First Time At The Disneyland Hotel!

Discussion in 'Disneyland Trip Planning and Trip Reports' started by See Post, Jan 20, 2008.

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    Originally Posted By familyguy

    We have never stayed on property before and we are really excited about it! Are there any benefits or little details that we should take advanage of while we're there? I'd love to hear all of your experiences and suggestions that would make our stay even more magical! Just under 100 days till our first resort hotel experience! We're so excited!
     
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    Originally Posted By dlkozy

    Don't be too tired to enjoy the Tinkerbelle wallpaper topper that glows in the dark.

    Personally, when we turn out the lights in the room-THAT'S IT! I am asleep!
     
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    Originally Posted By amazedncal2

    As you walk in the lobby the registration will be to the left of the elevators. If you go to the right past the store there are some fantastic old photos of visitors to Disneyland. We always enjoy looking at those :)

    Since you are staying on property, if you make purchases in Disneyland or DCA you can have them sent back to your hotel. Just tell the CM that you'd like them sent to the Disneyland Hotel and you fill out some quick paperwork and thats it. You can't pick up your package until the next AM (at the bell desk) so it's not great if you are buying sweatshirts to wear in the evening etc. but for secret gifts or things like coffee mugs or snowglobes that you don't want to lug around it's a nice perk :) One restriction is no food (I THINK candy is OK but not 100% so ask) and there is a certain "close to closing" cut off time, I think an hour to closing.

    Have fun!
     
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    Originally Posted By ssturgeo

    On Tuesday and Thursday's at 9:30 a.m. you can feed the Koi (by the waterfalls which are by the Wonder Tower. They eat right out of your hands!

    The waterfalls are a great photo op, and at night are beautifully lit, worth a stroll to see.

    If there is no coffee pot in your room when you arrive just let the desk know and they will have one in your room immediately.

    Guests of the DL hotel can also use the pool and facilities at the Paradise Pier Hotel.

    Just to the left of the lobby entrance there is coffee house, that also has sweet rolls, cereal, milk, juice, etc. Outside tables but have also taken stuff back to the room for a quick start breakfast.

    I LOVE staying there, and will be there again March 1-9. To celebrate my granddaughters 16th birthday. Special occassion...just let the desk know and they will help you arrange for balloons, autographed pictures, etc. for your room. Just let them know the favorite characters.

    Enjoy your stay...it just adds to the magic for us, and if you have any specific questions, just ask!

    You will get early entry by showing your hotel charge card.
     
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    Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey

    I am back and forth and back and forth about whether to take the plunge and stay at the DLR or not this summer when we return. I have never stayed there and usually stay at the HOJO. I am considering splitting up our stay and only staying at DLR for four or five nights. It is soooo expensive in the summer time though. I need honest opinions, is it really worth it? I have read so many bad reviews about the conditions of the rooms. I would love to be right there by DDD though and be able to hop on the monorail and not have to walk too far or deal with ART. I also believe it would enhance the magic of our stay.
     
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    Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

    I stayed there for the first time in september - It was very nice and being that I paid the special price during AP nights the price was okay....

    I think you would do just as good staying and one of the hotels across the street on Harbor - they will cost less and you can spend that on other stuff - the one exception to that would be if you were going to hang out at the hotel enough to make the pool worth the trip - Although I hear you can see teh fireworks from the HOJO hottub and it's open til midnight...
     
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    Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey

    Yes, we have watched the fireworks from the HOJO's hottub several times. Having said that I am keeping my reservations at HOJO but have also made reservations for the DLR for part of my stay. I am rather excited about it. The lady that I made my reservations with was so nice. She asked what my daughters favorite characters was and I am hoping for some of that extra Disney magic when we get there. I can't afford the DLR for the entire time, but will hopefully stay there for the five nights I booked. It is really expensive but there is something about staying on property and riding the monorail back to the hotel. Never having to leave the Disney magic for a few days sounds wonderful. I am quite excited about it.
     
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    Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

    <She asked what my daughters favorite characters was and I am hoping for some of that extra Disney magic when we get there>
    I hope that works out for you - I was asked the same and told them it was her b-day - I had to remind them upon checking in - all she got was a b-day button!!
     
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    Originally Posted By dlkozy

    >>>"It is really expensive but there is something about staying on property and riding the monorail back to the hotel."<<<

    Yeah, hope that works out for ya. As Darkbeer has posted-the "New" monorail that arrived doesn't seem to be working so there is no backup for the ONLY one that is-so if it breaks down you and all of the rest of the DLR's hotel guests will be hoofin' back to their rooms!

    Too bad that Disney cannot come up with another way to get their guests back to their expensive rooms when the Monorail breaks down.
     
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    Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey

    Yeah, if the monorail is still mostly inoperable that would be a big disappointment.
     
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    Originally Posted By ssturgeo

    gottluvdavillans...did you let Vacation Planning know it was her birthday? Seems to work when they are involved. Balloons, autographed picture of favorite character and birthday button.
     
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    Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

    Yes I did let them know - they also knew it was our first time in the hotels - when I checked in and nothing happened - I mentioned it I was told it was in the computer - so not sure why things weren't ready - we didn't get balloons or anything just the b-day button once I reminded them. This whole trip was a suprise to DD and as often as we go (about 10 X a year) this was our first experience at the DLH - we did stay at PPH about 4 years ago.
     
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    Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey

    Gottaluvdavillans;
    Other than the mix up with the birthday did you like the DLR and did you think it was worth it?
     
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    Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

    It was okay - I think the experience was fun - If I didn't get the Ap nights special - I wouldn't do it again...
     
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    Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey

    I am leaning towards cancelling the reservation at DLR. I have talked myself pretty much out of it. I can't justify spending that amount of money when I can stay at the HOJO or Candy Cane Inn and have a great hotel room for 10 nights for much less than the cost of 5 nights at the DLR.
     
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    Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

    Lets see 5 nights at DLH or 10 nights somewhere else -
    I would go with the 10 nights hands down.

    Darkbeer has mentioned they only have one monerail running as the new one isn't ready and needs some addition work so if this isn't done completely by you trip - the already long wait for the monorail could be even worse... SO you could end up having to walk back anyway and depending on which building you are in - your walk could be much longer than the walk to HoJo...
    If you are getting a good deal on the DLR then it could be worth it - or if money is not an object - but if staying there is causing you to cut your trip in half - I would wait for a time they are offering the ap nights and stay then.

    Next weekend because of ap nights the nightly rate at the DLR is $159
    The same rooms choice during Spring break (which I would guess is the same as summer rates) is $300 - $325 a night
     
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    Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey

    Money is totally an object and right now with my annual pass they want me to pay $320 a night for a DDD view room. It was $311 for a pool view and somewhere right under that (I wanna say $270) for the regular room; probably overlooking the parking lot. I was still gonna stay 10 nights but was going to spend 1/2 at HOJO and 1/2 at DLR. I am going to cancel my DLR reservations and stick with either HOJO or Candy Cane Inn. I love HOJO, but have heard really nice things about the Candy Cane Inn also. Both seem to be about the same distance away from the park and the CCI does have their own shuttle. Unfortunately I can't go other times than summer and holidays when it is always crowded because I am a teacher. Someday when I am richer perhaps I will get to stay at DLR. From the reviews it has gotten on certain websites it sounds like unless they do a major refurbishment it is not worth the cash. I just simply can't justify such a huge expense. We are actually taking a second trip to Disneyworld in August so I need to save money for that as well.
     
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    Originally Posted By RoadTrip

    We really love the Disneyland Hotel and think that the expense is well worth it if you can afford it. No matter how nice the other hotels are there is something about staying on Disney property that just can't be beat.

    I wouldn't worry about the monorail... we almost always walked to the parks anyway. It is a very pleasant 7-10- minute stroll through Downtown Disney. When people say you have a shorter walk from some of the other hotels that might be true (although not by much). But I can guarantee that the walk from the other hotels is nowhere near as pleasant as the walk through Downtown Disney to the DLH. Also... nowhere near as safe. I wouldn't question having a teen walk alone from Disneyland to the DLH hotel at 1 AM. No way would I want them walking alone down Harbor Blvd at that time of night.

    Things I like about the DLH...

    I love the courtyard and pool area of the DLH hotel at night. With the Koi pools and waterfall lit with multi-colored lights, it truly makes you feel like you are in another world. It is the most "Disney feeling" of any Disney hotel I've stayed at... and that is a BUNCH of them at WDW.

    The restaurants at the DLH are great. I particularly like Hook's Pointe. It has a casual, relaxed atmosphere while at the same time serving top-notch food with generally excellent service. It is one of our favorite Disney restaurants anywhere.

    You also get some small perks like being able to have your purchases at the parks and Downtown Disney sent back to your room so you don't have to deal with them on the walk back to your hotel. I believe that you can now use your DLH hotel key-card to charge purchases at some locations throughout Disneyland. That has been possible for a long time at WDW and I believe you can now do it at Disneyland also.

    Would I leave myself without money for souvenirs or nice meals just to stay at the DLH hotel? No, I would not. Would I cut my Disneyland vacation short just to stay at the DLH hotel? No, I would not do that either. But if you do have the money to stay there without busting your budget I think it is well worth it.

    By the way sdlovesmickey, what on earth are you going to do for 10 days at Disneyland? I adore the place but don’t think I could spend more than 5 days there. If you are only spending a portion of you vacation at DL and the rest of the time will be doing non-Disney things then I would recommend on doing what you originally planned. Stay at the DLH while you will be visiting the Disney parks, and somewhere else for the rest of your vacation.

    I hope everyone has a most excellent time on their Disneyland vacation no matter where they stay!!
     
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    Originally Posted By momof4boys

    We have stayed at the DLH one time ( about 5 years ago, I think). We got AP rates of $119- so it was well worth it. After we stayed there, I asked my boys, " Would you rather go to DL 4 days and stay at the DLH, or 7 days at BWPPI?" They all chose 7 days at BWPPI. We are going this summer and it will have been 2 1/2 years since we have been, so we are "splurging" and staying 5 nights at DLH and 2 at the Grand Californian ( our first time)- luckily, my brother and family are going also, so one of my boys can stay with them and we only have to get one room. The price is high but I just have to put that out of my mind ( I am a contract speech pathologist and got an extra contract this year- so I figure I deserve the splurge since I am working more hours-lol!).

    We LOVE the walk through DTD in the morning- very enjoyable! It just fills me with giddy anticipation and happiness! We timed the walk to DLH lobby and BWPPI lobby and BWPPI is slighty shorter- but could take longer, depending on whether you have to wait for the light. I can't justify spending the money at the DLH every trip, but it is nice every once in a while.

    BTW, we go to DL 7-8 days when we go and love spending that much time there. We never get bored. We used to try and go every year to DL, but now we got the cruising bug ( and can only afford one big vacation a year) so we are alternating DL with a Disney Cruise.
     
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    Originally Posted By dlkozy

    >>>"I believe that you can now use your DLH hotel key-card to charge purchases at some locations throughout Disneyland. That has been possible for a long time at WDW and I believe you can now do it at Disneyland also."<<<

    For years and years now upon check in you received a charge slip which you presented along with your room key to use to charge your purchases to your room. It's not a new concept to Disneyland.
     

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