Convince me to splurge on DL Hotel

[KMH1]

Hi! We're headed to DL in May, and we're definitely staying on property.

We're on a budget though, because I quit my job last spring to stay at home with Alyssa.

PP is obviously the least expensive hotel, but we stayed there in 2001, and I really want to stay at the DL Hotel.

Is there anything you can tell me about the DL Hotel that will help me justify the extra expense?

Thanks,
Amy

 

[daannzzz]

If you liked the PP Hotel then you will probably love the DLH. Ask for a room in the Sierra Tower with two queen beds and a day bed and you will get a large room with a nice size bathroom. The decore in the room is really fun with Pixie dust border paper that glows for a while after you turn the lights out. There are references to Disneyland on the furniture and the beadspread. The sliding doors (there are two of them) only open agains a railing (not a blacony) but they open nice and wide and it is refreshing to have them open and sit and look out. If you can afford it it is really fun.

 

[karylrocks]

I have also stayed at the PP (when it was Disneyland Pacific) because it was quite a bit cheaper then DLH; it was during construction of DCA so they had some good deals. Did you spend any time at DLH? The pool is beautiful and they had a nice sandy area for kids to play, then of course there is the water show and Goofy's Kitchen. I would love to stay there this year but we have 4 adults and a teen, and DD insists that we put the snorers (that would be me and DH) in a seprate room so I am looking for a suite. Keep checking around for prices, you might find a good deal although May will be very busy.

 

[daannzzz]

Unfotunately the Fantasy Waters show has closed and is not going to reopen. It sounds like they are going to tear it out (along with the pretty waterfalls in front of the Bonita Tower) and put in a miniature golf course!!!

 

[Tink33]

I really want to stay at the DL Hotel.

Thanks,
Amy

You don't need convincing. Follow your heart.

 

[4eeyore]

Unfotunately the Fantasy Waters show has closed and is not going to reopen. It sounds like they are going to tear it out (along with the pretty waterfalls in front of the Bonita Tower) and put in a miniature golf course!!!

Ughh! I loved walking around the waterfalls. One of the best reasons to stay here is the fact that you never feel as if you are in the middle of Anaheim because the resort is so self-contained. We loved walking from the resort through Downtown Disney, to the park entrances without having to see "the outside world".

 

[Amy&Dan]

The Neverland Pool is wonderful. I think that PP guests can use the Neverland Pool but it is a long walk, especially in a wet bathing suit on a chilly evening! I have stayed at both, and really prefer the DLH. Can't put my finger on it exactly, it just feels a little more magical. I also love the way the windows open so your room gets some fresh air. Last but not least, the DLH is a bit closer walk to the parks. You will have a great time, I envy you, don't know when I'll get back there, we were supposed to go in October but our trip fell through!

 

[karylrocks]

We loved walking from the resort through Downtown Disney, to the park entrances without having to see "the outside world".

That alone sounds worth it. Reality is way overrated - why else do we escape to Neverland so often? That is what I love about on-site at WDW, and now that they have expanded the DL resort it sounds like you can get the same type of experience.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I say if you can afford it without stressing over spending the money - go for it! I would have LOVED to stay there. If you are on a budget, stay right across the street at the Best Western Park Place or the Carousel or something like that. I wish we had stayed at one of those rather than follow the $12 fullerton special! LOL!!

 

[MrShiny]

I've stayed at all 3 DL hotels and they are worth it for the service alone. However, weve often stayed at the motels on harbor too!

I'd suggest maybe trying for the Grand Californian. It is really wonderful. The DLH is nice, for sure (in fact we are staying there in July for the 50th), but the GC is really a step above.

 

[KMH1]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies.

I'm pretty sure we'll spend the extra money and do what we really want to do. We can cut corners in other ways.

Thanks again!

 

[LucyKate]

I'd stay off site at a cheaper hotel - we loved the Howard Johnson which was only 10 minutes walk from the front entrance and had a good pool and kids wet play area and good cheap Mimi's restaurant across the road.

We only used the place for sleeping as we were in the parks all day, so we didn't see the point in splurging on the hotel (but it was still very clean and very nice).

Don't cut corners elsewhere - get a cheaper hotel and instead use the money for character breakfasts, ride photos, souvenirs, dinner at Blue Bayou etc - the full Disney experience. It would be a shame to go there then not have the money to do everything you want because you spent so much on the hotel.

 

[KMH1]

LucyKate,

I appreciate your input. I think that will be our strategy for future trips, but Alyssa will only be 13 months old in May. Due to her young age, I think we will be spending more time in the hotel, and we want to make sure it's still the Disney experience.

We spent many of our WDW trips "commando style" before Alyssa was born, so we stayed at the All Stars a few times, because we only used the resort for sleeping. However when we took Alyssa in October (she was 6 months) we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, because we knew our pace would be different.

Like the commercial says, "A baby changes everything."

Thanks again!
Amy

 

[Amy&Dan]

I agree about the walk through DTD being a break from reality. Even though it is a furthur walk than some of the motels on Harbor there is just something to be said about not leaving the magic behind even for a short walk up Harbor! One of the reasons I hate staying offsite is a little silly but it didn't feel that way when it happened. Was crossing the street to get into the HOJO parking lot and somebody in a car almost hit my son and husband. Guess he didn't know that the pedestrian has the right of way. It literally scared me half to death, it was that close. DH yanked our son back and said he could feel the air currents of that car turning on two wheels. Guy was on the phone and seriously don't think he ever even noticed what had happened. On DTD, we let our 8 and 10 year olds walk a bit in front of us, we can see them the whole time and they feel grown up while they window shop and sneak looks to see if we are still behind them! You will love staying onsite, have a great time! The PP and DLH are very, very quiet during the day by the way, perfect for nap times!

 

[LucyKate]

Good point KMH1 - our kids were 6 and 9 and able to cope with a whole day at the park.

But we saw many families with little ones leaving about lunch time, and returning late afternoon who were obviously taking a break from the park.

 

[karylrocks]

Yes - with your baby it will be very convenient to stay at DLH. We have stayed off-site a few times and usually would drive or take a shuttle. The one time we did stay close enough to walk (and that was no short trip across the parking lot) we were approached by someone making up some story, trying to get us to give him money. We had 2 young kids with us and it was rather unnerving. I will never walk there again.

 

[swimrsal]

Amy -
I saw this on ebay and thought it might be cute on your dd. DS has the same mickey aloha outfit only for a boy. It might be too small for your trip though - it's 6-12 months. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=57834&item=8162707166&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

-Sally

 

[KMH1]

Sally,
Thanks for the link...what a cute outfit! 6-12 months will probably be too small for Alyssa (she's fitting in that range just perfectly right now), but I'm going to keep my eye out on Ebay for a 12-18 month.

I bet your DS looks adorable in the boy's version!

Thanks again!
Amy