Just back!

[bambigirl88]

Just returned from our 10 day trip........and while it is still fresh in my mind.....I wondered if anybody had any questions?

We stayed at both the Candy Cane Inn and the Park Vue Inn.
Both were pleasant to stay at, but I know a lot of people have questions (as I did) about accommodations, so fire away if you have questions.


We had a 5 day parkhopper, and went mornings, and then back to the hotels in the afternoon for nap, swim and dinner, then back for the evening until the fireworks when hubby and ds 6, went back. DD 10 and I, usually did Matterhorn and BTMRR before turning in.

Now the strategy we used for seeing Nemo...........

One thing I feel worked for us....was using our EE to go to Nemo. I did not think I was going to do that, but we arrived on a Monday am at 6:45, were let in at 7ish, and Nemo opens at 7:15. We stood in line, (a long one that moved fairly quickly) rode the ride and were done at 7:50. (walk fast to the ride; or run with the mob ) first thing.
Then we walked over to FantasyLand, and rode most rides with less than 5-10 min wait. Most had virtually no wait, cuz everyone by that time entering the park was running over to Nemo. After 9am till park closing I never once saw the line less than 1.5 hrs. Most of the time it was 2 hrs. After Fantasyland, we got coffee and rode the Railroad around the park to give the kids a tour for their first visit and us a break. We got off at New Orleans around 9:30 and rode HM and Pirates with about 10 min waits each. Ran over to Tomorrowland and rode Buzz and Startours with minimal waits as well (for the summer) Overall, we found Sunday and Monday mornings to be the least crowded and we never waited more than 20 minutes for rides before noon, around dinner time, and after the fireworks (except Space Mountain which we never got to ride cuz it was always 60 min or more in the evenings and consistently ran out of FPs)

So, if anyone has q's or comments......fire away!

this is me now after our trip

 

[DisneyloverinWA]

Which hotel did you like better? how did they compare for prices? My sister and I are coming down to DL on august 11 and we don't have room reservations yet. Candy Cane was one that we were considering. How was is the walk to the parK?

DisneyloverinWA

 

[mystic_path]

OH so Nemo is an EE ride now?

 

[bambigirl88]

Which hotel did you like better? how did they compare for prices? My sister and I are coming down to DL on august 11 and we don't have room reservations yet. Candy Cane was one that we were considering. How was is the walk to the parK?

DisneyloverinWA

Candy Cane is definitely more upscale than the Park Vue. The grounds are lush and the whole place is well cared for. The only thing I did not like was the fact that it was a 10 min walk to the gate. This may seem trivial, but after staying at the Park Vue first, is was just so convenient to walk across the street.

The Park Vue for us was great as we had bunk beds for the kids and was 2 min walking from McDonalds, Mimi's Cafe and Next door to IHOP. From the convenience perspective, it was perfect. Having dinner offsite was very convenient there, as the CCI didn't have too much around in short walking distance. If you have a car, then your opportunities are endless.The pool was one of the old (but clean) kind that went from 3 feet to 9 feet. Nice for adults and kids that can swim well, not that great for the young set. They had a few trees and bushes to make it nice looking. The rooms were your average hotel type rooms.....green carpet and multi colored bedspreads....you get the idea, but clean. Bathrooms were re-done in marble countertops with shampoo and body wash included. The PV also included a microwave that the CCI did not. The only thing that annoyed me was the fact that they charged a $2 per night "environmental fee" that is not mentioned in anyplace on their website or on the confirmation email I got from them. 2 bucks is not a big deal, but I hate nickel and dime surprises. Also, we could easily see the fireworks every night from there which was nice.

The Candy Cane Inn had a shuttle that ran on the 1/2 hr to the park. If you missed it, it was a 10 min walk. Not a big deal, but by the 4th day at the park my feet were killing me and I found myself timing my time in the parks and in the mornings to schedule my family around the shuttle times. The shuttle ended at 12:45 am so staying as long as you want at the park was great. They were very considerate of making sure no one was running for the bus before they left the stop. The breakfasts at both places were very similar consisting of coffee/tea, apple and orange juice, donuts, pastries, cereals. The main difference between the breakfasts were that the Park Vue had waffles, and the CCI had bagels and cream cheese. Both fruit served at either hotel were a basket of bananas, apples, and oranges.
Right next door to the CCI is an ABC Market and a 7-11. It was nice to pop next door and get sandwiches for lunch, a coffee, and slurpees for reasonable prices. The ABC market also had a liquor selection, souvenirs, t-shirts and the like. The pools at CCI were great. The reg pool had 2 shallow ends which were great for the kids, a hot tub (PV did not have one) and a mini wading pool for the tots. The pool towels were the best I've ever seen. Huge thick white fluffy towels. I did laundry there one night, and it was $1 to wash or dry. I thought that was reasonable. If you stayed on the left side of the complex facing DL you can see some fireworks at night.

All in all, I would stay at either place again and would recommend them both

Oh by the way regarding prices, I booked back in March so my rates for Park Vue were 114 a night for a room with a Q and BB, and 129 at the CCI for a standard with 2 Q. CCI had really nice spa type things in the bathroom and a sink outside the toilet area. As time goes on, the prices go up. I shoulda booked in Dec for PV when their prices start at 99 a night. If you are going in the near future, I would be expecting your rooms would start at 135 a night and go up from there. The only super cheap deal I heard around there is the Motel 6 which some people I met there stayed for 69 a night. A steal of a price in the summer!

Enjoy!!

 

[bambigirl88]

OH so Nemo is an EE ride now?

Not "officially" but as the lines are so bad they do open it about 7:15. AT 7am they run a couple of test subs through to get it going first. The day we arrived we met some people in the pool who had been there a week and were just leaving. They managed to do Nemo using their EE from someone else who recommended to do so. If you are able to get there early in the EE line and scoot right over there (just follow the crowd!) you will have the shortest wait of any time. Some people were mad that they did not run the ride right at 7, but as it is not officially on the EE menu, I considered it a bonus.
When we were on the DL Railroad, the conductor points out the sights, and every time they would say....."and just over there is where you will find the never ending line of Nemo"

 

[brenda1966]

It's nice to read a positive review of the PArk Vue Inn because it seems the reviews on it are pretty bad usually and therefore I have avoided it (even though they sometimes have rock bottom rates).

Was the pool water really warm? Did you feel safe staying in that hotel?

Thanks!

 

[bambigirl88]

It's nice to read a positive review of the PArk Vue Inn because it seems the reviews on it are pretty bad usually and therefore I have avoided it (even though they sometimes have rock bottom rates).

Was the pool water really warm? Did you feel safe staying in that hotel?

Thanks!

Yes, I know what you mean. I was a bit nervous myself having read good and bad reviews, however I must say I was pleasantly surprised.
The pool water was warm. Not bathtub warm, but not cold either. Refreshing I guess, and I don't like cold pools either. I felt safe as anywhere I guess. The only thing I noticed that there were timeshare people hanging out front all the time. We just avoided their glance and moved along. I'd say it was safe as anywhere, as you didn't have to walk anywhere alone or too far to get to your room. There are a few panhandlers there at night, but nothing out of the ordinary. Beside the CCI there is an ABC Mart that had the timeshare gals too. The usual line was....Where are you from? I'll give you 100dollars not to go to the park today" or something to that effect.

Also, I forgot to mention that we got dreamed twice!!

There are CMs hanging around the parks in the morning giving out dream fastpasses. They are on a string for around your neck, and have instant fastpasses to all the rides that take them for DL and CA. They are only good for that day. My son and hubby got one coming off Buzz one morning, and then a few days later walking down a path from Storybook boats to Small world there is a little alley/path that the CMs were standing there giving them out. I heard another guy telling somebody there were freebies there, and instantly I knew what he was describing, so off we went down the path too! A lot of people asked where we got them, and where they could buy them. They did not seem to understand the "dreams come true" theme, and that this was one of the perks. It sure made for a nice day not having to run around getting FPs and just showing up whenever we wanted.

 

[Vanvmom]

Park Vue seems to have improved since we stayed there in 2002. At that point breakfast was danishes, the fruit you mentioned, and cold cereal. You had to pay for milk for the cereal. Speaking of nickel and dime expenses, this one bugged me a bit. Our room seemed a bit long and quite narrow - guess it all depends on what type of room you get.

We enjoyed the atmosphere at the CCI in mid-afternoon. We would go back and eat lunch/relax/nap. We bought cheese and crackers from the 7-11 some days, and others we walked across the street and bought sandwiches or pizza (not sure if those food places are still in the strip mall across Harbor from CCI or not). We would take our lunch and sit out at the tables by the stairwell on the second floor overlooking the pool area. Very relaxing and calming after a morning of lines and crowds.

 

[Vanvmom]

Also, I forgot to mention that we got dreamed twice!! It sure made for a nice day not having to run around getting FPs and just showing up whenever we wanted.

That's so cool to hear people posting about getting "dreamed." We've been several times during the "dreams" theme, but always as part of a group of 16 or more, so the fact we were never "dreamed" is not a real shocker. Glad to hear you enjoyed them so much!

I love the little things that make Disney so special. Once we were on the Mark Twain, and got asked by a CM if we wanted to ride up with the captain and help steer the ship. My boys were THRILLED to be somewhere Walt used to ride.

 

[bambigirl88]

We would take our lunch and sit out at the tables by the stairwell on the second floor overlooking the pool area. Very relaxing and calming after a morning of lines and crowds.

__________________

Yes, I really liked that part of the CCI too. Actually we would do just that.....get sandwiches from 7-11 and eat there in the alcoves while we waited for the housekeeping to do up our room.
Once we were napping in the afternoon when they came by, and so they left a note that we were missed due to the do not disturb sign on the door. It said if we needed anything just to phone the front desk and whatever we needed would be sent up. I thought it was a nice touch so we were not left wondering if they were coming or not.

 

[kiwitravel]

Very Informative review, we stayed at the Carousel last year but happy to look at any along that "across the road from Disney" spot as like you we found the closeness a real plus. I was interested in your room with the bunk beds, that make so much more sense than a double queen when travelling with kids. It must of given you more space in your room. Did your room at the Park Vue have a Microwave? This is also a must have for us. It does appear that the Park Vue gets very mixed reviews, glad to hear you had a good experience.

 

[bambigirl88]

I was interested in your room with the bunk beds, that make so much more sense than a double queen when travelling with kids. It must of given you more space in your room. Did your room at the Park Vue have a Microwave?

The room with the bunk beds did not have much more room as you would think. Our room was L shaped with our Q by the door, and the bunk beds across from the bathroom door. There was an alcove built into the wall that housed the microwave, coffee maker and fridge. It was really nice to have all three amenities.
The bathroom was newly updated with granite countertops. The sink area was inside the bathroom, not outside as some hotels have done, which gives you more space I think, but the bunk beds were wonderful for my kids......we had none of "stop kicking me", or "MOM, he's on MY side!"
I wish more places had B/B for a reasonable price

 

[snoodledoo]

The room with the bunk beds did not have much more room as you would think. Our room was L shaped with our Q by the door, and the bunk beds across from the bathroom door. There was an alcove built into the wall that housed the microwave, coffee maker and fridge. It was really nice to have all three amenities.
The bathroom was newly updated with granite countertops. The sink area was inside the bathroom, not outside as some hotels have done, which gives you more space I think, but the bunk beds were wonderful for my kids......we had none of "stop kicking me", or "MOM, he's on MY side!"
I wish more places had B/B for a reasonable price

I'm trying to decide on which close hotel for our visit in November, so this is a great thread! You wouldn't have any pictures of your rooms that you could post, would you? thanks!

PS...love the quote in your siggy!

 

[bambigirl88]

Here are some pics......sorry I don't know how to resize!
Standing at the end of the queen bed looking towards the bunks

Looking from our room 208 towards Disneyland

Park Vue Inn bathroom

sitting on the bottom bunk looking out, bath door on left

another shot of the bunks

The Park Vue Pool

Looking at the PV from across the street at Disney

 

[bambigirl88]

sorry, still don't how to resize!!

2 queen standard room, armoire has drawers, tv (90 channels)and fridge inside. There was no microwave in this room

standing with my back to the door; you can see the sink area separate from the bathroom, which is the door with the mirror on it

Candy Cane Inn Pool area with covered hot tub

Standing outside our door room 218 looking towards the front of the hotel

 

[bouncy54]

Love your TR. I especially appeciate the photos of the Park Vue.


We're staying at the BWPPI and I'm going to take lots of pictures of the place and post them on Trip Advisor, and here....they're harder to find than a nugget of gold in the side of a mountain.

 

[PrincessSitka]

I love your photos. Do you have any photos when you check in at Candy Cane Inn?

 

[stitchlover]

I am so happy to read your positive comments about Candy Cane Inn. We are planning our first trip to DL in June '08 and are looking to book that hotel once we have our dates firmed up.