Educate me on Fairfield vs. Candy Cane Inn

[AlohaNow]

Yes, another thread of “Please help me decide where to stay!”

Looking into booking Halloween week at either FFI or Candy Cane. Last time (7 years ago) we stayed at Candy Cane and we really liked it. We usually took their shuttle over in the AM and just walked back in the PM each day. We are not big on breakfast, so free breakfast isn’t really a deal breaker. Is FFI literally across the street from the entrance plaza? Any pros or cons of the two places? It will probably come down to where I can get a free night when Costco comes out with their free night packages. I know they have one out right now for 2016 dates, but I think they’ll also do a Good Neighbor 5th night free, as they usually have that one going at some point. Also awaiting SWA to open up October dates, which should be on February 18! Thanks for any info you can provide, my wonderful DIS-ers!

 

[ADLFAN]

FFI is indeed pretty close to the entrance, no need to take a shuttle! You walk from the FFI through a parking lot which will soon have a Panera Bread restaurant, then you hit Harbor Blvd. And turn left, pass a McDonalds, 3 or 4 other narrow lots filled with hotels (one of these houses the Pizza Press restaurant, which is super tasty, share-able, and affordable!! Highly recommended! ), and then you are at the crosswalk to the entrance! From there, it's a pretty short walk past the shuttle drop off area to the security tents!

We loved the walk from there and we had previously stayed at the DLH and walked through DTD every day, and the walk from FFI felt just as short.

We also thought the beds were cozy, the lobby was equipped with a small kids area to occupy them during check in, they offered free citrus water throughout the day, their bag storage room was secure, and there is even a small market in the lobby and a Pizza Hut on the 3rd floor that sold a few other items, too. The pool area was refreshing and rarely crowded. I would have booked our other trips there, but I kept finding better rates elsewhere and trying those places out.

I haven't stayed at the Candy Cane yet because I'm still going through my list of potentials on Harbor!

Have fun planning!

 

[Speechphi]

We've stayed at both. I love CCI, and the shuttle is great (unless you want to be at DLR at rope drop; it doesn't leave the hotel until 30 min before park opening).

You can book FFI thru Costco & get the perks from there. FFI is our go-to off-site for that reason, and dh gets Marriott points if we're booking a room only.

It's not "directly" across the esplanade, but it's not too far. I think HOJO is a 1/2 mile, and this is a hotel closer.

 

[chickapin parterre]

never been in candy cane, but photo show it to less occupancy then Fairfield. Always a Marriott fan, I found that the tower aspect, with all its elevators to be a bit frustrating when getting to the parking lot and remembering something left in the room, waiting for elevators and the room to be small. The pool was crowded so we never ventured on our afternoons back with our young son, not a resort like pool. As for walking, I don't mind the MRI walk, so anything facing the park would be just few steps for me, so the luxury of not walking to the park would be a plus for FFI. For me it is about the vacation aspect of lodging and I don't think FFI offers that vacation comfort.

 

[Congo Queen]

Over the years, I've stayed at CCI 4 times and at FFI 3 times. I would be happy to stay at either one again. Overall I like each one for different reasons. I like FFI for its close proximity (the walk from room to esplanade bag check seems shorter to me than the one from DLH), and we always stay in a top floor park facing room which means you get a great view of the fireworks from the FFI balcony. Even though it is a bit farther away, I like CCI for its overall ambiance and greenery - very nice landscaping and the guest rooms are in a two story building which just feels cozier and a tad more charming than the big tower that is FFI. Rooms at both hotels are clean, comfortable, quiet and do the job you need them to. Staff seems equally professional and attentive at both. The pools are fine at both - nothing special. If I could get an equal size room at either one, I would choose the cheapest price.