Best Hotels in Easy Walking Distance?

disneycat321

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Jan 13, 2013
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We're DLR vets who have never stayed at a hotel near DLR. We were local pass holders for a few years, and then we've stayed with family every time we've gone since we moved to northern CA. This time (October) we'd like to make it a true vacation and stay in a hotel. Our highest (and maybe only) priority is being able to walk to the parks. We'd also be ok with being able to walk to Toy Story parking and catching the bus there, but only if it's cheaper than directly walking to the park. Included breakfast would be a nice bonus, but not a necessity. We couldn't care less about the pool - don't plan to use it. We're two adults, no kids. We tour DLR hard and really just need a comfortable place to sleep and recharge.

We don't have interest in Disney's hotels. Way out of our budget.

Right now our top choice is Best Western Park Place Inn, but maybe there's something else a little cheaper? Just thought I'd ask...

Thanks for any advice!
 
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My kids just stayed at the Tropicana and like it, right across the street. The Fairfield Inn gets high marks. I've stayed at the Sheraton by the convention center and found the walk to be just fine but it was just me and no kids.
 
My kids just stayed at the Tropicana and like it, right across the street. The Fairfield Inn gets high marks. I've stayed at the Sheraton by the convention center and found the walk to be just fine but it was just me and no kids.

Thank you! I will look into those. :) Looks like the Sheraton (like all the convention center hotels) would be an easy walk to the Toy Story parking lot. We used that lot every time we visited when we were locals, so we wouldn't mind that at all.
 
We like the Tropicana a lot. No included breakfast but a well stocked coffee bar/general store downstairs to pick stuff up to have in the room if you want.

If you're OK with Toy Story lot I really liked the Homewood Suites next door to it when I stayed there in December. Basically new hotel, nice rooms, decent breakfast and if you happen to be back at the hotel they have happy hour with some food in the evenings as well. May not be the cheapest though- depends on dates.
 

We are always staying at the BW Anahaim Inn... that is a little further to walk than the BW Park Place but still very close. It is usually a few $ cheaper than BWPPI and we really enjoy the possibility to eat our breakfast on a balcony outside of the breakfast room... (we don’t really like all that air conditioning). That included breakfast is really a game changer for us because we really enjoy it and saves quite some time and stress for us...
 
I’ve stayed at a number of different hotels and motels on Harbor and Katella. I tend to value low cost over amenities when choosing one. As such, I’ve not had a bad experience with any of them which usually means that whatever is the best value that trip is going to be the best hotel for me.

If it’s clean, safe and within a 10 min walk or so from the main gate, I’m good.
 
Right next to BWPPI is Park Vue and then Desert Inn and Suites. DI&S consistently has the best rates of the closest bunch of "at-the-crosswalk" hotels. Looking at October I see their standard rooms going for around $139-149, $10 less if you have AAA or AARP. I have booked them for as little as $109 or $119, and the price may go down between now and then-- you'd have to call for an adjustment.
They're very basic, but it sounds like that's what you're looking for. Clean, nothing fancy... continental breakfast is pretty lame but we like to just have groceries in the room for breakfast.
 
We've stayed at the Tropicana and thought it was fine for sleeping and showering. We spent most of our time in the parks when we stayed there. We stay onsite now.
 
Walking distance hotels that are my favorite in order of closeness to the crosswalk:

1. Tropicana - I stayed for the first time mid refurbishment about a year ago and was lucky to stay in a newly refurbed room. It was spacious and bright, clean and so convenient! Even as a motel the noise level wasn't bad at all and we were on the first floor for mobility reasons and I don't recall upstairs being too noisy and it was sold out that week.

2. Fairfield Anaheim Resort - This is actually my preference even though it's a slightly longer walk ( by maybe 4-5 minutes). I first stayed here about a year ago when I scored a ridiculous low rate on Last Minute Travel for $89/night , when rack rate is average $189 or more. It is outdoor corridors as well however the rooms were very large for the property , pool is still nice with a hot tub and Panera , Mimis cafe and McDonald's in walking distance too. I love they have smart TV's with Netflix and Hulu enabled so I can sign into my account. Often this hotel is on Priceline too and Express deals are easy to figure out if you look at amenities, I am staying here this weekend and got an Express deal for $89/night for 4 nights on Easter weekend. I found this about two months out so it pays to look early and often.

3. Hojo Anaheim - This is always a solid place to stay though they recently refurbished the rooms too the price has gone up a bit , actually to the point the value for me isn't there. However they still offer free parking ( a rarity) and has indoor corridors if you want the hotel feel within walking distance.

4. Castle Inn - This is my hidden gem of a place , it often has AAA discounts online or if you call. Its clean and simple but comfortable, free parking as well and still about a 10-15 minute walk. Often rates can be found for about $120 or less.

4b. Candy Cane Inn - A DIS favorite for good reason , they have an expanded continental breakfast , free dedicated hotel shuttle service and free parking. It's still only a 10-15 minute walk, basically opposite side of Castle Inn. Rates can vary but they offer AAA and AP discounts.

Sone may suggest Desert Inn and Suites and while I have stayed there the beds are too hard , and I like firm beds , for me to recommend.
 
Sheraton Park was fairly nice and in theory it’s walking distance...the first day. On our second and third day, after walking the parks all day and a middle of the day trip back for pool and naps all three days, the walk back got pretty brutal. After that it was onsite at the DVC Villas at the Grand Californian for us, even with the cost no regrets at all.
 
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Sheraton Park was fairly nice and in theory it’s walking distance...the first day. On our second and third day, after walking the parks all day and a middle of the day trip back for pool and naps all three days, the walk back got pretty brutal. After that it was onsite at the DVC Villas at the Grand Californian for us, even with the cost no regrets at all.
We often see guests at the Sheraton taking the TS shuttles. We like the walk, but at least the shuttles are a free and available option for others. Of course, I can see the attraction of the GCH (!), but people should know that walking isn't the only option for the Sheraton.
 
We often see guests at the Sheraton taking the TS shuttles. We like the walk, but at least the shuttles are a free and available option for others. Of course, I can see the attraction of the GCH (!), but people should know that walking isn't the only option for the Sheraton.

We’ve done that walk to the TS parking lot at night when the bus lines were super long and we are NOT fans of it. Definitely easier to take the bus.
 
We love the Sheraton, but the pool area is a big reason why and they don't offer a complimentary breakfast. If you're not planning on using the pool then there are better choices much closer to the entrance (that do not entail walking over to the Toy Story lot and taking the shuttle - which in theory might save a few steps, but won't generally save time). Candy Cane Inn is a bit closer than the Sheraton and favorite of many, offers comp. breakfast and has a designated shuttle (when we stayed we didn't use it much because walking was usually quicker, but it is nice at the end of the night when even that 10-15 minute leisurely walk is a killer). And the BWPPI can't be beat for location!
 
We have always had a good stay at Tropicana. Nothing fancy but a bed and a shower, works for us when we do short trips with lots of park time.
 
We have stayed at BWPPI and really liked it. The proximity was amazing. The rooms are also really clean and have been refreshed within the past couple years (new furnishings and bedding). The beds were very comfortable, which is a big deal for me. The staff was also very friendly. Great experience overall.
 
We have stayed at Desert Palms several times. The rooms are basic, but clean and they have a hot breakfast with a nice variety of food. I also like that they are on the same side of the street and you don't have to cross Harbor Blvd. It's about a 10 minute walk. That being said, their prices are quite a bit higher this year than they have been in the past.
 
We have stayed at the Tropicana....it is clean , quiet and the market was great for a quick breakfast snack and coffee before literally walking across the street to the park. The bus/shuttle/tram part of disneyland is the worst part for me, soTropicana or the hotels directly next to it get my vote. Anything more than one or two hotels away from the crosswalk is too far in my opinion.
 
I haven’t seen the Park Vue Inn mentioned (though I could have missed it). Has anyone stayed there? How does it compare to BWPPI?
 

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