How do you decide where to stay?

[dnamertz]

We are returning to Disneyland in October. The last time we were there we stayed at the Hojo, which was fine but I would like something different. It was close enough but after a long day, you just dont want to walk anymore especially carrying a child! It seems the hotels that are closer are not as nice as the ones that are further. However it seems that closeness has some value to it too!
I can't make a decision, I'm back and forth.. Do I want to stay at the Sheraton Park cause that is the kind of hotel I would like to OR do we stay at the Carousel cause it's really really close?? How do you decided?

I'm the same way when trying to make a decision about where to stay. There are places that have what I'm looking for (location, affordable, free breakfast), but the more reviews I read the more I keep changing my mind. I've come to learn that every motel/hotel has negative reviews.

I also agree about the "close" hotels not seem so close at the end of a long day of being on your feet all day. Our last trip we stayed at the Ramada Maingate which is pretty close, but on the way back at the end of the day it seemed to take for ever (especially the one night when our 4 year old fell asleep at dinner in Downtown Disney...every motel we passed along the way made me jealous that they weren't the ones we were staying at. I'm trying to talk my wife into staying at the HoJo next trip because of the great retro rate and the kids pool, but she's not willing to stay somewhere that is even farther than the Ramada.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Is FFI a close walk to the park entrance? From Google maps it appears to be. I currently have this booked for just $113/nt AAA rate which sounds great to me.

What's the benefit to staying at a DL resort? They seem to be a LOT more expensive but don't have the huge benefit of closeness like you'd get from a WDW hotel. I don't get it.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We stayed at the Hojo last year and while it was nice, my husband was complaining at the end of a long day walking back to the hotel carrying my 5 year old son who couldn't go anymore was too far for him, so that is why we are trying to find closer options but we may just have to suck it up?

5 and under for sure need a stroller when visiting DLR *IMO* DD strolled until she was 7 and a 1/2 - the last couple years not much, we'd park it in a land and when we moved to another area of the park she'd hop in; it was fantastic for walks to and from the parks.

 

[rsleleux]

Is FFI a close walk to the park entrance? From Google maps it appears to be. I currently have this booked for just $113/nt AAA rate which sounds great to me.

What's the benefit to staying at a DL resort? They seem to be a LOT more expensive but don't have the huge benefit of closeness like you'd get from a WDW hotel. I don't get it.

FFI is a 7 minute walk to the gate and the rate you got is a good rate. We are considering it as well. At the end of a long day at Disney, walking anywhere seems long but FFI is definitely walkable. I can't bring myself to pay $300 on a DL resort when the walk from there hotel is just as long!

 

[Disneyanajc]

For our family it is a choice of one of the three Disney properties...with over 40+ stays at the DLH we are branching out and going for DGC on our next trip. (though I feel like I'm cheating on the DLH )
Our second trip to Disneyland was 1970 and our first stay at the DLH, loved the hotel so much could never find a reason to book anywhere else.
jc

 

[Magalex]

This is like the perfect thread. We are planning our first DL trip in July 2013. All I do is to read as many reviews as possible of the motels. We have one DS who will be 12 yrs old so no little ones to worry about. On the top of my list is HOJO's(of course always wishing for DLH). Some others I may consider are: FFI, Camelot Inn & Suites, Candy Cane Inn & Ramada at Maingate. I also had the Sheraton At the Park because it is the closest "name brand hotel" walking distance or ART. But we are WDW vets so it is exciting to be able to walk across the street to DL instead of waiting for a bus ( which is great at WDW only).

 

[JadeDarkstar]

im gona stay at quality inn in oct 69 a night free breakfast, it may not be to close but its about as far as hojos. hoping its good.

 

[rramstad]

Please let me know in another week when you decide because your situation sounds very similar to ours! We have 5-6 hotel options the ones that are closer are not as luxurious as the ones that are further but convenience is a plus and the hotels that are close are not so bad!

Our short list included HoJos and Park Vue (both didn't have availability) Candy Cane Inn (a bit farther, and not as nice of a pool as we wanted) Fairfield Inn (no breakfast, not that great of a pool) and Ramada Maingate (which is where we ended up).

It is silly, but while I fully expect that Fairfield has nicer rooms, and possibly better service, we're perfectly willing to actually pay $15-$20 per room MORE to be at the Ramada simply for what appears to be excellent pool and good breakfast. With a party of six, spending $40 more per night but getting free breakfast is a totally reasonable trade off assuming everyone finds things they want to eat... and I know we'll be taking breaks in the afternoons for the pool, we specifically decided to go for six days (four full days, a short one at the start and end) so we didn't feel rushed and could have some down time at the hotel.

Someone who isn't going to use the pool, or tends to bring food with them and eat breakfast in the room, or has dietary restrictions, or wants "points" with a major hotel chain, well, they are going to make different decisions, for sure! Especially if they are willing to shuttle or ART.

 

[All American]

Well... my husband will only go to Disneyland if we stay at a resort hotel.While I loved staying at the DLH,this next trip is killing me budget wise.I would gladly stay on Harbour but no amount of hotel reviews or talking will change his mind.

That's so funny. I was going to say the same thing. My decision was easy. My husband said, "If we go, we are staying at the Disneyland Hotel." That was fine by me.

 

[katejc]

Just want to put in another vote for the Candy Cane Inn. We have stayed there many times and always had a good experience. The shuttle is great and only goes to and from your hotel, and the breakfast is not gourmet, but certainly appreciated on those MM days! Staff is always nice and helpful, and while the pool is smallish, there always seems to be enough room and lounge chairs! Good luck with your decision and have a great time!

 

[nana50]

That's so funny. I was going to say the same thing. My decision was easy. My husband said, "If we go, we are staying at the Disneyland Hotel." That was fine by me.

That is the only place I stay now too. Of course I only stay one night and go about twice a year. If I stayed more than 2 nights it would be the hilton when they have a deal or the sheraton as they have a dedicated shuttle.

 

[awesson]

That's so funny. I was going to say the same thing. My decision was easy. My husband said, "If we go, we are staying at the Disneyland Hotel." That was fine by me.

My husband is the same way. We take advantage of the monorail and the walk is always enjoyable thru Downtown Disney. We are also planning on a 7 day vacation with 4 days in the park and one afternoon/evening at the Halloween party, the first and last days being travel days, that we spend at the pool or hanging around the Disneyland Hotel. There is so much to see and do around the Hotel/Downtown Disney! For the Distance and comfort I had also considered the Fairfield Inn and HoJo's, but I don't think I would be able to talk the hubby into either of them.

 

[goofyfordisney]

My husband is the same way. We take advantage of the monorail and the walk is always enjoyable thru Downtown Disney. We are also planning on a 7 day vacation with 4 days in the park and one afternoon/evening at the Halloween party, the first and last days being travel days, that we spend at the pool or hanging around the Disneyland Hotel. There is so much to see and do around the Hotel/Downtown Disney! For the Distance and comfort I had also considered the Fairfield Inn and HoJo's, but I don't think I would be able to talk the hubby into either of them.

My DH is the same...When we go to DL with my DH, its on-site all the way!

I was trying to pull together a 'budget' two night trip before my son goes away to college in August. I was really happy to find the Sheraton Park Club AAA rate of $171 (included full breakfast, evening offerings, parking and wi-fi). When I told my DH where we were going to stay, he said "What, we're not staying on-site?" grrrrr.... Oh well! Its only money, right?

As much as I love to stay on-site, I would be pretty happy staying anywhere near DL!

When I go to DL with my mom, we have always stayed at the CCI. She likes how compact everything is. She wakes up and gets her breakfast in the morning and sits by the pool & waits for the rest of us to get up! We like the shuttle too.

 

[mystic_path]

For me it is all about location, location, location, and also what trip packages offer for a decent price. I dont like to shuttle it, as I like to step out my hotel door walk across the street and enter Disneyland park. I'm not a picky one when it comes to rooms, and I can stay in any of the harbor blvd hotels and motels as long as the rooms are clean, and the beds are comfortable. If it has a nice pool that is a bonus, but you cant beat the location and the fact there are lots of restaurants around. Basically if I cant stay on the harbor Blvd close to the Disneyland entrance cross walk, I wont go! As much as I would LOVE to stay onsite all the time, I actually prefer to save my money and put it into other fun activities in the park. This time around we are doing character meals, WOC dining, and Fantasmic dessert package, as well as 3 non Disney day excursions. I dunno if I could have afforded that with forking out money for on site hotels. I have stayed at the Disneyland hotel, but I also found that some of the off site hotels are much closer of a walk then some of the resort hotels, especially with tired feet at the end of the day.

 

[Bungle]

Honestly where we stay changes with every trip. We tried cheap, close and family and now we are going to try farther out with a shuttle. I would just pick one of two things that are the most important to you and then find a hotel that fits that. Asking here is always good because I think between everyone on the board we have probably stayed everywhere.

 

[rsleleux]

Honestly where we stay changes with every trip. We tried cheap, close and family and now we are going to try farther out with a shuttle. I would just pick one of two things that are the most important to you and then find a hotel that fits that. Asking here is always good because I think between everyone on the board we have probably stayed everywhere.

Exactly! That is why I come to the board for advise! I know WDW so well because we go every year for Mardi Gras but for our first DLR trip and Disney Dream Cruise, the board was invaluable! Our first trip was so amazing in May, we are going back in October...just need to figure out where to stay!

 

[bethyylovee]

When we go, hands down it's The Embassy Suites. Unfortunately it isn't exactly walking distance from the entrance, but it's close enough. They have an amazing, free, full breakfast. And even a happy hour at 4 with snack and pizza and things. It saves us a lot of money in food. It's always extremely clean, the staff is always helpful and friendly, and the decor is so cool! We've stayed in many (Carousel, Castle, Double Tree, Homewood, Four Points, and even the Grand California Inn)

Speaking of which, if you ever get a chance (or have the funds) I suggest at least once staying in the Grand California Inn. It's so great, and it's nice having the entrance go straight to Downtown Disney. You get a great view! The downsides are that it's WAY expensive, and you need to tell them you want a room close to the elevators if possible. The entire hotel has four elevators, and they're all in the same hallway. We had to go up to the top and walk about a football field and a half to get to our room. And at the end of the day when you're tired, that's a little much. But lesson learned! (They may have changed it since my stay, it was about 4 years ago.)

So my vote stands at Embassy Suites.

Edit: Also, we book with Getaway today, and they always have really good packages for Embassy.

 

[raiderfan]

When we go, hands down it's The Embassy Suites. Unfortunately it isn't exactly walking distance from the entrance, but it's close enough. They have an amazing, free, full breakfast. And even a happy hour at 4 with snack and pizza and things. It saves us a lot of money in food. It's always extremely clean, the staff is always helpful and friendly, and the decor is so cool! We've stayed in many (Carousel, Castle, Double Tree, Homewood, Four Points, and even the Grand California Inn)

Speaking of which, if you ever get a chance (or have the funds) I suggest at least once staying in the Grand California Inn. It's so great, and it's nice having the entrance go straight to Downtown Disney. You get a great view! The downsides are that it's WAY expensive, and you need to tell them you want a room close to the elevators if possible. The entire hotel has four elevators, and they're all in the same hallway. We had to go up to the top and walk about a football field and a half to get to our room. And at the end of the day when you're tired, that's a little much. But lesson learned! (They may have changed it since my stay, it was about 4 years ago.)

So my vote stands at Embassy Suites.

Edit: Also, we book with Getaway today, and they always have really good packages for Embassy.

We generally try to stay at Embassy Suites as well but... I saw a recent post and then checked the bedbug registry. They have had some people that recently posted bedbug reports so it's the HOJO this time.

 

[lorieintucson]

We have staved at GCH twice and last time at DLH. Or next trip will be staying at Fairfield becausse of the proximity. We started with both of my boys 2&4 in a double stroller, so proximity and staying in the Disney bubble was our priority (thus, GCH). But our last trip to GC had the magic dulled a bit when we went to get ice and found someone perhaps couldn't get their room door open and used the ice room as a bathroom. (note: finding random poop at a Disney hotel does result in a discount). Some things can't be unseen so we were game to to the newly remodeled DLH for holidays last year. The rooms were new and amazing and I somehow got a killer fall deal two weeks before Christmas. (seriously only $400 more for four days than a GN motel on harbor).

This time I didn't want to wait for fall specials to be released, and with the boys older 4 &6 we are going to cross the street and try off prop. (I also wanted to get another beach vacation weekend in this summer) for the same trip I am saving $1k by doing FFI. I needed somhting still close enough to use a stroller (not going to mess with folding and unfolding the BOB anc dealng with lunch bags- we bring food due to DS's food allergies--on shuttles) And it had to be at least as close as DLH. I know there really isn't a real difference in distance, so I'm hoping that FFI will be worth the price difference. Funny thing is that I still don't consider PP worth the money... If it is DLR is is going to be GC or DLH. (or maybe FFI, or ?)

 

[bethyylovee]

We generally try to stay at Embassy Suites as well but... I saw a recent post and then checked the bedbug registry. They have had some people that recently posted bedbug reports so it's the HOJO this time.

OH MY GOSH! Ahhh. That's terrifying!