One last question before I book a hotel...

[JustAKid]

I have been back and forth, up and down, in and out about our hotel accomedations. Everytime I think I've settled on one I find one with another aspect I love in a different hotel (I REALLY need to stop searching through Tripadvisor!) So before I make my final call (seriously, this is it, DH is pulling his hair out with all the changes. I just want everything to be PERFECT!), can someone who has stayed at the Residence Inn Anaheim - Maingate AND has also stayed at another DL area hotel tell me why they did or did not like The Residence? Thanks everyone for your time!

 

[bumbershoot]

You're cracking me up.

I haven't stayed there.

I dislike tripadvisor!

What are the aspects you are loving at various places; what would make a perfect hotel for you?

Oh yeah..you have 9 months? I changed our trip 3 full times in our 8 or so months before our first big trip. I just, maybe, didn't always tell hubby what I was doing.

 

[21yankees]

I've stayed at that Residence Inn and I've stayed at Howard Johnson's. I like both but stayed at them with different groups.

When I went to the Residence Inn I was with my kids who were 5, 3, and 1. It was perfect because I had a 1 bedroom (kids slept in the bedroom and I slept on the pull out). They have 2 bedrooms too. In the morning we had a hot breakfast for free (except the one morning we went to Lilo & Stitch's breakfast). We were able to go back to the hotel around lunch and I had groceries delivered so I could restock the snack for the diaper bag and have lunch. Not to mention they were able to take a nap. Monday - Thursday the hotel serves a light meal (more like a snack). So on those days we went there as well before heading back to the park for the evening.

I have stayed at Howard Johnson's twice (both times with the Girls only trip from this board). It's much closer to the park than the Residence Inn. The rooms are clean. They have a nice shop that carries all of the essentials that one could/would/may forget. The rooms are very nice, clean, and well maintained. They don't offer a breakfast for their guests but as an all adult group we either brought snacks or had breakfast in the park. Their prices are awesome where the Residence Inn you're going to pay more. The staff is very helpful and courteous.

I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting. Feel free to ask any questions.

steph

 

[goofyfordisney]

I have been back and forth, up and down, in and out about our hotel accomedations. Everytime I think I've settled on one I find one with another aspect I love in a different hotel (I REALLY need to stop searching through Tripadvisor!) So before I make my final call (seriously, this is it, DH is pulling his hair out with all the changes. I just want everything to be PERFECT!), can someone who has stayed at the Residence Inn Anaheim - Maingate AND has also stayed at another DL area hotel tell me why they did or did not like The Residence? Thanks everyone for your time!

What are you looking for in a hotel? Everyone has a different idea of the perfect hotel...

Who are you traveling with?

We've stayed at a number of the "off site" hotels and also at DH and GCH. I need more info about what you are looking for in a hotel in order to answer your question!

Don't feel bad about changing your plans--its part of the fun, right?

 

[JustAKid]

You're cracking me up.

I haven't stayed there.

I dislike tripadvisor!

What are the aspects you are loving at various places; what would make a perfect hotel for you?

Oh yeah..you have 9 months? I changed our trip 3 full times in our 8 or so months before our first big trip. I just, maybe, didn't always tell hubby what I was doing.

I am SO afraid that when we get there someone is going to complain about something, and I'll lose it, so I keep running EVERYTHING by DH so I can blame it on him, if need be . Never really realized how difficult it is to please so many people!

I'm traveling with DH, DD(3), DD(5), my best friend, and her daughter(15) for a total of 6 people. I need a suite or guarenteed (was going to do Hojo, but they can't guarentee) adjoining rooms. We need at least 3 beds, a 4th bed or pull out sofa is a plus. 2 bathrooms, a must. 5 girls? CRAZY!

My initial theory was to bunk at DI&S due to the proximity and 3 room suites, and we'd spend any money saved on room prices to buy breakfast because I've heard theirs is abysmal .

Then I thought we might stay at The Residence for their equally large but more expensive, further away, suites. They have a reportedly better (albeit still not fantastic, but it's free and HOT!) breakfast option, along with kitchenettes which could save some bucks .

These are the two that I've basically boiled my decision down to...

 

[DangerMouse]

I'd pick RI over DI&S any day of the week. RI Maingate gets consistently good reviews here on the Dis and I have sent good friends there myself and gotten excellent reviews back. The walk is a bit long, but you can use the ART if it's too hard.

 

[goofyfordisney]

Since you are traveling with another family--I would suggest getting 2 rooms. You will appreciate having your own space when you are not in the parks.

Even though hotels often say that they can't guarantee connecting rooms--most times they are able to put you near each other.

The best off-site hotel (within walking distance) that we've stayed in so far is the Candy Cane Inn.

Have fun planning!