Carousel vs. Candy Cane Inn

[jonsmom57]

Hi Everyone

I currently have a ressie for the Candy Cane Inn, and now that DL is offering the stay 5 nights for the price of 3 promo, I am being offered the Carousel.

The difference is slight, $78, but I don't know anything about the Carousel.

Can anyone give me pros vs. cons.

Thanks so much.

 

[jonsmom57]

Anyone?

 

[SeattleTink]

I can give you a review of the Carousel, we stayed there March 5 - 8.

We liked it.

The front staff was helpful and nice. Our room was clean and looked just like the website. The beds are comfy (maybe slightly too soft, but really there were nice). There is microwave and fridge (which is on the bigger side).

The continental breakfast wasn't fancy (3 kinds of cereal: oatmeal, raisin bran, cheerios), bread for toast, pastries and donuts (nothing fancy...could come from a grocery store), apples and oranges, orange juice, apple juice, milk, coffee, tea. It was enough for me to get going everyday, but I like cereal and toast.

The biggest bonus is that it is CLOSE. Closer than the Candy Cane. I have never stayed there, but know where it is.

We totally enjoyed the Carousel and would stay there again. I have also stayed at the Fairfield and HOJO's. It is on par with both of these properties, IMHO.

Good luck deciding....I know it can drive you crazy!

 

[Kauinohea]

How did the walk for HOJO compare to the walk from Carousel?
I am tryin to decide between HOJO and ParkVue. HOJO seems to have better reviews but ParkVue is closer!

 

[jonsmom57]

I am a WDW vet, newbie going to DL in August - I am so used to alot of walking = I can't imagine having a hotel that close.

I have read some mixed reviews about the Carousel on trip advisor so I am not sure what to do.

CCI gets so many positive reviews.

 

[teatime]

I stayed there 4 years ago, since then its been remolded but I loved it then so it has to be even better now. it was so nice and close!!!

 

[jonsmom57]

I stayed there 4 years ago, since then its been remolded but I loved it then so it has to be even better now. it was so nice and close!!!

Do you mean the Carousel or CCI?

 

[kiwitravel]

In 2006 we stayed at Carousel while friends stayed at CCI on the basis that it was then the number1 hotel on TA. We both decided that Carousel was much better:

1. Carousel had bigger rooms
2. Every room in the Carousel had a Microwave
3. Carousel is much closer, literally across the road from DL, CCI was over half a mile away
4. Carousel was a lot cheaper.

Both Hotels had small pool complex, the only place CCI won was in the gardens and grounds. CCI also had a free shuttle, but this just isn't needed in Carousel.

However CCI has a pretty loyal fan base and yes Carousel has mixed reviews on TA and here. Staff and therefore levels of service can change, we had a really great stay at the Carousel and I really don't think you would have a bad stay at either hotel.

 

[SeattleTink]

How did the walk for HOJO compare to the walk from Carousel?
I am tryin to decide between HOJO and ParkVue. HOJO seems to have better reviews but ParkVue is closer!

The walk to HoJo's is just slightly longer than the ParkVue, and probably 5 minutes closer than HoJo's. At the end of the day.....it is nice to be as close as possible. My family loved how close we were to the crosswalk.

We didn't swim while we were at the Carousel. But the pool is small. We did sit in the hot tub at HoJo's and the kids play area is fantastic. It is really nice. But, having breakfast at the Carousel was very convenient (even if is isn't much - it probably is what most people eat everyday at home).

I read all the negative reviews before our trip too. I didn't have much of a choice of hotels because our trip was kind of last minute. I think the Carousel is probably just as good of a hotel as all the rest of the hotels on that strip of Harbor. You have to consider that none of these hotels are 4 star places (e.g. Four Seasons, The Fairmont). All I require at Disneyland is clean sheets and towels, comfy bed and relative quite. By the time we go back to hotel at the end of the day we have walked 10 or more miles in the parks - so any place to lay your head is good.

I know these are hard choices, but we liked the Carousel.

 

[Kauinohea]

Thank you for the comments. I am seriously considering changing to the park vue. Its 200.00 cheaper than HOJO and closer.

I notced that you are planning a Trip to Hawaii! I live on Oahu. Will it be your first time here?

 

[jonsmom57]

Thank you for the comments. I am seriously considering changing to the park vue. Its 200.00 cheaper than HOJO and closer.

I notced that you are planning a Trip to Hawaii! I live on Oahu. Will it be your first time here?

I would love love to go to Hawaii - its my dream vacation. Someday...

You are very fortunate to be living in paradise.

 

[ter-moo]

Carousel:

--closer
--newly remodeled rooms
--cheaper (usually)

Candy Cane:

--better breakfast
--more parking (and closer to your room)
--dedicated shuttle bus
--hot tub (Carousel has a pool but NO hot tub!)

I must say that I like the staff at CCI better, but I've had more experience with them. I've only stayed at Carousel once.

 

[jonsmom57]

I really have a difficult decision to make. Not crazy about a rooftop pool. We will be going back to the room every day to rest so Carousel being closer...............

I have my heart set on CCI - so I may stay there.

 

[greens_in_WA]

We have stayed at Hojo's, Carousel, and Best Western Park Place. HoJo's was a little nicer than Carousel, but the Carousel is right across the street. The Park Place was as nice as HoJo's, but it is a lot closer and is about as close as the Carousel.

But here is the real questions:
Are you going to be in your room much and are you going to be using the pool?

When we are at Disneyland, we are at the parks from morning until closing with a break in the middle for a nap. The hotel room is mainly a place to rest our heads, so location is more important than the amenities. We also pack our own breakfasts (instant oatmeal and cereal) so we don't rely on the hotel for the continental breakfast which can be hit or miss.

It looks like that the Candy Cane Inn is next to the BW Park Place so as far as location the Candy Cane and Carousel are about equal.

I would stay at the Carousel again given the opportunity and the right deal.

 

[Kauinohea]

Just curious- if the BW Park Place and Hojo are both nice, would you say that BW Park Place is worth an extra 100.00 (for total stay) for the closer location?

 

[kiwitravel]

It looks like that the Candy Cane Inn is next to the BW Park Place so as far as location the Candy Cane and Carousel are about equal.

I would stay at the Carousel again given the opportunity and the right deal.

Candy Cane is not next to BWPPI, it is almost on the corner of Harbor and Katella, just over half a mile walk to the DL entrance.

 

[ter-moo]

Just curious- if the BW Park Place and Hojo are both nice, would you say that BW Park Place is worth an extra 100.00 (for total stay) for the closer location?

With Park Place, you've got the advantage of a free breakfast, but Hojo has a better pool area. You need to take those things into consideration, depending on your family's needs.

 

[greens_in_WA]

Candy Cane is not next to BWPPI, it is almost on the corner of Harbor and Katella, just over half a mile walk to the DL entrance.

I stand corrected . Darn Google Maps