Which hotel/motel would you pick & why?

[DangerMouse]

Can I say "other" Have you looked at the Anaheim Sheraton hotel? It's a bit far to walk but the only hotel with it's own shuttle other than CCI. The rooms are HUGE, and although the bathrooms are a bit small I didn't find them to be any smaller than CCI. AND, unlike the other hotels you mentioned it has inside corriders and feels more "secure" to me. We have almost always booked it for the prices you quote or less. Right now, we have reservations at $116 a night. Just another option you might consider.

HoJo DOES have inside corridors.

 

[avalon451]

HoJo's, 'cause you can't beat the Ent rate for such a nice hotel within 7 minutes of walking. The pool is important to us because of our kids, as is comfortable beds and fridge/microwave for quick breakfasts in the hotel room, and inside corridors for security. And, Lorealle is the nicest, most accomodating manager you can imagine, when you have any questions or needs! She's like an instant friend.

 

[Sally_fan]

I chose HoJos because that IS where we chose to stay for our upcomming trip in October. We chose it based on all the wonderful things that I have read here, the great Ent. Rate that we were able to get for the nights that we are there & the awesome replies that I have recieved from Lorealle via email answering every question that I have pestered her with! lol
That being said, we did stay at the CCI last May & loved it there. I have nothing but good things to say about our stay there & I would definately stay there again!

 

[vossjemi]

I voted HoJos because of its value for money and I am keen to try it next year if i can get a good rate. Other than that I would have opted for Tropicanna as its very close and we had a good stay there. Now if Carousel was an option that still is my first pick....

Carousel was $159/night and I'm trying to stay budget as much as possible. I wish I could get better than the $126-135 I'm seeing on the listed hotels, but their rates may be due to our trip being in August.

 

[vossjemi]

I stayed at the Camelot Inn, which is the Tropicana's sister hotel. From my experience, and from what I've heard, if the Tropicana is like the Camelot, then it is also a good choice. It is very clean, good customer service, the continental breakfast is o.k., and according to the Unofficial Guide, the only hotels that are closer than the Tropicana are the GCH and BWPPI.

At the HoJo, I stayed in building #1 (Disney view), and the rooms in building #1 seemed a little bit nicer and a little brighter than the Camelot/Tropicana. I have heard that the CCI has nice rooms, although their rooms aren't very large.

If the Tropicana is like the Camelot Inn, then the landscaping would be minimal (if that makes a difference to you ). The grounds and landscaping at the HoJo (and CCI, or so I've heard) are nicer.

HTH

Thanks for the info! I considered Camelot but their rates were $141.75/night, and my above list was from narrowing down the field based mostly on price. I also considered BWPPI, but all the cheaper rooms must have been sold out because all I could find was a minisuite for $162/night. I don't know that landscaping matters that much. But, I do wonder if I am paying essentially the same price at these 4 hotes/motels, why would I want one of the ones farther away? Hojo/CCI seem the farthest. Hojo no breakfast. So, why is everyone gung ho Hojo?

 

[pixiewings71]

I didn't vote but I've stayed at all your choices except the Park Vue.
If they are all the same I would stay at the Trop just because it's closest. BUT it is NOT the nicest at all, the nicest would be a tie for me, the HoJo and CCI. They are about the same distance walking but the CCI has a dedicated shuttle.....free shuttle at the end of the day, it's a godsend. LOL So for my family I would pick the CCI or the HoJo. Nicer rooms are the reason why. HoJo rooms are slightly larger than the CCI though, just fyi.

 

[vossjemi]

Can I say "other" Have you looked at the Anaheim Sheraton hotel? It's a bit far to walk but the only hotel with it's own shuttle other than CCI. The rooms are HUGE, and although the bathrooms are a bit small I didn't find them to be any smaller than CCI. AND, unlike the other hotels you mentioned it has inside corriders and feels more "secure" to me. We have almost always booked it for the prices you quote or less. Right now, we have reservations at $116 a night. Just another option you might consider.

Is it the one on Harbor Boulevard or the one on Disneyland drive? The one on disneyland drive looks like $148/night or $140 w/AAA discount. The one on Harbor Boulevard says no availability with my dates. Looks quite far, you are right there. Not sure I'd want to pay more that the others to be so far away, but thanks for the suggestion.

 

[vossjemi]

I voted HOJO because we just got back from staying there. I've never stayed at any of the other hotels, but I loved the HOJO. It was quiet and the pool area is going to be awesome when it is finished.

I'd read a couple of posts on here that it was a "long" walk, but I really didn't feel that it was bad at all. I'm used to going to WDW, so walking from the HOJO was nothing.

I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone and definitely keep checking to see if you can get the entertainment rate. I checked the day before we left and they had added our dates! You really can't beat $59/night.

This is one of the main reasons I'm considering it...the possibility of Ent rate. Maybe for a sun/mond stay they might? So, if I don't have ent book right now, and it gets down to the wire and they have my dates right when I leave, can I buy the book online and actually get the discount? I mean what proof do I need to get it when I arrive or do I need to call before I arrive to make sure I can get the discount?

 

[DangerMouse]

Thanks for the info! I considered Camelot but their rates were $141.75/night, and my above list was from narrowing down the field based mostly on price. I also considered BWPPI, but all the cheaper rooms must have been sold out because all I could find was a minisuite for $162/night. I don't know that landscaping matters that much. But, I do wonder if I am paying essentially the same price at these 4 hotes/motels, why would I want one of the ones farther away? Hojo/CCI seem the farthest. Hojo no breakfast. So, why is everyone gung ho Hojo?

Well, these are the reasons I am gung ho:

1. Super comfy new pillowtop beds.
2. Who needs stale pastries and fruit when you have a fridge and micro in your room and can make your own cereal/oatmeal/fruit for breakfast without getting out of your jammies.
3. Pretty grounds with flowers, fountains and twinkly lights in the trees.
4. FREE parking with security guards and very safe feeling property w/indoor corridors.
5. Best off-site pool areas (will be totally over the top by Aug!)
6. MiMi's Cafe right across the street.
7. Excellent customer service. They really do want you to be 100% happy.
8. Opportunity to get all this for $59-$74?? Need I say more??!

And if you're gonna complain about an extra 4 minutes of walking, then go ahead and stay "directly across the street", it will leave more room at the HoJo for me!

 

[vossjemi]

I voted Park Vue Inn , location location, and the breakfast was the best i have had when staying in anaheim at a moderate hotel. Fresh fruit , yoghurt, juice ,waffles, toast,oat meal. The Ihop out the front had kids eat free after 4.00pm and we were never disapointed.

This is definitely in the running...as you say...location, location...and we only have 2 days so location is key.

 

[vossjemi]

HoJo DOES have inside corridors.

So that I'm clear...CCI, Tropicana, & Park Vue do not have inside corridors? Meaning the door to the room is on the outside of the building? Hmmm.

 

[DangerMouse]

So that I'm clear...CCI, Tropicana, & Park Vue do not have inside corridors? Meaning the door to the room is on the outside of the building? Hmmm.

Yes, they are classic "motels", where the door is on the outside of the building, and right outside your door is the parking lot. Most the accommodations on Harbor and Katella are this way since they were originally built in the 50's and 60's.

 

[vossjemi]

HoJo's, 'cause you can't beat the Ent rate for such a nice hotel within 7 minutes of walking. The pool is important to us because of our kids, as is comfortable beds and fridge/microwave for quick breakfasts in the hotel room, and inside corridors for security. And, Lorealle is the nicest, most accomodating manager you can imagine, when you have any questions or needs! She's like an instant friend.

So, where do you get your quick breakfasts to put in the fridge? We will be coming off a cruise ship sunday 8/10 & taking a shuttle to whatever hotel we pick. No rental car for us. Is there anything within walking distance to buy breakfast for the room? This is one reason I'm tempted on the hotels w/free breakfast. Our stay is so short...2 nights/3 days (1st day eating breakfast on the ship) that I don't know that I'm going to have time to shop for food & if I overbuy, it'll just get wasted.

 

[DangerMouse]

The HoJo has a little convenience/gift shop that sells cereal, yogurt, fruit, milk, snacks, etc. for breakfast. I believe the Tropicana has a gift shop like that as well.

Right next door to the CCI is a mini-mart (may be a 7-11) where you could pick up some breakfast items.

MiMi's and McDonald's are also both on Harbor on your way to the parks if you are walking from the HoJo. I like to pick up muffins from MiMi's in the evening and have them for breakfast the next day.

 

[vossjemi]

I didn't vote but I've stayed at all your choices except the Park Vue.
If they are all the same I would stay at the Trop just because it's closest. BUT it is NOT the nicest at all, the nicest would be a tie for me, the HoJo and CCI. They are about the same distance walking but the CCI has a dedicated shuttle.....free shuttle at the end of the day, it's a godsend. LOL So for my family I would pick the CCI or the HoJo. Nicer rooms are the reason why. HoJo rooms are slightly larger than the CCI though, just fyi.

Thanks! We will have a ton of luggage and souvenirs after just getting off our cruise I'm sure, so larger might be better. Do any of these hotels have laundromat if needed?

 

[vossjemi]

Well, these are the reasons I am gung ho:

1. Super comfy new pillowtop beds.
2. Who needs stale pastries and fruit when you have a fridge and micro in your room and can make your own cereal/oatmeal/fruit for breakfast without getting out of your jammies.
3. Pretty grounds with flowers, fountains and twinkly lights in the trees.
4. FREE parking with security guards and very safe feeling property w/indoor corridors.
5. Best off-site pool areas (will be totally over the top by Aug!)
6. MiMi's Cafe right across the street.
7. Excellent customer service. They really do want you to be 100% happy.
8. Opportunity to get all this for $59-$74?? Need I say more??!

And if you're gonna complain about an extra 4 minutes of walking, then go ahead and stay "directly across the street", it will leave more room at the HoJo for me!

1. Comfy beds...love em!
2.Cooking in my room...is there a store nearby within walking distance to get my food? If so, great! If not, looks like we'll have to go out to eat for breakfast before the parks because we won't have a car.
3.Pretty grounds w/flowers/lights sounds great!
4.Won't have a car, but I do like the idea of indoor corridors.
5. I do like the idea of great pools for the kids. I did hear they were supposed to be ready by end of July, but my dh who is in construction industry, says "well that means it won't be ready by Aug 10....figure about 2 weeks after target date" LOL
6.I do like the idea of good close restaurants.
7.Great! Love good customer service!
8. Would absolutely LOVE to get this price!

As far as complaining, I don't know that I've done that. And, frankly, to be honest I really don't know how much of a walk any of these hotels are. I can only view them on Bret's disneyland lodging map to get an idea. I don't know if it will take me 5 minutes or 20. I just lean towards closer since my kids are 6 and 8 and I know will be very tired of walking by the end of the day. Thanks very much for your list! It was much appreciated.

 

[DangerMouse]

As far as complaining, I don't know that I've done that. And, frankly, to be honest I really don't know how much of a walk any of these hotels are. I can only view them on Bret's disneyland lodging map to get an idea. I don't know if it will take me 5 minutes or 20. I just lean towards closer since my kids are 6 and 8 and I know will be very tired of walking by the end of the day. Thanks very much for your list! It was much appreciated.

I didn't mean "you" personally, I was using "you" in the general sense. So many people assume that the HoJo is "too far". I have a 6, 8 and 10 year old and it takes us roughly 10 minutes to walk from the HoJo to the security tents in the esplanade. If you cross the street at Manchester and walk on the west side of Harbor, you can cut through the taxi/shuttle area and you won't have to cross the street with the hoards of people at the main crosswalk on Harbor.

I will admit that the walk at night is painful -- but just getting to the shuttle area from the main gates is painful when your feet feel like they weigh 50 lbs each. By the time you're on Harbor, we're talking an extra 4-6 minutes to the HoJo. At that point you gotta "just keep swimming".

 

[vossjemi]

I didn't mean "you" personally, I was using "you" in the general sense. So many people assume that the HoJo is "too far". I have a 6, 8 and 10 year old and it takes us roughly 10 minutes to walk from the HoJo to the security tents in the esplanade. If you cross the street at Manchester and walk on the west side of Harbor, you can cut through the taxi/shuttle area and you won't have to cross the street with the hoards of people at the main crosswalk on Harbor.

I will admit that the walk at night is painful -- but just getting to the shuttle area from the main gates is painful when your feet feel like they weigh 50 lbs each. By the time you're on Harbor, we're talking an extra 4-6 minutes to the HoJo. At that point you gotta "just keep swimming".

Thanks for the tip about the shortcut to avoid the hoards of people! I"ll have to remember "keep swimming" to the kids if we do Hojo. I'm really leaning there, and it does seem like the winner of my poll so far...and I know the kids will enjoy the pool area if in fact it is done!: I would just love to get one of their ent rate deals! That would soooo make my day. We actually hadn't planned on doing Disneyland...just the cruise, but airfare out on Sunday literally would have cost us $700 more than Tues, so I figured for that kind of $, I'd rather spend it at Disneyland than airfare! I know I'll go over those savings once you add in ticket prices, but at least I'll get more for my $!

 

[pixiewings71]

If you're looking for interior corridors then go with the HoJo. My kids are 8 and 11 and they don't complain on the walk back to the room at all. In fact my 11 year old is always out ahead of us so she can push the walk button. LOL Really, the HoJo does have nicer rooms and they are bigger than the CCI, my DBF has Plantar Fascitis so he likes the shuttle at the end of day. HoJo has a little store in bldg 1, you can get breakfast stuff there.

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks for the info! I considered Camelot but their rates were $141.75/night, and my above list was from narrowing down the field based mostly on price. I also considered BWPPI, but all the cheaper rooms must have been sold out because all I could find was a minisuite for $162/night. I don't know that landscaping matters that much. But, I do wonder if I am paying essentially the same price at these 4 hotes/motels, why would I want one of the ones farther away? Hojo/CCI seem the farthest. Hojo no breakfast. So, why is everyone gung ho Hojo?

My two cents on a few items commented on in this thread:

- TripAdvisor (which is a great site & reference) posters & Dis posters have different items of import. Many disers are looking for 1) value & 2) quick to the park (because many of us are there at opening & take a mid day break. I think TripAdvisor posters might look at how "nice" a place is & amenities & don't mind riding on ART to DL an hour after the park opens.
- If Hojo is $70 & CCI is $130 (which is sometimes the case) most folks here would jump all over Hojo. If both are $130 then maybe CCI (which offers breakfast & a dedicated shuttle that you'll use half the time) is possibly considered a better "value" than HOJO....but both are nice.
- The prettier grounds (it's a pretty motel basically) & the shuttle also evens the playing field for the CCI vrs. the 3-4 motels "at the light". If you have toddlers &/or elderly the shuttle is VERY handy. But the 3-4 motels "at the light" doesn't need a shuttle (but their "grounds" aren't as nice).

Pro's & Con's to each....but all are walking distance & for most Disers (who spend most of their time at the park) all would "work" depending on price & the family make-up.

fwiw, i've stayed at the Fairfield (twice), the CCI & the Paradise Pier (twice). All were good in different ways & I would stay at all 3 again...& I look forward to staying at some point at BW, HOJO, DH & the GCH as well. (depending on the price & our traveling party make-up).

BUT....I won't stay anywhere that it would be hard (or a pain) to get to the DL front gate 30-40 min. before opening.

Have fun.