Walkable Hotel with Bunk Beds?

[Alinasan]

Hello everyone! I used these boards awhile ago when planning a trip to Disneyland, and now we're finally going back. I hope I can get some useful tips once again to make the trip magical.

Here are some details about us. We are a family of 4 planning a trip in early June, for 4 days. Our kids are now 7 and 2. We want to stay fairly close so we don't have to worry about taking shuttles or driving. My daughter particularly wants to sleep in a bunk bed. I know that limits us a lot, but I think its not too hard a request to fill. My husband would prefer a King size bed, but is willing to go with whatever I find that is close enough to walk and makes the kids happy.

Last time we stayed at the Red Lion, which we enjoyed but the walk was a bit far at night.

I have reservations at Park Vue Inn for now, but all I could get was the 1 Q with a bunk bed room, which I heard is very tiny. We might like a bit more space, perhaps even a 2 room suite where you can close the kids off. While free breakfasts are nice, we're actually fine with fixing cereal or something as long as there is a mini-fridge and /or microwave.

The HoJo doesn't have suites available, only the same sort of room with bunk bed and 1 Q, and while the pool looks nicer, it is a further walk and a bit more money. We probably will spend all our time in the parks as we don't tend to come back to the room for naps ( our little guy won't nap at all in a hotel room ).

I've seen some mixed reviews about the Desert Palms and Suites, or the Portofino, so I'm trying to sort out is it just the distance that turns people away from those? Bed Bug issues? Dirty rooms or bad service?

So if you've stayed at Park Vue, Desert Palms and Suites or the Portofino and have any feedback to help me decide, please chime in! Thanks so much.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We want to stay fairly close so we don't have to worry about taking shuttles or driving. My daughter particularly wants to sleep in a bunk bed. I know that limits us a lot, but I think its not too hard a request to fill. My husband would prefer a King size bed, but is willing to go with whatever I find that is close enough to walk and makes the kids happy.

You can't get any closer than the Grand Californian. There are rooms with a queen bed and a bunk bed.

 

[Alinasan]

Thanks, for the reply, but the Grand Californian is a little more than we wanted to spend, so I was hoping to find something off-property, but still close, such as the places I mentioned. 20 minutes is probably too far, but 10-15 minutes walking range is probably fine.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

What about Del Sol? One of my friends stayed there with her kids and said it was pretty nice given her price range and proximity to Disneyland.

 

[mom2tinkandmickey]

The bunk bed rooms at PVI are on the small side, but it doesn't sound like you will be spending much time in your room. You can't beat the location of PVI. My kids love the breakfast. It's the only place we stay off property now. Del Sol is right across the street, and has a 2 Q w/ bunk beds for usually around the same price as PVI. My sister stayed there last time, and had plenty of room for the 6 of them (2 adults 4 kids 17-12). The rooms are not as nice as PVI, but it was clean and comfortable.

 

[eliz603]

There are bunk beds in the family suite at Howard Johnson

 

[eliz603]

SORRY - didn't read through your post fully. Just saw where that's out.

I booked last August for my room there this July.

 

[Indiana Scott]

PVI is a super nice hotel that is constantly being upgraded and is always very clean. We stay there regularly and I've never noticed the rooms being any smaller than any other hotel.
I don't think that will be an issue.

 

[opus1guy]

See "Castle Bunk Room":

http://www.majesticgardenhotel.com/lodging/rooms

Formerly (well, up until May 22nd) the Sheraton Anaheim.

About a 20-25 stroll down Disney Way. They also have their own dedicated free shuttle.

 

[limace]

The new springhill suites convention center had bunk bed rooms and tom from the podcast have it rave revieqs recently.

 

[jina]

We've stayed in HoJo's in both the 1Q+1BB room and kids suite and while we definitely prefer the kids suite the 1Q+1BB is decent. Both styles face I-5 but we haven't had an issue with noise. They glassed in the balcony's (so no access to them) but the 2 layers of glass w/ patio in the middle really does a good job blocking sound.

Staying at DL for 4 days in June and not planning to go to the pools may be something you reconsider when you're there. It's HOT in the afternoons (mornings tend to be more overcast) and we absolutely love playing in the HoJo's water playground area and big pool. I haven't stayed at the other places so I can't comment there.

Another thing to consider re HoJo's - sometimes the kids suites come available - the past 3 trips I've looked every week or so and each time was able to snag a suite. But again, we love the suites but we'd be OK in a 2 bunk + queen room as well if we couldn't get the suite.

 

[Alinasan]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback!

PVI:

The bunk bed rooms at PVI are on the small side, but it doesn't sound like you will be spending much time in your room. You can't beat the location of PVI. My kids love the breakfast. It's the only place we stay off property now. Del Sol is right across the street, and has a 2 Q w/ bunk beds for usually around the same price as PVI. My sister stayed there last time, and had plenty of room for the 6 of them (2 adults 4 kids 17-12). The rooms are not as nice as PVI, but it was clean and comfortable.

PVI is a super nice hotel that is constantly being upgraded and is always very clean. We stay there regularly and I've never noticed the rooms being any smaller than any other hotel.
I don't think that will be an issue.

I'll check out Del Sol too, but it is true that we don't plan to spend too much time in our hotel room. I may be worrying too much about the quality and size of the room, which it sounds like are just fine.

HOJO:

SORRY - didn't read through your post fully. Just saw where that's out.

I booked last August for my room there this July.

We've stayed in HoJo's in both the 1Q+1BB room and kids suite and while we definitely prefer the kids suite the 1Q+1BB is decent. Both styles face I-5 but we haven't had an issue with noise. They glassed in the balcony's (so no access to them) but the 2 layers of glass w/ patio in the middle really does a good job blocking sound.

Staying at DL for 4 days in June and not planning to go to the pools may be something you reconsider when you're there. It's HOT in the afternoons (mornings tend to be more overcast) and we absolutely love playing in the HoJo's water playground area and big pool. I haven't stayed at the other places so I can't comment there.

Another thing to consider re HoJo's - sometimes the kids suites come available - the past 3 trips I've looked every week or so and each time was able to snag a suite. But again, we love the suites but we'd be OK in a 2 bunk + queen room as well if we couldn't get the suite.

Sounds like I didn't plan far enough ahead to snag a suite room, but the other ones are pretty comfortable. I'll have to think about the weather aspect and how afternoon crowds might sway us to spend more time out of the park.

See "Castle Bunk Room":

http://www.majesticgardenhotel.com/lodging/rooms

Formerly (well, up until May 22nd) the Sheraton Anaheim.

About a 20-25 stroll down Disney Way. They also have their own dedicated free shuttle.

That Castle Bunk is amazing, just the sort of thing I better not show my kid or she'll say, that's where we're staying without worrying about the finer points of it all. Of course, I do worry about things like a hotel undergoing renovations and noise at the time we're there--when its all done and reviews are in, I bet this place will climb way up people's lists, but I feel a bit hesitant about the ownership transitioning.

The new springhill suites convention center had bunk bed rooms and tom from the podcast have it rave revieqs recently.

Thanks, another one to check out.

 

[GenGen22]

The Anabella hotel has a kids suite with bunk beds that the kids room has a door that shuts off to the parents room. I think it's in walking distance to DCA.

 

[Dizzy4DL]

We stayed in a Queen/bunkbed room at the Park Vue in November. Personally I would not want to stay in a room that size with 3 other people. It was probably 2/3 the size of an average Best Western room.
We were surprised when we walked in, to say the least.

 

[Gisele]

I highly recommend not walking at all carrying bunk beds. Just too difficult, honestly.

 

[cherice95403]

Carousel has a kids suite with bunk beds and it's directly across the street.

 

[Alinasan]

The Anabella hotel has a kids suite with bunk beds that the kids room has a door that shuts off to the parents room. I think it's in walking distance to DCA.

Is there a way to cut through or you have to go all the way around up to Harbor when walking?

We stayed in a Queen/bunkbed room at the Park Vue in November. Personally I would not want to stay in a room that size with 3 other people. It was probably 2/3 the size of an average Best Western room.
We were surprised when we walked in, to say the least.

That's exactly what worries me, even though we don't plan to hang out much in the room.

I highly recommend not walking at all carrying bunk beds. Just too difficult, honestly.

Well if I look at it like that, once a hotel can walk, it can easily manage carrying bunk beds right?

Carousel has a kids suite with bunk beds and it's directly across the street.

I think they were booked!

For those of you who have used places where you need to use shuttles, I suppose some suggestions for places with bunk beds might work too. How long did the ride take, and how frequently did the shuttle come/go?

 

[GenGen22]

Is there a way to cut through or you have to go all the way around up to Harbor when walking?

I am not sure. We are staying here for the first time in July. We reserved the kids suite to give our 3 teenagers more room. 2 boys 1 girl. This suite has 2 bedrooms & the parents bed is in the main room where you enter the suite. Maybe post another thread and ask others who have stayed here? I'm sorry I couldn't help more.

 

[DisGirl819]

The Anabella is a less than ten minute walk to Downtown Disney. You walk behind California Adventure, past the Paradise Pier Hotel and go in the GCH, turn left and exit into Downtown Disney. Then walk to either park. We have stayed here a lot. Its a nice hotel.

 

[ronandannette]

We did a family suite at the Portofino two years ago when DH and I took DS and a buddy of his (the boys were both 16). It had a separate room with bunks and a pull-out couch, table and chairs, tv and microwave. The "main" room had a queen bed and a tv, vanity and access to the only bathroom. Honestly, it wasn't a fantastic hotel but it was clean, within walking distance (just across the intersection of Harbour on Ketella) and reasonably priced for the type of accommodation we needed. The separate room gave the boys a little "space" to surf the net, play cards, etc., for a bit each night without being right under our sight at all times.

EDITED TO ADD: There were absolutely no issues with bedbugs, filth or lack of security at the Portofino. I can't even put my finger on what failed to impress us...we didn't really have any problems and the front desk staff was very attentive. I guess maybe I just expected too much. I don't have any hesitation recommending it to people though. One thing I would advise though is that you avoid the IHOP across the street. Worst. IHOP. Ever...
I realize your really want bunk beds, but if for some reason that priority changes, I could definitely recommend either the Camelot Inn or the Castle Inn. We've stayed in both of them, they both have 2 room suites (albeit without bunks) and I really loved them both.