Can't make reserv. for 6?

[itsreally4mommy]

I am looking to make Magic Your Way reservations for 2 adults and 4 kids at a Good Neighbor Hotel. I've tried Candy Cane, Carousel, and Tropicana and nothing lets me as it says my party is too large. This is even going through the tickets/res. link for groups of 5 or more. I don't understand as I know some of these have 2BR 2Bth suites, and I've read here of others with large groups getting reservations.

I would also like your opinion on how to book our party. I'm going with my two kids and my friend and her two. So we are content with either bunking together in a suite or two regular rooms. Which do you think would be the best? If we do share, I would prefer 2 bathrooms since its all girls, LOL!

Thanks for all your help! We just had our first Disney trip at WDW over Thanksgiving and I can't wait to go back. Sleeping Beauty is DD very favorite and she wants to see her castle now. I'm surprised that since WDW has Cinderella's Castle and things center around her more, that dinners, etc. at DisneyLand aren't centered more to Aurora. Ok, I am starting to sound a little obssessive compulsive now, LOL!

 

[magicmaker1]

We have a family of six and had the same problem. You have to call the hotels you are interested in. Can't do anything over the internet unless you book it as 2 seperate rooms but then you have no control over rooms being near each other.

Also depending when you are going, the monorail is going to be down for the first part of the year so it is ART or personal vehicle if not within walking distance.

 

[itsreally4mommy]

Well, at least I know it can be done and that I'm not crazy! LOL! We are looking at Spring Break Mar 13-16th. Which hotels use a monorail and/or which ones are within walking distance?

 

[GreenGirl8]

Non of the hotels use the monorail system. It goes from Disneyland to the Downtown Disney station only. Guests staying at the Disneyland hotel will often use the system to get into Disneyland. The monorail being down is not a big deal at all except if you stay at the Disneyland hotel. The walk is to the entrance of the park is further than many of the hotels across the street from Disneyland.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

If you want a suite within walking distance that takes 6 people, try the Best Western Park Place Inn.

Other hotels use the ART shuttle. These hotels use ART, but if you like to walk 10-15 minutes to get to your hotel you can also check out Portofino Inn & Suites, Best Western Raffles, and Residence Inn Maingate.

Another suite hotel with the kids suite (2 bedrooms, 1 with bunkbeds, living area, kitchen area, 2 bathrooms) is the Residence Inn Resort Area -- you would have to use the ART with that hotel.

Happy Planning

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

We recently stayed at the Anaheim Desert Inn & Suites almost directly across Harbor from the entrances to DL/DCA. It's not the Ritz, but we were happy with it. Check out their room/suite options: http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/room_suites.htm

Their Family Suite B (I think) looks like two connected rooms, each with two queen beds, a full bathroom, a small fridge and microwave. It sleeps up to 8 people. It's actually two rooms, but by reserving them as a single suite, you are guaranteed connecting rooms.

Our family of five (DH, DS5, me, DM and DF) opted for a Parlor Suite C2. That version is similar to the B except it has a single entrance and one of the rooms (with the entrance) has a small sitting area rather than a fridge and microwave in that one. For us, that worked perfectly as my parents are early (and I mean EARLY) risers and didn't want to disturb us as they watched the news or read. It gave us proximity with some privacy.

Like I said, it wasn't the Ritz, but it was a clean, comfortable place in very close proximity to the parks. Room to turnstiles at the park entrances was less than 15 minutes--10 if you aren't towing grandparents indulging the 5 year-old who wants to dawdle. I'd rank the lodgings as somewhere around Comfort Inn or Best Western standards--better than Motel 6, but not as nice as a Fairfield Inn.

Plusses: Proximity, price (we paid $129/weeknight in mid-Dec), terrific fireworks viewing deck
Minuses: Only allowed 1 car per reservation--regardless of how many occupants, wimpy pillows, small indoor pool (we didn't try it--we aren't pool people)

The hotel claims to be a "Good Neighbor" hotel, but Disneyland doesn't seem to think so. Odd, but I chose to overlook that.

Happy planning!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

I had noticed the post about the Desert Inn and too was confused by its "good neighbor" status. I am curious if you can purchase a dining plan if you don't stay at a Disney or Good Neighbor Hotel?

I notice so many of you rent cars. Is it really that necessary? We didn't at WDW as we were content to stay within the "world" and it seems like such a hassle. I do regret not going off site for souvenirs, but then again it would have wasted a lot of time. Do you think we'll be ok not renting a car?

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

I don't know enough about the DL dining plan to answer you intelligently. We didn't use any dining plan and I'd hazard a guess that it would be unnecessary at DL and DCA, but that's purely a guess. You might search the forum for other threads about the dining plan or post another thread to get some more "seasoned" DL veterans' opinions.

As for renting a car, I don't think you need one if you want to stay right around DL. If you wanted to hit San Diego or any of the Hollywood/LA sights, you'd probably want a car.

It's difficult to explain how much more compact DL is than WDW. You don't need all the extra transportation because it is all RIGHT THERE. You'll see!

Happy planning!

 

[magicmaker1]

We are also going to be there the week of March 13-20! It's true a car is really not necessary unless going "exploring". We are driving out and hitting San Diego first. We were at DL 2 years ago in March and the weather and crowds were great. Only thing about off season, no fireworks or many parades during the week, just weekends, so I hope you are planning at least one weekend day!

If staying far off site, ART is a great way to go. Hope you've found a suite for 6 because BWPPI was full last time I tried and we ended up at the Residence Inn and will ART. Counting the days!!!!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

No! I had no idea about the different schedule! We were going Mon-Th. so that would be a huge disappointment

 

[jltwdw]

Our group of 11 stayed at the Portofino Inn 12/17-24 and had two rooms, one of which slept 5/6, the other 7/8 (depending on if you wanted to put 2 in the sleeper sofa). We wanted adjoining, but that wasn't an option, so just kept the room doors blocked so we could travel between the two w/o keys (they were next to each other). It was an acceptable place, but both rooms only had 1 bathroom each which was a little tricky. Even though it is "within walking distance of DL" it is still quite a jaunt (at last a mile from PI doors to DL entrance turnstiles). ART was slow, but sometimes better than walking. PI was clean, fairly quiet, and had good cleaning service. Some minor downers about the place were distance to DL, hard to regulate hot water, parking, pool area was small and dull. Overall a nice, recommendable place.

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

We recently stayed at the Candy Cane Inn. We saw a door open to a suite, but I don't know how many they have. The room was nice for the price and included a continental breakfast and free shuttle for just their guests. We did walk a few times and it isn't that far, but the shuttle was great. If you couldn't get a suite, you would definitely need two rooms as the rooms are snug.

Park Place Inn is just across from the entrance to the parks (on foot). Great location! and they have suites. There have been comments about the soundproofing and the water pressure, but has lots going for it. If I had little ones, I would opt for this one since you would not need to wait for a shuttle.

 

[samkj]

For 6 people I wouldn't go with BW Park Place Inn unless you are getting 2 rooms. The mini-suites do sleep 6 people, but all in the same room. We stayed at the Carousel Inn in November and had a 2 bedroom-2 bath suite. It is easy walking distance, has 3 Q beds and only one outside entrance (we don't like the kids sleeping in a room that has outside access without us in the room) You have to call them direct to book one of their suites. You can also try the Park Inn for 2 rooms suites.