Guru's help please...

[zca'smommy]

Hi, we are going to Disneyland the end of June, it will be our 4th year in a row, we have stayed at the Fairfield Inn, Raffles Inn, & Embassy Suites... we really enjoyed the Embassy Suites last year, however it would be nice to be a bit closer to the park...so the search continues for the right hotel, with the right amount of space for us (me, husband, ds's 6 1/2 (twins) and dd 2 1/2), and close enough to walk....so we have been looking at a few, The Portofino which we think we have knocked out of the running due to reviews, the Desert Palm-which is the one that Getaway rec's, and the Park Place...we like the close proximatey of the Park Place, but we wonder if the rooms are going to be spacious enough for us, and we have heard that it gets quite noisy there. The Desert Palm suites look pretty big, but it is farther away-does anyone know exactly how far away it is??? can we walk comfortably w/the older ones walking and the little one in a stroller? how long would it take us? any short cuts or better way to go from the hotel, w/out having to jump on a bus/trolly/tram???
One of these days we would like to stay at one of the Disney Hotels and even thought about it this time, however w/3 little ones, the rooms just don't seem to be big enough, and no refrig and no microwave, I just can't seem to jusify spending $500-$1000 more. Any other hotels I have missed, that would be big enough & close enough & not a dive??? any thoughts on the above hotels good or bad???
We are staying 5 nights, we will be in the park 3 1/2 to 4 days and will head to Lego Land for one day, as our boys are Lego fans-I am assuming we can get through that park in one day? anyone know?

We will also do a character breakfast one day, any tips for that? I also plan on making a reservation at Blue Bayou, would like to eat inside the Pirates, any tips? (It will re-open the day before we arrive).

I know we have one early entry day and we will use that.

We are also thinking since we go there every year that it would make sense for us to upgrade our 4 day park hopper passes to a ap when we get there, what are the advantages of doing it right away? are there additional discounts? or should we wait until the last day?

Thank you so much for any & all help, I do appreciate it!

Liz

 

[hlbtimes2]

The desert palms is going to be about 10-15 walk from the gate. It is one hotel down from the Candy cane inn. We walked to the candy cane with a 4 and 7 year old and it took right at 10 minutes. Its a bit further then the fairfield so if you didnt like that walk I would pick the DP.

I recomend the Plaza in for a character meal. We ate there last month and loved it! We had eaten there in the past, as well, and have always happy with it. We tried Goofys in Oct and were disappointed in the interaction.

Things to consider for an AP upgrade and when to do it: You'll want to check the black out calendar and make sure you upgrade after any blackouts. It will cost you $30 to buy a blockout pass. You'll also want to book after you've used your EE. With a deluxe ap you'll get 10% off most food purchases, and 20% off tours.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Plaza Inn has the Princess breakfast, correct? We have two boys (ages 5 and nearly 2) and decided to do a Lilo & Stitch breakfast (at PPH) and Goofy's dinner (at DLH.) We nixed the GCH breakfast, which features Chip & Dale and Brother Bear characters because our boys aren't familiar with them.

I have no opinion on which is best since our trip isn't until 4/23, but Goofy's Kitchen seems to get high marks for lively atmosphere and fun, and mixed reviews on the buffet. Plaza Inn food is supposed to be good, the Lilo & Stitch breakfast sounded fun and has a Hawaiian theme, even the food.

The intention of the character breakfasts is to entertain the kids; the characters are supposed to come around to each table for pictures and autographs. If you are missing out on the interaction, speak up to the staff! There's no way you should pay that kind of money and go away disappointed!

 

[iceskatejen]

Plaza Inn's breakfast is now Minnie and Friends (the princesses have been moved over to Ariel's Grotto in DCA for lunch and dinner). Minnie, Chip, Dale, Pluto, Capt. Hook and a few others seem to be regulars (haven't had this breakfast for myself, but I've seen some of the characters wandering around as I've walked by in the mornings).

 

[hlbtimes2]

Plaza Inn has the Princess breakfast, correct?

No, they moved to Ariels in DCA last fall. It is now Minnie and Friends. We saw: Minnie, Hook, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Chip and Dale, and the Fairy Godmother. They were great! They stayed at our table and played, posed for photos and signed autographs. The Fairy Godmother held my kids on her lap and visited. At Goofy's last fall we saw: Goofy, Donald, Snow White and Aladin. Max was there, but never came to our section. They all singed the book and posed for a pic, but didnt play or really interact at all. At one point they danced, but we couldnt see much from our area, and didnt want to be rude and crowd around other people while they were eating.

 

[zca'smommy]

hlbtimes2 thanks for the info on hotels etc.... so your saying that the walk from the Fairfield Inn to the park and the walk from Desert Palms to the park are about the same? and how is the Candy Cane Hotel?? have not heard much about it, do they have suites? is it better than some of the other hotels???

Thanks to all for the info on the Breakfast, since I have boys & girl, I think I would probably go w/Goofy's Kitchen, but is it not that good??? is Minnie & Friends better???

Anyone have any more info on hotels for me please???

Thanks

 

[amw]

Have you looked into the Desert Inn & Suites?

http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/room_suites.htm

They are across the street from the entrance, and have 2-bedroom, 2-bath family suites for around $100. I haven't stayed there, but am thinking about it as, like you, I like to have space for my family. Like all the hotels on Harbour, there are some bad reviews. But, I found on the disboards and trip advisor, that the reviews were generally positive. I just want a clean, close place to sleep.

They also have a small, indoor pool if you're going in off-season.

 

[hlbtimes2]

hlbtimes2 thanks for the info on hotels etc.... so your saying that the walk from the Fairfield Inn to the park and the walk from Desert Palms to the park are about the same? and how is the Candy Cane Hotel?? have not heard much about it, do they have suites? is it better than some of the other hotels???

Thanks to all for the info on the Breakfast, since I have boys & girl, I think I would probably go w/Goofy's Kitchen, but is it not that good??? is Minnie & Friends better???

Anyone have any more info on hotels for me please???

Thanks

The candy cane is awsome! Its currently rated at the #1 hotel on trip advisor (of course that is taking price in to consideration, its not really nicer then the disney hotels.). However, I would be concerned with the size of the rooms with 3 kids. We had a standard room last month- 2 adults, 2 kids. It was a bit on the small size. I'm going in May with 2 friends. We have a deluxe room, which is supposed to be 40 sq feet larger. I'm not sure 40sq feet would make it big enough for 5. They do not have suites. They have a free shuttle that runs every 1/2 hour, which is one of the main reasons we stayed there. We feel in love with the place- the location, shuttle, how well cared for it is, and the breakfast all fit our needs very well.

I like Minnies at the Plaza better the Goofys- but that doesn't mean it is the right choice for everyone. Goofys does offer a better selection of "kids" foods (hot dogs, peanut butter pizza, tater tots, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese), the Minnies does. But, my kids really enjoy real food, especially after a couple days of ordering kids meals in the park. Not to say Goofys doesn't offer adult selections too- just that Minnies doesn offer the kids foods. Does that make any sense? I feel like I'm talking in circles!

 

[Lrrysgrl]

One of these days we would like to stay at one of the Disney Hotels and even thought about it this time, however w/3 little ones, the rooms just don't seem to be big enough, and no refrig and no microwave, I just can't seem to jusify spending $500-$1000 more. Any other hotels I have missed, that would be big enough & close enough & not a dive??? any thoughts on the above hotels good or bad???

I know one thing that helped our decision was that the Tropicana Inn has a microwave and fridge in the room. Don't know if that helps or not. Price is great too!

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

I haven't checked reviews for Portofino or Desert Palm in a while, but they used to be on the mixed to bad side. At DP it seemed that there were good parts of the hotel (newly remodeled) and bad parts (unremodeled). Not sure how that's progressed over the last few years. With Portofino, I recall hearing a few "not at all as pictured on their website" but then again, I read some absolutely glowing reports too.

Also not sure what you're looking for space-wise. If DLH rooms don't seem big to you, BWPPI's mini-suite probably wouldn't be a good fit either. Perhaps you're wanting a two-room suite? With our family size going up soon, I've started checking into some of those within walking distance. My findings:

Tropicana has a 2-room suite with kitchenette that seems workable -- one room has 2 queen beds; the other has either 1 king or two queens; kitchen with stove top, fridge, micro, pots/pans, kitchen table, etc. Seemed rather pricey though ($249/nt for Sept dates), but that could always change as my dates draws closer.

Park Inn & Suites has a suite setup which (iirc, it's been a while since I looked into theirs) includes a separate living room (some with 1 queen bed and sofa sleeper, some with only sofa sleeper) and a 2-queen bedroom. Theirs comes with a fridge and micro also. Their rooms have usually been on the pricier side too, though last winter I did find a very reasonable deal on their suites (around $125/night).

Carousel has two room suites -- 1 queen in first bedroom, 2 queens in second, large fridge and micro. Carousel also has three bedroom "view" suites -- mixed to bad reviews on those though.

Desert Inn & Suites, as someone else mentioned, has a large array of suite types. You might want to check their website for the configurations. All include micro and fridge. Good to mixed reviews lately.

Del Sol has supposedly been remodeling their rooms. They used to get terrible reviews and while I believe the "thin walls" comment is still being tossed about, they've been getting some good reviews on tripadvisor. They're said to have some two room suites as well, though I'm not sure on the details. Fridge and micro, of course, and budget prices.

 

[samkj]

BWPPI, is definitely not what I would call a suite, a small half wall is what devides the room. The location can't be beat. The Park Inn has suites and should just be finishing up a renovation in June, so the rooms should be nicely updated. I've heard horrible things about the Dessert Palms, but have never been there myself. We stayed in a 2 room suite at Carousel in November and enjoyed our stay, but it is not in the same class as Embassy Suites. Then again very few hotels on Harbor are at that level. Candy Cane Inn is close, but they do not have suites. You can get connecting rooms, but call the hotel direct to find out what kinds of rooms connect. If I remember right, the standard rooms did not (but its been a year since I last asked, so I may be wrong)

HTH

 

[Chicago526]

Have you looked into the Desert Inn & Suites?

http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/room_suites.htm

They are across the street from the entrance, and have 2-bedroom, 2-bath family suites for around $100. I haven't stayed there, but am thinking about it as, like you, I like to have space for my family. Like all the hotels on Harbour, there are some bad reviews. But, I found on the disboards and trip advisor, that the reviews were generally positive. I just want a clean, close place to sleep.

They also have a small, indoor pool if you're going in off-season.

This is where DH and I are staying, we have a regular room rather than a suite. From the reviews on Trip Advisor, it sounds like a clean hotel, no frills, with a location that can't be beat. I'll be writing a review when I get back after our trip at the end of April.

Our rate for the regular room was $59 a night, I don't know if it would sleep 5 though (4 for sure). The suites went for more but they were still very reasonable if I remember right.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

It is now Minnie and Friends. We saw: Minnie, Hook, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Chip and Dale, and the Fairy Godmother. They were great!

I'm following a couple guidebooks, and even though they are 2006 versions, they apparently aren't up to date. (One still mentions Goofy's Bounce House!) And I've just discovered that DS1 is a Winnie the Pooh fan! He has started cuddling with a Pooh beanie at night, and wants to watch Pooh movies. Now I'm kinda wishing we'd signed up for the Plaza Inn character meal. I think he'll enjoy the ones we do have PSs for, but with his new interest in Pooh...

 

[amw]

I'm following a couple guidebooks, and even though they are 2006 versions, they apparently aren't up to date. (One still mentions Goofy's Bounce House!)QUOTE]

Yes, be careful with info in guidebooks. I'm an editor, and new copyright years are issued in August. So, a 2006 edition can be published anytime after August 2005 and before August 2006. This way publishers get their latest editions out into stores for the Fall/Christmas season. On top of that, for a title to be published in August, it probably goes to the printer in early June... hence the text is probably from April/May.... You can see how 40% of the book can already be outdated before it hits the shelves

You can usually find more updates on the guidebooks' websites.

If you have your heart on anything you read in the guide -- a certain ride, restaurant, or event (characters at meals) -- it's always best to call Disney direct shortly before going to confirm. That way, you avoid disappointments with the little ones (or big ones!).

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi, we are going to Disneyland the end of June, it will be our 4th year in a row, we have stayed at the Fairfield Inn, Raffles Inn, & Embassy Suites... we really enjoyed the Embassy Suites last year, however it would be nice to be a bit closer to the park...so the search continues for the right hotel, with the right amount of space for us (me, husband, ds's 6 1/2 (twins) and dd 2 1/2), and close enough to walk

This link may be helpful. It shows nearby hotels and proximity.

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

This link shows walking times from hotels:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

We like the suites at Best Western Park Place. It is the closest hotel, and a reasonable price for our family of six.

 

[zca'smommy]

WOW thanks HydroGuy for the links those are very helpful

We are currently looking into the Park Inn Anaheim (got pretty decent reviews lately) and the BWPPI, and possibly Desert Inn.... I got a quote from Getaway (we use them every year, they are pretty cheap in my opinion) and the quote was $1562 that was for 5 nights 4 day hoppers for 4 of us, 4 character breakfasts, and 4 Lego Land tickets (my daughter will still be 2 1/2 so we don't have to buy for her) does this sound right/reasonable to you all????
I will check the BWPPI although the reviews lately have not been as good, and also the Desert Inn, however I need to research just how far away they are.....
Familyof5AZ, actually I did not check the "size" of the DLH, I just kind of assumed it would not be big enough since we kind of like having more space, ie: another place to "hang out" w/a tv etc...in the room, also I would not mind checking into Candy Cane however Getaway does not do business w/them, I kind of like getting my whole package together that way I don't have to worry about anything it is all tied together, I don't want to have to make several phone calls to get the other tickets for other stuff.

Thanks everyone, keep the info coming I really appreciate it!

 

[zca'smommy]

Forgot to say the quote for $1562, was for Park Inn Anaheim.

 

[samkj]

The suites at the Park Inn run $179-$199 per night the last week of June. So just the hotel would be over $1000 for 5 nights once you add in tax, so it sounds like you got a great deal with Getaway today.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I would not mind checking into Candy Cane however Getaway does not do business w/them, I kind of like getting my whole package together that way I don't have to worry about anything it is all tied together, I don't want to have to make several phone calls to get the other tickets for other stuff.

Thanks everyone, keep the info coming I really appreciate it!

CCI only books thru disney travel and AAA (who books thru disney travel). The problem you would have with them is, you would need two connecting rooms, they dont offer suites. Each room is about $130 a night. I think for $250-260 a night you would be able to find something nicer.

 

[zca'smommy]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the help. I went ahead and booked the Park Inn Anaheim family suite, at the rate the quoted me, sounded like a really good deal.

So does anyone know what the advantages of upgrading to the AP are for us??? If we upgrade, which I think we might, we won't upgrade until we have used the EE day, we will probably upgrade the next day after using that. Now do we get a discount in the park for having an AP?? and which AP should we upgrade to? It makes sense for us to upgrade since we have been going every year & next year we would only have to buy a ticket for my daughter who will be 3 the next time we go, so we would only need a hotel. Do you get good rates at GC or the DLH being an AP holder? Any other perks that I missed? sorry if these ?'s are redundant, I am sure they have been answered a million times in the past, it just gets kind of confusing and I want to make sure I have all the info before making a decision.

Thanks Liz