Hotel dilemma- Location or Price?

[kingshockey04]

Planning this October trip is driving me nuts . First I was having a tough time deciding when to go, finally got that figured out Oct. 1-4th. Now I'm trying decide where to stay. I'm in between two places right now - Park Vue Inn and Islander Inn. Park Vue Inn is right across the street, Islander Inn is "one block" and cheaper. I would love to stay right across the street, it would make breaks so much easier. But on the other hand I would love to use the money we'd save at the Islander Inn on souvenirs and yummy food at DL.

I'm driving myself crazy over $159 dollars, the difference between the two hotels.

Opinions on either Park Vue or Islander Inn? Has anyone actually walked the walk from Islander?

Help me from going crazy, what would you do?

 

[nun69]

I have not stayed at either hotel, but depending on how long you are gonna stay $159 a night can really add up....I would personally go for the savings...unless you plan on spending ALOT of time in your room...but I would also check the ACTUAL distance from the park and make sure that a "block" is truly a block...it may be further than you think....I'm sure alot of people here will have more info, but that's juts my thoughts...good luck!

 

[Sienna]

Yes, I would definitely check out how far the Islander is. In my experience, when they say it's a block or two, it could easily be half a mile (or more)! And that's just to the corner of the Disney property, not even to the front gate. BUT, depending on what your budget is and how much you're spending already, $159 in savings could be worth it, yanno?

 

[Mililani Mouser]

is it a $159 a night difference or for the whole stay?

if you have small kids, it would be helpful to be at the closest hotel. it will be much easier to go for naps/lunch break. we have stayed on site (dlh) and 2 blocks down, and with 3 kids, it was such a big relief to be at the on site hotel, we went back for lunch breaks for quick nap or jump in the pool, then back when the kids were ready. when we were 2 blocks down, we stayed at dl the whole day, then waiting in line for the shuttle after the fireworks carrying little ones.... personally i would pay the diff.

 

[Gisele]

So very true, about a block, not necessarily being truly one block, not even one SF city block, but rather, one mile or longer, I have seen that happen at quite a few properties.
For example, where I am booked, I am closer to the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, than I am to the DL entrance, theoretically I should only have to walk about 10 minutes to the garage, then wait for a tram, to go to DL, now exactly how long will this all take? I shall find out! and I am not a morning person either, so it should be interesting. (oh Lordy, help me!)

 

[avalon451]

It gets pretty good reviews on TripAdvisor. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...lander_Inn_and_Suites-Anaheim_California.html Sounds plain but clean.

It's a bit far for my taste, though. In this case, "one block from DL" means it's down on Katella, a block east of Harbor, and therefore a pretty far haul from DL. That's not going to be fun to walk, especially at night. I think I'd spring for the extra and stay closer. I'm assuming you meant that it would be $159 extra total for your stay, not per night?

 

[kingshockey04]

Oops I forgot to mention it is $159 dollars for the entire stay. In March we stayed at the Motel 6, took the ART and walked the last morning which wasn't that bad (with two 9 yr olds). But it would be nice to leave and go when we wanted, not worrying about a shuttle. Ah decisions, decisions

 

[DL4my2kids]

The big plan was to stay offsite the next time we go to DL but then I got the pin rate offer and went for it.

Anyhoo, I was planning on staying at the Parkvue. I heard they have a great area there to watch Fireworks and I like that it is right across the street.

 

[ter-moo]

I've walked by the Islander, and frankly, it looks a bit dicey. I'd go for the Park Vue.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I would stay closer. I try to stay either right at the gate (Park Vue) or at someplace with an excellent shuttle (Candy Cane) if at all possible. We enjoyed our honeymoon at the Castle Inn but that was a loooooooooooong block at the end of the day.

 

[Jenn1116]

Have you checked Tropicana? That is also right across the street from the entrance and I've heard good things.

 

[Catrinabeach]

We chose Desert Inn which is next to Park Vue just so we were close. It's showing 109.00 a night for your dates. I don't know what Park Vue is. But we were able to get the same room for 59.00 a night Sept 22-29. We booked it really early though.

 

[Sy-]

Whats your rate at Islander Inn? I'm sure the planners on this board can find you a Hotel across the street for the same price and get you the best of both worlds!!!

 

[disneyL0VE]

I don't know where the Islander Inn is, but after reading everyone's inputs about the distance.. It's be a better plan to spend a little bit more and go for one of the hotels closer, like Park Vue ( you can't get any closer than that! ) because that "one block" will most definitely make a difference when you walk back after a long day at DL. If you're concerned of the price, then you should consider the other Good Neighbor hotels, it won't be as close as the Park Vue but at least you'll be saving your feet!

 

[bumbershoot]

Looking at the map, I wouldn't stay at the Islander.

 

[kingshockey04]

Have you checked Tropicana? That is also right across the street from the entrance and I've heard good things.

I did check there and I think they were a bit more, I'm going to double check again.

We chose Desert Inn which is next to Park Vue just so we were close. It's showing 109.00 a night for your dates. I don't know what Park Vue is. But we were able to get the same room for 59.00 a night Sept 22-29. We booked it really early though.

Usually I book early too but this trip was kind of a spur of the moment one. And of course it's during the beginning of Gay Days, so I'm sure rooms are more than usual.

Thanks everyone for the opinions! I think I'm going to go with Park Vue. One decision down, 99 more to go