Help me choose between two hotels...

[smchristy]

I am taking my 7 year old daughter on a surprise visit to DL Sept 24-27. She has never been to DL or WDW and asks us at least 3 times a month to take her.

I have been to DL a handful of times and twice have stayed overnight. We have stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel and I have really liked it, but it is a bit spendy.

I am considering the Tropicana and the Ramada Maingate. I am looking for personal experiences, opinions and things to consider. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[scrapshappen]

We've stayed at the Tropicana twice now and really like it, especially for the location. It's nothing fancy and very basic, but it's clean and both times the staff has been friendly and helpful. My kids have enjoyed the pool and I like being able to step outside my door and watch the fireworks. Rooms have a small fridge and microwave so we just bring things for breakfast (since they don't offer one) and the rooms also have safes which is a must have for us. No resort fee there, but they do charge for parking (as do most of the hotels on Harbor). We will probably stay there again for our next trip as well.

I have no experience with the Ramada so I have nothing to add about that one.

 

[smchristy]

We've stayed at the Tropicana twice now and really like it, especially for the location. It's nothing fancy and very basic, but it's clean and both times the staff has been friendly and helpful. My kids have enjoyed the pool and I like being able to step outside my door and watch the fireworks. Rooms have a small fridge and microwave so we just bring things for breakfast (since they don't offer one) and the rooms also have safes which is a must have for us. No resort fee there, but they do charge for parking (as do most of the hotels on Harbor). We will probably stay there again for our next trip as well.

I have no experience with the Ramada so I have nothing to add about that one.

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate the information.

As soon as I posted my request for help I saw a post by Jammyjam25 about the Anaheim Majestic (used to be Sheraton Anaheim). They are offering a great rate ($119) for their Grand Opening. I decided to book there since that is where I really wanted to stay in the first place. The price was too good to pass up especially since they include breakfast, free wifi and free parking with the deal and they have the free shuttle that runs from the hotel to the park.

 

[tlovesdis]

I've stayed at both and loved both. If I had to choose one over the other I would choose Tropicana and only because it is a bit closer! Both have nice pools, great customer service, and nice rooms.

 

[bumbershoot]

Tropicana.

Could not stand Ramada Maingate *motel*. If you want a Ramada, go a block further and stay at the *hotel* Ramada Plaza. (but their free breakfast is just as bad as Maingate's, apparently...was good back in '11 but not anymore, it seems)

 

[tlovesdis]

Can I ask why you couldn't stand Ramada Maingate? We stayed there in December for 3 nights and loved it! Our room was nice, no noise, the pool was great. I'm just curious. Thanks!

 

[Geemo]

Tropicana! Location is perfect.

 

[enrai]

I stayed at Ramada Maingate At The Park the past couple of years. They built a new addition in the back of the property last year, and I believe they're rebuilding their lobby this year. Don't know if the construction is done yet though.
Our stay there was good both times. The breakfast area can get crowded during the busy season, but you can take the tray from your room and use it to bring your breakfast back to your room. We never go back to our room during the day since we stayed at the Park the whole day. Only came back there to sleep, so I can't comment on the noise level during daytime or the pool. It was free parking, but it seems like they're charging for parking too now.

This year we booked at Best Western Park Place Inn because we got better rate than Ramada Maingate, and it's closer to the Disneyland entrance.

 

[taffy]

Tropicana every time. The location is just the best.

 

[pindecisive]

I stayed at the Ramada a while back. The noise was a bit of an issue, as was the traffic of people driving in and out, with kids playing outside. I was on the first level - which is why the sound was probably worse. It's a good budget hotel, and the walk was not bad at all.

I ate at the IHOP? a little ways down. Received a paper in the morning and didn't use the "breakfast" tickets. I would stay again on a strict budget, but not if I had wiggle room $ wise.