Help an Aussie choose a hotel

[aussietravellers]

I am looking at a trip to DL in early December (2012) for 14 nights. (I know that seems like a long time but we are flying a long way so want to come for a good amount of time and would rather base ourselves at DL, get the 14 day pass for Aussies and do day trips to San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, Knotts, Universal etc).

So I have only stayed onsite at DL before, the last few trips at GCH, before that DLH. Having never stayed offsite, and really only just walked from GCH to PF Changs and Cheesecake Factory, I really am not familiar with any of the offsite hotels/motels. I've also never done a budget trip before but would really love to get back to DL and a budget trip is the only way we could go.
So I have only ever stayed onsite at DL before, the last few trips at GCH.

It's just going to be myself and my then teenage son (currently a tween eek, saying that I will have a teenage son is making me feel a touch old )

We won't have a car as I get too nervous driving in another country and on the other side of the car and road.

We have bad asthma and dust allergies, so want somewhere clean.

Breakfast isn't a deciding factor as we do love trying different places for breakfast, often having it as our big main meal and having smaller lighter meals for lunch and dinner.

Good reliable wifi is important so I will need to online during the trip for business.

I have also never stayed with exterior room entry before. I guess I get nervous being on my own and anybody being able to access the room from the outside, but really common sense tells me that really what difference does it make having internal or exterior room entry. I just have images in my head of movies where people kick the door in at motels Stupid I know, funny what the mind does to you. Irrational I know as any door, any where, can be kicked in!

I am looking at Hojo's in a Premium park view room,
Park Vue Inn - two queens room (have read about reviews of cockroach problems there, not sure if thats true)
and
Candy Cane Inn premium room (heard the wifi can be bad if not in a front room, don't know if premium rooms are in the front of the motel ).

So I was leaning towards Hojo's with the internal doors and being able to order feather free pillows etc with allergies and if we can get an entertainment rate that would be a real bonus, but Park Vue due to the proximity to the parks and walking with just myself and my DS at night, then Candy Cane with the shuttle for night time to get back to hotel/motel.

Anyway I'm really confused about what to choose. Would really love some advise and help making my decision from those who have stayed at these three places before.

Thanks

 

[ehsmum]

Hi aussietravellers :wavey:

I don't have any knowledge of Candy Cane or Park Vue but we had a really good experience at HoJos. We walked to and from the parks every day and didn't find the distance a problem. Also never had any encounters with homeless people! The room was nice enough and the staff very friendly and helpful. The only complaint I would have is that our room overlooked one of the pools and there were people swimming (and making a lot of noise) well into the night when we were trying to sleep. The kids waterpark is great, my kids really loved it. I don't hesitate to recommend HoJos to anyone

 

[aussietravellers]

Hi aussietravellers :wavey:

I don't have any knowledge of Candy Cane or Park Vue but we had a really good experience at HoJos. We walked to and from the parks every day and didn't find the distance a problem. Also never had any encounters with homeless people! The room was nice enough and the staff very friendly and helpful. The only complaint I would have is that our room overlooked one of the pools and there were people swimming (and making a lot of noise) well into the night when we were trying to sleep. The kids waterpark is great, my kids really loved it. I don't hesitate to recommend HoJos to anyone

Thanks ehsmum I am leaning towards HoJos. I'm not worried at all about the walk distance or during the day. I was just a bit nervous about late at night on my own with my DS. Not knowing the street and what it's like at night, but it sounds like its absolutely fine and I guess if I got nervous then I can catch the ART.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks ehsmum I am leaning towards HoJos. I'm not worried at all about the walk distance or during the day. I was just a bit nervous about late at night on my own with my DS. Not knowing the street and what it's like at night, but it sounds like its absolutely fine and I guess if I got nervous then I can catch the ART.

It is very safe , many,many people walking about at all hours. I sometimes will go jogging(old folks style) and see many folks out at 0430.

Jack

 

[skiingfast]

If you can't get the Entertainment rate at Hojo, don't bother staying there. Stay at the number one rated location, the Park Vue Inn.

Use Grayline to get to those other parks. Incidently it will pick you up right by the Park Vue's driveway.
http://tours.coachamerica.com/graylineanaheim/toursAna.cfm

 

[aussietravellers]

It is very safe , many,many people walking about at all hours. I sometimes will go jogging(old folks style) and see many folks out at 0430.

Jack

Thanks Jack

If you can't get the Entertainment rate at Hojo, don't bother staying there. Stay at the number one rated location, the Park Vue Inn.

Use Grayline to get to those other parks. Incidently it will pick you up right by the Park Vue's driveway.
http://tours.coachamerica.com/graylineanaheim/toursAna.cfm

Thanks Skiingfast . We have used Grayline before when we stayed at GCH last so will definately look at them again as they were great before

 

[KCmike]

I vote HOJO. Your son will like the pools the best there as well.

 

[Disney4us2]

I have stayed at the Park Vue Inn several times. When we stay overnight it is our hotel of choice. It is directly across the street from the Harbor entrance to Disneyland. I found it clean and convenient. Never saw any crawly creatures. The pool is nothing special, we never used it. Can't beat the location though.

 

[specialks]

I voted for HoJos, but haven't stayed at any (did book Park Vue, but cancelled it so we could be closer to our race start/finish). My main reason is that there have been some "comments" that PVI is a little aged and I worry that the linens might not be fit for your allergenic needs. On the other hand I have heard people rave about the beds & linens at HoJo's. Also, you and your son should be more than capable of walking to HoJos (no small kids). All that being said...my DH would choose free food any day of the week. I think you should be prepared for an offsite motel visit, after our last stay at the GCH, I think I've been ruined for all DLR area motels.

 

[aussietravellers]

Thanks everyone for your votes and comments so far, I really appreciate it

 

[disneylandkitkat]

havent stayed at any of the hotels you mentioned but I would try Fire and Ice for brunch on Saturday or Sunday. Really good all you can eat and they make the food infront of you it is roughly 13.00. It is located at garden walk probally where u went to go to the cheese cake factory. Good way to have a big meal first and little one after.

 

[BUDDHALUV]

HOJO is my favorite, timed it last time and it is around 10 minutes, you do walk by a seedy bus stop and in the bushes I see people sleeping, but do see security on bikes and always feel safe and never have been approached by anybody. We have gone to disneyland every year for 15 years now and have stayed at HOJO's at least 10 times. Search for discount codes on this board or laughingplace.com. Best Western Park Place inn is closes to the entrance on Harbor and would be closer to the Garden Walk. Usually a little more than HOJO's price wise.