Non-DL hotel recommendation for family used to DL hotels

[BriannaRuth]

We normally stay at a DL hotel but it's just not in the cards this year. Family of 4 with two girls, 12 and 16. Recommendations?

What we love about the DL hotels that we'll miss is mainly the pools -- My girls always love going to the pool at the DLH. Last year we stayed at the GCH and rented a cabana at the DLH for a day because we love the pool there so much. Love getting something from Trader Sam's and eating poolside (or drinking poolside in the evening while the kids swim). Unfortunately you can only rent a cabana at the DLH if you're staying there or at the GCH.

We did stay at HoJo on our first trip when the kids were little and they loved the water area there, but I think it will be too young for them now that they're teens.

Proximity is also very important.

The girls always love the bunkbeds at the DLH or GCH, so something that has bunkbeds would be nice.

We normally eat a light breakfast in the room, so a free breakfast isn't important but a refrigerator is.

We're also very used to EMH and have always used it in the past ... but I'm thinking trying the "opposite park strategy" is the way to go this time.

Recommendations?

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance. We stayed in October. They have a great little water park/pool area, bunk beds in every room, a lot of rooms with great views, and about the same walking distance as DLH or PPH. They're about $50-$100 cheaper than PPH depending on the time of year. And the beds are some of the most comfortable I have ever slept in.

 

[sherilaine]

I would think the water area at the new Courtyard would be about the same age level as the water park at the Hojo, it's looks incredibly similar. We love the kids suites at the Hojo just because of the two rooms (King in one room and bunks in the other) AND the two bathrooms. Our kids are 13 and 12 and a week with one bathroom for the 4 of us doesn't work well. While our kids will still go play a bit at the water park, they will spend most of their time at the garden pool as it is much quieter and its deep enough to actually swim. The distance from the Hojo is likely comparable to the DLH. I have not stayed in any other room category there except the suites so cannot comment. There is no breakfast but they have mini fridges, microwaves and keureg coffee makers in the rooms. Mimi's is right next door. With free wifi and parking it is a great option. We also do the opposite early entry park for rope drop!

 

[ADLFAN]

Maybe one of the convention center area hotels would work? I looked at the Hilton and Homewood Suites and both looked very nice and reasonably priced on Hotels.com. The Homewood Suites looked more suited to families with several room layout shown in their pictures.

I booked us a few nights at Hotel Menage even though the reviews aren't always the best just because they have a spacious pool that is open 24 hours!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The Sheraton Park has a nice pool area where food is served. We have not eaten there, but have heard read reports from others who have enjoyed it.

 

[bumbershoot]

We did stay at HoJo on our first trip when the kids were little and they loved the water area there, but I think it will be too young for them now that they're teens.

Sure, but they do also have a pool. We haven't stayed at hojo for ages (the prices shot up and it's just not worth over a certain amount to me), not since they got the water play area done, but I remember the pool was quite nice.


Desert Palms has a fair breakfast.

I adore Anabella. It seems like it will be going away to make room for other things, but from the articles I read that won't start until 2018ish.

 

[Canuck16]

We have stayed at Sheraton Park Club Level with a Disney view room twice and have really enjoyed it. The pool area is surrounded by palm trees and is secluded (not in the parking lots like some other hotels) which is nice and there is a bar there where you can order food and drinks if you want.