Disneyland Hotel worth it?

[Goseethemouse]

Still can't make up my mind about the hotel...

So I am wondering whether the Disneyland Hotel is worth the high price. We could possibly split our 4 night stay and stay 2 nights there. I think the kids would like the headboards and the pool a lot but the reviews on TripAdvisor are rather mixed.

What do you all think? Would it be worth it for two nights or should I just stay with a less expensive place (Hojo or Park Vue probably)?

 

[skiingfast]

the reviews on TripAdvisor are rather mixed.

This has to do with the price. I think to many people expect they are walking into a super delux hotel where the rooms are all suites.


I think the pool would be much better than Hojo for your kids. It is something to consider much more than the Hojo is for its pool. You may want to stay at the DLH for your swimming days, somewhere cheaper for the park specific days.

 

[Lissame]

It has never been worth it for our family. Some day maybe, but you have to decide what your personal priorities are.

We'd rather stay more days, or buy more things/treats than stay in an expensive hotel. But other people relish that experience.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Thanks - I was kind of thinking of staying two days at each. I think the boys would probably enjoy the Hojo pool for at least one afternoon (my little one for sure).

The Monorail Pool does look great and to be honest I have had a soft spot for the Disneyland Hotel ever since my very first Disney park experience (one day at Disneyland in 1985). We didn't stay there but did look at it and I remember being very impressed by it.

However, it is rather expensive and I am not sure whether it is truly worth it.

 

[awdsmama]

I personally cannot justify the price. But that's me and my single-parent budget

for the price of 1 night at DLH, my son and I can stay 2 at Hojo. And yeah the water area isn't as fancy (splash park compared to theme POOL) he will still be excited...it's a hotel and pool across from Disneyland!

 

[nicolispicoli]

For us, the biggest perk is MM, since we're AP holders and don't get that perk through tickets anymore. We also like the earlier access using the monorail into Tomorrowland and the DCA entrance at GCH. The rooms are awesome, as is the entire hotel, but like others have said, it depends on what your budget is. We recently bought AP's and did a 5 day trip in November staying at the DLH for about $200 a night after taxes. Now that we have the luxury to return as often as we'd like, we're switching at the Hojo's for other our two trips this year. If we continue to keep our AP's and go 2-3 times a year, we might stay on site once a year, if that. We are paying $59 a night for a Hojo's room, that $150 saved each night goes a LONGGGG way in the parks!!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I think a split stay is great, we've only done split stays *usually time it so we got a MM when we visited with APs. The most we've spent is 2 nights *DD's B-day trip 7/09 ~ just the 2 of us.

We've spent 1 night at the Grand.
1 night at PP.
4 nights ~ 2, 1, 1 at the DLH ~ it's my favorite of the 3.

 

[Hollywog]

We stayed at the DH once when I was a kid- we used to do Disney at least once a year and always stayed in different places. Honestly, I couldn't say it was any better than some of the other places that we have stayed. I don't remember the room being that spectacular. The pool area was pretty cool, but lots of hotels have great pools.

As a parent, I don't think it's worth the extra money, there are plenty of really nice off-site places for a third of the money.

 

[jenn52]

I think if you can afford it, you should do it. It's lovely. I took my niece & nephew last summer (we've been to DLand many times, they just hadn't stayed at the hotel) and they just loved it. They were so excited. My 11 year nephew even said it was the coolest hotel he had ever stayed at. My 7 year old niece is still going on about it. We all loved the headboards, who wouldn't love a headboard that lights up & plays music? LOL! Maybe a headboard isn't a reason to stay at the hotel, but it's such a fun little touch! They had soooo much fun at the pool. I allowed an afternoon/evening the day we checked in just for time at the pool/hotel. Even my DH had a great time on the waterslides. Also, when you check in, ask for cookies & milk to be delivered to your room. The kids thought that was the best thing ever. So to me, it's worth the money - at least once!

 

[runr]

We stay on site (Grand Californian for the last 2 trips, DLH next trip). I don't go expecting to be pampered or expecting it to be amazing but I love the convenience of being so close, the MM aspect, and the "magic" of the detail that goes into their resorts.

I never stayed onsite as a child, it just wasn't financially a possibility for my parents. My DH never stayed off site (at WDW since he's from the e.coast). When we first started traveling together I thought it was a crazy luxury because I have always tried to get "the best deal ever" when traveling. He is all about convenience and amenities and talked me into it and I'm so glad. I would totally recommend it, but only if you can afford it of course. I think a change of scenery would be fun for the kids if you do the split and the remodeled hotel pool area looks really neat.

 

[redheadtove]

Having been to DLR twice now, once we stayed off resort and other time staying at DLH. I highly recommend staying at DLH. I like to convenience of being so close to everything. Everything is either a monorail ride or a quick walk away. My daughters and I are going again in October with my mother this time and once again we will be staying at DLH. I say if you can do it, then do it!!!!

 

[awdsmama]

It's funny that people always mention "being closer" or "being so close" as a reason to stay at a DL property hotel.

Check this article out and you may be surprised to find there are 3 or 4 hotels across the street that are actually CLOSER distance wise!


http://www.mouseplanet.com/7280/How_Far_Is_It

 

[nicolispicoli]

That's funny you say that, i was thinking the same thing to myself earlier. For some reason though, I have noticed that despite the long walk from DLH, it still feels closer. I think the reason is you don't enter the "real world" like you do at a good neighbor hotel. I mean, you can see it, lol, but you don't cross a parking lot or have cars pass, etc.

More often than not, I take advantage of the monorail being right there, so it seems super close, but when walking the entire thing, it's pretty long, especially when its crowded and you have a stroller!

 

[dhorner233]

Thanks for that link! I'm not into swimming pools. THE most important factor for me is DISTANCE. I don't want to walk a step more than necessary after leaving the parks.

I've stayed in PP and it was quite a walk, through Downtown Disney. We eventually figured out how to go through the Grand Calif. and it was shorter that way, especially to Calif Adventure.

But, it was extra nice to be in a Disney hotel and to never have to set foot in the "real world" for the length of your stay. I think it's much more important to me to be on property in Disney World but, I think next time I go to Disneyland, I'm staying at the Best Western!

 

[drag n' fly]

I think it really depends on how often you go to Disneyland. We try to go every one to two years. Its a 3 hour flight so we like to stay onsite as a treat. If it is within your budget it is lovely. I have had many offsite wonderful experiences also(we are staying at the Sheraton Park in August) but we love the amenities and Disney feel when staying onsite.

 

[Midnightred]

If you split the nights, won't it be a pain to re-pack all of your things, and to have to take the time to pack again and move? I would rather choose one or the other.

Midnightred

 

[LisainCalifornia]

For us, it is always worth it--but we can't always afford it. Staying at Hojos this trip (tomorrow morning!) , but hoping to stay at DLH over the summer.

For us it has NOTHING to do with being close (there are closer motels across the street--some of them I have stayed in and regretted big time!)--but more to do with the fact that this is my vacation too! For me, a hotel is more than just a room we sleep in, it is all part of the vacation experience. We love a good hotel, especially a DLR hotel. There really is nothing like it!

 

[DizMe]

This question gets asked a lot and it's impossible to answer for someone else.

For me, absolutely, no question about it, it's totally worth it.

BUT...when you say high cost, how high are you talking about? I know how to plan a trip for good rates plus I have an AP which sometimes offers even better deals (not so much lately, though). I rarely pay much more than I would pay on Harbor, and I *personally* hate staying on Harbor. Many others love it, but not me. Hate the restaurants, noise, traffic, peddlars and begging. I do occasionally stay offsite when I go multiple times/year, but if it's my one family vacation, I always choose DLH or GCH.

Is a hotel just a place to sleep for you? (stay offsite) Do you care about grounds, amenities, room service, shops and restaurants? (stay onsite) Do you mind being on the busy boulevard in The Real World (offsite) or do you prefer to be on resort property the whole trip (onsite)? Do you need a suite, mw, continental breakfast (stay offsite for those unless you can swing concierge). Do you plan to stay for more than 5 nights? The extra cost of staying onsite can add up over a lengthy stay.

Those are some of the considerations I can think of for making a choice that works best for you. If it were me, I'd not split the stay--I'd go for DLH for the whole time. Good luck!

 

[Goseethemouse]

Thanks so much everyone for the input.

For me, distance is a minor consideration (somewhat important but it seems that DLH and various offsite places are a similar distance). I love nicer hotels (unfortunately) and the pool area is pretty important. This stay will be at the end of an extended (5 weeks) trip to California. I want the trip to end on a high note and I think at that point the kids might also enjoy spending time at the pool.

Because this is only a small part of the entire trip (not sure why I am agonizing so much about it) and due to vacation schedules we will stay at DLR over Labour Day so probably not the cheapest part of the year. I am planning on using left-over tickets from trips to WDW so need only a hotel. Not sure if I am overlooking something as far as planning a trip with good rates is concerned? We usually go to WDW and I know all about the discounts there.

Given the expense for the entire trip staying the entire time at DLH is too expensive. Of course packing is a bit of a pain but it still might make sense.

 

[vettegirl]

I have stayed twice at the DLH and to me it's worth every penny. The new rooms are amazing! Also I love how you never leave the magic and you do not have to look at Harbor Blvd, which to me isn't that nice of an area.