A few here recommended Fairfield Inn and Suites to me for my May trip. It was the same per night cost, but had parking fee.
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Updated the main post with several links to our recent Anaheim area hotel reviews from the blog. Here they are:
Recent Anaheim area hotel reviews from the TouringPlans blog:
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We stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. We like the extra room and the kitchen. While they have breakfast, we have some food issues we have to address so it is great to have the ability to keep our own kitchen.
Also, we use the Toy Story Parking tram for transportation between the park and the hotel.
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We will be staying at either Homewood or the Doubletree because we have a nice corporate rate and also because I’m interested in this little morning transportation hack. Is this a good plan? Do you go through security in the Toy Story parking lot and thereby skip the pedestrian security queue?
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I haven’t been super recently to confirm on the ground, but the last time we were there (September), that was the standard practice. At least for the very first part of the day, definitely if going before park open, security checks were done at the lot and those getting off of Toy Story shuttles did not have to wait on the Harbor security lines.
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We stayed there (in a one bedroom 5th floor FW view room) and only used the Toy Story bus hack once in the AM. On the way home the waits for the parking lot buses were ridiculous, faster to walk.
When we stayed there (and across the street at the Hyatt), what was honestly easier and better was the local Anaheim buses. You can get a super cheap ride card or pay a la carte via their app. There’s usually multiple bus options at the end of the night.
On our first trip at Homewood Hilton the first two days the weather was great, mid 70’s. We walked both ways ~ but then there was an oct heat wave with 110 temps, so we took the bus (after deciding Toy Story hack was more hassle than it was worth) which picked up right outside the hotel. If I recall young kids were free.
On our second trip staying at Hyatt across the street, I had downloaded the Anaheim transport app, and we sometimes walked but mostly hopped on the bus. And you knew when it was coming vs TS bus which was carptch as can.
We always had a bus to catch at the end of the night, (different options) and often had it to ourselves.
We really enjoyed both hotels, especially the value, but the employees were simply exceptional ant both and so much Disney excitement.
I honestly didn’t see the need to pay more to be a half mile closer.
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We just got back and this is our process. As far as I am concerned, it is the best way to get back and forth.
When you go through security depends on the expected crowds. During crowded times, you will go through security at the parking lot and bypass it at the parks. Once the crowds thin out, they handle security at the park.
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Can we get an updated listing of pro and con off sites if possible?
We’ve only done HOJO but we would be hoping for a clean, safe, 1-2 night to bridge our room to a Disney resort.
Thanks
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My DD18 and I stayed at Castle Inn last May. It was very close and very affordable. The rooms are large and the staff was so helpful.
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Thanks for that! Looking for others as well to compare
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We’ve stayed at a fair amount and moving north to south along Harbor here’s a few pros & cons with each, grouped by locations with pros & cons specific to the location.
North of the pedestrian walkway
Pros of this general location: Close to lots of options for offsite food. You’ll pass an IHOP as you leave DL and the hotel will be immediately next to Panera’s and McD’s, also a short walk (a little bit more north), to Mimi’s Cafe. Less than 10 min walk to security from hotel lobby.
Cons of this general location: There will be a decent amount of visible real city life on the bus stops you pass and all the way up to the McD’s parking lot and maybe even up to the hotel itself.
- Fairfield Marriott - Pros specific to hotel: Pizza Hut express and coffee (I think Starbucks?) onsite and a decently stocked gift shop. Can see Matterhorn and Space Mtn from some hotel rooms. Rooms have a modern/updated feel with no carpet and you can upgrade a little extra for a Disney “theme” (a mural of mostly Walt Disney World attractions) but is still a fun mural (not worth paying an upgrade for but sometimes they have those rooms available at the same price and we’ll book them then). Cons specific to hotel: Pool is the definition of “puddle in a parking lot” descriptor that the Unofficial Guide describes as the vibe of most of the offsite hotels, parking is expensive hard to find a spot (and then valet is even more expensive). Strict policy on leaving parking lot by check-out time so if going to parks for that day, make alternate parking plans for the day.
- Camelot Inn & Suites - Pros specific to hotel: Can see Matterhorn and Space Mtn from some of the hotel room. Pool is on a rooftop area (small, but at least not directly in the parking lot). Free valet parking & can park all day on check-in day and until 3pm on check-out day and can pay another day of parking to stay all day. Haven’t stayed here in a while but rooms were in general good repair. Cons specific to hotel: Parking is a moderate cost and can be difficult to get a spot. Rooms were dated when we last stayed in them but they have since been through a refresh, though judging by the photos on the website the refurb is very dark colors and that seems to make it still feel quite dated.
Directly next to pedestrian walkway
Pros of this general location: The very shortest walk to DL with most being less than a 5 min walk to security from the hotel entrance.
Cons of this general location: Limited food options (IHOP and a taco restaurant right next to the pediastrian walkway are there, & Denny’s is nearby as too but anything else is more of a walk negating the staying close to limit steps/walking/travel time to/from room), and still have to pass visible real city life around the bus stop.
- Tropicana Inn & Suites - Pros specific to hotel: Free valet parking and can park all day on check-in day and until 3pm on check-out day and can pay another day of parking to stay all day. . A gift shop with a mini-convenience store. Cons specific to hotel: Parking is a moderate cost and is very difficult to get a spot. We haven’t stayed here in a long while and they have since gone through a remodel, but rooms even though dated were mostly in ok repair (but we have had family who stayed here and experienced issues with plumbing back-up and another time had a roach in the room, both incidents before they remodeled).
- Best Western Plus Park Place Inn - Pros specific to hotel: Scan & go mini market at front of hotel. Large amount of suites available. Usually one of the best priced (but sells out quickly so needs to be booked well in advance). Cons specific to hotel: Parking is a moderate cost and strict policies (cannot be accessed until 1pm on check-in day and must be out by check-out time) so if going to the park on either check-in or check-out day, must make alternate parking plans.
- Park Vue Inn - Pros specific to hotel: Variety of room layouts that can accommodate families that want more space (including some with bunk beds) & excellent storage within the rooms. Rooms in good repair. Excellent front desk customer service. Parking included in price of stay and not competitive to get a spot and can access from early morning arrival on check-in day and all day on check-out day at no extra cost. Gift shop with excellent selection of Disney souvenirs and even some convenience store snacks/drinks. Pool is decent size and while is in the parking lot has patio and decor that blend that away to not feel like it. Cons specific to hotel: Limited number of rooms do book fairly quickly and can be high in price (less so once you factor in parking & location). No elevator (only 2 levels on the hotel so it’s just one flight of stairs up if you need to be on the 2nd floor, but it’s still no picnic to carry bags or a stroller up that even just 1 flight of stairs).
- Del Sol Inn - Pros specific to hotel: Room configurations include bunk beds. Price is usually on the cheaper end. Cons specific to hotel: Valet (free) parking only and makes sense since their parking lot is extremely tiny and difficult to navigate. Rooms are worn/dated. Wifi is slooooow. (I have no memory of if they have a pool or not, but if they do it’s likely a puddle next to the parking lot situation).
- Grand Legacy at the Park - Pros specific to hotel: Onsite food options at several locations right next to lobby and a rooftop restaurant/bar that is quite popular with live music, a very SoCal Vibe and is easy to see fireworks from. Rooms are in great repair & usually one of the best priced close options, especially if you book when they run a special/deal. Pool includes a fun splash pad and a great zero entry wading pool for the kids (but not real deep pool area). Cons specific to hotel: Parking policies in the past have been inconsistent but I believe lately they do allow you to stay until 2pm on check-out day (but charge you an extra day if you are in the lot even 5 minutes later than 2pm). Parking cost is moderate. Front desk has been the least friendliest/happy in my stays there (and most of the Harbor Hotels have only ok customer service which is unusual in hospitality).
South of the pedestrian walkway & across the street from Disney Way
Pros of this general location: Still a short 8-10 min walk even with having to cross one more street now on Disney Way. You’ll pass several off-site food options and will also be less than a block away from CVS and Walgreens so more access to get snacks or anything else you might need for the room.
Cons of this general location: Have to wait for one additional street light to cross and will again encounter visible real city life.
- The Anaheim - Pros specific to hotel: Onsite delicious Pizza Press restaurant. Gigantic Olympic sized pool. Fun and well kept grounds with a mid-century vibe and fun games and patio areas all around. Can usually find similar deals as Grand Legacy above. Parking is plentiful and can stay until 3pm on check-out day. Gift shop and convenience store/market both onsite (but very limited hours for both). Rooms are large and some include your own fenced patio/yard space which can be nice with young kids. Cons specific to hotel: Rooms are dated/older motel feeling and layout of hotel is kind of spread out so can be a walk from the lobby to your room depending on where you are. No elevators.
- Castle Inn & Suites - Pros specific to hotel: Fun castle theming in well-maintained rooms (but some of the decor is dated). Parking is included (or a low cost? I can’t remember on this one exactly). Room rates, especially with configuration of suites, are usually very reasonable. Cons specific to hotel: Must be out of parking by check-out time. Hotel is slightly older. Pool is small and in the middle of the parking lot (but does have castle turrets in the 4 corners around it for some somewhat theming).
Covention Center area/in the area of Harbor Blvd/Katella
Pros of this general location: Close to transportation (can walk into the Toy Story Lot & take a shuttle to the parks) or catch an ART bus, higher end food options (the convention hotels have restuarants in them and there’s a Morton’s steak house also close by), also not too far away from the Anaheim Gardenwalk with tons of food & shopping options including some of budget food (Subway) nearby as well, very close to both CVS and Walgreens so more access to get snacks or anything else you might need for the room.
Cons of this general location: You now have a 12-15 min walk and have to cross 2 different streets to get to DL entrance.
- Sheraton Park Hotel - Pros specific to hotel: Beautiful grounds with a great pool and some vintage Disney photographs all around the property, including in the rooms. Great restaurant that serves hot breakfast (in the past was included with club level rooms, but not sure if it still is). Excellent customer service. Rooms are well maintained (but are darker/dated decor, but possibly have been uplifted since we last stayed in 2018-ish range). If you stay on a high-level theme park facing room you can see fireworks from the room. Generous parking policy (can use all day of check-in and until 6pm check-out day). Cons specific to hotel: On the higher end cost-wise. Rooms are small. Parking is extremely pricy.
- Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center - Pros specific to hotel: Includes hot breakfast (one of the only ones in the area that does). Rooms include a full kitchen and at least 1 bedroom off the living space making for a very nice spacious suite. Customer service is excellent at the front desk. Rooms are very clean with a modern/updated feel (again one of the few in the area to have this feel). Parking policy is generous and they have more than ample space having a parking garage and allow you to stay until 6pm on check-out day. Cons specific to hotel:* On the higher end cost-wise. Parking is extremely pricy.
We’ve also stayed at (but I don’t recommend) the following:
Portofino Inn & Suites
Desert Inn & Suites
And then lastly, we’ve stayed even further out than any of the above and would stay again in the right circumstances at:
Eden Roc Inn & Suites (dirt cheap price, ok accomodations, a looooong walk)
Anaheim Marriott (literally every close hotel was sold out so we once stayed way out in this hotel a few miles down Harbor and drove to the Toy Story Lot to park and ride the shuttle to the parks)
Hyatt Regency Orange County (again another time when every close hotel was sold out and so we used a shuttle that was provided for this hotel and 2 others close by, but they charged a little extra for use of the shuttle and it took forever, so I would proabably rather just drive in to the parks & pay)
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Included 2024.
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I have Desert Inn & Suites booked for an upcoming trip. What did you not like about it?
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The hotel as a physical space is fine, it’s safe and it works. Bring your own pillow since theirs are flat bricks on the bed. And our one stay there was pretty good and at the time included a continental breakfast (not sure if they do that anymore tho since all the rest of the hotels along Harbor have dropped doing any kind of breakfast).
My issue with them is a bad experience with the management when we called to cancel a stay within the cancellation policy and they lied to us that the card had already been charged and refused to acknowledge that their policy on the website was clearly different than what they were saying on the phone and flat out refused to cancel the stay. I read through the Trip Advisor reviews after that and noticed it was a systemic problem and the manager name was mentioned quite a bit saying similar things to other potential guests.
So I don’t actively recommend them because of that. But their price, location and value are just fine as far as the hotels go along Harbor.
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Blah. That’s scary. I had an issue with Grand Legacy when we stayed there 3 months ago. It got fixed, but man that was an adventure.
When we stayed at Best Western Anaheim Inn in January 2024, they were still serving breakfast, and it was actually rather decent.
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