Which hotel would you choose?

[mrs_z]

I'd like to stay at either Disneyland Hotel or a good neighbor hotel within walking distance. I'd like to get the Costco package. They mentioned the Fairfield Inn, Carousel, and Park Place Inn as the good neighbor hotels that I can choose from (party of 5).

The cost difference is about $500 between the DLH and the good neighbor hotels. I like the idea of the monorail being right there at the DLH but I'm not sure it the $500 difference is worth the amenities. I welcome your opinions on these places! Oh and we are driving so there are parking fees to consider. If it makes any difference my husband is probably pro-staying on site - it's me that's saying Whew - that's a lot of money that could offset a lot of other costs on this trip.


Thanks for your help.

 

[skiingfast]

Having the Monorail is moderately useful. It goes to Tomorrowland not the front gate and not to DCA.

PPI has some good benefits to staying there. It and the carousel are closer than the DLH too.

 

[ironpig70]

The Ramada Inn Maingate has "suites" which may be a way to go. It is in walking distance to the parks.

 

[FlameGirl]

We've stayed at DLH and BWPPI. While staying on property is nice, it doesn't really justify the cost for us. DLH is nice, but we actually liked PPH better. Although we haven't stayed in the newly DLH renovated rooms yet, either. BWPPI is fine and we booked through Costco as well. You can't beat the walk to the park and the service is great.

As an aside, when we stayed at the DLH, we used the monorail a grand total of one time.

 

[Cagirl767]

If you ask me, the monorail is sort of a non issue as far as needing it to save on walking. Most people stay on site to stay within the Disney magic of not leaving the resort or for reasons such as a once in a lifetime trip, etc. The Carousel may be a closer walk vs. DLH and they have suites and it is a nice motel type property. Fairfield is a farther walk, but very do-able, they used to have a pull out single sleeper for your party of 5. I think you'd get more room at Carousel or PPI if you get a suite. And I believe they both have complementary breakfasts. It's hard to tell on a map, but Carousel and PPI are such a very short walk, even for me, a lazy person.

 

[mrs_z]

Arggh. Decisions. My husband says stay on site, I'm still not so sure. We'll take a look at what we've saved for the trip so far and have a family meeting. Thank you all for the good information.

 

[Dobie]

When are you going? If you are going this winter, you might want to consider a walking distance motel, as it might be too cold to swim. I wouldn't stay at one of those motels during warm weather when I wanted to relax at the pool, though. DLH is remodeling this winter and it might be a PITA. However, if you are going this summer when the remodel is done, I would definately consider DLH.

Also, you might want to consider the Anaheim Sheraton. Its not walking distance, but they have a very convenient shuttle, it has many of the same amenities as on site, and is very quiet and much much cheaper. Thats where the Dobies stay when they can't afford to stay onsite.

 

[SplashMo]

It is fun either way but the disney hotels are Disney which is very cool.

 

[tink2dw]

Desert Inn and Suites!!!!
1600 S. Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-772-5050

Look at the suites - Sleeps Up to 10 guests

http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/room_suites.htm

Use the Entertainment Book discount!!

 

[taaren]

Paradise Pier is usually cheaper than DLH, and still has some of that Disney magic. We like Fairfield Inn for short trips, but if you're looking for close that's cheaper than on site, BW Park Place Inn is about as close as you can get.
Part of the question should be: how much time are you planning on spending in the room? The first year we stayed at GCV I said, man this luxury is wasted on us because we're always in the park, never in the room. But now we have more leisurely trips so we spend more time in the room/at the hotel so its worth it for the long ones.

 

[momrek06]

I have only stayed at the Candy Cane Inn! Free parking, free breakfast and free wifi! . We usually do day trips but if we stay over it is the CCI! A very short walk to DL but they do have a shuttle! Plus you get a $10.00 coupon to use (per night) when you return!

We are going THIS weekend!!!

Weather is going to be amazing!!!

 

[index]

I have only stayed at the Candy Cane Inn! Free parking, free breakfast and free wifi! . We usually do day trips but if we stay over it is the CCI! A very short walk to DL but they do have a shuttle! Plus you get a $10.00 coupon to use (per night) when you return!

We are going THIS weekend!!!

Weather is going to be amazing!!!

That's awesome!!

 

[CrazyDuck]

When are you going? If you are going this winter, you might want to consider a walking distance motel, as it might be too cold to swim. I wouldn't stay at one of those motels during warm weather when I wanted to relax at the pool, though. DLH is remodeling this winter and it might be a PITA. However, if you are going this summer when the remodel is done, I would definately consider DLH.

Also, you might want to consider the Anaheim Sheraton. Its not walking distance, but they have a very convenient shuttle, it has many of the same amenities as on site, and is very quiet and much much cheaper. Thats where the Dobies stay when they can't afford to stay onsite.

What he said!

 

[ter-moo]

With five of you, I'd pick the Park Place Inn. You'll have more room, a free breakfast every morning, and a VERY easy walk to the parks. This would negate the need for the monorail.

The money you'd save on breakfast alone would more than cover the parking cost/night (you'd have that at the DLH anyway) plus there's that extra $500 in your pocket for OTHER meals.

 

[MattsPrincess]

We just stayed at the Carousel in November. I have a full review in the trip report linked in my signature, with pictures. But, if you don't feel like clicking over to it, here's a brief version:

No free internet. They say there is, but only if you want to use one of two laptops in the lobby. So, technically, there is "free internet" just not in your room. Walk to the park was a breeze, maybe 5 minutes and that's a stretch. Breakfast was good. Parking lot is small, valet only. Friendly staff, comfy rooms, cool view of the parks. We're planning on staying again if we go in June like we're planning on.

 

[monami7]

I have stayed at the Candy Cane Inn 3 times. If we aren't staying at Grand Califrnian which is my favorite hotel anywhere) we stay at CCI.
Free breakfast, close enough to walk in, free parking and very friendly people.

 

[Mickeybell]

We just stayed at the Fairfield. The chair turns into a pull out single bed (for the 5th person). Its kinda small but good for a child or short adult. My 9 year old son slept in it and liked it. There was only 4 of us but he was happy not to have to share a bed!
That was the farthest we have ever stayed on Harbor. The walk was not bad at all in the morning but at the end of the night it seemed alot farther. Each night I was wishing we had stayed at the Park Place Inn!