Are you trying to decide if you should stay onsite?

[KalamityJane]

We are staying onsite this time because of the gay days rates and they were so reasonable - hojo was 169 for our dates!

 

[awdsmama]

Same for me
I found that staying on site was double for my family vs staying at bwppi
Take into account that I am not there for the hotel, it's just not worth it for the extras you receive IMO
Now at wdw, that's a different story

I just modified my post w more pricing info if you aren't driving to DL.

 

[Jenn1116]

Staying off site certainly mean more savings, or more spending on other goodies. I think on-site prices are ridiculous and always stay off-site
BUT....
I have memories of staying at the DLH when I was 5 yr old. The whole trip was MAGIC! So this coming trip we're giving in and spoiling DD (and ourselves) with an on-site stay, and I am so excited!

I think it's worth the splurge at least once if you can manage it.

 

[ValpoCory]

We've never stayed onsite, but have thought about it before.

What is the average cost? I know in the past when I've checked it really scared me off.



I saw a post somewhere recently that gave some prices that weren't as bad...I think gay day rates...but when you go for 10 days to 2 weeks at a time, its a lot.

and what is the senior citizen rates. We;ll have my mom with us the last few days so maybe she'll spring for a couple of days at the resort. She's got more $$$ to burn than I do.

Keep in mind that when you go for 10 days to 2 weeks, you'll need to buy 2 or maybe 3 separate tickets per person. DLR only sells 5 day tickets now.

As far as average cost, paying rack rate is extremely expensive. We are staying for 6 nights in late January at the VGC for $178/night. Renting DVC points is an attractive option for getting 40-70% off rack rates.

 

[Mary09]

We could do 2-3 Disneyland vacations off-site for the price of staying on-site. So we do off-site.

I find too that given my financial analyst brain if I pay premium rates for something, I can't stop noticing any and all shortcomings in the service or product, and feel a bit ripped off (glass is half empty, I know!) With the cheap hotels, I expect very little and am often pleasantly surprised.

 

[Priory]

After 31 years of visiting the park(s) I am staying on property for the first time ever tonight! I am sitting here at work and so far it's the longest day of my life. I never thought onsite was worth it until I visited WDW for the first time last year. There is something to be said for the immersion factor. I can't describe it, but it just felt great. I am hoping it feels the same at the DLR. I wish it was more than 3 nights, but it will still be fantastic.

Are there any features or benefits to staying at the GCH that I should be sure not to miss? (I know about early entry).

 

[kirstie101]

One day we WILL stay onsite! When the kids are old enough to appreciate it and money isn't as tight as it is right now....one of these years we are definitely staying onsite!!! I think I'd try the Disneyland Hotel. Just walking through it after dinner at Goofy's Kitchen totally makes me want to stay there.

But for now, I'm thankful for any Disney vacation I can get and will happily stay at Hojo's and DI&S in order to make our vaction happen! They are clean, close and less than half the price which is important to us right now.

 

[scoker]

I've done both already and they both have their advantages. I loved staying at GCH and would love to try the DLH. If I was going during a warm busy time of year I would choose on site if the budget allowed.

This time I'm going in February. I'm using my annual pass that I got for our trip so I only have to get a ticket for DD6. This is a total budget trip because it really is an extra trip for 2013. If I wasn't saving on the ticket and off site hotel we wouldn't be going at all. Off site is way better than no site IMO!!!!!

 

[samsonpete]

We have stayed at PPH and the GCV. I didn't find PPH worth the cost, but you just cannot beat how close to the parks you are at the GCH! It was so convenient! Next year we are going to stay at the DLH so we can compare them all! We have also stayed at hojo a couple times and have had awful experiences, even though it was super cheap. I told my husband there is just no way, no matter how cheap it is the I am going back to hojo!

 

[mellers]

Keep in mind that when you go for 10 days to 2 weeks, you'll need to buy 2 or maybe 3 separate tickets per person. DLR only sells 5 day tickets now.

We went for 9 days and bought Premium Annual Passports. In the end, they wound up saving us more than they cost us because we got a FANTASTIC rate on an off-site hotel, plus we used the dining and merchandise discounts. Moreover, what we did was we bought them for Christmas week last year, and this year, we are going again in mid-December, so we'll get another 5-6 days use out of them; effectively two years worth of trips. Overall, it proved to be a pretty good deal.

 

[rosiep]

Doing a split stay in 2 weeks. I'd questioned whether or not bell services would move my bags and most replies said "no". Glad to know they did for you; I am hoping they will for me as well!

 

[scrapshappen]

I used to be one of those that couldn't justify the cost of staying on site when I could stay off site for so much less. But we are splurging this time on the GC and I'm so excited.

I work it out in my head by comparing how much more we would spend if we bought four airline tickets from SLC to Florida and a value package at WDW. Let's just say it's a lot more than four nights at the GC at Disneyland with 6-day hoppers. (We drive to DLR from here). Besides that, it's milestone birthday for me so we are splurging for a reason.

We are also splitting our stay. First night at the Hilton, nights 2-5 at GC and then we haven't booked a hotel for the last night. It doesn't need to be near DL though since we will have used all six days of our hopper by then.

 

[duckwife]

I am wondering if an AP holder can check the AP rates at DLH for Nov 8-13. I have already decided that we are finally going to stay there this time We always stay offsite but DS(16) has always wanted to stay at the DLH. I figured we should do it this time as he may not want to go with us much longer. I am surprising DH and DS with this as I have told them we are staying at BWPPI and I am considering upgrading our parkhoppers to DAP's if the discount makes it worthwhile. Besides, it gives us an excuse to go again! (not that I need one!)
I am not sure I will be able to keep the secret as it is already killing me

 

[dana278]

DLH: Standard room/View room

November 8: $293/$324
November 9: $347/$365
November 10: No availability/$365
November 11: $293/$324
November 12: No availability/$324
November 13: No availability/$351

 

[Rhonna]

I am wondering if an AP holder can check the AP rates at DLH for Nov 8-13.

Unfortunately it's kind of late to get what you want just a month out. The AP rate rooms have really been booking up this fall. For your dates, for a standard room at DLH, AP rates: Nov. 8 & 11 are $293 and Nov. 9th is $347. The 10th, 12th and 13th are not available at all for standard room, AP rates. There are still rooms with a view for your dates at a higher cost, of course. The view rooms Nov. 8, 11 & 12 run $324, Nov. 9 & 10 are $365 and the 13th is $351.

They go up from there and those rates do not include taxes or resort fees.

 

[Rhonna]

@ Dana278: Must have posted at the same time. Yours is easier to read/linear.

 

[duckwife]

DLH: Standard room/View room

November 8: $293/$324
November 9: $347/$365
November 10: No availability/$365
November 11: $293/$324
November 12: No availability/$324
November 13: No availability/$351

Thanks for the reply. I figured it was only 10%, not quite enough to totally justify the added expense of an AP. I have booked an upper level view room already. We will enjoy our one and only DLH experience!!

 

[hjgaus]

Keep in mind that when you go for 10 days to 2 weeks, you'll need to buy 2 or maybe 3 separate tickets per person. DLR only sells 5 day tickets now.

As far as average cost, paying rack rate is extremely expensive. We are staying for 6 nights in late January at the VGC for $178/night. Renting DVC points is an attractive option for getting 40-70% off rack rates.

I say YES!! to this!! RENT or own (Disney Vacation Club) villas @ Grand Californian!

 

[hjgaus]

I love to stay on-site!! We have stayed at all three over the years. It definitely adds magic to the whole trip.

When there are 5 or less traveling in the group we stay on-site. However, when the number reaches 6 or more, we have to make off-site arrangements.

Only one time when there were 7 of us did we stay on-site. Two adjoining rooms at the GrandCalifornian for a week.

Our family is now up to 9.
The cost for two rooms on-site is a real HIT on my budget!!
With meals, snacks, blah, blah....

The full expense of our family Disney trips are always my $$treat$$ and I can't afford two rooms on-site now.

Our family tree
DH, D-ME
DS, DGS (18), DGD (14)
DS, D-DIL, DGS (10), DGD (8)

Geemo

ALSO WHY I YES this!! RENT or own (Disney Vacation Club) villas @ Grand Californian!

 

[dmband]

Just curious, the people who say stay on site because it adds to the experience...
A are you staying at dgc? Or one of the others?
B have you stayed at wdw?

I ask because I have stayed at wdw to many times to count and 100% feel it I worth it
But
I don't thing staying on site at dl is worth it, however I never stayed at dgc which I can see would be much cooler
If you think staying on site at dl is worth it and you have never been to wdw, don't even consider not staying on site there for a second