Any thoughts on the Ramada Maingate Park

[dnamertz]

For all those who have stayed at this motel, how many minutes walk is it to the Disneyland gates?

 

[CrabbyPatty]

We are now here at the Maingate and are very happy so far. We got here yesterday around 1:00 p.m. and checked in. Our rooms were not ready (check-in time is actually 3:00 p.m.) but we could park our car and use the pool, so we adults sat by a table at the pool with a shady umbrella and ate cookies and cheetos (ah, good times) while the girls swam and swam.

They loved the pool and the way it is configured you can basically see the entire pool from just about any corner so it's fairly easy to watch kids in the pool. We got our rooms (premium) and they are on the 2nd floor of the larger four-story structure near the back of the property - we watched fireworks last night and tonight just a few minutes ago from the balcony.

Nice bedding (which actually looks much "richer" than the pictures on the website. The coverlet is shades of honey gold, the bedruffle has a nice sheen to it and the curtains are subtle shades of green tones and gold - very striking.

The room is clean and we saw employees sweeping, straightening, cleaning, replenishing, etc. the common areas quite often. The room is good sized and I like how the sink is in a separate area than the tub/toilet. Only thing missing is a towel bar in the sink area, and just one more outlet (preferrably under the desk) where I'm sitting with my laptop (although I could plug into an outlet on the desk lamp).

The breakfast was .... suitable. Three types of cereal and milk, bread, toaster available, coffee, fruit, danish, doughnuts, hard-boiled eggs. The girls ate cereal and doughnuts (hey, we're on vacation!) and liked sitting by the pool to eat their breakfast. The breakfast room was a bit small, but it all worked out. No complaints here since I wasn't expecting anything more than a "continental breakfast".

We actually haven't been to DL yet, but I took a walk this morning up to HoJo's and down the block to the Garden Walk, and it is about 2 minutes from the hotel to the crosswalk going across street to Disney. Hojos is about 8 minutes from the edge of their property to the same crosswalk.

Further down the street toward the Garden Walk, at the intersection of Harbor and Katella, I could see the large tower that is apparently the Red Lion on that next block down Harbor - further away from Disney. I can't imagine it's a big big walk, but the Maingate is a LOT closer.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Are all the rooms renovated now? I would consider paying for a Premium room. There are only three of us. Our DS will be 11 at the time of the trip next July 2012. I noticed they have little food counter areas serving pizza, smoothies etc in the front of the motel. How are those for a light meal or snack?

As you walk up from the back of the property, the Magic Lamp is up by the front sidewalk - you can get sandwiches (gyros, chicken wrap, etc.), caesar salad, lattes, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, smoothies, etc. Next to that is the pizza place, which is next to the gift shop. We haven't been there yet, but are thinking we'll stop by for our lunch-time break and grab some pizza or sandwiches and let the girls swim for a while.

It's very convenient ..... and if you need an electric scooter, the "Scooter Village" is on the other side of the driveway (open 24/7, I think!)

 

[Magalex]

Thank you so much for the on-site review! Great job! I hope you & your family have a great visit to DL

 

[marciemouse]

For all those who have stayed at this motel, how many minutes walk is it to the Disneyland gates?

Watch this (incredibly short!) video to see for yourself! Seriously, we usually stay at the 4 star hotels down by the convention center, and I'm insanely attracted to this hotel, primarily because of the proximity to the park!

 

[marciemouse]

We are now here at the Maingate and are very happy so far. We got here yesterday around 1:00 p.m. and checked in. Our rooms were not ready (check-in time is actually 3:00 p.m.) but we could park our car and use the pool, so we adults sat by a table at the pool with a shady umbrella and ate cookies and cheetos (ah, good times) while the girls swam and swam.

They loved the pool and the way it is configured you can basically see the entire pool from just about any corner so it's fairly easy to watch kids in the pool. We got our rooms (premium) and they are on the 2nd floor of the larger four-story structure near the back of the property - we watched fireworks last night and tonight just a few minutes ago from the balcony.

Nice bedding (which actually looks much "richer" than the pictures on the website. The coverlet is shades of honey gold, the bedruffle has a nice sheen to it and the curtains are subtle shades of green tones and gold - very striking.

The room is clean and we saw employees sweeping, straightening, cleaning, replenishing, etc. the common areas quite often. The room is good sized and I like how the sink is in a separate area than the tub/toilet. Only thing missing is a towel bar in the sink area, and just one more outlet (preferrably under the desk) where I'm sitting with my laptop (although I could plug into an outlet on the desk lamp).

The breakfast was .... suitable. Three types of cereal and milk, bread, toaster available, coffee, fruit, danish, doughnuts, hard-boiled eggs. The girls ate cereal and doughnuts (hey, we're on vacation!) and liked sitting by the pool to eat their breakfast. The breakfast room was a bit small, but it all worked out. No complaints here since I wasn't expecting anything more than a "continental breakfast".

We actually haven't been to DL yet, but I took a walk this morning up to HoJo's and down the block to the Garden Walk, and it is about 2 minutes from the hotel to the crosswalk going across street to Disney. Hojos is about 8 minutes from the edge of their property to the same crosswalk.

Further down the street toward the Garden Walk, at the intersection of Harbor and Katella, I could see the large tower that is apparently the Red Lion on that next block down Harbor - further away from Disney. I can't imagine it's a big big walk, but the Maingate is a LOT closer.

Thanks so much for the review! I hope you're going to post pictures! If you're feeling really motivated one day, maybe you could ask to take pictures of not-yet-renovated room. Tell assistant manager Jessica that it's for Disboards!

 

[lconn]

I'm curious about the $10 coupon from Trip Advisor. Do you just have to mention it when you call to make your reservation??

 

[marciemouse]

About the coupon, you can mention it when you make your reservation, or you can present it at check-in to receive a refund... at least that's how I understood it.

I took the leap and booked a Deluxe 2 queen room today, requesting a renovated room. We've only really stayed at 4 star places in Anaheim, so I'm a tad nervous, mostly about what DH will think. But it was a great deal, and with 2 kids now, I think the location will be ideal. Assistant manager Jessica has been a pleasure to deal with. I booked the 25% off with prepayment plus the $10 off per night coupon, so there's no turning back now!

 

[crbrowniegirl]

About the coupon, you can mention it when you make your reservation, or you can present it at check-in to receive a refund... at least that's how I understood it.

I took the leap and booked a Deluxe 2 queen room today, requesting a renovated room. We've only really stayed at 4 star places in Anaheim, so I'm a tad nervous, mostly about what DH will think. But it was a great deal, and with 2 kids now, I think the location will be ideal. Assistant manager Jessica has been a pleasure to deal with. I booked the 25% off with prepayment plus the $10 off per night coupon, so there's no turning back now!

Hi, we are on the edge of booking also.......kinda scary as I'm a complete hotel snob but the service of the manager, Jessica, whenever I ask questions has always been prompt and very friendly! We are also thinking of doing the early booking thing for the premium rooms and it is such a great rate, and I hadn't even factored in the $10 off a night from Tripadvisor! I will ask her about that also! thanks!! We are there at the end of September, can't wait!

Leah

 

[CrabbyPatty]

We're almost at the end of our stay at the Ramada Maingate, and all in all, we enjoyed it.

Now, if you're thinking this is a 4 star resort, you're going to be disappointed.
It's a motel - as most of its neighbors on Harbor Boulevard - but the location is great, the premium room was very good (spacious, clean, nice bedding, etc.), the pool area is great, employees were very helpful, and so on.

We also liked the "conveniences" on property -- Last night, we ordered pizza and pasta from the pizza place, and thought it was very good. I got my morning coffee from the Magic Lamp, DH picked up a hat and DD got a $3 tee-shirt at the t-shirt shop.

I'd much rather have an additional $25 per night in my pocket to spend at Disney than spend it on a room that I'm basically going to just sleep in. I mean, we haven't even really turned on the TV other than for a few minutes at night, and today after 10 hours in the park, we're going to go swimming for a while and then call it a night!

 

[crbrowniegirl]

We're almost at the end of our stay at the Ramada Maingate, and all in all, we enjoyed it.

Now, if you're thinking this is a 4 star resort, you're going to be disappointed.
It's a motel - as most of its neighbors on Harbor Boulevard - but the location is great, the premium room was very good (spacious, clean, nice bedding, etc.), the pool area is great, employees were very helpful, and so on.

We also liked the "conveniences" on property -- Last night, we ordered pizza and pasta from the pizza place, and thought it was very good. I got my morning coffee from the Magic Lamp, DH picked up a hat and DD got a $3 tee-shirt at the t-shirt shop.

I'd much rather have an additional $25 per night in my pocket to spend at Disney than spend it on a room that I'm basically going to just sleep in. I mean, we haven't even really turned on the TV other than for a few minutes at night, and today after 10 hours in the park, we're going to go swimming for a while and then call it a night!

I should add that my Mom would like to stay at the Carousel - the club concierge rooms, do you know if this would be much better or not? It's approx $130 more for the week each.

thanks for the review!!! I have to say though, I'm feeling a little timid after reading it about booking.......I understand it is a motel so to speak as are most of the hotels, but are you able to compare it to other hotels on the block, ie: Fairfield Inn, Carousel Inn, BWPPI? those are all other hotels we have rates at but are considering the Ramada. Thanks for your insights!!!

Leah

 

[marciemouse]

We're almost at the end of our stay at the Ramada Maingate, and all in all, we enjoyed it.

Now, if you're thinking this is a 4 star resort, you're going to be disappointed.
It's a motel - as most of its neighbors on Harbor Boulevard - but the location is great, the premium room was very good (spacious, clean, nice bedding, etc.), the pool area is great, employees were very helpful, and so on.

We also liked the "conveniences" on property -- Last night, we ordered pizza and pasta from the pizza place, and thought it was very good. I got my morning coffee from the Magic Lamp, DH picked up a hat and DD got a $3 tee-shirt at the t-shirt shop.

I'd much rather have an additional $25 per night in my pocket to spend at Disney than spend it on a room that I'm basically going to just sleep in. I mean, we haven't even really turned on the TV other than for a few minutes at night, and today after 10 hours in the park, we're going to go swimming for a while and then call it a night!

Good insights. I'm not expecting 4 stars, but I'm hoping it's clean and comfortable and quiet. I know the location is convenient, and that's what drew me in to begin with. I wouldn't pay rack rate, or even some of the discounted rates, but we got the deluxe 2 queen room for just under $65 per night for our dates. If we don't like it, well, it's only three nights and not too much cash wasted. (Though I'm hoping we do like it!) We spent one night at Hojo's once (freeway side: never again!) but we typically stay at the Marriott or Hilton by the convention center. But with two kids now (this will be our newly adopted daughter's first time!), I'm thinking that being within walking distance could really be a plus. Here's hoping for a renovated room and a pixie dusted trip!

 

[KigerKat]

Hi, we are on the edge of booking also.......kinda scary as I'm a complete hotel snob but the service of the manager, Jessica, whenever I ask questions has always been prompt and very friendly! We are also thinking of doing the early booking thing for the premium rooms and it is such a great rate, and I hadn't even factored in the $10 off a night from Tripadvisor! I will ask her about that also! thanks!! We are there at the end of September, can't wait!

Leah

When I look at the coupon, it doesn't say that it's $10/night, just $10 off. It would be much nicer to have it be $10/night, so maybe you might need to call the hotel for some clarification.

 

[KigerKat]

We're almost at the end of our stay at the Ramada Maingate, and all in all, we enjoyed it.

Now, if you're thinking this is a 4 star resort, you're going to be disappointed.
It's a motel - as most of its neighbors on Harbor Boulevard - but the location is great, the premium room was very good (spacious, clean, nice bedding, etc.), the pool area is great, employees were very helpful, and so on.

We also liked the "conveniences" on property -- Last night, we ordered pizza and pasta from the pizza place, and thought it was very good. I got my morning coffee from the Magic Lamp, DH picked up a hat and DD got a $3 tee-shirt at the t-shirt shop.

I'd much rather have an additional $25 per night in my pocket to spend at Disney than spend it on a room that I'm basically going to just sleep in. I mean, we haven't even really turned on the TV other than for a few minutes at night, and today after 10 hours in the park, we're going to go swimming for a while and then call it a night!

Thanks for letting us know about your stay! It looks like you and I have a lot in common in terms of what we expect from a hotel/motel, so if you're happy, I'm sure we'll be happy!!

 

[CrabbyPatty]

I understand it is a motel so to speak as are most of the hotels, but are you able to compare it to other hotels on the block, ie: Fairfield Inn, Carousel Inn, BWPPI? those are all other hotels we have rates at but are considering the Ramada. Thanks for your insights!!!Leah

Haven't stayed at the hotels you mentioned, but in my morning walks (so definitely take it for what it's worth!), the Fairfield was really the first hotel heading up the street that I thought "now that's a HOTEL" because it was set further back from the street and was basically a high-rise hotel, versus the typical motel / motor-lodge footprint of most of the other hotels. Mimi's Cafe is also right by the Fairfield, which we thought was a good restaurant.

The BWPPI looked okay, but had the same motor-lodge footprint and is right at the crosswalk area. The Carousel Inn looked a LOT more impressive in pictures (with that large smoked glass tower), but again seemed more like a motel as you loooked into the "courtyard/pool" area - but had nice landscaping and grounds.

Going down the street towards Anaheim GardenWalk, the other Ramada (on Katella?) again seemed like a traditional hotel, large lobby area, and nicer grounds. However, that's a walk I wouldn't want to take every day/night to DLR. Not that it's extremely far, but again when you're tired at the end of the day (and after 10 hours yesterday, by 6:00 I didn't think I could make it out of California Adventure and back to the Ramada Maingate!), it's a walk I'd prefer not to tackle!

Before coming here, I was worried about the layout of the hotels and being the closest to that crosswalk. However, after staying here, I like that the Ramada Maingate is under 2 minutes to the crosswalk, yet a bit away for it. Right at that crosswalk, there's some panhandlers, the guy with the Jesus sign asking people to read their bibles, this ungodly sewer STENCH right outside the Cold Stone Creamery by the sidewalk, those Wyndham timeshare guys, etc. and by the time we got to the Ramada Maingate, we felt like we had gotten past all that ..... well, except for the drunken guy standing outside Tony Roma's!

 

[marciemouse]

When I look at the coupon, it doesn't say that it's $10/night, just $10 off. It would be much nicer to have it be $10/night, so maybe you might need to call the hotel for some clarification.

I already confirmed this with assistant manager Jessica. It is $10 off PER NIGHT. See a few posts back in this thread.

 

[KigerKat]

I already confirmed this with assistant manager Jessica. It is $10 off PER NIGHT. See a few posts back in this thread.

That's great news!! I've got the coupon printed and added to my vacation file!!

 

[crbrowniegirl]

Hi all, we booked the Ramada Maingate, yay! Thanks for all of the information, definitely swayed us to stay here! The manager, Jessica, was awesome to deal with and we got an amazing deal in the end and the TA coupon really helped. Weve booked premium rooms, 2 queens, has anyone stayed in those and if so, what are they like?

Leah