Embassy Suites South or Desert Palms

[Walt(the man)Lover]

Ugh! I do this to myself every Disney vacation. Overthink, overthink, overthink! I currently have reservations at both places and trying to decide which to cancel. We like ES as it is a known quantity, but parking is $6 per day, plus parking at the parks for another $15. ES does receive excellent reviews. The DP is actually a little less expensive, has free parking and is walking distance(?) to the park. However, we have never stayed there and it receives so-so to good reviews. They are currently undergoing a renovation with a completion date of Nov. 24. We are looking to go Dec. 1-5. Any advice? Go with known quantity for a little more $$ or stay closer with uncertainty?

 

[wdwfan22]

I have never stayed at either one, but here is my 2 cents anyway

I just read some reviews for both properties on tripadvisor, and they both look fine to me. I would make sure you have read reviews from a couple different travel sites (always with a grain of salt, because some people will complain about anything).

But to me, the most important factor in choosing a hotel is location, location, location. I would stay at Embassy Suites anywhere else, but not here. I like to be walking distance for a mid day break and general convenience.Driving and parking (and paying) is an extra pain you don't need to deal with when there are good choices right across the street. Have you looked at other close properties? Lot's of walking distance choices.

 

[specialks]

Just a note that you might call ES and ask if they would be willing to waive the parking fee -- we have had hotels do that for us before to keep our business. Really helps if you are members of their points/rewards program.
Also, you do get a free full breakfast at the ES.
You can also take the ART shuttle instead of driving. We have stayed offsite so we can have a larger room (w/a full kitchen) and free breakfast for less money than staying close. We drove our last 2 years and I can't stand the tram parking garage set up so we are going to give the ART a try this year. Some people really hate the ART so we will see.
Are the rooms comparable? Do you have young kids??

 

[Cagirl767]

We prefer the extended stay hotels. The free breakfast is a perk and we love taking ART rather than driving over. We've never had an ART problem, but we don't go at peak times. I don't think your dates will be a problem and you can look on the ART website as to what number pickup ES is on their route. Depending on how many there are in your party, you may save a few dollars a day by taking ART. It's really our preferred way to go.

 

[Walt(the man)Lover]

Thank you so much for your replies.
I consider the rooms to be equal as they both offer a free breakfast and suite set up. However, the DP actually has bunk beds in the separate room (nice for my DD(6) and DS(4)). The other hotels closer to the park don't seem to offer the true "suite" option.
Good idea to request waiver on the parking at the hotel, but that doesn't help the Disneyland parking fee. The use of ART? sounds appealing, but with the four of us going back and forth, I wasn't sure of the savings compared to parking.
Nonetheless, I think the reservations at DP will stand and we will save the ES for all of our other travels. (I really SHOULD join their rewards program.)

 

[aristocat65]

Ugh! I do this to myself every Disney vacation. Overthink, overthink, overthink! I currently have reservations at both places and trying to decide which to cancel. We like ES as it is a known quantity, but parking is $6 per day, plus parking at the parks for another $15. ES does receive excellent reviews. The DP is actually a little less expensive, has free parking and is walking distance(?) to the park. However, we have never stayed there and it receives so-so to good reviews. They are currently undergoing a with a completion date of Nov. 24. We are looking to go Dec. 1-5. Any advice? Go with known quantity for a little more $$ or stay closer with uncertainty?

We've stayed at ES a few times and love it. We usually do drive to the parks, but we get our park hoppers at AAA (CAA here in Canada) Their tickets include free parking and you don't have to be a member to purchase them.

 

[jennifur25]

We stayed at the Desert Palms two years ago when we went at Christmas time and had no issues there! I can't remember if I posted pictures or not- did you check the big thread with all the hotel pics? I would have no problem staying there again, but their rates were too high for this last trip we went on

 

[PinkBudgie]

I wrote a little picture review of Embassy Suites South from our trip the summer before last. See link in my sig. We loved it but I wish I could pick it up and move it closer to DLR! I've never tried the other one so I can't compare.

 

[tdashgirl]

The other hotels closer to the park don't seem to offer the true "suite" option....
Good idea to request waiver on the parking at the hotel, but that doesn't help the Disneyland parking fee. The use of ART? sounds appealing, but with the four of us going back and forth, I wasn't sure of the savings compared to parking.

There actually several hotels within walking distance. I know that have suites. Desert Inn and Suites (right across the street from the main entrance), the Portofino, HOJO has kids suites but these book up fast, Carousel, etc...

I'm not a big fan of ART or parking - it takes up too much time for me.

I wrote a little picture review of Embassy Suites South from our trip the summer before last. See link in my sig. We loved it but I wish I could pick it up and move it closer to DLR! I've never tried the other one so I can't compare.

I agree This is a nice hotel, nice suite rooms, and *excellent* free breakfast. It's just so darn far though.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

ART and strollers DO NOT mix. So if you are taking a stroller, I'd go with Desert Palms. The walk isn't bad (we stayed at Portofino across the street from DP). We've also stayed at Hampton Inn right next to ESS and hated ART. DH ended up walking with the stroller full of sleeping children rather than trying to transfer them to arms and fold strollers. One trip he actually beat us (me and older kids) back to the hotel.

 

[Woodduck]

For what it's worth we stayed at the Desert Palm in a suite last year and at the Park Place Inn this year in a mini-suite. I would say the PPI is much nicer larger room. Also 1/5 the walk to the gate. The only thing we liked better about the Desert Palm was the complimentary breakfast. The walk to the Desert Palm sucked pushing a stroller at park closing. In the future the PPI is our place of choice.