Sorry this is super long
I've stayed at all 3 and for what you are looking for I would stay at RI.
RI
Pro-
spacious-we had the penthouse suite which slept up to 8. There was a king in the loft (with it's own bathroom), a bedroom with 2 queens and a sleeper sofa. The stairs for the loft are pretty steep so I would think about who would sleep upstairs. The loft room also is a bit of a tight squeeze. In ours they had a small chair in the corner next to the night stand and DH had to maneuver himself to get into bed. It's not too bad just something to consider. The room with the 2 queens was wider than the room you would get at CCI (meaning your bed wasn't touching the AC unit next to the window)
breakfast-pretty good considering you got hot food. We had waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon. Then there was your usually continental fanfare. My DH is a HUGE breakfast fan and he really appreciated the breakfast at RI. The eating area is good too if your room is too far to bring food back. There were plenty of tables.
Kitchen/grocery service-My family is big on making their own meals while at DL (not me!!!) so they liked to option of going back to the room to make a dinner or whatever. You can leave your grocery list at the front desk and get your groceries delivered to your room in the afternoon. The kitchen has the basics for you to cook and eat. It was nice to have.
Con-
It's a bit far. It took us about 20 min to walk from our room to the gates. We are average walkers. I didn't care having to cross the streets with my LO dawdling about. If you don't mind walking then this might not be a con for you.
For my family, I dreaded the walk back as my LO was super tired, it was at night and though we had a big group of us walking back we had some creeper guy following us. We had my 70yo grandma with us and we had to take ART 1 night. I think it was just too much for her at the end of the day.
Parking-depending on where your room is parking can be a bit tight. We were at the far back of the property but the only parking that was close to our rooms were near the front. Those were full and the other spots were so far away. There was a big bus taking a lot of space in which others could have parked. But we were able to move our cars closer the following day.
It seemed a bit outdated. I'm not sure if it was just my unit but it felt kinda of.... old and dirty. The carpet felt gross underneath your feet (I always wear slippers but check when I first check in just to see
)
Hojo-
Pro
Proximity-loved that we were so closed to the parks, seemed like it was less than 10 min.
Space-the room was a good size for a family of 3, though we were in a deluxe room, not a suite.
Staff-I'm a big believer on happy staff=great customer service. HoJo staff have always been gracious and nice. I've never encountered a rude employee.
Kiddie Pool-self explanatory
Con-
I actually have never had a con for HoJo except no breakfast for DH. It's not 1 for me since I'd rather eat in the park or wait until brunch.
CCI
Pro
proximity-google maps has CCI at approx .52 miles to the gate while Hojo's is about .51 miles. I feel it's about 10 min for both routes.
Cleanliness-I cannot express how much I appreciate the cleanliness of the room. I was able to let DS walk around barefoot (as he was in a "I hate socks" phase) and he never got those gross black feet. LOVE IT!
Breakfast-decent enough, nothing substantial but a little breakfast is better than no breakfast. Tiny breakfast area. DH always brought breakfast back to the room.
Quaintness-I really feel like is a hidden gen tucked behind some shrubs. It doesn't have the "motel" feel, IYKWIM. I think it's very well kept. I never felt like there was a safety issue.
Staff-like HoJos I've never had a bad experience with their staff. Super nice and if you look at tripadvisor, the GM answers almost every single review. IMHumbleO, I think that says a lot.
Shuttle-having their own private shuttle is nice BUT it drops you off at the edge of the parking area (not where the ART buses drop people off). So if you wait for the shuttle at the end of the night and other people in your party walk, more than likely those people will get there before you and probably have started settling in for the night when you walk in the door.
Cons
Space-those rooms are tiny. One of our beds were right next to the AC unit next to the window. I didn't mind as it was just the 3 of us BUT for 5 people I would get stir crazy. The room we stayed at in GCH was much bigger than the CCI room we had. It's a pretty tight squeeze for 2Qs.
No elevator-I don't this is a big con BUT it was a pain when we checked in at midnight with a pre-schooler and they gave us a room on the second floor. We put our luggage in the stoller to use as a cart and then realized there was no elevator. So if someone in your party has an issue getting up and down stairs, request for a 1st floor room.
Pool-nothing to write home about. It is very pretty for a motel pool. Clean and pretty to look at.
I will throw in Desert Palms because I think they are actually decent now.
Pro-
space-depending on what room you get, there is ample space to fit 5 people. The Borrego (2Q and sleeper sofa) was good for us when we went with my sister and a couple of cousins. I believe there is also a 2BD, 2BA suite and each room has 2Qs. The cleanliness was pretty good too. No black feet from my LO to show me.
Breakfast-IMO, it was between RI and CCI. It has really improved as a few years before their reno I would not recommend DP to anyone because their breakfast consisted of really old pastries and yucky juice in a scary, dark room near the underground garage. Their rooms were very outdateed and yucky. The DP has improved tremendously.
FYI:
proximity-it's just a bit further and CCI (if you are walking down S. Harbor toward W. Katella you would hit CCI first, then this tiny mom and pop convenience store (ABC store), 7-11 is right next to that (on the corner of Harbor and Katella) and then DP around the corner. It's only a couple min. more nothing too extreme.
Pool-we didn't use it but IIRC, it was indoor. Nothing to write home about though there were plenty of kids enjoying it.
There is a coin-op laundry facility at DP too.
Con-Parking can be a pain. Tiny spots and huge cars that take up two spaces.
Staff-they can be testy at times. Some are fabulous while others ignore you.
I would stick with HoJo. Then drop all of these suggestions when the offers for the DLR hotels come out and you can book one of those.
oh and please excuse typos, I'm typing 1 handed ATM! LOL
Riverbelle Terrace is a favorite from my past as well. I always get nostalgic thinking of Walt sitting there....
