Hi all! We finally are going to
Disneyland in April! I've been 6 times, hubby once, but never together. So excited!
I've stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn but we are booked at Stoveall's this trip to save a couple books (which will be going towards a lightsaber... hahaha). I know it isn't as close as Park Place Inn , but would love any other comments to get an idea. Those who've stayed there before... what did you think?
I haven't stayed at BW Park Place Inn, so I can't do a direct comparison. However, I stayed at Stovall's a little less than 2 years ago.
The property is nice. It's clean, and well maintained. There's 2 pools and 2 hot tubs. Let's come back to my little story about that in a few moments.
When I checked in, they asked me what kind of room I wanted. I had won 2 free nights via their Facebook contest, so I hadn't booked a specific room type; I paid military rate for the other 2 nights (which was $95 at that point). I asked for "as close to the front as possible, and as high as possible." They gave me a room in the far west building, on the 3rd floor, like 4 rooms from the front. Room size was on the smaller side of average. It was 2 double beds. Beds were comfortable enough--not too soft, and not too firm--but definitely not cushy! There was a small dining table for 2, however, it was basically pushed up against the bed closest to the window and door, so you could sit on the bed to use the table. There was a desk with a large mirror over it (no full-length mirror in the room, though). There was a TV stand with 3 drawers below it. There was a separate, free-standing closet (odd, but whatever). Vanity was outside of the bathroom, and kind of small because the microwave was also on the counter. The heating/AC was above the vanity area as well, which made it a little difficult for my short self. The bathroom was small, but most hotel bathrooms are, right? The floors were clean--I always use a black-light on the floor before I bring my luggage into the room, as well as wear white socks, and that all checked out fine. Bed linens were fine--not lux, but not scratchy--with the typical sheet-blanket-sheet configuration. Towels were fine; again, not lux, but they got the job done. I'd stay there again without a second thought.
As for the walk: You are already aware that it's not directly across from the pedestrian entrance. However, the walk goes quickly, and, once you cross the street, you are on Disney property the whole way. From your room to the crosswalk will be 3 minutes or so. Cross the street on the west side going north. Follow the sidewalk for 5-6 minutes. You'll walk right past Paradise Pier. Cross the street and turn left at the light/parking lot. Follow the crowds around to the right, and that will put you straight into the security line. From that left turn to security is like another 5 minutes. Then, you turn right, and go the length of Downtown Disney (so, maybe another 5-8 minutes). It sounds long, but it really isn't bad; it never felt "long."
The pools and hot tubs. Important background info: I often travel alone as a 40-something, petite female. I feel fairly secure in my ability to defend myself, and am fairly comfortable walking around on my own in the Disneyland resort area. Like I mentioned earlier, my room was at the northwest corner of the property. The pool is on the east side of the property. To get from my room to the pool and hot tubs, I needed to walk through a parking lot, through another building, and more parking. Most commonly, I use the hot tub on my first night at hotels/motels, as I've been traveling all day, and don't go to the parks that day. So, I changed into my suit, threw a towel around me, grabbed my book and phone. I walked down 3 flights of stairs. Then across the first parking lot area. Then I came up on a safety concern. Though the corridor was well-lit, it was a hallway and I couldn't see what was at the other side, other than more parking. Someone could have been on either side of the opening of the corridor at the other end, and I would have been totally unaware. So, I made it through the corridor, and through the next parking area. The pool area was fenced, and I think I needed my key card to get in. At this point, I was faced with my next issue. There was a pool and hot tub up front, and then one around the corner on the far side of a pool-supply building (maybe 15x15 ft building, but made the back hot tub and pool pretty remote-feeling. There was a young couple (ahem, trying to be polite) "canoodling" in the front hot tub. So, I had to use the back hot tub. It was dark, and just felt too far removed to be comfortable. There was also a big pick-up truck driving around the parking lot over and over again, with people yelling from the truck... So, between a back hot tub where I felt very hidden, plus a couple rather hot and heavy 15 feet away, plus a pick-up truck from who-knows-where driving through the parking lot, I just felt uncomfy. I basically ran back to my room as quickly as possible.
Wow, sorry this became so long! At any rate, I'd stay there again.
