Tropicana or Camelot?

[Angel Ariel]

There are 3 in our party, and we're looking at a Double Queen room - though DD will be in a crib/PNP. We were thinking a Double Queen room would give us an extra bed to have a changing station set up for her all the time, and then it would also act as a bit more of a separation at night.

It looks like both hotels have free wifi, but paid parking (not sure if we're renting a car or not). Neither offers a continental breakfast, but the Tropicana has the Cove market attached where it looks like we could get quick breakfast stuff to either have in our room, or grab as we go to the parks. We've stayed at the Tropicana before, in 2010 and 2011, and had no problems staying there - we enjoyed the proximity to the parks the most. It looks like there's been some renovations since 2011 though (the cove thing is new to us).

Rate wise, the Tropicana's rate is coming out, overall, at about $40 more than the Camelot (not /night, but total). Not so much above that we'd automatically rule out Tropicana, but enough to stop and think about it.

Has anyone stayed at Camelot? I listened to the past's review of it that was done this past summer and it seems like it's similar to the Tropicana - not a ton of theming just a good place to sleep. Is the view from the pool deck on the 4th floor good enough for the fireworks to stay there as opposed to Tropicana? We're looking at a November trip, likely the first weekend of holiday stuff, and based on last year's hours during the week we're there, fireworks will be shown at 7:45 every night (WOC at 8:15). That isn't past DD's bedtime, so I can't think of any reason why we wouldn't just stay in the parks for the.

Anyway, that got long . Any recent reviews from either hotel? Where would you stay?

 

[Butterfly123]

I haven't stayed at the Camelot recently, but we used to stay there...back when they had breakfast and you didnt have to pay for parking. It was perfectly fine but very average...like most of the hotels on Harbor. I believe that Camelot and Tropicana have the same management, they are probably pretty similar.

We always watched the fireworks in the park, so I can't help with that!

We stay at Best Western Park Place Inn and Mini Suites now. It's a bit closer and has a hot breakfast.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The best western is about $50-$60/night more than the Tropicana and Camelot even with the military discount, so that's been pretty much ruled out as an option, unfortunately.

 

[Butterfly123]

That is a good savings! I would stay at either Tropicana or Camelot for that money...you can always bring some breakfast type things with you or pick them at the 7-11 down the street. And if you stay at Camelot there is a McDonalds right next door.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Where is the 7-11? Is it at the corner of harbor and katella? We are debating taking a taxi to target to pick up stuff for the room, but if 7-11 has breakfast type food available, that might work.instead

 

[Angrose]

I have stayed at the Tropicana twice now and overall I like it. For the location and price I usually can't find any better deals. I have stayed in a king room and a 2 queen room. The 2 queen room is pretty tight. There was space at the end of the bed closest to the bathroom where you could fit a PNP. That might work well for you. The Cove store is WAY overpriced. They do have a little café in there with pastries and breakfast items, coffee, etc. You could also have groceries delivered from Von's. I think it's free delivery on your first order. You could order all the things you would pack for the baby too like diapers, wipes, etc. then you wouldn't have to pack that stuff.
Camelot is just a few doors down from Tropicana, same management. McDonalds is right next to Camelot for an easy breakfast as well.

 

[Butterfly123]

Yes, it's at the corner of Harbor and Katella. It would save you a taxi ride.

Also, have you listened to Tom's Podcast review of the Tropicana? I don't know what transportation you are using, but apparently the hotel has a shuttle service of some sort. I don't know the cost, but it might be worth checking out. His reviews are very informative.

Just editing to add it's the Dis Unplugged podcasts I'm referring to!

 

[DisneyDreamer1229]

Where is the 7-11? Is it at the corner of harbor and katella? We are debating taking a taxi to target to pick up stuff for the room, but if 7-11 has breakfast type food available, that might work.instead

From reading various trip reports and such on the DIS, we're trying Von's grocery delivery for our upcoming trip. They seem to deliver to any of the local hotels and according to their website, the first delivery is free.

As a side note, we are staying at the Camelot during our trip. We booked our flights and such before realizing it was Mother's day weekend as well as the Tinkerbell marathon weekend, so we were having a hard time finding available options for the size of our party. We aren't expecting five star accomodations, but we spend most of our time in the parks so we're hoping it works as a decent place to sleep and some nice cool off time in the pool. Although I will say I like the pool area being on a higher floor, might make it seem a little more secluded than in the middle of the parking lot like other places nearby.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes, it's at the corner of Harbor and Katella. It would save you a taxi ride.

Also, have you listened to Tom's Podcast review of the Tropicana? I don't know what transportation you are using, but apparently the hotel has a shuttle service of some sort. I don't know the cost, but it might be worth checking out. His reviews are very informative.

Just editing to add it's the Dis Unplugged podcasts I'm referring to!

I did just find that podcast and listened to it last night. I agree they do great reviews! I need to check the website again to see if the Tropicana lists anything about this, or call them if it doesn't.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I didn't know von's wws doing delivery - that may be our best option! We will definitely look into it, thanks!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes, it's at the corner of Harbor and Katella. It would save you a taxi ride.

Also, have you listened to Tom's Podcast review of the Tropicana? I don't know what transportation you are using, but apparently the hotel has a shuttle service of some sort. I don't know the cost, but it might be worth checking out. His reviews are very informative.

Just editing to add it's the Dis Unplugged podcasts I'm referring to!

I just checked their website for transportation options, and it looks like the shuttle service Tom was referring to on the podcast is Karmel Shuttle. I did a hypothetical booking for our dates, and it would be $64 each way to for a 9 passenger shared van (they do not loop the airport, only pickup confirmed guests). So $128 total for the trip. I'm not sure how that compares to a rental car (esp. considering parking fees), or the DLR Express..so still some research to do there.

ETA: Looks like the DLR Express would be $96 for roundtrip (DD would be free)

 

[mickmom728]

Just got back from Tropicana on Wednesday and it was great to be so close to the parks! We (3 adults) grabbed a taxi from SNA and with tip it was around $50. When I asked at the hotel desk about transportation options back to the airport they never mentioned a shuttle. We looked online at cab service and we were able to reserve one to pick us up at 4:30 A.M. He was very prompt and the cost was the same. My daughter used Karmel and paid about $38 for two adults(they charge per person). My son used Super Shuttle and it was approx. $75 round trip for two adults. The Super Shuttle gave an approx. pick up time of a half hour window but actually was about 20-30 minutes ahead of that, explaining that he had to make another stop. (We were upset he had to leave so abruptly and we didn't get a proper good-bye in!) So you can weigh all those options....I personally liked the taxi since we were the only ones in the car.

 

[taffy]

We have stayed at both and like both. We are not the kind of people who hang out at the hotel so they are great for us. The tropicana has the Cove which was great for our morning coffee.

We find them both clean and comfortable and will stay at either next time we go.

 

[Eeee-va]

We stayed at the Camelot last week and it was good. We had a 2 queen room and there was just enough room to squish an inflated twin-sized air mattress in-between the bed nearest the bathroom and the bathroom wall. I don't know the dimensions of a pack and play, but I assume that would be enough room for one of those.

They have a small gift shop with a nice selection of reasonably-priced Disney items with ice cream and sundries (and alcohol). At $9.99 (!), their 5-pack of Claratin was $3 cheaper than The Cove market. I'm not sure how it compared to Disneyland Hotel's price; I didn't even dare ask there!

It's not much farther than the Tropicana at all. My knee started giving me trouble at the parks (curse you, Tuck and Roll's Drive-em Buggies) but I never once wished I was staying at the Tropicana (or any of the other hotels that were closer). I HAVE wished I was closer when I did NOT have any knee problems but was staying at Red Lion, Best Western Stovall's, or even the popular Hojo. Actually, at Camelot, you pass The Cove market to get to the parks, so if having that store there is any sort of selling point towards Tropicana, I'd personally consider that a wash. (To get to Camelot, you also pass the Pizza Press, which was like Subway for pizza, only better...very, VERY good.)

We were right by the elevator and pool but had no special problems with noise. (On departure morning, a little girl outside was very, very loudly excited about going to the parks, but that could happen anywhere.) The only tiny quibble I'd have was that aside from our first day, maid service wasn't great. I didn't feel like the room was in any way dirty, but one day it seemed like they just kind of left shampoos scattered and set towels on my suitcase (!). It's possible my friend moved things around, though, and I really do think the room was clean.

We were on the 5th floor, so above the pool deck. I did not view the fireworks from the pool deck, but if I stepped out of the room and walked maybe 15 steps, I could see the Matterhorn and the castle, so I got a kick out of that. I assume one could have seen some fireworks from right there without even going to the pool area. (My mom could certainly hear them; they gave her quite a fright when she was in the room alone!)

For $40 I might go with what I know/like, but I think Camelot is a fine choice.

(And yes, for me the somewhat dated castle/Tudor exterior is actually a selling point. LOL. The lobby is now very modern, though, and the room looked up to date too.)