5 days Offsite VS 3 days Onsite.. HELP!

[MaxnElliesMama]

We were all set on our 6 night, 5 day in park, offsite (Desert Inn and Suites) idea... THEN... I got the itch and started looking around, ahhhh WHY?? and comparing... for a similarly priced trip, we can stay ONsite at the PPH for 4 nights, 3 days in park... HELP ME DECIDE... which is better?!????

We are family of four.. Mom, Dad, DD 9 and DS who will be celebrating his 4th birthday in the park!

 

[Indiana Scott]

That's an easy one for me.. More days in the park since you only use the hotel to sleep in and it's not really your "destination". It's a nice hotel too so hotel quality isn't a consideration.

 

[tlovesdis]

More park days would always be my choice!!! A hotel is a place to sleep and shower for me.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

More park time always.

 

[StageTek]

Which is better? 5 days in the Park or 3 days in the Park. That's an easy one for me, too.

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

Well YAY.. you all made that EASY.. I thought it would for sure be a split jury and I would have to weigh lots of pros and cons!
5 days in park it is!

 

[rcchello]

If you go to Disneyland often, I might lean towards staying onsite, but for an event trip like yours I would go for more days. Hopefully one day the finances will be such you won't have to choose!

 

[figment_jii]

For me, I would also pick more days in the park, but it does depend on whether you get to DLR often, how much time you spend in the hotel, etc. If you go very often, then it might be fun to try staying on-site, but if you don't get to the parks very often, I would lean towards more days so you can do more things and not feel like you're as time constrained. Truthfully, I think the biggest advantage to staying on-site is EMH, but even that only has limited benefit. So, I would opt for more days, but stay off-site.

 

[ashnjam]

I Agree on the how often you will get back opinions. We are not an open to close family and spend some time at the resort and room. We know we will be back.. And if we do everything we have no excuse to get back to DL However it looks like (from reviews) that you picked a good place to stay so I’d say keep it.

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

We don't get to DL very often, and probably wont make it back for quite a long time.. I think we decided to stick with offsite and do 5 days.

Thanks so much for all of your input, as always you guys are always so helpful!

 

[Angrose]

When are you going? I don't want to through another kink in your plans, but if you are going during warm weather and want to take afternoon breaks back at the hotel for swimming, then DI&S might not the best place for that. I have not stayed there but have seen pictures and have read reviews on here, their pool is indoors and I've heard it's not very good. If you want a nicer pool and water play area for the kids I would check out the Howard Johnson, Courtyard Marriott, and the Grand Legacy. They are all across the street on Harbour.
Have a great trip!

 

[tlovesdis]

When are you going? I don't want to through another kink in your plans, but if you are going during warm weather and want to take afternoon breaks back at the hotel for swimming, then DI&S might not the best place for that. I have not stayed there but have seen pictures and have read reviews on here, their pool is indoors and I've heard it's not very good. If you want a nicer pool and water play area for the kids I would check out the Howard Johnson, Courtyard Marriott, and the Grand Legacy. They are all across the street on Harbour.
Have a great trip!

100% agree! The pool there is horrible. It is indoors and small and it reeks of chlorine! We wouldn't stay there if swimming is a must do activity!

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

100% agree! The pool there is horrible. It is indoors and small and it reeks of chlorine! We wouldn't stay there if swimming is a must do activity!

When are you going? I don't want to through another kink in your plans, but if you are going during warm weather and want to take afternoon breaks back at the hotel for swimming, then DI&S might not the best place for that. I have not stayed there but have seen pictures and have read reviews on here, their pool is indoors and I've heard it's not very good. If you want a nicer pool and water play area for the kids I would check out the Howard Johnson, Courtyard Marriott, and the Grand Legacy. They are all across the street on Harbour.
Have a great trip!

We might want to swim, but liked the "Suite" idea.. Any idea on Portofino or Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel's Pool?

I will peek at HOJO, but i think the suites are booked, we are staying end of June. Is June gloom still prevalent then or are we in to hot sun?

 

[Nevada Jen]

I will be the dissenter. I would totally choose 3 days in the park and PPH, as long as you know you will use the EMH. With EMH you can get just as much done in 3 days as 5 days and your kids are the perfect age for their pool. You will be way less stressed and hot staying there. That EMH is invaluable for DCA. You can ride RSR multiple times and hit Toy Story multiple times before people even get into the park on DCA days. There is not as much value to EMH when it is at DL because everyone gets early entry with a 3 days pass but it will still allow you to get a lot more done. As far as I am concerned, less days in the heat for the same amount of experience is the preferable way to go.

 

[ktlm]

While we prefer staying onsite, if it was a choice between more park days and offsite or less park days and onsite, that would be a no brainer for us. We would always choose more park days. With 2 kids under 10, I would say that more park time is even more important. Getting things done in the parks tends to take more time with kids. I'm sure the kids would rather have more days at Disney too.

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

I will be the dissenter. I would totally choose 3 days in the park and PPH, as long as you know you will use the EMH. With EMH you can get just as much done in 3 days as 5 days and your kids are the perfect age for their pool. You will be way less stressed and hot staying there. That EMH is invaluable for DCA. You can ride RSR multiple times and hit Toy Story multiple times before people even get into the park on DCA days. There is not as much value to EMH when it is at DL because everyone gets early entry with a 3 days pass but it will still allow you to get a lot more done. As far as I am concerned, less days in the heat for the same amount of experience is the preferable way to go.

See, this was my "issue" too.. My son won't want to ride as much but WILL want to have the character experiences and it IS his birthday. The pool could be fun, if it is going to be hot, and we would spend less in the long run, on food and souvenirs... But then everyone said MORE PARK, and why I thought I was silly for considering, LOL!

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

How much further away is HOJO than Desert Inn? Still walk-able?

 

[tlovesdis]

How much further away is HOJO than Desert Inn? Still walk-able?

Yes it's walk-able. Probably about 5 minutes more than walking to DIS.

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

Thanks Tina!

 

[bumbershoot]

Why 4 nights but only 3 park days? I'm stuck on this.