Family of 5 good neighbor hotel

[GoofieRuthie]

Hello everyone!! I'm new to the DL boards. I'm so excited I can't see straight. My DH told me last night that we could take the kids and go to DL for our Anniversary in September. We will be there Sept. 2 - 7. A busy time, I know, but I'll take whatever I can get. I need to find a good neighbor hotel that is decent and can accomodate a family of 5. 2 adults, 3 kids aged 14, 12, and 5. Can anyone suggest one? TIA!!!!

 

[LynGregory]

I would really encourage you to look at the Hilton Garden Inn Garden Grove, Annaheim. It's right on Harbor Blvd and is a Good Neighbor hotel.

We have stayed there 3 times already and are coming again 8/22- 9/5 (so if you end up there we will see you!). We love it there, the staff are really friendly and have become like friends now.

We are from the UK by the way!

 

[HydroGuy]

Check this link for hotels in the area:

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

FWIW, we have six in our family - for boys 14, 13, 11 and 10. We have stayed at a DL hotel (the PP), the Howard Johnson's, and Best Western Park Place Inn (BWPPI) right across the street.

Folks are different, so this is just us. What we found out on previous trips is that we primarily use our hotel for sleeping. So a really nice place is not worth it for us. As long as it is clean and quiet then we are good.

Something to note about DLR is that you can walk everywhere - especially if you are close enough. And we take breaks back to our hotel every afternoon when the lines are longest and takes naps - and then come back to the parks refreshed at 5-7 PM.

When we stayed at the PP and the HoJos's the walk was too long. And the wait for the Monorail was painful (at least 30 minutes one day). So the last two trips we have stayed at the BWPPI which is the shortest walk possible except for certain parts of the DL GCH. From our hotel room door to the DLR gates it is 10 minutes max - maybe 7 - depends on the traffic light on Harbor at the crosswalk.

Other hotels further away you may need to take a shuttle (I hate waiting for shuttles) or a cab or walk further.

On another note, pay attention to the ride closure schedule (see http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=dl060626xx#Rehabs ). The Matterhorn will be down - nothing you can do about that - but Haunted Mansion is closed every year usually the after Labor day - Spet 5. So make sure you ride that ny Sept. 4 or you will miss it!

 

[JayS]

We recently stayed at the Park Vue Inn which is right at the entrance plaza. There was obvious signs of renovation going on at the property. Our room was clean and the beds were comfortable. We had a room with 3 queen beds. Yes you read that right...there was one queen bed in a separate room and the other 2 were in a standard hotel configuration. There was also a refrigerator, a microwave and a coffee pot. Nice little arrangement. There is a pool there as well, but it was raining when we were there....(so we rode Splash Mountain 2x instead ).

Oh one other thing, the 'included' breakfast wasn't that great...I'd say mediocre to poor, but there was enough there for everyone in my family.

 

[agoofylover]

HI,
We are going in Sept. too! We are a family of 6. A ds3 and a ds5 with us and my parents. We are pretty excited about staying in the kids suite at the Residence Inn Resort (garden grove). It is a little farther down the main drag...about 1 mile at most from DL. You can take the ART transportation that picks-up/drops-off to and from DL from the hotel. The kids suite has it's own 2 bedrooms and living room/kitchen. Bunk beds, a TV and a seperate bathroom for the kids. Also a pull-out sofa in the living area. On trip advisor it gets really good reviews. I like that we have the option of the kitchen for snacks, continental breakfast, close to target and grocery stores/restaurants. I don't know if this helps...it seemed pretty reasonably priced. It's a good neighbor hotel property on Harbor Blvd.
As for what Hydroguy said about the ride closures...I don't think that was 100% accurate. If you go onto the site RideRefurbs.com it shows that only California Screamin' and the Haunted Mansion will close on Sept.11th. The Matterhorn is not listed what so ever...however the Monorail(maybe what he meant) is.

 

[HydroGuy]

As for what Hydroguy said about the ride closures...I don't think that was 100% accurate. If you go onto the site RideRefurbs.com it shows that only California Screamin' and the Haunted Mansion will close on Sept.11th. The Matterhorn is not listed what so ever...however the Monorail(maybe what he meant) is.

RideRefurbs is usually pretty reliable, I agree, but in this case they are the only ones with the above info. I think MousePlanet is in the majority on this one. I think the info RideRefurbs is displaying is wrong. The last few years DL has taken HM down the day after Labor Day for the NBC holiday overlay, and that is consistent with MousePlanet's info - Sept 5.

 

[tlynk]

When traveling with 5 or more people we stay at the Homewood Suites or Residence Inn. At Homewood Suites included was an expanded continental breakfast (good variety of food), and at the Residence Inn the breakfast was buffet style that included eggs, bacon, etc.. In addition each evening at the Residence Inn (M-Thur), they had a light dinner that was included as well. We stayed the Homewood Suites over a weekend, so I don't remember if it included a light dinner or evening reception?? Both hotels are nice.

 

[munchkinsmom]

The Howard Johnson's on Harbor Blvd has a suite that will easily accomodate your family. It's their SNQ1 Suite, which has two Queen-sized beds in the bedroom and a Queen sofa sleeper in the living room. You can check out the HOJO's room layouts here:

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/pdf/room_layouts.pdf

The HOJO is across the street from Disneyland. It only takes about 7-10 minutes for our family to walk to Disneyland's entrance. Clean, quiet and the pool areas are nice too. It doesn't offer a free breakfast, but they have a microwave and a fridge available in the room and a nice convenience store on-site if you need to buy something to eat and didn't bring your own food. Mimi's Cafe and Mcdonald's are also close by.

While I don't know if Castle Inn and Suites is a "Good Neighbor" Hotel, they also have a room called the "Family Suite" that will accomodate your family:

http://www.castleinn.com/family_suite.htm

Cheap and clean, but it reminds me more of a motel than a hotel, KWIM? Also a 7-10 minute walk and on the opposite side of Harbor (on the DCA side).


HTH!

Edited for grammar

 

[agoofylover]

RideRefurbs is usually pretty reliable, I agree, but in this case they are the only ones with the above info. I think MousePlanet is in the majority on this one. I think the info RideRefurbs is displaying is wrong. The last few years DL has taken HM down the day after Labor Day for the NBC holiday overlay, and that is consistent with MousePlanet's info - Sept 5.

Ya, I see what you mean HydroGuy...I hadn't found that sight until today. I guess I'm pretty disappointed if that's the case!! We are arriving the 10th and were planning on doing the things that were scheduled for the 11th that first day. Now we won't get to do the Matterhorn,HM, the train, and who knows what else. . So, that seems pretty silly when the 50th goes through to the end of September. Why don't they just wait a few more weeks? I won't get back for a few years and my kids were really looking forward to both the Matterhoren and HM. Oh well.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We loved the RI maingate. LARGE SUITE, wonderful breakfast, and free grocery shopping.

Jack

 

[50thisyeartoo!]

I have stayed in lots of places while at Disneyland...the DL Hotels, all three...definitely the Grand Californian if you can afford it. It is the most convenient. Recently I stayed at the Homewood Suites again. My sister with her family of SIX found it quite comfortable. The rooms are clean, the staff is very helpful, and they do have a breakfast buffet in the am which saves you big $$ on food. They also have dinner during the weekdays. The DL hotels are nice. I find that staying there is always a nice experience. Do not stay at the Ramada Limited Suites on Harbor Blvd. Rooms are gross. Sheets have holes, showers are dirty...just gives you a bad feeling.