PVI vs. Tropicana vs. Desert Inn and Suites

[wildflower329]

We are planning on heading to Disneyland in late August for our family's second trip to Disneyland. Right now, we are thinking of booking either Park Vue Inn, Tropicana, or Desert Inn and Suites, but will be keeping an eye out for deals on HoJo or the brand new Courtyard Marriott (got a great deal at HoJo last time, but wont spend full price). Any thoughts on these hotels? We are trying to stay under $1000 for 6 nights, which PVI, Tropicana, and DI&S will keep us in that price range.

 

[mickmom728]

Just returned from Tropicana last Tuesday. It was our second stay there in about 15 months. You can't beat the proximity to the parks' entrance and DTD is just a little walk further. We felt safe there and there are eating options all around(from a little pizza place to McDonald's to Tony Roma's, etc.) They have a little gift/coffee shop that is pretty pricey but we brought some snacks with us and just bought some drinks since we didn't have a car. The hotel is nothing fancy but we got a good deal and it is clean. I thought the beds were comfy but maybe that was because we were so tired at the end of the day. It was close enough that we actually went back in the afternoons to freshen up/rest/change clothes for evening.

 

[DisneyLuver2013]

I would choose Tropicana if I was in your same situation. We stayed at their sister property, Camelot Inn and Suites, twice and we have several more trips to Disneyland and are planning on staying there. The Tropicana has a very nice convenience store in the front of the property called The Cove.

I'm sure Park Vue Inn is great too. We considered staying here, but ultimately chose the Camelot.

I just wouldn't choose Desert Inn and Suites. I did not like the way they handled their reservations. We called and made a reservation for this hotel. The price per night was supposed to be around $90.00/a night, which was in the email confirmation they sent to us. We called about a month before our reservation date to confirm, and a front office staff member told us that the price per night was about $20-$30 over that, which adds up fast when you are staying there for 10 nights. When we gave them the confirmation number and price that they sent us in an email, they told us that they couldn't honor the price that they gave us originally. Needless to say, we didn't stay there and chose a nicer hotel down the street for a better price.

 

[4Mickeys]

I stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites last September. I booked online from Australia, received email confirmation, re-confirmed a week out with no issues or change in pricing at all. Actually on checking out as we did not have a car we were actually refunded the nightly parking fee which is automatically included in their price. This is a standard motel, it was clean, well serviced, basic breakfast, in room air-conditioning worked really well, the bathroom looked recently refurbished, fridge and microwave. We had a parlour suite, it has a separate lounge area with a second TV - came in very handy for any early risers/up late at night people without disturbing the others sleeping. I found the staff to be very helpful during our stay. It is close to everything there is a Denny's at the end of the driveway and a short walk to DL. We also had breaks back at our room/the pool in the afternoons to get out of the September heat.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The DIS Unplugged: Disneyland podcast just did a review of the Tropicana if you want to listen to it. This link goes to both the audio, as well as the page w/pictures of the room (the pictures on Tropicana's website are not up to date).

 

[Cal-Pie]

If you are booking a standard room, I'd go for PVI hands down, I love it there. I like DI&S too, but only because their suites are a great value if you need more space. I haven't tried Trop yet, but I you do book there, make sure you get the 5 night+ price, saves you about $20 per night.