CCI vs Tropicana Inn for 1st timers

[Magalex]

I am looking at estimated rates for next July 2013 for our first trip to DL(7 nights). We have one DS(12). CCI is giving an estimate of $149 for deluxe room & Tropicana Inn is $139 (AAA) for queen Deluxe. We will not have a car. Any thoughts/opinions? We are Disney fanatics so spending lots of time in parks. We are not resort snobs (we spend lots of time at WDW value resorts) but great & friendly customer service is important to us. We notice the little things.

 

[BlueBayou]

Of the two I prefer the CCI. The grounds are nicer and the breakfast seemed a little better. It's been a few years since we were at the tropicana - and we got a room that was a shower only (no tub). My now DD9 only takes baths and she was 4 or 5 at the time and trying to get a kid that had never taken a shower before to do it was 'interesting.'

We were worried about the shuttle - but it ran like clockwork every half hour. So it was not difficult to time things. If you are use to WDW transportation - this would be a piece of cake. The CCI is still close enough to walk - and we figured we would walk part of the time - but we liked the shuttle so much we saved our energy for the parks.

You can't go wrong with the location of the Tropicana. Either motel would be fine.

 

[brenda1966]

We just stayed at Tropicana and loved the location. Breakfast was weak. Very weak, but did get us out the door.

I think this far in advance you have time to keep looking. Maybe book something, but certainly keep looking at those hotels on Harbor (except PVI). You might be able to find a bit better rate.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We have stayed at both and prefer the CCI. Yes, the Tropicana is closer, but that is it's only advantage. Front desk staff were more friendly and cleaning timeliness was better at CCI. Can't fault the cleanliness of either place though. Breakfast at CCI was definitely better. It's easy to walk from the Candy Cane, but the shuttle is a nice option to have. CCI offers a AAA discount at certain times of the year as well, so I don't know if your pricing was with or without that $10 per night discount.

ETA: Oh yeah, don't know if you will be renting a car, but Tropicana charges $9 per night for parking. Candy Cane doesn't have a parking fee. We have also stayed at each of these hotels when they were reportedly fully booked and found it easier to secure a decent parking space at CCI than Tropicana.

 

[HappyHaunt]

We've only stayed at the Tropicana, and really like it. The location is great, the room was clean. We could see fireworks from our room on the top floor. Weak breakfast, but hey it's free.

 

[SplashMo]

The location of tropicana is awesome. Von's grocer is 3 miles away. I would stock up on breakfast, snacks and water. Chekin time is 4PM though....