Originally Posted By cindyland Big Priceline boo-boo. Saw a horrible review of our motel on tripadvisor (Anaheim Islander Inn), freaked and decided to try to book through Priceline since everyone was getting in at the Doubletree. Price denied, added area, got this hotel. Anyone stayed here? How long is the ride really from the hotel to the parking garage? Is breakfast good? This is what you get when you try to book 6 nights during Spring Break (4/2-4/8). Glad to have a trustworthy hotel...hopefully...help me out here!
Originally Posted By idleHands Stayed there several times, on my biannual drives between San Francisco and Arizona (where Mom lives). Personally, I prefer the Residence Inn-Anaheim Hills on the 'other end' of Santa Ana Canyon Blvd (about 2 or 3 miles further east), but that one's much pricier than the Fairfield Inn. But compared to other Fairfield Inns, this one's good. Nice little 'dorm room' refrigerator, and plenty of counter space in the bathroom. The beds are pretty comfy, and if I remember correctly, there's wireless internet access. And there's a shopping center at the corner of Imperial and Santa Ana Canyon near the hotel, that has a Bank of America (on the corner), Von's grocery store, and Rite-Aid drug store. HOBBYIST NOTE: If you're a yarn junkie like I am, there's an amazing shop in the small shopping mall next to the hotel, by the Firefox restaurant on the east side of Imperial, called Velona Needlecraft. It's Grandma's attic, floor to ceiling of hard-to-find yarns! (<a href="http://www.velona.com" target="_blank">http://www.velona.com</a>) The drive to DL parking garage is fairly painless. I prefer to take Hwy 91 to the 57 South, exit off Ball Rd then drive a few miles west to the left turn for the DL parking garage. If traffic is flowing at the speed limit, shouldn't take more than 15 - 20 min. (Where's Mr. Baxter when you need his sage advice?) Breakfast is nothing special, unfortunately. But, if you're looking for the basics (hot/cold cereal, juice, coffee, fruit, yogurt, muffins, toast, etc), it will suffice. I typically travel with Atkins Advantage drinks (Chocolate Royale... yum) for breakfast. And the mini-refrig is perfect for chilling them overnight. Granted, it's not a 'great' hotel. But if you got a good deal through Priceline, I'm pretty sure you would prefer it to Anaheim Islander, even though it's obviously more of a drive.
Originally Posted By cindyland Hey! I'm a yarn junkie for knitting yarns. I'm up in Sonora and we have a fabulous yarn store here. They're not guaranteeing me anything other than two rooms with king-size beds, a little uncomfortable for six people. We'll need to work something out when we get there. Any info on the pool? Heated enough to use in April (bringing three kids ranging in age from almost 5 to almost 12 (two b-days in May)? Breakfast looks o.k. I plan on doing at least one breakfast at Riverbelle, and my family loves Mimi's for breakfast (we stayed at HoJos and spent a lot of time there). We figured we'd save a lot of money at least having the free breakfast a few out of our six days). Thanks for the quick reply!
Originally Posted By idleHands <<Hey! I'm a yarn junkie for knitting yarns. I'm up in Sonora and we have a fabulous yarn store here.>> If your schedule allows for it, check out the store. Great selection of knitting yarns. <<They're not guaranteeing me anything other than two rooms with king-size beds, a little uncomfortable for six people. We'll need to work something out when we get there.>> The single queen bed rooms have sofa beds. Not great for truly restful sleep, but definitely better than the floor or bath tub. Is it too late to switch to the queen bed/sofa bed room option? <<Any info on the pool? Heated enough to use in April (bringing three kids ranging in age from almost 5 to almost 12 (two b-days in May)?>> It should be. I never swim while traveling back and forth to AZ (need all my energy for driving), so I can't speak from personal experience. But... I've always heard kids down in the pool swimming, even in winter. So I would imagine it'll be warm enough in early April. <<Breakfast looks o.k. I plan on doing at least one breakfast at Riverbelle, and my family loves Mimi's for breakfast (we stayed at HoJos and spent a lot of time there). We figured we'd save a lot of money at least having the free breakfast a few out of our six days).>> Well, if there are 'quick' items you enjoy, like smoothies or breakfast shakes (like my Atkins), the mini-refrig is perfect for holding those. The Vons is right off the freeway near the hotel, so that's very convenient. (One of the drawbacks for the hotels close to DL.) <<Thanks for the quick reply!>> No problem... hope my info helps! Have a great trip!
Originally Posted By cindyland <<The single queen bed rooms have sofa beds. Not great for truly restful sleep, but definitely better than the floor or bath tub. <<Is it too late to switch to the queen bed/sofa bed room option? Sounds o.k. for kids to sleep on. DH & I, and MIL can take the two queen beds. They weren't willing to deal on the phone. We'll be racing down there to get in early and negotiate our room. Better bring sleeping bags just in case. We'll have to see about the yarn thing...pretty booked up on the DL thing! Maybe I'll sneak over there Monday morning while hubby gets his one sleep-in day. Also, is there a Starbucks nearby?
Originally Posted By seanyoda There's one in the shopping center next to the hotel... <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kz8rr" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/kz8rr</a>
Originally Posted By cindyland Whoo-hoo, what more do you need? This is the one thing missing in Downtown Disney that drives hubby crazy. Wow, 11 days to go!
