Considering a Hotel Change...opinions?

[MattsPrincess]

Right now we have our November stay booked at the Carousel Inn on Harbor. We're staying 4 nights, for a total of $570.

On a whim, I decided to give one last look to the onsite hotels, even though I already had ruled them out. So, I plugged in our dates, and to my shock the rates were a lot lower than the last time I looked. Part of the booking early fall deal or something like that? PPH for $901. The last time I checked, it was $1200.

Would it be worth the switch? We'd get an MM, which we wouldn't get even though we are getting multi-day tickets because the military ticket vouchers don't include one. So that would be a nice plus. Do the onsite hotels charge for parking? Internet? Is breakfast included?

We don't have the tightest bugdet, but it isn't huge either and we have another trip we have to pay for a month after Disney. I'm just trying to talk myself out of spending all that extra money on JUST a ROOM...but then i think of what a great deal it seems to be, and how if we go back again the odds of catching such a low price again seems slim. Plus the MM. I dunno...what would you do? Sorry for rambling, and thanks for any/all advice. Gonna go pour through all the hotel threads now.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always go for what we can afford at the highest level. We enjoy where we stay, it is not just a hotel or a bed like many. The park is much different during MM but we always go during August which has been very busy. We both work very hard to do what we want to do.

Jack

 

[sonnyjane]

Are you using a military discount for your off-site hotel? The on-site hotels offer a military discount, but it is off of the regular rate, so the specials are usually much, much cheaper. Your local military base, however, should offer discounts on local off-site hotels, so if you're not using those already, you can usually get rooms starting at $80 a night.

For a four-night visit, a difference of more than $300 (before you parking/resort fees) is substantial. I'd use that extra money to have a magical experience in the park, such as a dinner at a place like Blue Bayou, some extra souvenirs and treats, etc. Don't get me wrong, staying on-site would be nice, and if you were only going to be there for two days or something, when the extra luxury of a Magic Morning would make-or-break your trip, I'd have a different opinion. Staying four nights, you should have plenty of time to see everything you like at the parks, so I don't think it's worth the extra $300 to have the MM's.

 

[disney4metoo]

We always go for what we can afford at the highest level. We enjoy where we stay, it is not just a hotel or a bed like many. The park is much different during MM but we always go during August which has been very busy. We both work very hard to do what we want to do.

Jack

I agree with Jack.

 

[bumbershoot]

Depending on what days you're going, you might get more than just one MM. You get access to MM on the MM days during your stay, including day of checkin if you're there early enough, and day of checkout, if applicable.

The resort fee is $12 plus 15$ tax (13.80) per night, and for now it covers parking and various other aspects of staying at the resort.


But that's a hefty difference, especially once you include the resort fee times 4. I personally wouldn't stay at the Carousel (had a bad, solo, one-night experience that was pretty unusual, but it soured me personally) but if I had that cost for, say, Hojo or Anabella (sister hotel to Carousel, further away, but I liked it), compared to 901 plus 13.80 times 4 for PPH...I'd have to really really think about it. $200 difference I'd likely switch, but for nearly $400 it's different for me.

 

[MaiynaMouse]

I'd make the change. It's so worth it in so many ways. I know many don't think it is but really, we'll never stay off site again. It's such a personal decision. You have to figure out what works best for your situation. It might be onsight, it might be off! Make it work for YOU.....not anyone else!!!!!!!

 

[Eeee-va]

With the resort fee added in, it looks like your price difference is more like $380+, if that affects your decision.

Myself, I've never been at the Carousel Inn, but I almost certainly wouldn't pay almost $100/night more to stay on-site versus at Hojo. I don't know what your priorities and possibilities are, though. If I could definitely only take one vacation a year and the cost wasn't such an object, I might stay on-site. But for me, $380 is fairly significant (it would put me on the way to going a second time later! ) and I don't spend that much time in the room anyway.

So ultimately you have to extrapolate and decide what's best for you and your party.

Have a great trip!

 

[nunzia]

Have you checked hotels.com? I'm becomming a broken record on this. They often beat even AP prices. I got a DLH room next week (whee!!) for $179.00 a night.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I spend a lot of time in the Anaheim area. IMHO the Disney Hotel perks aren't worth it (and yes they charge for internet) It's so easy to walk to the park from where you are staying that there's no real benefit to the Disney hotel (And the one you are looking at is just not really that nice IMHO. If you were talking Grand California then maybe... )

 

[kyra's mommy]

I would put that money aside and save it for another trip. We buy DAP each year and then budget like crazy to visit as often as we can. We live in Arizona so it's easy to fly or drive to Anaheim. We will go to the park atleast 4times a year if not more. We were just there in March and July, we are going again in October, then December and probably January or February. We usually "name our own price" on Priceline or use Hotwire for our hotel. We never pay more then $65 a night for nice hotels, like the Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, etc. We bring a cooler with snacks, and go to the dollar store for glow sticks,and buy pins for trading on Ebay. If we are careful with our hotel/ food / souveneir costs then we can visit several times a year for the price most people pay on one trip alone! Plus, these hotels are not a major sacrifice, they are very nice and it's easy to get back and forth to the park on their transportation.

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

I was in a similar situation to you. We'd booked a mid-November stay at the Candy Cane Inn (which we love) and then the fall promos for the on-site hotels came out. After going to through the pros and cons for us (and really, the only con is the $$$ ), we decided to stay at the Grand Californian this time. We've never stayed on-site before and wanted to take advantage of the (relatively) low rates so at least we can say we did it once! It's worth it for us since I think we'll really enjoy the atmosphere of hotel and walking out the door into DTD or DCA. Since we are going over Veteran's Day and the first weekend of the Holiday season, the extra MMs are going to be great too. But as others have said, only you can decide if it's worth it for your family.

 

[ORDisneyfans]

Wireless internet was included in the resort fee at both DLH and PPH when we went in August. DLH was a really nice and fancy updated room (dreams tower, DTD view). Hubby liked it the best. The girls and I liked the PPH better for the view (DCA WOC 14th floor), super friendly staff and we stayed concierge! The rooms do need a facelift but we have stayed off site many times and loved being able to walk 'home' for a snack, break, change of shoes etc. We also used both pools and they were superior. DLH pool has a great theme, large area, small slide and lifeguards. PPH has a large though standard shape pool and a large water slide. The lifeguards were very attentive at both pools and I felt really comfortable with my youngest (7) there. $300-400 is a lot more money just for the hotel. It would depend on my budget if I would want to spend that. My DD 13 who is a shopper and great budgeter would forgo souvenirs and snacks to stay onsite again. Have a magical trip whatever you decide!
Sandee

 

[JoRo]

We used to stay at the Carousel Inn and the best western park place inn right next to it. Now we just invested in DVC so we get to stay somewhere fancy

One way I used to look at it as you have more $$ for trinkets and character buffets.

Also the walking distance might be shorter to the Carousel. The PP might have a shuttle but its at the far end past DL hotel.

You are also closer to Millies and Mimi's for breakfast and that could save you some $$ too. There is nothing close to PPH that I know of.

Ok just my two cents enjoy your trip.

 

[MaiynaMouse]

I'm one who totally thinks that staying on-site is worth it but honestly, it comes down to what you really want to spend your money on. If the cost isn't *that* big of a deal, I'd do it. We always stay at the Grand and can't imagine our Disney experience as anything else. However, if we had to stay off-site in order to go, we totally would. Our schedules are not conducive to going more than once a year. If they were, we might reconsider. I think what's most important is what works for you! We love going and love staying onsite. The benefits are great (even though many will counter that) and the proximity can't be beat.

You'll enjoy your trip no matter where you stay. Have fun!!!!!!