Just back from Disneyland - Any questions?

[never2muchdisney]

Hello – Spent past 6 days at Disneyland for part of the Spring Break. Lucky enough to get to leave a day sooner than planned, so didn’t have motel reservations for that night. Able to stay at the Castle Inn & Suites for one night before moving over to the Candy Cane Inn where we had a 5 night reservation. Traveled with 5 adults, 1 child, and 1 baby. Had a wonderful time – hard not to at Disneyland!!

Some headlines:
*Castle Inn & Suites – well, I can give details if anyone is interested
*Candy Cane Inn – wonderful as always (our two favorite off sites are Candy Cane and Hojo)
*California Adventure was under major construction. Sunwheel and Carousel down for refurbishing.
*Lots of ride problems all 6 days in CA. Soarin, Screamin’ and Tower of Terror were shut down at least twice daily all six days. We heard many people mention it was because of power outages from the construction – could just be rumor or coincidence. A lot of people were unhappy, and wondering around looking for things to do. Long lines even in the fastpass lines because of shut downs.
*Toy story line was never shorter than 45 minutes – up to 90 minutes when Screamin’ was down.
*Indiana Jones, Thunder Mt, and Space Mt all 3 shut down Saturday & Sunday at different times during the day at Disneyland. Again, the fastpass line for Space Mt was a 40 minute wait when we went to use our tickets Saturday. (We think the stand by line was 90 mins)
*Saw the Elvis show featuring Scot Bruce at Tomorrowland Terrace – very good.
*No Fantasmic shows – darn, we love that show.
*Mark Twain was running during the night – fun to ride again after dark – haven’t done that since Fantasmic started.
*New additions to Small World are cute – The whole ride changed and is very nicely done.
*We noticed some small things that aren’t common to Disneyland, like burned out lights on some of the signs, full trash cans, running out of food at the portable concession stands. We figure it’s due to the layoffs, but someone said Anaheim wasn't part of the layoffs.

Still, we had a wonderful time, and started saving for our next vacation. Glad to answer any questions.

 

[BecBennett]

Is DCA still fun? Or is the construction a bit much?

We're still going to spend plenty of time there when we're there in May, and most likely enjoy ourselves, but it would be nice to know what to expect...

 

[Tasscrapper]

I haven't heard of the Elvis show can you give more details about that?

 

[mechurchlady]

I haven't heard of the Elvis show can you give more details about that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3zkT6FfrSU&feature=channel
Tomorrowland Terrace has various local bands and other entertainment on weekends. There are lots of videos on youtube starring him.

 

[Tasscrapper]

Thanks. That's pretty cool.

 

[ironlou]

*California Adventure was under major construction. Sunwheel and Carousel down for refurbishing.

I think when we go in June that most of that will be up and running but it sucks you had to deal with all non-disney look.

*Lots of ride problems all 6 days in CA. Soarin, Screamin’ and Tower of Terror were shut down at least twice daily all six days. We heard many people mention it was because of power outages from the construction – could just be rumor or coincidence. A lot of people were unhappy, and wondering around looking for things to do. Long lines even in the fastpass lines because of shut downs.

I've never heard of that many problems. Kinda strange that people were standing around a place like Disneyland. Heck I could spend a whole day without even touching a ride.

*Toy story line was never shorter than 45 minutes – up to 90 minutes when Screamin’ was down.

45 min is all? Can anyone remember the days before fastpass? I easily will stand in line for over an hour. I did that when I went to WDW and stood in line for over an hour in Expedition Everest.

*Indiana Jones, Thunder Mt, and Space Mt all 3 shut down Saturday & Sunday at different times during the day at Disneyland. Again, the fastpass line for Space Mt was a 40 minute wait when we went to use our tickets Saturday. (We think the stand by line was 90 mins)

Not bad!

*New additions to Small World are cute – The whole ride changed and is very nicely done.

So the changes are small or do they stand out?

*We noticed some small things that aren’t common to Disneyland, like burned out lights on some of the signs, full trash cans, running out of food at the portable concession stands. We figure it’s due to the layoffs, but someone said Anaheim wasn't part of the layoffs.

This one is very unusual because you never ever see trash cans full. The portable concession stands have run out of things before but the maintenance stuff baffles me. Thanks for the small report!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

So the changes [at Small World] are small or do they stand out?

I thought I would offer my opinion on this. it's a small world has always been my absolutely favorite ride at DLR. Yes, honestly. Sadly, no more. The character additions have ruined it for me. To me, instead of sailing around the world with chldren around the world singing about harmony and peace on earth it is now a "look there's (insert disney character here)!" amongst children around the world.

They stick out, are VERY obvious and noticeable. This iasw lover does not like the character additions at all.

- Dreams

 

[S. S. Columbia]

What did you think of the Castle Inn & Suites?

 

[mechurchlady]

I thought I would offer my opinion on this. it's a small world has always been my absolutely favorite ride at DLR. Yes, honestly. Sadly, no more. The character additions have ruined it for me. To me, instead of sailing around the world with chldren around the world singing about harmony and peace on earth it is now a "look there's (insert disney character here)!" amongst children around the world.

They stick out, are VERY obvious and noticeable. This iasw lover does not like the character additions at all.

- Dreams

I agree and some new dolls no longer have moving eyes. Save money on maintaining the eyes but that also ruins it for me. Also "whree is it" so that it becomes a "Where the Character" ride. I miss the ol version.

 

[wannagoback]

What did you think of the Castle Inn & Suites?

It sounds like one day was "2muchCastleInn."

I'd like to know as well. I stayed there last year and it wasn't anything great and I didn't really think I would stay there again. However, I got a great rate for an upcoming trip, sort of last minute, and I'm staying there next week. We had some issues with our fridge, but nothing major and the front desk was friendly. I don't mind returning there for the price I got.

 

[never2muchdisney]

Is DCA still fun? Or is the construction a bit much?

We're still going to spend plenty of time there when we're there in May, and most likely enjoy ourselves, but it would be nice to know what to expect...

It's still fun, we had a good time. Not as exciting to look over the pier right now, as it's all boarded up around the construction area, except for crossing the bridge. We stood on the bridge and watched them work for about 20 minutes. But the construction doesn't affect Hollywood area, Bugs Land, Rapid Ride area, the entrance plaza area, or over by the Stinger. The construction area consists of all the area where the water used to be. The water is gone, and the building is all in that area. I wish I could be more helpful with the names of the areas it doesn't affect. Only 2 rides were closed for cleaning: Carousel and Sunwheel. All the other rides are open, they just had troubles keeping them running all day. The park excitement, smells, and noises, and music are all still there. CA closed at 9:00 the nights we were there. Gave us time to shut down that park and still hit the DL fireworks every night.

 

[never2muchdisney]

I haven't heard of the Elvis show can you give more details about that?

The show is about 40 minutes long. It’s an Elvis impersonator named Scot Bruce. He did an excellent job. Included the crowd most of the show. Very entertaining. He said they would be back again the end of May for 2 more nights. I’d recommend the show – it’s fun and it’s free.

 

[never2muchdisney]

I'd like to know as well. I stayed there last year and it wasn't anything great and I didn't really think I would stay there again. However, I got a great rate for an upcoming trip, sort of last minute, and I'm staying there next week. We had some issues with our fridge, but nothing major and the front desk was friendly. I don't mind returning there for the price I got.

So, years ago (maybe 12), we always stayed at the Castle Inn and Suites. It was great for a family on a budget, close enough to walk to Disneyland, and it had a little atmosphere. But the past 12 years, we’ve enjoyed staying at the Candy Cane or HoJo, each having their own special reasons why we pick them.

We were lucky enough to get to leave one day earlier than planned, so we had to make some last minute reservations. CCI & Hojo were both booked for that one night, so we went back to our old standby: Castle Inn & Suites. Got a reservation for the family suite (2 queens & 1 king bed). We were traveling with 5 adults, 1 child, and 1 baby. So the sleeping arrangements were perfect for us, as the baby slept in a playpen.

The check in staff were very nice and quick. The grounds, as we walked to our room were clean. The pool has a capacity of 23 and was quit small, so all 7 of us couldn’t go swimming at the same time (note: not a big deal). The suites are all in the very back, against the wall of another motel.

Not to say that the Castle Inn doesn’t have security, we just never noticed any all night, unlike Hojo and CCI that have security out 24 -7. Now mind you, we’re not motel nit-pickers, but some of the things here were quite obvious: the carpet was way past worn & unraveling, with old stains in both rooms that couldn’t be removed professionally, you could see the springs in two of the three beds, the bedding was clean but very well used, the curtain in the 2nd room didn’t fit the window – the people standing on the motel balcony behind our motel waved to us! We used a hairclip to cinch the curtains together for privacy. The front room with the king size bed is not big enough for a king size bed – you have to take turns going around the bed to get to the bathroom. The second room has a nice area with a counter & sink, makes it nice for washing hands & brushing teeth while someone else is using the bathroom, but the lighting must be from the late 60’s making it useless. The room came with a nice refrigerator and microwave, and a coffee pot that balances on the refrigerator (if 2 people try to squeeze past the king size bed at the same time, the coffee pot falls on the worn carpet). There are 2 TV’s, one in each room, but even with the volume as low as possible, you still can hear each other’s TV’s. We just got the giggles, and finally turned our TV off. The bathroom is also clean, but quite old – there’s even an old coke bottle cap remover hanging on the bathroom cabinet – again – most likely from the 60’s. There were plenty of towels and washcloths for all of us, but only enough motel shampoo (no conditioner) for 2 people. Oh, and only enough coffee for the balancing coffee pot for two people also.

There is a small gift shop area onsite. Again, nice staff running it. But a single candy bar costs $1.95, so you can imagine the cost of everything else in there. Right next door is a great Chinese, Subway, and Pizza place. But if you bring your food back to the Castle, be prepared to have just one tiny, tiny waste basket to put all your trash in. Outside each room is a large covered trash can, but I don’t think they’ve been cleaned out since the 60’s! (The lids are untouchable)

The high light of the Castle Inn stay was watching a woman from housekeeping load her purse with motel shampoo before going home for the evening.

In summary, the suites are very small, old interiors, old bedding, old beds, old lighting, old plumbing, no extras, but it’s clean (except the trash cans and carpets), close to good food and the parks, and have a friendly staff.

We paid $175.00 for a one night stay in the biggest room they offer. We’ve stayed in much nicer for less, and have stayed in much less costing more. I wouldn’t recommend the Castle Inn to a friend, but I wouldn’t discourage a friend from staying there either. It’s all up to each person as to what’s worth your buck. For us, not worth our buck, but we were on vacation, and anything goes. LOL

 

[wannagoback]

I wouldn’t recommend the Castle Inn to a friend, but I wouldn’t discourage a friend from staying there either. It’s all up to each person as to what’s worth your buck.

This is spot on with how I feel about the hotel. I was worried that something happened in the last year and the hotel took a nosedive. I'm glad to hear that it's probably the same as it was last year. For this trip, it is worth my buck (last time was before I met the DIS and my TA suggested the hotel). If I had more time to plan and make reservations further in advance to get a great rate somewhere else, I would choose to stay elsewhere. But, booking 4 weeks out doesn't leave too many options sometimes.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback on the hotel.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

In summary, the suites are very small, old interiors, old bedding, old beds, old lighting, old plumbing, no extras, but it’s clean (except the trash cans and carpets), close to good food and the parks, and have a friendly staff.

Thank you for the review of the Castle Inn & Suites.

 

[never2muchdisney]

I forgot to mention that we wore our pedometers during our trip. The walk from the Castle Inn & Suites to the DL entrance gate (past the tram, pass the shuttle docks, pass the security check point) was .90 miles ( just under 1 mile). The walk from Candy Cane Inn to the DL entrance is .80 miles. Walking to the parks was a piece of cake. Walking back to the motel after racking up 9 miles/day at the parks was not an option. We always took the shuttle back to the motel!!! The last pick up from to parks to the Candy Cane Inn was 12:45. DL closed at midnight.

 

[redsox721]

Thoughts on the Candy Cane Inn. We are staying there May 3-9 in a deluxe room. Thanks.

 

[never2muchdisney]

Thoughts on the Candy Cane Inn. We are staying there May 3-9 in a deluxe room. Thanks.

We travel down to Anaheim every 12-18 months, and have stayed in many of the offsite motels. Our two favorites are Candy Cane Inn and Hojo. Candy Cane is our first choice if we’re not traveling with kids or grandkids. Hojo is a much more family geared place. Both are great for different reasons.

CCI is pricier than a majority of the other motels in the area, but its pluses are:
Friendly staff
Excellent continental breakfast
Secure, clean grounds
Free shuttle - .8 miles from parks
Larger, well maintained rooms
Very nice pool
Easy parking
Close to mini store, 7-11, and several fast food restaurants

 

[redsox721]

We travel down to Anaheim every 12-18 months, and have stayed in many of the offsite motels. Our two favorites are Candy Cane Inn and Hojo. Candy Cane is our first choice if we’re not traveling with kids or grandkids. Hojo is a much more family geared place. Both are great for different reasons.

CCI is pricier than a majority of the other motels in the area, but its pluses are:
Friendly staff
Excellent continental breakfast
Secure, clean grounds
Free shuttle - .8 miles from parks
Larger, well maintained rooms
Very nice pool
Easy parking
Close to mini store, 7-11, and several fast food restaurants

Thanks for the info. We are looking forward to our first trip to DL and California. We were originally booked at the HOJO but the rates came down for the Candy Cane Inn to make it worth staying there. It was our first choice anyway. It just seems more "romantic" and since we are celebrating our 25th anniversary, it won out over the HOJO.

 

[never2muchdisney]

Thanks for the info. We are looking forward to our first trip to DL and California. We were originally booked at the HOJO but the rates came down for the Candy Cane Inn to make it worth staying there. It was our first choice anyway. It just seems more "romantic" and since we are celebrating our 25th anniversary, it won out over the HOJO.

You'll have a wonderful time, especially since you booked a Deluxe room. Great anniversary gift to yourselves! Enjoy your DL trip.