Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hi folks, We just got back from a surprise trip to DLP last weekend. As we were only going to have 30 hours in the resort, I really wanted to maximise on the potential. The DLH had a 30% discount for Dream AP holders, so we went for it. The price was still a little on the crazy side (£336 or $672) for one night for our family of 4 (2 adults, a 5 year old and a 3 year old), it would have been even more if we booked a package. But I can say that at least the DLH offers the service all of Disney used to. When we got to the train station (we used the Eurostar), we opted to take our own luggage. They asked us to open it going through security, which was ok (not ideal). If we paid 15 euro, we could have had the luggage delivered to the hotel, but I was not too bothered given it was one small suitcase. We then got to the hotel and dropped our bags off. Very efficient service. Straight into the park we went. At 4:00 I checked in (most of the staff were tri, quad and quintlingual). Very fast, friendly and efficient. While I checked in there was a character parade down the stairs and character interaction to entertain the kids, it was a great start as my kids played ring around the rosy with Mickey, Goofy, a penguin from Mary Poppins, Tigger, and Eeyore. One little niggle, they used to have DLP labelled candy everywhere, but now it is more generic (the Hotel New York got rid of the candy all together in August - so this was still better). Also, we had 1 fastpass each for every day we were there (but what I did not realise is they can only be used between 2 and 6pm which is a shame, I thought they were good for the whole day). The hotel was well decorated, and not worn anywhere (unlike the other DLP hotels). We went to the room and it was still very lovely and Disney orientated. And the toiletries were of a god quality and Disneyland Hotel Paris branded, including Tinker Bell carved in the soap. Also provided are robes and slippers. For photos - check here: The Baloos weekend for the opening of Halloween The luggage was already in the room when we arrived, now that is the Disney service I used to know and love. The kids loved that the TV could be heard in the bathroom (this used to happen in the Hotel New York too, but it did not in our August trip). That evening when we returned, there was turn down service with chocolates, and the bins had been emptied! Result. We went to bed, and the next morning had a phone call from Goofy to wake us (if you stay in a suite or Castle Club, Tigger was knocking on people's doors to awaken them). We went to breakfast (starts at 7:30 but with Extra Magic Hours, I would have hoped they would start earlier - we could have had room service at 7, but I thought we could miss out on good fun if we did that). We were at Inventions for 7:28 and went into breakfast. We had a window seat overlooking Main Street and the sun had not yet risen! Coffee and tea was brought to our table (they used to bring juice too, but we had to get that ourselves). The buffet was good with the usual continental offerings, eggs, bacon, veal sausage, mushrooms, potatoes (so the same as Hotel New York), but over and above that, the DLH offered Pancakes, Donuts, and a better selection of fruit. It was very good. A few years ago it was a character breakfast, but instead the characters are in the foyer now. I have mixed emotions about this. It means the kids eat better now, and people tend to be better behaved at the DLH, so it is easier to play with them outside of the restaurant. So I think opinions will vary. As we came out, we played with Pluto, Eeyore and Baloo and saw Tigger on the balcony. Great experience. We went to the room and packed up. When we called bell services, they said to simply leave our luggage in the room. Which we did. We dropped our key cards off and went into the park for Extra Magic Hours without having to negotiate security checks!!!! Yay! Then when it was time to leave for the train, we went in, gave our name and room number, and had our luggage very quickly. Great service by well turned out cast members (the maids even wear Victorian Maid hats). If we had opted for Magical Express, we could have picked up the luggage at the train terminal instead, but again with such a short walk, it was not big deal. So the DLH does offer a good Disney experience (I still prefer the Grand Californian at Disneyland in California), but it offered much better experience than the Animal Kingdom Lodge in WDW. So between the location, service, characters, the live pianist in the bar, the great restaurants, valet parking, and facilities (though it has one of the weaker pools). But the prices are crazy, and considering if they are not fully booked, I can get a 2 bedroom villa with a better pool at Marriott Village Ile De France on the golf course for 1/3rd the price of the DLH or a mini suite at the Ritz for the same price, it is not a cheap option. But for a short break, a special occassion, or if you have the money, the DLH is a great Disney hotel. The sad thing is the Hotel New York and even the Sequoia Lodge used to offer a similar level of service, but no longer. But I do recommend the DLH for something special.
Originally Posted By Malin Nice review Dave My problem when staying at expensive hotels, especially at Disney is that unless you plan to stay for long periods of time inside the hotel, I really don't see the point in spending all that money. For me anyway the parks are the main attraction and its where I tend to spend most of my time. I agree with you that the DLH is best enjoyed when booked for something special.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well, with little kids, one tends to spend longer at the hotels than when you are just someone in your 20's. Also, for such a short trip, no security, extra fast passes, and short walks felt worth it. But is staying on an extended trip, I will be found at Marriott when I can!
Originally Posted By Rsey103 What memories your children will have when they're all grown up. So Tigger knocks on the door to wake you up when you stay in a suite? Nice.... I was surprised by your comment comparing the Ritz to the Disneyland Hotel. Are you talking about THE Ritz in Paris? I would think it would cost way more than the DL Hotel. But you say it doesn't??
Originally Posted By Malin *** Well, with little kids, one tends to spend longer at the hotels than when you are just someone in your 20's. *** I can certainly agree with that one, and I am sure as the kids get older you to will probarely spend less time in the hotels. Out of interest do you recomend the DLH hotel for people with a young family. It certainly appears from your pictures that the hotel looks clean, safe, and quiet with plenty of character interactions. I know hotels like Santa Fe can offer a very differnt experience with a noisy lobby and kids screaming everywhere. Not the sort of place I would want to take a young family, although its ideal for older kids and adults who's only intention is to use it to sleep in. *** Also, for such a short trip, no security, extra fast passes, and short walks felt worth it. *** I am sure walking into that lobby for the first time and seeing all the characters playing with some of the younger guest makes it seem worth it. Simply an experience no other hotel on site can create. *** So Tigger knocks on the door to wake you up when you stay in a suite? Nice.... *** This is a very nice experience, it reminds me of the days when characters did this at all the hotels, like for instance, I remember Chip & Dale visiting our cabin at Davy Crockett's one summer afternoon and Mickey sat in the lobby at Chyenne.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS I think I just choked on my food....$650 for ONE NIGHT? Holy Crxx. I guess one can dream. Another reason to play the lottery once in awhile! Great review. You painted a great mental picture!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Rsey03 - the Ritz - London and Paris sometimes do deals for aslow as $400 a night but sometimes the rak rate is $1000 a night. Haunts, that was our discounted rate. If we were not AP holders, the DLH would have been $1200. Now bear in mind the Holiday Inn down the road is $300 a night and was fully booked. Sadly there are no $100 a night rooms to be found for a family of 4 that ware safe (the 6yriad sometimes is about $140. Now this was a splurge, we got huge discounts on the room and train, and I needed to do something special. Malin - the DLH is fantastic with little ones, the best DLP hotel for little ones. I hate the scrums at the NBC, SL, Cheyenne and Santa Fe, but when the kids are older, we may return there. Frankly, I prefer the solitude of MArriott. Having a 2 bedroom villa with lounge, dining room and kitchen feels muh more civilised away from the meyhem of the parks. I also really like the Holiday Inn for a moderate budget.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo The other DLP hotels are more reasnable prise wise, but the service and maintenane is not up to the usual Disney standards. for that weekend, the AP rates were: Hotel New York $400 Newport Bay Club $360 Sequoia Lodge $345 Cheyenne $280 Santa Fe $250 It was a peak rate weekend, but there were good AP rates wit some of the hotels offering 30% off. But DLH was a mega splurge.
Originally Posted By u k fan Great review Dave. We have been discussing a short trip to stay at the DLH at some point, but I'm currently trying to work out if I can afford both a trip to DL and a Disney Cruise next year so perhaps we will do it as consolation if we can't manage both. Mind you, big sis has her WDW head on again!!!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 $672 for a night?!??! I'm going to start calling you my 'rich UK buddy' soon! Seriously, those rates are absurd. They'd be absurd if they were full price. My last visit, I stayed at a great Sofitel in a nice 'hood in Paris for $90 a night (maybe even a bit less) and took a 35-minute train into the resort. I could never justify those kind of prices for the level of service Disney provides. I've stayed at true 5-star/5-diamond hotels worldwide for less than half of what you paid for a night at DLH. I hope the wife and kids REALLY appreciated the hotel!
Originally Posted By u k fan I remember nearly falling off my chair when somebody told me they'd stayed at the DLH for a week!!!
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt OUCH!! although the room pictures were beautiful...sometimes you do actually get what you pay for!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>$672 for a night?!??! I'm going to start calling you my 'rich UK buddy' soon! Seriously, those rates are absurd. They'd be absurd if they were full price.<<< well yes and no. I do think they were absurd, but then again I paid $2 for a candy bar and $4 for a coke in London today. It's Urban european rates for you. >>>My last visit, I stayed at a great Sofitel in a nice 'hood in Paris for $90 a night (maybe even a bit less) and took a 35-minute train into the resort.<<< Hmmmm, when staying as a family of 4 where they are little ones, it is a little different. In my experience, it is rare to get a good, safe, cheap hotel east of Paris that sleeps 4 (there are options, but they are usually fully booked at the weekends or peak season). remember though that the HI Express in my little town charges $160 a night. But agreed, Disney does charge some stupid rates. This is why if I can, I stay at Marriott Vacation Club or Holiday Inn (both booked that weekend).
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt I found it strange that all the MK signs were in English..Francais, Non?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo they are a mix. If it is appropriate for the area e.g. Main Street or Frontierland, the names are in english mainly. so it is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad instead of Le Train de Mont Grand Tonnerre. However instead of HISTA in Discoveryland we have Cherie Je Reduce l'Audience. It's fun. But in Tokyo and Hong Kong, most of the signs are English too. The pretense of international Disney resorts are it is like going to the US, but with many localised cultural touches.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt Thanks DWB, I'd love to go to DLP someday & knowing that the French I learned in HIgh School will get me through it helps...Merci!!
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara If given the choice, there is no choice: you get a hell of a lot more for your money park wise AND hotel wise at the Tokyo Disney Resort. I suppose the air fare could make the difference for most people. Haven't been to Disneyland Paris in a while, but the level of the CMs, ride maintainance, and the cost of the hotels make it a less-than-pleasant place to go.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Problem is MAra, we can pile a load of people in the 7 seater and drive to Paris. The same cannot be said for Tokyo, where the airfares from Europe are nearly twice the cost as those to the states, and with a family of 4, it is not going to be a regular occurance.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I am planning on visiting TDR by the end of the year (although it may get pushed back yet again to spring). But DLP and Paris period, where I'll be headed this fall, is much more affordable from a Floridian's standpoint. Airfare is a non-issue either place thanks to the wonders of having hundreds of thousands of FF miles. And hotel would never be onsite at either DLP or TDR unless it was free or significantly discounted. The best cast rate I was quoted for DLP next month was $180 a night at Newport Bay. I can do much better using Priceline and staying in the city. BTW, DLH was quoted as $625 a night AFTER a 40% discount. Rates like that are so absurd as to defy logic ... many of the best hotels on the PLANET don't charge rates close to that alleged discounted one.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I can use miles for the plane fare to Tokyo, and DVC points to stay in one of the three Disney hotels. Works the same way, no?
