Originally Posted By Dabob2 Other GG places that aren't within walking distance do good business. It has never been my choice either, but they do. GWL would, I imagine, market itself as a highly themed hotel with its own elaborate water park (that only guests can use, thus minimizing lines), that also provides a shuttle that will get you to DL in 10 minutes. So they'll market it as a good choice, especially for families with kids, who don't want to spend Disney hotel prices but DO want to stay at a themed property. It's an arguably untapped niche in the DLR area. You've got the Disney properties, you've got the generic but cheap-and-walkable properties, you've got the convention hotels near the ACC, and you've got the GG places like Embassy Suites that are nicer than across the street but not as convenient. But you don't really have "not as expensive as Disney but still highly themed with an elaborate water park." HoJos is the only thing that comes close, and this will be much more elaborate. So we'll see if filling this niche works for them.
Originally Posted By doombuggy "It isn't really close enough to DLR to walk" That's not a big deal to a lot of people. If it was there would be no need for ART. There are folks who stay right across the street but still use the DL parking. Every morning as we headed over we saw families packing the car and making sure they had every thing for a day in the park. And people still have to drive or use ART for those times when hotels close are booked full.
Originally Posted By doombuggy speaking of walking we noticed just how many more folks walk to the park. The side walk got REALLY crowed at times that a bridge is greatly needed.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Interesting. Certainly not how I would choose to vacation if i had a family, but OK.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Doombuggy that's kind of my point. The beauty of staying in Anaheim is that most hotel properties are a short to medium walk of the Esplanade. Sure GW will have a fabulous pool but that wouldn't outweigh the convenience of strolling across the street when it's time to go to bed at night. At least not for me.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>It's an arguably untapped niche in the DLR area.<< I completely agree. Ever since Disney decided to jack up prices at the Paradise Pier Hotel (despite still being an average hotel), I've been really surprised that they haven't looked into creating some sort of mid-level price option. I know that land is more expensive in Anaheim than WDW, but it's amazing how many price options WDW offers, while all of DLR's rooms are pretty darn close to the same rate. There are a couple local places that attempt to have a theme (Carousel Inn, Alpine Inn), but they're half-hearted at best. If Disney (or someone else) could find a way to provide a fun theme at a lower cost, I think it could be a huge success. Then again, with bookings as high as they are, there really isn't much incentive to try something new
Originally Posted By doombuggy "convenience of strolling across the street" I get what your saying but there are going to be those that say Hmmm a 15min walk right across the street and just a pool. Or a 10min bus ride and a whole water park. When you put a DLR hotel next to GWL for what you get for your money DLR falls very short.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Gwl is usually like 300 to 400 plus a night, that's a lot of money to shell out for a hotel room that isn't close to Disneyland. People are usually crunched enough for time at Disneyland, who has time to spend it at the water park? And the rooms are not really themed with the exception of the kids bunk bed areas.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "When you put a DLR hotel next to GWL for what you get for your money DLR falls very short." Not for me. I like good restaurants, bars, and other adult activities nearby at minimum when I vacation. There's just no comparing DLR hotels with GWL unless your sole purpose is to hang out with a bunch of families with kids around an indoor pool and nothing else. "People are usually crunched enough for time at Disneyland, who has time to spend it at the water park?" Especially a mediocre indoor water park in Southern California. I'd rather just take my kids a nearby beach.
Originally Posted By oc_dean The good that I hope comes out of this .. If Disney ever contemplated a water park, this should put the kabush on that! Not with this coming, & Knott's Soak City near-by. And 3 others within an hour or two's drive. The precious land surrounding the DLR needs to be for theme park projects.
Originally Posted By doombuggy "who has time to spend it at the water park?" People do take break days and not every one goes to do just DL. You yourself have said in the past your kids want to swim at the hotel then spend it at DL as does every kid. "Gwl is usually like 300 to 400 plus a night, that's a lot of money to shell out for a hotel room that isn't close to Disneyland." But $300 to $500 for hotels that are close but have nothing but a pool is????? oookkkkkk. "I like good restaurants, bars, and other adult activities nearby at minimum when I vacation" GWL is NOT for single adults it's for families there is very little for kids and families to do at the hotels. The DLRH are perfect for adults. DLR $300-$10000 for 4 people what you get? in the heart and a pool. GWL $300-$450 for 6 people you get a water park and a lot more for kids/families to do. I've seen more posts about how over priced the DLRH are then praising them and GWL will give families much more for their money regardless if it's across the street or not.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "But $300 to $500 for hotels that are close but have nothing but a pool" "DLR $300-$10000 for 4 people what you get? in the heart and a pool." Have you ever stayed at the DLH or GC Doombuggy? It doesn't sound like you have.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance The restaurants and atmosphere is reason alone to choose a Dlr hotel over the GWL.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA You can't justify what other people want to do on vacation. My brother, his wife and two college age kids live in Ft Myers, they all have WDW annual passes, visit often. They're in California for 10 days and are spending two days at Disneyland. So go figure.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>The restaurants and atmosphere is reason alone to choose a Dlr hotel over the GWL.<< I really don't think any of the restaurants at the DLH or PPH are especially noteworthy (other than the Trader Sam's bar, but it's tiny). Sure, DTD is right there, but if you're going to the parks from GWL, it's equally convenient. I've never stayed at GWL, but I would assume they have equally serviceable dining options For theming, both DLH and PPH are pretty bland business hotels with some decorations slapped on. Nothing about the design of the structures or spaces themselves has any real theme to it. GWL may be over the top, but at least it has an instantly recognizable theme; sticking a statue of Goofy holding a surfboard in an otherwise-generic lobby just doesn't do anything for me Then again, if we consider the GCH, it wins with theming and restaurants, so I guess it depends where you go
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I've never stayed at GWL, but I would assume they have equally serviceable dining options" You do? Seriously?
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <You can't justify what other people want to do on vacation.> Exactly, Jim. We'd all do well to remember the adage "to each his own." I'm not the demographic for the GWL and I can't see staying there myself. But I can see it making all kinds of sense for other people.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance ""I've never stayed at GWL, but I would assume they have equally serviceable dining options"" Yeah, if you don't mind eating at Bucky Beaver's Cafe or Woodchuck Chuck's pizza. Those are probably pretty comparable to Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55.
