OK, let's talk hotels, especially pools

[numexmom]

My family is going to DL for the first time at the end of May. The most crucial aspect to where we stay -- except, of course, for location to the park -- is how nice the pool is. Last year's trip to DW there were times when some of the kids opted not to go back to the park but to stay poolside, our pool was so nice.
I know that the Disneyland hotel has a cool pool, but it's looking like the price is just too much (plus every quote I get has a 3-day hopper attached, and we're not wanting 3 days; maybe 1 or 2).
So any suggestions?
I've looked at the Holiday Inn at the Park and the Westcoast as well as the Desert Inn (though I'm not sure that at the end of May we need an indoor pool. Or am I wrong?)
Thanks, gang.

 

[teri]

I have heard that the pool at Candy Cane is nice. The pictures of the pool area at Annabella also look inviting. The one at Desert Inn is indoors and small.

You don't have to take a package deal, you know... you can book room-only. Do you have AAA? Sometimes they have AAA discount rooms available at the Disneyland resort hotels. Dreammsunlimitedtravel.com (sponsor of this site) can check prices for you, too.

 

[numexmom]

I thought you were forced into the 3-day hoppers, even if you are only staying at the hotel for two nights and only want to hit the park once. I am AAA. Thanks for the info!!!

 

[year2late]

The Candy Cane pool is small, but nice and clean.

 

[daannzzz]

The pool at the Candy Cane is small 9 an warm) but in a nice area. I walked over to the Anabella to check it out in December and their main pool area is bigger than Candy Cane. It is decent size and nice enough looking. There is a quiet pool here too. The pool at Desert Inn and suites is small and the room it is in has no character and is loud and echoy (is that a word?). There are two pools at the Howard Johnson, one is decent size and looks fun enough though nothing special. The other pool is a bit smaller and surrounded by pine trees. The pool at the Ramada Saga has always looked fun but I have read to many bad reviews of the rooms!!!

 

[numexmom]

thanks for the info. keep 'em coming. so far, I haven't heard a resounding thumbs' up for any off-site pool. It's making the Disneyland Hotel look better and better. Anyone have experience with the pool there?

 

[year2late]

The Marriott (at the Convention Center) had a great Indoor/Outdoor pool (rather large from what I remember) and a second pool which was outdoor. It remains to be seen what kind off deals you can get (priceline $35 fo me! )

 

[Sarangel]

If you're looking for a pool with a theme, the Disneyland Hotel (not Paradise Pier or the Grand Californian) is the only place to stay. They just re-did it last year (or the year before) with a Peter Pan theme & a small slide. It is a wonderful pool & you can easily kill an afternoon there.

May in California should be lovely & give you no need for an indoor pool. You can call the hotel directly (sorry I don't have the number memorized, but you can probably find it and a host of other useful data at Laughing Place. I'd also re-consider how much $ the packages are, even though you're getting a 3 day hopper, it might be about on par with a room only and 1 or 2 days of single day passports... And it will allow you to go back and forth between Disneyland and DCA (which has some great stuff in it, but some people don't think it's worth a single day by itself).

Good luck.

Sarangel

 

[Bob O]

The hotels mentioned sound interesting, do you know if they sleep 5 people per room???

 

[Planogirl]

Are the Candy Cane and the Arabella two of those just across from the Disneyland entrance? Location is my primary interest!

 

[year2late]

Planogirl, I have always thought Candy Cane was the closest. There might be others that technically are a shorter didtence, but at the Candy Cane there are no streets to cross to get to the DL resort. They also have their own bus/shuttle to the park (not a service)

 

[Party Teacher]

Hi Numexmom,

We stayed at the DL hotel in January and did NOT have to purchase passes. The pool
at the DL hotel is FABULOUS. The weather was quite chilly over MLK weekend, but
my daughter insisted on going in the pool. It has a fabulous atmosphere and the
jacuzzi was large. Great photo opportunities there. If you get a chance, eat at
Hook's Pointe overlooking the pool. Breakfast was great!

The Candy Cane Inn is located on Harbor Blvd. about 2 blocks from the walk-in entrance.
You must cross Katella to get to the parks. Personally, after a long day in the parks, it is not within walking distance. The Anabella is located on Katella, across from the coaster at DCA. I have heard bad reviews regarding noise level there. The hotels that are directly across the street are: Carousel Inn, Anaheim Plaza, Park Vue Inn and Desert Inn and Suites.

E-mail me directly and I'll send you some park maps. smurfs@lacbbs.com

Party Teacher

 

[Kelsie]

I agree that the Disneyland Hotel has the best "themed" pool and everyone is correct, you can book room only. I would check out the 3 day hoppers though, they will allow you to go from DL to CA in the same day.

The Candy Cane has a nice pool but it is small and almost always very crowded.

 

[numexmom]

Believe me, I know what a value those hoppers are. Last year, we got the 4-day hoppers for WDW and they worked well. Strangely, though, my kids wanted to spend more time relaxng at the pool as opposed to go, go, going to the parks every day (that with a substantial break in the afternoons).
This time, DL is just a small part of the trip (though the most looked forward to!), which will mostly be spent in San Diego. We really will only get to Anaheim the afternoon of the first night in the hotel, so no sense in using a hopper that day. We will go to the park the next day, then stay at the hotel the next night. Then it's back home -- sigh.
So in that short time I'm trying to make sure my family makes the most of it.
I appreciate all the help. Right now it's between the Holiday Inn at the Park ($75 a night) or the DL Hotel ($187 at least a night).
Any more thoughts?

 

[azlaura]

You should be able to get the DL hotel cheaper...do you have a DC card? I think it was cheaper than the rate you are stating last year when we went at the end of June!
Thought this might help!
Laura

 

[numexmom]

I do have a DC card. Hmmm, wonder how I could get a lower price for DLH. Any suggestions?

 

[teri]

If your trip is going to be that short, do stay onsite. Believe me. Also, if you arrive in the afternoon and tha parks are open for another 5-6 hours, it is worth spending a hopper day, in my opinion. Think of it this way - if you had gone in the morning, spent 4 hours, gone back to your hotel for the afternoon and then gone back to the parks, eaten dinner, and left - you would get maybe 6 hours of park time plus 2 hours of dining time through the day. You just make sure that you have eaten before you go in, and then eat a late dinner after the parks close, you get the same amount of park time in.

If you have DC, then check the DC website for specials. Also, check with your travel agent to see if there are special rates available -- there is no fee for looking. (Try dreamsunlimitedtravel.com - the sponsors of this site - they will check rates for you at no charge.) If you have AAA, you might ask their agency if they have a package, or call the hotel reservations line directly and ask if there is a AAA room rate available for the nights you will be there.

 

[azlaura]

If you booked your rooms yourself just call back and let them know you have the DC card and ask what the rates are, it should save you 10%-20%. If you booked through a travel agent, give them a call and have them check for you! Getawaytoday.com also has some pretty good rates.
Good luck,
Laura