Why Shouldn't I Choose Candy Cane Inn?

[bayportkat]

We are taking our first family trip to DL. We have been to WDW many times and always stay on property. Unfortunately, on property at DL is too expensive unless a great deal comes out, so I have been researching other locations. Usually, I would choose a Sheraton or Marriott based hotel, but they don't seem to be very close to the park.

I see a lot of good things said about the Candy Cane Inn, but I would love to hear from anyone that wouldn't recommend it and why? Also, if you wouldn't recommend it, where would you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance! I love all of the information that I can get on this board!

Edited to add- We are a family of 4- kids are 6 and 8. On Disney property, we have stayed in the Value resorts, as well as Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club. Our trip is in August for 4 nights. We arrive on a Thursday around noon from NY and leave early Monday morning for Hawaii. We have 3 full park days. We may try to take in a baseball game, but not yet sure if it will work out- otherwise, we are only doing Disney. I don't think we will be going back to Disneyland anytime soon, but we do have to stick to some kind of budget since we are also going to Hawaii on this trip.

 

[DangerMouse]

Depending on the size of your family, the rooms can be a little tight. But seriously, that is the only complaint I have ever heard about the CCI. Good luck with your trip planning.

 

[Disney Anna]

Can't think of any reason not to stay there. DH and I stayed for two nights last month. Great rate, nice room , nice grounds, free breakfast, walking distance and free shuttle. Oh and free parking which is a major perk.

 

[skiingfast]

Usually, I would choose a Sheraton or Marriott based hotel, but they don't seem to be very close to the park.

I wouldn't stay at those either without a super price, probably that can only be gotten from priceline.


But If you are used to that comfort level the CCI rooms may not do it for you.

In the end though. If you spent half the trip at the Marriot and half at CCI, my bet is you would end up saying better thing about the CCI half.

 

[ducky_love]

Well- CCI is exterior corridor but honestly most of the hotels near DL are the same setup. I'm sure they have replaced the locks by now but when we stayed 5ish years ago they had punch hole keys. It was the oldest thing my DH (an admitted hotel snob) had ever seen. He refused to go back. (and before the flames - I agree that it the dumbest thing I've ever heard)

They last two times we stayed at the Embassy Suites Anaheim South. It is not walking distance to DL but it was nice enough for my DH. They had large, plush interior corridor room with a full breakfast included. It was also walking distance to many restuarants.

This time I get to pick the hotel - my DH is doing to be miserable!!

 

[AustinTink]

Well- CCI is exterior corridor but honestly most of the hotels near DL are the same setup. I'm sure they have replaced the locks by now but when we stayed 5ish years ago they had punch hole keys. It was the oldest thing my DH (an admitted hotel snob) had ever seen. He refused to go back. (and before the flames - I agree that it the dumbest thing I've ever heard)

They last two times we stayed at the Embassy Suites Anaheim South. It is not walking distance to DL but it was nice enough for my DH. They had large, plush interior corridor room with a full breakfast included. It was also walking distance to many restuarants.

This time I get to pick the hotel - my DH is doing to be miserable!!

What's a punch hole key?

 

[ducky_love]

I stole this pic off the internet:

This isn't a pic from CCI but this is what our key looked like. My DH totally spazzed - LOL.

 

[AustinTink]

I wonder if they still have them?

 

[deejdigsdis]

I wonder if they still have them?

That's the kind of key card I had for my January stay.

 

[saving4myfamily]

I stole this pic off the internet:

This isn't a pic from CCI but this is what our key looked like. My DH totally spazzed - LOL.

I am completely clueless about locks, is this type not safe? We are staying at CCI in a couple of weeks, but I'm not concerned, just curious.

We stayed at a cheaper motel on our trip 5 years ago, and the doors made me uncomfortable because when you shut them, from the outside you could still open them part way, even when they were locked. It didn't seem like it'd take much to break them open.

 

[AustinTink]

That's the kind of key card I had for my January stay.

Is there also a top lock, the flap kind, for added security?

 

[Hound 109]

We are taking our first family trip to DL. We have been to WDW many times and always stay on property. Unfortunately, on property at DL is too expensive unless a great deal comes out, so I have been researching other locations. Usually, I would choose a Sheraton or Marriott based hotel, but they don't seem to be very close to the park.

I see a lot of good things said about the Candy Cane Inn, but I would love to hear from anyone that wouldn't recommend it and why? Also, if you wouldn't recommend it, where would you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance! I love all of the information that I can get on this board!

What is your family size & age of kids? (any seniors in the group?)

What are your dates? (& how many days & which days of week will you go into the park?)

Is this your only visit to DLR?

Where do you stay when visiting WDW? (Marriot Sheraton?)

Pink Budgie has a review of the CCI with LOTS of info & comments following. I like the CCI alot.....but would possibly choose a different hotel if my dates or family members changed on me....& depending on the rates.

You're gonna get alot of "depends" answers w/o us knowing more about your situation & expectations.

 

[ducky_love]

I am completely clueless about locks, is this type not safe?

I have no clue. My DH works in hotel management and I think he just was turned off by how old the locks were. Didn't mean to get off topic - sorry OP!!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Is there also a top lock, the flap kind, for added security?

You know, I can't remember exactly. I usually pay close attention to that sort of thing. I would guess there was something...but I just can't remember what.

 

[kiwitravel]

I for one feel that CCI is a little over-rated... Yes it is a very nice hotel, it certainly has some of the best grounds but the standard rooms are very small, almost a single room with two beds squeezed in, the "premier" rooms are simply a normal sized room elsewhere. This is a motel style with rooms opening to external. For me there are better priced, closer alternatives... HoJos at the Entertainment rate is a much better deal and about the same distance or Park Vue includes a hot breakfast and an evening snack and is as close as you can get to DL...

 

[bayportkat]

What is your family size & age of kids? (any seniors in the group?)

What are your dates? (& how many days & which days of week will you go into the park?)

Is this your only visit to DLR?

Where do you stay when visiting WDW? (Marriot Sheraton?)

Pink Budgie has a review of the CCI with LOTS of info & comments following. I like the CCI alot.....but would possibly choose a different hotel if my dates or family members changed on me....& depending on the rates.

You're gonna get alot of "depends" answers w/o us knowing more about your situation & expectations.

I added my information to the original post- thank you for pointing out that I left that information out of my post!!

And thank you to everyone who has posted so far. I am definately leaning toward the Candy Cane Inn, unless a great onsite deal comes out!!

 

[bayportkat]

I for one feel that CCI is a little over-rated... Yes it is a very nice hotel, it certainly has some of the best grounds but the standard rooms are very small, almost a single room with two beds squeezed in, the "premier" rooms are simply a normal sized room elsewhere. This is a motel style with rooms opening to external. For me there are better priced, closer alternatives... HoJos at the Entertainment rate is a much better deal and about the same distance or Park Vue includes a hot breakfast and an evening snack and is as close as you can get to DL...

The HoJo's Entertainment rate isn't available for our travel dates. The CCI and HoJos are running about the same price with a package through Disney. Is the Park Vue a Good Neighbor hotel? Are there any benefits to booking a Good Neighbor Hotel?

 

[aurorae]

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On Disney property, we have stayed in the Value resorts, as well as Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club.

Those are deluxe resorts, not value.

Either of the ones you mentioned would be much more expensive and much more upscale than the moderate/value type good neighbor hotels around DL.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I think the only difference with a package is you get into Toontown Morning Madness an hour before the general public and you get Character Calls to your room.

 

[bayportkat]

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Those are deluxe resorts, not value.

Either of the ones you mentioned would be much more expensive and much more upscale than the moderate/value type good neighbor hotels around DL.

We have stayed at all of the Value resorts (All Star Music, Movie and Sports, POP Century) and we have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club. We have not stayed in any moderates at Disney. I am very happy with Disney quality at their Value resorts, but wasn't sure how the Disney Value resorts would compare to the Good Neighbor Hotels- Is Candy Cane Inn similar to the Value resorts, better, worse? I know that they are not as nice as the deluxe. I have been to WDW at least 20 times and have stayed in a variety of locations, so I understand the structure- just trying to get a comparison since I am not familiar with any of the DL hotels and they don't have the Disney name.