Homewood vs. Quality Inn - what would you do?

[ducky_love]

Hi Everyone - I could use some opinions!

First let me start by saying that my DH is a hotel snob. He prefers 4 stars even if it is just to spend the night. Well, this trip he promised me that we could stay within walking distance of DL even if it was in an exterior corridor 2 star type property. After much deal hunting I booked the Quality Inn on Manchester at a record low price! I am so thrilled to be staying an easy walk away from DL!!

Well... last night my DH tells me he has booked the Homewood for the same price. (Friends and family rate) It is 1.5 miles from DL. Not walkable at ALL! We have always had a car in the past but I didn't want to do that this trip. It doesn't look like the ART goes there but they go to the Outback which looks very close by.

SO what would you do? I know the Homewood is a nicer hotel but I feel like I never get the full experience having to get back and forth to Garden Grove! Maybe if my DIS peeps all agree with him I will feel better swapping hotels. Right now they are both booked....

Thanks!!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We loved the Homewood.

We were there for 4 nights in early June. I see that one of your concerns is the the distance to the park. It would be a long walk but they do have a shuttle. There is an extra fee. The shuttle was included w/ our package but I think it's normally $4 per person. It was very easy to use and we never run into an issue with it being too full. We have 2 under 2 and the driver was so helpful with folding and storing our large double stroller.

There is an ART shuttle stop just outside the hotel as well but we took the hotel shuttle as it was included with our package.

I can see why being walking distance would be appealing but even the hotels that are within walking distance seem like quite a walk to me (except for the ones directly across the street from the park). I wouldn't be surprised if taking the hotel shuttle would get you there in the same amount of time it would take you to walk. Plus at the end of the night it's so nice to just sit and have a little down time before getting to the hotel.

I copied this from another post that I made about Homewood:

I would recommend this hotel to everyone and anyone. Here's why:

1) Loved having a bedroom (2 queens), bathroom, living room and full kitchen. We were able to put our kids to bed and go to the other room to have some down time for me and my husband without disturbing the kids. The rooms were very clean and the beds were comfortable.

2) While we didn't use the stove the full fridge and microwave rocked. We drove from Salt Lake City so we had a cooler and just put everything in the fridge when we arrived. We used the microwave for warming up leftovers, popcorn and baby food. We bought large water bottles and put them in the freezer each night for the next day.

3) The staff was unlike any other hotel I've ever stayed at. We were welcomed every time we walked in with a smile. Although it was very full they even remembered my children's names. Everyday during breakfast we were asked if we were going to be back mid-day. The days we were the person took our room number to ensure that our rooms were cleaned and ready for us.

4) Free breakfast (7 days) and dinner (Sun - Thurs). The eggs at breakfast weren't great but everything else was. The dinner was perfect for our family. They had a taco night, spaghetti night and bbq (hot dogs & hamburgs). Free beer, wine and soda was included for dinner. My DH loved this. We filled our water bottles with soda when heading back to the park. Having this options saved us so much money.

I could go on and on. It was one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had. We actually decided to go again this December. We could stay someplace else for less money but I think it's worth it to have a nice and clean room, awesome staff, etc. So we are staying there again.​

I'm not sure of what amenities you would get at the Quality Inn but I would think this is a no brainer. Especially at the same price.

We are in the process of booking again for December 30 - January 7. I've been watching the deals and hoping to make my reservation in the next month. May I ask how the friend/family program works?

Good luck and have a great vacation!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I have never stayed at either hotel, so take from this what you will. I am a huge proponent of walking distance. We have stayed in Newport and driven in...big pain. We have stayed just out of walking distance on Harbor and used ART...not terrible, not convenient enough for me. I would choose walking distance any day.

That being said...my mother-in-law did try the Quality Inn you have booked. She stayed there about 2 years ago. I don't know what if any updates have occurred since then. She complained about the quality of the beds and the noisiness of the hotel. She wished she'd chosen something a little closer walking distance. She said it was clean and staff was pleasant, but she wouldn't stay there again even if it cost her a bit more to choose something else. My mother-in-law is not a hotel snob, she likes and stays in very nice hotels when she can but has stayed in many chain motels throughout the country as well.

My parents recently made a trip to DL and made the choice to stay outside walking distance and use ART. They felt like the ART bus was a fine experience, BUT the bus did not get them to the parks before early entry began, the bus schedule is not exact, times are "approximate" so they missed a bus leaving from DL one day because it left about 3 minutes early. Also, my parents never left the park at a peak crowd-leaving time since they never stayed until fireworks or shows were over, so they did not have the experience of the pressing crowds and overloaded buses. We did have that experience ourselves several years ago and didn't like it one bit.

I don't know if this just muddies the waters for you or if some of these experiences will add to your fact-finding mission. Hope it helped a bit.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

There is a big difference between those two hotels. I'd go with Homewood if it were me.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

My parents recently made a trip to DL and made the choice to stay outside walking distance and use ART. They felt like the ART bus was a fine experience, BUT the bus did not get them to the parks before early entry began, the bus schedule is not exact, times are "approximate" so they missed a bus leaving from DL one day because it left about 3 minutes early.

I can tell you that the Homewood Shuttle does leave earlier on Magic Mornings so you should be able to get there without a problem. One morning we had a character breakfast at Minnie's. I was concerned the shuttle was cutting it too close to our reservation time. I spoke with the front desk about it and they made reservations for a car to pick us up to guarantee we made it to the park in time. They had a contracted rate with the driver. I think we paid an extra $10 total.

 

[specialks]

We stayed at the HS in 2008 after their remodel and loved the hotel. Updated furnishings, kitchen, grocery shopping, free breakfast, great experience. Now that they have a private shuttle we will probably stay there again. We are splurging for the GCH this time. I don't know how close of a walk the Quality Inn really is...

 

[ducky_love]

Thanks guys! I am feeling better about the change and I know my DH will be happier!