Which Hotel?????????

[goofyboyzmom]

We are contemplating a trip to Disneyland (our first!!!). Which hotel is best? Obviously there is a big price difference to the hotels, but is it warranted? How many days do you need to do "everything"?

All help is appreciated!!

 

[bradk]

see this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1663089

 

[goofyboyzmom]

Thank you for the info brad, but can I please gets lots of peoples opinions. I have a husband and 3 boyz who will be 17.5, 15.5 and 12.5 years old at the time (oh, yeah, we are thinking of August).

 

[flyinshirer]

Thank you for the info brad, but can I please gets lots of peoples opinions. I have a husband and 3 boyz who will be 17.5, 15.5 and 12.5 years old at the time (oh, yeah, we are thinking of August).

We just got back and stayed at the Ramada Inn Maingate. I would NOT recommend it. We stayed in the "penthouse suite". It was dirty, no elevators and only like 2 ice machines in the whole place. My sister (who doesn't travel much and has much lower standards than we do said that my DD10 and DD8 were hotel snobs!) My girls didn't even like it.

We have stayed at 2 of the Holiday Inns and we loved both of them. We have also stayed at the DL hotel and LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!! I wish that we could stay there more often.

I just remembered another one. Hotel Menage. Looks like a really cool place. When we stayed there, they were still remodeling and making TONS of noise. They had to switch our rooms. It was a nice place though. A little pricey for what we got. The food there rocks but the service was VERY slow!

Good luck!
You can always look up hotels and people's opinion on www.tripadvisor.com That site always helps me to decide also.
Have Fun!

 

[goofyboyzmom]

Thank you flyinshire!

 

[cheesemouse]

Here's my two cents worth - we just stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites and I would recommend it. With 3 older boys, you might want more room and they offer a variety of suite styles and sizes. It's not a luxurious hotel but is VERY close to the park and is reasonably priced.

As for the number of days, in August, I would recommend 3.5-4. It'll be crowded and will take a bit longer to do everything. Maybe 3 if you are in hurry-up mode and stay the full park hours.

 

[farmfresh]

Give yourself four days if you can. Hotel wise, its probably easier to start off with what style of accommodation you'd prefer - do you want to share a room, or do you want a bit more space do you want fridge, microwave, pool etc. The big question is disney or non disney - depending on what you choose, your choices open up. Many people choose based on walking distance, but again, as your kids are older, yoiu might not be so worried about that.

That might help you get started , and with a few of those factos nailed down, you'll get many recommendations I'm sure!

 

[acourtwdw]

We stayed at the DisneyLand hotel in May. I don't know the rate as we have DVC and did an exchange. We did 2 days at DL & DCA but felt like we needed 1 more.

 

[melancholywings]

We were a group of 3 and stayed at the Annahiem Camelot, and really loved it. It's a charming older hotel, right a crossed the street from the park. It comes with a contential breakfast - it's very simple but enough to tie you over till lunch. They do room service with a resturant next door. And the best part is we could see the park fireworks from our hotel room, we had a better view there (and less crowded) than when we were in the park. If you stay you might want to ask for a room higher than the 11's (like we were in 411) so that your view won't be blocked by another wing.

 

[kiwitravel]

Carousel Inn, Tropicanna and BWPPI are close (5 min walk) and get good reviews here. Also popular are HoJos and CCI but are a little further away (10 - 15min walk). All these hotels have their own strengths and weaknesses, all depends on what you want in the way of pools, breakfasts, room size and cost

 

[5/4Disney]

We just went for our first time to DL Nov 28th - Dec 2nd and I wish we would have stayed longer. I know WDW like the back of my hand and even after doing researach on DL I still felt lost a bit. Don't get me wrong we did get a lot accomplished, but I don't feel like we had time to take it all in.(enjoy the little things and experience the parks)
We stayed at the PP and it was nice, we paid extra for the concierge package(it was nice also, but don't know if we'd do it again) in order to get the most out of it I felt like we were always going back to the hotel to enjoy some of the perks.(hot appetizers, beer, wine, etc.). The hotel was close, clean and the staff very helpful. That being said, next time I want to pay more and stay at the Grand Californian (looks like WL). If you want the Disney AWE FACTOR then I would stay here. Plus you have your private entrance into DCA which is nice. But if you are wanting to go on a budget I would choose the PP and stay 5-6 days.

 

[CoolPool]

Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, and Paradise Pier in that order. In August with 3 boys you will appreciate the fabulous Disney pools. All are an easy walk or monorail ride away from the parks. Lots of restaurants, a movie theater, music entertainment, and comfy digs. At the GC you can request a Bunkbed room with trundle: that a bed for each boy and a queen for the parents. Staying near/in/on the DLR property will also (possibly) afford your older boys a chance to have a bit of personal freedom. Automatic early entry privledges. Charging priviledges.

Budget will be a concern obviously as there are cheaper options around the park.

*Disclaimer alert: I do not recommend motels due to personal preferences.

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with CoolPool's post. & for your first trip in August, I would say minimum 3.5 - 5 full days. (depending on if you all get up early & tour when it's not crowded or not).

We are contemplating a trip to Disneyland (our first!!!). Which hotel is best? Obviously there is a big price difference to the hotels, but is it warranted? How many days do you need to do "everything"?

All help is appreciated!!

I see you've stayed at All Stars, Port Orleans (Dixie Landings) & Saratoga Springs.

If you were going to WDW next year for the first time, with your (essentially) 5 adults for 4-5 nights....... would you spend $300 - $350 a night at Saratoga?, $220 - 250 a night at Port Orleans?, or $100 a night at All Stars? (& you don't get EMH at All Stars?)

These are basically your choices. (GCH - $300, DLH & PP - $220-$250, Nice functional motels/hotels (just as close) across the street $80-$120.) Probable rates in August. (but it looks like you might be DVC).

& with your crew, if Concierge is a $100 bump or less (at wherever you choose), I'd do it.

3 Waters & 2 Cokes & Breakfast & some snacks X 5 = Way over $100 (plus you get appetizers & beer/wine at 5pm)

Have fun Planning.

 

[Grandma Debby]

My family ( 2 daughters, 2 granddaughters & myself) stayed at the Grand Californian in June VERY convenient - early entry - back to swim and rest for some while the others rode "big girl" rides - back at night for those who wanted to see the fireworks up close and personal while some stayed on the balcony and watched and listened to the music on the TV. Packages sent back to your room - you are a part of the "magic" all the time.
Disneyland Hotel was great in 2005 - monorail right outside the entrance
We will still on site - we won't go as often - we will really enjoy the vacation

 

[JadeDarkstar]

We were a group of 3 and stayed at the Annahiem Camelot, and really loved it. It's a charming older hotel, right a crossed the street from the park. It comes with a contential breakfast - it's very simple but enough to tie you over till lunch. They do room service with a resturant next door. And the best part is we could see the park fireworks from our hotel room, we had a better view there (and less crowded) than when we were in the park. If you stay you might want to ask for a room higher than the 11's (like we were in 411) so that your view won't be blocked by another wing.

we were in 404 and could see well, but ya I think if I stayed there again 411 would be better we had a little obstruction but it was a grate view and better then in the park