Difference in views at DL Hotel

[disgirl]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it is worth upgrading to a resort/pool view at the DL Hotel? Is it worth the extra money and or points for any DVC members who might be reading this. I would appreciate any input on this. I think I have decided we will stay at DL Hotel on our first family trip to CA this August, but am wondering about the view and if it really makes the experience nicer. Also, for those of you who haved stayed at DL Hotel, did you find the walk to the parks or Downtown Disney long? Thanks so much for all your help?

Patty

 

[daannzzz]

Personally I prefer not to have a view of the parkinglot on my vacation but whether it is worth it to you is something only you can decide. The standard view at the DL hotel will put you in the Bonita tower or the Marina tower. One side of each of these towers looks off over parkinglots to urban Anaheim though from the Marina tower you do have a view of Disneyland off to the far right. All three towers, Marina, Bonita and Sierra have views into the central courtyard which is large and includes restaurants, the Neverland Pool, the beach pool, walkways and from the Bonit tower the waterfall grotto. The Sierra tower has one side facing Downtown Disney, California Adventure and Disneyland which is the most expensive view. I prefer the Sierra tower as they have , in general, the largest rooms of the three towers and a better layout. I have booked a standard view and requested the Sierra tower and gotten it though my room was down by the roof of Hook's Point restaurant I could still see the neverland pool and the garden walkways and I had my large room. The walk to the parks front gates from the DL hotel would be 5-10 minutes depending on your location in the hotel and how much the sights of Downtown Disney distract you!

 

[disgirl]

Thanks daannzzz. I agree looking at a parking lot while on vacation is not the best thing. I just was not sure what the standard view would be. Have you stayed at the GC or PP also. If so did you find the 5-10 minute walk at the DLH a bit inconvenient? Don't get me wrong, luckily, we are all able bodied and have no problem with walking. I was just wondering if the other hotels are more special because they are closer to the "action". Thanks for your detailed response and any other comments are appreciated.

Patty

 

[Di$neyDad]

Unless your trip is at the end of August, you'll be in the peak season for DVC. So this will be 11 extra points per night for the weekend and 6 extra for weekdays (using the 2003 chart - it sounds like point costs have gone up for 2004). The 6 points/night doesn't sound too bad if you're only there for 2 or 3 nights. But if you're there for several nights or on the weekend, I doubt there's much extra to see that would make it worth the extra cost.

The only time I've stayed at the DL hotel was in the Marina Tower with the "view of Disneyland off to the far right" as the previous poster described it. I reserved and paid (cash, not points) for a standard room, but we had a great view of the DL fireworks, so I thought that maybe we had been upgraded. But from what the previous poster wrote, maybe it was considered a standard view. If that's the case, I would go for that, although I don't know if you can specifically request "Marina tower on the side with the DL view". Every night we'd walk back from the late DL parade and get to the room about 5 minutes before the fireworks started - it was great (especially for my 5-year-old, who loves to see fireworks but can't stand the loud noise).

The hotel is at one end of Downtown Disney, the parks are at the other end. So you'll be in Downtown Disney almost immediately after walking out of the hotel (well, ok, it might be 5 minutes if you're at the farthest point and have to wait for the elevator for a couple of minutes). At the hotel end of Downtown Disney, there's a monorail stop that takes you to Tomorrowland. So if you're going to Disneyland, you've got about a 6 minute walk tops. As the other poster said, it's about 10 minutes to walk to the main entrance of both parks, which are right across from each other.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks Di$neyDad. I enjoy reading different views. We will be going end of August so the ponts would be a little less , but you are right, if they go up more than 2 points a night, maybe a standard view is better for us. I think I will see what the point chart says for the DLH for end of August 2004 and then make our decision. I am also trying to plan it so we are not there for a weekend night to save points. Thanks again for your help.

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at both the PP hotel as well as the GC. The PP is nice, particularly if you get a really good price but is a bit bland and not as spectacular. The views from one side though are great as it overlooks DCA. The walk to the front gates is maybe a bit longer than at the Disneyland hotel. You can cross the street and cut through the GC. PP also has it's own entrance ( across the street) to DCA which would make it closer than the DLH.
The Grand Californian is the closest hotel to any of the US parks. It has it's own entrance to DCA and took us about a minute from our room into the park. We were close to the back elevator though. others might have a 2-3 minute walk. To get to Disneyland from the GC is about a 3-5 minute walk.