Thinking of changing our WDW trip to DL

[alicenwonder99]

We LOOOOOVE DL so much more than WDW (but of course, love them both). We have a September trip planned for WDW (free dining), but I'm now thinking of switching over to DL instead. We can go to DL pretty much any time, are there any money-saving specials coming up this year for DL?

Also, we've had nothing but bad luck with hotels at DL. Can someone recommend a nice, within walking distance, hotel at DL. We'll probably need 2 rooms (3 adults and 3 children) so I don't really want to stay at a DL hotel because of the expense. Oh, and of course we need a pool for the kids.

Mary

 

[MrShiny]

I like Del Sol (behind Denny's) or Candy Cane. Both clean motels with big rooms. The pool at Del Sol was a bit over chlorinated but still ok, and didn't use the one at the Candy Cane.

 

[amw]

Apparently, there usually are some specials released in the Fall. They do have a book 3 nights, receive one free for the Fall in the onsite and various offsite hotels. There usually are specials on the passes too.

As for hotels, just from my research...

There is Anaheim Desert Inn & Suites across the street that has received generally good reviews here on the Board. It has 2-bedroom suites (4 Queens), indoor pool, small breakfast, at reasonable rates. Here is the website:

http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/room_suites.htm

Other places that have 2-room suites (although I can't give any first-hand recommendations) are:
Park Vue Inn
Carousel Inn & Suites
Park Inn & Suites
Tropicana Inn & Suites

That's a start anyway

 

[Mousemom]

We have a 5 night stay planned for DL hotel in about 3 weeks and we were wanting to swithch to WDW with the free dining but was not able to get any free seats with our air miles. We love any Disney that we can get but would go to WDW over DL. We will be going to WDW next spring and next fall. I also read that DL will be offering the stay 3 and get the 4th night free, but was not sure if that is only at a Disney hotel?

 

[disneychrista]

Park Inn & Suites

They have recently changed the name of this hotel to the Camelot Inn and Suites . They are no longer affiliated with Park Inn chain.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We stayed at the Tropicana and loved it. Recently remodeled rooms that were very clean and brighter than the last place we stayed at offsite which felt more like a cave. It has a small pool but very nice pool area with plenty of chairs, towels and a few tables as well as a very oversized hot tub. No kiddie pool, slide or spray jets however .The staff was great and they provided a free, but very basic continental breakfast. It was about a five minute walk to Disneyland and that included the wait we had at the crosswalk. Its not a bit fancy but it was clean and the staff was very nice.

And while I have not stayed there, the Candy Cane seems to get the best reviews. I think its about a 15 minute walk but they do have a free shuttle (their own, not the ART) that runs every half hour. And a very nice looking free breakfast.

I can totally see your wanting to go to Disneyland, especially to see it again before the 50th winds down, but as much as I love Disneyland that free dining WDW is having at that time would be hard for me to pass up! Good luck with your choice, there is no such thing as a bad Disney decision!

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We stay at the Howard Johnson when we do our summer vacation in Anaheim. My son and husband love the pool! The rooms are nice and people there are nice too.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We prefer the RI on Clementine. Free grocery shopping, hot breakfast that is good and hot, many other amenities. Max 15 minute walk or take the ART trolley.

Jack

 

[KristiA]

We just got back from staying at the Candy Cane Inn and loved it. The place is covered in flowers, so it smells so good all the time. My kids were at the pool almost every day. They have a big pool that is 3 1/2 feet on both ends and 5 feet in the middle. They have a kiddie pool that is 1.5 feet and then they have a hot tub. They had a continental breakfast every day which was fine- toast, bagels, donuts, muffins, fruit, cereal, oatmeal, coffee, and juice. They have a shuttle that runs every half hour so that is very nice. The walk also isn't that bad- about 10 minutes- but after a long day at the park, that is still a little too long. There are several restaurants in the area to choose from and a little 7-Eleven around the corner with quite a collection of stuff.

The rooms are nice and very clean. They come with a refridgerator. The only negative comment I have about them is that sometimes when we would come home in the afternoon (around 1:30-2) to swim and nap, the rooms had not been cleaned yet. So that was a little frustrating, but other than that, they were great!

They also had a laundry facility which came in handy one day we were there.

 

[Michelle2]

I can totally see your wanting to go to Disneyland, especially to see it again before the 50th winds down, but as much as I love Disneyland that free dining WDW is having at that time would be hard for me to pass up! Good luck with your choice, there is no such thing as a bad Disney decision!

I totally agree!!! As much as I LOVE DL, I had to plan this year's trip at WDW because of the free dining!

 

[peppers]

I definitely would recommend the Candy Cane Inn as well. My family has stayed there at least 3, possibly 4 times over the past 15 years, and we have NEVER been disappointed. It is a great value, and the continental breakfast is wonderful. You can walk, but the shuttle service is very nice, especially at the end of the day.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

We still haven't decided where we will go: WDW or DL. Basically, I'm waiting for a great DING rate to come up and that will decide for us. I have until the beginning of August to cancel my WDW trip.

Mary