Can't Decide on a Hotel

[beatlesblonde]

DH and I are planning our first trip to DL this June and I am having the hardest time trying to decide where to stay. For budget reasons we have to stay off property, but after reading reviews on here plus comments/reviews on other sites I'm still at a loss. Here's what we're looking for:

-Prefer within walking distance so probably something on Harbor Blvd.

-Looking for a hotel versus a motel just for my comfort

-Complimentary breakfast (not looking for a huge spread but I have to eat in the AM otherwise I'm eating lunch at 10 am )

-Something with at least a queen size bed (DH is 6'7" and barely fits in our queen at home) and possibly more of a suite size/feel

-High Speed wired and/or wireless internet (doesn't have to be free but we always travel with a laptop)

I like the look of the BWPPI and the Desert Inn but with 10+ places right across from the pedestrian entrance on Harbor I'm driving myself nuts trying to decide

TIA!

 

[thewritegirl]

i felt exactly the same way - somewhat overwhelmed - but ultimately ended up going with Park Vue Inn. I can't say how well it turned out, because we won't be going until March, but I can tell you why I picked it.

*seems like it has a good continental breakfast, including oatmeal. Not just donuts and coffee, yk?
*super close to the crosswalk/Disney entrance.
*free parking
*free wi-fi
*in-room fridge and microwave
*Option to go with a queen and bunk bed combo, because we have two kids.
*good price, booking directly.

So, we'll see how it goes! I think the Best Western Park Place looked great, and I would have booked it, but it would have cost a bit more and it didn't have the bunk bed set up. Since you don't need that, the BWPP sounds like a really good option for you.

 

[HappieMommie]

Hi!

We are at the Howard Johnson right now, and I have to say: We looooooove it!


Walking Distance: check! There is no reason healthy people cannot wait to and from this hotel. Its a beeeeeeautiful walk with all the pretty plants and palm trees (and nooooo snow and frostbite!) and its a great warm up/cool down after a day at the parks. We were there from 9am and got back to the hotel at 10:30 yesterday and yes, my legs were "I-just-had-a-good-workout" sore, but that's not a bad thing to have exercised muscles!!

Hotel vs Motel: check!

Breakfast: maybe if you plan check! We just popped into a grocery store and grabbed some cereal, soy milk, fruit and stuff for easy breakfasts here. There is a small fridge and a microwave here.

Big bed: check check check check!!!!! Actually, I am sitting on the KING bed in out SUITE and loving it! This bed is so comfortable! Perfect! We are in the Kids Suite and there's lots of room! I have some photos to post one day...

Internet: check (obviously!) I am on it now. And its free.

Really, this is a really visitor friendly hotel, and we love it. We have already said that when we return we'll stay here. Staff here are really friendly and we've already had some personal touches that have just really stood out from other experiences we've had at other places. To us, that's what makes our visits really special.

Good luck!

 

[Nala83]

I'm not sure anything meets all of your criteria. You may need to decide what your priorities are.

Most of the walking distance hotels on Harbor are what I would consider to be motels. Rooms entrances are off the parking lot. HOJO is an exception- it has indoor corridors- but it doesn't offer breakfast. (Plenty of spots nearby to grab food in the am if you decide to go that route.)

 

[8timesblessed]

I've been driving myself crazy as well but after today and hours and days of researching and reading reviews. We are going to go with the HOJO as well and do two kids suites and we always buy breakfast type stuff to keep in the room because the kids want to eat when they get up. Alot of reviewers talked about the great beds here and that is a big Plus for me and it looks like it has a great water park for the kids.

 

[Sara*s_Mommie]

I've had recents stays at Park Place Inn and Desert Inn/Suites across the street (motels), Embassy Suites, and Crowne Plaza (hotels) which are farther down Harbor. The continental breakfast at PPI and DIS were terrible with PPI being almost unedible. Embassy Suites is the only place I'd stay if breakfast was the deciding factor. Crowne Plaza doesn't have free breakfast (I got this place when I did Priceline's name your own price - got it really cheap and it wasn't a bad stay). Since my daughter is little, I bring food so she doesn't have to wait too long to eat. For my trip in a few days, I'm staying at HOJO (first time) which doesn't have free breakfast but I'm not concerned. Breakfast foods are so easy and much less expensive if you just bring your own. I also do Minnie and Friends breakfast in the park. I really like the food there.

 

[AADA]

Been to DL several times. Research nut when it comes to trips. My top three are..

1. Candy Cane Inn
2. Park Vue Inn
3. Best Western Anaheim Inn (staying here with my wife in February)

All a SHORT walk to the main entrance of Disneyland.

I booked a package through Expedia to include flight and hotel and got a super deal at Best Western Anaheim Inn (very high ratings). Candy Cane does not participate with Expedia, so that wouldn't work. Park Vue was available on Expedia but $100 more than BW. Please note, there is also a Best Western Park Place Inn that is just a tad down on the same road (Harbor Blvd). Also a great place, but $100+ more for my trip. The BW Anaheim does not offer a breakfast. The BW Park Place does. Denny's and IHOP are right next to both these hotels. I'll save the $100 and eat at Denny's.

Hope this helps.

 

[beatlesblonde]

Thanks everyone for your responses, although we're still not any closer to making a decision you've certainly given me a lot to think about. I don't mind staying at a motel as long as I feel safe however breakfast is one thing that is really important. I'm gonna keep reading reviews on here and see which one works out best for us budget wise. Regardless of where we stay, we're going to Disneyland!

 

[boiseflyfisher]

I also suggest the Candy Cane Inn. They have breakfast, it is close enough to walk, and they have a shuttle if you are tired.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I also suggest the Candy Cane Inn. They have breakfast, it is close enough to walk, and they have a shuttle if you are tired.

Good idea> Since there are only two people this makes the best sense or Hojo if there is no breakfast .
I am always in a a quandry about where I want to stay but traveling with 6 people really limits choices. I book a number of places and decide about two month's out so others may book. You wait tooooooooooo long and you miss out on what you want.

Jack

 

[50sjayne]

I'm all for free breakfast. Anywhere but Disneyland. Every second you waste waiting in line for a sub-par continental is a second wasted. Opt for a fridge and microwave instead. You can pack breakfast stuff. I personally enjoyed my bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon in the am. People have had all kinds of creative ideas, there's whole threads devoted to the issue of hotel snacks and meals.
HOJO

**From what I have heard Candy Cane is great, I could just never afford it. Well, could but I'm unwilling to as a bargain junkie.
Alot of people reserve HOJO with many different discounts but the entertainment rate is the best. For June I'd reserve it with the Dis board discount and hope the entertainment rate shows up for my dates eventually. People do that and sometimes they will show up on their dates and they can have them adjusted. I had extremely high expectations for HOJO from this board and was very extremely happy with our stay.

 

[1disneynutt]

I would suggest either HOJO or Candy Cane. I have stayed at both and love them both. Candy Cane has free breakfast and its own dedicated free shuttle but the rooms are smaller than HOJO. HOJO is a hotel and Candy Cane is a motel boutique but would be very nice for the two of you.