Help me find a hotel, please?

[Spoogle]

My husband and I will be visiting Disneyland in November. First trip to California for the both of us and we don't know a whole lot about the area. We need a hotel for three nights (Wed., Nov. 2 - Fri., Nov. 4). It's just the two of us so we would prefer one Queen bed (or bigger) but we could survive with two doubles. We would prefer one within walking distance but would definitely need one with a shuttle if it's not. Other than that, all I really request is a clean hotel. I doubt we would spend a lot of time in the room so we don't need anything to fancy. Just clean and cheap. Any suggestions?

Also, can any of you suggest some good TR's for me to read? That's really how I learned a lot about WDW but these boards are so much smaller than theirs.

Thanks!!

 

[skiingfast]

If you are fine with a basic hotel look really close to the gates. Anything on the street across from the parks is easy under 10 minutes walking distance and clean too.

You might consider if it has breakfast included because that can be a time and money saving perk.

 

[GrandBob]

Try this link:

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com

Anything in the green area is within walking distance. Perennial favorites include the Disney hotels (pricey), HoJo's (Howard Johnson), and Candy Cane Inn. But you could pick almost any motel in the green and find someone here on the boards who has stayed there and though it was fine (and someone else who thought it wasn't).

-Bob

 

[blabbermouth]

I just stayed at the Best Western Stovall's Inn on Katella. It was $80/night. We did walk every day, but complained a bit. Hojo's is quite popular and we stayed their on our last trip. There's also a Fairfield Inn, another Best Western and a few others right across from the main entrance that would work for your needs.

And I have a trip report going on right now!!! See the link in my signature. I also wrote more about the motel in there.

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

We just stayed at the marriott fairfield inn on Harbor, and it was awesome. A really quick walk to the park, the rooms were great (we had a very comfy king bed). One of the best parts was the shower in the bathroom. My husband is a little over 6ft, and he never fits under the shower head in hotel showers. These shower heads were curved, so it was really high and no one had to hunch in the shower. It may not meet your criteria for cheap (I think we paid $140?) but it was lovely. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[tlovesdis]

Check out the Park Vue Inn! It's right across the street and has free breakfast!

 

[BlueChariot]

We've stayed at both the Hojo and the Hilton. That said, this year (in November) we will be staying at Hojo again. Its cheaper, clean, and within walking distance. At Hilton we wound up taking the local public transportation (can't recall the acronym right now), which was fine, but does take up some time waiting for the bus....

 

[IBLarsen]

We always stay at the Fairfield and have always been happy there. The rooms are clean and spacious and the beds are very comfortable (a must for me). Easy walking distance. We just booked last night for our nov trip and pricing was at $119/nt. Which is what we typically pay any time of year. I know they have just updated all their rooms also and we always were happy before the updates, so I'm sure it's even better now!

There is a McDonalds right in front of the hotel. (like in the parking lot area almost). And right next to Millies restaurant and next to that is a Mimi's. So there are food choices right next to you if you prefer not to eat every meal in the park.

 

[NancyIL]

I would check out the Disneyland packages at the Good Neighbor hotels. I am going to stay at the Sheraton Park hotel at the end of the month, and the package price (including tickets and some perks like preferred seating for shows, etc.) was less than the price of the hotel plus 3-day park hopper priced separately.

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn on Harbor Blvd. in 1998, and I think we paid $45/night then. However, I couldn't justify paying $119/night for that hotel now, when the Disney package at Paradise Pier that I originally booked (when my daughter was going to accompany me) was under $140/night plus tax.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

If you're looking for something inexpensive, yet close to the parks, my recommendations would be: Tropicana, Fairfield, BW Anaheim Inn, Park Vue, and Ramada Inn Maingate. If you want a decent continental breakfast, then try BW Park Place Inn.

All are within walking distance, and you can get decent pricing, depending on the year.

 

[iheartdisney]

Check out the Park Vue Inn! It's right across the street and has free breakfast!

Ditto on the Park Vue!

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Over several years I've stayed at HOJOs, Fairfield and Castle Inn within walking distance. I've also stayed at a few other hotels and used a shuttle, but I won't do that again. For our family, being close saves valuable time. We're going to try Ramada Maingate in October.

Well, since you asked, here is my list of good hotels within walking distance based on my research here and personal experience. The order is somewhat random:

Candy Cane Inn
Park Vue (good BF)
Best Western Park Place Inn (Hydroguys Favorite)
HOJOs (no breakfast, great for kids in hot months)
Fairfield inn (no breakfast, but the rest is good)
Best Western Anaheim Inn
Carousel Inn
Tropicana Inn ($for parking)
Ramada Maingate (lots of free amenities)
Best Western Anaheim Inn (NOT: Americas Best Anaheim Inn on Ball)
Best Western Stovals (a littler farther)
Ramada Plaza (a little farther than others, but free BF until the end of this year, free internet, free parking, sofa beds in many rooms)

Here is my list to avoid:

Days Inn
Quality Inn and Suites
Desert Inn & Suites (Good for huge party though)
Castle Inn
Anaheim Del Sol
Anaheim Plaza

...there are others (Camelot, Desert Palm Inn, Alpine Inn)... I tend to think they fall somewhere in the middle, until I read otherwise.

These list are based on what I culled from lots of board posts and are subjective. Please DISers, leave a comment if any of the selections are completely off-base.

 

[2prettyprincesses]

I LOVE Alpine inn. It's a small motel but they upgraded thier rooms. It has a fridge, microwave, and breakfast. It also within walking distance though a little long, I think the most at 3 quarters of a mile. It's actually backed up against cars land. But here's what I love most about it- it's only 60$ a night! For a clean room that's close by Disney plus all the extra stuff that's a steal. Plus with the extra money you save you could go out to eat a speacial meal.

 

[thomasbaptise]

The best All Inclusive hotels will prepare a packed lunch the night before at no extra cost, so there is another concern to be taken away. This option was always a bonus for me and my family, as they always like to lounge by the pool, so be there if we needed was definitely inviting.

 

[GenGen22]

I would check getawaytoday.com They usually have all the hotels and you can see what they all have to offer from transportation, free breakfast etc. When I booked with them the last two times we got our 4th night free. (they had the best rates even better than Costco or AAA) We stayed at Embassy Suites Anaheim South, Raddison Buena Park, Best Western Raffles. They are all near to DL and have free transportation. all but Best Western offers full breakfast buffet.

 

[aml3679]

We love the Candy Cane Inn - it is not too far - they do have a shuttle bus. They have free breakfast although we found it a little crowded and ate across the street. It has a pool, internet access, the rooms are large, laundry facilities. It also gets good reviews on Trip Advisor.

 

[spiderdust]

Are you driving, or will you get there without a car? If you'll be carless, Best Western Park Place Inn has a "no car discount" that brings their rooms down considerably. Not only is it the closest hotel to the gate entrance, but they have single king rooms for around the same price as the 2 double rooms.

Ramada Maingate also seems to be running some specials right now.

 

[momrek06]

We have stayed at Candy Cane Inn, HoJo's, Best Western (1630 Harbor) and Holiday Inn Express (Katella) and have had great stays at all of them!

Of all of those; HoJo's was the only one that did not have a free breakfast. All of the above have free breakfast, free parking, free wifi AND the HIE had a free fridge in your room!