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Good Neighbor Hotels

PSU_Princess

PSU_Princess

Member
Original Poster
It's just me agian with some DL questions. Can anyone give me some more information about the good neighbor hotels? I was looking at them and it looks like you can pick from a variety of well known hotel chains (Hilton, Hapmton Inn etc).

My question is how far are these hotesl from DL?
Are they close enough to walk....if not do they provide transportation and is it pretty reliable?

Other than being right at parks and the Disney atmosphere is there any big advantage to staying on site? We have decided that all future WDW trips will be onsite. With the size of the resort, the various options from value-deluxe, EMH, onsite transportation and DME we really don't see a reason to stay off site while at WDW--seems that there is more of a hassale and more time spent for transportation. Since the DLR is not as vast as WDW I wasn't sure if we would run in to as many problems not being onsite and seeing that DL recommends these hotels it can't be all that bad??? right?

We are planning on staying at DL for about 3 days, but this will be just part of a 2 week vacation. I don't expect this entire trip to be cheap by any means, but if we can save money in certain places I'm sure it will help at other times along the trip.

Thanks for your help!:wave:
 
TTATraveler

TTATraveler

Active Member
PSU_Princess said:
It's just me agian with some DL questions. Can anyone give me some more information about the good neighbor hotels? I was looking at them and it looks like you can pick from a variety of well known hotel chains (Hilton, Hapmton Inn etc).

My question is how far are these hotesl from DL?
Are they close enough to walk....if not do they provide transportation and is it pretty reliable?

Other than being right at parks and the Disney atmosphere is there any big advantage to staying on site? We have decided that all future WDW trips will be onsite. With the size of the resort, the various options from value-deluxe, EMH, onsite transportation and DME we really don't see a reason to stay off site while at WDW--seems that there is more of a hassale and more time spent for transportation. Since the DLR is not as vast as WDW I wasn't sure if we would run in to as many problems not being onsite and seeing that DL recommends these hotels it can't be all that bad??? right?

We are planning on staying at DL for about 3 days, but this will be just part of a 2 week vacation. I don't expect this entire trip to be cheap by any means, but if we can save money in certain places I'm sure it will help at other times along the trip.

Thanks for your help!:wave:
Click to expand...

Most of the Good Neighbor hotels are within a 1 or 2 block radius of the DL Esplanade and are walkable. I stayed at the Hilton on my last trip and it was about a 20 minute walk. A lot of the hotels are on the ART's loop. (www.rideart.com) You should check out their website for pricing and route maps. I think I paid $9 for a 4 day pass the last time. Those hotels not serviced by the ART may provide their own transportation.

I don't think there is any advantage of staying at 1 of Disney's hotels, with the exception of the Grand Californian (if you can afford it). I stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel on my first trip and it was nices, but nothing more then a slightly Disneyfied Hilton. The walk from there was about 10-15 minutes. I would save your money and stay at a good neighbor hotel, as they are just as close and offer transportation.
 
maharet97a

maharet97a

New Member
PassPorter has a DL and Southern California edition now. It lists all the Good Neighbor hotels and websites for them as well as descriptions and mini reviews. It has the distances from the gate as well as info on transportation to the park ( if provided or if ART) It's definitely worth the price, especially if you're planning on visiting other SoCal attractions as well. Amazon.com has it for about $14.
 
netenyahoo

netenyahoo

New Member
Many of the hotels are as close or closer than Disney's hotels to the parks. My favorite is Candy Cane Inn next to DCA. Very nice place and within walking distance.
 
U

UKHelen

Member
On our trip to DL in Aprl 05 we stayed at the Howard Jonhson, and were no further than a 10 minute walk away. We were more than happy with both the hotel amenities, cleanliness etc and the proximity to the park. If you are interested the website is www.hojoanaheim.com. Wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
 
MainSt1993

MainSt1993

New Member
PSU_Princess said:
We are planning on staying at DL for about 3 days, but this will be just part of a 2 week vacation. I don't expect this entire trip to be cheap by any means, but if we can save money in certain places I'm sure it will help at other times along the trip.
Click to expand...

Let me give this caveat first - my idea of "roughing it" is a hotel with only once daily maid service. So take my comments with a grain of salt.

Walt called the area surrounding his beloved Disneyland eyesores for a reason - they are. But with Disneyland's expansion and the beginning of the Good Neighbor hotels program, it seems the non-Disney hotels have done a lot to clean up their act and polish their service.

As far as Disney-owned hotels go, unless you're staying at the Grand, you might as well save your money and stay at a good neighbor. I'm often pleased - but seldom surprised - by the service I experience at various hotels. The Grand surprised me. You pay handsomely for it, but it's a very nice experience.
 
hoppypooh

hoppypooh

Member
UKHelen said:
On our trip to DL in Aprl 05 we stayed at the Howard Jonhson, and were no further than a 10 minute walk away. We were more than happy with both the hotel amenities, cleanliness etc and the proximity to the park. If you are interested the website is www.hojoanaheim.com. Wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
Click to expand...

Another vote for the HoJo. We've stayed twice and loved it. Save your money for the parks - don't waste it on the over priced DL hotels on property.
 
crossfamily

crossfamily

New Member
I am so glad my friend found this site for me. To think I almost paid to stay onsite. Downfalls of a WDW vetern! Thanks for all the good tips and the link!
 
GymLeaderPhil

GymLeaderPhil

Well-Known Member
Avoid the Hilton at all costs. Stayed there for a convention and that's the only reason.

HoJo, Candy Cane Inn, and the Residence Inn are the only close off-site hotels that I would ever stay at with my money.
 
Nicole220

Nicole220

Well-Known Member
When my cousin came down to visit, she stayed at the Marriott. It offers a quick shuttle ride over to Disneyland and drops you off near the entrance. The Marriott isn't in walking distance to DL, but the shuttle ride was great help.
 
BRER STITCH

BRER STITCH

Well-Known Member
You can't go wrong with either the Homewood Suites or the Embassy Suites!

I have stayed at each twice and they are both excellent places to stay!

Each has shuttle transportation to the Disney Parks, are very clean and secure, and both also serve full breakfasts each day, which really came in handy!

If you are a member of either the Hilton or Marriott Frequent Guest Programs, you may even get them for free...or earn points towards your NEXT trip!

:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:
 
NadieMasK2

NadieMasK2

Active Member
Candy Cane Inn! It's closer than Paradise Pier, on the same side of Harbour Blvd, easily walkable but they do have a designated shuttle. This means that unlike many other good neighbor hotels, you don't have to make any other stops, and the bus runs constantly. And the price is excellent!
 
BarryH

BarryH

New Member
The closest offsite hotel is the Park Vue Inn. It's right next to the large crosswalk to DL. It's a 5 minute walk to DL's pearly gates! The rooms are nice and the continental breakfast buffet is pretty decent. If you want something more substantial, you can eat at IHOP or McDonald's close by.

I've stayed at the Desert Inn too, which is right next door to the Park Vue Inn. The rooms are nice, but the parking spaces are tight. You might end up parking in the basement parking lot.

I've also stayed at the Penny Savers Inn, which is a 10-15 minute walk. I had to walk through parking lots and grass to get from there to DL. The rooms were kind of ghetto and paint was peeling in weird places. The pool looked like someone filled it with a garden hose and strange things were floating in it! :eek: It was the cheapest I found in the DL area nearby, but spend a few dollars extra on somewhere nicer.
 
I

isitingood

New Member
A lot of the GN Hotels and Motels near DL are walking distance which you could never do at WDW. The Jolly Roger is right across the street and is one the most popular motels on Harbor Blvd:wave:
 
PSU_Princess

PSU_Princess

Member
Original Poster
It looks like we might be staying at the Hampton Inn. My mom has a timeshare through the Hilton, so she was able to convert her points......we are going to use the points as our Christmas gift. When I look at the Disneyland site they list a Hampton Inn as one of the Moderate Good Neighbor Hotels, but on the Hampton web site they list 2 for Anaheim---the one that states it is near Disneyland is not the same one on the Disney web site. Anyone have any advice?
 
I

isitingood

New Member
PSU_Princess said:
It looks like we might be staying at the Hampton Inn. My mom has a timeshare through the Hilton, so she was able to convert her points......we are going to use the points as our Christmas gift. When I look at the Disneyland site they list a Hampton Inn as one of the Moderate Good Neighbor Hotels, but on the Hampton web site they list 2 for Anaheim---the one that states it is near Disneyland is not the same one on the Disney web site. Anyone have any advice?
Click to expand...

Which one are you talking about. there is a Hampton Inn on Harbor Blvd and one a little further on Orangethorpe
 

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