Hotel Advice

[avalovesminnie]

We are going the week before Christmas, so I think I should book something sometime in the next month or so, as I know it's busy then. Last visit we stayed at the Best Western PPI and loved the location. We are not real picky, but of course want to get the best we can for our $ and don't want to acquire any bug friends. Staying onsite is out for this trip due to cost. My priority is location as we have 3 kids under 6 and likely will want to rest mid-day every day. We will be arriving late on the first night via car, if that is a factor. We have credit card points that use a travel agent so a wide range of hotels to choose from. Our entire stay would be covered at Anaheim Plaza hotel, is it too grimy to make even being free not worth it? There are quite a few other choices that we would only be out of pocket a small amount, but look farther on the map- BW Stovalls, Anabella, super 8 anaheim, Red lion, Portofino, hilton anaheim. And for a bit more $ but still less than $100/night out of pocket, Sheraton Park, Carousel, Cortona, ramada plaza. I keep thinking I've made a decision and then I read a bunch of crap reviews on yelp or tripadvisor... by the way this is actually purchasing the room, not just a reservation, non-refundable since it's using points. Help me decide, I am even dreaming at night about this!!

 

[avalovesminnie]

Oh and I wanted to add, we do not want to take a bus as usually you have to take your kids out of the stroller and we are those people who have a honking big double stroller with a stand on skateboard...

 

[McNs]

You really need to be sticking to the places across from the park entrance on Harbor - those ones on Katella or around the convention centre really are a hike. Apart from on site I've only stayed at HoJo on Harbor, it was fine but even that was a bit of a walk at the end of the day.

Have you looked at the new Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park just behind Mimis? It is pricey compared to others on Harbor, but the location is good and it will be much nicer.

If you liked BWPPI then it might be just as easy to go back there? I don't think the others around will give you much better value, and at least you know exactly what you are in for.

 

[GenGen22]

You can walk from the Anabella hotel. It's about a 10 minute walk. The hotel is clean. I would highly suggest the Howard Johnson. The beds are really comfy, they have a keurig coffee maker & is very clean & a cool pool for the kids. This is also about a 10 minute walk. I've also stayed at Red Lion. This would be a much farther walk. When we stayed there we walked to the toy story parking lot & took the bus over which isn't an option for you with your stroller. There are a lot of hotels across the street on Harbor as the OP mentioned that are within walking distance.

 

[valiamo]

If you are going to book for Christmas, do it NOW, please don't wait a month.. bookings for early in the month seems to be open, but anything after the 15th is starting to fill up, and the week of Xmas/New Years most places are just about sold out.

We have stayed several times at the Fairfield, and found it to be very convenient to the park (basically across the street). But we only have traveled with 2 kids, so the 3rd may have an added wrinkle into things (they have 2 double beds, plus a pull out bed) in most rooms.

The brand new Courtyard, again across the street has every room with a set of bunk beds. Most rooms will sleep 5 easily. Have not see many reviews of this hotel, yet, as it only opened a couple of weeks ago.

Lots of people rave about the Howard Johnston's as it caters to the family, location is just North of the above 2 hotels, but VERY close to walking.

It is all a matter of choice and what you are looking for, I don't know your budget situation, and how much you really want to spend over. Some will forgo comfort for a cheap night stay, and others will spare no expense for a comfy bed and perfect location.

All of the above will meet or exceed what you feel you need for a good nights stay.

 

[Angrose]

The closest out of all the places you mentioned would be Carousel. I think it would be a fine place to stay, especially if you can get it for less than $100/nt. You won't find anything else across the street on Harbor for that price. It will be a 5min walk to the gates. Good luck!

 

[VandVsmama]

Meh, Anaheim Plaza Hotel doesn't look that great from the pictures online. BW Stovall's is an 8-10 min walk (WITH kids) to the parks if you go up Disneyland Drive and cut through the GCH to the security bag check at the Esplanade. No need to get on ART or anything. If you can swing it, since you have 3 kids under age 6, I think that you should stick with BWPPI since it's the closest.

 

[Astylla]

If you're thinking BWPPI better try now, our dates for early December and much of the month are already booked.

 

[goofyfordisney]

We booked BWPPI for our Dec trip -- there didn't appear to be any availability for our dates online, so I called and was able to book our dates.

 

[tlovesdis]

For free I would totally stay at Anaheim Plaza! It's a bit older but far from grimey! The rooms there are very large and the walk is maybe 10 minutes.

 

[avalovesminnie]

Thanks all! BWPPI is not on my available list, so we'd be out of pocket the full amount. I think I'll go with free at Anaheim Plaza and use the saved money to buy Photo pass plus and fantasmic and world of color dinner packages
Reading all the hotel options and reviews could make a person crazy. Almost every hotel has people complaining about how dirty it was! Once I book the hotel I won't have as much to research...what will i do with my internet time?

 

[sasywtch]

We have stayed at the Anaheim Plaza three times and have not had a problem. It's the old style motel but the room are large and clean. It's directly across from the Tower of Terror if that gives you an idea of the walking distance to the walk light on Harbor. We did have the slow shower but called and by the time we were back from DL one night, it was fixed.

 

[valiamo]

Thanks all! BWPPI is not on my available list, so we'd be out of pocket the full amount. I think I'll go with free at Anaheim Plaza and use the saved money to buy Photo pass plus and fantasmic and world of color dinner packages
Reading all the hotel options and reviews could make a person crazy. Almost every hotel has people complaining about how dirty it was! Once I book the hotel I won't have as much to research...what will i do with my internet time?

Order your photopass + at least 14 days in advance, and you will get a very nice discount on the package. They will mail you a voucher that you turn in at the photoshop. Almost all the ride photos and character breakfasts are included. Link is.: https://www.disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/dlrppp.htm

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