If you had the choice, which would you choose?

[21yankees]

The Fairfield Marriott (across from DL) or the Residence Inn (near Garden Grove)?

We're a family of 5, dh, me, and our 3 kids (ages at the time of the trip are: 5, 6, and 9). I'm using reward points and they work out to be the same total so no worries there. We're going in December.

All inputs (pros, cons, previous experience) is welcome.

Thanks
Steph

 

[Flitterific]

I've never stayed at the Residence but FFI is definitely not my favorite place to stay. DBF and I stayed there once because everything else was ridiculously expensive and the location was great. Their room we stayed at was pretty old and dark and their TV is sooo small! Only good thing was that they have free internet and a mini fridge in the room if you want to keep your drinks cold or have things that need to be refrigerated. I'd much rather stay at HoJo's which is a few doors down.

 

[FlameGirl]

Never stayed at FFI, but our next trip we are staying at Residence Inn. I guess that doesn't answer your question specifically, but there you go.

 

[reynmagsmom]

We loved the Fairfield...beds were very comfy and walk was great 5 mins or so to front gates the McDonalds is in front of hotel so easy cheap breakfast... we also really liked the pool and spa... if we got the same great rate we would for sure stay there again

 

[PirateFairy8]

I stayed at the FFI 5 years ago in 2005 and loved it. We are staying there again in April. That doesn't answer your question either, sorry!

 

[4bugzinarug]

We LOVED the Residence Inn Garden Grove! Our room had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the kid's bedroom had bunkbeds and an activity table with chairs. We were very comfortable for the entire stay .... the pool was great and the shuttle picked up right in front.

In fact, we are currently staying at the Crowne Plaza across the street, and my son was just pressing his face against the window and drooling over "the bunkbed hotel!". We used priceline and scored the Crowne Plaza for $42, which is about 1/4 of what we paid for the Residence Inn

Breakfast was included, and there was a snack each afternoon. They also have a movie room right next to the breakfast area. Kind of a mini-theatre for the kids.

If we could swing it, we would be back there in a heartbeat!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

We loved the Fairfield Inn when we stayed there. I have pics in my siggie below if you want to see what a real room looks like as opposed to one the hotels put out. The beds were comfy, and the hotel conveniently located. With that said, if we were a family of 5 and could get the RI at the same price as FFI, I would probably pick RI because you get the hot breakfast buffet, and the rooms look much larger (depending what room type you get).

 

[Stacerita]

Hey Steph! Will you guys mind driving to the park each day? That would be the thing I would look at first. I haven't stayed at this particular Residence Inn, but have stayed at others, and I haven't stayed at one I didn't like. They have tons of rooms, and if Im not mistaken, kitchens. But not close enough to walk. So if you will be there, you may need to factor in parking money in the price and see if that's worth it. But for a family, that might be a good choice.

 

[Tommy_B]

I would choose the Fairfield Inn over the RI in Garden Grove probably on location alone, it is an easy walk across the street. If it was the RI Maingate, I would choose that Residence Inn over the Fairfield in a heart beat.

The advantage of the RI of course is the breakfast they do and the kitchen in the unit. If doing your own cooking is more important than walking to the park, go with the RI GG.

 

[21yankees]

Thank you all for your thoughts. It's still a tough call for us. We love that Fairfield is right across from the parks. But we love the bigger room a Residence Inn offers as well as a free breakfast. I'm thinking the Fairfield is going to be what we chose based on the location and the fact that we're going to do a character breakfast and we really want to take advantage of being there for rope drop the one morning we'll be there w/o MM.

I stayed at the Fairfield this past December and it's nice for its purpose (a place to sleep and keep your stuff). I think if we were going for a longer trip we'd pick the Residence (I like to have the kitchen for a few meals).

Thanks again!

Steph

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thank you all for your thoughts. It's still a tough call for us. We love that Fairfield is right across from the parks. But we love the bigger room a Residence Inn offers as well as a free breakfast. I'm thinking the Fairfield is going to be what we chose based on the location and the fact that we're going to do a character breakfast and we really want to take advantage of being there for rope drop the one morning we'll be there w/o MM.

I stayed at the Fairfield this past December and it's nice for its purpose (a place to sleep and keep your stuff). I think if we were going for a longer trip we'd pick the Residence (I like to have the kitchen for a few meals).

Thanks again!

Steph

Have you looked at the RI Maingate?

Jack

 

[KCmike]

Fairfield Inn gets my vote. We stay there and loved the proximity to DL, McDonalds, and having the pizza hut express in the establishment. It's a winner.

 

[onelilspark]

Have you checked without using points? I know the Fairfield requires a lot of points, much more so than other Fairfields! (And I think it's just about the same as the Marriott around the corner!) IMO, with price compared to points, I'd pay.

 

[21yankees]

The Residence Inn Main Gate isn't available during the days we're planning on going. We've stayed there and it's very nice (walking distance for us too). We've also stayed at the Towne Place Suites near the Angels Stadium and it was nice too (w/ the exception of the distance).

I know that Fairfield is high on points (due to its location). I have looked at the prices of the hotels w/o points but the big 'pro' to my husband and I is to do this trip inexpensively so a 'free' hotel is a major plus. Especially since we'll be getting 3 kid 2 day parkhoppers, 1 adult 2 day parkhopper, and 1 AP (not sure which one I'm getting yet)

The other thing that I didn't mention in my first post is that my dh has some leg issues and having the hotel close is another big bonus. This way if he wants/needs to go back and rest his leg, I'll be able to stay with the kids at the park and get back to the hotel when we're ready.

Thanks again. I still have a little time to plan but I want to reserve it in the very near future.

steph

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi Steph,

I think the Fairfield Inn is a good choice. You'll save a lot of time by just walking across the street. If you want a fairly inexpensive breakfast you can eat right at Millie's, or pick up something to take to your room to eat in the morning.

Have a great time!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

The other thing that I didn't mention in my first post is that my dh has some leg issues and having the hotel close is another big bonus. This way if he wants/needs to go back and rest his leg, I'll be able to stay with the kids at the park and get back to the hotel when we're ready.

Thanks again. I still have a little time to plan but I want to reserve it in the very near future.

In that case, then you should stay at FFI. There are good restaurants nearby that you can eat at inexpensively like Millie or Mimi's or even McD's...Have fun!

 

[Hound 109]

I know that Fairfield is high on points (due to its location). I have looked at the prices of the hotels w/o points but the big 'pro' to my husband and I is to do this trip inexpensively so a 'free' hotel is a major plus. Especially since we'll be getting 3 kid 2 day parkhoppers, 1 adult 2 day parkhopper, and 1 AP (not sure which one I'm getting yet)

The other thing that I didn't mention in my first post is that my dh has some leg issues and having the hotel close is another big bonus. This way if he wants/needs to go back and rest his leg, I'll be able to stay with the kids at the park and get back to the hotel when we're ready.

Thanks again. I still have a little time to plan but I want to reserve it in the very near future.

steph

I've stayed at the Fairfield when it was level 3 Marriot Points. Worth it because of the short distance. But at level 5, I wouldn't waste them on the Fairfield when i could stay at a Mega Resort on a non-disney vacation instead.

If my spouse had "leg issues" I'd look at the Candy Cane (because of the dedicated shuttle). Even w/o leg issues, I'd look at the Candy Cane anyway (because of the dedicated shuttle & the free breakfast) & would consider it over the Fairfield & save those level 5 points for a hotel that justifies level 5.