Help me narrow down our hotel

[abckid]

Hey guys! This board is so fun I have been having a blast reading all of your posts, learning new things about Disney, and getting excited about our upcoming trip. I've also done searches on hotels to see what you all have had to say about them. However, now that we've got it narrowed down to 3 hotels within our budget that we like and that are available when we are going, I'd like to hear what you all have to say about them. Please help

We're going to be there for 6 nights w/ 5 day park hoppers. We plan to just swim on the first and last days, so we can get the most use out of our middle 5 days in the parks. It's going to be me, dh, our 4 boys (ages 2, 3, 7, and 9), and my inlaws. Technically we need a suite, but we are just going to say that 1 or 2 of our kids will be sleeping in grandma and grandpa's room. They actually might But we fit fine in a 2 Queen room because all 4 boys sleep in 1 Queen and think it's the greatest thing. The LOVE hotels LOL Mil has a bad ankle and can't walk much, so I wanted something fairly close the park. There is no way they will stay in the parks all day like us either. We wanted a free breakfast, because we're not huge breakfast eaters and will do fine with cereal, fruit, pastries, etc. We plan to come back to the hotel to make sandwiches in our room for lunch and have the younger 2 take a nap. We'll probably go out each night for dinner somewhere, in or out of the park. We are flying in and not renting a car, so parking is not an issue. But that also means we will not be driving to dinner. I plan to have groceries delivered to the hotel for lunch and snacks for the week. OK, I think that's enough background info, but let me know if you need more info to help me with the decision

In no particular order, we're comparing CCI, Ramada Maingate, and Fairfield.

CCI looks like it has pretty gardens, I like that it has a dedicated free shuttle, and it's close enough to walk too. The pool looks small, but it's cool that it has a kiddie pool for my younger kids too. Everywhere I've read says it has a pretty good breakfast, although I know it's not a hot breakfast. It doesn't seem like there are many dining options within close walking distance, so we might be stuck eating in the parks or DD every night. This one is the most expensive of the 3, at $142.60/night (with taxes added) for 2 Queens.

Ramada Maingate is right across the street, which is cool. I like that we wouldn't have to wait for any shuttles and just come and go as we please. It seems that it's within walking distance of a lot of great restaurants. There is a free breakfast. And the pool looks big and fun This hotel is in the middle at $135.70/night with taxes for 2 Queens.

Fairfield is pretty close walking distance too. Sounds like the beds are comfy, which is nice. There is no microwave, but I don't know that we were planning to cook anything anyway. There is also no breakfast. It's not that big of a deal to eat cereal in our room I guess. Maybe it would even be better than having to take the time to go downstairs to a breakfast and possibly battle crowds? The McDonald's, Millie's, and Mimi's out front might be enough for dinner dining options, along with Pizza Hut. This hotel is the cheapest of the 3 at $113.85/night with taxes for 2 Queens.

For the most part, these 3 hotels have received pretty equivalent reviews (I've checked here, tripadvisor, and expedia for reviews). They all have pros and cons for us. I really can't decide! LOL I'm pretty sure we'll be happy with any of them. Mil, after looking online, has chosen Ramada Maingate as her favorite. Dh doesn't seem to really care too much. So now they are waiting for me to decide. What do you think?

 

[avalon451]

Howdy, neighbor! I used to live on East Hill before we moved north.

Unfortunately, the Ramada Maingate is not right across the street; it's up a couple of blocks and really too far for a comfortable walk. See the map: http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

CCI comes very highly recommended here, but the rooms, from what I've heard, are quite small, which might not be a good thing if you're squishing all six of you in one room.

Fairfield is very popular here, too, and gets good reviews. I don't know about room size there. They are about a block up the road from the Harbor entrance, just before the stoplight at Manchester. It's about a 5 minute walk once you get out to Harbor.

My personal favorite would be HoJo, which is across the street from Fairfield on Manchester. They have huge rooms, very comfy beds, great service and a wonderful water play area for the kids, right next to the hot tub-- plus a big pool on the other end of the property. They might be a little more, but I think it's well worth it. They're the best if you can get the Entertainment rate for the dates you are going, here's where to check: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14 Even if you can't get the Ent rate, you can get 15% off Disboards rate if you call them directly and ask for IN HOUSE reservations.

We ordered groceries and had breakfast and snacky stuff in the room, which worked out great.

Hope you can find a great place that suits you all!

 

[abckid]

HoJo is my first choice, but unfortunately they are sold out I even thought about changing our vacation to August, because I really want to get a pirate suite there. But the inlaws don't want to go in August

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We just got back from our second stay at the Tropicana. It is RIGHT across the street, very very close. The beds were very comfy, and the rooms were quite clean. We also had a nice quiet stay (which is important for us light sleepers).

Also every room has a microwave and fridge in them, another perk we like. Just another option to consider!

 

[LuLusApple]

Ramada is closer than Candy cane but it's pretty sparce. I have stayed there (ramada)and it's a place to sleep. Unless they have remodeled in the last 2 years?
Candy cane you don't have to cross harbor blvd.
We recently stayed at portofino and walked by candy cane everyday on our way to DL, it's not a bad walk at all. And yes candy cane has beautiful grounds.
I have stayed at Fairfield 4 times and think it's a great family hotel, with some good choices for food. You do have to walk through their parking lot which is in the front. Whichever one you choose I am sure will be fine

 

[lulubelle]

Well, I don't care for the Fairfield, stayed there once about 10 years ago. The property is HUGE, your room may be far away and waiting for an elevator and walking to the main road may be a hike in itself! And I remember the walls being very thin. CCI is a gem, trust me! It is squeaky clean, beautiful grounds, really nice rooms. The breakfast and free shuttle really make a big difference to me. We are a family of 3, so room size is not an issue, but I would think 6 would be pretty squished in one room. It's a shame Hojo's is sold out, their rooms are much bigger, although the walk to and from for a multi day trip is too much for me (my legs and feet get so tired!). Anyway, good luck deciding, I know it is hard. Go with your gut and which factors are MOST important to your family. Have a great trip!

 

[abckid]

Hmmmm, are any of these 3 (CCI, Ramada Maingate, or Fairfield) participating in the 5 for 3 promo? And if so, how do I get that? They are coming up as full when I try to book through the Disney site. I was just going to book directly through the hotel site because they are showing rooms still available. It doesn't seem that they are giving me a discount. Do I need a discount code? Or call the hotel directly? Or book through an agent? I'm so clueless! LOL

 

[Husker Mickey]

We use getawaytoday.com to get the hotel deals. Try that. We always check out the info on the website and then call them to ask any questions that we might have. Their customer service is outstanding!

 

[pixiewings71]

Hmmmmmm do I know you? LOL You already know my opinions so I'll just say I hope I get to be there when you are there!!!

 

[teatime]

Well, I don't care for the Fairfield, stayed there once about 10 years ago. The property is HUGE, your room may be far away and waiting for an elevator and walking to the main road may be a hike in itself! And I remember the walls being very thin. CCI is a gem, trust me! It is squeaky clean, beautiful grounds, really nice rooms. The breakfast and free shuttle really make a big difference to me. We are a family of 3, so room size is not an issue, but I would think 6 would be pretty squished in one room. It's a shame Hojo's is sold out, their rooms are much bigger, although the walk to and from for a multi day trip is too much for me (my legs and feet get so tired!). Anyway, good luck deciding, I know it is hard. Go with your gut and which factors are MOST important to your family. Have a great trip!

They have much improved by all the rave reviews. and we are staying here for these reasons....

1. its very close to the park
2. the beds are said to be amazing.
3. the pool is nice and looks so inviting .
4. the rooms are bigger then the CCI
5. we requested a fridge for medical purposes at no charge
6. there is a pizza place down stairs which means we can have pizza in the morning if the kids want
7. there is milli's ,mini's, and mcdonalds right out the door
8. each person can now have a bed ( there is now 3 of us going) as the third child can have the pull out couch.
the reviews of this hotel is now outstanding, and being compared to the hojo inn.

 

[teatime]

We use getawaytoday.com to get the hotel deals. Try that. We always check out the info on the website and then call them to ask any questions that we might have. Their customer service is outstanding!

I did to!!! and we just added another child today! So we are excited. 2 queen beds and a pull out couch. I called today to put in requests and they were soooo nice. She said she is putting me down for a top floor disneyland view Im soooo happy

 

[avalon451]

Whenever you're trying to book online and you're coming up with "full-- no vacancies" I'd really try to call the hotel directly and talk to IN HOUSE reservations (don't let the chain hotels shuttle you to a national reservation line). I've heard from many people here that sometimes the hotel shows as booked, but when you call, they have updated info on cancellations, etc. and can often get you what you need. I know that at HoJo, Jennifer or Lorealle will help you and will try their best to get you what you need. Be sure and mention the Disboards, and they will get you the 15% discount. They have cancellations and add dates for the Ent rate all the time, so it's really worth it to keep checking back.

Just as an addendum to that, many people find it's far cheaper to book your vacation yourself, without a travel agency. You can book hotel, airfare and tickets separately and directly, yourself, and often save hundreds of dollars. Some people even found that they could get a better deal that way than with the 5 for 3 deal. So you may want to price it out.

 

[abckid]

Believe me, I tried calling the hotel directly. They are booked solid for the whole month of June The lady at HoJo said they do have a night here and there, but no consecutive nights (especially not the 6 that we need).

I'm currently trying to book everything myself, but just realized I might be missing out on a 5 for 3 deal. I guess I need to call the hotels directly and ask them about it. I already checked getawaytoday, but I didn't call them.

I think we've further narrowed it down to 2. Dh wants CCI and mil wants Ramada. LOL

 

[kindredspirit]

I honestly have no info on the hotels listed, but I personally always bid on priceline for a hotel at DL. We have stayed numerous times this way and the hotels we have gotten are the Hyatt, Hilton, and the Doubletree. All three offer free shuttles. You do have to pay parking at the hotel but I always bid $40.00 and get that price so I don't mind paying the parking. They are all nice but the Doubletree has hot fresh cookies for you when you check in.
Choose the DL area and the highest star rating available.

Hope this might help someone....

 

[JadeDarkstar]

try expidia or getaway or other sites not hotels directly. you might find hojo's that way.

 

[Tyr23]

Hey neighbor - I'm on the east hill of Kent

We stayed at the CCI this past November and liked it just fine. The walk is manageable but gets very long after a few days. The shuttle is a nice option.

 

[Jrsy Boy]

Unfortunately, the Ramada Maingate is not right across the street; it's up a couple of blocks and really too far for a comfortable walk. See the map: http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

I'm going to respectfully disagree here as we stayed at the Ramada Maingate in December and it was not much of a walk at all. It was probably only half a block from the front of the hotel to the crosswalk into DLR.

Ramada is closer than Candy cane but it's pretty sparce. I have stayed there (ramada)and it's a place to sleep. Unless they have remodeled in the last 2 years?

Ramada Maingate has refrigerators and microwaves in the room and a pretty decent continental breakfast. The coffee was not so good, but there are coffeemakers in the rooms and a coffee shop connected to the hotel. It wasn't a high end property, obviously, but it was clean, the staff was very nice and, best of all, it was close enough that it wasn't a big deal to run back to the room to drop off purchases or grab a jacket.

 

[avalon451]

I'm going to respectfully disagree here as we stayed at the Ramada Maingate in December and it was not much of a walk at all. It was probably only half a block from the front of the hotel to the crosswalk into DLR.

Ok, I was totally looking at Ramada Maingate North which is up north of Ball Road. Duh. Sorry about that. Don't mind me, I teach kindergarten, therefore my brain is generally fried.