Decent prices at Candy Cane Inn

[ColorsoftheWind1]

Hey everyone! I'm planning our first trip to DL for Jan 25th through the 29th and have been pretty much settled on staying at the CCI. It seems like a nice place, clean (which is one of our main priorities) and comfortable. I called with week for rate in 2016, and they aren't out.

Searching on their site, any time of the year (looking from Sept-Dec) just to compare a room with a king bed is no lower then 169. 159 for a standard queen.

I have read and heard that others have gotten a room for closer to 120 a night. And tips on getting a rate lower then 169? Or when I should be calling them about a Jan trip. If we can't then I can't really justify staying there when there are closer hotels at a much cheaper rate. I'm eyeing the Desert Inn and Suites as a back up.

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[PinkBudgie]

If you have a AAA card or AP you can get a discount. A few others I forget. Also, when you stay you get a $10 off per night coupon for your next stay. And it can be used with the other discount. Also they offer free breakfast, free shuttle, free parking. Haven't stayed at Desert Inn but the Disneyland Dis Unplugged podcast just reviewed it.

 

[ColorsoftheWind1]

We do have AAA, not AP holder though... I wish! The other free things are definitely perks, from what I have gathered other hotels are charging about 10 a day for parking. I don't know if we will visit again, so the next stay discounts might not be much a factor. WDW is a much shorter flight for us New Englanders. Thanks! I'll have to listen to the podcast!

 

[cmrdgrs]

If you are staying off property, I second you decision to stay at the Candy Cane Inn. I have many friends that have stayed there over the years and have many first hand reports of really liking that hotel as a "good neighbor" alternative to staying on property.

Have you considered staying on property? I know it is a bit more, but IMO, nothing beats the Grand for location, convenience to the parks, access to DTD for restaurants and just overall making the whole experience more enjoyable because you are in the "bubble" of Disney. If this is a one time sort-of trip, it might be something to consider. But, if the price for on property DLR stay is a budget buster, I totally understand that position too.

 

[ColorsoftheWind1]

I wish I wish! But we definitely couldn't afford to stay at the Grand, or any of the on-property resorts. The most i would want to spend a night is in the 150 range, and lower would be better. We are also spending time after DL in San Diego and are looking to splurge a bit on our hotel since we will be spending a lot more time in our room there then at DL. At Disney the hotel mainly just a place to sleep and wait for the park to open! lol

 

[cmrdgrs]

Totally understand ColorsoftheWind1. The DLR hotels can be budget busters, Not really a lot of "perks" to staying onsite besides getting access to the EMH, which happen every morning at one of the two parks. Just thought I would throw that out there as a consideration. After you tack on parking and taxes at a good neighbor hotel, you are probably looking at a $350 difference from a rental at the VGC to one of the hotels on Harbor or Katella. But, $350 is still a lot of money. Good luck with your decision. I live in Phoenix, AZ so Disneyland is my happy place over WDW. I'm always planning my next visit and thinking about when I can go back! Happy planning!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hi ColorsoftheWind1 The Candy Cane is a lovely hotel and after a long day I sure appreciate the free shuttle back! I also have learned that taking the shuttle to DL saves on the walk across the street to say Denny's. That said, the prices are higher than others. I have begun looking at prices for this early December as I want to view again the Candlelight Processional. I think they are either the same or a little more (not much) than I paid last year. I fully admit to hoping by looking early they'd be less. I know that time of year=higher rates everywhere. I am local so have that blessing of this not being a planning trip in terms of travel just trying to save on a room. I wish you a fantastic time!

O/T, Does anyone know if, and feel free to start laughing, prices ever go down? Say I made my December reservation today and the rate at that time was even a little lower (or even higher) would I be locked into the rate I agreed to now? Thanks!

 

[cmrdgrs]

flyingdumbo127, most hotels allow for a generous cancellation policy, but I would check that before you book. If the price goes down and you can cancel, just re-book and cancel the original reservation or I guess you could call the hotel too. However, I wouldn't think this would happen, but you never know!

If the price goes up you would have your rate locked in at the reserved price, so that wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Cal-Pie]

Hey everyone! I'm planning our first trip to DL for Jan 25th through the 29th and have been pretty much settled on staying at the CCI. It seems like a nice place, clean (which is one of our main priorities) and comfortable. I called with week for rate in 2016, and they aren't out.

Searching on their site, any time of the year (looking from Sept-Dec) just to compare a room with a king bed is no lower then 169. 159 for a standard queen.

I have read and heard that others have gotten a room for closer to 120 a night. And tips on getting a rate lower then 169? Or when I should be calling them about a Jan trip. If we can't then I can't really justify staying there when there are closer hotels at a much cheaper rate. I'm eyeing the Desert Inn and Suites as a back up.

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!!

I haven't stayed at CCI, so I can't offer advice there. But, I have stayed at Desert Inn. If you are eyeballing them as a back up, I would go ahead and book now. Their rates are always the cheapest when they are first posted and then they creep up from there, sometimes even 9 or 10 months out. You can always cancel without penalty if you do decide on CCI. CCI looks lovely, and I've always wanted to try it, but for my larger family, the suite options and short walk at DI&S always win out.

 

[MommyJKM]

If we can't then I can't really justify staying there when there are closer hotels at a much cheaper rate. !

I don't think there ARE any closer hotels that are cheaper besides Desert Inn - which Tom from the broadcast just reviewed as a PP said and he wasn't impressed. And even then it seems to be a toss up if it is less money.

Sometimes it's worth it to pay a few extra dollars for the peace of mind knowing CCI a very well reviewed place to stay. I've never stayed there but I've never heard anything bad from others and people on this board seem to like it a lot.

A friend of mine takes her 3 kids to DL once a year and she budgets her hotel first before car rental/flights/meals, etc. They decide what their hotel needs are for that trip and that is what they concentrate on then budget everything else after...maybe that will help?

 

[ColorsoftheWind1]

I haven't stayed at CCI, so I can't offer advice there. But, I have stayed at Desert Inn. If you are eyeballing them as a back up, I would go ahead and book now. Their rates are always the cheapest when they are first posted and then they creep up from there, sometimes even 9 or 10 months out. You can always cancel without penalty if you do decide on CCI. CCI looks lovely, and I've always wanted to try it, but for my larger family, the suite options and short walk at DI&S always win out.

Thats good advice! I have been looking at Desert Inn and the reviews. There are some mixed ones, and for what we need.. it would be a good back up! I'm really going to consider just booking for our dates and seeing what happens with CCI Thanks!

MommyJKM, I don't think there is a closer hotel then the Desert Inn and their rates are definitely do-able for us. I need to listen to that podcast tonight! I'm not sure if we need to be impressed by out hotel or just comfortable. If I could get a good rate at the CCI, I don't think i would be so conflicted lol ;D

 

[ColorsoftheWind1]

If anyone could give me the link to the podcast reviewing the Desert Inn and Suites that'd be great!! I'm having some trouble finding it.. Thanks in advance!

 

[Cal-Pie]

The podcast review was actually for Desert Palms Suites, which is on Katella, close to CCI.
http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2015/02/04/disneyland-good-neighbor-hotel-desert-palms-hotel-suites/

 

[goooof1]

You can check the current rates for the CCI at different times to see variations.....one month out, 2, 3 months out...halloween time, x-mas, etc. That way you may see when the rates may rise or fall. In the past there has been variation.
By the way....good place to stay....convenient and great customer service!

 

[MommyJKM]

The podcast review was actually for Desert Palms Suites, which is on Katella, close to CCI.

Ooops! Thanks Cal-Pie..I should have listened closer!

MommyJKM, I don't think there is a closer hotel then the Desert Inn and their rates are definitely do-able for us.

Desert Inn is not at all the closest!
Park Vue Inn, Best Western Park Place, Tropicana, Carousel Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn, and Howard Johnson Hotel are all closer!
This map should help - the entrance to the parks is the Green Star
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&mid=zfoavXBErsxQ.kzA1UCxpAZoA

Here is the link to the Blog's Tom does reviewing Good Neighbor Hotels and at the bottom of the page has Related Posts and you can find the other hotels he's reviewed there:
http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2015/02/04/disneyland-good-neighbor-hotel-desert-palms-hotel-suites/

 

[Cal-Pie]

Going to have to correct you again MommyJKM, Desert Inn and Suites in right next to Park Vue making it closer to the crosswalk than Carousel, Fairfield and Hojo. I think you might still be confusing Desert Inn with Desert Palms. HTH!

 

[kirstie101]

Ooops! Thanks Cal-Pie..I should have listened closer!



Desert Inn is not at all the closest!
Park Vue Inn, Best Western Park Place, Tropicana, Carousel Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn, and Howard Johnson Hotel are all closer!
This map should help - the entrance to the parks is the Green Star
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&mid=zfoavXBErsxQ.kzA1UCxpAZoA

Here is the link to the Blog's Tom does reviewing Good Neighbor Hotels and at the bottom of the page has Related Posts and you can find the other hotels he's reviewed there:
http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2015/02/04/disneyland-good-neighbor-hotel-desert-palms-hotel-suites/

Actually Desert Inn is right next to Park Vue Inn. So that makes only BWPPI and PVI closer than Desert Inn. I think everyones starting to mix up Desert Palms and Desert Inn.

OP - I agree with the pp who said to book Desert Inn now as their prices always go up.

 

[MommyJKM]

Maybe they aren't technically closer but, I guess I always think of Fairfield and HoJo as fast walks...

 

[Lauren in NC]

Will you have a car? Will you be having breakfast in your room, or will you be eating out? I think those two things are what really cinches the Candy Cane for us. We have an AP discount (same as the AAA discount, I believe), we bring a car ($10-12 extra per night depending on the hotel) and we eat the "free" breakfast ($10 at McDonald's for our family, even more if we eat in the park).

 

[nikerbokers]

One thing to consider is CCI does not have a daily parking rate that a lot of closer properties have (so sometimes it evens out). The only reason we haven't stayed there is their military discount is not as significant as others. Even with the parking rate at Tropicana, it is cheaper to stay there with the military rate than at CCI. Tropicana has a $17/night parking rate! Ouch... and the car never moves in the 4 nights we are there.

As soon as it becomes a better deal, we will book for sure. I've heard only positive things and I like that there is a shuttle.