Family of 6 1st Trip: Opinions on Suites/Shuttles

[ksdisneyfan]

My family of 6 is planning our first DLR trip this May! Yeah! I've been going back and forth on hotels.

Of course, we'd really love to stay on site, but we'd need to get 2 rooms, right? We have four children under 8 years, and it seems like all the rooms are 5 maximum.

Residence Inn-Maingate looks like a nice choice of hotel, but I worry about the shuttling back and forth. Is it that much of a hassle? Or is the shuttle not so much of a big deal in May when it's "off season"?

I'd appreciate any feedback, and I'm sure I'll have more questions soon!

Thanks!

 

[youmyflower]

The desert inn & suites is right across the street, definitely walking distance and pretty cheap. They have suites that can accomodate 6.

I just reserved two rooms at the Howard Johnson (HoJo). Not quite as close but it gets rave reviews here.

A suite on site is pretty darn expensive. I just called last week and it was over $500/night at either the Disneyland hotel or the Paradise Pier. I'm sure it would be waaaay more at the GCH.

 

[BrerMama]

You could check out the Fairfield Inn. We stayed there a decade ago and at the time it had 2 doubles and a pull out love seat. Both of our children were able to sleep on the pull-out (they were 2 and 4 at the time). I think they still have the same set-up in their rooms. It was within walking distance. We just took our double stroller and would put the kids in it while we walked back and forth.

 

[ballarinamom]

We've stayed at the Disneyland hotel 6 times. We love it but it is $$$$$. In November we took DMIL for the first time. Because we couldn't afford 2 rooms at DLH we looked for close hotels that were not so expensive. We also needed adjoining rooms since DD would be sleeping in DMIL's room. Tyhe only hotel that would garauntee adjoining rooms was Desert Inn and Suites. It was VERY reasonable and VERY close to the park. It was actually closer than the DLH since you don't have to walk through DTD.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have stayed at the RI Maingate numerous times and have not found ART to be a big problem, just ask the driver when breaks are and what their usual run time for that day will be.
The kids will love the breakfast and they will grocery shop for you.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

My family of 6 is planning our first DLR trip this May! Yeah! I've been going back and forth on hotels.

Of course, we'd really love to stay on site, but we'd need to get 2 rooms, right? We have four children under 8 years, and it seems like all the rooms are 5 maximum.

Residence Inn-Maingate looks like a nice choice of hotel, but I worry about the shuttling back and forth. Is it that much of a hassle? Or is the shuttle not so much of a big deal in May when it's "off season"?

I'd appreciate any feedback, and I'm sure I'll have more questions soon!

Thanks!

As a family of six, we have the same issue with the Disney hotels at DLR as they only accomodate five unless you get a $uite. When our children were young like yours and smaller in size, we did stay at PPH once and just put a kid on the floor. So you could skirt the rule if you wanted to try.

In any case, there are many non-Disney options for families of six near DLR. Many of those are discussed in the links in this thread: "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[Zoemakes5]

We had a family suite (which is really two connecting/attached rooms) at Anaheim Plaza hotel. We actually like the hotel. It has a fridge and microwave. Walking distance to DLR. The kids like the pool. It's huge and of the local hotels, has been the warmest. Kids under 9 eat breakfast free with paid adult.

 

[KCmike]

Are you from Kansas?

Anyway we tried the ART from the HOJO and we found it to be more of a hassle and wished we would have just not spent the money and walked it the entire time. I guess we were the last stop on the route each time and it seemed that we were either waiting or riding on the bus longer than it would take to get to the resort by walking. I know some people like it but if you stay close enough save the money and just walk it. If you've been to WDW and ever walked a park there all day and then had to hoof it to the bus area then it will be very easy.

 

[DahliaRW]

We stayed at the residence inn garden grove with 6 people and it was great. ART was prompt and fast (only one other stop).

 

[ksdisneyfan]

I appreciate everyone's input. We are from Kansas, KCMike, and are anxious to get to some warmer weather!

I also failed to mention that my husband is self-admittedly somewhat of a hotel snob. He's used to his company footing the bill. So is someplace like the Desert Inn and Suites going to meet his expectations? I'd really love to not even have to mess with the ART.

 

[Sherwin]

Are you from Kansas?

Anyway we tried the ART from the HOJO and we found it to be more of a hassle and wished we would have just not spent the money and walked it the entire time. I guess we were the last stop on the route each time and it seemed that we were either waiting or riding on the bus longer than it would take to get to the resort by walking. I know some people like it but if you stay close enough save the money and just walk it. If you've been to WDW and ever walked a park there all day and then had to hoof it to the bus area then it will be very easy.

Yeah, Hojo is wayyy too close to use ART. You'd waste more time waiting for a bus than you would walking.

 

[visitingapril09]

We are a family of 6 going in April. We have 4 kids 16-10. We are staying at the Portofino Suites. Sounds like a 15 minute walk. We booked a 2 bed. 2 bath suite on an especial for 139 per night. There are apparently only 4 suites this size so you need to book well in advance. Good luck. I know how hard it is to find a suitable place.

 

[gogo65]

We have just booked the carousal inn, it is also opposite the main entrance.
We are only a family of 4 however i wanted a room where my kids didn't have to share a bed. (DS16 and DD14)
We are staying in a resort suite which has 3 Queen beds, 2 bathrooms and breakfast included.
Not really sure what it is like though as we haven't stayed there before.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The Best Western Park Place Inn has mini suites that accomodate families of six. Two queen beds, one double sofa bed and a free continental breakfast. And you are just a couple of minutes from the turnstiles of DL. We really like this motel, its very clean and the location cannot be beat. I hate depending on the ART. I also really like the Tropicana and they have suites as well but their suites are more expensive than the mini suites at the BWPPI. They are more like an oversized hotel room, not really a suite since its all one room. But they are spacious and nice.

The Hojo is very nice but it is further. Its really more of a pain to take the ART from the Hojo than it is to walk. The walk isn't really that bad, although at night after a long day, it can feel longer than it is!

Pretty much all the places on Harbor (Hojo, Desert, BWPPI etc) are motels. The Hojo is the nicest as far as atmosphere but none of them will make a hotel snob feel like they are in heaven! But my experience has been that they are clean, well maintained, and the proximity to the parks and prices makes them winners. And for the record, I am a hotel snob too! But I am also a bit of a cheapskate so for me the BWPPI, Tropicana and Hojo all do nicely for me when I want to save some $$. I have yet to feel like I am staying in a shabby room when I have stayed at any of those three. And again, being steps away from DL makes them special in a different sort of way than a four or five star hotel!

 

[beezcow]

Residence Inn Garden Grove s great and I belive they have a family suite that sleeps 8.

 

[NWTmagic]

Sounds like we're in the same boat as some of you folks. We're a family of 6, kids range in age from 10 to 17. We're going in early April and staying at the Camelot Inn and Suits. Getting a family suit with 4 beds for $231 a night. We wanted to be close and this place is, plus it had mostly good reviews on tripadvisor.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

We love the Camelot family suite - sleeps 8, and we only have 5. Rooms are very spacious, location is easy walking distance, and you can watch the fireworks from the pool deck. It is a little pricier (sp? ) than the Desert Inn which offeres similar floorplans, but we like the little extras (king bed, dining table, privacy for kids and parents, tons of extra room for kids to play, etc...) Let's face it - I'm spoiled, and high maintenance!


Best of luck planning!

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Grab a entertainment card and book the hojo 59 a night and get 2 rooms that are together joining.

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

We are a family of six too and we stay at the Embassy Suites south. The rooms are around $160 a night, but includes free breakfast every morning. I don't need to tell you what it would cost to feed a large family a hot breakfast everyday, so we consider that a huge savings for us and well worth the price. The ART picks you up right by the front door of the hotel and takes you directly to the front gate of DL. It really is easy.