Hotels on Harbor

[cruise cruise cruise]

If all the hotels were the same price, which one would you choose and why?

and which would you avoid and why?

We have been planning on staying at Hojo as long as we can get the entertainment rate-- not going until 09. Like Hojo because of all the hype it gets on these boards, the price and new water playground-- altough late April may not be outside swimming weather.

And now I have been reading about the low rates at Dessert Inn. I would get a parlor suit for $89. I like the looks of the closeness but I really am not a fan of indoor swimming pools, but if the weather is cool, this could be good.

By the way it will be me, DH, DS 5 and DD 3 (and most likely still napping)

 

[dizneekrazee]

Late August would be great outdoor swimming weather in SoCal.

But we do stay DI&S, we started staying there for the distance, and it keeps us coming back. Service is not superb, but it is adequate. No major problems. We are happy. As you can see in my siggy, we have stayed there several times.

HTH!!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i was staying at desert inn and probley would still use it as my back up but. Im now staing at hojos I like the park view for 75 and i think it will be nice.

Also camolot inn was really good so i cant say anything bad about them

The one i wont stay at ever is carisol inn

 

[DangerMouse]

HoJo is obviously my favorite (surprise surprise)

Wouldn't stay at Castle Inn & Suites. Probably wouldn't stay at Del Sol either.

I think Tropicana, BWPPI and Desert Inn & Suites get the best reviews of the ones directly across the street.

Candy Cane Inn also gets very high ratings from Dis board members.

 

[mariezp]

We have stayed at DI for our last 7 trips and will be heading there again in November. They have pretty much become part of our "tradition". So far they have always served our needs just fine but I must confess that we are fairly easy to please. I've compared rates over the years and they have been the best deal for us since we require a 2 room suite with 2 bathrooms. They are not 5 star but at the end of the day the most important thing for me is that I don't have to walk very far!

So, for us the main reasons we stay at Desert Inn are:

1. We like to stick with what we know!
2. The price is right!
3. They provide amenities we consider important.
4. Location! Location! Location!

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Late August would be great outdoor swimming weather in SoCal.

But we do stay DI&S, we started staying there for the distance, and it keeps us coming back. Service is not superb, but it is adequate. No major problems. We are happy. As you can see in my siggy, we have stayed there several times.

HTH!!

OOOPS, I meant April. I have edited the original post to reflect our true time frame. Yes, August would be great outdoor swiming weather and if we were going in august I definatly would NOT choose an indoor pool. However, April it could be our benefit to have an indoor pool

 

[dizneekrazee]

OOOPS, I meant April. I have edited the original post to reflect our true time frame. Yes, August would be great outdoor swiming weather and if we were going in august I definatly would NOT choose an indoor pool. However, April it could be our benefit to have an indoor pool

Ok, so I will change my answer. I do not like to be cold at all. I would not swim outdoors in late April. We went last April, a bit chilly, rained on our last day, and they day before we got there (SIL was there, at same hotel too).

I would recommend DI&S. I should really ask them if they are ever considering a referral program. I refer guests to them all the time on here and work.

 

[DangerMouse]

I was there in late April this year and the temps were over 100 degrees. I wanted to live in the pool!

 

[crasher11]

Our choice would be the Tropicana Inn... We have had a good stay each time we have stayed there...

 

[kiwitravel]

If they were all the same price then of the two we have already stayed at I would choose Carousel Inn, but we are considering Camelot and HoJos for next year as well, HoJos for the entertainment rate if we can get it, and Camelot because others here have had good stays there. Desert Inn is no good for us due to the indoor pool, it was really stuffy and smelled of chlorine when we checked it out, BWPPI doesn't have a very good breakfast and have heard it described as a little dark, Park Place Inn gets really mixed reviews (as does Carousel these days), CCI has a strong fan base but friends who stayed there didn't like the small pools, rooms and breakfast area. Looking at recent reviews can't see you going too far wrong with HoJos, Camelot, Tropicanna and if you are looking at April I might consider Desert Inn for that winter swimming...

 

[tigerlilly]

We have stayed at HoJo's, Desert Inn and Suites, Camalot and Candy Cane Inn. Desert Inn was inexpensive but I don't think we would do it again (mainly because of the indoor pool...we had a Caddy shack incident only it wasn't a snickers bar )...not the Hotel's fault but still...also the breakfast was severely lacking. Camalot was nice and served our needs. HoJo's was just ok, I know it gets rave reviews everywhere online but for whatever reason it didn't wow us in any way. Now Candy Cane Inn we really liked! The pool was small but it was so pretty! The Hot Tub was Hot (a must for us) and the breakfast area was very charming. Now there are no balconies or interior hallways as it is a souped up Motel but it was the nicest of the four we have stayed at on Harbor. We have also done all of the Disneyland Hotel's and I like CCI as well for the price.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I've stayed at both Desert Inn & Suites and Tropicana. I thought they were both nice and you can't beat the location. I love being right across the street from the parks. If the price is roughly similar I would go with Desert or Tropicana because they're so close.

 

[tlovesdis]

Avoid: Anaheim Plaza Inn

Good choices: Best Western Park Place Inn & Candy Cane Inn

 

[Vacation Dad]

The BWPPI is our choice. Their mini-suites are the right size for us and the location can’t be beat. I really think that most of the hotels on Harbor are fairly comparable. Figure out the things that are important to you – size of room, type of pool, included breakfast, etc. – and go with the one that fits those needs the best.

As for swimming, that may depend some on your background. All of our visits to DLR have been in either April or November, and the weather never kept us from going swimming. My kids are too old to want to go swimming now, but we always found the weather and temperatures to be fine that time of year. It wasn’t like we were just tolerating the weather either, it was fine for us. Of course we are from the Seattle area so anything above 60 degrees is swimming weather for us.

 

[Denton]

Within the past year, I've stayed at the Carousel Inn and the Desert Inn. Of those two, I prefer the Desert Inn. I think the room nicer and the bed was much more comfortable. I also liked the indoor pool. When we were there in June, there was no noticeable chlorine smell.

If all the hotels were the same price, I would go with the closest one. I've never stayed at the BWPPI, Tropicana, or Park Vue Inn, but I can't believe the rooms are that much different. For us, the hotel room is just a place to sleep and rest. If I wanted an immersive Disney experience, I would stay onsite.

 

[pixiewings71]

In order of preference

HoJo
CCI
Tropicana
BWPPI

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

well I have to admit I was expecting an overwhelming Hojo vote. It is interesting that most say if price was not an issue they would go for closeness.

Yes, the pool is an issue for me....
However it being April an indoor pool (which I hate by the way) could be the way to go for the kids.

The other problem at this point being so far out in booking that the Desert Inn, Hojo (no ET rate) and one other but I cant remeber right now are the only ones that will give me april 09 rates.

So for now I have booked a living room suit at Desert Inn and will hope that ET rates come out for my dates, book them too and then wait until my 48 hr cancelation widow and check the weather...if it looks cold go for the close w/ indoor pool.....if warm, go for Hojo with the great outdoor playground for the kids

 

[mkymsehi]

Desert Inn & Suites is my choice. Location and price tip the scales for this location.

I always suggest booking using the AAA member rate. No hotel ever asks to see your AAA card. Trust me, I've been staying along Harbor Blvd. for many years, and never once have I been asked to show my card.

For Howard Johnsons, check this site for their discount code

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/mousesavers/

Hope this helps, it's a map showing all the hotels in the area :

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html