Disneyland Hotel?

[Choirmom]

I am taking my mom to DL at the end of November. This is a special trip since she is getting older and doesn't know how many more trips she will be able to enjoy. She is in very good shape, but still nearly 80. I have booked the BWPPI due to the proximity to the parks. I'm very close to booking the Disneyland Hotel instead. It is over $1,000 more for our stay, but because it's a special trip (my birthday is also during the trip), I was thinking something nice.

I have a few questions for those who have stayed there with elderly family. How is the walk to the parks? Is it significantly longer than BWPPI? Do the closures in DD make it a less than magical walk? I plan to do the parks at a leisurely pace, so not to tire ourselves out.

Is a deluxe room worth the price over the standard? Is there anything I should request when booking?

I'm planning on booking through Costco, it seems like the best deal right now. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Congo Queen]

Well normally I am "all in" on the DLH. My family has stayed there numerous times though never with an elderly relative. We love the rooms and the pools and the general Disney magic vibe. But I can tell you if we were going in Nov, I would not stay there because it costs big $ and the experience is subpar right now. Yes the DD closures make the last leg of the walk back to the hotel less than magical. Disney is doing its best to liven it up back there with food trucks, but still it is a bunch of closed business. And all this fall Tangaroa Terrace located next to DLH pools will be closed with refurb walls as it is undergoing a major reno. You asked about the walk to the parks and IMHO it is pretty long, noticeably longer than the walk to BWPPI. My fit kids who are 16 and 21 get cranky about the long walk back to DLH after a morning in the parks. I'd save the $1K on hotel and use that for some other super fun Disney experiences with your mom - like maybe do the BB F! dinner or a meal at Napa Rose or a character meal. Be sure to buy MaxPass as that will help you skip standing in some long lines and you will get a Photopass for free!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Or maybe the Grand Californian isn't too much higher for us? It was running only about $30 more per night for our dates vs the DLH. The person in our party who's the least fan of walking was like, "I will pay for that difference myself if it's the dealbreaker."

 

[Malcon10t]

We just came back from a trip. Personally, we love it. The security check on Harbor is always so long, but the Disneyland hotel side is quick. While the first 300' of the DTD is empty, it really isn't a negative. The other 1400' is just fine. In the evenings, there are various food trucks in the last area. It is really a lot of fun. We ended up spending about 2 hours after fireworks hanging out with friends by the food trucks. The ice cream place is fantastic!

But then, we enjoy the DLH a lot anyway.

 

[emmybee]

I agree that the walk through DT Disney is not at all a big deal. If distance is a concern, one can always take the monorail, especially when a leisurely pace is already planned. Although I would have enjoyed visiting Trader Sam's during our extended weekend, it did not feature at all due to its small size coupled with the large crowd. The security lines were extremely short in comparison to Harbor, but I did notice that they were Very Meticulous in looking through people's bags.

It was our first stay at the DLH, and it was beautiful. We got a standard room in the Fantasy Tower that overlooked the entrance to the hotel. The fireworks were visible from our room, which was really nice on our arrival night. The pool was a lot of fun, but we only visited once. We did EMH at 8, took a small break in the afternoons, and shut the place down at midnite. I just wished the Jazz Kitchen beignets were available at that hour! Yes, we were tired, but the walk back was fine. I wish we could stay again, but it will likely be outside our budget as prices only go up and up nowadays.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Or maybe the Grand Californian isn't too much higher for us? It was running only about $30 more per night for our dates vs the DLH. The person in our party who's the least fan of walking was like, "I will pay for that difference myself if it's the dealbreaker."

I'd go for the GCH in a minute at only $30 per night higher. Every time I've looked it's been a significantly bigger difference than that.

 

[ExcitedMama]

The DLH is a lot farther than the GCH if that’s an option. Plus the GCH is amazing at Christmas time. Even if you don’t stay there be sure to check out the displays and take a break there. Unfortunately when we were there last month DTD was definitely lacking in magic with so much of it boarded up. If you are going to be doing a lot of time at the hotel you could check out the concierge level, I think that’s what it’s called. I’ve read other posts where people enjoying having snacks and drinks available.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I'd go for the GCH in a minute at only $30 per night higher. Every time I've looked it's been a significantly bigger difference than that.

Yeah, I just checked some other dates out of curiosity and the difference is more like $120 a night. If that was the case, I may have been swayed in that direction as I've never stayed there but always wanted to.

 

[tink89]

My mom loves Disneyland. She gets sometimes more excited than DD to see the characters and just to be there. If this was a trip I was planning and not knowing when she would be able to go back I would 100% book on site hotel. Yes it is a bit further than the hotels across the street but I do not think you will be disappointed. Especially since you are already going to be taking a more relaxed pace.

 

[Whistlebee]

If your dates are flexible go the first weekend of November and enjoy discounted on-site rates and discounted tickets. Go to Dapperday.com for details. Dress your best on Sunday and join the fun. I think GCH rates are about $325. We’ve only been to 2 dapper days but enjoyed both of them and the discounts!

 

[Shanti]

I am taking my mom to DL at the end of November. This is a special trip since she is getting older and doesn't know how many more trips she will be able to enjoy. She is in very good shape, but still nearly 80. I have booked the BWPPI due to the proximity to the parks. I'm very close to booking the Disneyland Hotel instead. It is over $1,000 more for our stay, but because it's a special trip (my birthday is also during the trip), I was thinking something nice.

I have a few questions for those who have stayed there with elderly family. How is the walk to the parks? Is it significantly longer than BWPPI? Do the closures in DD make it a less than magical walk? I plan to do the parks at a leisurely pace, so not to tire ourselves out.

Is a deluxe room worth the price over the standard? Is there anything I should request when booking?

I'm planning on booking through Costco, it seems like the best deal right now. Thanks for all your help!

We stayed in a standard room in the Fantasy tower and had an awesome view of the fireworks. It was a lovely room, too.

 

[azdisneylover]

If you book thru Costco, after your initial down payment, you can use Disney gift cards to pay for your trip. What I have done : purchased Disney gift cards from Target using redcard to save 5%, then apply towards the balance thru Costco link. I would stay at the Grand if you can, then Disneyland Hotel, then Best Western.

Where ever you stay, have a great time!

 

[Choirmom]

Thank you, everyone, for your input! I still haven't made up my mind! I'll keep you all posted on what I decide!

 

[Laundress]

My mom (78) always travels with us to DL. She prefers DLH and using the monorail to go to the park. We have stayed at GC. She did not like the long hallways. Felt like it took to long to find an exit.

 

[Malcon10t]

My mom (78) always travels with us to DL. She prefers DLH and using the monorail to go to the park. We have stayed at GC. She did not like the long hallways. Felt like it took to long to find an exit.

This is one of my issues with the Grand, that and the rooms are smaller. An example was the person who complained about their room being loud. I didn't even know they had hotel rooms over there.

As for the DLH being further, if you aren't window shopping, and just walking straight back to the hotel, it is 4 mins further than the turn off into the hotel in DTD. But we always have a store or food truck calling our name. Especially Afters.

 

[Choirmom]

I did it! Booked a standard room at the DLH! I'm even more excited for this trip than I was before. Not going to tell my mom. She thinks we are staying at BWPPI. Just going to type the DLH address into Lyft and then we'll just show up at DLH!

 

[Laundress]

Wishing you a trip of wonderful memories with your mom.

 

[Choirmom]

I did it! Booked a standard room at the DLH! I'm even more excited for this trip than I was before. Not going to tell my mom. She thinks we are staying at BWPPI. Just going to type the DLH address into Lyft and then we'll just show up at DLH!

I just changed my reservation with the new discounts. Upgraded room for $100 less! DS and DD have decided to come to!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I’d have gone to dlh too in your shoes. In case it’s her last trip. Glad you got an upgrade!

 

[MinMou]

Have any of you stayed at Paradise Pier Hotel? I thought that if we walked through the GC to use the DCA entrance, and with the premium view, it might be as good a choice as the DLH. Are the rooms smaller? Is distance a problem?