'm shopping around for another one for our December trip. The distance to DL is all about the same.

Has anybody had recent experience at any of these hotels:

Best Western Park Place Inn (BWPPI)
Desert Inn and Suites
Park Vue Inn
Carousel Inn


We're also considering Hojos, but we've stayed there in the past and know what to expect. We like it there, but would prefer something closer.

Any thoughts (good or bad) on the above hotels?


Thanks!

We've had good luck at the Carousel Inn, but it's been awhile since we stayed there.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

All of the ones I listed are in our budget. The prices difference isn't that much. I'm just trying to get some feedback on the individual hotels now and see if any stand out as better or worse than the others.

That's a good idea!! But don't wait too long because the room availability will change hour to hour (and possibly price) and once you make a decision, it may not be available (there was only 1 room left at Desert Inn). I've been watching rooms disappear daily for Christmas break. As far as I know, you can always make a few reservations and cancel the extras when you know for sure.

 

[Malcon10t]

Best Western Park Place Inn (BWPPI)
Desert Inn and Suites
Park Vue Inn
Carousel Inn

Of your choices, Carousel is my pick We really enjoy the rooms, they are clean, modernized, adn the beds are comfy.
Desert Inn is large, beds aren't too comfortable, it is older, but clean.

 

[DharmaLou]

There was a thread here not super long ago (maybe late August) that PVI has some bug problems. I would probably avoid that one!

 

[StyledSugar]

We used to stay at the Ramada Maingate as well. Always had excellent service and nice, clean rooms!

Out of what you listed we have only stayed at Desert Inn and Suites. We found the room old and dated. We don't ask for a whole lot but I didn't like the rooms at all! I would never stay there again.

 

[Butterfly123]

BWPPI did not charge us for one night to hold the room. They even emailed us on our first visit that the rate had gone down about $15 dollars per day from when we booked, and gave us the lower rate. That was nice of them, because I never would have checked for something like that.

 

[hollyshoffbrau]

We stayed at Carousel Inn 3/2011 and were not impressed. We paid $99 before taxes fees. It is close but our room seemed like you could hear everything outside and we were back quite a bit from the road. Also housekeeping didn't hit our room until 4ish each day and 2 times not even by then. The laundry center on site was nice.

 

[bondgirl007]

Try the Tropicana. It is just across from the maingate. I stayed there last Feb. The rooms are very large and clean. I prefer a Disney Hotel but for the price and convinience The Tropicana fit. They do have free breakfast but I did not get to try it.

 

[KittyKat1978]

I stayed at the BWPPI the first week of October (a king room) and had no issues except there are no safes in the rooms. I guess they have a central one somewhere, but I ended up carrying everything with me.

I am staying there again with my parents in a mini suite in Dec.

 

[awdsmama]

BWPPI did not charge us for one night to hold the room. They even emailed us on our first visit that the rate had gone down about $15 dollars per day from when we booked, and gave us the lower rate. That was nice of them, because I never would have checked for something like that.

Thank you! And wooohooo on the price drop, $15 a day is great treat-money!