Hotels with Best Shuttle Service?

[consultant]

Can someone recommend decent hotels in the Disneyland Area that have an exclusive direct shuttle to the main entrance (doesn't stop at any other hotels) that is typically on-time, reasonably frequent, and not easily stretched over capacity?

We stayed at Disneyland several times. One time we stayed at the Newport Beach Marriott Vacation Club and drove in each day. If you timed it right, traffic wasn't too bad and parking and the shuttle to the entrance was easy, very little walking.

The next time we stayed at the new Marriott Residence in about 1/4 mile away and took the big Greyhound bus shuttle which stopped at 2 or 3 other places.

The last time we stayed at HoJo and just walked.

What was interestin was that although the HoJo was only like a 15-20 minute walk, door to gate, it was pretty tiring at the end of the day, especially with a 5 and 6-yo, definitely doable though.

I didn't like the Residence Inn Shuttle as it took too long stopping at all those other places and was not very frequent.

Driving from Newport Beach each day actually wasn't too bad.

I think we'd prefer a hotel in Anaheim that has a decent direct shuttle. The nicest hotel possible other than the overpriced Disney hotels. A big plus if 1-bedroom suites are available with sofa sleeper but a standard hotel room is acceptable.

I know there are some hotels right across the street from the entrance but I've read reviews, looked at pictures, and see them up close (not the rooms though) and they are sort of shabby motel-like properties. Granted you are not there to hang out at the motel all day, it would be nice to have a decent pool area which none of those have, with exception of HoJo which is a bit farther walk than just across the street.

I also know the Candy Cane Inn just a block away (a big long block away), is very highly rated with very good shuttle service. That may be where we stay, but if we are taking a shuttle all the time we wouldn't mind staying farther away to stay in a more upscale hotel property.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

 

[bumbershoot]

From what I've learned from a hotel manager on these boards (a hotel much further away than HoJo), there is only one or two hotels that are allowed to have their own shuttle. All the others can only use ART (Anaheim Regional Transit?). The only motel I can think of right now with its own shuttle is Candy Cane Inn, which is a much-enjoyed motel on these boards.

 

[bumbershoot]

"What was interestin was that although the HoJo was only like a 15-20 minute walk, door to gate, it was pretty tiring at the end of the day, especially with a 5 and 6-yo, definitely doable though."

If you walk the wrong way from the parks to/from Paradise Pier, it's longer than walking to HoJos...ask me how I know (or just notice the line about our September trip in my sig and you can figure it out).

We found the hojo walk, even with a 3 year old, to be much less than 15-20 minutes, but then I was practically running, LOL.

 

[cirquelovers]

I believe the Emabassy Suites North has their own shuttle but I don't think it runs as often as the Candy Cane Inns does. I would look on their website though. I can't think of any other hotel besides CC that has their own shuttle anymore.

 

[michelle1]

I read on another thread that the Sheraton Anaheim has a free shuttle which runs during disney hours. I did check out the website and it didn't say if the shuttle is shared. The hotel looks very nice and the rooms are beautiful. They have a pool, arcade and breakfast included (on the packages for sure but not sure if included with room only).

 

[tinkryansmom]

We are going to Disneyland in early February and are staying at the Sheraton. I am not sure when you are planning on going but I will post when I return if that's any help.

I have not stayed there before, like you we stayed over near HoJo and that walk is long after a long day in the park with little ones!

Got a rate at Shearton less than the Fairfield so we are going to try it!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

The Anaheim Sheraton shuttle is not shared and we have always found it to be very convenient. Thsui is the 'castle" Shareaton. There is also a Park Sheraton in Anaheim that does not have its own shuttle.

The Sheraton has big rooms but the bathrooms are small. There is a $10 charge for parking and $10 charge for internet access. Breakfast is not included with the standard room rate, but there is a restaurant with decent food and deli/coffee bar for quick meals.

If we cannot find a decent rate at PPH, the Sheraton is where we usually stay. -- Suzanne

 

[SuzanneSLO]

The Anaheim Sheraton shuttle is not shared and we have always found it to be very convenient. This is the 'castle" Sheraton. There is also a Park Sheraton in Anaheim that does not have its own shuttle.

The Sheraton has big rooms but the bathrooms are small. There is a $10 charge for parking and $10 charge for internet access. Breakfast is not included with the standard room rate, but there is a restaurant with decent food and a deli/coffee bar for quick meals.

If we cannot find a decent rate at PPH, the Sheraton is where we usually stay. -- Suzanne

 

[slruud]

The Doubletree near the Block at Orange has their own shuttle. This is not to be confused with the Doubletree Hotel and Suites on Harbor. Plus you get chocolate chip cookies.

We have become fans of the Fairfield Inn, pretty much right across the street from the entrance plaza. Close to Mimi's and Millies and McD's.

 

[consultant]

The Doubletree near the Block at Orange has their own shuttle. This is not to be confused with the Doubletree Hotel and Suites on Harbor. Plus you get chocolate chip cookies.

We have become fans of the Fairfield Inn, pretty much right across the street from the entrance plaza. Close to Mimi's and Millies and McD's.

Reindling this thread a bit....

I heard the Fairfield is just a Motel-6 caliber place but in a high-rise building?

The Doubletree with it's own, non shared shuttle, is that the newer one with the really nice rooms and super comfortable beds?

 

[slruud]

Reindling this thread a bit....

I heard the Fairfield is just a Motel-6 caliber place but in a high-rise building?

The Doubletree with it's own, non shared shuttle, is that the newer one with the really nice rooms and super comfortable beds?

I wouldn't say the Fairfield is Motel6 caliber, but quite a few steps up. The fact it sits off Harbor a bid keeps it real quiet. Free internet access and some small Marriott Rewards bennies makes it worth it to us.

The newer Doubletree is on Harbor, and the one we stayed at is an older one near the Block at Orange. Quite comfortable...Pricelined at $50/nite. The shuttle was timely and efficient. Also the Block at Orange has quite a few restaurants and a kick butt indoor skateboard complex.

 

[maberlyne]

There's also the Crowne Plaza and Hyatt Regency. They're a bit down Harbor, technically in Garden Grove, but what is that, actually? 3 miles?

Anyway, the two hotels share a shuttle, and since they're right next door, it doesn't really seem like they share, if you know what I mean.

Of the two, the Hyatt was definitely nicer. Beautiful hotel. Pricier though, with the extras - self parking $15 night, surcharge for internet. But it was neat because of the Starbucks and Pizza Hut in the lobby

We stayed at Crowne Plaza a little bit longer ago, in December, and I don't really remember much. It was nice, it was okay. I can't remember if they charged for parking... and I think they had internet in the room.

The shuttle arrived/departed twice an hour and was very timely. Worked well for us. Of course, at times it was very crowded, but almost every time they sent two shuttles (or large sized buses) and we were there during spring break.

 

[consultant]

I wouldn't say the Fairfield is Motel6 caliber, but quite a few steps up. The fact it sits off Harbor a bid keeps it real quiet. Free internet access and some small Marriott Rewards bennies makes it worth it to us.

The newer Doubletree is on Harbor, and the one we stayed at is an older one near the Block at Orange. Quite comfortable...Pricelined at $50/nite. The shuttle was timely and efficient. Also the Block at Orange has quite a few restaurants and a kick butt indoor skateboard complex.

When I compared Fairfield to Motel-6 I really wasn't talking about reputation, more what you actually get. So if it's a couple steps up, I'm curious a couple steps up in what way, other than being in a high-rise instead of a low-rise? Are the rooms much nicer/bigger at that Fairfield than a current-day Motel 6?

 

[pixiewings71]

We are staying at the Crowne Plaza this weekend, they share a shuttle with the Hyatt next door. We usually stay at the HoJo, the Tropicana or on-site. I've never had to walk more than 10 min. when staying at the HoJo. That's with my 8 and 11 y.o. and they are not fast walkers....not usually anyway. lol

 

[50sjayne]

The Days Inn has it's own shuttle. Doesn't share with anyone. It runs once an hour. This is the one on Harbor, not on Disneyland Drive/Ball. Doesn't get the best reviews however(the hotel itself--the shuttle people like ;-). It's interesting no one seems to know about this motel.

 

[slruud]

When I compared Fairfield to Motel-6 I really wasn't talking about reputation, more what you actually get. So if it's a couple steps up, I'm curious a couple steps up in what way, other than being in a high-rise instead of a low-rise? Are the rooms much nicer/bigger at that Fairfield than a current-day Motel 6?

We were given a fairly large king bed room with a pull out sofa, and a desk. The rooms are much nicer than Motel 6, and nicer and larger than the rooms at BWPPI. I think for the money I would prefer to stay at the Fairfield than Howard Johnson's if the rates were near the same. Overall the Doubletree Orange was fantastic, $50/nite on Priceline, but there you are dealing with a shuttle. Check out the reviews on Tripadvisor, or MyTravelGuide.com.