Overwhelmed by housing options...

[cruisehopeful]

The breakfast was generous, and every detail was exactly according to request

What type of things did that have for breakfast? Hot items or just cold?

 

[StormyCA]

If I was staying 'local' but not walking distance, I'd use Uber. When we're not onsite we stay at the Motel6 Maingate and using Uber is just like having a personal car and driver. UberX runs around $5.50 each way, so much cheaper than $20.00 to park and many of them are SUVs that will seat 5. You'll see the vehicle type when you request your ride. You also have the ability to enter the number of riders. If you want to be sure, request Uber XL, which will run around $9.00 each way, so comparable to parking but still much easier. They drop you at the east Esplanade, a few steps from bag check.

I'm not sure why all the 'hate' on driving. When I stay with my cousin (20 miles away) I drive and park at M&F and it's never been a 'nightmare'. I just make sure I'm entering the structure about 30-40 mins before park opening. Leaving can be 'dicier' if you hit certain times (after fireworks, right at close, etc) but it's still never been that big a big deal.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Pph isn’t really in the bubble. .

Completely disagree...to me there is a HUGH difference walking back to the hotel via DTD vs exiting the property, crossing Harbor with all the buses, traffic, homeless people, street vendors, panhandlers, people passing out leaflets, Harbor side security backups, and cheap strip mall stores and restaurants. While it is indeed safe to me it is a night and day difference and feel of staying on site even at the PPH if you want that more immersive resort experience.

Last week passed a lady on the street having a conversation with a tree headed back to our Harbor side hotel...

 

[StarlitNight05]

Completely disagree...to me there is a HUGH difference walking back to the hotel via DTD vs exiting the property, crossing Harbor with all the buses, traffic, homeless people, street vendors, panhandlers, people passing out leaflets, Harbor side security backups, and cheap strip mall stores and restaurants. While it is indeed safe to me it is a night and day difference and feel of staying on site even at the PPH if you want that more immersive resort experience.

Last week passed a lady on the street having a conversation with a tree headed back to our Harbor side hotel...

I agree with this 100%. While I like the BWPPI when on-site is not an option, last time we stayed there was the same panhandler at the crosswalk intersection almost every time we crossed. It was very sad.

 

[HeatherI]

I plan on going to DL solo. What hotels do you think are the best for going solo?

 

[StarlitNight05]

I plan on going to DL solo. What hotels do you think are the best for going solo?

Ideally, my response is always GCH since I'm obsessed and love the feel of the Disney bubble, but that isn't always the most financially sound advice (so expensive!).

For offsite options, there are a handful of motels within very close walking distance (check out Google Maps to get an idea of proximity), here are a few:

1) BWPPI (Best Western Park Place Inn) - Very clean, free breakfast, and decent prices
2) Tropicana - Haven't stayed there but those here on the boards have recommended it
3) Park Vue Inn - Same as above, but they also have a free breakfast from what I hear
4) Camelot Inn and Suites - Clean rooms (albeit slightly older feeling)

There is also the Del Sol Inn, Desert Inn and Suites, Fairfield Inn, and the newer Courtyard (which is a HOtel) that are also very close. Fairfield Inn and Courtyard are Marriott properties if you are a member.

Candy Cane Inn is also a fan favorite. It is a bit further down Harbor but has a dedicated shuttle (very rare) that runs every 30 minutes. Very good basic breakfast, clean rooms, and great customer service. This may be a good option if you can't get a room directly at the main crosswalk.

I've also stayed at Hotel Indigo and Hyatt House, which are newer but further away. There are a few other newer properties near that area that I haven't tried, but if I don't stay onsite, I'd prefer to just stay at the closest place, which is why our normal offsite is BWPPI.

 

[HeatherI]

Thank you. That was helpful.
I am the type that likes to spend time at the pool and not the entire day in the parks. Cleanliness, location/convenience and safety are my three priorities. Which one fills that criteria and has a pleasant pool area? I see that some nearby hotels have pools that are very kid oriented or like mini water parks. I don't think I would enjoy that.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Thank you. That was helpful.
I am the type that likes to spend time at the pool and not the entire day in the parks. Cleanliness, location/convenience and safety are my three priorities. Which one fills that criteria and has a pleasant pool area? I see that some nearby hotels have pools that are very kid oriented or like mini water parks. I don't think I would enjoy that.

The grounds at Candy Cane Inn are nice, but the pool is smallish. Park Vue Inn looks like it has a nicer pool area, but I don't have first hand experience. BWPPIs pool area leaves something to be desired -- very meh (small and right near the parking). I've heard the Tropicana pools are decent. We are not big pool people, so maybe someone else can chime in with more experience.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

What type of things did that have for breakfast? Hot items or just cold?

From the CCI website:

Enjoy Breakfast by the Pool
Candy Cane Inn serves a complimentary, expanded continental breakfast buffet that can be enjoyed on our pool terrace. Our daily spread includes a great mix of assorted cold cereals including a healthy granola, hot instant oatmeal, white and wheat breads, muffins, croissants, bagels, danishes, doughnuts, hard boiled eggs, cubed cheese, fresh whole fruit, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, orange juice and apple juice. Be sure to stop by and get your day started right.

Since our room had a small refrigerator and a microwave, we could supplement our breakfast with things brought from home (e.g. baked goods, breakfast burritos, etc.). The breakfast spread by the pool is quite nice and generous. The dining area is very clean. The amount delivered to the premium rooms is also generous and prepared exactly as requested.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Completely disagree...to me there is a HUGH difference walking back to the hotel via DTD vs exiting the property, crossing Harbor with all the buses, traffic, homeless people, street vendors, panhandlers, people passing out leaflets, Harbor side security backups, and cheap strip mall stores and restaurants. While it is indeed safe to me it is a night and day difference and feel of staying on site even at the PPH if you want that more immersive resort experience.

Last week passed a lady on the street having a conversation with a tree headed back to our Harbor side hotel...

I didn’t think pph could walk through dtd anymore.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I didn’t think pph could walk through dtd anymore.

Quite the opposite...to get to the parks from PPH, going through DTD is now your only option. You enter DTD by the DLH. You can just no longer enter through the front doors of the Grand Californian and cut through that hotel as a shortcut (but you can exit there on your way out).

 

[disnyluver]

Have you tried looking at Getaway.com or at Daves DVC rental. You might find the price for a whole family vacation is a pretty good deal through Getaway and you can get a fairly cheaper price for the Grand California through Daves DVC rentals. I have stayed off site and on site. Off site: Tropicana is always my go to but Embassy Suites South (Free Hot Breakfast daily and very spacious rooms) and Wyndham (free hot breakfast if you book through Getaway) are super nice too and they both have shuttles that will drop you off at the park. Hope this little bit helps

 

[smartlabelprint]

Have you tried looking at Getaway.com or at Daves DVC rental. You might find the price for a whole family vacation is a pretty good deal through Getaway and you can get a fairly cheaper price for the Grand California through Daves DVC rentals. I have stayed off site and on site. Off site: Tropicana is always my go to but Embassy Suites South (Free Hot Breakfast daily and very spacious rooms) and Wyndham (free hot breakfast if you book through Getaway) are super nice too and they both have shuttles that will drop you off at the park. Hope this little bit helps

I checked Dave’s for our next trip. It was quite a bit more than outside hotels like the homewood suites. I was sad! It will probably be less than staying on site regularly.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Duolicate

 

[gappedout]

I plan on going to DL solo. What hotels do you think are the best for going solo?

I went solo for three days this past May. I chose Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites based on proximity to the crosswalk. There were always groups of people walking and I never felt unsafe.