Why is DLR so much more expensive than WDW?

[shaycamp21]

Ok. I nearly fell over when I checked out the price of a two night stay at DLR (Pardise Pier) on the disneyparks site-- $1300 (4-Dh, myself and dd's 8 & 9 )-- wow I sure could get a lot more out days at WDW for that price. Even one of Good Neighbour hotels was $900 for two days which just seems crazy to me.

Here's the thing. We are going on a cruise to Hawaii in August (would have loved to do the West Coast DCL cruise but Hawaii was much cheaper )and have decided to break up an otherwise long flight by stopping in CA to visit my friend and her family for a few days and I thought we could also spend a couple days at DL so we can get our Disney fix for the year. We have one day tickets left over from WDW and I heard these can be used at DL (they are not park hoppers though can they be upgraded?).

Though I have been to DL many more times than WDW I only did day trips not the whole resort thing. Since the rest of my family has never been to DL only WDW I was hoping to squeeze a tiny bit of Disney Magic into this vacation. My plan was to stay two nights at DLR or around there. With one night just doing a character dinner and relaxing by the pool and the next day exploring the parks. Is there an economical way to do this? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lillybug]

We stayed at the Hojo on Harbor for $54 a night in November.

Look around a bit more, and you will find better deals than what you've mentioned.

 

[HydroGuy]

With a family of six we have stayed the last few times at the BWPPI during summer for $140 a night.

 

[stacielee]

I looked it up and that is including tickets (3-day park hoppers). You can definitely do better yourself; on Expedia.com, the PP hotel was about $300/night. A log of the hotels around Disneyland, not part of the resort hotels, are much better priced, and just as nice.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

The Disneyland on-site resorts are all insanely priced. Stay off-site. They don't really have "value" and "moderate" resorts like WDW.

Have you ever been to Disneyland before? You can't really get as completely immursed in the Disney feeling at DL.

 

[Hound 109]

The Disneyland on-site resorts are all insanely priced. Stay off-site. They don't really have "value" and "moderate" resorts like WDW.

Have you ever been to Disneyland before? You can't really get as completely immursed in the Disney feeling at DL.

I could...& have.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Well, I was actually asking the original poster that question.

But then my question to you is...have you ever been to WDW?

 

[DoomBugger]

Also DLR only has three hotels where WDW has like 20 or something.

WDW on-site is very expensive too, we've done six nights on-site and I don't even like to say what it cost for the on-site hotel and 5 day park hoppers for four. It was like the GDP of a smal island nation but it was epic!

Seriously, you could stay at a killer hotel by the beach for way less and just shuttle up to DLR in the morning. I've always felt people put too much stock in the amount of money they are willing to spend just to close their eyes. That said, there is much to be said for the entire experience and a nice bed and shower.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

We're staying off-site, but I think we're paying about what we would be at WDW for a similar trip (we're staying at a suite hotel, so I expect rates to be a little more, but they're no more than they would be if we were staying somewhere else in the same sort of hotel). We haven't yet stayed on-site at WDW, but it seems like DL is much different in terms of the "resort" aspect of Disney than WDW where there's so much more Disney-type space. I guess I'll find out in a little bit! I'm looking forward to seeing the differences.

 

[shaycamp21]

Well, I was actually asking the original poster that question.

But then my question to you is...have you ever been to WDW?

OP here. I have been to DL many times but only as day trips as my grandfather lived in Southern CA and we visited almost every summer. The last time I went to DL was in '92 in my early 20's and I know a lot has changed since then as there was no DTD area I remember or CA so I thought there was more of that "immersed" Disney feel now than before. I am not expecting the same thing as WDW but more magic than just visiting a Six Flags Park for the day.

 

[DangerMouse]

DLR doesn't have to be expensive. If you price out rooms directly across the street on Harbor (some are less of a walk to the front gates than the DLR hotel properties), and get a good deal on hoppers, you can go quite frugally.

The biggest problem you will face is getting a deal on hoppers, mostly because you are only wanting 2 days, and not going during a time where there are "specials" on hoppers. I'm really unsure about upgrading your WDW (non-hopper) tickets. You may want to make a call to Disneyland Guest Services to see if they will give you credit for those.

I'm currently pricing out a trip to WDW from Phoenix, and am just blown away by the cost. I can't believe how much it will cost my family of 5 to have 5 days in the parks. Insane!

 

[DoomBugger]

The last time I went to DL was in '92 in my early 20's and I know a lot has changed since then as there was no DTD area I remember or CA so I thought there was more of that "immersed" Disney feel now than before. I am not expecting the same thing as WDW but more magic than just visiting a Six Flags Park for the day.

I think what Miss Bee was saying is that nothing is more immersive and magical than the original Disneyland Park, the park that Walt built himself!
California Adventure and Downtown Disney are like nice bonuses that are progressively getting better the way I see it, to me in the end it is all about the original park that started it all.

 

[shaycamp21]

Also DLR only has three hotels where WDW has like 20 or something.

WDW on-site is very expensive too, we've done six nights on-site and I don't even like to say what it cost for the on-site hotel and 5 day park hoppers for four. It was like the GDP of a smal island nation but it was epic!

We have stayed on-site at WDW the past three summers in a row during the free dining promotion and I actually found it to be quite reasonable (more so than the DCL cruises we went on or say an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean), especially considering you are getting all your meals "free." The most we paid was $2300 (for nine nights for the 4 of us) including 7 day park hoppers with the waterparks and more option and this was at a moderate resort (POFQ), the other two times we stayed at one of the Value resorts (POP) and it was around $1900 also for 9 nights. So you can see why I balk at $1300 for two nights at DLR. I know there are only three places to choose from but I still think it is overpriced.

 

[DoomBugger]

We have stayed on-site at WDW the past three summers in a row during the free dining promotion and I actually found it to be quite reasonable (more so than the DCL cruises we went on or say an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean), especially considering you are getting all your meals "free." The most we paid was $2300 (for nine nights for the 4 of us) including 7 day park hoppers with the waterparks and more option and this was at a moderate resort (POFQ), the other two times we stayed at one of the Value resorts (POP) and it was around $1900 also for 9 nights. So you can see why I balk at $1300 for two nights at DLR. I know there are only three places to choose from but I still think it is overpriced.

I agree, it is definitely overpriced but it is unfortunalely what the market will bear. I'm glad the WDW trips worked out for you, maybe the best bet is just to stay on Harbor and walk across the street every morning.

 

[fairycat]

I think its because WDW has so many hotel options in so many price points. Were as you pretty much only have the Deluxe hotels owned by Disney (GCH and DLH) at DLR (and one Upper Mod? PPH), just like at WDW, and then all the mods and values, are across the street and happen to be owned by some one else. The great thing is by having them owned by others you probably could get almost all the same range hotels in CA cheaper then in FL.

Saying that I think if you look at the compareables they actually are pretty similar, for our stay at Poly with tickets (not even the best tickets) was $1800 for 3 nights. So it would actually be cheaper by a few hundred to have stayed at DLR at the GCH, for the same period of time.

ETA: I also saw your price gets you 4 people in WOW! Our trip was only two people for that over $1800

 

[keishashadow]

to the OP - the official word I received from calling Disneyland is that the MYW tix must have the parkhopping option & no-expiration option if past the original window for usage ofbase tix. Was told they need to be exchanged each day @ the front gate.

$1300 - wow - over $650 a night! Suite? Concierge? Holiday?

For end of June/beginning of July this year standard room rates (when they were still available-sparse now) ranged from $350 (PPier & up) when i checked, with small AAA discount available-believe it was approx equal to the tax.

I'd like to think the 3 onsite DL resorts are akin to majority of "deluxe" WDW ones The GC pics i've seen certainly are reminiscent of the WL, same designer; believe he did the AK too?

For those of us of a certain age, DLH is iconic and historical, i don't expect all the bells & whistles - moreso

 

[Hound 109]

Well, I was actually asking the original poster that question.

But then my question to you is...have you ever been to WDW?

4 times. Was totally immersed in bus rides, humidity & or love bugs. Got as much done in 5-7 days at WDW as i get done in 2-3 days at DLR. But WDW has better dining...& I have heard that WDW has better shopping.

Regarding "actually asking the OP that question"...I was just contrasting your opinion with my own....since they differ.

 

[stagemomx3]

Have you ever been to Disneyland before? You can't really get as completely immursed in the Disney feeling at DL.

Yes you can! Stay at The Grand Californian.

 

[DoomBugger]

WDW has better dining

So true. Don Shula's Steak House is truly one of the best steak experiences I have ever had and I know my steaks as my family are all Texans!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I think what Miss Bee was saying is that nothing is more immersive and magical than the original Disneyland Park, the park that Walt built himself!
California Adventure and Downtown Disney are like nice bonuses that are progressively getting better the way I see it, to me in the end it is all about the original park that started it all.

Actually, no. I was saying that I feel totally immersed in Disney at WDW as opposed to Disneyland and DCA because they are right in the middle of Anaheim. WDW is HUGE. So many resorts and everything. It's pretty insane.

4 times. Was totally immersed in bus rides, humidity & or love bugs. Got as much done in 5-7 days at WDW as i get done in 2-3 days at DLR. But WDW has better dining...& I have heard that WDW has better shopping.

Regarding "actually asking the OP that question"...I was just contrasting your opinion with my own....since they differ.

The bus rides weren't too bad actually. Fairly short to everywhere from our resort. I think I enjoyed the bus more than walking down harbor and passing 18 denny's along the way.

Yes you can! Stay at The Grand Californian.

No way...I can't rationalize spending that much money on a hotel room I'm barely going to be in.