Where would you stay with 7 people...

[DahliaRW]

...within walking distance without breaking the bank?

We're looking at going in early December, and taking our 2 nieces with us. So it will be my dh and I, our 3 children (5 1/2, 7 1/2, almost 10) and our nieces (almost 8 and almost 11). We need connecting rooms or a suite.

I'm not too picky about accommodations. It needs to be clean and comfortable, but I'm ok without the luxurious feeling (so plain is fine). I can't handle dirt and bugs and such like that.

Suggestions? I'm thinking we should make a refundable reservation soon as a backup, and then see if any specials come out...

 

[tiki23]

Desert Inn and Suites!

You can get two connecting rooms with 4 queen beds and a sofa bed. We stayed there with 9 and we had plenty of room. Family Parlor Suites range between $149 to $199, depending on dates. That's the combined total for both rooms (before tax and fees)!

It's right across the street from the main gate (really!), is clean, inexpensive and has a deluxe continental breakfast.

 

[DahliaRW]

Desert Inn and Suites!

You can get two connecting rooms with 4 queen beds and a sofa bed. We stayed there with 9 and we had plenty of room.

It's right across the street from the main gate (really!), is clean, inexpensive and has a deluxe continental breakfast.

Thank you! I'll look into that!

(You live near me! About 40 minutes south of me!)

 

[tiki23]

Thank you! I'll look into that!

(You live near me! About 40 minutes south of me!)

 

[Geemo]

I'm another vote for DI&S.
Over the past three trips we have stayed in a 2Q, C-1 and C-2 rooms. The one with three rooms was perfect for privacy.

Location is so nice and easy to get to and from the parks.

Booking early will get you a nice rate.

Geemo

 

[awinangie]

Yet another vote for Desert Inn & Suites. Haven't stayed anywhere else since we found it.

When you make your reservation, please be sure to note the bathrooms. Some of the suites have two full baths and some have one full and one half. I can't remember which is which. But, keep it in mind when you're making your choice.

You don't have to pay up front for a reservation at DI&S. Yippee!!! If you don't have a car, though, be sure to ask them to take the parking fee off your bill.

Wondering where you must be, as Des Moines is also 30-40 minutes south of us in Ballard.

 

[DahliaRW]

Yet another vote for Desert Inn & Suites. Haven't stayed anywhere else since we found it.

When you make your reservation, please be sure to note the bathrooms. Some of the suites have two full baths and some have one full and one half. I can't remember which is which. But, keep it in mind when you're making your choice.

You don't have to pay up front for a reservation at DI&S. Yippee!!! If you don't have a car, though, be sure to ask them to take the parking fee off your bill.

Wondering where you must be, as Des Moines is also 30-40 minutes south of us in Ballard.

I'm on the Eastside, way east and then a bit south of you.

Thank you. I'm glad this is feasible. Now I just need to talk to my sister and clear taking them for their birthdays! Wanted to make sure there were reasonable accommodations. And yes, I was noticing the difference in bathrooms. The rates are really reasonable for that many people.

Anyone know what their "free breakfast" consists of and what time it is offered?

 

[awinangie]

I suspect the breakfast times vary a bit, but if I remember correctly it was 7:30 to 9:30 in February.

The continental breakfast is really only so-so, but something I really appreciate. If memory serves, they had coffee and tea, milk and juice, 2 kinds of cereal, toast, danishes, apples &/or oranges, and boiled eggs. The boiled eggs were new since our last trip, and I really appreciated them. We'd always had a friend bring them to us to supplement breakfast in the past.

The rooms have a fridge and microwave, which are super-helpful. The fridges aren't the little bitty square kind, but the type that's about 3 ft. tall. A really nice size for a hotel room, in my book. We always bring food to supplement the continental breakfast, and have lunch in the room before a mandatory rest time. Saves us a ton of money.

I've called the Desert Inn & Suites a few times with questions over the past year or so. They've always been super-helpful and answer the phone right away. 714-772-5050.

 

[DahliaRW]

Thank you! I'm gf, so hotel breakfast can be hit or miss. Sounds like it has enough to get us going, and we can supplement too. Then do an early lunch in the parks.

I will call them if I have specific questions. Probably put a reservation in for our best guess of dates and then wait on airfares!

 

[awinangie]

I had two reservations for the same time period this summer. We were supposed to have a joint trip with another family so I reserved a suite and a "deluxe" also just in case... Turns out that the just in case was necessary, as the other family had to cancel. So I canceled the one we didn't need.

So thankful I did that!

No need to pre-pay for reservations, so you've got a lot of flexibility with DI&S. I really appreciate that.

 

[awinangie]

By the way, if you haven't seen it, there's a super-thread (or at least a big thread) about eating gluten-free at Disneyland. My friend who's little one was recently diagnosed Celiac says it was really informative!

 

[At Least Many]

We just came back from staying at the BW Raffles. Not necessarily walking distance, but right next to the Toy Story parking lot. It was very easy to walk to that lot and catch a tram. We stayed in a Family Suite that had 2 full bathrooms, two queen beds, one set of bunk beds and a sofa bed. It was clean and even though some reviews say different, it was quiet. We did not have to valet park, but I hear when things are busy, you do have to valet. We stayed for 6 nights for about $800.

 

[todzwife]

I have to agree w/ DI&S...I just called Ramada maingate about their 2 room suite and they want $269/night!

 

[pixieprincess13]

We have 3 adults and 2 kids going in June and we booked Anaheim Del Sol Inn for 5 nights. It has a pair of bunk beds and 2 queen beds, mini fridge, microwave and one bathroom. It has a basic continental breakfast, but we will be bringing stuff with us. With our vacation package that we booked through getaway today the room came out to $115 a night and it is on Harbor, right across the street from both parks. Google maps says it is a 5 minute walk

 

[DahliaRW]

We have 3 adults and 2 kids going in June and we booked Anaheim Del Sol Inn for 5 nights. It has a pair of bunk beds and 2 queen beds, mini fridge, microwave and one bathroom. It has a basic continental breakfast, but we will be bringing stuff with us. With our vacation package that we booked through getaway today the room came out to $115 a night and it is on Harbor, right across the street from both parks. Google maps says it is a 5 minute walk

Unfortunately their max per room s 6.

 

[Malcon10t]

My preferences - View Suite at the Carousel or the Residence Inn maingate (hot breakfast daily, free parking, light dinner a couple nights a week...)

 

[DahliaRW]

My preferences - View Suite at the Carousel or the Residence Inn maingate (hot breakfast daily, free parking, light dinner a couple nights a week...)

The Carousel looks nice, but at $400/night, I don't think so. Not when we can stay at the DI&S for $640 for four nights base rate! I've stayed at the RI Maingate, it is not walking distance with 5 kids, unfortunately, because it is a nice hotel. As for light dinner, we're never at the hotel around dinner time!

 

[BirdsSingWords]

Another vote here for DI&S. We stayed a few weeks ago with a part of six, and it was terrific. You can't beat the location -- hotel driveway to DL security line in less than 5 minutes!

 

[Malcon10t]

The Carousel looks nice, but at $400/night, I don't think so. Not when we can stay at the DI&S for $640 for four nights base rate! I've stayed at the RI Maingate, it is not walking distance with 5 kids, unfortunately, because it is a nice hotel. As for light dinner, we're never at the hotel around dinner time!

Wow, we usually see the View suite at about $200 a night. And it is a great suite.

And yes, Residence Inn is about a 15 min walk. But we prefer it to DIS. ANd the DIS is still a lot cheaper.

 

[Baxhappyplace]

We are doing the DIS this summer for our party of five. Never been there but we got the C2 room. Just a thought, with a larger party two bathrooms beat one any day. Everybody trying to get their showers in and trying to get ready, two full bathrooms are great. I was looking at other suites across the street and a lot of them didn't have two bathrooms, I knew that wouldn't work for us. Hope you decide on a hotel that will work for you.