Walking Distance vs. Toy Story Shuttle (FFI or Cortona Inn)

[CopperCanyon]

I've finally whittled my hotel choice down to two (that only took a month!) My DW prefers FFI because of walking distance and consistent positive reviews. But I'm seriously considering the Spa Suite at Cortona and utilizing the Toy Story Lot. The vacationers are Me, DW, DS5, DS3, and DD1.
I already know that walking distance is preferred by nearly everyone here on the boards and I appreciate the convenience as well. But I can't tell if that alone is worth $250 (a lot to us!) over 4 nights - 1/5/14 to 1/9/14?
My thinking is that with a nice room to ourselves and the boys out on the sofa sleeper, we'll be more comfortable at Cortona. Truthfully, it seems like Cortona might be a hidden gem (or at least a hidden nugget) - I just don't think it will be that bad to use the TS lot. HOWEVER, I'm worried because the last time I was at Disneyland I was 21 and single. I haven't done this with any kids before, let alone 3 of them. Maybe I need a reality check!

Ok DISers, work your magic! Ready, Go!

 

[blutes]

Toy story lot is accessible but you will have to cross Harbor and walk part way thru the parking lot to reach the bus stops..it is kind of hazardous. you would have to be very careful with 3 small children

It as been years since I stayed at FFi and I think I remember there rooms being small..I think it will be cozy with 5 of you..

 

[bleeps]

Based on my excellent experience last week with Toy Story shuttles, I'd recommend that route (although I can't comment on the hotels specifically that you are deciding between).

I just got back from 5 days at Anaheim Hilton, and I used the TS shuttle every day to return to the hotel (I just walked to the parks on the way there -- I was in town for a conference and so went to the parks each day when my sessions were over). It is very easy to cross Harbor -- there are cross walks and traffic lights, and in the parking lot itself there are clearly marked lanes for pedestrians. It never felt hazardous/dangerous to walk around in there.

And the great part was that, when leaving Disney, the Toy Story shuttle buses ran in a constant stream -- there was never any wait for a bus! There were always seats available, etc. -- no issues at all.

 

[Dunkles]

We stayed at the Cortona Inn last year, in a family suite. It was ok - I did really like having 2 separate rooms for us and the kids. The kids room has a bunkbed and a sofa bed so they could have their own space! But the hotel itself is nothing special; it's one of those places that photographs *really* well.

We used ART and it was great, didn't miss driving at all.

 

[CopperCanyon]

So if we do decide to deal with TSL shuttles, which Anaheim Convention Center-area hotel do you recommend? (We prefer to book through Costco if possible...)

 

[julieheyer]

With 3 small children, there is the stroller consideration. I hated waking the sleeping child, folding the stroller, loading into the shuttle, then unloading stroller, replanting child just to walk to the hotel from the shuttle stop. I much preferred letting my kids fall asleep in the stroller, then just pushing them home to the hotel.

I haven't stayed at either hotel, you mentioned and my kids are older now (10 & 13), but we still choose a walking distance Harbor hotel. It's so nice to stay so close by without having to wait in more lines and shuttle back to the hotel at the end of the long day. Just my $0.02. I'd check other sites (last minute travel, getaway today) for cheaper walking distance Harbor hotels.

 

[8timesblessed]

We just did this walk for 9 days. I was so wishing we were at the Crosswalk hotels. In December we stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites in their room that sleeps 10. We have 10 people in our family. The oldest is 15 and the youngest is 7. The hotel was fine, the beds a little hard and I wished they had better bedding but water pressure was great and the bathrooms were clean. We supplemented breakfast so it was fine.
This time we decided to try the Doubletree Suites for $100 a night and got 2 suites. The walk took about 10min to the bus but you had to cross two streets and they were big. The bus ride was about 10min so it could easily take 30min to get to the parks. The water pressure was great at Doubletree and loved their warm cookies but there were so many times we were wishing we could just walk across the street.
Or we wished we were the Red lion so we were on the same side as the Toy Story lot. But we would've needed 3 rooms for our family.

 

[QueenofPrideRock]

Based on my excellent experience last week with Toy Story shuttles, I'd recommend that route (although I can't comment on the hotels specifically that you are deciding between).

I just got back from 5 days at Anaheim Hilton, and I used the TS shuttle every day to return to the hotel (I just walked to the parks on the way there -- I was in town for a conference and so went to the parks each day when my sessions were over). It is very easy to cross Harbor -- there are cross walks and traffic lights, and in the parking lot itself there are clearly marked lanes for pedestrians. It never felt hazardous/dangerous to walk around in there.

And the great part was that, when leaving Disney, the Toy Story shuttle buses ran in a constant stream -- there was never any wait for a bus! There were always seats available, etc. -- no issues at all.

This is great to hear as I will be staying there in January with a friend and we had planned on using the TS shuttles if tired. Thanks!

 

[Girimama33]

Given your children's ages, I would stay at FFI. It is so much easier to get to and from the parks (especially if you are taking breaks). I prefer not to deal with folding/unfolding of the stroller any more than I have too. Also, thre usually isnt much of a line from the parking lot, but depending on the time of day (after closing or Fireworks) the line at the park for the TS shuttles can be quite long.