Residence Inn: Not walking distance to Disney but they do your shopping
Written: Apr 20 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Suite arrangement, kitchen, shopping service
Cons: Room decor was just okay, long walk to Disney
The Bottom Line: Consider this suite hotel if you intend to cook in your room. Otherwise, it may not be worth the price.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Residence Inn Anaheim Disneyland |
I stayed in the Residence Inn in Anaheim in April 2006.
GETTING TO AND FROM DISNEY
One of the reasons we chose this place is that they insisted they were one block from the main gate of Disney. However, when we got there, we realized they were about 3/4 of a mile to the main gate - which was about a 45 minute walk with a stroller and six year old in tow. I have to start this review by saying I felt very deceived by their advertising and wished we had chosen a hotel closer to the park. For us, if we have to walk 45 minutes, it is pointless to pay a premium to stay near Disney. I wish we had either paid more to stay in the actual park or paid less since we had to drive anyway and stayed further away from the park.
We ended up taking a shuttle bus from Disney back to the hotel. The shuttle cost $3 per adult and kids were free. We waited about 15 minutes outside Disney for shuttle B. The shuttle dropped us off right in front of the Residence Inn, but since we staying in buidling 13 in the back, we still had another 5 minute walk to our room.
THE INN OVERALL
The Residence Inn is made up of small two-story buildings. The lobby is a separate building. The white buildings are nicely kept. If you have a stroller or have mobility issues, be sure to ask for a ground level suite.
There was a pool near the lobby but we didn't use it. It looked to be large and clean.
THE ROOM
The Residence Inn has apartment style rooms. There is a small kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, sink with disposal, oven and cooktop, microwave and storage. They also provide an inexpensive drip coffee pot and coffee. Our suite also came with paper towels.
There was a small table next to the kitchen that seated 4. In the living room, there was a sofa and chair facing a TV on a small TV stand instead of the usual armoire. There was a wood burning fireplace and they provided one of those insta-burning logs. Extra logs were available for $3. Since it was very hot, we didn't use the fireplace.
Oddly, our suite had another small table, like a card table, that could seat another 4 people but they would be on top of each other. There were a couple of other end tables and a floor lamp. There was a nice print over the fireplace of Mickey Mouse. The furniture seemed haphazardly placed when we arrived and really didn't have a homey feel. However, the hotel room was adequate.
There was a separate bedroom with two queen size beds. Usually, suite arrangements are set up so the adults can sleep in one room and the kids sleep in the living room area. I prefer that set up. Four people sleeping in one room just doesn't work very well. Someone always gets up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and someone always snores. You never get good sleep.
The bathroom was adequate. The toilet and shower were set off in a teeny room with a locking door. The larger sink area was right outside the shower room. The shower was disappointing. I couldn't get the water very hot, although, once I started, the temperature stayed consistent. The water pressure was barely adequate.
They proivded pantene shampoo and soap for toiletries. Nothing else, although see below where I describe how they will shop for you.
We were on the second floor and there was a small balcony off the bedroom with two chairs and a small table.
LOBBY
The lobby was adequate and clean. There was no reason to linger here.
SERVICE
Service was a very mixed bag. I called the hotel from Disneyland and asked for directions from the main gate. The woman I spoke with seemed completely confused. In fact, it was a lot like talking to my one year old. She seemed to simply repeat the last two words of everything I said. In the end, we had to ask someone else for directions.
Checking in was easy and checking out was similarly easy. The lobby staff was friendly.
Housekeeping showed up early but when we told them we weren't ready, they apologized and left. They did a good job cleaning the room.
OTHER THOUGHTS
They have a 24 hour store in the Lobby that stocks snacks and other necessities.
Even better, if you want the staff to go to an actual grocery store, you can leave a shopping list in the Lobby by 9am and they will go and deliver your stuff to your room during the day. We used this service to buy milk and bread and it was great. They bought brand-name stuff and charged us the actual price!!
There is a free breakfast.
They have free parking.
The hotel was very quiet - we never heard another soul.
We paid $199 per night during April vacation. We could have stayed in a Disney hotel for another $30 per night but wouldn't have had the suite set up.
We have a baby and they provided a pack and play, fitted sheet, flat sheet and baby blanket. This is pretty good. Lots of places provide the pack and play but not the fitted sheet.
FREE BREAKFAST
They provided a very good breakfast that included powdered scrambled eggs, french toast, fresh fruit, adequate coffee and cereal and such. It wasn't the best food but it was better than most hotel breakfasts and it was FREE. It filled the kids up in the morning.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
Given the price and shopping service, I would recommend this hotel to families that plan to cook in the room. They provide free breakfast and you can cook dinner which could cut down on costs. However, keep in mind, you are probably either going to have to walk 45 minutes to Disney, take a shuttle or drive, the latter of which could increase your costs.
MY REVIEWS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARKS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney's California Adventure
Disneyland
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK HOTELS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney’s Grand Californian
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK RESTAURANTS
Storyteller’s Cafe
Blue Bayou
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Soarin’ Over California
Grizzly River Run
The Sun Wheel
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Misson Tortilla Factory Tour
Boudin Bakery Factory Tour
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEYLAND
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Peter Pan’s Flight
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s a Small World
Tarzan’s Tree House
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Autotopia
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3D
MY REVIEWS OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Legoland
SeaWorld San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Wild Animal Park
Balboa Park
The Museum of Making Music
Recommended:
Yes
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modernmarvel
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Can anyone recommend a western family dude ranch for a vacation this summer?
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