Desert Inn or Ramada Maingate 11/3-11/6???

[Flagger]

I currently have bookings at both the Desert Inn and Ramada Maingate. I have read reviews for both of them both good and bad. The biggest con is the Desert Inn has limited parking which might be hard for a full-sized Chevy Express Van it also ends up being a big more expensive. The pro is being right across the street and they have fridges. However we have a plug in cooler/igloo which means the fridge is NOT a necessity.

Ramada is a bit further away but is cheaper and the parking from the pictures looks to be better. We do not intend to move our vehicle once we get to the hotel on Thursday afternoon/evening (depending on the drive up from Escondido and the Wild Animal Park and if we stop at Legoland or not).

Reviews of both hotels include both positives and negatives. Does anyone have recent experience that could help me choose.

Due to the Red Hat trip to DL that weekend hotels in general are very hard to come buy. BWPPI is booked for most of those dates, Candy Cane, Carousel and anything else is more expensive.

We got an internet rate of $69 for all three nights for two double/queens at the Ramada.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Chickysmom]

I too will be at the Ramada starting the 4th and the following week. I stayed at the Desert Inn & suites last May and was not very impressed. Although I did not use the parking area, I would say it will be difficult to get a large car into. The breakfast was not good. A simple danish or toast and milk that tasted yucky and fruit juice that smelled like nail polish remover. Although the rooms were adequate, not anything to write home about but served thepurpose. The fan I had to run all night and kept blowing the drapes opem, I was right by the stairs, elevators and ice machine so it was pretty noisy! And my clock was not set correctly and we were up way to early! Better than late I guess....I'm trying the Ramada this trip. Parking looks to be better, hopefully brerakfast will be too and the rooms a little quieter and nicer. I will miss the fridge and micro but those can be brought to your room for an additional charge. We plan on brining a small cooler and just filling with ice each day we need it and briong a smal, portable micro from our camper....problem solved!

 

[Flagger]

I judge all hotels based on the worst hotel at which we have ever stayed. It was one near the airport in Seattle and it was the start of our honeymoon. It had a broken bed, cinderblock walls and a huge moldy drain in the center of the bathroom cracked linoleum floor. Anything else is like the Ritz compared to that place.

I have been reading threads where people say that you miss the who experience by not staying at a Disney hotel, but I would rather spend the money in the park than at a hotel in which we will only be sleeping. I am driving so bringing my own food and drinks, my own towels and a portable DVD player. As long as it is relatively clean and safe, I think we will be happy.

Just reading about the Desert Inn and its parking situation makes me leary. The desk clerk claimed there is above ground parking (limited) but there is some at the Desert Inn. Just the pictures of the Ramada make it seem nicer and what is a 5-10 more walk except at night when the day is over.

 

[Chickysmom]

From the maps I have looked at the Ramada is just a little bit further down Harbor than the Desert Inn. Still a very easy walk and very safe too. Desert Inn is 1600 and Ramada 1650, which I think is on the other side of the Del Sol which is right next to the Desert Inn. Desert Inn does have some above ground parking, although I did not use their parking areas, but it is limited.

 

[Redcon1]

We stayed at the Ramada over Memorial Day weekend and were pleased with our stay.
Basic room, clean, nothing fancy, but sufficient for the small amount of time we were actually in the room.
Their continental breakfast consists of pastries, bread, bagels, o.j., coffee, milk etc. No hot food(unless you count the toaster). There's no place to sit except outside the breakfast area. We took ours back to the room, but we were in a hurry anyway to get to DL.
As for parking, there's plenty. We parked our car in one spot and didn't move it for three days.
I think if you're happy with the price, stay at Ramada. The walk is only 1 minute or so more. All the hotels are pretty close together on Harbor.

 

[masontrep]

We are going to be at the Ramada the 9th -13th Good to hear that the walk is not the bad.