Originally Posted By hbquikcomjamesl Thanks, to all who managed to get through my dissertation, and in particular to those who actually enjoyed it. To me, a hotel is a place to sleep, hopefully a place to take care of my laundry, and maybe a place to get breakfast. And a place to read whatever books and magazines I brought along, and listen to whatever CDs I brought along, and watch whatever DVDs I brought along. One year, over a decade and a half ago, there was a booking problem with my San Francisco vacation. It was my first vacation after taking my present job, and I had to wait until the last minute to start booking my hotels. And my San Francisco hotel of choice was already booked up for the first one or two nights of my stay. And so was every reasonable alternative I could find, with a single exception: the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Center. In his typically magnanimous way, my boss covered the price difference for the nights I had to stay there. And it was a big relief when I checked out of the Hyatt, and checked into my usual hotel (the Columbus Motor Inn, in the nice part of North Beach). The room was not only cheaper at the Columbus, it was also bigger, and had a nicer view. In general, when I look for a hotel that's actually connected with a destination, I value immersiveness, not luxury. Which is why, when I go to Colonial Williamsburg, stay someplace fairly inexpensive, like the Woodlands, or even the Governor's Inn (the cheapest of the CWF hotels), but I also try to save enough to spend my last night or two in a Colonial House accommodation, because that's the most immersive experience you can get: you're in the historic district (and it might even be an original 18th-century or earlier structure, although most are reconstructions), and the modern intrusions are kept to a minimum. At Walt Disney World, I've always stayed at the All Star Music. I did my research before my first visit, and it looked like it would be the most adult-traveling-alone-friendly of the All-Stars, and it would be both cheap and immersive. And in 3 or 4 trips to WDW, I found that I was right, that it was significantly more immersive than some of the most expensive hotels, and still had all the rights and privileges of staying at a Disney hotel. (I've gone to the Contemporary, to use their business center, and it felt more like the aforementioned Hyatt Regency than it did an immersive Disney experience.
Originally Posted By tashajilek For me staying at a Disneyland hotel would be a big waste of money. I spend a good 12 hours a day in the parks, so all I need is somewhere to sleep and access to a shower. One luxury we never go without is renting a car and I couldn't imagine not having one. We typically stay 10-15 min drive away from the parks which would be quicker than waiting for a shuttle, and we end up getting a nicer room for less than it would cost on Harbour. We love not having to worry about taking taxi's or airport shuttles. It's also nice being able to leave and go out for a nice dinner somewhere else. When staying elsewhere like Las Vegas it's important staying at a nice resort because using the facilities is a huge part of my vacation. I always make sure I pay as little as I can or like my next trip getting it for free For my next WDW trip I decided to stay at the music All Stars only for the purpose of getting my early entry into the parks. If I had the extra money or didn't vacation as much as I do, then I would consider splurging and staying at a Deluxe hotel at WDW or the DLR.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I wonder if staying at a nicer hotel is a side effect of growing older. When I was young I'd be perfectly happy sleeping on someone's floor if I knew I was going to DL tomorrow. Now I need a Heavenly Bed, a deluxe shower, multiple heated pools, a spa, a decent bar, 3-4 star restaurant, close proximity to attractions, etc. Seriously, I don't mess around when I'm on vacation. For me there's no point in vacationing if I'm not being at least a little bit pampered. If I just wanted a "room to sleep in" I'd never leave my house.
Originally Posted By hbquikcomjamesl Don't get me wrong: I've never settled for "Motel 6"-level accommodations on a vacation when there was any other alternative I could afford. I'm more than happy to stay in such a place when I'm going somewhere on business, but on a vacation, I want a decent level of comfort. But I can get all the comfort I need at a good Vagabond (like the one in Sacramento, within easy walking distance of the train station, Old Sac, Downtown Plaza, the Capitol, and the RT Metro trolley system), or the Columbus in San Francisco, or almost anything in Choice's "Comfort," "Clarion," or "Ascend" brands, or almost any Best Western. That said, my fall vacation (Washington, DC, Colonial Williamsburg, Wilmington, DE, and Philadelphia) includes a Choice, a Doubletree, a Best Western, and the second-least-expensive of the CWF hotels. And "tashajilek," I'm sure you'll like the All Star Music. I think you'll find it a really good value for the price.
Originally Posted By tashajilek "I wonder if staying at a nicer hotel is a side effect of growing older. When I was young I'd be perfectly happy sleeping on someone's floor if I knew I was going to DL tomorrow. Now I need a Heavenly Bed, a deluxe shower, multiple heated pools, a spa, a decent bar, 3-4 star restaurant, close proximity to attractions, etc. Seriously, I don't mess around when I'm on vacation. For me there's no point in vacationing if I'm not being at least a little bit pampered. If I just wanted a "room to sleep in" I'd never leave my house." Hans, I think for some people it really matter where you are. When I was in Hawaii I needed to stay at places with a Ocean view, a good pool, hot tub etc. In Las Vegas I wont stay anywhere that doesn't have a excellent pool and nice rooms. During a Disney vacation I have very little intention or spending anytime in my hotel room, I want as much park time as possible. I would be much more likely to splurge at WDW where the resorts are much larger and seem like it would be more worth the money than at Disneyland. "And "tashajilek," I'm sure you'll like the All Star Music. I think you'll find it a really good value for the price." Thanks, I'm sure it will be fine enough. I will probably be out of the room by 7am and not returning until the late evening, so I'm sure it will be good enough. We are only using them for the Early entry which is needed over the Christmas holidays and the free parking is a bonus.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "During a Disney vacation I have very little intention or spending anytime in my hotel room, I want as much park time as possible." It makes sense then why you prefer not splurge on a room. I like having the option. At DL it's great because I can literally walk out of DCA or DL for a 1-2 hour break at the pool, then head back to parks refreshed and feel like I never left because the resort hotels are so integrated into the experience.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I would be much more likely to splurge at WDW where the resorts are much larger and seem like it would be more worth the money than at Disneyland." I have always wanted to stay at the Contemporary or the Polynesian. Because I usually stay longer at WDW than at DLR the most I could afford there were the Port Orleans or the Caribbean Beach resorts. They're both a hassle to get to, but I liked both of them.
Originally Posted By tashajilek "I like having the option. At DL it's great because I can literally walk out of DCA or DL for a 1-2 hour break at the pool, then head back to parks refreshed and feel like I never left because the resort hotels are so integrated into the experience." I guess the benefit of still being young is not getting as tired! LOL, just kidding I get tired sometimes too, but I find having a sit down meal or stopping for a adult beverage helps get some energy back for the day.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I guess the benefit of still being young is not getting as tired!" There was one trip I took to DL about 10 years ago when I spent 16+ hours nonstop in the park. I'll never forget sitting and eating a snack on Main Street and watching guests dragging their feet out at around 12:30am. That was a loooong day and we were pooped! I could do it again, but I don't know that I'd want to. Honestly, for me it's a been-there-done-that attitude more than age. I'm a little bit tired of Disney so I don't go as often and there are only a handful of must-see attractions on my trips. I mostly focus on experiencing the new things that have been added since my last visit. One of the highlights of my last trip was spending time at the DLH and checking out the new amenities there. "...I find having a sit down meal or stopping for a adult beverage helps get some energy back for the day." Years ago I went to visit a buddy of mine LA and we decided to visit DL for a day. In the middle of the afternoon we hopped on the Monorail for a DLH break and had lunch and a few (too many) cocktails at the hotel. Needless to say we were quite "happy" when we returned to the park. Somehow we ended up in the queue for Rocket Rods and I thought it was the best thing ever. Looking back now it was probably because I was tipsy. lol
Originally Posted By tashajilek "Years ago I went to visit a buddy of mine LA and we decided to visit DL for a day. In the middle of the afternoon we hopped on the Monorail for a DLH break and had lunch and a few (too many) cocktails at the hotel. Needless to say we were quite "happy" when we returned to the park. Somehow we ended up in the queue for Rocket Rods and I thought it was the best thing ever. Looking back now it was probably because I was tipsy. lol" HAHA, that would have been funny to see!
Originally Posted By RedRider "That's because YOU can't tell us what the difference is." I can, I stayed at the GCH 2 yrs ago when my son was 18 months old. Being in close proximity to the parks when you only get a couple of hours at a pop was totally worth it for me. Also, the lobby of the hotel had a HUGE Christmas tree with equally HUGE presents underneath that we used to get some really great family pictures. Also, there was carolers decked out in 19th century outfits that I saw multiple times during our stay, a magician, an area where kids could watch old mickey cartoons, and a piano player that sang carols while he played. I also really liked the folk singer who sang with everyone around a HUGE fire while everyone sat in rocking chairs. O did I mention that SANTA was there? (the fact that my son wanted nothing to do with him is beside the point), but those are just a few of the differences. I do realize that most of the above entertainment is also at Disneyland during this time, but I wasn't at Disneyland because my son was sleeping. I was still getting a Disney experience though. My husband and I took turns hanging out in the lobby while the other hung out in the room. All of what I mentioned was just what I saw while not in the parks during a two day visit. I really don't think that the Hyatt offers that. I also realize that this was during Christmas and doesn't reflect the rest of the year, but the rocking chairs where padded and leather even the kids ones. Also, I think we all can agree that the ambiance at the GCH is pretty great just by itself. I really should also point out that we got the military discount which helped on the price, but even still, it was more than a regular hotel. I still wouldn't do it any different if I could do it again.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Tipsy at the park with Hans, now THAT would be fun!" LOL. Remember that tipsy pic I took with Duffy near the Cove Bar?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I do realize that most of the above entertainment is also at Disneyland during this time, but I wasn't at Disneyland because my son was sleeping. I was still getting a Disney experience though." I'm not a character person, but it is pretty cool to see them unexpectedly in the hotels. On my last DLH stay Goofy was behind the host stand welcoming people in a chef's outfit as they came in for breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen. It was cool interacting with him and the staff briefly as well as seeing all the speechless kids experiencing DL for the first time.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance " Remember that tipsy pic I took with Duffy near the Cove Bar?" How could I forget that? I practically feel like listing that on my resume under "special accomplishments" for influencing that pic!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***And in 3 or 4 trips to WDW, I found that I was right, that it was significantly more immersive than some of the most expensive hotels, and still had all the rights and privileges of staying at a Disney hotel*** You had me until this part - regarding the all-stars I have to wonder what your conception of "immersive" is, because imho all-stars ain't it by any measure (unless you mean "immersed in cheap looking, oversized junk"). Just my 1/50 of a dollar, but I think every other resort on the property (and some off the property!) are far more "immersive" theme-wise, in practically every detail I can imagine. ***I've gone to the Contemporary, to use their business center, and it felt more like the aforementioned Hyatt Regency than it did an immersive Disney experience*** Well, that's not exactly fair. A business center is supposed to be sort of an anti-oasis if you will, a place for a businessman to "escape" the vacation and get some work done. It's SUPPOSED to be professional and spartan (much like the business sections of airport lounges, the lounge is generally posh but the business center is, well, all business). And if you want immersion, all you need to do is stroll over to the sweeping atrium and watch monorails glide on through...that's about as WDW immersive as you can get!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Remember that tipsy pic I took with Duffy near the Cove Bar?<< I didn't know Duffy drank.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Would you be able to live with yourself sober, if you were Duffy?
