Which hotel do you think? Need your help?

[Disney Fans]

I haven't been to Disneyland since I was about 7 years old. Alot has changed since then and I have been reading the boards to try and found out which hotel is best for our family of 4.
I have two children under the age of 5 so which hotel do you think is best by way of how not having to walk to much, how nice the hotel is and the price so I still need your help.

Which hotel do you think is best to stay:
1) DisneyLand Hotel
2) HOJO
3) Candy Cane Inn
4) Radisson at Maingate.
Which one of these to you think is best and why? I see alot of you like these and need to know which one you would choose?
Thanks for your help?

 

[daannzzz]

If money is not a factor the Disneyland Hotel is great. the rooms are , generally, very large and nicely decorate an in a fun manner. The grounds are beautiful and the monorai and Downtown Disney are very close. For quite a bit less money bothe the HoJo and Candy Cane Inn are great places to stay. Hojo has nicer grounds, two pools, interior corridors and most rooms have balconies. Candy Cane in is pretty with lots of blooming plants and nicely decorated rooms. It has exterior corridors and a nice breakfast near the one pool.
The Radisson (from what I have read and heard from aquaintences) is a servicable place that is farthe away from the parks then the other three.

 

[Disney Fans]

How long of walk do you think it is from DLH to the monorial at Downtown Disney? Thats why I have been alittle worried about DLH? But can't spend the extra money for the Disney Calf grand hotel.
Thanks for letting me know what you think!

 

[BrerMama]

I found a list of measured distances from hotels to the front gates of DL. Radisson wasn't measured, but the other 3 were. All 3 hotels are just over a half mile with less than 1/10 of a mile separating them. I'd make my choice based on what you can afford and what kind of stay you want (i.e. atmosphere), and not factor in distances since the difference is small.

 

[Disney Fans]

Thanks for the info. I had read on some of the boards that DLH has the monoril just outside the hotel but then some others stated that you can no longer use the one that is close and that you have to walk to the Disney downtown monoril? I have a foot problem which will effect me at the end of the day so I don't want to spend extra money on DLH just for sake of saying that I stayed their which still might be nice due to more Mickey time LOL around us but if the walk is not any closer being on sight at the DLH I just wanted to make sure what is clear about the walking distance because on the maps that I have seen it looks close but I just didn't know. And since the the other hotels seem nice also Thats why I would like to have your imput about the hotels! Thanks so much!
We are trying to plan a trip for New Years time this year and knowing that the crowds might be alittle crazy I just want go get as much info as possible!

 

[BrerMama]

The monorail didn't move. The DLH used to be larger, so the monorail was at the edge of the hotel. When DTD was built, they tore down parts of DLH and built DTD where the buildings had been. So now the monorail is in DTD, instead at the hotel, but it didn't move. If you can picture that.

You can use the monorail to get into DL, but it is going down for renovation at some point. I wasn't sure when you were going. I know I'm trying not to let the monorail into my decision for this reason.

Personally, it just depends what kind of experience we want. Do we want all Disney? Or do we want to be able to take a break from the parks, eat at non-Disney restaurants and relax? If you decide for the break, I think you couldn't go wrong with either HoJo or CCI.

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

And if you decide on an offsite hotel, I highly recommend the Candy Cane Inn, it has a dedicated shuttle that runs every half an hour, so that would be great for your foot problems, HoJo relies on the ART.

Jules

 

[Buttercup26]

The HoJo has a much better pool area for small children. If I were you I would stay at the HoJo in one of the home office rooms, they have a fridge, ask for one of the larger ones (they aren't all exactly the same). You can take the ART if needed, although the walk really isn't that bad. It's not any further than the DLH.

 

[PrincessSitka]

I always stayes at the Disneyland Hotel and I love it. Somebody suggested Howard Johnson has anybody heard of this hotel and is it a 5 star hotel? I wonder about the walk. I like to start my days when I go down to Disneyland early.

 

[Judy from Boise]

actually I would guess that HoJo is more of a nice motel, for sure not a 5 star hotel !

 

[abby]

We stayed at the DLH in April, My dd (then almost 5) didn't mind the walk through downtown disney, lots to keep her entertained while we were walking. It might have helped that I rented a stroller for her while at DL and CA, even tho she never used one at home anymore (in fact we don't even own one) it seemed to save her energy so she was fine on the walk home. (although I was tired.........)

 

[daannzzz]

Howard Johnson is not a 5 star hotel. http://www.hojoanaheim.com/

It is a nice Motor Inn I would say. There are numerous buildings with interior corridors. It is hotel like but doesn't have all the amenities.

 

[lark]

How long of walk do you think it is from DLH to the monorial at Downtown Disney?

I didn't see whether you ever got this one answered, although it's implied in the other posts, but basically the answer depends on which of the 3 towers you are staying in. From the Sierra tower, it's very very short. Maybe 3 minutes, or like 5 if you're moving slowly. I'm not great at estimating distances, buy you can see it pretty easily from the door of the Sierra tower -- if someone said it was 300 yards, I'd be surprised it was that far. From Marina, just a little bit longer -- another 100 yards or so. From Bonita, it's actually a pretty healthy walk. Closer to as much as 10 minutes if you walk slowly.

One thing to be aware of. The monorail only helps you for disneyland. If you are planning to go to California Adventure, it's a pretty long walk to the front gates. Probably just as far, if not a bit farther, than the other hotels you're thinking about -- although I don't know much about them. (Just going by a map.)

One other thing you might want to check on -- when you take the monorail into disneyland, it takes you inside the park, so you have to already have your admission ticket to get on. So make sure to have that in advance, or you won't save yourself the walk. Also, if you're planning to rent strollers, I don't think there's anywhere to get them where the monorail drops you off inside DL, so you might actually make more of a walk for yourself back to the front gate.

 

[disneylvr2]

I found a list of measured distances from hotels to the front gates of DL. Radisson wasn't measured, but the other 3 were. All 3 hotels are just over a half mile with less than 1/10 of a mile separating them.

Brermama, is this list available online anywhere? We are actually trying 3 different hotels on our next trip to Anaheim and wondered how far away they will be. (staying at Paradise Pier, Carousel & Castle Inn - just to try them out.)

 

[Disney Fans]

Thanks for your imput. If we can afford it I think we will stay at DLH or DPH but if we can't then I think we will stay at Candy Cane Inn because the hotel does seem to have such wonderful reviews from many different web sites. But feel free to let me and others know more about which hotel you like the more info helps us who haven't been before.

 

[lntsmom]

The staff there was FABULOUS!!!! We were treated as if we were VIP's...given a better room than I'd booked, given lots of tips and hints, offered services such as booking my return transportation to the airport for me. All of that for $65 a night!!!

The important things...the room was quiet and comfortable. The grounds were safe and clean. The hotel gift shop had a great selection of grab-and-go foods, including fresh fruit, yogurt, and milk. You could even purchase individual styrofoam bowls if needed.

If you're like me, traveling with young children and following a strict budget, you'll love HOJO's. Paula at the front desk is the best!!!

Oh, and we didn't find the ART to be a real problem. If you have an infant, yes, it might not be for you, but if your kids are preschool or older, it will work!

 

[Buttercup26]

The other thing I love about the HoJo (espeically w/kids) is that the doors to the rooms are INSIDE the buildings. You must go into the building to get to the rooms. Many of the other lodging nearby are what I call a "motel" meaning that your room opens directly to the outdoors, not an interior hallway.