Originally Posted By irishfan I'm in the midst of planning a quick trip to DLP in December and I've decided for a change to stay at one of the "Good Neighbour" hotels(Explorers, Holiday or Dreamcastle). Just wondering peoples thoughts are? Also, are these hotels walkable to and from the resort? I'd much rather walk then take a bus if the weather is nice.
Originally Posted By Zarniwoop Nowadays Holiday-Inn isn't that bargain anymore as it was. There's ony 10 € /night room price difference between three-plus star Holiday-Inn and real four star Dreamhotel (breakfast incl.) I'd take the latter.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hi Irishfan, some people walk, but personally I think it is a little too far and they do not have great paths. They are across the street a little way from the Santa Fe. Zarniwoop is right, the HI used to be a real bargain (and it is good), but for a little bit more you can stay at the excellent Dreamcastle. Or even better experiences can be had at the Radison or Marriott Vacation CLub, but the shuttle is not as frequent. For cheap options, the Kyriad is ok, or near the Val de Europe, an ETAP has now opened which is super cheap and a quick walk to the station - a great choice is going on a budget and just need a bed and shower. What sort of accommodation are you looking for?
Originally Posted By u k fan I have stayed at all of them except the Dream Castle. I would avoid the Explorer's as it's very geared towards families and I found it noisy and shambolic most of the time. I had a lovely adults only stay at the Kyriad and found it very pleasant. It was peaceful and had a more leisurely feel to it. I missed the last bus once and walked back to the HI, it took about 30 minutes and wasn't an unpleasant walk, but there's not much to see and I don't know if I'd fancy it in December!!!
Originally Posted By irishfan Thanks for all the info. So am I right in saying to walk there, I actually walk over to Santa Fe, and cross over the street? If so, that sounds fine. I'm leaning towards the Kyriad, I dont want to spend a lot of money at DLP, leaving that to Hong Kong on the return leg, Disneyland hotel here I come! The Kyriad is coming out at Euro 180, which sounds like a good deal.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Irishfan, you are correct, you walk to the Santa Fe, walk out of the front gate and turn left. Cross the street, and then the Kyriad is about another 3 blocks. It's about 1.5 miles from DLP. Personally I would just take the bus (the partner hotel buses are quite good except the last couple of the night). The Kyriad is very good value and that is an excellent price. But it is the furthest from the parks if you are considering walking.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 For my last visit, I stayed in a lovely Sofitel (4-star) hotel in Paris that I got on Priceline.com for about $90 (US) a night and walked a block to the train and was at DLP in 40 minutes ... much better and cheaper option to staying onsite or in the immediate area.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Personally I am not a big fan of Paris, and avoid it most trips. We have been to DLP 49 times, in that same time frame, Paris maybe 8 times. Different strokes I suppose.
Originally Posted By irishfan I'm actually staying in Paris for two nights before the DLP leg. I cant get enough of that city, and really looking forward to checking it out at Christmas. >>Personally I would just take the bus (the partner hotel buses are quite good except the last couple of the night). << I'm sure I'll make use of the buses, but I'm happy that walking is always an option.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It is an option, but on a cold or wet run, not fun at all. There is not a path for the whole route (I don't think, it has been a while since I've stayed in the partner hotel cluster).
Originally Posted By exp_627 irishfan, you got a good deal with the Kyriad... which seems to be a nice 2-star-hotel. I don't understand why people have been raving about the Holiday Inn so much in the past, for I found it to be the worst hotel at DLRP I ever stayed in. (Though the rooms were okay.) And Spirit, true: you can stay in Paris, but I find the commute out to DLRP exhausting and long at times (but then again, I hate the transport at WDW as well...) - and considering that the RER trains are on strike this week, it can be quite a gamble getting to the resort and back into the city ;-)
Originally Posted By exp_627 >It is an option, but on a cold or wet run, not fun at all. There is not a path for the whole route (I don't think, it has been a while since I've stayed in the partner hotel cluster).< There are pavements all the way from Chessy station to the partner hotels at Val de France.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ok. I am surprised exp_627. I have had substandard stays at all the official DLP hotels with the exception of the Hotel New York and DLH. Whereas I have never had a bad stay at HI. Also I often stay for free at HI, add in larger rooms for my kids than most DLP hotels, and a pool, and I love it. But it has been a couple of years since we have stayed there since we own at Marriott Ile de France now.
Originally Posted By u k fan When I walked it I walked up the "street" with all of the hotel entrances and took a left at the top of the street passing the entrance to the Santa Fe on my left. If memory serves correctly there is a path from the main road that brings you out somewhere between the HI and the Dream Castle. I really enjoyed the Kyriad. One word of caution - the breakfast was overpriced. I'd skip it and have something to eat on Main Street!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed with UKFAN - for breakfast I would either opt for McDo's in the Village, the canteen in the station or the Cable Car Bakeshop.
Originally Posted By exp_627 To be fair, our stay at the Holiday Inn was in 2005... though I doubt that I'll ever chose this hotel again... When I got there, it was around lunch time. So guess were the bellhop was? (Who, apparently, was the only one with a key for the luggage room...) Correct - he was on lunch. So I waited about 20 minutes for him to get back - which is not that great considering the nice of the arcade games in the lobby (!!!) of the hotel. The pool was in a horrible shape: the floor was all "wobbly" (for lack of a better word), the water lukewarm, the changing cabins couldn't be locked and the lockers were broken - though they still accepted coins... The breakfast is not included at the Holiday Inn - and in the end overpriced. (Keep that in mind when comparing prices between partner and Disney hotels!) However, the room was alright and it had a better selection of tv channels than Disney rooms do... More recently, we stayed at the Pierre & Vacance (now Adagio Aparthotel) and were not that impressed either, though the place was okay. We're going to try the Elysée in December. The staff seemed quite friendly there when I made the reservation... (though I would have preferred to stay at New York or Sequoia... but it has gotten VERY hard to get rooms at any of the Disney hotels this year... even in off season!!!)
Originally Posted By u k fan I like the Pierre et Vacances and have stayed there several times. I don't expect the same level of service at apartments as I do at a hotel. Check in took an age! The pool at the HI is a total let down and the biggest downside to the hotel!!!
Originally Posted By irishfan but it has gotten VERY hard to get rooms at any of the Disney hotels this year... even in off season!!!)<< I had that trouble for my trip, the only hotel coming up available for the three nights I wan was Santa Fe. Thats why I decided to go with one of the neighbour hotels, and just buy a park hopper ticket, or I may end up buying one of the annual passes. Anyway, I've just booked the Kyriad. Looking forward to finally getting to see DLP all decked out for it's 15th, and for Christmas.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Cool Irishfan. When are you going? A Fantasy AP is £1 more than a three day hopper as a rule, so if you are planning on going more than once in the year, and not during blackouts, it's worth it for the discounts.
