Pay an extra $140 total to be closer to DL?

[WDWOswald]

I'm choosing between Sheraton Park Hotel and Sheraton Garden Grove.

The Sheraton park is within walking distance of disneyland. Not exactly across the street- but walkable. The Sheraton garden grove is a mile further down harbor blvd.

I could stay at the garden grove for free with starwood points- and stay club level too (free breakfast, drinks and appetizers in the evening).

The sheraton park is supposed to be a little nicer with more of a resort feel but it would cost me $140 out of pocket to pay for an extra night my starwood points won't cover....

What would you do?

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I'm choosing between Sheraton Park Hotel and Sheraton Garden Grove.

The Sheraton park is within walking distance of disneyland. Not exactly across the street- but walkable. The Sheraton garden grove is a mile further down harbor blvd.

I could stay at the garden grove for free with starwood points- and stay club level too (free breakfast, drinks and appetizers in the evening).

The sheraton park is supposed to be a little nicer with more of a resort feel but it would cost me $140 out of pocket to pay for an extra night my starwood points won't cover....

What would you do?

Stay closer. I'm here now and at the doubletree. Walking distance is a huge help.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We've stayed at the Sheraton Park (and have an upcoming stay booked), but have not stayed at the Sheraton GG. We really like the Sheraton Park and stay there when possible. The walk is not bad at all, about 10-15 minutes each way (depending on the signals at the crosswalks).
Here are some questions that could make a difference in your decision:
Will you be traveling alone? (It is easier to be flexible about transportations and schedules when you only have to worry about yourself.) If you will be traveling with others, what are their ages and needs? If swim time and nap time are priorities, staying closer to the parks will make everything easier for you.
When will you be visiting? If fireworks will be showing every night, you can see them from the DL view rooms at the Sheraton Park. We love having dessert on our balcony while watching the fireworks. WOC can be glimpsed if you are on a higher floor.
What is your park visiting style? If you want a more relaxed schedule (don't have to be at rope drop and don't have to stay until closing), then the Sheraton GG should be fine. If you want a more commando style visit (all Disney, all day), the being closer might be the better choice.
Hope this helps with your decision. Feel free to ask more questions!

 

[WDWOswald]

We've stayed at the Sheraton Park (and have an upcoming stay booked), but have not stayed at the Sheraton GG. We really like the Sheraton Park and stay there when possible. The walk is not bad at all, about 10-15 minutes each way (depending on the signals at the crosswalks).
Here are some questions that could make a difference in your decision:
Will you be traveling alone? (It is easier to be flexible about transportations and schedules when you only have to worry about yourself.) If you will be traveling with others, what are their ages and needs? If swim time and nap time are priorities, staying closer to the parks will make everything easier for you.
When will you be visiting? If fireworks will be showing every night, you can see them from the DL view rooms at the Sheraton Park. We love having dessert on our balcony while watching the fireworks. WOC can be glimpsed if you are on a higher floor.
What is your park visiting style? If you want a more relaxed schedule (don't have to be at rope drop and don't have to stay until closing), then the Sheraton GG should be fine. If you want a more commando style visit (all Disney, all day), the being closer might be the better choice.
Hope this helps with your decision. Feel free to ask more questions!

Thank you so much! It's just my wife and I and we will be spending a lot of time in the parks, but we are not rope drop people. I'd love to get a DL view room but since we booked a standard room on points I am doubtful that we will get that perk. 10-15 minute walk doesn't sound too bad. On Google earth it looks like it's a pretty long walk to the main gate, but perhaps it's not as bad as it appears.

Is the Grand Californian walkable also? How is the room size at the sheraton park? Is the pool area nice? How is the overall cleanliness of the rooms and the service at the hotel?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The Grand Californian Hotel is VERY walkable -- it has its own entrance to DCA! And guests of the 3 Disney on-property hotels receive early entry to both parks (on alternate days). But for me, that isn't worth the (big) price difference. We really like the walk to/from the Sheraton Park to the parks. It isn't long or strenuous and goes right by 2 convenience stores (7-11 and ABC Mart), so we can pick up milk or snacks on the way back to the hotel. (Walk north on Harbor to the resort entry and turn left. Keep going to bag check and then straight into the esplanade. DL will be on your right, DCA on your left.) Room size is decent (although rooms are larger at the Sheraton Anaheim) -- the bathrooms are a little small (not a problem for 2 adults, no kids). The pool area looks nice (we haven't yet used it) and has a snack bar. Overall service and cleanliness is good. We've been happy with this property.

 

[GenGen22]

We are not rope drop people either and we usually stay in Garden Grove or Buena Park as it costs less. We have stayed at Embassy Suites Anaheim South in Garden Grove and this trip are staying at the Hampton Inn Garden Grove we either drive or use the hotel shuttle (which is usually free where ever we stay). We have AAA and buy our tickets from them as it includes free parking. So, if you or someone you know has AAA you may think about buying your tickets from there or even using the hotel shuttle. I did look at the Sheraton Garden Grove and it does have a shuttle but I don't know if they charge a fee or not but something definately worth looking into.

 

[rtfelt]

BTW the Sheraton Park is across the street from the Toy Story Parking lot. You can take that shuttle if you don't want to walk. 10-15 min walk may not sound bad now, but at the end of a long day in the parks, it can be long. No, you don't have to park there to use the shuttle.