Plan on spendig two nights near Disneyland (DL) and have located 2 inexpensive hotels and one moderate. We've been to WDW many times but this will be kids 1st to DL. Since we will spend most of our time at the park, I am not looking for a high end place and would love to be able to walk to park from hotel or free shuttle (avoiding the parking hassle / charge) . Anyway, I would appreciate feedback on:
Carousel-
Castle Inn -
Sheraton (mid price hotel but price is nearly dbl the other two)

PS: Other recommendations would be mucho appreciated...

Best Western Park Place Inn gets great reviews. Or if you have entertainment card the Holiday Inn on Walnut usually has a $69 rate.

Anyone familiar w/ the Howard Johnson's (supposedly across the st from DL)?

Hi, a few years ago I did similar research and found the HoJo would serve my son, husband and father in law well on their overnight visit. It's really close to the walkway entrance that takes you to Downtown Disney and the parks (still a 10-15 minute walk I think), and right next door to Mimi's Cafe which was a hit for them--a chain like Marie Callenders but they serve a variety of muffins instead of pies. The hotel is not deluxe, but has a great swimming pool area and apparently you can see the fireworks from here pretty well. I guess it's right by the freeway so you want to ask for a room that faces the pools/Harbor Blvd instead if that bothers you. I looked at reviews on Tripadvisor.com in comparing hotels at the time, you might want to see what the latest is there. Have fun!!!

Pumpy, I meant to convey once you're on the Disney walk it's still a 10-15 walk to the entrance of the park. NOT a 10-15 walk TO the walkway. Hope that makes sense.

It has been years since we stayed there but we always stayed at the Howard Johnson. The location was great and it was very comfortable. But - that was a long time ago so I am sure it has been updated since then. My daughter used to love to go across the street to the Acapulco restaurant. Don't know if that is still there but the mexican food was good and the atmosphere was fun.

I've stayed at the Howard Johnson's, and it was a decent place to stay. However, the walk to the park entrance is as mentioned - at least 10-15 minutes. At the end of a long day in the park, the walk back to our room seemed even longer.

A shuttle stops by the Howard Johnson's, but we only used it once. It was a shuttle that made a circuit between various hotels in the area. I don't recall how much it cost each way.

The next time we went to Disneyland we stayed at a hotel closer to the park entrance. Can't remember the name, but it was next to the McDonald's right across the entrance. Pretty much the same quality room as the HoJo, but we liked the closer proximity to the park entrance.

I believe the Best Western is even closer to the park entrance - almost directly across the street.

I have stayed at the Howard Johnson, Best Western Park Place Inn, Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites and the Tropicana. They are all motel style, except for the Hojo, but they are right across the street from Disneyland, easy to walk to and from several times a day if needed. The Hojo is the furthest, but only adding about 3-5 minutes, but that can be a lot after walking the park all day. I like to stay at these notels across the street because the rates are great, they are safe, clean, and close. Even walking back at night by myself and the kids I have felt safe because it is all families doing the same thing. Just remember you get what you pay for, don't expect room service and other luxuries, but then i don't mind because I only sleep there and spend the other times at the parks.

I've stayed at all the places vegasnative mentions - except for the HoJo. Any of them would be fine. Clean, safe, walking distance to the parks.

Friend and I stayed at the hotel right across the street from disneyland (best western, I believe) and it was very reasonable and clean and literally a couple of minutes away from the entrance.

http://www.candycaneinn.net/
Candy Cane Inn...stayed there, nice!

I agree with the Candy Cane Inn recommendation. It is close, it is very comfortable for the price. Have stayed in pricier and cheaper, but Candy Cane is clean and best value.

"Friend and I stayed at the hotel right across the street from disneyland - well that narrows it down to about 30 properties (and 4 or 5 of them are Best Western's)

We have had several out of town friends who have stayed at Candy Cane Inn when they were in town to go to Disneyland with their children and grandchildren and they all loved it. The location is great too.

janisj---sorry, I wasn't aware that there was more than 1 best western located directly across from disneyland.

There is actually a few Best Westerns right across from Disneyland, the one closest is the Best Western Park Place Inn (which I have stayed at a few times and has been great), there is another one just a few doors down and another one a block away and I believe there is even another one 2 blocks away, all on the same side of the street.

Pumpy, the Candy Cane Inn is the only hotel near Disneyland which has its very own free shuttle for guests, which doesn't stop at any other hotels. This is VERY convenient and runs all day. Also it is close enough to walk, but we prefer getting the shuttle (tired feet). If you are a light sleeper request a room on the second floor, away from the stairs, and away from the street. Moderate prices, and includes breakfast continental buffet, with more choices than most of the other nearby hotels.

Rooms are comfortable though on the small side, so splurge for a deluxe which are a bit bigger. Hotel has 2 floors and exterior corridors.

If you decide on a different hotel, be aware that if you want to walk, you want a hotel across the street from the pedestrian walkway into disneyland.

If you want a shuttle, be aware that some hotels have shuttles which make multiple stops and which charge a fee.

Enjoy the "happiest place on earth"!

Disney's Grand Californian is the best hotel, in my opinion, and has some discount prices in January/February. In the summer the prices are very high.