Disneyland Magic Awaits! Unbeatable Days Inn Anaheim Deal!
Disneyland Magic Awaits! Unbeatable Days Inn Anaheim Deal! - A Review So Real, It's Probably Slightly Disorganized.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's rosy-hued travel brochure. This is a real review of the Days Inn Anaheim, the one they're calling "Unbeatable Disneyland Deal." And listen, I’m gonna get messy with this. Forget the pristine paragraphs – we're diving deep into the nitty-gritty, the questionable carpeting, and the sheer, unadulterated experience.
First Impressions (and the Parking Situation - Ugh!)
So, we booked this place, lured by the promise of… well, a decent deal, proximity to Disneyland, and the sheer desperation for a Mickey Mouse fix. Let's rip off the Band-Aid: parking. It's "free of charge," which sounds great, right? Except it's a free-for-all. Think Hunger Games, but instead of bows and arrows, you've got minivans and the burning desire to not be late for your Fantasyland reservation. Getting a spot was a struggle. Valet parking? Nope. That would've been a lifesaver.
Accessibility & Getting Around: Navigating the Hotel, and Life, One Step at a Time
Okay, let's pivot from parking anxiety to something important: accessibility. I will say, the Days Inn shines here. They've got facilities for disabled guests, and you can see the effort. Elevator access, which is essential. The pathways are relatively wide, which is great, but honestly, I didn't see a full assessment. From what I observed, it could be better. Overall, not bad.
The Room – A Tale of Two Worlds (And Questionable Carpeting)
Now, the rooms. They're equipped with damn near everything – Air conditioning that actually works (bless), complimentary tea and coffee maker (essential for Disneyland survival), mini bar (a bit sparse, but hey, it's there), and the glorious free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Finally! No more hotel Wi-Fi charges that make your eyes water more than It's a Small World.
The bed? Comfy enough. The extra long bed was a nice touch. The blackout curtains were godsends for those precious extra minutes of sleep after a grueling day of rollercoasters and character meet-and-greets. The bathroom…look, it was clean. Not luxurious. It did the job. The towels? Acceptable. The carpet? That's where things got interesting. Let's just say it looked like it had seen a few… Disney parades. It's stained, worn, and a little unsettling. But hey, at least it's clean, right? (I think…) Each room has smoke detectors and safety/security features. The in-room safe box is a plus.
I was super bummed that there wasn't a proposal spot or an option to spruce up a room with room decorations - hey, why not?
Cleanliness & Safety: Trying to Breathe Easy
Alright, the pandemic era is upon us, and we all want to feel safe. The management has done its best, and from my observations, they take cleanliness seriously: Daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer readily available, and they use anti-viral cleaning products. I appreciated the individually-wrapped food options at the complimentary breakfast (more on that later). They have a first aid kit on hand. Room sanitization opt-out available. No shared stationery removed, but that is understandable. They really seem to take pride in hygiene.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling Up for the Magic
The complimentary breakfast is a mixed bag. Breakfast [buffet] is the official arrangement. Think waffles, some sad-looking fruit, and pre-packaged pastries. Hey, at least it's free. You've could arrange some Alternative meal arrangement beforehand, I guess. I did spot Coffee/tea in restaurant, so you could get some decent coffee, which is a lifesaver. No complaints about the bottle of water, that helps!
There's a snack bar, which is decent for late night cravings. No poolside bar or happy hour, which is a bummer. They lack a Vegetarian restaurant or any real Asian cuisine - but hey, it's a budget-friendly spot, so you take what you can get. I'd have loved to drink some desserts in restaurant. They do have restaurants, and room service [24-hour].
Accessibility in Dining: They've made an effort. The area is okay to get around. They do provide Sanitized kitchen and tableware items and Safe dining setup.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: (Don't Expect a Spa Day…)
Okay, let's be realistic. This isn't a spa resort. No spa, no sauna, no steamroom, no Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, or massage. The pool? It's an outdoor swimming pool, definitely not a "pool with a view." It's fine, but not the highlight. And no Fitness center or Gym/fitness, which I sorely missed. The terrace is nice. And the smoking area is tucked away.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Here’s where things get a little… random. They've got the basics covered: Daily housekeeping, laundry service, dry cleaning, and luggage storage. Currency exchange is available. A convenience store is at your finger tips. There’s a gift/souvenir shop (yes, I succumbed to the Mickey Mouse keychains). A concierge is on-site.
Internet, Services, and Things of That Nature:
Okay, the Wi-Fi [free] is a godsend! Internet access – wireless in the room. Internet access – LAN? Well, I didn't try it, to be honest. But! Wi-Fi for special events - hey, if you're planning a massive Disney-themed party, you're covered. Audio-visual equipment for special events is available. So, all of it is great. They have facilities for disabled guests. The business facilities for business travelers seem good. They offer Invoice provided.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly…ish
Family/child friendly, for sure. Babysitting service? Nope. Kids meal? Nope. You're mainly on your own.
Getting Around: The All-Important Disneyland Dash
Airport transfer? Nope. You’re on your own. They offer taxi service, but I just used Uber. But they do have car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site]. They also offer Car power charging station, which is a bonus!
In Conclusion: The Magic is Elsewhere, But This Will Do
Look, the Days Inn Anaheim isn't going to win any awards for luxury. But it's clean enough, it's decently priced, and it's close to Disneyland. That proximity, my friends, is worth its weight in churros. The hotel does its best and it's okay.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, for the budget-conscious family who's more focused on the inside of Disneyland than the inside of their hotel room. Just pack your own snacks, your own sense of humor, and a healthy dose of patience for the parking situation. And for the love of Mickey, bring your own essential condiments.
Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done and it does it well. The magic of Disneyland? Absolutely worth it. The Days Inn Anaheim? It'll do.
Hollywood Beach Escape: Historic Resort Bliss Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups! This ain't no sterile itinerary, this is a survival guide, a love letter, and a potential disaster zone all rolled into one for your Anaheim Disneyland adventure. We're staying at the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anaheim at Disneyland Park. Let’s see if we can make it through this without a complete meltdown.
Day 1: The Arrival and the Initial Freak-Out (aka "Where the Heck is My Luggage?")
- Morning (7:00 AM): ARRIVAL! Okay, deep breaths. We (me, my perpetually tired partner in crime, and our sugar-fueled offspring) landed in LAX. The airport is its usual chaotic self – smells like stale coffee and desperation. My inner monologue is already screaming, "WHERE IS MY LUGGAGE?!" (Turns out it’s still in Chicago. Fantastic.) Sigh.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Rental Car Hell. Navigating LA traffic? More like a death-defying ballet with a clown car. We finally, FINALLY, snag a rental car – a sensible sedan, thank God. I was expecting a purple monster truck with flame decals. Thank the heavens this is the sensible stuff.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): The Days Inn Descent. Road tripping with tiny humans is basically a masterclass in "Are we there yet?". The hotel isn't the Ritz, but hey, the kids are happy. We check in, snag a suite (praise be!), and immediately deploy the emergency snacks.
- Afternoon(01:00 PM): Poolside Bliss… Kinda. The kids want to go to the Pool. I want to nap. The pool smells strongly of chlorine. I dip my toes in, and it feels fantastic. The kids spend the next two hours battling over pool noodles. It's loud, it's chaotic, but for a brief moment, I'm relaxed. Then I'm covered in water.
- Afternoon (03:00 PM): Disneyland Reconnaissance: We try to walk to Disneyland to suss out the scene. (And by "try," I mean we get hopelessly lost for 20 minutes). Okay, it's BIG. REALLY BIG. I realize I'm woefully underprepared. I also realize I need a double shot of espresso, stat.
- Evening (06:00 PM): Dinner at the hotel's Denny's. Standard diner fare. I'm too exhausted to care. Actually, I am pretty sure I saw a child throw a french fry across the room.
- Evening (08:00 PM): Crash. We're all asleep before it's even properly dark. Thank you, exhaustion gods.
Day 2: The Disneyland Gauntlet (and the Emotional Rollercoaster That Comes With It)
- Morning (07:00 AM): Disneyland, Day 1: The anticipation is KILLING me. We're up, we're caffeinated, and we're ready to face the hordes. The pre-park queue is already a symphony of strollers, tantrums, and the aroma of churros. Wonderful
- Morning (09:00 AM): Fantasyland Frenzy: We start with Fantasyland, because, duh. It's magical. It's also insanely crowded. We ride Peter Pan's Flight…with a wait time worthy of its own ride. The kids are thrilled; I'm trying not to hyperventilate. We ride the carousel, because why not?
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): Adventureland Adventures: We find this land. And it is…okay? The Jungle Cruise is charming (and the jokes are terrible in the best way). Finally, no queues. I can breathe again. So many photo opportunities.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch at Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. Pizza, because, again, why not? The kids are messy, I'm covered in pizza sauce. This is the life.
- Afternoon (03:00 PM): Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. This place is phenomenal. It feels like you've actually stepped into a galaxy far, far away. We wander around, gawk at the Millennium Falcon, and I geek out a little. Okay, maybe a lot. I even tried the blue milk. Tastes like… blue.
- Afternoon (04:00 PM): The It's a Small World Breakdown: It's a Small World. I find it cloyingly sweet. The kids, however, are entranced and start singing along enthusiastically. "Goodbye, goodbye" is the only thing echoing in my mind.
- Late Afternoon (05:00 PM): The Parade. The parade is…intense. Crowds surge. The kids are in awe. I try to enjoy it, but I'm also calculating the fastest escape route.
- Evening (07:00 PM): Dinner, somewhere. Anywhere. We didn't plan ahead. After 12 hours of Disneyland, we'd eat dirt and be happy.
- Evening (09:00 PM): Fireworks: They were beautiful. I might have cried a little. It might have been the exhaustion. Or the magic. Who knows?
Day 3: Disneyland Do-Over (and a Little Bit of Sanity)
- Morning (08:00 AM): Sleep in! Well, as much as one can with a house full of small, energetic humans. Grab a decent breakfast. Start the day right
- Morning (10:00 AM): Disneyland Part Deux. We're more strategic today. We have a plan! (Sort of). We target the rides we missed yesterday.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Pirates of the Caribbean. It's a classic, and it holds up. I spend the entire ride trying to figure out how they make the water move like that.
- Afternoon (2:30 PM): Meeting the characters. Okay, this is pure chaos, I try not to get too invested, there is a lot of hugging going on. I'm pretty sure my kid thinks Mickey Mouse is real.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Souvenir Shopping. This is where my wallet starts to cry. We buy the overpriced, sparkly things. We also buy some necessities. I am starting to plan more.
- Evening (6:00 PM): We head back to the Hotel. The park is beautiful.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Sleep.
Day 4: Departure and The Post-Disney Blues (and Did I Forget Something?)
- Morning (08:00 AM): Hotel Breakfast. The usual.
- Morning (09:00 AM): Goodbye, sweet hotel room. We pack and check out. Our rental car has a mysterious stain on the back seat. (Don't ask).
- Morning (10:00 AM): Airport run. Traffic is a beast. I'm already nostalgic for the chaos and the magic.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Airport Hell, Round Two. Waiting for and hoping my luggage will come.
- Afternoon (01:00 PM): Plane ride.
- Evening (07:00 PM): The End. I am exhausted but happy, and I'm already planning our next trip. I think I lost my sanity.
Reflections/Random Thoughts:
- The Days Inn by Wyndham Anaheim: surprisingly fine. Clean enough. Pool was decent. Not fancy, but functional. Would stay again, but maybe not in the heat of summer?
- Food: Expensive. Pack snacks. LOTS of snacks.
- Crowds: Brutal. Genie+ is worth it. Trust me.
- Emotions: All of them. Happy, overwhelmed, exhausted, euphoric, broke. Don't be afraid to embrace the chaos. It's part of the magic.
- The Biggest Takeaway: You'll realize that you’ll love every second.
- Postscript: I think I left my favorite sunglasses at the hotel. Dammit.
This, my friend, is a real Disneyland trip. Hope you enjoy it! (And try to remember to bring your luggage!)
Escape to Texas Hill Country: Your Dream Stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites Seguin!
Is this *really* the "Best Deal EVER" like the Days Inn website screams?
Okay, okay, let's be real. "Best Deal EVER" is some serious marketing hyperbole. But hey, it *could* be a decent deal. Look, I went last year. My expectations were…well, let's just say I’d already mentally prepared to sleep in the car. Turns out, the Days Inn wasn't *terrible*. It wasn't the Ritz, mind you, but for the price? And the proximity to Disneyland? Yeah, it was pretty darn good. Think of it as the budget-friendly pre-party before the actual *Magic* happens. My friend, bless her heart, booked us a suite. "It'll be like a palace!" she said. It was... roomier. A roomier, slightly dated room with a distinct aroma of chlorine. But who cares? We were practically *walking distance* from the happiest place on Earth! Did I mention it was the week of the giant inflatable parade? It was. Pure mayhem. Amazing mayhem.
So...is the "walking distance" claim legit? How far is it *really* to Disneyland?
Okay, here's the truth, and I'm going to try and be honest. "Walking distance" is *relative*. If you're used to hiking Everest, yeah, it's a breeze. If you're me, and your idea of exercise involves a remote control and a bag of chips? Buckle up, buttercup. It’s probably about 15-20 minutes, maybe a bit longer if you have small children (and bless their little hearts, they can be slower than molasses in January). There were times when the walk felt longer, especially at the end of the day when my feet felt like lead. But honestly, the lack of crazy parking fees saved us a ton of money and potential frustration. PLUS, you can see the fireworks! I'm not sure *when* the fireworks start, but you CAN see them. From the parking lot, just kidding from the hotel!
What about the free breakfast? Is it edible? And... what *kind* of breakfast are we talking about?
Ah, the free breakfast. The *breakfast buffet of champions* (or, possibly, the breakfast buffet of *survival*). Expect the usual suspects: waffles that probably date back to the Reagan administration, pre-packaged danishes that look vaguely suspicious but taste… well, they taste. Cereal that resembles cardboard, instant coffee strong enough to strip paint, and the omnipresent "fruit". Think bruised apples and bananas that have seen better decades. I'm not going to lie; it's not winning any Michelin stars. But it's *free*. And after a long day of park-hopping and character meet-and-greets, free is a beautiful word. I usually grabbed a waffle, drowned it maple syrup, and pretended I was at a fancy brunch. It worked, mostly. The secret is to temper your expectations. And maybe bring your own protein bars from home. Oh, and remember the time my friend tried to sneak a bagel out for later? She got *caught* by the breakfast attendant. Mortifying. We still laugh about it.
What about the rooms? Are they clean? Do they have...bed bugs? (Gulp.)
Okay, let's be real again. Hygiene is *paramount!* I always, *always* check for bed bugs. I'm not saying the Days Inn *has* bed bugs, but I'm not saying it *doesn't* either. I always do the mattress check, just in case. Also, I'd suggest bringing your own wipes to wipe down the surfaces. Look, it's a budget hotel, so don't expect pristine perfection. Expect, maybe, a few questionable stains on the carpet and a faint whiff of cleaning product trying to mask the general…hustle and bustle. The rooms themselves are usually okay, functional. They've got a bed, a TV (probably not a huge one, but, you know, pixels), and a bathroom. The showers aren't always the *hottest*, FYI. But hey, at least you have a roof over your head. And I do have to say, they had decent air conditioning. In August! That alone deserves some praise. Especially after waiting in line for Radiator Springs racers!
What are the parking situation like?
Parking? Oh, the parking. It's included, which is a *huge* win. Because Disneyland parking will cost you an arm and a leg (and possibly your firstborn). But! The lot can get a bit… crowded. Especially during peak hours, (like, you know, *all the time*). They have a few spots available, but the later you get back, the further away you'll be. One time we had to park so far away, I felt like I was in the movie *Titanic* – stuck in the middle of a frozen ocean of cars. I'm not even kidding! It was a trek. But hey, it's still free. (I'm sensing a theme here, aren't you?) Plus, extra steps will *help* you burn off the ten pounds of churro-induced weight gain you'll experience in the park. So, you know, *win-win*. Except for my poor aching feet.
Is there a pool? And is it worth using?
Yes, there is a pool. It's usually… well, it's there. And the pool is small, not overly crowded and definitely not the star of the show. It’s good for a quick dip to cool off after a grueling day. Don't expect Olympic-sized swimming. Don't expect sparkling turquoise water. Do expect kids. Lots and lots of kids. And probably some rogue pool noodles. I saw a kid with a super soaker once, which was *thrilling*. Also, don't forget the sunscreen! The California sun can be brutal, even when you're just wading around. So, use it? Yes, go for it, if you feel like it. I think it's worth using just to say you did.
What if you need a little help, like with directions or park information? Will the staff try to help?
The staff? Okay, here's another reality check. They're not going to be Disney "cast members" with all the sparkling smiles and helpful pixie dust. They're hotel staff. They might be tired. They might be busy. They *probably* won't know every single detail of every single ride in Disneyland. But I've always found them to be *competent*. They'll answer your questions, provide directions, and help you if there's a serious problem. They may even offer the occasional friendly greeting. Don't expect miracles. But do expect basic courtesy and a willingness to help. Remember to be nice! A little kindness goes a long way, especially when you're asking for help at 7 AM after youHotel Whisperer
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