Anaheim Resort Getaway: Luxurious Stay at Residence Inn (Near Disneyland!)
Anaheim Resort Getaway: Residence Inn - Disneyland Dreams (And Some Unexpected Truths)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on my recent Anaheim adventure, specifically my stay at the Residence Inn near Disneyland. This wasn't just a vacation; it was a mission – a quest for sunshine, churros, and a little bit of sanity. And let me tell you, the Residence Inn offered a mixed bag, a real rollercoaster of highs and lows.
Let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way:
Accessibility: Right off the bat, I'm happy to report the Residence Inn seemed pretty good on this front. They've got facilities for disabled guests, an elevator (thank GOD!), and things like accessible bathrooms. It's crucial, and they seem to have thought of it.
Cleanliness & Safety: The "Cleanliness Theater" and My Germaphobe Tendencies
Look, in these post-pandemic times, cleanliness is, well, everything. And the Residence Inn puts on a good show. They boast about using anti-viral cleaning products, doing daily disinfection in common areas, and even offering room sanitization opt-out (which, let's be real, felt a bit like a dare). They also mention professional-grade sanitizing services. Fine, I like to see that kind of attention.
I appreciated the presence of hand sanitizer everywhere and the staff's training in safety protocols. However, I'm a self-confessed germaphobe, so I still gave the doorknobs a good wiping-down when I arrived. I also have to call them out on the individual wrapping on all the food so I think that they did a good job.
Rooms: My Cozy Fortress (Almost)
Alright, let's dive into the actual room, because this is where things get interesting. I will go through all the available characteristics:
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Okay, so they provided most of the important stuff. The free Wi-Fi was a godsend, and the blackout curtains were perfect for sleeping off those late nights in the park. The mini-fridge was fantastic for stashing snacks (because, let's be honest, Disney food is expensive).
- The Bed: The bed was comfy, and the extra-long bed was a game-changer for my tall frame.
- The View: I had a great view - and the window that opens was nice.
- The little things: They had Complimentary tea, Free bottled water, and Towels.
- The missing thing: I was hoping for a scale after all the food, but at least it wasn't there.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Letdown):
Okay, let's talk food – the fuel for any Disney adventure.
- Breakfast: The breakfast buffet was included, which was fantastic. They had the usual suspects – cereal, pastries, scrambled eggs. Honestly, it was pretty standard, but hey, it was free, and it allowed me to save money on the park food.
- Restaurants: They have on-site restaurants. I didn't try any of them.
- The room service: there is a room service.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax: Spa Dreams and Gym Nightmares
- The Pool: The outdoor pool was nice. It was a great place to relax after a long day in the park although it was very busy.
- The Sauna: They had a Sauna.
- The Gym: I needed some exercise. They had a fitness center.
- Spa: They had a spa.
For the Kids:
I'm not a parent, so things like babysitting services and kids' meals aren't my forte. But it seems the Residence Inn is family-friendly, which is great if you're dragging little ones around. Services and Conveniences:
- Airport Transfer: They have a taxi service and car park.
- Wi-fi They have free wi-fi on all rooms.
- On-site event hosting.
The Good, The Bad, and My Verdict:
Look, the Residence Inn near Disneyland isn't perfect. The room's good, the free breakfast is fine, and the location is amazing for park access. But the price tag is nice.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… me, attempting to navigate the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to Anaheim, California, specifically bunking at the Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center. Prepare for a symphony of overthinking, existential dread, and the desperate need for a decent cup of coffee.
Day 1: Arrival, Disneyland Dreams (and the Reality of Jet Lag)
- 8:00 AM (lol, more like 9:30 AM): Arrived at LAX. Oh, the glamour! The fumes! The sheer audacity of humanity trying to exist in a giant metal tube hurtling through the air. Immediately regretting not packing an eye mask. Airport food – let’s just say it’s an experience. Grabbed a questionable breakfast burrito – fueling up for the adventure, right?
- 10:00 AM (ish): Uber ride to the Residence Inn. The driver kept trying to make small talk. I’m still recovering from the burrito, sir. Just drive. (Side note: California drivers. Bless their hearts. They’re a different breed). Finding the hotel was easy, but the parking situation at the Residence Inn… let's just say I'm pretty sure I saw an argument break out over a space that wasn't even there. Classic.
- 11:30 AM: Check-in. The lobby is… well, it's clean. Functional. The guy at the desk was friendly, bless his heart. I asked if the pool was heated. He gave me a look that said, "Lady, it's Anaheim. Of course it's heated." Already feeling the California sunshine on my cheeks.
- 1:00 PM: Room exploration and unpacking. Okay, the suite situation is actually pretty sweet. Kitchenette? Check. Couch I can collapse on after a day of theme park domination? Check. Realized I'd forgotten my toothbrush. Again. This is a recurring theme in my life, like a bad sitcom.
- 2:00 PM: The moment – heading to Disneyland! Excitement levels: Possibly dangerous. I had been dreaming about this since my childhood. The walk to Disneyland, though. This is starting to feel like a pilgrimage.
- 2:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Disneyland! So many crowds, so many lines. This is the dream, right? Right. First impressions: the music! The smells! The sheer unapologetic magic. Rode the Haunted Mansion – classic, still spooky. Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast – I'm not competitive at all, but I CRUSHED my spouse (sorry, honey!). Peter Pan's Flight, though… the line was a DEATH SENTENCE. But worth it, dammit! Fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle – cried. Unabashedly cried. The perfect end to a slightly-too-long day.
- 9:30 PM: Back to the hotel, exhausted. The walk felt way longer in the dark. Collapsed on the couch. Ate a questionable leftover churro. Fell asleep.
Day 2: California Adventure, and the Quest for Caffeine
- 7:00 AM (HAHAHAHA, NO): Woke up, still jet-lagged, but with a renewed sense of purpose: COFFEE. The hotel’s offering? Let's just say it was… adequate. Time to venture forth.
- 8:00 AM: Walked to a nearby Starbucks (because, priorities). Found a decent, caffeine-laced savior; felt like a whole new person.
- 9:00 AM: California Adventure! The entrance felt like a punch to the face – in a good way. The colors! The energy! This place is a masterpiece of controlled chaos.
- 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: California Adventure continued. Radiator Springs Racers: THE BEST. The detail, the speed, the sheer joy – I would ride it a thousand times if I could. (Maybe I did, who's counting?). The Incredicoaster was terrifying and fabulous.
- 4:00 PM: Exhaustion settling in. My feet are screaming. I need food, and I needed it yesterday.
- 4:30 PM - 6 PM: We made the mistake of eating at a table-service restaurant inside the park. Lesson learned: Don’t do it hungry. The food was… fine. The wait was not.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Went straight to bed and watched a movie.
Day 3: Poolside Relaxation (or, the One Where I Almost Drowned)
- 9:00 AM: Late start. Slept in! Glorious. Realized I needed more sunscreen.
- 10:00 AM: Finally tackled the pool. The pool. This is where things took a turn. The sun was beating down and the water was so inviting, I kind of wandered over to the deep end and nearly drowned. I was flailing around, panicking, and trying to get my bearings. A lifeguard, bless them, was there to save me. Cue the embarrassment.
- 12:00 PM: Reflected on my near-death experience. Ordered some pizza. The pizza was good.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Did some work in the hotel room, now feeling a bit more rested and ready to hit the pool again. I only went in the shallow end.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. Decent.
- 7:00 PM: The pool again – mostly just wading in the shallows this time.
- 9:00 PM: Packing. Ugh. The worst part of any trip.
Day 4: Departure, Reflections, and the Bitter Taste of Leaving
- 7:00 AM (Actually): Woke up early. Still tired. The trip is coming to an end. It's a bummer.
- 8:00 AM: Had some breakfast.
- 9:00 AM: Checked out of the hotel. The lobby was calm, less hectic than the first day.
- 10:00 AM: Uber to LAX. Waiting for the flight.
- 1:00 PM: On the plane. So tired. So many memories.
- 2:00 PM: Landing at home. Ready to go back.
Final Thoughts:
Anaheim. The Residence Inn. Disneyland. California Adventure. It was a trip filled with highs, lows, churros, near drowning experiences, and a whole lot of walking. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I pack more sunscreen? Absolutely. Would I actually bring a toothbrush next time? We'll see. Stay tuned for Trip 2: Electric Boogaloo!
Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells: Epic Family Getaway!
Okay, so... Residence Inn Anaheim Near Disneyland – Is it *really* luxurious? Because "luxury" and "Disney" sometimes feels like a VERY subjective thing, you know?
Alright, let's be honest. "Luxurious" is a strong word. My expectations tend to run high, and sometimes reality… well, it doesn't quite meet them. BUT, for the price (and considering it's practically *stalking distance* of Disneyland), I'd say yes, it's a solid, *comfortable* experience. The suites are pretty spacious, which is a HUGE win when you've got kids (or, let's be real, even when you don't and just have a LOT of Disney swag). The kitchen is a lifesaver. Seriously. Eating restaurant food every single meal? My wallet started crying after day one. Being able to grab a yogurt and a banana for breakfast, or even cook a simple dinner? Priceless.
Here's the thing: it's *not* the Four Seasons. Don't expect a personal butler fetching you champagne. But the beds were comfy, the bathrooms were clean (always a plus!), and the staff was generally super friendly. We had one tiny issue with the AC (it was a *blazing* hot day, naturally) and they fixed it ASAP. Bonus points for that!
My verdict? It's luxurious *for what it is*. A comfortable, convenient, and relatively affordable base of operations for a Disney adventure. Now, if they could just add a chocolate fountain to the lobby… *then* we'd be talking real luxury. Just a thought, Residence Inn, just a thought.
How close *is* "close" to Disneyland? Because Google Maps lies, man. They ALWAYS lie.
Okay, LISTEN to me on this. "Close" is relative, but with the Residence Inn, it's ridiculously close. We walked. We walked with a small army of children, a stroller overflowing with souvenirs, and a near-constant stream of "Are we there yets?". And we still made it in a reasonable amount of time. (Maybe 10-15 minutes, tops? My memory of the exact timeframe is a bit… fuzzy. Disney brain, you know?).
The best part? You can escape the post-fireworks, sugar-fueled chaos relatively quickly. That peace of mind alone is worth the price of admission. Trust me. You'll be HIGH-FIVING yourself when you're snuggled in your comfy bed while half the population of California is still battling traffic.
Word to the wise: Factor in the security line at Disneyland. That line can add some time, so don't expect to waltz right in. But hey, still way better than driving and parking! Ugh, parking…shudders.
Tell me about the free breakfast. Is it the usual sad continental fare, or is it actually edible? Because I need my coffee, people. I *need* it.
Okay, deep breath. The free breakfast… It wasn't terrible. Let’s start there. It was better than the cardboard-tasting offerings I’ve endured at some budget hotels, for sure. They have the usual suspects: cereal, pastries (some surprisingly decent muffins!), fruit, yogurt parfaits. And… crucially… the coffee was drinkable. Thank the caffeine gods! They also often have hot options – think scrambled eggs, sausage, maybe even waffles! (The waffle maker situation is a constant source of tension, though. Lines! People hogging the tongs! But, hey, it’s free, right? Grumble, grumble…)
Honestly, it was perfectly adequate to fuel up for a day of Disney madness. I wouldn't go there expecting gourmet, Michelin-star level dining. But it’s a great way to save some money and avoid the morning rush at the park. And the convenience? Again, HUGE win. Wake up, grab breakfast, and you're practically at the entrance!
My hot tip: Get there early to avoid the worst of the breakfast chaos! And grab extra napkins. You'll need them. Trust me.
What about the pool and other amenities? Are they worth taking a break from the park? Because, let's face it, downtime is precious.
Okay, pool time. This is a mixed bag. The pool itself? Pretty standard. Clean, not overly crowded (thankfully!). My kids loved it, of course. Jumping in the water, screaming, splashing… the typical pool scene. There’s a hot tub, too, which my husband practically lived in. (He needed it after all the walking, bless him.)
BUT… here's the thing. *Downtime* at Disneyland is a precious commodity. Every minute you're not in the park feels like a missed opportunity. (I'm fighting the FOMO, y'all, I really am.) So, we didn't spend *tons* of time at the pool. We squeezed in a couple of swims here and there, usually in the evening after a long day. Were they relaxing? Yes! Did they extend the overall happiness of our time? Absolutely. But the pool wasn't the *star* of the show.
The other amenities? Fitness center (I walked *enough* in the park, thanks!), laundry facilities (thank you, sweet heavens!), and a little convenience store. The convenience store was a lifesaver for snacks and drinks. Pro-tip: Buy your water bottles *there* instead of at the park. Your wallet will thank you!
Okay, but REAL talk: What could have been BETTER at the Residence Inn? Because nothing is perfect. Spill.
Alright, alright, here's the real (and slightly less glowing) side of things. First, the noise. This is Disneyland, after all. People are excited. Kids are excited. Sometimes, the walls felt a little thin. We had some late-night shenanigans from other guests (ahem, a party of college kids who were *very* enthusiastic about their evening), but, that's hotels for you, you take your chances. Earplugs are your friend.
Second, the elevators. They can get… crowded. Especially in the mornings and evenings. We spent a few minutes waiting, wishing we had somehow manifested a magic carpet. (A girl can dream, right?). Also, the hotel decor isn't exactly groundbreaking. It's clean and functional, but not particularly memorable. (Think… beige. Lots and lots of beige.)
And finally… the cost. While I said it's "relatively" affordable, it's still not *cheap*. Hotel rates near Disneyland can fluctuate wildly, so be sure to shop around and compare prices. It's worth it to be close to the parks, but a little sticker shock is understandable. That's just the price of Disney magic, I guess!
Would you go back? Be honest! (And if you could only pick ONE thing to gush about, what would it be?)
Here's the brutally honest truth: Yes. I would absolutely go back. Despite the little niggles, the convenience and the overall experience outweighed any downsides. The location is killer. The spacious suites are a blessing. And did I mention the *location*? Seriously, after a full day of parades and rides and endless lines, you justUnique Hotel Finds
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