Benefits on staying onsite??

[granismith]

As Lisa said, it depends on the kind of trip you want. We take a few trips a year, spend one on-site on points, and then we relax, spend time by the pool, wander in and out of the parks, watch WOC from our VGC balcony, etc, etc. That's our main trip to spend a whole week enjoying each other's company with friends. Then on other trips we only stop in for 2-3 days and we usually stay off-site for the savings since we go into the parks, stay all day, and only sleep in the hotel don't really relax there. So my rule of thumb is: park-intensive quickies, save your money, if you want a relaxing resort vacation experience including parks, on-site is the way to go.
That being said, we're doing a quickie and I managed to find a way to stay at DLH for an obscenely low price (just a tad higher than I was paying offsite) next weekend, so we're going to try it and I'm planning on using the early-entry for WOC FP's that were being offered when I was at VGC last fall, and hopefully is still there. I had been under the impression that it was a permanent feature of staying onsite from the way the concierge described it to me. But if the DLH option for this trip had been full price, or even a mild discount, we would have stayed at the Fairfield Inn since I can't justify paying double for the experience.

Just curious how you found the "obscenely low price"? Do tell!!

 

[disneyfan67]

Price and whatever people want too or can comfortably afford when it comes to Disney accommodations, has always been up for debate on these boards. It doesn't matter if it's WDW or DL hotels, the end result is the same. Everyone is different when it comes to their vacation needs and wants.

After my first trip to DL last summer, I plan on visiting DL every two years and fell in love with the place. I tried two Disney resort hotels last trip and found that I didn't care for the small standard room at the GCH, but really enjoyed the refurbished room at the DLH. The GC is a beautiful hotel and is great for some, but the DLH has that vintage, Disney feel to me. Trust me as a WDW vet, people who are WDW fans and love staying onsite, would flip if the new DLH rooms were available at WDW. Everything screamed Disney about those rooms from the cool themed carpet, the musical headboards, to the Mickey head shower handle. Plus the retro, old school feel of it added to the joy of the vacation. The DLH is going to be the place to stay when all the construction is done, especially to those who grew up watching the WWOD and Walt Disney on tv.

I'm staying in a GCV this trip because of my points, but booked one night at the DLH so my wife who always wanted to stay at the DLH, can experience it too. If it takes me two years to save for the vacation, so be it. Because for me vacations are very hard to come by and every moment at WDW or DL has to count. That's how I look at it and to each their own.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

We've been to DL three times. Stayed at the GC, DL Hotel and the Hilton and Park Vue. Liked the GC a lot, were indifferent to the DL Hotel and liked the Hilton in between the two. Park Vue was awful.

A lot of people mention immersion and I just don't see it personally. Even when we were walking to and from the Hilton we were walking on sidewalks bordering DL. The off site hotels are so close that if you want to sit at the fireplace at the GC or stroll DTD, have a drink at one of the hotel bars or whatever it's still just a short walk away.

To each their own but I think I'll continue to let finances rule the roost. It's not like the difference at WDW at all.

 

[Hummingbird15]

When we stayed at the Grand Californian in January they were doing an experiment where half an hour before Disney's California Adventure opened, we could go to the private entrance and get fastpasses to World of Color. Does anybuddy know if they decided to do that all the time? Anyway, not having to go into the park to get a fastpass was really convenient.

Yes, I was there last weekend and they were doing just that.

 

[Mouse Man]

We took our first ever trip to DLR over spring break. My family enjoyed it immensely. We experienced the best of both worlds. 3 nights at CCI and 3 nights at GCH. The first 3 nights we stayed at Candy Cane Inn and really considered canceling our Grand Californian reservations. Unlike WDW, those off site motels are practically right outside the gate. When it was time to switch, my wife had some complaints. She's not a big fan of switching resorts. However, when we got to GCH everyone was blown away. The place is breath taking The service was top notch. You could just tell that you were in "Disney". We were more inclined to take breaks at GCH. Although CCI was a nice place to rest your head at night, we never really wanted to lounge around the place. Definitely stay onsite if you are looking for that "resort" feel. When I was offsite, the vacation really felt more like a "road trip". Both are perfectly fine, it just depends what you are looking for.

 

[Sherry E]

We've been to DL three times. Stayed at the GC, DL Hotel and the Hilton and Park Vue. Liked the GC a lot, were indifferent to the DL Hotel and liked the Hilton in between the two. Park Vue was awful.

A lot of people mention immersion and I just don't see it personally. Even when we were walking to and from the Hilton we were walking on sidewalks bordering DL. The off site hotels are so close that if you want to sit at the fireplace at the GC or stroll DTD, have a drink at one of the hotel bars or whatever it's still just a short walk away.

To each their own but I think I'll continue to let finances rule the roost. It's not like the difference at WDW at all.

That's really what it boils down to - to each his own.

Your idea of "immersion" or what it takes to feel immersed may be different than mine or than LisainCalifornia's or anyone else's. There's no right or wrong. Your idea of what is important in a trip may be different from what we think is important. For whatever reason, those of us who love staying onsite at DLR feel that doing so helps us stay immersed in the particular Disney feeling that we want in our trips, and it enhances our trips overall. We are not comparing it to WDW - we are just enjoying our DLR experience to the fullest.

For me, staying onsite at DLR is staying immersed in the magic and if I am paying the money to do that it's because it is 100% worth it to me (although I have never paid $400 per night to stay onsite - my hotel rates are always well under $200 per night, pre-tax). But it won't be worth it to everyone.

Some folks who go to DLR will feel as we do and want the same sort of experience that we onsite fans get when we stay onsite, and they will understand how it enhances the trip immensely because they are of the same belief and opinion.

Other folks will not need that nor want it and will be perfectly fine staying off-property.

 

[jory29]

Hi Katiepotatie,

I find that I just honestly can't justify staying on-site for what the cost of the rooms are.... the extra cost per night to stay at a Disney property hotel more than covers the entire cost of food and extras for more than the day. Plus, a person with 3 kids won't be in the room that much, besides for naps in the afternoon if needed, and evening. For you having 3 kids, Hojo's Pirate's Cove is very cool. The Grand Californian is the only Disney property that is very close to the action, (the other 2 are around the same as the walk from Hojo's) but if you stay on-site you are sacrificing spaciousness/privacy of the room (compared to kids suite at Hojo's) as well as the extra bathroom. You are sacrificing Mimi's (reasonably priced, great tasting food - great prices on kids meals there too) and McDonald's so food will be much higher priced IMO if you stay on-site, due to always eating at the Disney Resort areas as well as the Downtown Disney places. You are sacrificing the superb quality mattress and duvets, the in-room Keurig coffee, and I believe there is only a fridge, no microwave in most of the Disney property rooms, I may be wrong someone please correct that if I am wrong.

As far as the walk being undesirable, as some have mentioned, we as a family don't find it that way, we find it interesting. I can pretty much guarantee you will see a few homeless people camped out at the bus station shelter - we worry about them for their own well being far more than we fear them. Kind Elizabeth, a senior citizen used to camp out there, and we cried to see her put her gloves and hat on, and lay her head down on her luggage to go to sleep. Another man spoke loudly of sports casts he must have memorized, or been to, because it was like listening to a TV news caster. The annoying thing walking down Harbor is the time share people standing at almost every hotel along the path, always trying to meet your eye, and if you don't look at them, they will call out to you so we have all learned to say, "We're heading home tomorrow, sorry." Even when we're not. They totally leave you alone then. Another issue was when the Disneyland workers were on strike, it made us feel weird to walk past them on our way to the parks, but that was in the past. Traffic flow of tourists is a constant, and so there is almost always someone walking right close by, so we felt it was a safe walk.

 

[jtown]

We are planning our first trip, and looking into all the options. We are booked to stay at Hojo at the moment, with an excellent industry rate in the kids suite.

But - I keep hearing about how great it is to stay onsite, so can someone tell me why exactly? What is so great about the DL hotels? Also, where can I see pictures or room diagrams of the DL hotels - as that is one thing that put me off, as well as the price, I couldn't find diagrams of the rooms which is something I really want to know about. Do the DL hotels have suites? Where can I get room info? We really want a room where the kids (3) can sleep in a different room to us. Also, do the DL hotels offer industry rates does anyone know?

Thanks for any info!

IMHO, the only perk is being able to spend money faster. Just about everyone here seems to love HoJo and it's location is ideal. If you're happy with the rate and the layout, stick with it. Honestly, how much quality time are you planning to spend in the room? It'll be the mad rush in the morning, maybe a nap in the afternoon for younger kids, then pass out at night. Clean and comfortable is the most important factor.

Heck, my friends and I used to make a low-budget suite out of two room at the Super8 back in the day and it was plenty for us.

As for "Harbor at night", I have no idea what could freak anyone out. 99.44% of the people are park visitors walking to or from their hotels. You have to go beyond walking distance to get to sketchy neighborhoods. There will probably be a few homeless people around the bus stops but nothing you wouldn't encounter in any other urban area.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

That's really what it boils down to - to each his own.

Your idea of "immersion" or what it takes to feel immersed may be different than mine or than LisainCalifornia's or anyone else's. There's no right or wrong. Your idea of what is important in a trip may be different from what we think is important. For whatever reason, those of us who love staying onsite at DLR feel that doing so helps us stay immersed in the particular Disney feeling that we want in our trips, and it enhances our trips overall. We are not comparing it to WDW - we are just enjoying our DLR experience to the fullest.

For me, staying onsite at DLR is staying immersed in the magic and if I am paying the money to do that it's because it is 100% worth it to me (although I have never paid $400 per night to stay onsite - my hotel rates are always well under $200 per night, pre-tax). But it won't be worth it to everyone.

Some folks who go to DLR will feel as we do and want the same sort of experience that we onsite fans get when we stay onsite, and they will understand how it enhances the trip immensely because they are of the same belief and opinion.

Other folks will not need that nor want it and will be perfectly fine staying off-property.

You sound defensive?I agree with you (and me) "to each his own" but IMO we felt 90% Disney immersed when we stayed at the Hilton and I think newbies should know that some folks do feel this way. Now my lack of preference for this could be the years worth of nights we have stayed in WDW hotels during my kids 'growing up' years and perhaps it has just desensitized to the good vibes others still feel. Anyway, JMO.

 

[Sherry E]

You sound defensive?I agree with you (and me) "to each his own" but IMO we felt 90% Disney immersed when we stayed at the Hilton and I think newbies should know that some folks do feel this way. Now my lack of preference for this could be the years worth of nights we have stayed in WDW hotels during my kids 'growing up' years and perhaps it has just desensitized to the good vibes others still feel. Anyway, JMO.

Absolutely, 100% not defensive at all! I was agreeing that there are people in two camps - onsite fans and off-property fans - and that what one person/group needs to feel immersed may be different from what someone else may need or want. We don't all have the same needs or wants in a trip. Of course newbies should know both sides. That was never in question.

 

[furb & dez]

Perhaps it's because I grew up in California (or maybe I'm just "cheap"), but I cannot in any way justify paying $200-500 per night to stay "on property" (that magical place where they can market something to upsell to you at every moment of the day...) when I can stay at the Best Western directly across the street from DL for as little as $75 a night depending on the season (I've stayed there when it was from $70-125/night).

Add to that the fact that it's a longer walk to the main entrance if you stay "on property."

I vote with my feet and dollars.

 

[oumagic]

We stayed at GCR last September and are booked for HoJo this October. If no deal pops up, we will happily remain at HoJo. That said, as I posted elsewhere, there are things you just don't get offsite.

We literally were in the hot tub at GCR and decided to ride Grizzly Rapids. We wore our swimsuits and were back in the hot tub in under 30 minutes on a chilly September day. We will not have that experience off site but I am sure we will have different experience playing at Pirate's Cove. It is hard to describe the location of GCR to the parks, especially DCA. The hotel's entrance to DCA is roughly 100 yards from GRR's line. When I asked what my 5 year old daughter wants to do at Disney, she said she wants to sit by the big fireplace in her pj's drinking hot cocoa again. Yes, we can probably still let her do that from HoJo, but it won't be the same.

On one hand, I cannot put a dollar amount on just a few of the examples I mention above. On the other hand, the dollar amount for me is well under what the cost for GCR is right now. I am booked at HoJo for $1198. Looking online right now, for 2 rooms during those same 5 nights in Oct., the GCR would be $3800. We will just have to make other memories offsite or wait for a good deal and switch. I think I would be willing to spend $100/night per room to stay at GCR over HoJo, but even that would be pushing it and involves other factors (we took on set of grandparents to GCR last year and feel we should take the other set of grandparents there this year).

I am pretty sure that I stayed at the HoJo as a kid every visit starting in 1978 and I turned out fine and a Disney nut

 

[taaren]

Just curious how you found the "obscenely low price"? Do tell!!

If you already have a trip booked off-site that has a no-penalty last-minute cancellation policy, when your trip gets close you can look on this site or on other dvc owners sites on the rent/trade points forums for people who are trying to sell their points that are about to expire because they had to change a reservation or cancel, or just ended up with a few leftover. If there's a lot of time left on points they'll go for a high rate, if there's little, the price goes down as they're in a 'Use or Lose' state. The DLH & PPH are the only non-DVC resorts where one can use points for a last four months of UY reservation and don't pay a fee to convert. I own but didn't have enough points for this trip, found somebody who was just trying to use some few points they had leftover- just enough for 2 nights at DLH and gave them to me essentially for the price of having their maintenance fees covered. As a long range strategy it wouldn't work, but if your trip is close and you don't mind whether you can stay onsite either way, if you stay on DVC points there's also no parking/resort/taxes as those are covered in the MF's. So by the time the numbers worked out, for $100/night + parking + taxes my stay off site would have been about $125-$130/night, and I gave an owner $300 for 2 nights fees included, and we both walked away happy. Not a bad way to go but like I said, I couldn't stomach more than that for a short stay where we're planning to be park-intensive.
Owning DVC is also a cheap way to go, but only in the long-term and that requires lots of planning and in the short-term it is high cost. I've calculated that our weeklong stays in a at VGC run us about $1000/year and we get to invite friends to stay in a larger room with kitchen and washer/dryer for what were were paying for the same time at BWPPI previously. It just required a financial commitment upfront as well as time commitment each year to making plans at least 8-11 months in advance.
If you decide to rent points there's lots of info on the DVC forums here on the DIS including points charts, but the points charts for DLH and PPH you'd have to ask an owner I think.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Absolutely, 100% not defensive at all! I was agreeing that there are people in two camps - onsite fans and off-property fans - and that what one person/group needs to feel immersed may be different from what someone else may need or want. We don't all have the same needs or wants in a trip. Of course newbies should know both sides. That was never in question.

Great! I just misunderstood what I read then.

 

[packhike]

Total Immersion into the DL experience. It's 24/7 Disney. Something the family has done once and there is a difference to staying onsite compared with offsite....BUT the price difference is HUGE.........I have a family member that works for DL and we get 50% of DH rates in low season and a little % off in
high season. We stay on site in low season but off site in High Season just because the prices are ridiculous even with the discount we get..

 

[DebbieB]

When we stayed at the Grand Californian in January they were doing an experiment where half an hour before Disney's California Adventure opened, we could go to the private entrance and get fastpasses to World of Color. Does anybuddy know if they decided to do that all the time? Anyway, not having to go into the park to get a fastpass was really convenient.

I love relaxing in front of the huge fireplace (in the winter, obviously.) They often have a concert pianist playing Disney tunes on the grand piano in the lobby, and it's so peaceful.

DH and I both rent ECV's (electric scooters) so we stay onsite and ride the scooters through Downtown Disney to the main gate.

They were doing it last week when I stayed there. They did check room keys.

I loved my stays at GC and PP. I stayed at Homewood Suites a couple of times and having to take the shuttle was a pain. But I got free rooms through my Hilton Honors points. So it's a tradeoff you have to decide if it's worth it.

 

[BlueBayou]

We have stayed off site and GCH and DLH. We were not at all pleased with the DLH. It was not bad - but we did not feel it was worth the money (just over $200 plus resort fee). When we arrived - no one to help with the luggage. Checked us into a room that was going to be without hot water for the next 6 hours without telling us (after being on the train for 12 hours and stuck at union station for over an hour - we had to go without showers or move all the items we had just hauled ourselves to a room in a different tower). Found previous guest items on the balcony and under the bed.

Now if we could ever get a good rate on GCH we would jump at it again. That place is magical (small rooms though).

We have stayed at:
Candy Cain Inn
HOJO (twice)
Desert Inn and Suites (twice)
Camelot Inn (twice)
Best Western Inn and Suites
Tropicana

I would stay at any of those again - with the Tropicana and Best Western being my least favorite.

We do like to stay offsite at places that offer a free breakfast. It helps us get to the parks quicker.

Granted we live in a major city - but I am not at all put off by the people on Harbor. There are so many tourist walking all the time - I have felt safe walking back to motel rooms with one kid while my husband stays in the park with the other. It is very well lit and safe feeling. I always make sure I am near other obvious DL tourists. Normally I strike up conversations with families heading the same way we are. It is fine.

I also have kids that want to go into every store - so it is actually easier to get back to a room on Harbor than fighting the stores and vendors in downtown disney to get to the DLH.

I will also add that I am a huge stay onsite to maintain the magic person at WDW. I just feel it is a toss up at DL.

 

[BeccaG]

We have done both, but for us it is a pure joy, when we can swing for it financially, to stay onsite. To get from our room to the front gate seems so much faster walking from the onsite hotels, and the ones we have staid at off site have usually required a car and parking and tramming = way more time in transit. I realize the cost is a difference, but since I have had kids I am way pickier about the cleanliness of the rooms and I have not yet staid in an off site hotel where I have felt the cleanliness was up to par. Of course, you can find reviews of the DL hotels that say the same thing! So I really just think it is personal preference and budget!

 

[princessaw]

Let me start out by saying that I have never stayed on-site before. Now that has been said, we have had many, many wonderful trips to DLR while staying offsite. We have stayed at the CCI, Hilton and Embassy Suites (South). We enjoyed each and every one of our stays, with the Hilton being our favorite.

For our upcoming trip for thanksgiving, we have decided to stay onsite at the PPH. Since I haven't stayed onsite, I can't speak for the perks. But to me, it was worth trying just once, just to be able to compare it to our other trips. If we totally hate it, then great, we go back to the Hilton. But I think anything is worth trying, if it is just once, for the experience. I guess what I am trying to say is: If you haven't tried it, go for it! Just once, if you can justify the price. If you can't, then I say you stay with HOJO. You're at disney, of course you will have a good time no matter where you stay! Good luck!

 

[Dobie]

The Dobies like having Magic Morning every morning it is offered, and having our junk (ummm, priceless souveniers) sent to the hotel!