$381 per night at Disneyland Hotel, REALLY???

[dsny1mom]

"I think we can all agree that staying onsite at Disney, whether World or Land is infinitely more magical than staying offsite."



This was the referenced quote that I found to be lame. Just my opinion though and having experienced Disney both ways I feel compelled to point out that this is not something that we can all agree on. It has been my experience that money can't buy you love and money also can't buy you magic. You should also be teaching and modelling this to your kids if you want to pass along a message that is truly timeless. Call me arogant/cheap/jealous/magically challenged or whatever you want but my experiences and my opinion tell me that you don't need to pay $381 per night to get infinitely more magic at Disney. I realize that I am likely in the minority in saying this so I am going to leave it at that. Enjoy Disney no matter what way you choose to experience it and when you least expect it you will find magic. Don't try to manufacture it.....just let it happen naturally....

The level of spending or lack of it on vacations, isn't the best method for teaching ones's children that money can't buy them magic or anything else. If it was then I would have had to have stayed at the cheapest motel in Anaheim and brought PB&J sandwichs into the park for meals to have the type of children that I have raised to the adults that they have become. I find it somewhat offensive that anyone would insinuate that I or anyone else that stays on site or spends more than others do on vacations is not teaching our children that money doesn't buy love, magic or anything else.

I don't drive a luxury car, but I don't tell people that do they are missing an opportunity to teach their kids that money can't buy them happiness. If they can afford it and they find value in it, they can do as they please. It doesn't bother me at all. I am not a socialist, therefore I don't feel that everyone is best off conducting their lives and spending their money just like everyone else does (not that anyone here is a socialist, just saying).


Staying onsite isn't manufacturing the magic, it's emersing yourself in it. It doesn't matter where you stay when you go to any Disney property. On site or off you can have a magical time. It's all very subjective. For *me* staying on site is the most magical. My opinion is I perfer to dive in as oppossed to wade on the shore line when I vacation and by doing so I do no one (including my children) a diservice.

Everyone needs to eat throughout the day. Is the family that has brunch at Goofy's Kitchen manufactoring the magic and the family that eats at McDonalds isn't? I think not.

I wish you and yours the most magical trips you can have no matter where you stay. I hope you can do the same for others.

dsny1mom

 

[rosiep]

Staying onsite isn't manufacturing the magic, it's emersing (sic) yourself in it. dsny1mom

Very well put!

 

[dclfun]

For me, I will only stay onsite at DL, and preferably at the Grand Californian. I bought points there several years back after already having DVC at WDW. I really didn't expect to enjoy staying there as much as I did, BUT, I do spent alot of time in the resort and being able to enter via DCA and to see DCA attractions from my room really added to our trip. Of course, I know we aren't guaranteed such a view and I don't expect it every time I visit, but it's an added bonus. I do travel in a wheelchair and with a service dog, so my experiences are probably different from most, but I really don't want to to trek across the street, esp, since I do take breaks during the day. I want to see beautiful grounds, a nice pool, and have access to nice restaurants. As others have said, it's all about immersion. Thankfully there is a resort/hotel for everyone to enjoy based on their own unique preferences, but for me, I'll choose an onsite resort every time.---Kathy

 

[cgh]

In general I think everyone prioritizes what is most important for them with vacations, life, etc. If you are happy with the decision that you make, then there's no need to get defensive or point out a 'ridiculous' expenditure as sure enough someone else will think what you spend your money on has a 'ridiculous' element to it as well. To each his/her own.

I think with choosing whether or not to stay on property it's looking at what the alternatives are and whether those fit your priorities. (be it overall vacation budget, or any other vacation 'attribute')

I know for us, when we started planning I thought "definitely on property" then "definitely not-that's outrageous!" to back to "I'll bite the bullet, and do it." A lot of thinking went into that. I can say, I'm really excited that we are staying on property.

You make of your vacation what you make of it.