Originally Posted By oztodl06 We're going to DL the 2nd week of December and are just trying to finalise accommodation now. Have a quote from the DL hotels, which ranges from $3K Aust for 5 nights for the Grand through to around $2K for Paradise Pier...lotta money and I'm so trying to work out if it's worth it. I've ummed and ahhed about where to stay and I still just don't know. Are the DL hotels really worth us spending that much on or will we be better off staying off site (and if so, where?). Have a 5 yo and 8 yo, so no tiny kids to worry about. And what else would you recommend us doing, that I need to book now? Thanks heaps!
Originally Posted By nemopoppins I think the Disney hotels are really worth it if you can afford it. But, I would recommend paying in the middle and staying at the Disneyland Hotel instead. It's my favorite AND it doesn't cost as much as the Grand.
Originally Posted By jdub ...and I'd vote for the Paradise Pier (formerly the Disney Pacific). Just personal preference talking... a newer, fresher hotel, with the restaurant I consider best in all of Disneydom: Yamabuki.
Originally Posted By mamacita I vote for staying at a Disney hotel too. We like the Paradise Pier. I have stayed at all 3. The Disneyland Hotel has the old Disney charm but I found the rooms to be a little dirty. The GCH is just not worth the extra money. It doesn't feel as Disney to me. The Paradise Pier is clean and the themed rooms are darling. They are a Disney/beach theme.
Originally Posted By AZDLDad You'll have to weigh- is it a once in a lifetime trip where we can spend their inheritance now or take them and your grandchildren back when we are older and rich (assuming you are much younger)? I would opt for a moderate priced HoJo or using Priceline (3star). Save your dough for doing more things to your liking-eating (ie Blue Bayou, churros, turkey leg, corn dogs), souvin-ears, etc. I would see my child remembering the "park" experience, moreso than the hotel experience. And we have taken her at a young age of 3,4,5 to each DL property. And Hyatt, the other times. At this age if it has a pool and beds to jump on- they are set. I will second the Yamabuki in PP as a great place to eat- at the sushi bar. These guys love kids and have always been friendly to us. Once they gave a signed Disney Princess photo to my then 5 year old that we have framed and in her room today (she is 7.5 now).
Originally Posted By practicallyperfect I certainly vote for staying on-site. However, one other option you might consider is Residence Inn Maingate or Embassy Suites. We love to stay on-site but sometimes we will stay at one of these hotels during the 'off-season.' The parks close early (around 8 p.m.) so it is nice to go back and hang around a suite. In particular, we like the kids suite--three tvs so hubby and I are not stuck watching Disney videos! Also, RI Maingate has a great breakfast and food in the afternoons so it is pocketbook friendly!
Originally Posted By 4Disnee We love to say on site due to the fact that we love the DL Hotels and we have a DS and it is so nice and easy to walk back to our Hotels to eat lunch and if needed to pick up some snack or something along the way back to the hotel as we walk thur DTD. We love the DTD walk and love to walk into the shops on our way back to the hotels. We have stayed at the CCI before and loved it. It was very nice and clean with its own shuttle so that was very nice. We have also stayed at the Embassy Suites and it was a very nice hotel but I did not like the fact that you had to wait for the bus that was way over crowded or drive your own car over to the park. Once my car is parked I dont want to have to move it again. LOL But that is just me.
Originally Posted By danyoung As much as I enjoy staying onsite, and do it almost always in Florida, at DL the difference in room rates is staggering. Your $2000 room at a Disney hotel might cost you $500 across the street. And it you book the right hotel you'll be even closer to the main entrance to the parks than the official hotels (other than the GCH). Expedia has some great deals as well as location maps. Get one on Harbor Blvd close to the bus entry into DL. You can find very nice rooms, and you can find plenty of stuff to spend that $1500 savings on!
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter I agree with danyoung. If you do choose to stay offsite, I would recommend Howard Johnson's (nice but about a ten minute walk), Best Western Park Place Inn (directly across the street and closer than the Disney properties), or the Carousel Inn and Suites. If money is no object and you think your family would really enjoy staying in a Disney hotel, go for it. But if the hotel isn't a huge deal to you and/or you want to save an enormous amount of money, stay at one of the off site hotels recommended in this thread.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy The Carousel is CLOSER to the DL entrance and the rate is going to be about $70 a night, maybe less. Don't get me wrong, but we have stayed at the DL hotel and we loved it. But it's not like the room is a big deal at DL compared to say a WDW visit. I would pocket the money you save and buy lots of stuff or Character meals.
Originally Posted By oztodl06 Thanks everyone. As great as I think the DL Hotels would be, we just can't justify it. So we're staying outside and I'll see if I can book 2 character b/fasts instead. Sarah
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter I think you'll be happy with that decision, Sarah. This will free up many hundreds of dollars for other things. And BTW, the Carousel Inn is *not* closer to the crosswalk than the Best Western Park Place Inn, as the BWPPI is right across from the crosswalk. The Carousel isn't very far away, though. Either is very easily walkable. Having stayed at both several times, I can recommend either, so long as you make sure you are getting a recently renovated/updated room at the Carousel.
Originally Posted By CindyH oztodl06 - You might also want to make a PS for Blue Bayou - seeing the boats go by while you're eating is a real treat!
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Well, for us, we love staying on site at the DL properties, but I also have to justify it with my budget. So, this is what I typically do. I always book a reservation at an outside property as a safety net. After that, I spend time calling the resorts for specials/deals up unitl we are leaving. If a special rate comes up then I will book the DL property. If it doesn't, then we stay off property. I just can't justify paying their full prices for the rooms. Good luck!
Originally Posted By Disney Joy Just returning from Disney and the Best Westeren Park Place Inn is right at the crosswalk. I viewed the rooms....they are very nice and have a couch. With the little ones you will really appreciate it. Howard Johnson is nice but I wouldn't do it with little ones. ENJOY - Have fun. I stayed at the grand once and boy for the time I was in the room it just wasn't worth it. I am not the type that stays in the room except to sleep and shower. So nice, clean is all I need.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe We've considered the Park Place but haven't been there since their grand opening. How are the rooms? I am a stickler for cleanliness! LOL...Will the rooms pass inspection?
Originally Posted By Disney Joy I only viewed one room for a few minutes. It was very clean....I am also a must be clean, no little uninvited bugs allowed. From what I can see it would pass my test.... Maybe others who have been there can say more... also I would always check out reviews at tripadvisors.com ALWAYS...
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter I've stayed there a few times, and I don't recall any cleanliness issues. Of course, I am also so germ phobic (actually "ick phobic" would probably be a better description in this case--lol) about hotel rooms that I never walk on the carpet without shoes on and do everything in my power not to touch the bedspreads. Several years ago I saw some television news segment on dirt and germs in hotel rooms, and it scarred me for life. So I guess what it boils down to is that the rooms at BWPPI seemed fine to me, but I can't actually vouch for the cleanliness of the carpeting or bedspreads--lol.
Originally Posted By Disney Joy Pixie Glitter - I heard about those programs ~ same for the restaurant programs. I think if I watch them unless it is a specific one that I can now avoid ~ I would have a hard time from now on watching. LOL
