The best/most popular motel for 1st timers?

[cougarfan84]

Now I have to check out the Homewood Suites. I am going to be debating the motel choice forever. Because we live in Pittsburgh Pa, we are WDW vets so this will probably be one of those "one & only trips to DL" Our DS will be 11 at the time, so we wanted to get to DL while he was young still. I love the fact of CCI, HoJo's & Fairfield Inn being in the heart of it all but then I see the nice, larger hotels farther down. We will not have a rental. We would like to walk or take a easy route with the ART. I have looked at the Embassy Suites South & the Hyatt Regency. We also like to be surrounded by lots of restaurant choices within walking distance.

If you don't care about being particularly close to DLR, I would highly recommend the Residence Inn Anaheim Resort. It's right in the same vicinity as the Embassy Suites and Hyatt that you mentioned. We stayed there a few years agon on our last trip to DLR and it was wonderful.

With the number of people going (13 plus 2 more that lived in SoCal and stayed w/ us one night) we got two 2-room suites w/ 1 king, 2 queens, and 1 sofa bed each.

Pros: Plenty of space; full kitchen; free breakfast that can't be beat; easy access to DLR via the ART trolley

Cons: not a very close walk (about 1.5 miles from the gate); parking is somewhat limited (which is the case w/ most hotels around here


Overall, I enjoyed the hotel and would stay there again.

 

[specialks]

If you don't stay in walking distance, I would recommend the HS over the RIRGG because we have stayed at both and the RI is more worn down. The HS had a remodel in 2008 and the sofa beds are nice while the RI sofa beds are terrible. I also slightly preferred the HS breakfast over the RI.

 

[BayAreaMom]

We had our first DL trip in June w/ my DS3 and DS6m. We stayed at the Homewood Suites. We are planning on going again next summer. Even though there are some options that are cheaper I am willing to pay more for the wonderful experience we had.

I would recommend this hotel to everyone and anyone. Here's why:

1) Loved having a bedroom (2 queens), bathroom, living room and full kitchen. We were able to put our kids to bed and go to the other room to have some down time for me and my husband without disturbing the kids. The rooms were very clean and the beds were comfortable.

2) While we didn't use the stove the full fridge and microwave rocked. We drove from Salt Lake City so we had a cooler and just put everything in the fridge when we arrived. We used the microwave for warming up leftovers, popcorn and baby food.

3) The staff was unlike any other hotel I've ever stayed at. We were welcomed every time we walked in with a smile. Although it was very full they even remembered my children's names. Everyday during breakfast we were asked if we were going to be back mid-day. The days we were the person took our room number to ensure that our rooms were cleaned and ready for us.

4) Free breakfast (7 days) and dinner (Sun - Thurs). The eggs at breakfast weren't great but everything else was. The dinner was perfect for our family. They had a taco night, spaghetti night and bbq (hot dogs & hamburgs). Free beer, wine and soda was included for dinner. My DH loved this. We filled our water bottles with soda when heading back to the park.

I could go on and on. It was one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had.

I wanted to add that Park Vue Inn has two-two room suites that are comparable and just minutes from the Park so much better for us since we are walkers.

They have a separate living room/kitchenette:
http://www.parkvueinn.com/userfiles/fck/file/parkvue-inn-room-floorplans-2011.pdf

Rates range from about $129-160/night- no parking fees (and you can have more than one car/room).

 

[blackjackdelta]

Oviously the ones that are best known are the Disney Hotels, and the large chains like Hilton, Marriot and Sheraton.

Some hotels work hard to advertise on Disney sites to gain marketshare.

Popular doesn't mean best.

In thier own right some earn a reputation.

Park Vue Inn.
Candy Cane Inn.
Best Wetern Park Place Inn.
Ramada Maingate.
Annabella Hotel.
Carousel Inn.
Best Western Stovalls.

Have to agree with Skiingfast, popular does not mean the best. Popular usually means the cheapest, at least to me. Good luck

Jack

 

[sasywtch]

If you are just doing DL and going back to the rooms for breaks (or even no breaks), my main thought would be the closer hotels/motels. We stayed at the Anaheim Plaza which was one block down and the CCI was across the street. There were a few times I looked over at my old BWPPI with envy because it's right there. I have to admit, I love the BWPPI as you are back in your room in 2 minutes from the security. It's a clean do nothing Best Western with breakfast, micro and fridge but we are there for Disneyland. Pretty much, we use the motel to crash at the end of a long day.

Fairfield Inn was also good and clean with McD's in the parking lot. No breakfast and I don't remember if they had a microwave and fridge.

The good thing about DL to me is the ability to walk to the gates and not ride shuttles and buses so getting one on the block is important to me.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I Love the Sheraton Park....if you get a Disney package you get a $ gift card to use towards food in the hotel. Usually about $25 dollars a night. I spent days pricing out different hotels and packages and I could not find a deal that was that much cheaper than their's. There were a few but they have the most comfortable beds I have found and I am picky about the beds I sleep in.

 

[summer0407]

Park Vue Inn. I did like Hojo but it is a bit of a further walk and with 2 kids it was not great for us.

 

[Hound 109]

If you are just doing DL and going back to the rooms for breaks (or even no breaks), my main thought would be the closer hotels/motels. We stayed at the Anaheim Plaza which was one block down and the CCI was across the street. There were a few times I looked over at my old BWPPI with envy because it's right there. I have to admit, I love the BWPPI as you are back in your room in 2 minutes from the security. It's a clean do nothing Best Western with breakfast, micro and fridge but we are there for Disneyland. Pretty much, we use the motel to crash at the end of a long day.

Fairfield Inn was also good and clean with McD's in the parking lot. No breakfast and I don't remember if they had a microwave and fridge.

The good thing about DL to me is the ability to walk to the gates and not ride shuttles and buses so getting one on the block is important to me.

Sasywtch & your 10y/o kid are correct.

If this is your first & possibly only visit, & you're not staying on-site, then staying on Harbor near the crosswalk is the way to go. (no further than the CCI or Hojo). There are 7-10 hotels to choose from....all mentioned on the first page.

Plus you want to take mid day breaks & you won't have a car!!! Taking a bus to the park is a WDW mindset. IMO.....do NOT stay at the hotels that require an ART bus ride (& bus ride lines). Use your feet, & you'll be at the turnstiles in 6-8 min.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Now I have to check out the Homewood Suites. I am going to be debating the motel choice forever. Because we live in Pittsburgh Pa, we are WDW vets so this will probably be one of those "one & only trips to DL" Our DS will be 11 at the time, so we wanted to get to DL while he was young still. I love the fact of CCI, HoJo's & Fairfield Inn being in the heart of it all but then I see the nice, larger hotels farther down. We will not have a rental. We would like to walk or take a easy route with the ART. I have looked at the Embassy Suites South & the Hyatt Regency. We also like to be surrounded by lots of restaurant choices within walking distance.

As an FYI - Target is across the street and there are multiple food options within walking distance. We were a little disappointed the restaurant in front of the Homewood closed at 10. We got back to the room too late to place an order.