Disneyland for a family
 

My husband and I are taking his son and three grandchildren to Disneyland on April 2nd and flying home to Australia on the 12th. Have stayed at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel before which was very convenient but not sure it would be great for three children under 11. Any ideas for accomodation for 6 with space in the area. Hopefully we want to do Disneyland for two days then have a break for the kids and adults sake. Aussie travellers

For a large family I like the Residence Inns by Marriott. They offer two bedroom resident style hotels that have kitchens and living rooms.

Are you planning on staying in Southern California for 10 nights?

I don't know anything about it myself, but another poster recently described a stay at the Doubletree Suites and said it was an excellent choice, not sure how many kids were in the party, however.

Residence Inns are always an excellent choice with a family -- Barbara, is it very close to the park? When we went to Disneyland (annually, when the kids were little), we always liked to be walking distance.

Anaheim Desert Inn & Suites offers rooms with up to 4-queen size beds. We usually stay here when we go. It is right across the street from Disneyland. When you cross that street to get over to the Howard Johnson it is right there to the right. They have rooms with 2-queen beds and a sofa sleeper as well if you did not want the bigger room. This is what we usually get and the rates are decent. Free continental breakfast in the morning too! (danish, toast, muffins, bananas, coffee, milk, oj).

sorry, here is the link
http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/

There are two Residence Inns near Disneyland, one in Anaheim and one in Garden Grove. They both are highly rated on Trip Advisor and comments say they are within walking distance to Disneyland, but most used the shuttle. I haven't stayed at either, but I like the style of the Anaheim Maingate one better.

Just a note on the Residence Inn (maingate/Garden Grove), they do "not" have a shuttle to/from Disneyland. They are on the bus route, $4 for adult all day pass, kids 3-9 are $1 and under 3 are free. It is walking distance, but a bit of a walk, it's not right across the street.

My last post was a reference to the Garden Grove property, it does "not" have a shuttle. The other (maingate) is right across the street, hotel closest to the Howard Johnson that mazbaz has stayed at. I've stayed at that one before too, but it's been awhile.

We also stayed at Howard Johnson. We paid for a rollaway for our youngest as we are a family of 5. But you're right; I can't imagine them stretching it to 6 people in one room.

I had seriously thought the Portofino Inn and Suites looked great for a family as I knew my kids would love the bunk beds but cost factors ultimately won out for us.

Thanks for the help after looking today we have found a room at Residence Inn Maingate and have made a reservation because I realised that our 10 days leads into Easter- and we have three very excited kids plus their father who is hanging out to do something he has wanted to do since he was a kid!!!!!

It's definitely a good idea to make a reservation that time of year. A lot of schools will have spring break the week before Easter. I know a lot of people in my area (Salt Lake City) head to Disneyland for spring break. This year they are off April 9 - 13. Here's a good link to help you plan. http://www.mousesavers.com/dlfaq.html

Even if it is busy, you'll have a great time. Definitely use the Fast Pass http://www.mousesavers.com/timeismoneydl.html#fastpass