Hotel Nightmares (self created)

[chttyangel]

So if any of you have read my posts/PTR you will know that next month is DH's first Disney experience. He is VERY easy going and loves to travel so normally I rarely worry about us having a good time; we always do. This time I am a bit more obsessed thou because I really want him to love it. AND as easy going as he is about most things he is a total snob when it comes to the hotel. When I book somewhere outside his comfort zone I usual hear about it. (IE: We stayed at Circus Circus Reno recently and you would think I asked him to stay at the Bates Motel.)

That said; I am the opposite and don't want to spend allot unless we are going somewhere we will be spending allot of time at; like a resort. At DL I just want somewhere clean/close to lay my head especially this time since it is just a quick weekend trip.

We are currently booked at Ayres which is not fancy by any means but got great reviews for comfy beds, full breakfast so I felt he would be happy with and I was happy with the price. This weekend I started driving everyone bonkers thou because I was second guessing myself. I was worried about the distance to the Park and the fact that one of the nights there is something going on at the stadium in the area. I obsessed over it all weekend. And here are the options I came up with;

1) Book something in walking distance. Pros; Close to park/no time on shuttle. Save cost of shuttle. Cons; Either not as nice or more per night for something as nice. Many have cost for parking. Many do not have breakfast; so added expense of finding breakfast on way or in park. AND finally I want DH to enjoy this trip and a nice hotel is part of that for him so back to the pay more per night.

2) Book a Disneyland area hotel on Priceline. Right now they are slightly less then I am paying for Ayres. Pros; 3.5 to 4 star hotels MOST LIKELY closer to DL then I am now. Cons; Don't know what you are getting. This is most likely one of the chain hotels near the Convention Center. Which are all nice BUT have paid parking, no breakfast and still most likely won't be within walking.

3) Take a chance and stay where I am at. Pros; Meets all my requirements. Cons; I have read the ride on ART is long AND that it can be worse if there is a game.

Since everyone on here seem to be planners/worriers too I thought I would put out to jury! If anyone reading along has thoughts; would love to hear. I am looking for nice place, free parking, breakfast. A CLOSE second is ease to get to Parks and cost ......currently only paying 106 per night out the door and willing to spend a bit more but allot of what I am seeing is 50-75 more a night. OUCH!

A couple other things to consider; I usually stay within walking distance BUT I have stayed at a couple JUST outside of walking distance and was happy with ART so no problem using it if it is a short ride/easy. It is a marathon weekend so rates were a bit higher then I usually see them. So any options I may have overlooked? Anyone use Priceline and were happy? Anyone big fans of Ayres Inn Orange??

THANKS!!!

 

[GatorChris]

Man, I thought I was the overthinker around here! I'm not familiar with Ayers, but if you feel like it will fit your needs and your past experience with ART is good, I don't see a need to change.

 

[chttyangel]

Man, I thought I was the overthinker around here! I'm not familiar with Ayers, but if you feel like it will fit your needs and your past experience with ART is good, I don't see a need to change.

I know huh!! LOL! I should stay off trip advisor!!! I just read a couple of reviews about people being stuck on the shuttle for an hour and thought that sounded CRAZY!

 

[RebelRebecca]

I am in the same boat. I can't fall asleep some nights stressing out over DH loving DL as much as I do *!

 

[Midnightred]

My vote to to stay walking distance from DL. I would not try to drive and park everyday. Hojo is more, but the beds are really comfy, and it's clean and nice.

Midnightred

 

[nannyz]

If my husband were a hotel snob, I would make him pick where to stay.
And I would let him take the lead in what you do in DLR and when you do it. Go at his pace.
I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[chttyangel]

I am in the same boat. I can't fall asleep some nights stressing out over DH loving DL as much as I do *!

I know its silly but yup....that's what is causing a normal go with the flow gal to be a crazy person for me. LOL! So thanks for showing me I am not alone.

My girlfriend just went with her DH for the first time and he WAS NOT a fan. He will happily go with her again he said; but you know how that goes....if he is not a fan then I am sure if he has a choice they will go somewhere else. We were talking and she decided that DL/WDW will just be her and her girls thing.

 

[chttyangel]

If my husband were a hotel snob, I would make him pick where to stay.
And I would let him take the lead in what you do in DLR and when you do it. Go at his pace.
I hope you have a wonderful time.

That's a good thought! Thanks!

 

[Aladora]

If my husband were a hotel snob, I would make him pick where to stay.
And I would let him take the lead in what you do in DLR and when you do it. Go at his pace.
I hope you have a wonderful time.

This, without a doubt!

Get him to pick and then he only has himself to blame if he is unhappy with the hotel!

 

[poppinspal]

I'm fairly go with the flow except when it comes to the hotel I stay in, I like to feel like I'm staying some place clean and relatively safe.(I know that there is no place on earth aside from maybe the safety room for the President thats completely safe.) This will be my first trip to Disneyland and so I picked a hotel using trip advisor.

I'm staying at Best Western Stovall's. Yes there are some negative things but I remember someone always has a negative opinion no matter where or what it is. For me the keys I look for are clean and nothing extreme.

I got a deal with Best Western and it was buy 3 nights and get your 4th night free. I felt the price was pretty good especially given its proximity to the parks.

My now ex bf and I once road tripped from his uncles house in the Orlando area to the Florida Keys. He neglected to tell me that he hadn't ever finished renting a room for while we were in the keys during SPRING BREAK! So we ended up staying in a $50 a night or rent by the hour room where I slept wrapped in a blanket I'd borrowed from his uncle and refused to shower despite how badly I wanted one. After the fact I wished I'd agreed to sleep on the beach like he'd wanted to!!! haha Oh man at least I know I have problems!

 

[5forMickey]

I'm like your Husband and quite a Hotel snob -- but I don't think that's a bad thing like some people do, we are just who we are In fact, I get the Circus Circus comment because I would have had the same response -- except that we would have left (yes, I'm horrible I know) been there done that one also and that was one Hotel we had to change after we arrived.

That all being said, I know nothing about the Ayres so if you have researched that and think he will be fine I would stay with that. I would choose a comfortable Hotel over walking distance.

I'm an onsite girl and don't care for any of the walking Hotels on Harbor. I, like your husband, will not enjoy my vacation if the Hotel is a miss. If I had to stay offsite I would have to go down to the Hilton or Marriott on Convention way to be happy, and like you pointed out those are not within walking distance. Sorry, I know that doesn't help.

I second the idea that maybe you make him choose, at least then it won't be your fault.

And it must be in the air because I had Hotel nightmares about our December trip last night also -- but I'm pretty sure mine were unfounded

Hope you have a great trip whatever you decide!!!

 

[chttyangel]

I'm like your Husband and quite a Hotel snob -- but I don't think that's a bad thing like some people do, we are just who we are In fact, I get the Circus Circus comment because I would have had the same response -- except that we would have left (yes, I'm horrible I know) been there done that one also and that was one Hotel we had to change after we arrived.

I don't think it is a bad thing either. We have stayed at some places were we have really been pampered/spoiled so it is nice and I could easily be converted to one too. LOL!

I'm an onsite girl and don't care for any of the walking Hotels on Harbor. I, like your husband, will not enjoy my vacation if the Hotel is a miss. If I had to stay offsite I would have to go down to the Hilton or Marriott on Convention way to be happy, and those are also not within walking distance. Sorry, I know that doesn't help.

I would LOVE to stay on-site. I think the run is making it really pricey thou?? They are showing 700 plus a night on my dates. UGH. Good to hear that you like the on-site hotels thou and will have to look at that next time! And this does help because I did look at the Marriot/Hilton and those are what I believe Priceline is quoting so thanks for the thoughts!

I second the idea that maybe you make him choose, at least then it won't be your fault.

And it must be in the air because I had Hotel nightmares about our December trip last night also -- but I'm pretty sure mine were unfounded

Hope you have a great trip whatever you decide!!!

Thanks! And I prob will make him pick but then he will be a difficult man a say he is happy with what I picked. LOL! I am making him sounds horrible! HE REALLY IS NOT. Part of our thing is fun banter so MOST of his complaining if the hotel is not right will truly just to be in fun of harassing me. BUT I know a nice place will make it a better experience for him.

 

[chttyangel]

I'm fairly go with the flow except when it comes to the hotel I stay in, I like to feel like I'm staying some place clean and relatively safe.(I know that there is no place on earth aside from maybe the safety room for the President thats completely safe.) This will be my first trip to Disneyland and so I picked a hotel using trip advisor.

I'm staying at Best Western Stovall's. Yes there are some negative things but I remember someone always has a negative opinion no matter where or what it is. For me the keys I look for are clean and nothing extreme.

I got a deal with Best Western and it was buy 3 nights and get your 4th night free. I felt the price was pretty good especially given its proximity to the parks.

My now ex bf and I once road tripped from his uncles house in the Orlando area to the Florida Keys. He neglected to tell me that he hadn't ever finished renting a room for while we were in the keys during SPRING BREAK! So we ended up staying in a $50 a night or rent by the hour room where I slept wrapped in a blanket I'd borrowed from his uncle and refused to shower despite how badly I wanted one. After the fact I wished I'd agreed to sleep on the beach like he'd wanted to!!! haha Oh man at least I know I have problems!

LOL! I have done this several times on the CA coast during labor day weekend. Once I got stuck paying a VERY high bill for a place that should have been pay by the hour and the other time slept in my car. Those were my younger days; lesson learned.

 

[crystal1313]

Have you looked into the Hilton or Marriott at the convention center? Yes, they are a little far to walk. Instead of ART I would just hop in a cab. I stayed at the Hilton in May and it was really nice. DH and I loved it. But we did not love the walk to the parks and were kicking ourselves for not grabbing a cab at the drop off area on the way back. It's a nice hotel, was clean, really big, had the standard hotel amenities and a Starbucks in the lobby. We enjoyed that and the bar at night for a cocktail. Yes, parking is expensive, but we scored a great deal on the room so that was ok with us. Hope that helps!

 

[tarheelalum]

With priceline bidding you can greatly narrow down your hotel choices by going to the better bidding forum. The folks there really know how to work the system. I've used that forum many times over the past 7 years and it really works.

 

[kylie71]

The Candy Cane Inn, is a good choice. Very clean, comfy beds, walking distance, but also has its own dedicated shuttle, and a nice cont breakfast....

It got my vote, and I am VERY picky choosy about where I stay too!
I like it better than the Fairfield Inn! and I am a Marriott lover! lol!

--Lori

 

[chttyangel]

SO DH travels 2-3x per month for work. He has to use Hotwire to book his hotels; company policy. He has a theory that if you look at what the last person got (it tells you at the top); that is what you will get too. So with everyone's encouragement to have him pick...I told him my desired budget and told him to book about 30 mins ago. He picked 3.5 stars Anaheim South (which on Hotwire is a pretty big area, the reason I use Priceline instead). I do not remember what he said the last one booked was but he liked it and it actually was in walking distance so he went for it. We DID NOT get the last hotel booked, so much for that theory. We got the AYRES INN ORANGE; the hotel I had booked.

He did save us $40 total on 3 nights. So saved a little, stayed at the place I picked but technically now he picked it so I can be the one doing the harassing (in fun) if it is not up to par!

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and for letting me have a place to vent my craziness about this!

 

[elaine amj]

I go through the same agonizing thought processes. Good to know I'm not alone.

I had to laugh about your DH's hotwire booking. Glad that you can "blame" him for this one!!!

 

[crystal1313]

I've stayed the Orange Ayers....I really liked it. It was clean and quiet and the breakfast was super yummy! The only thing we didn't like was the water temp in the room took forever to get warm! We thought we were going to have to take a cold shower!

Also, right down the street is an amazing BBQ restaurant called Lucille's! So yummy! But note it is crowded at typical dining times.

 

[5forMickey]

We DID NOT get the last hotel booked, so much for that theory. We got the AYRES INN ORANGE; the hotel I had booked.

Oh my gosh that is too funny!!!1 I think the stars are with you and that is the place your a meant to stay