Hotels near Disney - recommendations?!

[onecactus]

Hi, we just went last Sep.-Oct. using the city pass from Costco. I don't know about those hotels, we stayed at Castle Inn. That hotel is very cheap and reasonably close to DL (about 10 min. walk). Its not very nice, but we were just there to sleep. About driving to Universal and San Diego, I hope you're not thinking about getting there before they open because the traffic was horrible. We left our hotel at about 7am for Universal, and we arrived at about 8:45. As for San Diego, I think it took us 2 hours to get to the Zoo. Seaworld is about 5-10 min. away from the Zoo. All of those places have lots of parking, and you have to pay at SW and Universal. Hope I answered some of your questions. By the way, we also used the airportbus tour packages to go to Knotts, and several people were going to those places too. It may be better than driving, but I don't know.

Do you remember how much approximately it is to park at Universal and SeaWorld?

Great tip on ID-ing your car. I can imagine a huge parking lot full of the same rental car from Budget!

 

[wendypooh22]

This hasn't been mentioned and it's not on your list, but we like the Best Western Park Place Inn. It is directly across the street from DL at the stop light - I think it's the closest GN hotel. We just stayed there a few weeks ago and will return in Dec. The free b-fast consists of, 3 cold cereals, oatmeal, apples, oranges, toast, bagles, donuts, danish, hard boiled eggs, coffee, juices, milk and butter and cream cheese for the bagels and toast.

I too put a vote in for BWPPI.... The breakfast isn't much, but it is enough to get you started in the morning! I liked the rooms, clean, comfy and there was a fridge and a microwave. I loved the location too. Cross the street and it's a very short walk to the main gate. Some people have mentioned that it can get noisy, but we didn't have a problem with the noise or parking while we were there in January.

 

[PeterPansPixie]

Do you remember how much approximately it is to park at Universal and SeaWorld?

I think parking at Universal is $15-$20. There are two different types of parking but I can't remember what they are called. We chose the cheaper of the two and had no problem getting a spot.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Were staying at BWPPI in October. I haven't stayed there before, but love the idea of how close it is. Seems faster then the shuttles, and a lot faster then parking in the parking tower at DL. The others mentioned are in walking distance, but seem like a lot further of walk to me. Especially if your tired, after walking the parks all day. An extra 10-15 minutes is TOO much for me!

 

[wendypooh22]

I think parking at Universal is $15-$20. There are two different types of parking but I can't remember what they are called. We chose the cheaper of the two and had no problem getting a spot.

The premier parking is $20.00 and will get you in the closest lot possible.

 

[hrhlaurie]

I did serious research on the Trip Advisor website and we chose the Dessert Inn and Suites this time for several reasons. First, it's directly across the street from the entrance to the park and since we're traveling with an (almost) 4 yo we want to be able to quickly get back and forth during the day without waiting for shuttles or whatever. Also, we have a big group and we wanted suites with 2 bathrooms, etc. Although they offer continental breakfast, we don't really care about anything except the coffee and I'll probably do an early morning run to McDonalds to pick up food to eat while we get ready in the morning.

We've stayed at Castle Inn and liked it but it is too far for this trip and we've stayed at Carousel and liked it but it was a bit more for the days we'll be there.

We called the hotel and booked directly and sometimes you can get better prices that way also.

Have fun!

 

[Andrew812]

I'm looking at many different hotels within walking distance to Disneyland, and I can't decide which one to choose!!! And now I'm back with more questions!

1. I've looked at Howard Johnson, Fairfield Inn so far. Anyone has any recommendations on other hotels within walking distance to Disneyland?

2. Do most hotels near the area have complimentary shuttle to Disney, if they are not within walking distance?

3. We're planning on visiting Universal, and going to San Diego Sea World and Zoo. We're looking at the California City Pass (3 day Disney Hopper Pass, and 1 day tickets to all of the above). Do hotels have shuttle to San Diego's attractions or am I better with renting a car?

4. Does anyone know of any hotels around Disney that has decent complimentary breakfast? My friend (who went last year) was disappointed with her hotel because complimentary breakfast turned out to be cold coffee and stale donuts!

Thanks

Look into the Embassy Suites, on Harbour blv. It's about 11/2 miles from Disneyland but is a nice clean hotel. It serves a full complimentry breakfast every morning, aswell as a managers cocktail hour around 4:30 everyday.
The ART comes about every 15 minutes.
Breakfast is eggs, bacaon, sausages, hash browns, french toast or pancakes, fresh fruit, yougart,pastries, toast aswell as cook to order omlets.We really enjoy staying here and highly recommend it, it cost around the same as the candy cane does but is newer and the free breakfst and free drinks more then make up the cost differences

 

[ter-moo]

Of the hotels you've listed, Candy Cane wins hands down. It's a beautiful property, nicely decorated rooms, comfy beds, very good breakfast AND you can walk OR take a private shuttle (every 1/2 hour). It's my favorite good neighbor hotel around there.

 

[I Heart Disneyland!]

We really like Homewood Suites. They have a living room, bedroom and kitchen. The kitchen has a full size fridge too. It's complete with dishes, utensils, and a dishwasher too. We all stayed there (4 of us) in November for $116.00 a night. Not bad for a 2 room suite. They have free breakfast too.

 

[c&m]

We really like using Priceline.com to get our hotel. We have gotten the Hyatt Orange County for $45/night and the Anaheim Marriott for $60/night. The Hyatt has a complimentary shuttle that is very timely. The Marriott is on the ART route.

They don't have a complimentary breakfast (which I know is one of your requirements), but it's an opportunity to try different restaurants. On our last trip, we discovered Mimi's Cafe for breakfast (prices are reasonable and they have an extensive menu). We also enjoy grabbing breakfast at La Brea Bakery at DTD.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Thanks everyone for the help. It's great to know that some of you have driven between Universal - Anaheim - San Diego, and parking isn't ridiculous as I think it'd be. I just don't want my husband to throw a tantrum if driving/parking is bad!

After reading some of your responses, I'm thinking maybe it's a good idea to choose a hotel with complimentary breakfast (saves $ on food too).

So, of all the following hotels that has complimentary breakfast (within walking distance to Disneyland), which of the hotel would you recommend, or have good experiences with?

• Candy Cane Inn
• Park Vue Inn
• Del Sol Anaheim Resort
• Tropicana Inn & Suites
• Ramada Inn Maingate Anaheim

Thanks again all!

out of those 5 it would be cci...there is another place you dont have on your list and its right across the street from disneyland and thats BW Park Place Inn and suites...they also have a breakfast of sorts and they are cheaper than cci...just a thought

 

[Warlock128]

Im taking my GF to spend the night on a 3 night trip to disneyland in the summer/fall. Im barely going to make this trip affordable, with premium AP for both of us, food, gas, hotel, ect. But i want it to be memorable, so out of the disneyland hotel for 3 nights, or the CCI, which would you reccomend? and why? it seems like the CCI is pretty sweet, especially the deluxe rooms...again, which would you pick for a 3 night stay?

 

[hlbtimes2]

I would choose the CCI. Its going to give you more money to spend on a nice meal or things in the park. Unless you plan on spending a lot of time in your room, the CCI should meet your needs.

We have stayed at the PP as a family, dh has stayed at the GC for work and we have stayed at CCI as a family and with just adults (all of those visits were between Oct 05 and May 06). We prefer the CCI. The PP is a long walk at night with small children, the GC is just way to much money. The CCI is a nice balance. Its a motel, so its not fancy, but its close, has breakfast (another money saver!), and the shuttle is wonderful. We'll be staying at the CCI in less then a month!

 

[Warlock128]

any specific room? would a premium/nicer room at CCI be cheaper or the same as a DLH room? i want to do the least amount of walking from park to my room possible. Plus, DLH has that disney magic feel to it.

 

[RuthieT]

What about The Desert Inn & Suites? Does anyone have anything to say about this hotel? We are considering staying here, or what about Quality Inn and Suites or Best Western Raffles Inn & Suites. Thanks

 

[NancyBrew]

We are long time Disneyland guests and have stayed in many properties up there.

Our favorite inexpensive place to stay is the Fairfield Inn which is across the street and one block down from the entrance. There was many a time we would return to the heated pool mid day during summer trips to escape the heat. Other pluses are there is a terrific place to watch fireworks from uptsairs on the outside walkway next to the stariwell. Millies has great breakfasts and Mimi's great dinners, each is moderately priced. The rooms are not fancy but they have comfortable beds!

A bit more upscale I would reccomend the Marriot and Hilton. I prefer the Marriot with it's terrific pool, and great patio breakfasts and the rooms are very nice. The Hilton is nice too, just not quite as lovely inside as the Marriott. Both have shuttles with frequent pick ups at the transportation center.

Hope this helps!

Nancy

 

[Andrew812]

Of the hotels you've listed, Candy Cane wins hands down. It's a beautiful property, nicely decorated rooms, comfy beds, very good breakfast AND you can walk OR take a private shuttle (every 1/2 hour). It's my favorite good neighbor hotel around there.

It's true that CC is a little closer to Dl, but the breakfast really isn't much, and the shuttle is every 1/2 hour.
I know what I prefer and I guess that is what it all comes down to. you have to decide what you want your hotel to provide for you and how much time you are going to spend in the room.

 

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I would love to stay at Candy Cane but their rates are always too expensive when I check. Hojo's seems to have the better rates (if that is a concern).

Is there a way to get better rates at Candy Cane?

Candy Cane has a free shuttle too, which is nice.

 

[tmatthews]

We have opted for Hyatt Orange County for the kids' suite (bunk beds in a separate room) No breakfast though and you do pay for parking if you are renting a car. They do offer a shuttle.
We bought the so cal passes and rented a car. We fly in this Friday, Sat AM we leave early and are staying the night in San Diego to go to Zoo and Sea world rather than take that drive 2x! (Best WEstern $99 with a breakfast)
We will drive to LA- Unviersal sometime during the week.

 

[hlbtimes2]

any specific room? would a premium/nicer room at CCI be cheaper or the same as a DLH room? i want to do the least amount of walking from park to my room possible. Plus, DLH has that disney magic feel to it.

If you feel the dinsney feel at the hotel is an important part of the trip to you, and you spend enough time in the room to notice a difference, then go with the DLH. Its not going to save you much in terms of walking, but it is nicer. But the magic Disney feel does cost, so from the sounds of things you'll be giving up something else in your trip. If this is a once in a life time, never to be repeated trip, then go for the more expensive place. If you'll be back in a year or so, save the money! If walking distance is most important to you, take a look at this http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as , keeping in mind the cci does have the shuttle every 1/2 hour.

Bottom line, only you know what is important to you.