Park Place Inn vs Candy Cane Inn?

[RatBoy]

I have a reservation at the Candy Cane Inn (Deluxe room - 2 queen + rollaway bed) for myself DW, DD7, DS5, and DD2.5. I now see that I can get a similar room (suite - 2 queen + pullout queen) at the Park Place Inn, which is directly across the street from the park entrance , for slightly less money.

We will likely want to spend 3-4 hours each afternoon at the hotel pool and/or resting, so I don't want to stay at a dump. But I also think the walk to and from the Candy Cane Inn might get old.

Anyone stayed at both hotels, and can give me any insights about the conditions of the Park Place Inn and/or walkability of the Candy Cane Inn?

-Bret

 

[yipee]

We stayed at the PPI two years ago, and were underwhelmed. Yes, you cannot beat it's location. It truly is right at the crosswalk, but our room was one of the ones surrounding the pool, and it was definitely loud during the day for napping. (of course, people were playing in the pool!) We found our room to be quite dark (not alot of natural light). The service was fine, but going back to our room was certainly not a breath of fresh air. The free breakfast was simple, and the CCI brekkie sounds more complete, I think.

We have no problem with budget accomodations, as we usually go hard in the parks, and spend very little time in our room. I think the gloominess of our room's location affected our opinion the most.

When we stayed at the Carousel, although the accomodations themselves were about the same, we had a LOT more natural light through the windows, and the small room seemed alot more tolerable.

Having said that, when we stopped by the Candy Cane Inn to check it out, some of the rooms we saw didn't look much brighter. Maybe it's the same in any hotel.

Hope this helps!

 

[DangerMouse]

Have you checked the square footage on the rooms. I *believe* you will have more space at the BWPPI. With three small kids I know this can make a difference. The PPI also has the advantage of being directly across the street. The PPI has a microwave and fridge, where the CCI will only have a fridge.

The CCI has the advantage of a nicer breakfast and free dedicated shuttle that runs every half hour. I hear the beds are much more comfy at the CCI as well.

I think you just need to weigh what is most important to your family.

If your kids are interested in a nice pool area, I would recommend the HoJo.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We stay at the Candy Cane all the time. It is very convenient. The rooms have windows with shutters that you can open to let in light. They have a nice pool and jacuzzi. The free breakfast in the morning is very convenient.

In addition, they do run a free shuttle all day so you don't have to walk all the time. Although, the walk is not that bad. You don't have to cross Harbor Blvd.

 

[kuusimo]

Just comparing the pools- I would choose CCI. BWPPI is really small and always full. As far as room size- I think there is more room at BWPPI. Danger Mouse is right that there is not a microwave at CCI, and the fridge at CCI is also a lot smaller than at BWPPI. The walk is not that bad (about as far as if you went to HOJO's. They also do have the shuttle if you get there at the right time.

There are pros and cons to both. It depends on what is most important to your family.

 

[goaliewife]

I vote Candy Cane Inn.

We just stayed there three weeks ago. The rooms have recently been remodeled so to speak and are very nice (for hotel rooms). We didn't walk at all. Their shuttle is great and runs constantly. The pool area is very nice. I have already booked another stay there for November for DH and myself as well as three other couples.

I would recommend Candy Cane Inn to anyone.

 

[azlaura]

I have stayed at both and would pick CCI. The rooms seem cleaner, the people were very nice, the breakfast is perfect and the shuttles are great. We had a room at BWPPI in the back and the walk was quite long, so if you are not in the front area of the hotel then the walk is much longer than accross the street. The grounds around the CCI are well maintained and I always felt safe. BWPPI has much more noise and parking can be an issue. We didn't use the pool at either but BWPPI's pool is between the two buildings and CCI's is behind the office in the center.
We are going back in October and staying at CCI...this is where I will probably always stay if I can't get a deal at The Grand California

Just my two cents

 

[RatBoy]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. I'm feeling much better about CCI. One last question: How far exactly is the walk? Is it approx 5, 10 or 15 to the Disneyland turnstile?

-Bret

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It depends on how fast you can walk!

Seriously, it will take a good 15 minutes. Upon entering the entrance from Harbor Blvd you have to pass the bus stops and go through security before you get to the turnstyles. Then it depends how long the lines are at the entry gate as to how soon your are actually in the park.

I highly recommend taking the shuttle, especially at night after a full day of walking.

 

[RatBoy]

It depends on how fast you can walk!

OK, I knew someone would make a smarty pants reply to that.

I guess I really wanted to know the answer to how long it takes to get to security (which it sounds like is the first stop on the journey inside). Nevertheless, it sounds like the answer is somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your walking speed. So, unless you just missed the shuttle, you probably don't save too much time by walking, and you may take longer.

-Bret

(Any more smarty pants replies out there??!!)

 

[gardengirlco]

Not a smarty pants reply, but I'll reply anyway. Power walking in the morning it took me not quite 10 minutes. Heading back to the room in the afternoon in the hotter temps and after walking around the parks for 5-6 hours, it probably took 15 minutes at the more leisurely pace.

The shuttle is definitely a nice perk IMO if you want to take advantage of it, especially after spending a couple of days at the parks. By the third day, my 8yo only wanted to take the shuttle while I was still fine walking, which I generally find easier to do with the stroller than getting it on and off the shuttle.

I've never stayed at BWPPI but the rooms at CCI are very nice but definitely on the smaller side, but it was fine for us for a few days (me, DH, DS 8 and DS 2). We were in a standard room though and since you have the deluxe room, I'm sure it will be better space-wise. I'm not sure how much a difference that extra 40 sq ft makes. I assume enough to make room for the rollaway

HTH!

 

[kiwitravel]

We had a look at BWPPI hotel as an option for our next trip... Had friends stay at CCI and we had a good look there too. Have to say we were disappointed with CCI on the room size and walk front. IMO a good 15 min walk to Security check (as said depends on walking speed but it is over half a mile). Grounds much nicer at CCI and the pools about even BWPPI wins on the price, location and on the room facilities as it has a good sized fridge and microwave. Don't think you would have a bad stay at either hotel though they are both good hotels.

 

[tracer]

We always go back and forth btw PPI and the CCI. We ended up going with the PPI because of location, size and cost. I am a clean freak and can't handle dirty floors, counters, bedding, etc.

We had a room facing the sun during the day. So our room got a lot of light, however the curtains were wonderful for nap time. My boys are 3 and almost 2 so naps are very important and it needs to be dark for them. We had the mini-suite and the extra room was much appreciated. I hear the rooms at the CCI are very small, almost too small for a roll out. We were able to spread out and have a table for the boys to eat lunch and snacks and not on our beds. The beds were comfy and again I am pretty picky. The sheets were clean and fresh upon arrival. Housekeeping was in and out before we got back for nap time always leaving us a clean room. The fridge is fairly big for a hotel room and there is a microwave. The breakfast is sparse but we ate there everyday and filled in where needed. Since the boys are younger we just took some things we knew they would enjoy as well, yogurt, bananas, etc. They ate the oatmeal and cereal.

The decor is on the darker side so the room may seem dark to some, but open the curtains and there is no problem. Parking was limited. We took our brand new MDX last trip and I was so worried about parking but we found a parallel spot with no problems and it was safe the entire trip.

 

[JennyW]

I've never stayed at the Candy Cane Inn, but we stayed at Park Place last time and, other than a HORRIBLE free breakfast, had no complaints. You don't go to Disney for the pools anyway. The location can't be beat, and being closer means more sleep.

 

[tracer]

I've never stayed at the Candy Cane Inn, but we stayed at Park Place last time and, other than a HORRIBLE free breakfast, had no complaints. You don't go to Disney for the pools anyway. The location can't be beat, and being closer means more sleep.

ITA!! The location can't be beat, not after a long day in the park. We also come back during mid-day for naps for the kiddos. The pool was small but we never used it and like JennyW said, you don't go there just for the pools!