utahkennedys
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2005
- Messages
- 1,630
We just returned from a very fun 6 day trip to Disneyland! It was only our second trip to DL as we usually go to WDW. Here are a few thoughts on the 2 hotels we stayed at. We only stayed 1 night at Fairfield before checking into the DLH. I had to save my DVC points!
FAIRFIELD:
1. Good location, we liked HOJO's but this is even closer. We liked going to McD's for a quick b'fast and it's close to Mimi's too.
2. Terrible pool - the worst I have seen since I was a kid, like the Motel 6 pool. Totally inadequate for the size of the hotel, my DH remarked it was like a community pool on July 4th it was SO crowded and tiny to begin with. We wouldn't choose this hotel again based solely on how much we hated this pool!
3. Disliked the outdoor corridors since you could hear everyone going by, every suitcase rolling, the housekeeping carts, etc.
4. The main entrance was closed they said due to contstruction, but we saw nothing happening...so this meant you had to use tiny side doors that were tough to fit through and always very crowded.
5. Our room was clean and pretty spacious, liked the refrigerator.
DISNEYLAND HOTEL:
1. We were upgraded to a "view" room overlooking the waterfalls in the Bonita tower -- only problem, there were NO waterfalls! The whole time we were there, the waterfalls were empty
I would have been really mad if I had paid extra for a "view" to find this. Also, they let us check in at 9:00 a.m.! 
2. The staff were all excellent and fun for my kids.
3. Loved the Neverland Pool!
4. Loved Goofy's Kitchen although their check in system is dumb -- check in, then wait for your name to finally be called to pay, then wait for a photo with Goofy, then wait to be called to your table. Ugh, we like WDW priority seating set up better. We did love seeing Peter Pan and Wendy which we didn't expect.
5. Loved our room, it had a daybed, and a separate area for our baby to sleep in her pack and play. The bathroom situation was tough with no outside vanity...we are spoiled by DVC and Marriott Vacation Clubs I guess!
6. The elevator situation was rough, at one point only 1 of the 4 elevators was functioning in the Bonita Towers which meant 15-20 minute WAITS at peak times to get up or down! Everyone was grumbling about this...it wasn't so bad most days but still not easy to take with 2 small kids in strollers.
7. Loved early entry and taking the monorail.
8. There is very limited parking at the Bonita tower and we often lucked out. Otherwise, it's quite a hike to the car.
We would stay at the DLH for sure again if we go to DL again. We enjoyed the tropical atmosphere and DD5 who loves Peter Pan was in heaven! All in all we really love WDW and the entire resort experience there, so that will have to be our next Disney trip!
FAIRFIELD:
1. Good location, we liked HOJO's but this is even closer. We liked going to McD's for a quick b'fast and it's close to Mimi's too.
2. Terrible pool - the worst I have seen since I was a kid, like the Motel 6 pool. Totally inadequate for the size of the hotel, my DH remarked it was like a community pool on July 4th it was SO crowded and tiny to begin with. We wouldn't choose this hotel again based solely on how much we hated this pool!
3. Disliked the outdoor corridors since you could hear everyone going by, every suitcase rolling, the housekeeping carts, etc.
4. The main entrance was closed they said due to contstruction, but we saw nothing happening...so this meant you had to use tiny side doors that were tough to fit through and always very crowded.
5. Our room was clean and pretty spacious, liked the refrigerator.
DISNEYLAND HOTEL:
1. We were upgraded to a "view" room overlooking the waterfalls in the Bonita tower -- only problem, there were NO waterfalls! The whole time we were there, the waterfalls were empty
I would have been really mad if I had paid extra for a "view" to find this. Also, they let us check in at 9:00 a.m.! 2. The staff were all excellent and fun for my kids.
3. Loved the Neverland Pool!
4. Loved Goofy's Kitchen although their check in system is dumb -- check in, then wait for your name to finally be called to pay, then wait for a photo with Goofy, then wait to be called to your table. Ugh, we like WDW priority seating set up better. We did love seeing Peter Pan and Wendy which we didn't expect.
5. Loved our room, it had a daybed, and a separate area for our baby to sleep in her pack and play. The bathroom situation was tough with no outside vanity...we are spoiled by DVC and Marriott Vacation Clubs I guess!
6. The elevator situation was rough, at one point only 1 of the 4 elevators was functioning in the Bonita Towers which meant 15-20 minute WAITS at peak times to get up or down! Everyone was grumbling about this...it wasn't so bad most days but still not easy to take with 2 small kids in strollers.
7. Loved early entry and taking the monorail.
8. There is very limited parking at the Bonita tower and we often lucked out. Otherwise, it's quite a hike to the car.
We would stay at the DLH for sure again if we go to DL again. We enjoyed the tropical atmosphere and DD5 who loves Peter Pan was in heaven! All in all we really love WDW and the entire resort experience there, so that will have to be our next Disney trip!
