Originally Posted By officerminnie I am trying to plan a "budget trip" this time around because I am not only paying my way, but my best friend's too (her family is on a tight budget right now, but I really want her to go with me so I'm treating). I have only stayed on site or at HoJo's in the past, but have found a great deal for a standard room at the Carousel Inn through AAA -quite a bit cheaper than I can get at HoJo's even with the Entertainment rate (E-rate is only good for 2 of the nights we are there, darn it!). We will only be there for 4 nights the first week in December and I like the idea that is close to DL but hope I won't be disappointed. I am afraid I am becoming a "hotel snob". The AAA gal stayed there last spring and said it was a very decent hotel, but face it, she is also trying to sell us a trip. Any information, good or bad, about the Carousel Inn would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy I have stayed there. Rooms are clean. Nice easy walk to the park and when I was there the fruit with breakfast was very fresh. I would stay there again for a good price!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Son and daughter in law are pretty picky with their hotels. They stayed there last March and said they would stay there again. Daughter and boyfriend stayed there last Dec. Only "complaint" was that there were hardwood floors in their room which made the room chilly. They would also stay there again, this time bringing slippers for their DLR aching feet
Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM I think it was on Tripadvisor that I noticed that the Carousel was now charging something like $15 per night for a parking/resort fee. Personally, I'd like the hardwood floors. Sometimes, hotel carpet is so filthy/sticky, that you hate to even walk on it. I digress...I have never stayed at the Carousel...I stay at the BWPPI two hotels down. BUT...the Carousel has just been remodeled, so how bad could it be?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I was there about 18 mos ago - It was nice enough and if the price was right I would stay again. If you don't "need" to walk to the park you could book a cancelable room and try to do better on priceline pick your price.. I did that last weekend and for $45 a night I was at the crowne plaza.
Originally Posted By seafairy1622 I stayed there in 2002. I thought it was nice. Right across the street from the park. I liked the breakfast room. You could see Cailifornia Adventure park from the breakfast room. Would stay there again.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney gottaluv, how did you like the Crowne Plaza? I saw some bad reviews about it on biddingfortravel.com and am nervous about the possibility of getting it if I ever went through Priceline again.
Originally Posted By officerminnie Thanks everyone!! I had the gal at AAA put a hold on it, and tomorrow I will put down a deposit. The parking issue won't be a problem because we won't have a vehicle. And I will bring slippers - thanks for the heads up on that .
Originally Posted By RockyMtnMinnie After reading Villians post, I went to Priceline and got the Hyatt Regency for $45/night for our trip in October. Works for me.
Originally Posted By redlegtwo I stayed at the Crowne Plaza in June and I really liked the hotel and the room. The parking there is terrible though unless you luck out like we did on our first night and get one of the very few spots in front of the hotel. I got the room through Priceline for $45/night+parking.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I liked it - it was clean and the shuttle was nice - and there were restaurants right in the parking lot - The parking was so-so... I was around the back but that was fine - I had a chance to move the car but didn't... Target across the street was also nice.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Yeah RMM - I haven't gotten the Hyatt yet - Let me know how it is... So far for 3 star I have gotten... Hilton - Convention Way Marriott - Convention Way Hilton Suites (near Angel Stadium) Crowne Plaza - Harbor So far for 2.5 star Holiday Inn - Manchester Courtyard By Marriott (beach blvd) this one was during the Pirates Premier weekend. I think there was another but can't remember now... The only one I didn't like was the Holiday Inn on Manchester - it was just okay but it was so noisy!
Originally Posted By redlegtwo The Hyatt is very nice. Very comfortable beds. Starbucks in the lobby. The only negative is the cost of parking there. It was $17/night last time I was there which I believe was in 2006. But when you get the Hyatt through Priceline even with the added cost of parking it's still a very good value.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Ohh is that the Hyatt down by the Outback?? That one shared the Shuttle with the Crowne Plaza - so that was worth the "resort fee" I was charged.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney We stayed at the Hyatt through priceline once, got it for $29.00/night. It was VERY nice. My kids said they liked it better than the Disneyland HOtel!! The staff was super too.
Originally Posted By mickeymeg We loved it there. I would say it would be my first choice of all the places I have stayed there. Clean, close, nothing at all to complain about. Have a fun trip !
Originally Posted By officerminnie Thanks everyone! I've now booked the Carousel through AAA (total price including all taxes and resort fees and whatever else they stick on there: $782.00, includes 4 nights hotel, two 5 day park hoppers and two shuttles to/from Long Beach airport). I can't wait - I haven't been to the parks at the holidays since 2003 and the friend going with me has NEVER been at the holidays!!! She will be absolutely over the moon when she sees the place .
Originally Posted By Pollyana Have a great time officerminnie. What a generous thing to do. Your friend is very lucky to have someone like you in her life.
Originally Posted By officerminnie Thanks Pollyana! I actually feel like the lucky one. Mary has been my friend since we were 5 years old - not a "best friend" back then, but for the last 30 years, definitely my very best friend. She has been there for me through all of life's ups and downs and is one of the kindest people I know. She and I have been to DL 3 times together over the years - always with husbands and/or kids in tow. I always thought it would be the best trip ever to go with just the two of us so we could do whatever we want and not have to consider pleasing everyone else as well. So this is truly a Disney dream vacation for me. I have been given a great opportunity at work where I can work overtime for 15 hours a week as often as I want for the next year, so to me that's kind of "found money". I will eventually sock away that money but for now, I'm thinking heck, forget the Roth IRA, I'm going to Disneyland! And I'm taking my friend with me .
