First time to DL. Which good neighbor resort?

[cindyfan]

planning our first trip, looking at a couple nights at a good neighbor resort and would like to be in walking distance. Considering Tropicana, Anaheim Camelot or HoJo.
Which does everyone prefer and why? What about price? Reasonable?

 

[sherilaine]

Are you looking for anything specific or just good price and close? Are you looking for any specific room configuration, such as a suite vs. traditional room. Is the pool important? Do you want an included breakfast? Will you need parking? Do you have kids in your party and are they little or older? These details can help.

We like the HOJO as it’s clean with good service, has free parking and wifi which we’ve found reliable. We have stayed in the kids suites which are great for a family; king bed in one room, bunks and pull out in other with 2 washrooms.

The pool area there is split between the kiddy pirate area with splash park and their garden pool which is quieter. They do not have a restaurant but Mimi’s is across the street on your way to the parks. They’ve just renovated the tall tower building which has Disney view rooms. Walk is not bad, we find it very close. Price is reasonable I feel compared to that area, nothing close is really cheap anymore and it’s s fraction of the cost of onsite and almost as close. They have a discount for DISboard members, I’ll need to look it up.

I’ve not stayed at the other two but I’m sure you’ll get lots of info from others here!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread has good information: www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/.
Don't limit yourself to a Good Neighbor hotel. That designation does not = better hotel. Some are great, some are not so hot. DLR is very flexible when it comes to hotels and hotel choices. As the pp said, knowing exactly what you want is key. Once you know what you are looking for, posters here can make specific suggestions. You are wise to make proximity and walkability priorities.

 

[cindyfan]

Thanks for responding.... here's what we need....
It's me and my adult daughter, first time for me, not her (second time for her). We are driving from Vegas.
We already have Paradise Pier planned for 3 nights. but want to add 1 or 2 more nights at something less expensive ... plan to stay at the parks till close (midnight) on a Saturday and want to walk back to crash/sleep. Don't want to rush out the next morning to drive back. So we thought a less expensive Good Neighbor for that.
Then we'd take a day a Downtown Disney or whatever. Then drive back on Monday.
I've already checked availability on some and it seems some places will have availability for 2 nights but not just one? is that normal out there?

 

[Cal-Pie]

I've already checked availability on some and it seems some places will have availability for 2 nights but not just one? is that normal out there?

Yes, I have noticed that some will not take 1 night reservations, but there are plenty that will. I think Trop would fit your needs just fine. It's clean, close, and I found it to be the quietest of all the Harbor motels. I like HOJO too, but it gets to be a bit far if you trek back and forth much during the day. I also really like Park Vue, they also include breakfast. If you are planning to stick around for a while on your last day, you might want to see who will let you keep your car parked after check out. Maybe also look at the Best Westerns-Anaheim Inn and Park Place Inn.

 

[cindyfan]

Yes, I have noticed that some will not take 1 night reservations, but there are plenty that will. I think Trop would fit your needs just fine. It's clean, close, and I found it to be the quietest of all the Harbor motels. I like HOJO too, but it gets to be a bit far if you trek back and forth much during the day. I also really like Park Vue, they also include breakfast. If you are planning to stick around for a while on your last day, you might want to see who will let you keep your car parked after check out. Maybe also look at the Best Westerns-Anaheim Inn and Park Place Inn.

Thanks!! your suggestions are great!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

DTD won't take a whole day -- maybe a few hours at most. So you'll have Sunday for: more time in the parks? a character brunch? Shows/parades/live music/M&Gs/little things that you didn't have time for before/do-overs/repeats of favorites/etc.? A beach day?
What are your trip dates?

 

[Diszona]

Yes, I have noticed that some will not take 1 night reservations, but there are plenty that will. I think Trop would fit your needs just fine. It's clean, close, and I found it to be the quietest of all the Harbor motels. I like HOJO too, but it gets to be a bit far if you trek back and forth much during the day. I also really like Park Vue, they also include breakfast. If you are planning to stick around for a while on your last day, you might want to see who will let you keep your car parked after check out. Maybe also look at the Best Westerns-Anaheim Inn and Park Place Inn.

I was going to post the same thing. Also if you are just looking for a clean place to sleep that is <5 minutes from the gates, the Del Sol and Desert Inn are also options that tend to run a little cheaper than the Tropicana and Park Vue (though if you need a place where you can leave your car after check-out, I know the Del Sol will not let you do that).

 

[HydroGuy]

planning our first trip, looking at a couple nights at a good neighbor resort and would like to be in walking distance. Considering Tropicana, Anaheim Camelot or HoJo.
Which does everyone prefer and why? What about price? Reasonable?

FWIW here is my own experience with GN hotels on Harbor Blvd (the closest to DLR entrance).

Took four kids in 2003 ages 7-12 and decided to stay at Hojo's. After all, it is really close to DLR (see "How Far Is It?" (shows actual distances in feet from hotels to DLR entrance plaza) http://www.mouseplanet.com/7280/How_Far_Is_It).

We only did two park days IIR. Walking to the DLR in the morning was fast and easy. But I swear when we walked back at night it was 3 times as long. In fact on one night my kids could not do it. We got as far as the bus stop area and I had to hire a taxi to get us all back to HoJo's. The night we did walk back to HoJo's I distinctly remember walking past 5-7 other hotels there on Harbor with 4 kids in tow, and promised myself we would stay in one of those the next time.

On the other hand, HoJo's was pretty nice and they had their two pools. They have upgraded since then I believe with water slides and all. A cool place for kids.

In 2005 (our next trip - DL's 50th anniversary) we stayed in BWPPI as close as you can possibly get to the park gates. Since that trip I have never looked back and we always stay at or near that hotel when we do GN, or we stay at CCI which has a shuttle (which we use 80-90% of the time). Usually when we stay at CCI it is because BWPPI was sold out.

Everyone has different priorities and YMMV. That was my mileage.

 

[pblack]

I'm partial to the BW Anaheim Inn. Tropicana is also a nice choice. Our last trip we stayed at the Grand Legacy and it was fine.

 

[cindyfan]

DTD won't take a whole day -- maybe a few hours at most. So you'll have Sunday for: more time in the parks? a character brunch? Shows/parades/live music/M&Gs/little things that you didn't have time for before/do-overs/repeats of favorites/etc.? A beach day?
What are your trip dates?

Our dates are April 10-15. So... since we got the special price on the tickets... they are blocked out April 14-23. So we won't be able to do a park on Sunday. We just decided it wasn't worth the additional $240. That's why we plan to stay till park closing on Saturday and kinda chill at DTD and the resort on Sunday.

 

[cindyfan]

or we stay at CCI

CCI??? which one is this?

Also..... are there any character meals at DTD?

 

[BecAus]

CCI??? which one is this?

Candy Cane Inn - seems to get good reviews and has it's own shuttle which is rare.

are there any character meals at DTD?

Not right in DTD but each of the Disney hotels have a character meal. GCH - has Storytellers for B/F which gets good reviews. DLH - has Goofy's kitchen where you can have a character meal at B/F and Dinner. PPH - also has a character B/F.

We are staying at GCH next trip and are going to do Storytellers on our last checkout morning before we head to the airport later in the morning

 

[BecAus]

Storytellers also does a brunch (a character one according to their website) but I'm confused whether that is everyday or just on the weekends. Looking at the website it reads like it is offered everyday?
Perhaps someone will have some current info and what exactly is the difference between the breakfast and the brunch, if any. They both seem to offer characters.

 

[HydroGuy]

CCI??? which one is this?

Candy Cane Inn - seems to get good reviews and has it's own shuttle which is rare.

My signature has a link to common abbreviations.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Our dates are April 10-15. So... since we got the special price on the tickets... they are blocked out April 14-23. So we won't be able to do a park on Sunday...

You'll be there for Dapper Day Weekend. Look up Dapper Days to see if this is something that interests you and your DD. There is an expo in the DLH with live bands and dancing (free swing dance lessons, too!). There are vendors with lots of fun things. If you participate in the convention (Expo tickets are only $10 each for the whole weekend!), you can buy discount park tickets through the DD site. That might get you your extra day in the parks. You also might be able to add one or two nights on site using the DD rates.

 

[cindyfan]

You'll be there for Dapper Day Weekend. Look up Dapper Days to see if this is something that interests you and your DD. There is an expo in the DLH with live bands and dancing (free swing dance lessons, too!). There are vendors with lots of fun things. If you participate in the convention (Expo tickets are only $10 each for the whole weekend!), you can buy discount park tickets through the DD site. That might get you your extra day in the parks. You also might be able to add one or two nights on site using the DD rates.

Wow.... didn't realize it was the Dapper Day weekend. I am very interested! This looks like a lot of fun for us! My daughter loves Disney Bounding and swing music!!
I am reading the DD site and I just want to be sure... are there any other fees associated with this? Other than the $12.50 for the Expo?
And is it best to call Disney direct to reserve a room with the discounted rates?
Thank you!!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

As far as I know, there are no other fees associated with the Expo -- just buy a ticket! (And thank you for updating on the fees -- I had not known the price had gone up! Still a deal, though!) Others who've booked the DD rates can chime in (and you may want to post a separate thread asking about this specifically because I know we have DISers who book DD rates every year), but I would just follow whatever directions are on the DD site for booking rooms. Those rates are a great deal!

 

[pblack]

As far as I know, there are no other fees associated with the Expo -- just buy a ticket! (And thank you for updating on the fees -- I had not known the price had gone up! Still a deal, though!) Others who've booked the DD rates can chime in (and you may want to post a separate thread asking about this specifically because I know we have DISers who book DD rates every year), but I would just follow whatever directions are on the DD site for booking rooms. Those rates are a great deal!

Thanks for mentioning Dapper Days! This years fall dapper days coincides with a trip we have planned. I've always wanted to attend dapper days so i'm pretty excited.

 

[azdisneylover]

planning our first trip, looking at a couple nights at a good neighbor resort and would like to be in walking distance. Considering Tropicana, Anaheim Camelot or HoJo.
Which does everyone prefer and why? What about price? Reasonable?

We prefer Tropicana because out of these three, it is closest to the crosswalk. It is an easy walk to the parks in the morning because we are excited. Come end of the evening, our feet let us know with every step we should have stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn. We have a muffin, yogurt or other small item in the room while we are getting ready so a free breakfast isn't a factor. Our family usually wants to eat a meal a couple of hours after waking instead of right away. This makes making rope drop and riding rides first few hours easy. We then have a late breakfast or early lunch and plan our day.