Hotels with Dedicated Shuttles-Know Any? Thoughts Appreciated!

[motor58]

Hi Everybody!

Been reading this board for-ever and this is my first post/question. So excited to be planning our first trip for next year

I need a suite for my family of 5 (kids age 8 and under), a suite with at least 2 rooms (door separating, not a half wall ). I am torn between three options. First option is renting points for a villa at GCH ($$$!!!), thinking about a suite across the street with a super short walk, AND I am thinking about a nicer hotel nearby that has it's own shuttle (not ART). I am really attracted to the idea of a nicer hotel, nicer amenities, nicer food and all of that stuff but the shuttle seems like a real wild card.

My questions are:
What are these hotels? It sure is hard to find this info on their website.
If you have stayed at one, were you happy with the trade off?
I know all have their pros and cons, but any thoughts you have for me with my 3 kids (8, 5.5, 4) are appreciated.

Thank you everybody, been loving reading about all the great tips and see that I am not the only crazy planner here.

 

[skiingfast]

Using a shuttle, even when it's not the ART is a major use of time if you miss the shuttle you wait 30 minutes more, walking is not a reasonable alternative.

The best is at the Candy Cane Inn, because you either hop on the shuttle and if you miss it you can walk in under ten minutes. It receives great reviews.

The Sheraton Anaheim has a shuttle, it receives nice receives good reviews.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

The Candy Cane Inn does not have suites. It does have some connecting rooms.

 

[love2go2disney2]

Hilton Homewood suites in GardenGrove. Dedicated shuttle and a great free breakfast.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Embassy Suites near the park has a shuttle. (At least they did the last time we stayed there.)

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Hilton Homewood suites in GardenGrove. Dedicated shuttle and a great free breakfast.

I strongly recommend the Homewood. We've been very happy staying there. Staff was beyond awesome.

 

[smiles33]

I recommend a Kids Suite or the two queen beds suite at the Howard Johnson, which is about an 8 minute walk. Much cheaper than a GCV villa (especially if you get the $99 ENT rate) and doesn't require a shuttle ride so you save more time. There is only one door to the hallway and another door connecting the two rooms. There are also two full bathrooms. The challenge though is that the second bedroom only has twin bunk beds and a sofa bed, so one of the kids will have to sleep on the sofa bed.

Read my review of HoJo in my TR (link below!).

I loved being able to walk back and forth without wasting time waiting for a shuttle. If we can't stay at a GCV villa (which I would love to do one day), I will aim for a HoJo Kids Suite!

 

[motor58]

smiles33-8 mins? How come everybody says it's 15 to the gate-are they slow walkers (no offense meant) or could you be a speedy walker? 8 minutes sounds great.

IheartMickey-Did you find the shuttle was easy to use or did it end up being a pain in the butt?

I feel like I keep coming back to renting points and staying at a villa. The cost of a nicer suite (or a suite at all, or connecting rooms) ends up being not as cheap as I'd hope and the villas have the full kitchen. So hard to decide, it's a week long trip and as you all know the hotel can have a HUGE influence on the trip.

thanks to everyone for the hotel ideas! Any other thoughts-I am all ears....

 

[skiingfast]

smiles33-8 mins? How come everybody says it's 15 to the gate-are they slow walkers (no offense meant) or could you be a speedy walker? 8 minutes sounds great.

The Hojo is 7-10 minutes, from the front of the Hojo to the gates. 8 is a reasonable walking time estimate for it.

 

[jory29]

Hojo's is a great choice, I agree, and yes, 8 min. walk including stopping at the crosswalks, but also, has 2 bathrooms in the kids suite, and is in a great location for so many great restaurants; Mimi's, Pizza Hut, Quiznos, Millies, McDonald's, Ihop (I find very expensive there even when the kids eat free deal is on), and Tony Roma's - DO NOT stop at Captain Kids if you see all of the fancy lights, it is NOT recommended, in general, on these boards. The gift shop at Hojo's stocks anything (food, medicine, milk, sunscreen, etc.) that you could need. The beds are so plush and comfortable. You can lock things up in your safe (once we left our safe wide open, unlocked, by accident and nothing had been touched (cash, psp's, phones, passports, etc.) when housekeeping had been in, just as I suspected would happen.) Super clean place, housekeeping is fantastic. The Pirate's Cove splash area for kids is fun. Fireworks from Pirates Cove while in the hot tub is fun, too. Another thing - our daughter has been doing this walk back and forth to the Disney Parks annually, twice each day from the hotel for a week, since she was 4 years old, and she never complained. I am a bigger person, and though my feet hurt from walking around in Disneyland, the walk is not very long from the closest hotel on Harbor Blvd. so was easily managed. I wouldn't want to wait for a shuttle when we could be back 'home' at the hotel within 8 minutes. Remember you can save 15% for being a DISboard member, type in promotion code LNDB on their website to see the discounted rate. Annual passholders save 20% off of the room, I believe.

 

[Huff]

We've been staying at the Radisson Suites near Knotts Berry Farm. Drive time is about 15 minutes. They have a free shuttle to Disneyland or Knotts. The only issue I have is that the shuttle arrives at Disneyland in the morning about 30-60 minutes after park opening and leaves Disneyland about 1 hour before park closing. Otherwise its great.

The suites are two rooms, 2 queens in one room and 1 queen sofa in the other. It has a TV in both rooms, and microwave and fridge. They have a free hot breakfast buffet each morning...saves a ton of $'s!

I've gotten these each trip for $60-$80/night using Hotwire or booking with code CARLSONEF online. Rack rate is usually $150-$190.

 

[smiles33]

smiles33-8 mins? How come everybody says it's 15 to the gate-are they slow walkers (no offense meant) or could you be a speedy walker? 8 minutes sounds great.:

LOL, I am a fast walker (NYC friends say I walk as fast as them!) but my 8 min walk was due to pushing 75+ pounds of kids in a double stroller. I could have done it in 6 or 7 min otherwise (especially if I got a green light right away to cross to the DLR side of Harbor).

 

[motor58]

Wow, you guys are making me rethink the HOJO. I thought this was a good fit for us months ago but got scared off from all the posts about how long the walk seems at the end of the day, esp. with kids. And I really thought it was more of a 15 min walk..... The kid suites ARE amazing and I know they have two bathrooms AND the whole pool area.....

I really liked the full kitchen though, but the HOJO can get downright cheap can't it with the entertainment rate?

OK this is all great info, I so appreciate this forum, you guys rock!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Personally we had no issue with the shuttle. It runs every half hour. There was one time returning from the park when it was very full but there was still enough seats for our family. The driver was always very accommodating with our stroller and stored it in the back for us.

A few months ago someone asked about the Homewood and this was my response.

I would recommend this hotel to everyone and anyone. Here's why:

1. Loved having a bedroom (2 queens), bathroom, living room and full kitchen. We were able to put our kids to bed and go to the other room to have some down time for me and my husband without disturbing the kids. The rooms were very clean and the beds were comfortable.
   
2. While we didn't use the stove the full fridge and microwave rocked. We drove from Salt Lake City so we had a cooler and just put everything in the fridge when we arrived. We used the microwave for warming up leftovers, popcorn and baby food. We bought large water bottles and put them in the freezer each night for the next day.
   
3. The staff was unlike any other hotel I've ever stayed at. We were welcomed every time we walked in with a smile. Although it was very full they even remembered my children's names. Everyday during breakfast we were asked if we were going to be back mid-day. The days we were the person took our room number to ensure that our rooms were cleaned and ready for us.
   
4. Free breakfast (7 days) and dinner (Sun - Thurs). The eggs at breakfast weren't great but everything else was. The dinner was perfect for our family. They had a taco night, spaghetti night and bbq (hot dogs & hamburgs). Free beer, wine and soda was included for dinner. My DH loved this. We filled our water bottles with soda when heading back to the park.
   
5. There was a super Target across the street. Great if you need to pick something up that you forgot. We ran over there for sunblock. There were also quite a few restaurants within walking distance. We didn't visit any of them but it was nice having the option.

I could go on and on. It was one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had. We actually decided to go again this December. We could stay someplace else for less money but I think it's worth it to have a nice and clean room, awesome staff, etc. So we are staying there again.

Depending on where/when you book you should look for offers as we were able to get the 4th night free.​

 

[motor58]

Thanks IheartMickey for posting that. Homewood sounds really amazing, I am gonna go look at their website now. 2 free meals a day? wow!

 

[jory29]

Personally we had no issue with the shuttle. It runs every half hour. There was one time returning from the park when it was very full but there was still enough seats for our family. The driver was always very accommodating with our stroller and stored it in the back for us.

A few months ago someone asked about the Homewood and this was my response.

I would recommend this hotel to everyone and anyone. Here's why:

1. Loved having a bedroom (2 queens), bathroom, living room and full kitchen. We were able to put our kids to bed and go to the other room to have some down time for me and my husband without disturbing the kids. The rooms were very clean and the beds were comfortable.
   
2. While we didn't use the stove the full fridge and microwave rocked. We drove from Salt Lake City so we had a cooler and just put everything in the fridge when we arrived. We used the microwave for warming up leftovers, popcorn and baby food. We bought large water bottles and put them in the freezer each night for the next day.
   
3. The staff was unlike any other hotel I've ever stayed at. We were welcomed every time we walked in with a smile. Although it was very full they even remembered my children's names. Everyday during breakfast we were asked if we were going to be back mid-day. The days we were the person took our room number to ensure that our rooms were cleaned and ready for us.
   
4. Free breakfast (7 days) and dinner (Sun - Thurs). The eggs at breakfast weren't great but everything else was. The dinner was perfect for our family. They had a taco night, spaghetti night and bbq (hot dogs & hamburgs). Free beer, wine and soda was included for dinner. My DH loved this. We filled our water bottles with soda when heading back to the park.
   
5. There was a super Target across the street. Great if you need to pick something up that you forgot. We ran over there for sunblock. There were also quite a few restaurants within walking distance. We didn't visit any of them but it was nice having the option.

I could go on and on. It was one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had. We actually decided to go again this December. We could stay someplace else for less money but I think it's worth it to have a nice and clean room, awesome staff, etc. So we are staying there again.

Depending on where/when you book you should look for offers as we were able to get the 4th night free.​

One of my friends mentioned she read a tripadvisor report that said there is a $4 per person shuttle fee, per day - is this true?

 

[skiingfast]

One of my friends mentioned she read a tripadvisor report that said there is a $4 per person shuttle fee, per day - is this true?

$4 sounds like ART.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

One of my friends mentioned she read a tripadvisor report that said there is a $4 per person shuttle fee, per day - is this true?

Technically there is a shuttle fee at Homewood. However if you book through getawaytoday.com or Disney (ie: disneyland.com, costco, etc) the shuttle is included in your price. I actually didn't realize that until I arrived and was told it was part of the package price negotiated w/ Disneyland as a Good Neighbor Hotel. I had budgeted to pay for the shuttle knowing that lots of people on the forum had mentioned ART. Getawaytoday.com says on their site that it's included.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Thanks IheartMickey for posting that. Homewood sounds really amazing, I am gonna go look at their website now. 2 free meals a day? wow!

Please note that I've read on the forum people complaining about the free meals. It isn't filet and lobster but it was perfect for my family.

The breakfast included eggs, hashbrowns, meat (changed each day between ham, sausage, bacon), waffles, bagels, toast, muffins, oatmeal and cold cereal. They also had coffee, tea, cocoa, juice, milk and soda. I may have missed something. I didn't think the eggs were fabulous but they were what I would expect at a hotel (ie: powdered eggs). I put a little salsa and cheese on them and they tasted just fine.

The dinners were perfect for us because we went back to the hotel in the afternoon for naps. When the kids woke up we would go down and eat and then get on the shuttle. The way I looked at it was that if we got a little snack in our stomachs then we wouldn't have to spend as much in the park. My kids aren't picky and never turn down spaghetti, hot dogs and basic foods. Then when we were hungry we enjoyed something sweet at the park.

Good luck and have fun planning.

 

[GenGen22]

We've been staying at the Radisson Suites near Knotts Berry Farm. Drive time is about 15 minutes. They have a free shuttle to Disneyland or Knotts. The only issue I have is that the shuttle arrives at Disneyland in the morning about 30-60 minutes after park opening and leaves Disneyland about 1 hour before park closing. Otherwise its great.

The suites are two rooms, 2 queens in one room and 1 queen sofa in the other. It has a TV in both rooms, and microwave and fridge. They have a free hot breakfast buffet each morning...saves a ton of $'s!

I've gotten these each trip for $60-$80/night using Hotwire or booking with code CARLSONEF online. Rack rate is usually $150-$190.

I have also stayed here 2 times. I reserved it through getawaytoday.com. They offer the 3rd night free. I agree on the savings on 5 people for breakfast each morning. When we stayed here it was me my bf his boys 9 & 11 and my dd14. We liked it.

I agree with Jory29 Captin Kidds is down right NASTY