Tropicana Inn Questions

[hugApug]

Hi all -

I would have used the search function to answer some of my questions, but can't seem to find it!

I'm treating my mom to a short girl's trip to DL in May and just booked us at the Tropicana. I chose the Tropicana for location (my mom has rheumatoid arthritis so it's a big benefit to be directly across from the entrance in terms of walking) and price(99$/night for Fri/Sat stay). My questions are :

1) Should I spend a little extra money to stay at the Carousel or Best Western? We don't need much, but I want us to be safe & comfortable.

2) What to do with our computer/ipad when we're at DL? (No in-room safe, yes, I have to bring them as I'm tying this trip into a work trip)

3) Any good/bad/ugly experiences you've had at the Tropicana?

Thanks for anyone's input!!

 

[isisisme]

We normally stay at the Tropicana. We sleep well, it is clean. I don't worry about my safety and love how close the park is. We stayed at Carousel last Oct and it was okay as well.
the inroom safes are usually not big enough for a tablet (at least at Carousel they didn't seem to very big.
We will be there in a few weeks and are again staying at the Tropicana.

As far as valuables, we have taken laptops in the past and I leave them in my luggage between clothes. that way it is out of sight and slightly protected. We have never had a problem with that.

 

[TinkFreak988]

Though it has been 3 years since we have stayed at the Tropicana, (last two years at HOJO and this year at DLH in June), we were always happy with our stay there. We have spent 3 years there, previous to HOJO's. You can not beat it for proximity to the parks! Nothing special, but was always clean and we felt safe. I have always taken my kids without my husband to DLR.

 

[Minuet888]

I stayed at tropicana and the only complaint I had was that the rooms were a little small for my taste, but we had a laptop too and no one touched it our anything, just out it out of sight where the housekeepers don't have to clean.

 

[wbl2745]

We've stayed at the Tropicana a couple of times. Generally it has been clean and quiet. One time we had some trouble with the sink. You can't beat the location. Regarding the computer, although I prefer a safe, I've never had any problems with putting my laptop between clothes in my suitcase. You'd have to be searching the room to find it. I've even done this with cash and have never had anything stolen. In any case the safes have a backup unlock code, which if the hotel hasn't changed is "0000". Give it a try. See how safe the safe is.

 

[Mama Who]

1) Should I spend a little extra money to stay at the Carousel or Best Western? We don't need much, but I want us to be safe & comfortable.

2) What to do with our computer/ipad when we're at DL? (No in-room safe, yes, I have to bring them as I'm tying this trip into a work trip)

3) Any good/bad/ugly experiences you've had at the Tropicana?

Thanks for anyone's input!!

1) We stayed at the Carousel in May 2011 and The Tropicana in Feb 2012 because the Carousel prices had shot way up. We are quite happy with having saved the money. We were certainly safe and comfortable.

2) Dunno. If you aren't comfortable leaving them in the room call ahead and ask if you can leave them in the hotel's safe.

3) It was clean, quiet and well-placed. We used the cash we saved on stuff in the park. We had no problems at all. Oh- if you arrive too early on your check in day they may tell you they are charging you for a half day of parking... but it didn't appear on our bill. Of course our room was already ready, so maybe they figured that meant the parking space was already paid for?

 

[JeriLee]

Just there last night – our third time! We are happy and comfortable. We always have 5 – 2 adults and 3 kids. We bring a blow up mattress and sleeping bag – works Great - after we move the table and chairs

Don’t expect more than a nice, clean motel and you will be satisfied.

My BFF – a flight attendant - said it was the first place she has ever witnessed the comforters being removed and cleaned in the 10 years she has been flying and staying in hotels. She was impressed.

$109 is the best I have ever received – how did you get $99???

 

[hugApug]

We normally stay at the Tropicana. We sleep well, it is clean. I don't worry about my safety and love how close the park is. We stayed at Carousel last Oct and it was okay as well.
the inroom safes are usually not big enough for a tablet (at least at Carousel they didn't seem to very big.
We will be there in a few weeks and are again staying at the Tropicana.

As far as valuables, we have taken laptops in the past and I leave them in my luggage between clothes. that way it is out of sight and slightly protected. We have never had a problem with that.

Good to know that the safes aren't too big at Carousel! I like the idea of putting my laptop in between clothes, hadn't thought of that!

Though it has been 3 years since we have stayed at the Tropicana, (last two years at HOJO and this year at DLH in June), we were always happy with our stay there. We have spent 3 years there, previous to HOJO's. You can not beat it for proximity to the parks! Nothing special, but was always clean and we felt safe. I have always taken my kids without my husband to DLR.

Glad to hear that you felt safe at the Tropicana!

I stayed at tropicana and the only complaint I had was that the rooms were a little small for my taste, but we had a laptop too and no one touched it our anything, just out it out of sight where the housekeepers don't have to clean.

Thanks for your reply! Luckily, it's just me & my mom, so we don't need too much space.

We've stayed at the Tropicana a couple of times. Generally it has been clean and quiet. One time we had some trouble with the sink. You can't beat the location. Regarding the computer, although I prefer a safe, I've never had any problems with putting my laptop between clothes in my suitcase. You'd have to be searching the room to find it. I've even done this with cash and have never had anything stolen. In any case the safes have a backup unlock code, which if the hotel hasn't changed is "0000". Give it a try. See how safe the safe is.

I'm going to give that backup code thing a try! Yikes! I really like the safes at POP that have a key - but I guess anyone could get a backup as well?

1) We stayed at the Carousel in May 2011 and The Tropicana in Feb 2012 because the Carousel prices had shot way up. We are quite happy with having saved the money. We were certainly safe and comfortable.

2) Dunno. If you aren't comfortable leaving them in the room call ahead and ask if you can leave them in the hotel's safe.

3) It was clean, quiet and well-placed. We used the cash we saved on stuff in the park. We had no problems at all. Oh- if you arrive too early on your check in day they may tell you they are charging you for a half day of parking... but it didn't appear on our bill. Of course our room was already ready, so maybe they figured that meant the parking space was already paid for?

I'm looking forward to the savings as well! Good to know about parking charges that may or may not actually get charged .

Just there last night – our third time! We are happy and comfortable. We always have 5 – 2 adults and 3 kids. We bring a blow up mattress and sleeping bag – works Great - after we move the table and chairs

Don’t expect more than a nice, clean motel and you will be satisfied.

My BFF – a flight attendant - said it was the first place she has ever witnessed the comforters being removed and cleaned in the 10 years she has been flying and staying in hotels. She was impressed.

$109 is the best I have ever received – how did you get $99???

I just booked it today - and got an "online only" price at that rate(coincidentally the same as the AAA rate). Do you normally book over the phone?

 

[Nintfamily]

We (2 adults and 3 kids) stayed at the Tropicana last July and were impressed. I was honestly nervous as it had so-so reviews. Our room was clean and quiet. We felt perfectly safe and didn't have a single problem. I left all valuables in our suitcases zipped up and put up on the suitcase rack. Nothing was bothered. Be aware, ANY phone calls out (including local ones) will be charged for. We just used our cell phones. It is super close and there are several restaurants close, McDonalds', Ihop, Denny's, Captain Kidd's, Mimi's Cafe.

We are going back to the Tropicana again in July of this year.

 

[brenda1966]

I have a reservation at the Tropicana for this summer. My question is about the continental breakfast. I know it's fairly weak, coffee and danish. My main question is: is hot tea available? Tea bags? If no tea bags are available, is hot water from the coffee machine available (as I can bring my own tea bags).

 

[Nintfamily]

I have a reservation at the Tropicana for this summer. My question is about the continental breakfast. I know it's fairly weak, coffee and danish. My main question is: is hot tea available? Tea bags? If no tea bags are available, is hot water from the coffee machine available (as I can bring my own tea bags).

Last July there were tea bags but if memory serves me correct it was plain tea and I *think* an Earl Gray. There were also apples, oranges and croissants. Oh and hot chocolate and OJ. My husband said the coffee was really weak from the hotel room, but bear in mind he likes strong coffee and we are spoiled with really good coffee here in Washington state

 

[brenda1966]

Last July there were tea bags but if memory serves me correct it was plain tea and I *think* an Earl Gray. There were also apples, oranges and croissants. Oh and hot chocolate and OJ. My husband said the coffee was really weak from the hotel room, but bear in mind he likes strong coffee and we are spoiled with really good coffee here in Washington state

Oh good. Thanks!
Will pack a few extra tea bags, just in case. And nice to hear they have fruit too. Croissants, fruit, tea and a granola bar in my pocket and I'm set to head to DL!

 

[Angel Ariel]

1.) Should I spend a little extra money to stay at the Carousel or Best Western? We don't need much, but I want us to be safe & comfortable.

We've stayed at the Tropicana twice, and have always felt safe and comfortable. They just refurnished the rooms about 2 years ago and replaced bedding and such then as well (and replaced TVs with flat screens, etc).

2) What to do with our computer/ipad when we're at DL? (No in-room safe, yes, I have to bring them as I'm tying this trip into a work trip)

I just put anything valuable in our suitcases and used our combination suitcase locks to lock them while we were out of the room.

3) Any good/bad/ugly experiences you've had at the Tropicana?

All of our experiences were good ones. The location is fantastic, and we weren't spending much time in the room anyway. We never bothered with the continental breakfast. The first year we bought individual cereals and sodas at the convenience store on property - but that got expensive. The second time we stayed at the Tropicana, we'd driven there so we brought cereal and sodas with us (as well as other snacks and water bottles). We definitely saved money by doing that.

 

[mystic_path]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Tropicana. I typically stay at the Tropicana on my Dis vacations for several reasons. One it is usually cheaper, it is one building closer then the Carousel to Disneyland, and the free continental breakfasts are better then other places ive stayed. Plus I the pool area and the generous size of the pool itself. The rooms are very clean, and were updated a few years ago with new beds and furniture. The beds are not the standard hard hotel room beds, where sleeping on a pile of pebbles would be more delightful. There is a bit of a cush to them. My whole family sleeps very soundly. Plus considering some have back problems and rest well, you cant put a price on that. The service at the front desk is amazing and have always been very happy to help. Plus the maids do a good job with the rooms.

My recommendation for you... Request a room on the 3rd floor. The 3rd floor is where your free continental breakfast will be served. You can bring your breakfast back to your room, unlike other hotels where you have to eat it in the breakfast room. Also on the 3rd floor your on the top floor so you wont have people thumping above you.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I realize I am probably a very trusting soul--but I always just leave my laptop out on the desk and have never had a problem. I do have it password proctected (so people can't snoop), but I have never felt the need to put it in a safe. I have never had anything stolen from a hotel (I am 47)--and we travel quite a bit.

Hope your trip to the tropicana is a good one.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Loved the Tropicana - clean and just right...... when DH takes his laptop- he takes a picture of it - before we leave the room- he also says " goodbye my sweet" jokingly.... so we have a date and description of it.... never came up stolen.... Tropicana has the Balcony suites- which we had- overlooked the entrance of the motel- with the parking valet right next to us which was odd and not very seclusive.... but yet still had a nice view of DL> Good luck!

 

[Lynzer Torte]

The salt water pool is a nice feature as well!

 

[brenda1966]

The salt water pool is a nice feature as well!

What? Tropicana has a salt water pool? First I've heard of this.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

What? Tropicana has a salt water pool? First I've heard of this.

Yes! It's wonderful to not stink of chlorine!

 

[brenda1966]

Yes! It's wonderful to not stink of chlorine!

Cool! We will for sure be checking out the pool.
How's the hot tub? I imagine it is chlorinated?