Looking for a deluxe hotel or suite with walking distance to DL? **UPDATE**

[Terry S]

Okay here is the deal, my husband has a business trip next week and we can go with him. We would stay at the hotel that his company is paying for for the first few days and would need to book our own hotel for July 20 - 23rd. I would prefer to stay at an on-site hotel but they are all booked up! I have never been to DL but have been to WDW many times always staying on property. Do you have any suggestions on a Deluxe hotel or suite hotel that is within walking distance? Or is driving and parking really that big of a deal? If driving and parking is not a hassle, can you reccomend a deluxe hotel or suite hotel near there. Thank you!

(Update at bottom)

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'd recommend the Anaheim Marriott or Hilton - they're right next to the convention center & within walking distance. My fave, though, is the Sheraton Anaheim - they have their own shuttle, but parking is $10/night there.

 

[Terry S]

So MaryJo you are saying that the Anaheim Marriott or Hilton are both within walking distance but the Sheraton Anaheim is not? But of the 3 you like and would reccomend the Sheraton Anaheim even though it is not walking distance?

 

[Pinnie]

Okay here is the deal, my husband has a business trip next week and we can go with him. We would stay at the hotel that his company is paying for for the first few days and would need to book our own hotel for July 20 - 23rd. I would prefer to stay at an on-site hotel but they are all booked up! I have never been to DL but have been to WDW many times always staying on property. Do you have any suggestions on a Deluxe hotel or suite hotel that is within walking distance? Or is driving and parking really that big of a deal? If driving and parking is not a hassle, can you reccomend a deluxe hotel or suite hotel near there. Thank you!

Terry, we are going to be at DL July 19 - 23 after a stop in Vegas! LOL small world!

We are staying at the Best Western Park Place in right across the street from the pedestrian entrance to DL. The reviews for that place seem pretty good. I know how you feel wanting to stay onsite, we tried months ago and they were sold out. We even thought about using our DVC points but it would take too many.

One of the nicest places we had lunch when we were there a couple of years ago is the Storybook Restaurant in the GC. I am sure you will like it!

Good luck and maybe we will run into you there!

Have a safe trip!

pinnie

 

[TikiKrissy]

I would recommend staying at the Anaheim Hilton or Marriott. We stayed on Concierge level at the Hilton the first week in December of 2004. It was very nice. Triple sheeted beds, executive level lounge access, nice view of Parks. It's also not much more expensive than regular rooms. However, the main drawback is that the executive level staff are not very helpful or friendly, and the lounge is not open all day (unlike concierge level at Disney hotels). Also the food is not replenished consistently--empty trays of food, pitchers of drinks just sit there instead of being refilled. (Again, not up to Disney standard.) The Marriott is very nice too, public areas are better than the Hilton's. Room service is good at both hotels. Additionally, the ART bus serves both hotels and is cheap and convenient. Good luck! Hope this helps.
TikiKrissy

 

[c&m]

We've stayed at both. We definitely preferred the Marriott. Their service and the rooms (both standard rooms and concierge-type rooms) are so much nicer. Their beds are so comfy too!

The Hilton has a grand lobby but you really need to stay on the Executive level to get a nice room. Their standard rooms are in desperate need of a renovation. They are worn and weary, and their bathrooms are teeny tiny with brown stains all over their tiles. It seems that every time I see a wonderful review of the Hilton, it's because that person was staying in an Executive level suite or got upgraded to one.

 

[meeko66]

My DH and I have been to DL a few times and each time we stay at the Candy Cane. It is a really nice place. It is on the same side of the street of DL and about a 5-10 minute walk.

 

[Terry S]

Okay, just thought I would update you! It has been a heck of a few days trying to plan things. I am not good at last minute stuff. I plan my trips to WDW a year in advance and since I have never been to DL this is even worse. By the way, any tips would certainly be appreciated. I might just start a whole new thread on that!

Okay, so the only thing I could initially get for our stay July 16 - 23rd was the Portofino Suites. I had a family suite with the bunkbeds so the kids were happy, but I was not really happy. I tried a few times a day for anything at any Disneyland Hotel and each time I called I was getting different answers. Some said totally sold out the whole time and some said a few nights here and there. So finally i just started booking a few night here and there and I actually got the whole week at Disneyland and the whole week except for the last night at the Grand Californian. Okay, so here was my delima. This is when I should have come here for advice but it is been such a hectic few days I didn't think about it. Both were standard view, but the Grand Californian had the possibility of bunk beds and my kids really wanted those. They told me it was noted but not gaurnteed. Now as much as i like deluxe resorts, I don't think I would like the GCH because I don't like the woodsy theme of the Wilderness lodge. But, I would "sacrafice" for my kids. If they could gaurntee those bunk beds i would have picked there, and then there was the fact that they couldn't get me that last night there anyway so we ended up with the Disneyland hotel in standard view. I wish they had a better view but at least I am now on property.

 

[CalGal]

Terry,
Glad to hear you were able to get into the DLH. Perhaps they got some cancellations, or perhaps they released some rooms kept in "reserve" . See if you can request a Marina Tower room with a view of the fireworks if possible. These are standard view rooms because they face out towards the parking lot, but from some you can see DL and FWs off to the side. I understand that if you call a couple of days before your arrival, there's a better chance that they will be able to accomodate your request. Or who knows, maybe you will be able to upgrade to a view room at check-in, particularly if you make it known that you are willing to pay.

Your kids will love the Neverland Pool. It should make up for not having bunkbeds.

If you go with an open mind, not expecting another WDW, and if you prepare yourself for heavy crowds for the birthday, you should all have a great time. The weather is much more tolerable than Florida in July, and everything is so much more compact. No buses, trams, cars, thunderstorms... Have fun!!!

 

[fan_of_wdw]

Now as much as i like deluxe resorts, I don't think I would like the GCH because I don't like the woodsy theme of the Wilderness lodge.

There is a bit of misconception about the GCH and WL.

Although the layout of the GC is very similar to WL in WDW, the theming is definitely different. Whereas WL is based on the rustic lodges of the National Park Service, the GC is "Arts & Crafts" style... think Frank Lloyd Wright... a much cleaner look. I think it is very classy.

 

[eileenkeeney]

Terry, we are going to be at DL July 19 - 23 after a stop in Vegas! LOL small world!

We are staying at the Best Western Park Place in right across the street from the pedestrian entrance to DL. The reviews for that place seem pretty good.
[ stuff deleted ]

Maybe for a two star, Park Place is o.k.
But for an additional walk of maybe 1/2 block one can do better both in terms of price and quality.
For an additional walk of about half a mile (or a willingness to ride the shuttle) one can do much much much better.

Don't Carousel Inn and Park Inn International get better reviews for about the same price, and in the same general location?

 

[Pinnie]

Maybe for a two star, Park Place is o.k.
But for an additional walk of maybe 1/2 block one can do better both in terms of price and quality.
For an additional walk of about half a mile (or a willingness to ride the shuttle) one can do much much much better.

Don't Carousel Inn and Park Inn International get better reviews for about the same price, and in the same general location?

I respectfully disagree. We found the BWPPI to be VERY clean, spacious and convenient. I am a DVC owner and the studio we got was LARGER than the one I get at the BCVs!!! In addition, it included a continental breakfast next door. For the $89 a night I spent, I think it was well worth the price and convenience.

pinnie

 

[cmwade77]

I woud †ry calling every day to see if something opened up on site, also try travelocity and expedia, they both get deal on onsite hotels, even when they are "completely booked" Don't ask me how, but I have seen it happen many times and they get really great rates.