Advantages for staying at Disney hotel

[PineapplePrincessCA]

We're going to be staying 2 nights in the Disney area. My hubby is set on staying at the Disneyland hotel. I keep reading threads about how much better it is to stay at a lesser priced hotel in the area.

What are the advantages of staying at a Disney hotel? So far I can think of:

~walking distance to park (but aren't there others that are walking distance?)
~early entry on certain days (sorry, forgot the name for it)


Dats all I can think of.

Parking is included in the price of the stay, but isn't it included at the other surrounding hotels as well?

Just wondering if its worth it to pay a little more for a Disney hotel or if we should explore the surrounding area more. I REALLY like being within walking distance. Not even have to deal with a shuttle is huge to us.

Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

As for walking distance, the Grand Californian is the closest hotel to the parks. After that, there are a couple of offsite hotels that are closer than the other 2 onsite hotels. I would say any hotel on Harbor Blvd. from HoJos to Katella Ave has a closer or as close of a walk to the parks as the Paradise Pier or Disneyland Hotel. They're not as close as you might think in comparision to other places. However, by staying at an onsite hotel, you do walk through Downtown Disney as opposed to a street, if that means anything.

In regards to the Magic Mornings, you can still have MM if you stay offsite if you have a 3 or more day park hopper. The difference between onsite and offsite guests though is that those staying onsite get to use it as many times as it is offered during their trip, while those staying offsite get to use it once per trip. A better description is on my MM super thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

The main reason why people on these boards stay onsite is the "immersion factor". They want to be at Disney from the first minute to the last. That includes the subtle Disney details in the room and hotel, the walk through DTD and not along Harbor Blvd., and never "leaving" the resort. For the extra $, it is not worth it for our family. We don't spend much time at the hotel because we're off at the parks so much, so we're ok with just a place to sleep that's close (closer than some of the onsite hotels).

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Any idea about how long it takes to walk from the Disneyland Hotel to the Disneyland Park?

However, by staying at an onsite hotel, you do walk through Downtown Disney as opposed to a street, if that means anything.

I'm not familiar with Downtown Disney. Is walking through it a "good thing" or a "bad thing"? LOL

The main reason why people on these boards stay onsite is the "immersion factor". They want to be at Disney from the first minute to the last. That includes the subtle Disney details in the room and hotel, the walk through DTD and not along Harbor Blvd., and never "leaving" the resort. For the extra $, it is not worth it for our family. We don't spend much time at the hotel because we're off at the parks so much, so we're ok with just a place to sleep that's close (closer than some of the onsite hotels).

Ah. OK. I guess that makes sense.




Can somebody show me some kind of map the surrounding Disneyland area?


thanks!!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We mostly stay onsite for the MM benefit ~ we're AP holders so no MM for us unless we stay on site, we spend one night onsite, always the last or first night of our stay, usually we stay 3 nights for a DLR visit. This July we're staying 4 nights and our 1st two will be at the DLH, we'll get the MM 2 times ~ + we'll get one with our Park Hopper *our APs expire next month and I don't plan to upgrade to an AP this year. I'm hoping to be able to use the MM on the PH when we're offsite for our last 2 nights ~ I'm not sure that'll work though. Our last 2 nights for now have us at Motel 6 *which is barely within walking distance* for $50 per night + tax, the DLH is $208 per night + the daily resort fee of $14 or so + tax! Keep in mind ~ anybody can explore the grounds/lobbies of the DLR hotels. Do you already have your APs? If not perhaps you could start out with a PH and after your MM has been used you could upgrade to APs ~ we've done this for the 2 times we've had APs.

 

[rentayenta]

We stay at the GCV because we own DVC but even before we prefer to stay on property (any of the 3) for various reasons including:

~ not leaving the magic. Even the walk thru DTD is cool.
~ less of a walk
~ amenities, including character meals being close by, in our hotel in fact, being able to sleep a little longer
~ pools (even thought the HoJo has super cool pool now)


If we were to stay off property, it would be at the HoJo.

 

[Disney Fool]

characters in the lobby.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

characters in the lobby.

We've only experienced this once (stayed on site at least 4 times) the one time was our most recent stay ~ last early Dec - DLH.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

~ less of a walk

There are several "good neighbor" hotels that are closer to the parks then DLH and PP.

 

[rentayenta]

There are several "good neighbor" hotels that are closer to the parks then DLH and PP.

I know that but I enjoy the walk thru DTD and it seems like less of a walk as it's far more entertaining. We stay GCV and I believe it is the closest.

 

[bumbershoot]

The walk from the big hat at the edge of Disneyland Hotel property and DownTown Disney to the center of the Esplanade is about .46 mile when I mapped my approximate, usual, walk using mapmyrun.com.

Walking through DTD is NOT fun for me. It's a mall. Yep, with Disney music and performers in the evening and whatnot, but it's still a mall. NOT fun for me. Plus there's no way to walk a straight line through it. It's very flowy, with planters and benches and such, so you're constantly having to go around things. That drives me batty. If you like malls and like walking in a curvy line, it'll be bliss for you.

To compare, the walk to the center of the esplanade from the Tropicana's sidewalk is about .26 mile, no mall, straight walk. HoJo, walking on the Disney side, coming from the outer edge sidewalk, is approx .49 if I'm remembering my numbers accurately.

PPH is just about the same distance; you do need to ignore the "PPH to Disneyland" signs, and just go out the FRONT door, cross to the Grand, and go through there.


The Grand's exits to DTD (going to DL) or their entrance to DCA, of course, are closer than anything. But if you have the room we had, the total walk to the center of the esplanade is actually almost the same as from hojo's parking lot. (man that was a pain of a room)

For me, b/c I don't like the mall, I actually feel MORE immersed if I stay at hoJo and walk along Harbor on the Disney side (not the hotels side). Why? Because if they have the music playing in Disneyland (if the park is open), I can hear the music. Without the mall experience.

Of the Disney hotels, I like PPH the best. DH likes DLH. DS, I believe, likes the Grand, b/c he has forgotten how long a walk it was to our room, and just remembers that the actual hotel entrance is close to Grizzly...he's forgotten that he was nearly blue by the time he got back from Grizzly to the room to change clothes, and was nearly crying. It would have been better to just bring clothes and have him change in the nearby bathroom, than to think "oh we're so close" and have him walk all the way back to the room. DH was freezing too.


For me, the main value of the Disney hotels is the extra Magic Mornings! Those are lovely.

I don't like charging to the room at all (at any hotel), and I have never successfully had any purchases delivered to the hotel, as each time I've tried, they are out of the paperwork they need to do it, and want me to go to a different store. Since I've tried to do this in order to "out of sight out of mind" a purchase for my son, if we leave wiht the items, the point is gone. The last time we tried this was '07, so maybe they don't need paperwork anymore (they have since gotten more functional keycards and maybe it's computerized), and DS is older and easier to reason with, so it might work like a charm now, but then is when I needed it and it didn't work.

I have NEVER seen characters in the lobby of the disney hotels, apart from Santa at PPH. Once.

 

[Disney Fool]

I must be unusual then; ...every time I've been at the DLH, I've seen Goofy hanging out in the lobby--in fact, he scared the heck out of me once--he sneaked up on me! And, I've seen Minnie and Donald (I think) strolling through the grounds. Maybe they were leaving Goofy's Kitchen or something....

 

[Sherry E]

For me, the advantages are:

1. MM - in fact, I am kicking myself that we didn't start taking advantage of the MM sooner than we did, because that is really the best time to get on anything in Fantasyland - including It's a Small World Holiday during holiday season.

2a. The fun Key to the Magic room key/charge card with my name on it, and I can attach it to my debit or credit card and use it to charge things if I don't want to fiddle with cash, as well as flash it at people when I want to get in for MM or use the GCH entry into DCA early in the morning.

2b. Access to DCA through the GCH "private entrance" before DCA opens.

3. Having my purchases sent back to the hotel. I did not have them sent to my room, but rather, to the Bell desk. I did this a few times, and it was successful. I am a klutz, so carrying purchases is not an option, and the locker rooms are sometimes so crowded and full that you may not be able to get one mid-day. Most of the DL or DCA shops will send anything back to your DLR hotel for free - whether it is one tiny item or a big, honkin' bag of stuff. You purchase something on, say, Saturday night, and then send it on to your hotel, where it will be waiting at the Bell desk at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. I would go down and get the stuff from the Bell desk and then pack it up before we checked out.

4. Immersion. Yes, I am a sucker for staying onsite because I like that 'all-Disney-all-the-time' feeling. I like to be on-property. I like to see Disney touches everywhere I go. I like to look for Hidden Mickeys in the carpets in the hallways. I like to see adorable Mickey ears bath products sitting on the bathroom counter, greeting me as I walk in the door (at DLH and PPH, not at GCH). I like taking the complimentary postcards and stationery from the drawers! I like that sometimes you will get an extra perky CM behind the desk who will throw in a free pin or something - just because they like you!

 

[Susie63]

Princess bedtime stories. That Brian guy is nuts! And chocolate Disney candies delivered to my room every night and housekeeping asking if I need anything for my room. Absolutely the best customer service I have ever had.

 

[rentayenta]

I must be unusual then; ...every time I've been at the DLH, I've seen Goofy hanging out in the lobby--in fact, he scared the heck out of me once--he sneaked up on me! And, I've seen Minnie and Donald (I think) strolling through the grounds. Maybe they were leaving Goofy's Kitchen or something....

We always see characters too. Goofy always seems to be hanging around.

 

[Sherry E]

Princess bedtime stories. That Brian guy is nuts! And chocolate Disney candies delivered to my room every night and housekeeping asking if I need anything for my room. Absolutely the best customer service I have ever had.

Oh yes! I forgot the chocolates in the cute Disney character foil. Yep - those are nice little added treats!

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with Bumber that DTD is just a dad gum "mall" (& i don't do malls).....but it is a pretty mall & it's great walking thru DTD to MM in the early AM because it's empty & (most importantly) no shops are open.

(but it is handy having the 3-5 nice restaurants in DTD....& also having the nice hotel restaurants so convenient when staying "on site")


One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that staying on-site is easier for me to tour the way I "like" to tour. (Especially if staying at the GCH or the PP).

I like to be at DL first thing (or of course for MM)....tour for 2-4 hours (picking up 3-4 FPs), then hop to DCA for 1-2 hours (riding a few rides & picking up another 1-2 FPs). Then rest.

If staying at the PP (which is where i've always stayed) or the GCH (which is where i'd love to stay) or even the DLH....it's a few steps from DCA to the room. Then after the mid day rest it's just a few steps BACK into DCA for an hour or two.

Then hop to DL for late afternoon or early evening.

Not a big deal & not worth $100+ a day more.....but if it gets me MM, immersion AND easier touring & it's not TOO much more than a room on Harbor.....then I like being on site.


Oh....& another thing good about staying onsite.... is that you can check in as early as you want (to go to MM) on check in day. And on checkout day, you can keep your car in the parking garage as LATE as you want the day you check out. This might not be the case at some of the Harbor hotels.

BUT...if not cost effective, I'll happily stay at a Harbor hotel & have....(i like the Candy Cane for a couple of reasons.....but would be happy at 4-5 others as well.)

 

[heatherleigh]

We like staying on-campus because it's much more convenient for my family. We like buying souvenirs and having them sent directly to our room, rather than having to cart them around the parks. We also enjoy taking advantage of the magic mornings, and never having to leave the park. I don't think I'd ever go to DL if we weren't staying on-campus.

 

[magicalfoursome]

For me, the advantages are:



2b. Access to DCA through the GCH "private entrance" before DCA opens.

DL newbie here-- we are staying at DLH-- should we use the GCH "private" entrance for DCA? Do they let people in earlier than the front gate?

 

[Hound 109]

DL newbie here-- we are staying at DHL-- should we use the GCH "private" entrance for DCA? Do they let people in earlier than the front gate?

Yes. If you're staying on-site, you can enter the private entrance (into DCA) 30 min. early (along with the GCH guests). You'll show them your room key.

After DCA opens (normally at 10am) all park visitors can schlep back & forth thru the "private entrance" (making it semi-private ).


But most days it's best to "start" at DL (if you can get up). So you won't use the private entrance....you'll walk thru DTD to DL's turnstile.

 

[Sherry E]

DL newbie here-- we are staying at DLH-- should we use the GCH "private" entrance for DCA? Do they let people in earlier than the front gate?

What Hound 109 said is correct. The first 30 minutes before DCA opens are key, as that is the time when using the GCH private entrance is most effective...and most private. As he said, after that, anyone can schlep back and forth through it. But if you use it, you can get on Soarin' early, or you can line up by GRR for Toy Story Midway Mania and a CM will walk you over to TSMM before 10:00 a.m. (or whatever the opening time is that day) and you get in that line a little sooner than the people coming in the front gates.

You can use that GCH private entrance into DCA if you are staying at any of the 3 DLR hotels. Just have that Key to the Magic and your Hopper/ticket/AP with you.

However, from what I understand, DCA is going to be experimenting (maybe they already started this?) with opening up earlier than they have historically been opening - probably due to the massive AP holder crowds and the upcoming crowds they expect when World of Color opens. So I am not sure how this will affect the "private entrance" in GCH. If DCA is opening at 9:00 a.m. instead of 10:00 a.m., will the private GCH entrance open at 8:30? I am not sure what will happen.

If it is a day when you plan to be in DL early and using a MM, you probably don't want to fiddle with the private entrance in GCH. But if you decide to start the day with DCA instead, and maybe get a bit later of a start to the morning, then the private entrance may be the best thing to do if you can get to it when it opens - before DCA opens.