Please help me pick my hotel.

[JennaDeeDooDah]

My family and I (me, husband, and 13 year old daughter) are planning a trip to Disneyland for this December. This will be our fourth trip. We have stayed at Grand Californian, Camelot, and some other Good Neighbor hotel that was probably about a mile away that I can't remember what it was anymore. Anyway, we are trying to pick out hotel. We want to book a package for this trip and had originally planned to stay at Best Western Plus Park Place, but all of their packages are sold out, so now we are back at square one. Some places we are looking at are Candy Cane Inn, Tropicana Inn, and Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground.

We like that the Candy Cane Inn has a free breakfast, Tropicana is so close, and the HoJo is one I've just heard great things about. All of their prices are about the same. I'm not sure we would use HoJo's pool as I'm not certain we will be taking midday breaks (only time we did that was when we stayed at Grand Californian) but if the hotel is fabulous, even without taking full advantage of the pool, I'm interested. What are your thoughts? Where would you stay?

 

[joseph821]

My family and I (me, husband, and 13 year old daughter) are planning a trip to Disneyland for this December. This will be our fourth trip. We have stayed at Grand Californian, Camelot, and some other Good Neighbor hotel that was probably about a mile away that I can't remember what it was anymore. Anyway, we are trying to pick out hotel. We want to book a package for this trip and had originally planned to stay at Best Western Plus Park Place, but all of their packages are sold out, so now we are back at square one. Some places we are looking at are Candy Cane Inn, Tropicana Inn, and Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground.

We like that the Candy Cane Inn has a free breakfast, Tropicana is so close, and the HoJo is one I've just heard great things about. All of their prices are about the same. I'm not sure we would use HoJo's pool as I'm not certain we will be taking midday breaks (only time we did that was when we stayed at Grand Californian) but if the hotel is fabulous, even without taking full advantage of the pool, I'm interested. What are your thoughts? Where would you stay?

I like either the Tropicana or HoJo. The Tropicana is so close. Probably Hojo. December can be cooler in the 60s so if the pool is out, choose the place you like best. I would go with Hojo.

 

[Aspencreek]

We've been staying at the Desert Palms the last few trips and have liked it quite well. There are 4 of us and they have some bigger room options for prices that are comparable to the standard rooms at the across-the-street hotels. So if you don't mind the 10 min walk from the corner of katella (it's just past the Candy Cane), then you can get more space to spread out a bit. Plus they have a fairly decent free breakfast, are really close to convenience stores and Walgreens/CVS, inside hallways so it is quiet, etc.

 

[Rich M]

Candy Cane Inn is great but since its been closed we have gone with Anaheim Majestic Garden hotel. They have a shuttle to the park and for us its an easy walk to DTD if we want to do it. Rooms are pretty big. Usually can find pretty good rates on Priceline or Hotwire for them also.

 

[StarlitNight05]

My family and I (me, husband, and 13 year old daughter) are planning a trip to Disneyland for this December. This will be our fourth trip. We have stayed at Grand Californian, Camelot, and some other Good Neighbor hotel that was probably about a mile away that I can't remember what it was anymore. Anyway, we are trying to pick out hotel. We want to book a package for this trip and had originally planned to stay at Best Western Plus Park Place, but all of their packages are sold out, so now we are back at square one. Some places we are looking at are Candy Cane Inn, Tropicana Inn, and Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground.

We like that the Candy Cane Inn has a free breakfast, Tropicana is so close, and the HoJo is one I've just heard great things about. All of their prices are about the same. I'm not sure we would use HoJo's pool as I'm not certain we will be taking midday breaks (only time we did that was when we stayed at Grand Californian) but if the hotel is fabulous, even without taking full advantage of the pool, I'm interested. What are your thoughts? Where would you stay?

Are you big breakfast eaters? If so the Candy Cane may be a good choice.

Also, when are you planning on staying? If it's during a very busy time (October), the Tropicana may be nice to take a break from the crowds. I know you said you'd likely not take a midday break, but with Tropicana being so close it becomes an easier option (or if someone needs to run back and get a sweater, etc).

ETA: I missed you said December. Hmmm I'd lean toward Tropicana if toward the end of the month for the easy retreat option!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Are you big breakfast eaters? If so the Candy Cane may be a good choice.

Also, when are you planning on staying? If it's during a very busy time (October), the Tropicana may be nice to take a break from the crowds. I know you said you'd likely not take a midday break, but with Tropicana being so close it becomes an easier option (or if someone needs to run back and get a sweater, etc).

ETA: I missed you said December. Hmmm I'd lean toward Tropicana if toward the end of the month for the easy retreat option!

It's the first full week of December.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

We've been staying at the Desert Palms the last few trips and have liked it quite well. There are 4 of us and they have some bigger room options for prices that are comparable to the standard rooms at the across-the-street hotels. So if you don't mind the 10 min walk from the corner of katella (it's just past the Candy Cane), then you can get more space to spread out a bit. Plus they have a fairly decent free breakfast, are really close to convenience stores and Walgreens/CVS, inside hallways so it is quiet, etc.

Candy Cane Inn is great but since its been closed we have gone with Anaheim Majestic Garden hotel. They have a shuttle to the park and for us its an easy walk to DTD if we want to do it. Rooms are pretty big. Usually can find pretty good rates on Priceline or Hotwire for them also.

Unfortunately, neither then Desert Palms nor the Majestic Garden have availability the week we are going.

 

[Rich M]

Unfortunately, neither then Desert Palms nor the Majestic Garden have availability the week we are going.

Since it is a bit of a ways I would keep looking. They probably just haven't released all the dates yet. I usually stay at the Majestic in December but don't book until later.

 

[goooof1]

Candy Cane Inn.....newly renovated, good breakfast, easy walk (with a shuttle option), free parking..... all around nice.

 

[LizzyS]

I'd like to throw the Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn out there- close, breakfast is pretty decent and included, and the rooms are pretty good (the pillows do suck, but no place is perfect!). We're getting ready to stay there for the 3rd time in a couple of weeks.

 

[crystal1313]

Does motel vs hotel factor in? Hojo is a hotel. The others are motels.

We have had great stays at all 3, so you really cannot go wrong. For us, having two teenage boys, having an included breakfast is a big plus and saves us quite a bit of money. But if you just plan to bring grab n go items for breakfast, I get that too!

Candy cane is the only one with free parking. And that can add up fast in the Anaheim area.

Have a fun trip!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'd like to throw the Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn out there- close, breakfast is pretty decent and included, and the rooms are pretty good (the pillows do suck, but no place is perfect!). We're getting ready to stay there for the 3rd time in a couple of weeks.

I hadn't considered that one. Thanks! I'll check it out.

Does motel vs hotel factor in? Hojo is a hotel. The others are motels.

We have had great stays at all 3, so you really cannot go wrong. For us, having two teenage boys, having an included breakfast is a big plus and saves us quite a bit of money. But if you just plan to bring grab n go items for breakfast, I get that too!

Candy cane is the only one with free parking. And that can add up fast in the Anaheim area.

Have a fun trip!

I'm not particular as long as it's safe and clean. We likely won't have a car. We'll fly into SNA and take a shuttle or ride share to and from the hotel. As such, safety is a big issue for us with us walking everywhere.

 

[Indie7]

I’d go with Tropicana because I like as close as possible for rope drop and breaks.

 

[Kerr84]

We loved Tropicana! I know they don’t have breakfast but we just bring some easy things to eat for that.

 

[Pluto468]

I'd like to throw the Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn out there- close, breakfast is pretty decent and included, and the rooms are pretty good (the pillows do suck, but no place is perfect!). We're getting ready to stay there for the 3rd time in a couple of weeks.

I'm going to second this. We stayed there in June and loved it. The breakfast is hot, with eggs and bacon etc. If not here, I might pick the Tropicana just because it's so close. We've stayed at Candy Cane and Hojo and they're both nice but I loved that right across the street walk. (BW was like 2.5 minutes, and I think Tropicana is under 5.)

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

I'd just book everything separately if I were you. The savings you usually get out of packages are not really worth the headaches at DLR IMHO.

From your options Tropicana is going to be your best budget option with a short walk. Realistically though most places within walking distance is going to be relatively safe.

 

[Matrixleos]

Pick Tropicana, you and your families feet will thank you after logging in 20k+ steps on your park days.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'd just book everything separately if I were you. The savings you usually get out of packages are not really worth the headaches at DLR IMHO.

From your options Tropicana is going to be your best budget option with a short walk. Realistically though most places within walking distance is going to be relatively safe.

With the package, we can use our Disney Visa and pay it off over 6 months interest-free, which is what we want to do for this trip. Normally I agree with you.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Hojo is great! I recommend buildings 1 or 2 since those rooms are more modern.

 

[hsmamainva]

With the package, we can use our Disney Visa and pay it off over 6 months interest-free, which is what we want to do for this trip. Normally I agree with you.

We do the exact same thing!