Desert Inn and Suites - Give me the lowdown!

[saving4disney]

Thanks for the info!

Are the rooms as decent in person as they look on their website? It looks like they have updated bedding and newer-ish furniture.

I just went and looked. Our room looked EXACTLY like the photo on the website. Same bedding and everything. The room had nice size refrigerator, microwave, the television got very few channels but it did get the Disney channel. We had free wi-fi that I only had problems connecting to once. We had a coffee maker. Oh, one thing is the hot water took a little longer than I expected in the shower so turn it on and let it run for a minute or so before stepping in. It was plenty hot once it got going it was just a little delayed. We ate next door at Denny's for a late dinner after the park one night and it was really good. They are the same price as our Denny's at home which is great because the Ihop down the street a little is 4 times the amount of a normal Ihop! All in all we had a great experience and would go back. We paid 65.00 per night and would say the room was equivalent to some rooms that I have stayed in for 150+ per night.

Jen

 

[saving4disney]

Ok me again! I just remembered that a good friend of mine stayed in a parlor suite earlier this year so I called her. She said they stayed in the larger one so I am assuming the C2? She said it was 4 adults and 5 kids ranging from 4-10 and they were very comfortable. She had no problems whatsoever with the room or the stay and would highly recommend it. She also said that she stayed in a suite at the Disneyland hotel a month ago and although it was Disney and she loved every second of it her room at the Desert Inn was nicer than the room she ended up with at the Disneyland Hotel. Ok so that's all the info I have! Happy planning!

 

[BecomingObsessed]

We stayed there twice this year. Once was a bigger group and we had a 2 bedroom suite which was great. 2 bathrooms was invaluable! It was really nice to have the seperate sitting room with the TV so that during nap time, there was a place people could hang out.

There was more than enough space in my family's side of the suite for the 4 people staying there which included our pack and play for my little one. The beds are firm, but fine. I wouldn't buy the matress for my home, but it wasn't as hard as I feared it might be after reading all the reviews I did before going.

The location to the park can NOT be beat! After staying there, we said we'd never ride a shuttle again. It's way to easy to just walk across the street!

The only thing I don't love about this location were the elevators. It can be hard to catch a ride to the 5th floor during busy times because it's making mulitple stops and ther is only one elevator that goes to the 5th floor. Stairs are not an option with a heavy double stroller and a sleeping toddler

 

[Brady's Mom]

We stayed there twice this year. Once was a bigger group and we had a 2 bedroom suite which was great. 2 bathrooms was invaluable! It was really nice to have the seperate sitting room with the TV so that during nap time, there was a place people could hang out.

There was more than enough space in my family's side of the suite for the 4 people staying there which included our pack and play for my little one. The beds are firm, but fine. I wouldn't buy the matress for my home, but it wasn't as hard as I feared it might be after reading all the reviews I did before going.

The location to the park can NOT be beat! After staying there, we said we'd never ride a shuttle again. It's way to easy to just walk across the street!

The only thing I don't love about this location were the elevators. It can be hard to catch a ride to the 5th floor during busy times because it's making mulitple stops and ther is only one elevator that goes to the 5th floor. Stairs are not an option with a heavy double stroller and a sleeping toddler

The good news for me is that I don't have to lug a double stroller or a sleeping toddler. It was great when we did it - but it is soooo nice now to have the kids power themselves around. The only thing I have to worry about is the booster car seat.

I don't know how much I'd like walking up or down 5 flights of stairs, but I'd do it if I got tired of waiting for the elevator.

Thanks for all the info - you've really set my mind at ease. I'm looking forward to the close walk, but will be happy to walk a little further if the HoJo comes out with the retro rate for most of my days!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I'm glad you posted this Brady's mom We have a reservation for next June. I'm a clean freak, so I'll be taking some clorox wipes but I do that in any hotel. I'm ok with bare and minimal rooms and a hard mattress would be heaven LOL. Honestly, as much as people say breakfast isn't a selling point, it is for us. Cereal/packaged stuff is great for us. We'd rather wake up, shove our faces full and run next door anyway Right across the street can't be beat so I'm optimistic.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Emmers - I take clorox wipes with me too!! I also take wet ones into the Parks since they kill the stomach viruses (and bacteria). I know my kids wash their hands - but you never know what else they've touched.

We've stayed at HoJo several times, but never as close as DI&S. We've also stayed further away - Garden Grove and near Angel Stadium and I am sold on walking!

We are going partly because our DS 15 is going that weekend with Band and Choir at school and we can see him perform and partly because we MISS DLR!! (Okay, mostly because we miss it - but DS is a great excuse)

I was talking to his music teacher yesterday at Parent/Teacher Conf. and he told me there is a big convention in town that weekend - some natural vitamin thingie and they've bought out all the Best Westerns and Marriots in the area. It's no wonder every time I checked at BWPPI it said no availability. So the high school kids are staying in Irvine.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Yep. Wet ones here too!

I stayed at Desert Palms and they had a great breakfast. (pancakes/eggs/sausage etc). The walk wasn't crazy long..the same as hojo's I think. But I really want CLOSE this time because I'll have a napper (hopefully still hah!) and a Grandma and a handicapped adult. I think a few people could use a mid day break.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Yep. Wet ones here too!

I stayed at Desert Palms and they had a great breakfast. (pancakes/eggs/sausage etc). The walk wasn't crazy long..the same as hojo's I think. But I really want CLOSE this time because I'll have a napper (hopefully still hah!) and a Grandma and a handicapped adult. I think a few people could use a mid day break.

I think a mid day break sounds great - especially since you'll be there during peak hours. We've done HoJo with an afternoon break and sometimes it just seems daunting to have to walk back again!

We just usually bring our own breakfast stuff, so I'm not really super worried about the breakfast. Sometimes waiting around for the breakfast gives me anxiety, I just want to go to DL already!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I hear ya. I send DH down while we all get ready usually. We'll probably end up getting our own stuff too haha. Mid day break will also help with meal costs if we eat something in the room! I'm also glad the walk will seem less daunting after a full or even half day. Might make it easier for mommy and daddy to go back after kidlets crash..assuming Grandma wants to stay and rest too!