Rm/Suite for large family + wheelchair

[Elfinbaby]

For the last couple of days, I've been researching room(s) for my family. 2 parents, 19 yr. old boy (so adult size) and 3 youngers (15, 13, 9). The 15 yr. old is also in a wheelchair. She doesn't require an ADA room, just needs to be able to get in the room. We would love to be within walking distance for ease but suites are scarce since our trip would be Sept 26-30, which is sooner rather than later.

I looked at 2 rooms at Grand Legacy but don't love the idea of not having connected rooms (they said they couldn't guarantee). No suites available. I'm also reading that the rooms are hit or miss. I looked at Fairfield Inn, Camelot Inn, BWPPI, Courtyard Theme Park Entrance, and Springhill Suites. I think Springhill is the one that you can walk to a parking garage and catch a tram?

So, walking distance would be ideal. Space would be nice - sleeping arrangements are not efficient since one parent sleeps with our disabled daughter for safety and the 19 yr. old will be in his own bed. In most rooms, that would leave 3 of us and one bed left.

My husband is skeptical of staying in a place with an exterior corridor but I told him that's just how it is to stay close, right? For the sake of due diligence, I have looked at rooms beyond the 1/2 mile mark. Is using ART for transportation a real pain? I'd rather not but I also know that we are going to need space so I might have to compromise.

Thanks!
April

 

[GenGen22]

Dessert inn & suites across from DL can accomodate large families. I've never stayed there but a lot of Dissers post stuff about this place on here all the time. http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Doubletree Suite may work for you. It's not within walking distance, but it is a 5 min (1/2 Anaheim block) walk to the Toy Story lot, which you can take in. We've stayed there 5 times now, last November with my daughter in a wheelchair and it was completely doable.

One room still probably wouldn't be enough if the 19 yr old needs his own bed (if he can share, you can 2 on each queen and 2 on the fold out couch). Otherwise, they do have king rooms that connect to the 2 queens which we do when my parents travel with us. One fold out couch would still need to be used, but you could use the other family room as a hang out spot.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

Have you tried Courtyard Marriott Theme Park Entrance? They are our sister property and right next door to us; so they are within walking distance. Their basic room fits 6 guests and is quite spacious; they have a room type that has 2 queen beds and a set of bunkbeds. If you wanted more space they also have suites. And they have inside corridors! I am not sure of their availability, but it sounds like it might work out great for you guys.

I hope this helps,
Kriss

 

[ParkHopper1]

Another vote for Courtyard unless you wanna spring for a suite somewhere. Every room is pretty spacious and two queen beds with twin bunk beds is the standard configuration.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I encourage you to check out Hyatt Regency Orange County. They have large suites. They have their own dedicated shuttle at a fee of $6/pp per day, can ride as many times as you want back and forth each day.

Good luck!

 

[az4boys]

Homewood Suites by the convention center has suites. It is new and nice. There is a family suite with a king, bunk/trundle (sleeps 3), and fold out sofa. It is next door to the Toy Story lot and you could take a shuttle, but there might be a little wait for a bus that could accommodate the wheelchair. (Just guessing - I have no experience other than I don't think all buses accommodate wheelchairs.) Desert Inn and Suites has some funky steps on the walkways for the upper floors (at least near the front where we have stayed), so be clear that you need a room that doesn't have steps to get there. Some of their suites are huge though and the location is awesome.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Courtyard would work with interior corridors. I have easily fit a wheel chair a twin air mattress and 5 adults in a regular room. Also maybe country inn and suites. If the 16 year old can transfer and the wheelChair folds, stay a bit further away and take a taxi or uber. The problem I found with the motels across the street is they will not promise first floor and many don't have elevators. So call before you book those.

 

[belle'ssister]

Courtyard Marriott main gate rooms with two queens and bunk bed start at 520 sq feet. What a great size. Has a double vanity with tub/shower and separate shower. We're staying there this November. Can't wait.

 

[Elfinbaby]

Thanks everyone.

I got a suite at Desert Inn but I might cancel. Just didn't want to lose the option. I asked about wheelchair accessibility (the room isn't an issue but getting in and out certainly would be) and was told it wouldn't be an issue. However, I will follow up

I will look at the Courtyard Theme Park again. Is that the same as the Main Gate on? I can't find Courtyard Main Gate.

Double Tree has really great prices and I'm sure a tram would be accessible. Sometimes it's a waiting game if there are more than 2 wheelchairs - they can only fit so many. DD's wheelchair isn't collapsible. It's a solid 70 lb. hunk of metal.

I saw that there's a Residence Inn on Katella that's new. They have 2 bedrooms which is great. I've been reading they are still working out the kinks though - people are arriving and it's overbooked.

This is our first trip to DL. It's so hard to plan going in blind. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Thanks everyone.

I got a suite at Desert Inn but I might cancel. Just didn't want to lose the option. I asked about wheelchair accessibility (the room isn't an issue but getting in and out certainly would be) and was told it wouldn't be an issue. However, I will follow up

I will look at the Courtyard Theme Park again. Is that the same as the Main Gate on? I can't find Courtyard Main Gate.

Double Tree has really great prices and I'm sure a tram would be accessible. Sometimes it's a waiting game if there are more than 2 wheelchairs - they can only fit so many. DD's wheelchair isn't collapsible. It's a solid 70 lb. hunk of metal.

I saw that there's a Residence Inn on Katella that's new. They have 2 bedrooms which is great. I've been reading they are still working out the kinks though - people are arriving and it's overbooked.

This is our first trip to DL. It's so hard to plan going in blind. Thanks again for the advice.

FWIW, we never had to wait for a bus in the Toy Story lot or going back because of the wheelchair and we were there a full 6 days. Hers had to be locked in every time as well. I had my doubts, but it worked much smoother than I had anticipated.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

We stayed in a family suite at the Anaheim Portofino Inn & Suites and it was perfect for us! It consisted of 2 bedrooms, one had a king-sized bed and the attached room had twin-sized bunk beds and a pull-out sofa. We were very comfortable & it was a quick 5-10 minute walk to the parks. Plus, the room had a microwave & fridge. We had a great rate, which I think I booked on Orbitz for the extra 15% off. Best wishes!
Hotel: http://www.portofinoinnanaheim.com/accommodations-near-disneyland.php
Layout: http://www.portofinoinnanaheim.com/virtual_tour.php

 

[lcp9]

I don't know what problems people have had at the RI on Katella but we haven't had any - it's new and super nice, and the rooms have plenty of room. Another plus is the awesome free breakfast

 

[Elfinbaby]

That's so good to know about the tram. You can never tell how seating and transportation is going to be with a wheelchair in tow.

I am seriously looking at the RI on Katella. The space, full size fridge look tempting. Plus I read great things about the bfast you mentioned.

I am going back and forth between RI and Desert Inn - two very different places. I'm leaning towards RI somewhat, mainly bc I think my family is going to want to take a midday break - space, a pool, and kitchen would be great for that. But if were just me, I'd stay in Desert Inn! I just need a place to sleep and shower.

Did you find the walking distance doable from RI? Looks fine to me. Does the ART go by?

 

[lcp9]

That's so good to know about the tram. You can never tell how seating and transportation is going to be with a wheelchair in tow.

I am seriously looking at the RI on Katella. The space, full size fridge look tempting. Plus I read great things about the bfast you mentioned.

I am going back and forth between RI and Desert Inn - two very different places. I'm leaning towards RI somewhat, mainly bc I think my family is going to want to take a midday break - space, a pool, and kitchen would be great for that. But if were just me, I'd stay in Desert Inn! I just need a place to sleep and shower.

Did you find the walking distance doable from RI? Looks fine to me. Does the ART go by?

So last time we were there, it was my husband and I, my 3 little kids (5, 3, 1), and my parents. It probably took 10 minutes to the Harbor entrance? Maybe closer to 15 if one of the kids was walking. We thought it was fine (we work out regularly though), and totally worth it for the hotel quality. My parents are mid 50s, pretty good shape/active, my mom was fine but my dad said his feet hurt from walking all day and when we would go back at night he thought it was a little too long. We're going again in Nov and he joked he might call an uber for himself - I'm not sure he's 100% joking. haha. SO - it's 100% doable, close enough that I think taking public transit would be slightly overkill, but it's about .5 mile so depends on how everyone in your party would do with that. Honestly, I think the hotel is going to be closer to what you're looking for than most of what's on Harbor, so you could look into ART or uber if you guys didn't want to do the walk.

The breakfast is a full breakfast, and it saves us about $10/person each day I bet!

edit: springhill suites would be similar, and they're right across the parking lot from each other if one happens to be cheaper. the full kitchen is also nice - we got grocery delivery and packed tons of food into our stroller for the day.

 

[felice]

Staybridge Suites may also be able to accommodate you all, though it is worth checking just to make sure. I'm sure they will pull out all the stops though This is Staybridge Suites at 1855 S Manchester Av, which admittedly is quite a walk from Disneyland (although they are served by the ART shuttle) so hopefully this may help. Jimmy Raynor and his colleague, Pam, will, I'm sure, be able to offer help and advice.

 

[Jimmiesatx]

Staybridge Suites may also be able to accommodate you all, though it is worth checking just to make sure. I'm sure they will pull out all the stops though This is Staybridge Suites at 1855 S Manchester Av, which admittedly is quite a walk from Disneyland (although they are served by the ART shuttle) so hopefully this may help. Jimmy Raynor and his colleague, Pam, will, I'm sure, be able to offer help and advice.

Mr. Raynor will be a great help. He is the best at accomodating his guests.

 

[tammie33]

Desert Palms (Not Desert Inn, but I think related) has 2 bedroom suites that have two queens in each bedroom. We've stayed there before, and are staying again later this month. The walk is doable, as they are on the corner of Katella and Harbor.

 

[ivegotayen]

You might look into the options at AirBnB or VRBO/Homeaway for a short term rental. For that size of a party, you could get a 3 BR condo directly across the street from the Downtown Disney entrance for the same cost of a hotel. And you'd get a kitchen, washing machine, and way more room to spread out. If you want to be slightly farther away, there are plenty of 3+ bedroom homes with pools just beyond the condos. This is what we usually do. Von's offers free delivery for first time customers in the area, so I arrange to have groceries arrive a few hours after checking in, and this enables us to save a bit on meals. We'd have an easy breakfast in, then I'd pack one meal and some snacks, and then we'd pay for one meal in the park. For what you save on meals and, quite possibly, lodging, you can Uber to the drop-off spot on Harbor, even, if you don't feel like hoofing it.

We once got a 6 bedroom home with a pool that was a 20 minute walk to the gates for $200 nightly. I negotiated a special rate on short notice. This was cheaper than a single hotel room at the Sheraton! There were only 4 of us in the whole house! It was crazy. For a week's stay, it was sooo nice to have a washer and dryer, pool, hot tub, grill and patio, and a great, big TV with a huge DVD library. My kids were in heaven. They even had strollers available for us to use.

Keep in mind this option is going away in 2018, as the City of Anaheim is banning short-term rentals. But for now, it can be a really great option, particularly for larger groups.

Forgot to mention... regarding accessibility, I know there are some vacation rentals specially laid out to be accessible. We have an upcoming stay, and I remember seeing this in some of the properties I was looking at.