Best Off-site Hotel and why??

[aliscrapper]

DH and I want to stay off-site for the first time next year and wondered which of the off-site hotels would people recommend and why?? We are travelling by Eurostar so won't be driving so are looking at one of the hotels with either shuttle to the parks or close to Val D'Europe so we can catch the RER.

Also which is the best place to book on-line??? Any advice/guidance greatly appreciated.Thanks

 

[ChristinaDK]

We like adagio.

 

[DLPdaft]

It really depends what your criteria for "best" is.
If you want self-catering facilities, that rules out a lot of convenient good hotels.

I don't do self catering at DLP, but I also don't necessarily have to stay onsite to get my slice of Disney magic.

My first choices offsite would be any of the associated hotels because you could walk to them from the parks if you've a mind to, and if there are only 2 of you, no buggies etc, the free shuttles are perfectly manageable (even with luggage, done it many times now ). It really is very like being in an onsite hotel.

Next would be the hotels closest to val d'europe train station, and especially the L'elysee.

I book through whoever has the best deal for the dates I'm interested in, so I check each hotel's own website, then trivago, travelrepublic, alpharooms, expedia, hotels.com etc etc.

 

[aliscrapper]

It really depends what your criteria for "best" is.
If you want self-catering facilities, that rules out a lot of convenient good hotels.

I don't do self catering at DLP, but I also don't necessarily have to stay onsite to get my slice of Disney magic.

My first choices offsite would be any of the associated hotels because you could walk to them from the parks if you've a mind to, and if there are only 2 of you, no buggies etc, the free shuttles are perfectly manageable (even with luggage, done it many times now ). It really is very like being in an onsite hotel.

Next would be the hotels closest to val d'europe train station, and especially the L'elysee.

I book through whoever has the best deal for the dates I'm interested in, so I check each hotel's own website, then trivago, travelrepublic, alpharooms, expedia, hotels.com etc etc.

Thanks Elaine. We stayed at the Santa Fe this year and weren't impressed; so thought staying off-site would be a better and perhaps cheaper option as we would buy Annual Passes with the shareholders' discount; so might manage two trips next year; hopefully one for the Christmas season!

Yes only 2 big kids!! So shuttle would be great as I'm restricted to the distance I can walk due to dodgy ankle. Can you get the Disney Express service with the associated hotels on your last day?? thanks

 

[DLPdaft]

Thanks Elaine. We stayed at the Santa Fe this year and weren't impressed; so thought staying off-site would be a better and perhaps cheaper option as we would buy Annual Passes with the shareholders' discount; so might manage two trips next year; hopefully one for the Christmas season!

Yes only 2 big kids!! So shuttle would be great as I'm restricted to the distance I can walk due to dodgy ankle.
Can you get the Disney Express service with the associated hotels on your last day?? thanks

yes, you can .

 

[lyc]

hi have stayed in explorus dream castle and raddisson .We like the raddisson think the rooms are really nice very spacious staff very helpful and the breakfasts are a little less hectic than some of the other hotels.Def think this hotel suitable for adults although our daughter(8) loves the explorus pool the raddisson is a bit quiter and the shuttle bus is fine.We use travel republic and do our transfers with rs transport find them very reliable.

 

[aliscrapper]

yes, you can .

Thanks Elaine!

 

[aliscrapper]

hi have stayed in explorus dream castle and raddisson .We like the raddisson think the rooms are really nice very spacious staff very helpful and the breakfasts are a little less hectic than some of the other hotels.Def think this hotel suitable for adults although our daughter(8) loves the explorus pool the raddisson is a bit quiter and the shuttle bus is fine.We use travel republic and do our transfers with rs transport find them very reliable.

We had not even thought of the Raddison; as I'd not heard a review one way or another but sounds ideal for 2 big kids - thank you so much for posting!

 

[jillrobinson]

I really liked the Kyriad, we only did 1 night there, before moving on to the Cheyenne, but I did feel like I'd downgraded when we arrived in our Cheyenne room.
I really like the look of the Dream Castle and it gets good reviews even on Trip Adviser

 

[aliscrapper]

I really liked the Kyriad, we only did 1 night there, before moving on to the Cheyenne, but I did feel like I'd downgraded when we arrived in our Cheyenne room.

Thanks - this is one of the reasons we are going to stay off-site for the first time next year as we stayed at the Cheyenne last year and the Santa Fe this year and judging by the photo's and peoples' trip reports it does look like off-site may be the better option than the lower grade of Disney on-site hotel. DH always likes the look of the Kyriad so it is good to hear first-hand what it is like - thanks for posting!

I really like the look of the Dream Castle and it gets good reviews even on Trip Adviser

Yes we've heard nothing but good reviews of the Dream Castle too!

 

[jillrobinson]

It was the little things that elevated the Kyriad for me, things we assume will be in a hotel room, like a kettle, complimentary tea, coffee & biscuits and a bigger selection of TV channels. I wouldn't hestitate to stay there again, have to say the shuttle bus was extremely busy in the morning and we had to wait for another but there were 4 of us and all our luggage, in the evening though, it was fine no problems getting to or from the park

 

[aliscrapper]

It was the little things that elevated the Kyriad for me, things we assume will be in a hotel room, like a kettle, complimentary tea, coffee & biscuits and a bigger selection of TV channels. I wouldn't hestitate to stay there again, have to say the shuttle bus was extremely busy in the morning and we had to wait for another but there were 4 of us and all our luggage, in the evening though, it was fine no problems getting to or from the park

Couldn't agree with you more. When we stayed at the Santa Fe there were no Mickey soaps and our safe wasn't working and the staff just said that the person who could re-set it "wasn't around"; and our plug in our sink kept locking so you couldn't let the water out and altho they fixed it; that same evening it was stuck again. This in what was meant to be a refurbished room. The little extras do make such a difference!

I've got to ask - how do you get the shareholders logo in your signature?? thanks

 

[lyc]

We had not even thought of the Raddison; as I'd not heard a review one way or another but sounds ideal for 2 big kids - thank you so much for posting!

The Raddison is just beside The Dream Castle, Explorus etc and the shuttle bus is not usually as busy as the others and goes directly to and from the park without having to stop at the other hotels.

The rooms are much bigger than the Disney hotels and very tastefully decorated. As well as the large TV, there was also a second with a playstation. The room had a fridge too. Certainly not as much for children to do as there was in the Explorus but still very family friendly.

The pool and sauna were not nearly as hectic as the Disney hotels but you don't have a shop for milk and the like although we usually picked up essentials at the shop beside the bus/train station.

One of our party was celebrating a big birthday during our trip so we enquired about a free upgrade which the Raddison often do. They told us that this was no problem as long as you had booked directly with them and obviously subject to availability. They also left a large plate of chocolates and cakes in our room on arrival.

As I mentioned, the breakfast is completely unlike the maelstrom that happens in all the Disney hotels and the selection is much larger and varied.

The gardens are lovely there with nice walks and outdoor activities such as table-tennis.

 

[aliscrapper]

The Raddison is just beside The Dream Castle, Explorus etc and the shuttle bus is not usually as busy as the others and goes directly to and from the park without having to stop at the other hotels.

The rooms are much bigger than the Disney hotels and very tastefully decorated. As well as the large TV, there was also a second with a playstation. The room had a fridge too. Certainly not as much for children to do as there was in the Explorus but still very family friendly.

The pool and sauna were not nearly as hectic as the Disney hotels but you don't have a shop for milk and the like although we usually picked up essentials at the shop beside the bus/train station.

One of our party was celebrating a big birthday during our trip so we enquired about a free upgrade which the Raddison often do. They told us that this was no problem as long as you had booked directly with them and obviously subject to availability. They also left a large plate of chocolates and cakes in our room on arrival.

As I mentioned, the breakfast is completely unlike the maelstrom that happens in all the Disney hotels and the selection is much larger and varied.

The gardens are lovely there with nice walks and outdoor activities such as table-tennis.

Wow! Sounds like an amazing hotel and so good to hear of a hotel that really go the extra mile for their customers! Thanks so much for posting!

 

[Isila]

I book through whoever has the best deal for the dates I'm interested in, so I check each hotel's own website, then trivago, travelrepublic, alpharooms, expedia, hotels.com etc etc.

thanks for the list so much. I checked and found out that alpharooms prices are 10eur less. So, it's another 10eur saved for disney.

Can anyone book using alpharooms? And are those prices regular or just like an offer?

 

[DLPdaft]

yes i've used alpharooms, no problems. I usually book with whichever agent has the best prices, so once I find a price in my budget, I book it as soon as possible (they can and do change on a daily basis).

 

[Isila]

bah, it's all like - book now... have to make a booking in couple of days. Well, at least DLP offer is up to 15th of October.

alpharooms give Explorers for 71Eur. A very good price.

 

[DLPdaft]

well you never know, the price might still be the same in a couple of days - fingers crossed for you .

 

[loladelorean]

Hi OP - I've only ever stayed onsite so far but am staying at explorers in 10 days time so can update on that when I return.
I've booked the radisson for our November trip - got a fantastic price in Expedia and also free vouchers for the restaurant and beauty salon which is a nice extra Expedia do. Really looking forward to staying there.

 

[aliscrapper]

thanks for the list so much. I checked and found out that alpharooms prices are 10eur less. So, it's another 10eur saved for disney.

Can anyone book using alpharooms? And are those prices regular or just like an offer?

Thanks for posting! 10 Euros less is definitely a great thing as it equals more DLP spends!!!