Desert Inn or Residence Inn Garden Grove?

[cypressmom]

We currently have a 1 bedroom suite reserved at the Residence Inn Garden Grove using points, but we're considering reserving a Parlor Suite A at the Desert Inn. We will have a 4 and 7 year old and my thought is that the proximity to the parks and not having to wait for ART, might be worth spending the cash on the room. The Desert Inn says it has a fireworks viewing deck -- can you see them well? My thought is that it might be nice to take my 7 year old up there while the little one sleeps.... Any thoughts?

 

[bnbheartdisney]

We currently have a 1 bedroom suite reserved at the Residence Inn Garden Grove using points, but we're considering reserving a Parlor Suite A at the Desert Inn. We will have a 4 and 7 year old and my thought is that the proximity to the parks and not having to wait for ART, might be worth spending the cash on the room. The Desert Inn says it has a fireworks viewing deck -- can you see them well? My thought is that it might be nice to take my 7 year old up there while the little one sleeps.... Any thoughts?

I've stayed at both and both have their pros and cons:

I love the Residence Inn. The breakfast buffet is good, the Manager's Reception is good, there is a movie room for the kids near the lobby, the suites (we've only stayed in the 2 bedroom suite) are spacious and very nice with a full kitchen. They have a bbq area as well. The only thing that I do not like about the hotel is the distance from Disneyland. We've never used ART, so I can't comment on that, but the location, parking and tram waits always has me contemplating on my stay at the Residence Inn.

I just recently stayed at the Desert Inn and have another trip booked with them for next month. They too, have their pros and cons:
It is a nice and clean hotel. We stayed in the Parlor Suite A and everybody had enough room - we were a party of 4 adults and two little ones. I moved the table to side in the living area and they were free to run back and forth from room to room. The proximity to the park definitely outweighs Residence Inn's location! It's just slightly off to the side of the pedestrian walkway to Disneyland - it can't get any better than that! You're there in five minutes as opposed to the 30+ minutes it'll take if you park and use the tram or in your case, use ART. That's precious Disney time to me! Oh and we had a great view of the fireworks from our room! That being said, some of the cons are the noise of the fireworks. I was going to sleep in the living area and the noise of the fireworks bouncing off the buildings was quite loud! The other con is their breakfast - it is VERY basic and minimal, but some people don't mind this. I'm spoiled with breakfast and like options; but other than that I had no significant complaints so that's definitely a plus.

Hope this was helpful!

 

[cypressmom]

Thank you!!! Your reply was so, so helpful! Right now I have reservations with both, but I think I'm going to go with the Desert Inn. Not having to deal with ART is seeming like a bigger and bigger plus. My kids aren't huge breakfast eaters, so I think we'll be ok with breakfast.

How many floors is the hotel? Just three? Are there elevators? Do you know if there are parlor suite A's on the top floor? I've read some complaints about noise, so my thought is not having people above us might be helpful if possible.

Again, thank you!!!

 

[bnbheartdisney]

Thank you!!! Your reply was so, so helpful! Right now I have reservations with both, but I think I'm going to go with the Desert Inn. Not having to deal with ART is seeming like a bigger and bigger plus. My kids aren't huge breakfast eaters, so I think we'll be ok with breakfast.

How many floors is the hotel? Just three? Are there elevators? Do you know if there are parlor suite A's on the top floor? I've read some complaints about noise, so my thought is not having people above us might be helpful if possible.

Again, thank you!!!

I think you'll be satisfied with either hotel. Since your little ones aren't big breakfast eaters, they should be able to find something to satisfy their needs. I believe there are 5 floors. Yes, there are elevators. I'm not sure if there are Parlor Suites A on the top floor, but you may want to call and ask. You're welcome, let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to answer them!

 

[cypressmom]

I think you'll be satisfied with either hotel. Since your little ones aren't big breakfast eaters, they should be able to find something to satisfy their needs. I believe there are 5 floors. Yes, there are elevators. I'm not sure if there are Parlor Suites A on the top floor, but you may want to call and ask. You're welcome, let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to answer them!

5? Wow. It looks much smaller in pictures. I just sent an email, but will follow up with a phone call if I don't hear back soon. I think I woke up the guy at the reservations desk this morning. lol. I'll give him a chane to get more coffee and then call back.

 

[haydeecm]

Oh and we had a great view of the fireworks from our room!

We were considering Desert Inn too. How do you maximize the firework view, do all the rooms have it? Do you have to ask for Harbour side top floor, what are the chances of us having firework view in their basic rooms?

Also, what exactly is their breakfast? Can you describe? Thanks.

 

[cypressmom]

Oh and we had a great view of the fireworks from our room!

Do you know what your room # was? Were you on the top floor?

 

[tdashgirl]

I wouldn't recommend the breakfast - it's coffee, some very stale looking bread ... but having said that, I like this motel. It's very close to the parks, and the rooms are spacious.

 

[cypressmom]

I wouldn't recommend the breakfast - it's coffee, some very stale looking bread ... but having said that, I like this motel. It's very close to the parks, and the rooms are spacious.

Thank you! I'm planning on bringing pop-tarts and Nutrigrain bars to supplement breakfast. I hope it helps.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

5? Wow. It looks much smaller in pictures. I just sent an email, but will follow up with a phone call if I don't hear back soon. I think I woke up the guy at the reservations desk this morning. lol. I'll give him a chane to get more coffee and then call back.

Please don't quote me on this, technically I think it's only 4 floors. From what I recall, I believe the first floor is solely parking only. I really didn't pay attention to the small details, I was just excited to be there! I Googled how many floors they had and came up with the number 5. I looked at the hotels website under Virtual Tour and counted 4 actual floors. I know what you're talking about! He, if the same person was what I would call, laid back!

 

[cypressmom]

Please don't quote me on this, technically I think it's only 4 floors. From what I recall, I believe the first floor is solely parking only. I really didn't pay attention to the small details, I was just excited to be there! I Googled how many floors they had and came up with the number 5. I looked at the hotels website under Virtual Tour and counted 4 actual floors. I know what you're talking about! He, if the same person was what I would call, laid back!

lol. Yes... he had me worried there... I don't know how many times I had to tell him my dates and number of nights. I still haven't received the confirmation email he promised or reply to my email sent.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

We were considering Desert Inn too. How do you maximize the firework view, do all the rooms have it? Do you have to ask for Harbour side top floor, what are the chances of us having firework view in their basic rooms?

Also, what exactly is their breakfast? Can you describe? Thanks.

Hmmm... good question! From my fuzzy memory, the hotel to the left of the hotel, The Park View has only 2 stories, so it didn't block the firework view - at least not on our floor. Keep in mind that Desert does have a rooftoptop deck to take advantage of for viewing the fireworks. This is a narrow hotel and I can't remember what the back of the hotel looked like (if it turned to make an L shape), but for the most part (and like I said, please don't quote me on this) I believe that most of the rooms on the higher floors will be able to get a good view of the fireworks from their own room. I didn't have any requests, but I'm sure you could ask the hotel to put you in a room with a firework view, if at all possible. I'll have to make sure to pay more attention to the details our next visit!!! The breakfast was in an L-shaped room between the pool/mini shop and the lobby. Perfect to quickly pick up something on the way to the park and eat while you walk. They have booth-type seating along one wall as well as a sitting area outside with tables and chairs. From what I saw, they had danishes, muffins, apples, maybe bananas (I can't recall), bread to toast, cereal and juice. Sorry, I couldn't give definite answers, but I hope I've helped you a little.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

Do you know what your room # was? Were you on the top floor?

I don't, but I can try and get that information to you later on today or tomorrow!

 

[cypressmom]

Thank you. You have been such a HUGE help!

 

[haydeecm]

They have booth-type seating along one wall as well as a sitting area outside with tables and chairs. From what I saw, they had danishes, muffins, apples, maybe bananas (I can't recall), bread to toast, cereal and juice.

Thanks, I just keep hearing about this hotel how breakfast is not substantial, but if they actually have pieces of fresh fruit, juice and cereal for my kids, then its something I can work with. This is what I wouldve picked up for breakfast too.

Firework view would be awesome.

 

[tdashgirl]

The cereal must be new. Admittedly the last time we stayed there was Feb 2009. I don't remember there being milk either. Just some very sad looking pastries, bread, and fruit. I mean - * VERY * sad-looking. The fruit wasn't appetizing.

It's not a big deal for us. We bring mini-bagels, cream cheese (individual packets), lunch meat, breakfast bars, individual Horizon organic milks and store in the room. Quick, easy, to-go breakfast that our family loves.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

Do you know what your room # was? Were you on the top floor?

I did my research this weekend and unfortunately, I don't have an exact answer for you - so sorry! We were either on the third or fourth floor (I actually want to say the fourth) and I believe, a little more than half way towards the back of the hotel. Sorry, I couldn't be of much help with this!

 

[bnbheartdisney]

Thanks, I just keep hearing about this hotel how breakfast is not substantial, but if they actually have pieces of fresh fruit, juice and cereal for my kids, then its something I can work with. This is what I wouldve picked up for breakfast too.

Firework view would be awesome.

That information is definitely correct! I consider this type of "breakfast" to be a kid's breakfast.

 

[cypressmom]

I did my research this weekend and unfortunately, I don't have an exact answer for you - so sorry! We were either on the third or fourth floor (I actually want to say the fourth) and I believe, a little more than half way towards the back of the hotel. Sorry, I couldn't be of much help with this!

Thank you for taking the time to look. You have been so, so helpful. I have decided that we will cancel the Residence Inn reservation and go with the Desert Inn.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I just stayed at the Desert Inn 2 weeks ago, and really enjoyed the experience. The hotel is SO CLOSE to the parks. We didn't actually take advantage of the free breakfast, but had breakfast at Denny's next door one day, and IHOP the other.

We stayed on the 5th floor. I don't know if there are rooms on the 1st floor, but there is parking underground and on the 1st floor, as well as the lobby, and indoor pool.

I have some pics of the view - I'll post them shortly. We weren't there on a day that had fireworks, so I can't attest to whether they are viewable from the hotel or not.

I've stayed at PPH and DLH in the past, and this was my first time staying off-site. I don't think I will ever stay onsite again after seeing how close, inexpensive, and comfortable Desert Inn was (unless someone pays for me to stay at GCH ). It's not shiny and new, but it was clean and convenient!