Please help me choose: Fairfield or Red Lion

[yp65]

Fairfield
Pro: close to park
Con: parking fee, no breakfast. No sure if we can get a disney view room.
Heard wifi is not good in room too. Anyone can verify this?

Red Lion
Pro: Cheap, My rate include parking & breakfast. getting a disney view room.
Con: further away.


I think I found a deal whether total price is about the same with Fairfield a little more.

Which one should we go for? Can we request for a disney view room or is that extra for Fairfield?

Thanks.

 

[jeremynandrea]

We have stayed at the Red Lion a couple of times and had no complaints. Never stayed at the Fairfield so I can't comment on that.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

I've stayed at Fairfield, but will be staying at Red Lion this trip. You pretty much understand the pros and cons. When I priced out the Fairfield, it was $20 more and another $15 more with parking... over several days. We like free BF and we're not too upset about the walk. For us the $35/day plus a family's breakfast was worth it to book the Red Lion. Disney view is not too important to us as we plan to be at DL during fireworks (or there are no fireworks in the middle of week often).

 

[Girimama33]

We are staying at the FFI this coming trip. It was highly recommended due to proximity. We booked through Costco, and parking is free for us.
They have park view rooms, but they are about $25 more per night.

 

[yp65]

Has anyone tried to take the shuttle from Toy Story Lot to the Park while staying at Red Lion? How much time does it usually take to get to park taking the shuttle?

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

We are staying at the FFI this coming trip. It was highly recommended due to proximity. We booked through Costco, and parking is free for us.
They have park view rooms, but they are about $25 more per night.

I thought about doing this too, but Red Lion had no penalty for cancellation and Costco did...

I might try to play with my plans as it gets closer to the trip.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Good idea about the Toy Story Shuttle. Not sure, would love to hear others' experiences.

 

[sirvin12]

The hotel was fine, nice even. I HATED the location. I will never stay where I have to ride a shuttle again. Total pain especially if you have young kids and a stroller.

 

[skiingfast]

Has anyone tried to take the shuttle from Toy Story Lot to the Park while staying at Red Lion? How much time does it usually take to get to park taking the shuttle?

Time wise it's about the same to walk from the Red Lion to the parks as it is to walk into the Toy Story Lot and then take thier shuttles. Distance wise it saves about 300 yards of walking.

We are staying at the FFI this coming trip. It was highly recommended due to proximity.

I HATED the location.

If someone isn't familiar with the layout of the resort area, you are far better off staying at FFI for its closer location about a 5 minute walk.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Time wise it's about the same to walk from the Red Lion to the parks as it is to walk into the Toy Story Lot and then take thier shuttles. Distance wise it saves about 300 years of walking.

Did you mean 300 yards? 3 football fields in the same amount of time sounds worth it... especially on the way back at night. I wonder how often they leave/return. And if a person could cut through the back of the lot to the back of the hotel.

 

[skiingfast]

I wonder how often they leave/return. And if a person could cut through the back of the lot to the back of the hotel.

You have to walk the sidewalk down Harbor and into the lot.

The buses load and go. It's rare not to get on the one that is there when you walk up. It's also rare for the next bus not to be pulling in right behind the departing one.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Thanks Skiingfast. I don't say it every time, but you have been invaluable.

 

[Eeee-va]

Red Lion has interior corridors, if that matters to you.

When are you going? If you'll be going at a time when the hours are long (9 AM - 11 PM or more)--particularly if it's hot--I'd probably go for Fairfield Inn if the price is comparable (though I've never actually stayed there). The reason being that you'll probably need to return to the hotel for a break. The Red Lion walk (or shuttle, then walk) is fine, but I'd rather have a shorter walk, than do that trip twice in one day.

If the Red Lion is cheaper enough that it makes a real difference to you, or you really like a big breakfast, or if you won't generally need to return to your room during the day (or have unusually resilient feet), I would give the Red Lion the edge. (I'm more of a "sleep" person than a "breakfast" person so the breakfast wouldn't sway me either way. I can get up to be at the parks before the gates open, but can't manage an extra 15 minutes to get a waffle or toast or something. )

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Fairfield....

 

[disneydreamer74]

FFI if only for the location. I have stayed at other hotels in the past that were not walking distance and....Not again! I will always choose a hotel that is close enough to walk back for afternoon breaks. Some third party travel sites will waive the parking fee for FFI. I know GAT used to and Costco as mentioned. I book through the hotel site so that I can accrue reward points! Overall I guess it depends on what is most important to you in a hotel stay.

 

[KCmike]

Another vote for FFI

 

[yp65]

Thank you all for your posts.

We are going next week. Sounds like FFI is a better choice here.

Does the MacDonald in the front always have a long wait in the morning for breakfast?

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Not that I experienced when I stayed at HOJOs. The line was a little long, but it is a huge McDonalds with lots of registers and the line goes fast.

 

[jennabennabofenna]

Id pick Fairfield. Mainly because of the location