Originally Posted By mommyof5 HELP! We are planning our first Disneyland vacation in June 2008. We have 5 children 11,7,6,5 and 4. Our 11 year old son has autism; and we need to be able to provide enough TLC and attention to go around for everyone. I am overwhelmed looking at all of the hotels to stay, I need a room that accommodates us all, and a close walking distance to the park. We can't piggy back them all at the end of the day and may need to retreat midday for some downtime for our son. We want to make this extra special, the kids deserve it, but we are on a student budget. Dad is graduating from medical school in June and it's been a loooooonnnng road for us all. Residency starts in July and who knows when we'll see him again! Thanks!!!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains BoyStory has 5 boys and she likes the Fairfield Inn Here's a link I got off LP before <a href="http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/ashps yche/DisneylandLinkMap.html</a> It shows the hotels around the park.. You might try calling the Howard Johnsons people on here really like them and they have nice pool areas - if your timing is right they have rooms down to about $60 a night - call the anaheim hojos directly not the central line - ask for the entertainment card rate (if it is available you will need to get a card - about $20 for your local book now) Ask for Lorelle or Willie mention the LP... For the price you may be able to get two rooms connecting - if they have those...
Originally Posted By Roger55 Howard Johnson is a bit of a walk. I would not recommend it for your situation. I would suggest the Tropicana Inn and Suites or the Carousel Inn & Suites. The Desert Inn & Suites use to be a place I would suggest, but it had become a little run down. If they have had a refurb done in the last 2-3 years, it might be a good choice too. You can always ask. Good luck.
Originally Posted By StitchDude I know you are on a budget but you may think about the Disneyland Resort hotels. You can use the monorail to get to and from the park and even if you don't, it is right there, just a quick walk. There are restaurants and shops there in the hotel as well. It will be great memories and they are very accommodating for any special needs your family may have. The Paradise Pier is usually the cheapest. If this is a once in a lifetime trip( or at least a once in a decade) it will be great for everyone.
Originally Posted By Nobody You might look into something beyond walking distance that has shuttle service. Perhaps get a suite somewhere at a better price than at the Disney hotels.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ HoJo's would be great for a budget. There is some good advice from another mom who has two boys with autism under your post in Vacation Planning. You can use the shuttle if the walk is too far. Desert Inn has not had a rehab and was beyond nasty when I was there in 2006.
Originally Posted By grammy954 If you can afford the shuttle ($3/day for over 10 yrs old), the Peacock Suites is a nice hotel. They have what is a double suite at a reasonable cost. Each side is a 2-room suite, each room with their own television. We stayed there a few years ago with 8 of us and there was tons of room.
Originally Posted By WendyAz My suggestion is the Best Western Park Place Inn. They are right across the street from the main gate and when my DD and I wanted to go back to our room before the boys it didn't take forever and you can go and have some down time and not take forever to get there. They do have family suites. We have 5 in our family and they had a fold out couch and two queens. One can always sleep on the floor. I really like that hotel. More for the accesability. Try looking on Expedia.com as well. They sometimes have great deals when you know ahead of time of when you are going. Have fun!!
Originally Posted By lauriesk Sleeping on a hotels room floor!! How disgusting would that be. There is no way anyone in my family would ever be allowed to sleep on a hotels room floor. When do you think the last time hotels clean their carpet, plus god knows what has been tracked in or on. Gross!!!
Originally Posted By WendyAz Hey when you're on a tight budget you do what you gotta do. I always bring my own blankets with me so its not like you're sleeping on a floor with nothing between you and the carpet. Heck you can even have them sleep on the cushions from the sofa. I guess I am not that squemish as others. Now if I noticable saw that my socks and feet where totally filthy no they would not sleep on the floor. But when you don't have alot of $$ like I said before you do what you have too for convienence.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains We always bring an airmatress - even if instead of 6 of us going there is only 4 - someone is always a bed hog - of course I am talking about the kids not me!! Usually my DS19 ends up on the airmatress since he has the most problems hogging the bed!!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I agree no floors - it's why we bought the air mattress...As a matter of fact we got it just for DL...
Originally Posted By SuzieQ I have a half dozen of them for when we have weekend house parties of folks I met here on LP. We end up with air beds all over the house, LOL
Originally Posted By donnyaz Hey lauriesk do you know how many people go to disneyland and touch things you have touch ? In the thousands.So be sure to wear gloves even in the summertime.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ LOL - that's pretty funny. It's not the same as sleeping on the floor, laying your entire body in that and breathing it in all night. You can wash your hands.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Yeah the boogers and such around the park are not as gross as what could be on the floors...shudder...
Originally Posted By donnyaz suzieQ said "laying your entire body in that " I would hope we are on in agreement that this scenario we should be wearing clothes.WendyAZ is asuming as I would that a blanket and some pillows would be aquired as well.Please dont go to extremes to prove a point.