Hilton Anaheim

[bcla]

The Hilton Anaheim was in the news a few years back. One IRS division had a conference in Anaheim and spent $4.1 million on lodging and conference room rental at the three major convention center hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton). The kicker was that the deputy head of the division stayed in the Hilton Anaheim's Presidential Suite. Apparently they managed to get it for $135 a night (the standard IRS per diem rate) probably because they booked so many other rooms. The rate is supposed to be $1499 a night.

https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/auditreports/2013reports/201310037fr.html

It was kind of controversial because of a lack of controls, the use of a private event planner, and the possibility that they might be giving out extras to try and curry favor with the IRS.

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

We almost always stay at either the Hilton or the Marriott, we just love the area and the walk, which takes us right past Coffee bean and tea leaf makes for a good start to the day! We've never had a bad room, always clean and since the 2011 refurb the hotel is a nice standard for us. Sometimes at the end of a long day the walk can be a bit much so we use either the ART or the toy story buses.

 

[amyamya]

We stayed at the Hilton in May. The room was clean, but the bathroom wasn't as clean as I would have liked. My kids are 10 and 12 but we never walked. We used taxis and Ubers. A tip in that regards: in order to get to the park drop off on Harbor, the taxi needs to go north on Harbor from the Hilton and make a u-turn. That traffic was awful and in a cab added up fast. We found a cool solution. Tell your driver to exit the Hilton to the West, turn left on Katella and right on Disneyland Drive. We then had him drop us off at the GCH. We saved a ton and had barely any traffic. On our last night, we rode GRR three times in a row right at closing, exited DCA through the GCH and walked into any empty driveway where the bellman quickly hailed us a cab. We were back at the Hilton in less than 3 minutes and the fare was like $4. We totally skipped the crowded walk down the esplanade to the cab waiting area and all that traffic trying to leave the parks at once.

 

[Malcon10t]

The Hilton Anaheim was in the news a few years back. One IRS division had a conference in Anaheim and spent $4.1 million on lodging and conference room rental at the three major convention center hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton). The kicker was that the deputy head of the division stayed in the Hilton Anaheim's Presidential Suite. Apparently they managed to get it for $135 a night (the standard IRS per diem rate) probably because they booked so many other rooms. The rate is supposed to be $1499 a night.
It was kind of controversial because of a lack of controls, the use of a private event planner, and the possibility that they might be giving out extras to try and curry favor with the IRS.

Interesting. I've been upgraded probably 5-8 times to that suite. Doubt I have ever paid more than $159. I have other friends who are regularly (as in monthly) upgraded to that suite. If the room is open, and you are a Diamond member, they do upgrade you to it.

 

[nutshell]

It's good. Not great. Use the Toy Story parking shuttle. There will be a lot of business types, not just Disney families. Depending on your room location, even the walk from your room to the front entrance can feel long.

 

[GeneralTso]

We are checking in tomorrow because we are attending D23. It's not our first choice when we just doing parks. We prefer to stay on property.
It is NOT magical or very Disney. It's a convention hotel. Make no mistake.

I book a theme park view room and it's nice. Floor to ceiling windows looking out over the castle. It is clean and no issues, ever. We use our Hilton points when we stay there so it always feels like a win.

 

[Disney Dudette]

We stayed at the Hilton in May. The room was clean, but the bathroom wasn't as clean as I would have liked. My kids are 10 and 12 but we never walked. We used taxis and Ubers. A tip in that regards: in order to get to the park drop off on Harbor, the taxi needs to go north on Harbor from the Hilton and make a u-turn. That traffic was awful and in a cab added up fast. We found a cool solution. Tell your driver to exit the Hilton to the West, turn left on Katella and right on Disneyland Drive. We then had him drop us off at the GCH. We saved a ton and had barely any traffic. On our last night, we rode GRR three times in a row right at closing, exited DCA through the GCH and walked into any empty driveway where the bellman quickly hailed us a cab. We were back at the Hilton in less than 3 minutes and the fare was like $4. We totally skipped the crowded walk down the esplanade to the cab waiting area and all that traffic trying to leave the parks at once.

Great tip! Thank you!

 

[Jason_V]

I just checked out of the Hilton right by the convention center. It was very clean, great staff, good location and an easy walk down the street to the parks. The biggest issue I had for four days was figuring out my digital key didn't work in the elevator.

If you want another option, about equal distance from the parks...hotel
Menage. I just checked in and so far it's nice, clean and very friendly. I'm here through Saturday so we'll see I things change.

 

[ddwlms]

We've stayed there 3 over the last dozen years. The first time we booked an executive suite, and it was really nice. The next two times our rooms were just ok as far as cleanliness goes. The last time we stayed there, there was a huge stain on the carpet that was likely permanent. So, while I suspect that they cleaned the carpet, the stain was really disgusting looking. I didn't want to give up our corner room with a view of the fire works, so I didn't ask to be moved, but I ended up wishing that I had.

All 3 times we got our room at a discounted rate. (Conference and Hilton special). If I had paid rack rates I would have been really annoyed at the quality, but for the discounted rate, it seemed fair.

Using ART was kind of a hassle in relation to the walk, - which is a little long, but doable. Most trips we used the Toy Story shuttle. However, for Magic Morning, the shuttle starts at the same time as MM, so we walked to get there before the gates opened.

 

[mpadilla89]

Could anyone give me some feedback on any recent stays at the Hilton Anaheim? How is the cleanliness? The walk to/from Disneyland? I have read they offer ART for going to and from the parks but how long is the walk? I'll be traveling with a 3 year old and a 5 year old so we would be going back and forth in the afternoon for naps. Trying to determine if it would be do-able or if the distance is pushing it. Thanks in advance for any input!!

We have stayed there the last two times we went to Disneyland. My Daughter loves the pool are because they have a tiny water park type area. There is a Starbucks and other food options inside ( Starbucks is cheaper at the parks though). ART shuttle takes you there in like 5 minutes.
The lobby can be busy i it is during a convention, but I don't mind. We have been there with my whole family which ages were 8, 13,15,23.28.32,50 Everyone loved it.

 

[my*gracie*girl]

We stayed there in October for the first time and will be there again on Sunday. We have stayed at quite a few of the good neighbor hotels within walking distance (BWPPI, DIS, Fairfield, Candy Cane, Castle, etc) and it is our favorite over all of those. I slept. I never ever sleep the first 1-3 nights and it makes for a rough vacation. The room was dark and the bed comfy to me. We did not love using ART the first day, but it was fine once we got used to it. The bus picks up right in front of the hotel and drops back off there. Just make sure when you leave the parks that you get on the shuttle with the direct route....the bus will take a long time to make it back. They have a great rate and we recommend it.

 

[tesslor]

I am also considering the Hilton Anaheim. I booked the Hyattt Orange County just down the street before I purchased our airline tickets. It was much cheaper to fly out the night before, so I purchased those tickets. Now I can not get a room at the Hyatt for the first night. I hate the idea of checking into a hotel for 1 night and then moving to the Hyatt. ( I have called, checked 3rd party etc. Its possible that someone cancels, but not even sure that would go back into room inventory)
I recently booked at the Hilton for all the nights we need and now I am trying to decide if I want to give up the luxury of the Hyatt for not having to move hotels. Ugh. We got a great rate at the Hyatt and a decent one at the Hilton so its about the same price, but the Hyatt is a kids suite with a king and bunk beds and the Hilton is 2 queens (regular room, no view).

Any thoughts or suggestions? What would you do?

 

[Meldev]

I am also considering the Hilton Anaheim. I booked the Hyattt Orange County just down the street before I purchased our airline tickets. It was much cheaper to fly out the night before, so I purchased those tickets. Now I can not get a room at the Hyatt for the first night. I hate the idea of checking into a hotel for 1 night and then moving to the Hyatt. ( I have called, checked 3rd party etc. Its possible that someone cancels, but not even sure that would go back into room inventory)
I recently booked at the Hilton for all the nights we need and now I am trying to decide if I want to give up the luxury of the Hyatt for not having to move hotels. Ugh. We got a great rate at the Hyatt and a decent one at the Hilton so its about the same price, but the Hyatt is a kids suite with a king and bunk beds and the Hilton is 2 queens (regular room, no view).

Any thoughts or suggestions? What would you do?

Hmm that's tough. I just know I don't like switching hotels during a trip (this particular trip west we'll be in 3 different cities and that's enough hotel changes as it is). If you're going to be in the parks mainly, I'd say just stay Hilton - closer to parks and no changing. But that's me.

 

[Meldev]

Oh nice on the HH gold! You DO have a tough decision 2 restrooms or more space? I honestly don't know what I'd pick between those!

I think I am moving over to the hilton - we have added a day flying in early and the points for our family suite at the Homewood are astronomical! I can get 4 breakfast vouchers/day at the hilton (family of 6, but the littlest won't eat anything but what we bring him anyway). Staying 5 nights, if I book one breakfast in the parks we'll have 20 vouchers for 4 breakfasts so we're all covered (just $10 upgrade if we want "hot" items, which probably 1 or 2 of us will here and there, not a big charge overall)... Other option is 2 rooms at the Doubletree... Parking is actually more there by a couple dollars per night. But no breakfast issue whatsoever, and we could uber to the parks.... decisions, decisions!!
First day is probably just a hang out at the resort and adjust to the time zone day - I'm thinking the Hilton's pool area will keep everyone entertained the best, because DH won't be joining us until late at night. Just me and the kids flying out early...