Please Help with Info

[piglet33]

I have been lurking here since I booked our cruise and finally got up the nerve to ask some questions. We are taking the Disney Magic back to the United States from Barcelona and added on a couple of days so we can go to DLP for the first time. It will be myself, DH and DD (4), and we'll be staying in Paris from August 15-17 (our flight is supposed to land around 3PM on the 15th so not much time there on the 15th). We are then going to take the overnight train to Barcelona with a bunch of friends.

Right now, I have a room reserved at the Holiday Inn, but that can be cancelled without penalty. I checked prices online for the Sequoia and Newport Bay and was shocked that the Sequoia was only about $100 more than what I'm paying at the Holiday Inn (I figured out the cost of tickets and added that on to the Holiday Inn figure to get a more "real" figure). Could this be right? I'm thinking that I might have figured something out wrong because I thought that there was going to be a larger price difference between the two hotels. We were going to to stay at the HI to save money, but if the difference is really only about $100, then I'd rather stay onsite.

Will it be better to stay at the Sequoia than the HI?

Anyway, do you think it would be more of a cost savings to buy the park tickets separately from the room or should I get a package like the "classic" one on the DLP website?

We are so excited about this trip (the reason for the early planning) since it will be our first time travelling to Europe. Any help that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. I hope I provided enough info.

Thanks so much!

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Renee and welcome to DLP DIS board
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Glad that you've more from lurker to poster

The HI is considered a 5* hotel as opposed to Sequoia which is 3*. But the Sequoia is a Disney hotel and well within walking distance with your DD so for the price difference Sequoia would get my vote.
In either hotel expect European room sizes which will probably be smaller than you are used to.

Tickets are normally cheaper when purchased as part of the package

 

[Bexx]

Have you had a look at the Hotel FAQ sticky? There are some good photos in both the Holiday Inn and Sequoia Lodge FAQs, which will give you an idea of what to expect at each one. But unless the HI appeals to you much more than SL, I would spend that extra $100 and book onsite!

 

[Crokette]

Both are great hotels: but the main difference IMO is that the rooms are better at the holiday inn (I prefer the deco, there's a kettle with tea or coffee), but the location is better at the Sequoia Lodge (3 minutes walk to the Disney Village and 5 minutes to the Parks).
Hope it helps!

 

[piglet33]

Thanks for the welcome and for all the comments. Well, it looks like I will book the Sequoia. Does anyone know the cancellation policy if I book online? Right now the price for the dates we're going to be there is $936 USD. Is that a good rate for August?

Again, thank you all so much for your replies, suggestions and help.

 

[Bexx]

If it's the same as booking packages from the UK, I would not advise booking online - so please check before you do so. We have to pay the full amount straight away, whereas with a telephone booking we pay a 10% deposit and the remaining balance 8 weeks before. Whichever way you choose, it's not as flexible as making a booking for the Holiday Inn.

BTW at Sequoia Lodge you can also request a kettle and tea/coffee making facilities from reception.

 

[woody73]

We stayed on-property and off-property at DLP. If you have limited time, I suggest staying on-property.

Haven't stayed at Sequoia, but at Newport Bay we received park passes for each day (including arrival and departure day), the breakfast buffet was included, and there were Disney characters in the lobby for photos in the morning.

Woody

 

[jillrobinson]

Definately agree with staying onsite and Sequoia Lodge is a good choice, the walk around the lake, past Panoramagique and through Disney Village is magical, in the morning and the evening.
As your time is limited, you might want to request the Good Morning Fantasyland breakfast for 16th, it means you'll have breakfast inside one of Fantasyland's restaurants, it's not a character breakfast, it's the same standard as the SL one but it gets you into the park an hour before opening, and some of the Fantasyland rides will be open, it also gives you a head start for running into one of the other lands at opening if there's a particular must do ride or you want to pick up some fastpasses.


Have a wonderful trip.


Just had another thought, in April 2007 DLRP are starting extra magical hours for Disney hotel guests, so another reason for booking the SL, the times of the hours are being released 6 months in advance, but you'll benefit from 2 extra hours either before or after park closing.

 

[Scratch42]

I vote for you to stay on site too!

j

 

[piglet33]

Thank you so much for all the replies. Well, it looks like onsite it is! Now I just have to call and reserve.

 

[piglet33]

I vote for you to stay on site too!

j

Hey Janet! I knew you'd vote for onsite. You're going to stay at the DLH, right?

 

[Scratch42]

Hey Janet! I knew you'd vote for onsite. You're going to stay at the DLH, right?

Yes, I already have it booked from the 13th to the 17th!

 

[piglet33]

I just called DLP to ask about their cancellation policy and stuff. If you book on the DLP website, you have to pay in full when you make the ressie. If you call, then you give them your credit card number, but they don't charge you anything until 30 days before your trip. In my case, I won't get charged until July 14. I can also cancel at any time before the 30 days without penalty. The rate I got is $936, which includes 2 nights at the Sequoia (Aug. 15-17), 3 days of Park tickets and breakfast.

The man also told me that they are going to be starting extra hours for onsite guests in April.

Thank you everyone for all the advice and help.

 

[Scratch42]

Does that mean they are booking for August now?

j

 

[piglet33]

Does that mean they are booking for August now?

j

YES!

 

[Scratch42]

I've been on hold for almost 15 mins!

They don't even have Disney Music!

 

[jillrobinson]

I just called DLP to ask about their cancellation policy and stuff. If you book on the DLP website, you have to pay in full when you make the ressie. If you call, then you give them your credit card number, but they don't charge you anything until 30 days before your trip. In my case, I won't get charged until July 14. I can also cancel at any time before the 30 days without penalty. The rate I got is $936, which includes 2 nights at the Sequoia (Aug. 15-17), 3 days of Park tickets and breakfast.

The man also told me that they are going to be starting extra hours for onsite guests in April.

Thank you everyone for all the advice and help.

Glad you're all sorted -good news about the extra hours too.

 

[Scratch42]

I finally gave up at 28mins, 36 secs!

Called back today and Voila!

I have now the Tinkerbell Suite booked for one night!

Can't wait!

j

 

[piglet33]

I finally gave up at 28mins, 36 secs!

Called back today and Voila!

I have now the Tinkerbell Suite booked for one night!

Can't wait!

j

Ooh, you are so lucky! I would love to stay there, but unfortunately for me I can't afford it.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

Hope you have a good time