Would this parking scheme work?

[dayzemair]

My family is visiting disneyland in July and I have reservations for Desert inn and suites. The primary reasons for this are that they allow our large (6) party to stay in one room and its super close. However, I am not thrilled about the hotel or its breakfast (based off reviews) and would prefer to stay at the embassy suites south which is not really in walking distance - we would be staying with at a AAA rate so we would have free disneyland parking.

I just read hydroguy's thread about how driving your car takes more time than walking and this is my main issue with staying at the embassy - their shuttle would cost us $15 a day and it only leaves every 30min.

So my question is, would it make sense for the three adults in the party to take turns dropping the rest of the party off right out front on harbor and letting them "walk" in and then the adult would park the car and meet us later in the park? we have 3 little kids with a large double stroller so the idea of the tram doesn't thrill me...

or should we just stick with desert inn?

Thanks for any tips or suggestions, I haven't been to disneyland since 2000, we usually vacation in disneyworld so I am really clueless about the logistics of it all!

 

[cyclenut]

My family is visiting disneyland in July and I have reservations for Desert inn and suites. The primary reasons for this are that they allow our large (6) party to stay in one room and its super close. However, I am not thrilled about the hotel or its breakfast (based off reviews) and would prefer to stay at the embassy suites south which is not really in walking distance - we would be staying with at a AAA rate so we would have free disneyland parking.

I just read hydroguy's thread about how driving your car takes more time than walking and this is my main issue with staying at the embassy - their shuttle would cost us $15 a day and it only leaves every 30min.

So my question is, would it make sense for the three adults in the party to take turns dropping the rest of the party off right out front on harbor and letting them "walk" in and then the adult would park the car and meet us later in the park? we have 3 little kids with a large double stroller so the idea of the tram doesn't thrill me...

or should we just stick with desert inn?

Thanks for any tips or suggestions, I haven't been to disneyland since 2000, we usually vacation in disneyworld so I am really clueless about the logistics of it all!

Desert Inn. You will more than make up for the marginal issues in the convenience of walking to the park and even coming back mid-day for a rest.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

If you want to stay at the Embassy Suites, then I would just take the shuttle, and not worry about someone taking turns dropping you off. It really isn't that big of a deal to take the shuttle. Yes, it leaves every 30 minutes, but as long as you know what time it leave (like on every hour and half hour) then you will be fine.

I actually stayed at a hotel with a shuttle last summer (we had never before) and ended up loving the shuttle. It was always there on time, and was such a welcome relief after walking around all day in the parks. To me, it ended up being one of the perks of the hotel.

Everyone has their theories about what is best--but you need to do what works for you and your family. If you do end up staying at Embassy Suites, then I wouldn't give the money it costs to take the shuttle a second thought--that will just be a part of the bigger picture. Disneyland costs so much money that that shuttle will be a drop in the bucket at the end of your trip, and well worth the trouble it saves you not to worry about someone dropping you off and then looking for parking.

If you just hate the idea of a shuttle, then by all means stay within walking distance. It really is that simple.

 

[starshine514]

I would stick w/ the Desert Inn. The location is awesome, especially with the little ones - going back to the room is no big deal. Also, if you hate the breakfast, you do have a fridge and microwave, so you can pick up stuff you prefer instead. It's a 2-star hotel, so don't expect to be wow-ed, but the location is worth it to us (normally I'm a 3-star kinda girl). As you can see from my signature, it's our preferred hotel for Disneyland.

 

[sonnyjane]

Desert Inn. You will more than make up for the marginal issues in the convenience of walking to the park and even coming back mid-day for a rest.

I have to agree. When choosing hotels, I would sacrifice several things in order to have close walking distance.

 

[dayzemair]

I have to agree. When choosing hotels, I would sacrifice several things in order to have close walking distance.

yeah, this is the kind of thinking that made me reserve the desert inn even though I am kind of a moderate hotel snob - at disneyworld we love staying in the moderate hotels and wouldn't do it any other way - but in disneyland it seems like staying close is SOOOO much more of a benefit than at DW.

I am totally prepared to do the breakfast in the room thing, I just was trying desperately to justify the embassy because I love embassy hotels... but I REALLY hate long drawn out transportation things - its one of the things I hate the MOST at disneyworld soooo.... looks like its the desert inn for us lol! Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!