disney hotel or Park Vue

[gregpso]

We cannot make up our mind. Travelling from Aust and going to spend 3 nights at Disneyland in may 2013. Just do not know what to do ... stay at Park Vue right across from DL or stay at Paradise Pier on property. Big difference in price.. like $700 difference. (is it worth it ?) Reading reviews is just confusing as some folk love or hate both options.

 

[Czardas]

Hi, I love the location of this property and when you consider the time spent in the room, I can't justify the park hotels. Now I usually stay in 5 star accommodation around the world but find this hotel just right foe our 3 night stays. We book the king jacuzzi rooms, which are located in a quiet spot at the rear of the property. Will be staying here again next year.

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

Question: is your budget tight? If so, no question, go with Park Vue.

If it's not, spend the extra money for the atmosphere. Park Vue is closer. But it's not as lovely of a Disney experience. I stayed off first time and on property the second. Staying off this trip for budget purposes, but would prefer onsite, especially with early entry for Carsland.

 

[d1gitman]

when going to WDW we are 100% about staying onsite. for DLCA, not necessarily. Park Vue is as close as you can get. Grand Californian is as close. Paradise Pier and DL Hotel are both a bit more of a walk than Park Vue. Personally i would save the money and stay at Park Vue unless you absolutely have to be immersed in the magic, which i completely understand

 

[aymekae]

We've stayed in the king jacuzzi room twice now and loved every bit of it. I don't think you can go wrong with Park Vue. I guess it depends on how important your room is. We loved the jacuzzi and used it every day, but otherwise weren't in our room more than to sleep at night and for a short nap in the afternoon. But the bed was super comfortable, and that's all that's required as far as I'm concerned!

However, I also have not yet stayed "on site" at Disneyland (hoping to rectify that next January!) so take that FWIW. My theory is that if I'm more frugal on our "local" vacations, DH won't mind so much that I keep planning cruises!

 

[DisneytheKid]

Personally, unless price truly isn't an issue, I would stay at Park Vue. There is another thread currently up in this forum for the changes made to their ammenities, but even with that, unless you are planning on spending a lot of time in the hotel room, Park Vue is the better choice IMHO.

Good luck

 

[MommyLove]

If I'm going to make a jump in price, I'm going to opt for the Disneyland Hotel over PP. But if you're on a budget, Park Vue is a great choice. And there's so much you can do with the money you save... nicer meals, souvenirs, etc.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We cannot make up our mind. Travelling from Aust and going to spend 3 nights at Disneyland in may 2013. Just do not know what to do ... stay at Park Vue right across from DL or stay at Paradise Pier on property. Big difference in price.. like $700 difference. (is it worth it ?) Reading reviews is just confusing as some folk love or hate both options.

What you really should be asking is what kind of hotel do you like? Park Vue is bare bones. Disney Hotels are higher level hotels. They also have higher prices. If you're fine with low price hotels on the road, Park Vue will do nicely. If you're not fine with those, then you'll need to look elsewhere.
We do the hotels across the street. We're in the rooms pretty much just to crash for the night.

 

[viaggiamo]

We are an Aussie family who has been struggling with this Q as well. We have booked Park Vue as I just cannot justify triple the price for the GC in Disney...which is the same distance as Park Vue.
We have two small children and distance matters to us.
We will only be in the hotel for a sleep at night as we plan on huge days at Disney and eating simply and closely to the hotel.
I am still debating in my mind though! We like luxury hotels, but this time over $3000 difference over 7 nights for a place we wont be enjoying seems crazy.
We will spend it on the rest of our holiday instead. (4 weeks in USA).

C

 

[darph nader]

Hey,,,it's $700. More $ for you folks.

 

[gregpso]

We are an Aussie family who has been struggling with this Q as well. We have booked Park Vue as I just cannot justify triple the price for the GC in Disney...which is the same distance as Park Vue.
We have two small children and distance matters to us.
We will only be in the hotel for a sleep at night as we plan on huge days at Disney and eating simply and closely to the hotel.
I am still debating in my mind though! We like luxury hotels, but this time over $3000 difference over 7 nights for a place we wont be enjoying seems crazy.
We will spend it on the rest of our holiday instead. (4 weeks in USA).

C

All valid points. We can stretch our budget
to stay for 3 nights at the GC it will cost $2000 park Vue with a 2 day hopper is around $900. of course staying at GC we will get a 4 day hopper so can check in room at 3 pm go straight to park. Decided to pay the extra $1100 to do GC. now if they would only release the 2013 dates to book. (If I lived in the USA and went often the Park Vue would be it but how many times to us Aussies get there?)

I have been to WDW 2 years ago. My advice for Aussies is that while Disney is a wonderful experience the food is not (small portion and expensive) We will leave the park (at Disneyland) and eat over the road at Dennys

PS to other aussies Walt Disney world is the place to go if you can ... Disneyland fits into the car park of the world. That said Disneyland is still a great place too. !! re expensive hotels New York.. is pretty dear too. ($283 per night for a Holiday INN) yet Las vegas Flamigo Hilton is only $55 per night.. we are staying a week there

Enjoy yor holiday

WDW pops resort 8 nights 2010 (Sept)
Disneyland 1984 !!!

 

[Czardas]

Can I just add that both times I have stayed at Park Vue inn, we have been able to check in early after our 14 hour flight. So arriving early in the morning and knowing that our room is available if required is a major plus for us. This is something they say they can't guarantee but it hasnt been a problem both times we've stayed there.

 

[gregpso]

Can I just add that both times I have stayed at Park Vue inn, we have been able to check in early after our 14 hour flight. So arriving early in the morning and knowing that our room is available if required is a major plus for us. This is something they say they can't guarantee but it hasnt been a problem both times we've stayed there.

Sounding better all the time. Nothing booked yet. Maybe we should just buy a park hopper for 3 days (would not get to park until 4 pm first day) and stay 3 nights at park Vue. Would save a bit.. Thanks for the help.

 

[gregpso]

Can I just add that both times I have stayed at Park Vue inn, we have been able to check in early after our 14 hour flight. So arriving early in the morning and knowing that our room is available if required is a major plus for us. This is something they say they can't guarantee but it hasnt been a problem both times we've stayed there.

SOLD just talked it over with the mrs gregpso Park Vue it is why spend the extra when park Vue is really close. (and meals are better outside the park)

Cheers and thanks

Greg

 

[Blue32]

I have been to WDW 2 years ago. My advice for Aussies is that while Disney is a wonderful experience the food is not (small portion and expensive) We will leave the park (at Disneyland) and eat over the road at Dennys

While I have not eaten at this particular Denny's, I have eaten at a few and I can't imagine anything there tasting better than food that is in the park. Plus it will take you time to walk over there, order and get your food.

 

[thelionqueen]

If you can stretch your budget I would highly suggest GCA. Yes the distance of the hotels is comparable but the experience not even close. I am a very frugal minded person in every aspect, but honestly the price difference is absolutely worth it!

Keep in mind that when staying onsite you get early entry into the parks. A special entrance to DCA that is INCREDIBLY convenient, especially with small kids. The amibience and customer service is 2nd to none. Walking through the gorgeous lobby hearing (and requesting) Disney music by a professional pianist and the AMAZING pool is truly worth every penny.

Especially since you're coming from another country and you may not make it back for a very long time, I would highly suggest staying @ GCA. It is absolutely worth every penny and the experience of the 2 hotels is literally night and day.

Our last trip I debated the price difference over and over and over and struggled with paying 3X the price. I am a single mother of 2 boys and that is a LOT of $ in my budget. I decided that really staying onsite @ DL is a must for us, regardles of the price and we've gone dozens (me hundreds) of times. Just my .02. Enjoy the most magical place on earth whatever you decide!

 

[gregpso]

I have been to WDW 2 years ago. My advice for Aussies is that while Disney is a wonderful experience the food is not (small portion and expensive) We will leave the park (at Disneyland) and eat over the road at Dennys

While I have not eaten at this particular Denny's, I have eaten at a few and I can't imagine anything there tasting better than food that is in the park. Plus it will take you time to walk over there, order and get your food.

Well at WDW I had the quick service dining plan and I am not a fussy eater but the food was extremely average. (I mean try the chinese food at WDW your kidding !!) I have heard since the dining plan started at WDW the portions got smaller. NO one really goes to Disney for the food so its not that important but once we left WDW I notice a big difference in quality of food in the USA. No big deal as I said DISNEY is a wonderful place.

 

[hootey]

I would recommend the Disney Hotel or the Grand. We have stayed on property many, many times and do recommend it. Contact the hotels or Disney Travel yourself and find out "everything" that is included in the price of the rooms. We usually go for 7 to 10 days and make use of everything available at the DLR. In April the wife booked a bare-bones-basic trip to DL herself in an attempt to save some money. This meant no character breakfasts, no character dinners, no Blue Bayue dinners, no TTMM, no disney hotels, etc. We stayed at a good neighbor motel across the street. I told her to keep all reciepts to see how much she saved. We saved less than $200 in seven days. Coming home, our sons and I voted that if we could not stay on property and enjoy ALL of the DLR, we would not go back. It made that big of a diffrence......my two cents worth.....for what it's worth....

 

[rramstad]

I would recommend the Disney Hotel or the Grand. We have stayed on property many, many times and do recommend it. Contact the hotels or Disney Travel yourself and find out "everything" that is included in the price of the rooms. We usually go for 7 to 10 days and make use of everything available at the DLR. In April the wife booked a bare-bones-basic trip to DL herself in an attempt to save some money. This meant no character breakfasts, no character dinners, no Blue Bayue dinners, no TTMM, no disney hotels, etc. We stayed at a good neighbor motel across the street. I told her to keep all reciepts to see how much she saved. We saved less than $200 in seven days. Coming home, our sons and I voted that if we could not stay on property and enjoy ALL of the DLR, we would not go back. It made that big of a diffrence......my two cents worth.....for what it's worth....

I'm kind of shocked at the number -- not that I doubt that what you are telling me is true -- but for an upcoming trip (starting Sunday, actually) we priced out two view rooms at PPH with senior discount VS two decent rooms at Ramada Maingate and we will save $1700 over five nights, and that's just on the hotel.

I'd think that with all the other things removed from the trip, the savings would be even more considerable.

 

[thelionqueen]

I would recommend the Disney Hotel or the Grand. We have stayed on property many, many times and do recommend it. Contact the hotels or Disney Travel yourself and find out "everything" that is included in the price of the rooms. We usually go for 7 to 10 days and make use of everything available at the DLR. In April the wife booked a bare-bones-basic trip to DL herself in an attempt to save some money. This meant no character breakfasts, no character dinners, no Blue Bayue dinners, no TTMM, no disney hotels, etc. We stayed at a good neighbor motel across the street. I told her to keep all reciepts to see how much she saved. We saved less than $200 in seven days. Coming home, our sons and I voted that if we could not stay on property and enjoy ALL of the DLR, we would not go back. It made that big of a diffrence......my two cents worth.....for what it's worth....

I find this a bit hard to believe..maybe you forgot a 0? The hotel itself is easily $200-300 more per night than a good neighbor hotel, and that is just accommodations. I would say a good "guesstimate" of the price difference of the hotel only is approx 3X the cost of a good neighbor. PP is the "value" of DLR, DL is the "mod" and GC is the "deluxe" if you're comparing to say like WDW. A very basic example would be...PP for $200, DLH $300, GC $400 per night. An inexpensive Good neighbor hotel could be as little as $85 up to $200. Again, these are very basic examples but they are a good "ball park" figure I think.

Again, regardless of the price, if you can manage to take a leap of faith and the extra $...staying onsite is absolutely worth every penny! It is a completely different vacation vs staying off site!