On site hotels - which is best for 6?

Hi! I'm new here - we've been to CP numerous times - there are 6 of us - 3 adults, 3 kids. One kid is in a wheelchair - but we don't need a handicapped room.

We've always stayed at Breakers. The last two times we stayed in one of the really big rooms with a king bed and two sofa sleepers. Those rooms don't seem to be available for the dates I'm looking for. (Booking too late, I imagine.)

We stayed in a lakeview suite at Breakers - 2Qs and a sofa, and that was ok, but seemed smallish due to the wheelchair.

OK - enough summary. I'm thinking Sandcastle - those suites look a little bigger. Anyone have any experience with that? I see a lot of good things about the cottages. Can two people sleep on that futon and is it comfortable? I like the fact you can make your own food there - just as we could in the really big rooms at Breakers.

Can you walk to the park from Sandcastle easily? From the cottages?

I'm actually relieved those bigger rooms are taken as they cost a bloomin' fortune!

Thanks for any replies.

Sue

Sorry I haven't stayed at Sandcastle but know there is a tram that goes back and forth to it. I think you could walk it though if you don't feel like waiting for it.
*** This post was edited by Sean_N 4/18/2004 7:35:09 PM ***

We've done all three, with two adults and two kids.

Walking distance: depends on what you mean by "easy"---neither is as easy a walk as Breakers, especially when you're pushing a chair. But both are probably in the 5-10 minutes range. They probably aren't much different from one another.

As for Lighthouse, we've now stayed in both cottages and cabins. The cabins are a bit closer, and depending on the age of your kids, might be a good fit. Private bedroom with queen (or maybe double) bed. Living room with two fold-out futon couches. Loft space where kids can "camp out" in sleeping bags. The cottages are on the water (purty!) but have a slightly less-flexible space arrangement---private bedroom with queen (or maybe double) bed, plus two twins in bunkbed formation. Living room has one fold-out futon couch. No loft. Cabins have a real bathtub. Cottages have only a shower with a "mini-basin/tub-like thing" in the bottom. Both cottages and cabins have indoor seating/table space for four. Cabins have a picnic table, cottages a faux-wood deck with two faux-wood adirondack chairs and side tables.

So, depends on the ages of the kids. If you have younger kids, you may want the cabins. With older kids, you might prefer the cottages. We prefer the cabins for now, but I miss not being on the bay when I'm there. :) The loft plus the smaller private bedroom gives more usable living space, but older kids probably won't be too excited by the loft.

The futons are not particularly comforable, but they work. In the cottages, we put the kids in the private bedroom, and we slept out in the living room. In the cabins, the kids get the loft and we get the bedroom, plus can tromp around the living room once they are asleep.

I know you said you didn't need it, but both cabins and cottages come in accessible form, but this may reduce the occupancy limit to four---I haven't checked.

We have also stayed at Sandcastle with a portacrib, plus kid in the fold-out sofa, plus parents in the bedroom. This was tightish, but doable---I suspect you'd have the same space needs with a chair as a portacrib. I thought Sandcastle was in slight need of a rehab, and we were in one of the newer wings.

For my money, Lighthouse Point is the better buy. I've only stayed in Breakers with just the two of us grownups---the cost to get separate parent space is so much higher in Breakers than Lighthouse Point that we have never seriously considered a suite there. Saving the extra walk (even with mid-day naps for all) isn't worth the nearly $50 per night extra we'd be paying.
*** This post was edited by Brian Noble 4/18/2004 7:49:33 PM ***

Thanks for the information! Very very helpful. I am now talking to my dear spouse about Lighthouse Point. My two girls are 12 and 9. My handicapped son is 13 and always sleeps on the sofa bed with Uncle Andy. (3 adults to 3 kids ratio is the only way to go.)

anyway - I will certainly check out Lighthouse Point. I wish I could design a cabin/cottage as they both have amenities that will work for us.

Can't wait to get to the Point this year. Last year my son had some surgery on his tendons (he has CP) so we didn't want to bang him up too much. I love taking my CP kid to CP for yes, White Water Landing. That's his favorite and the best one to hold him tight on so he won't hurt himself.

Any other opinions welcomed!

sue

Breakers Horizon Suite-lakeview- hands down.

I would book an available room at Sandcastle, and call CP VERY often (twice daily) for the Horizon Suites. The waiting list does not seem to work, but if you stay in contact with reservations, you can jump on a room that has been cancelled. I have done this often and have always been able to get that room.

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Beer and golf Thursday thru Monday, Cedar Point & beer, Tuesday and Wednesday.

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3 adults to 3 kids ratio is the only way to go

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I heard that---zone defense with kids is a losing proposition! ;)

If you are staying at Sndcastle early in the season the bugs get VERY thick. The stairwells are outdoors & enclosed so they trap the swarms in there. Plus the beach isn't the best & after rain its basically like sewage. I'd go w/ Lighthouse Point. They built the new cabins/cottages onto Lighthouse Point so I am sure those are still available.

I'm convinced - no bugs! I'm going with the cottage! All booked.

However, I will start calling just to see if i can get the horizon suite again - those really are awesome.

Thanks everyone!

I've never been to Sandcastle, but I've been to Lighthouse Point. It was better than I expected. The cottages are clean and have plenty of space for 6. It's hard to say which ones are closer to the park. It takes about 10 minutes or so to the gate from the pool area at Lighthouse Point. The old cabins were closer, but now they have built cabins further out so I'd suggest taking the shuttle to the gate.

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Opening Day - May 8, 2004 :) It's coming

Keep Arms Down, Head Back, and Hold On!!

If you would be willing to go off of the resort, you should reserve a room at Great Bear Lodge. I have been there with several toddlers who love the indoor water park and storytime at night. It is a bit pricey but it is somewhat well worth it. The kids love the cabin room as I like to call it that gives them their own little area and television. There is a great arcade and restaurants with great service and food. You would have a lovely time here, the waterpark is very clean besides the smell of chlorine that you never get use to. But lifeguards are plenty in number and there are designated areas for toddlers.

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Life has it's ups and downs, might as well make it on a coaster!