Closest and most convenient hotel to Disneyland - Not Disney-owned

[Pluto468]

At least you can exit via the grand to go back to the westin! we did this route in the morning from the Westin and would mobile order coffee from the coffee house at the DLH.

How was the walk from the Westin? 15 minutes? It looks so nice!

 

[crystal1313]

How was the walk from the Westin? 15 minutes? It looks so nice!

It’s a beautiful hotel! We loved it! Had wonderful customer service too.

It took us about 20 min in the mornings since you can’t cut through the grand. It was shorter in the evening since we exited through the grand.

 

[NVDISFamily]

It’s a beautiful hotel! We loved it! Had wonderful customer service too.

It took us about 20 min in the mornings since you can’t cut through the grand. It was shorter in the evening since we exited through the grand.

Did you ever try and cut through in the AM to see if that left gate is locked at the Grand? I've only see it ever locked at very late or very early AM hours and I'd love to know if that's an option as staying at the Westin is something we might do for future trips.

For our next trip, we got an okay deal at the Hilton Homewood Suites and are excited to check it out. It's very close to the Toy Story busses so we'll be using those to get into the park

 

[crystal1313]

Did you ever try and cut through in the AM to see if that left gate is locked at the Grand? I've only see it ever locked at very late or very early AM hours and I'd love to know if that's an option as staying at the Westin is something we might do for future trips.

For our next trip, we got an okay deal at the Hilton Homewood Suites and are excited to check it out. It's very close to the Toy Story busses so we'll be using those to get into the park

We did not attempt. I’ve heard you need to show your room key to enter and we didn’t want to chance it. I’m sure you could try to piggyback with someone else who is entering. Not sure how strict they are in the mornings.

Plus, when we stayed at the grand last year, the security line to enter into DTD to walk to Disneyland was insane! I feel like walking the extra distance to the DLH security entrance would be faster. I’m sure it depends on the time of day as well. But I think they only have 2 or 3 metal detectors to enter DTD from the grand. It was slow going.

Have fun on your trip at homewood!

 

[jordan13402]

At least you can exit via the grand to go back to the westin! we did this route in the morning from the Westin and would mobile order coffee from the coffee house at the DLH.

do they have a shuttle?

 

[nalabear]

OP - Westin would be the best bet if you're looking for Dolphin/Swan level equivalent.

Harbor side motels are dated with only Courtyard that may fit the bill (and a very good hotel with decent water park for the little ones). Also most of the motels have a parking issue and hard time keeping your car after 12noon on checkout day.

Pre-VGC ownership, we were regulars to Hyatt Place and use the shuttles from Toy Story when too lazy to walk (less advantages now since they moved it more centrally in the lot) along with Residence Inn when points were discounted (rare nowadays).

Element is a bit of a walk at least for now until they build (attempt to build) the new parking structure and then future will be direct cut across.

 

[jimmymc]

Just based on location, the Best Western Plus, Park Vue Inn, and Tropicana are the closest walk. While a few minutes further away, the Courtyard, Howard Johnson, and Candy Cane Inn tend to get better reviews, with HJ and Courtyard being better for families and Candy Cane being good for adult groups.

I really like the Residence Inn for the amenities it has as a long stay hotel, and it's about a 15 minute walk.

 

[crystal1313]

do they have a shuttle?

They do not have a dedicated shuttle. But I’m sure there is an ART stop nearby since it’s so close to the convention center.

 

[chezcurrie]

I agree that if you are looking at Swan/Dolphin the Westin or JW Marriott would be your best bet. While I love ParkVue for its proximity it is dated and the pool is nothing to write home about. I would uber from the Westin, personally.

 

[NVDISFamily]

We did not attempt. I’ve heard you need to show your room key to enter and we didn’t want to chance it. I’m sure you could try to piggyback with someone else who is entering. Not sure how strict they are in the mornings.

Plus, when we stayed at the grand last year, the security line to enter into DTD to walk to Disneyland was insane! I feel like walking the extra distance to the DLH security entrance would be faster. I’m sure it depends on the time of day as well. But I think they only have 2 or 3 metal detectors to enter DTD from the grand. It was slow going.

Have fun on your trip at homewood!

In the very busy times in the AM they will open more security lines down at the big circle thing that let’s you into DTD right near Starbucks. We lucked out during our only rope drop morning and they pulled us from the back of the line and we were through that security super quick.

For “science” I’ll have to test how easy it is to use that gate without a key card during our next trip. Every time I’ve gone that way it’s pretty much held open as it’s a fairly constant flow of people in that area.

Edit - if you are ever asked by security on why you want in, one thing you might consider saying it you heard there is a DVC office there that you wanted to go check out. Disney is never shy about people wanting to look at DVC stuff

 

[Chupaca bruh]

For someone on a tighter budget, does anyone have any experience with the Best Western Plus Stovall's Inn?

We enjoyed our stay here. Our room was ar the very back so was quiet. The walk was fine. Yes it is a bit farther but it was still not bad. We also stayed at BW Pavillions and that was good too.

 

[Tinkaboo]

When your dogs are not just barking but HOWLING after ten hours walking on concrete AND you discover the Candy Cane shuttle is just pulling away from the curb…it’s great to know it’s only a $6 dollar Uber ride away….and then my beautiful COOL room with a great bed is waiting!

Desert Inn…never again.

 

[crystal1313]

In the very busy times in the AM they will open more security lines down at the big circle thing that let’s you into DTD right near Starbucks. We lucked out during our only rope drop morning and they pulled us from the back of the line and we were through that security super quick.

For “science” I’ll have to test how easy it is to use that gate without a key card during our next trip. Every time I’ve gone that way it’s pretty much held open as it’s a fairly constant flow of people in that area.

Edit - if you are ever asked by security on why you want in, one thing you might consider saying it you heard there is a DVC office there that you wanted to go check out. Disney is never shy about people wanting to look at DVC stuff

We could see the gate and metal detector by Starbucks from our room at the grand. But it wasn’t open to use when we were staying and I could not figure out why! Good to know they do use it sometimes. I wonder why it isn’t open all of the time? Seems like to would really help with the morning crowds.

 

[maleficent55]

I think a fair Swan/Dolphin comparison would be the JW Marriott. Also maybe the Westin.

 

[jessishante]

We enjoyed our stay here. Our room was ar the very back so was quiet. The walk was fine. Yes it is a bit farther but it was still not bad. We also stayed at BW Pavillions and that was good too.

Thanks! Do you remember about how long the walk was?

 

[crystal1313]

Thanks! Do you remember about how long the walk was?

Best Western Plus Stovall's Inn Real Time Walk to Disneyland | Walking Through Downtown Disney

 

[jessishante]

Best Western Plus Stovall's Inn Real Time Walk to Disneyland | Walking Through Downtown Disney

Thanks!! That’s not as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[krybandt]

We also stayed at Park Vue Inn, which was a 4 minute walk to security. Our room had a damp smell and felt more like an old motel room than what they show on their web site, but it was clean and the beds were comfortable. We even swam in the pool a couple of times. The price fit our budget and I would stay there again. We did see and hear the megaphone people someone else mentioned, but fortunately not from inside the motel room.

Other close motels are Desert Inn, two of the Best Western Plus locations (Park Place and Anaheim Inn), Tropicana, and Camelot Inn. Another we considered was Candy Cane Inn, as their renovated rooms and free breakfast look great, though it’s a longer walk.

 

[gelatoni fan]

How was the walk from the Westin? 15 minutes? It looks so nice!

More like 20+ minutes when going to the park in the morning. It takes longer than it looks. Since they have room key controls at the Grand Californian and basically nobody goes out that door in the morning, you really do have to walk around. Leaving after World of Color is really fast though if you know your way around.

 

[Chili327]

I think if you just search the area for 4 star hotels, you should be good at any within a mile or so.

In addition to having the hourly shuttle, the CCI is only a 10-minute walk from the Esplanade and you don't even have to cross Harbor Blvd. So it is a good option to the ones right across from DL on Harbor.

I can't even imagine taking a shuttle to or from Candy Cane, its literally next door.

At least you can exit via the grand to go back to the westin! we did this route in the morning from the Westin and would mobile order coffee from the coffee house at the DLH.

That sounds like a good plan, i may try this next time.!!

Did you ever try and cut through in the AM to see if that left gate is locked at the Grand? I've only see it ever locked at very late or very early AM hours and I'd love to know if that's an option as staying at the Westin is something we might do for future trips.

I got turned away once, by the gate keeper (toll booth?)