Marriott Hotel Advice (and anything else you'd like to recommend)

[Communicora]

I hope it's OK to ask hotel questions in this area. We are considering a somewhat last-minute trip next month and are looking for a hotel for the Disneyland portion of our trip. I have Marriott points and a certificate I want to use so my choices are the Fairfield Inn Maingate, Sheraton Park, SpringHill Suites Maingate or SpringHill Suites Anaheim Resort/Convention Center. Unfortunately, the Courtyard is out due to the peculiarities of my free night stay certificate.

I stayed at the Sheraton on a previous trip and it was OK, but I seem to recall taking a hotel van rather than walking. I'm leaning toward the Fairfield because it looks the most walkable, but I would love your input! My number one consideration is a clean and comfortable room, but we won't be spending a lot of time hanging around the hotel, so other amenities don't matter all that much. Are there any of these I should avoid? Are there any you especially recommend?

If it helps, here are some more details about us and our trip.

We will be in LA for two days before we arrive at Disneyland, enjoying some nice meals and cocktails, maybe a museum or two, and some time talking old Hollywood with friends. My partner is NOT a theme park person. He visited Disneyland once when he was young and doesn't remember it all that fondly. Through my pixie dust evangelism he does have an appreciation for certain Disney artists and imagineers, and especially, Ward and Walt's obsession with trains. He knows how much I love Disney theme parks so he's willing to give Disneyland another try.

We plan to check out of our other hotel the morning before our day at Disneyland, check in at our hotel in Anaheim and stroll into downtown Disney to find some dinner and visit Trader Sam's. We both enjoy tiki drinks and I think he'll appreciate the decor and shtick. Then we'll wake up the next morning and have a day at Disneyland. I'm thinking we'll buy MaxPass and just stick to the one park - feel free to convince me otherwise.

This turned into a rather boring novel. If you stuck through to the end -- thank you!

 

[Communicora]

Not sure on hotels, but since you are doing a day I would absolutely agree with your plan on doing one park and MaxPass. I’ve made a mistake of taking first timers to both parks in a day and it’s exhausting and confusing for them. Stick with Disneyland only.

Thank you! If I was going with my sister I'd probably do both parks -- we did it before and had a good time. I think my challenge is going to be to chill out and not worry so much about dragging him around to see everything.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, I think you are thinking of the old Sheraton on Ball Road, now called the Anaheim Majestic. (Private Shuttle).

So the Shearton Park is the most upscale, and in a good location.

Near it is the Springhill Suites Convention Center, fairly new and good location. More of a longer stay Hotel.

Springhill Suites Maingate is not in the best location, so I would take that off my list.

The Fairfield Inn is the closest to the Main Entrance Plaza, but an older Hotel with Exterior Hallways, so I would opt for the Sheraton Park or Springhill Suites at Harbor and Katella.

 

[Communicora]

OK, I think you are thinking of the old Sheraton on Ball Road, now called the Anaheim Majestic. (Private Shuttle).

So the Shearton Park is the most upscale, and in a good location.

Near it is the Springhill Suites Convention Center, fairly new and good location. More of a longer stay Hotel.

Springhill Suites Maingate is not in the best location, so I would take that off my list.

The Fairfield Inn is the closest to the Main Entrance Plaza, but and older Hotel with Exterior Hallways, so I would opt for the Sheraton Park or Springhill Suites at Harbor and Katella.

You are right! I googled it and remembered that "castle" theme. I was looking at the map for the Sheraton and couldn't figure out why we took a shuttle.

Thank you for the advice. The Sheraton Park or the Springhill at Harbor and Katella it is.

I'm excited to go back. It's been four years.

 

[truecoat]

I hope it's OK to ask hotel questions in this area. We are considering a somewhat last-minute trip next month and are looking for a hotel for the Disneyland portion of our trip. I have Marriott points and a certificate I want to use so my choices are the Fairfield Inn Maingate, Sheraton Park, SpringHill Suites Maingate or SpringHill Suites Anaheim Resort/Convention Center. Unfortunately, the Courtyard is out due to the peculiarities of my free night stay certificate.

I stayed at the Sheraton on a previous trip and it was OK, but I seem to recall taking a hotel van rather than walking. I'm leaning toward the Fairfield because it looks the most walkable, but I would love your input! My number one consideration is a clean and comfortable room, but we won't be spending a lot of time hanging around the hotel, so other amenities don't matter all that much. Are there any of these I should avoid? Are there any you especially recommend?

If it helps, here are some more details about us and our trip.

We will be in LA for two days before we arrive at Disneyland, enjoying some nice meals and cocktails, maybe a museum or two, and some time talking old Hollywood with friends. My partner is NOT a theme park person. He visited Disneyland once when he was young and doesn't remember it all that fondly. Through my pixie dust evangelism he does have an appreciation for certain Disney artists and imagineers, and especially, Ward and Walt's obsession with trains. He knows how much I love Disney theme parks so he's willing to give Disneyland another try.

We plan to check out of our other hotel the morning before our day at Disneyland, check in at our hotel in Anaheim and stroll into downtown Disney to find some dinner and visit Trader Sam's. We both enjoy tiki drinks and I think he'll appreciate the decor and shtick. Then we'll wake up the next morning and have a day at Disneyland. I'm thinking we'll buy MaxPass and just stick to the one park - feel free to convince me otherwise.

This turned into a rather boring novel. If you stuck through to the end -- thank you!

Sheraton Park is very close to the Toy Story lot. You can walk in and grab a bus to the parks.

 

[mandelbrot]

Have you considered staying at the Marriott at the convention center? It's a very nice hotel with upscale rooms and great bar and lounge. It's about a twenty minute walk to the parks, though. They are on the ART bus line but I find taking a cab to be much more convenient and is only about $5-10 each way which isn't much more than the bus. The quality of the hotel makes it worth it to me.

 

[truecoat]

Have you considered staying at the Marriott at the convention center? It's a very nice hotel with upscale rooms and great bar and lounge. It's about a twenty minute walk to the parks, though. They are on the ART bus line but I find taking a cab to be much more convenient and is only about $5-10 each way which isn't much more than the bus. The quality of the hotel makes it worth it to me.

Or walk to the Toy Story lot and take the bus.

 

[wowsmom]

I've stayed at the Springhill Suites at Harbor & Katella a few times (although not in the last 2-3 years). The rooms are nice. I'd say it's about a 10-15 minute walk, depending on how fast/slow you walk. Their breakfast has a lot of variety. The parking is in a garage under the hotel.

 

[Darkbeer1]

From the Sheraton Park, let us look at the options.

1. Drive - $25 plus need to take a bus/tram from the parking lot. Clearly not the best option.

For example, if you park at M&F/Pixar Structures, you have a half-mile or so (depends on the parking space) to the Tram loading area, where you can take the free tram, or use the new Magic Way Bridge and walk through DtD. 3/4 of a mile walk.

2. Use the ART bus system. Routes 3, 4 and 5 stop in front of the Hotel, Very frequent bus service, 10 minutes or less most of the time. $6 per person for an all day pass.

www.rideart.org

3. Use a Taxi/Uber/Lyft. About $10 with tip each way.

4. Walk directly to the parks. 7/10th of a mile, basically straight up Harbor Drive.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7417225

5. Walk to the Toy Story Lot (not a clear path and you do have to walk through the parking lot) 4/10th of a mile walk. Then board the ART Route 20 bus. (Disney pays the fare).

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7417224

Since the walk directly isn't that much further than going to go catch a "free" bus, I would either walk directly to the park, or if you prefer to save 1.5 miles of walking, Just catch the ART route 3, 4 or 5 in front of the Hotel (either the Sheraton Park or Springhill Suites, they are very close to each other). Of course, you could walk one way, and pay the ART one trip fare of $4 the other way.

I see NO reason to walk to the Toy Story Lot to save about a half mile of walking, then dealing with the load/unload of the bus.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Have you considered staying at the Marriott at the convention center? It's a very nice hotel with upscale rooms and great bar and lounge. It's about a twenty minute walk to the parks, though. They are on the ART bus line but I find taking a cab to be much more convenient and is only about $5-10 each way which isn't much more than the bus. The quality of the hotel makes it worth it to me.

The OP is using a Free night voucher, doubt if the Full Marriott is available for one of the choices.

 

[Communicora]

I love this spirited discussion and really appreciate all of the tips. Thank you! I'm saving them for this and future visits.

The Anaheim Marriott was one of the options, but we really like the idea of walking. I ended up booking the Sheraton Park. Now to think about whether or not to book a table service reservation for our Disneyland day. I am so thrilled to be going back!

 

[donsullivan]

In addition to the Courtyard down by the convention center, there is a new one (<5 years) on the other side of the Fairfield Inn on Harbor right across from the park. I’ve stayed at both and can recommend both as well. Super fast walk to the park

 

[truecoat]

5. Walk to the Toy Story Lot (not a clear path and you do have to walk through the parking lot) 4/10th of a mile walk. Then board the ART Route 20 bus. (Disney pays the fare).

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7417224



I see NO reason to walk to the Toy Story Lot to save about a half mile of walking, then dealing with the load/unload of the bus.

There is a sidewalk straight to the bus and you do not walk through the parking lot. I’ve used it a couple times and it was very easy. i used the ART buses one week and never again. 45 min waiting after being in the parks all day is too long. There are always plenty if buses going to Toy Story.

 

[Darkbeer1]

There is a sidewalk straight to the bus and you do not walk through the parking lot. I’ve used it a couple times and it was very easy. i used the ART buses one week and never again. 45 min waiting after being in the parks all day is too long. There are always plenty if buses going to Toy Story.

Once again, if you want to walk, walk straight to the Main Entrance, it is almost the same difference than walking out of your way to a bus. If you want to avoid walking, why walk almost half a mile to not walk a quarter of a mile? That makes no sense.

So if you don't want to walk to the parks, use the ART stop at the Hotel or use a Taxi/Uber or Lyft.

By the way, I have parked at Toy Story for Convention Center Events and know the walk quite well. I am very uncomfortable walking in the lot, especially in the evening when vehicles are trying to leave the lot.

 

[chadwpalm]

I've stayed at the Red Lion twice which is across the street from the Sheraton (and also stayed at the Clarion twice) and the Toy Story shuttle is the better way to go. It's free and half the walking distance. Believe me, your feet and wallet will thank you.

 

[Communicora]

Thought I'd pop in here with an update in case anyone else is ever searching these forums for Disneyland hotel recommendations. My trip is now over and I'm at home doing laundry and trying not to think about going back to work tomorrow.

I want to thank you all again -- especially @Darkbeer1 -- for the tips and recommendations. We had a great visit! The Sheraton could use a refresh, but it was comfortable and the location was fantastic. We really enjoyed being able to walk to Trader Sam's and Downtown Disney on the evening we arrived and then to and from Disneyland the next day. I could see how some people might think it was a bit of a hike, but for us it was a relaxing way to start and end our day.

I'll probably check out the Marriott on my next visit. That looks to be comfortably within walking distance too -- at least at the start of the day.