DL on site vs off site?

[munchkinsmom]

Hope you're enjoying your stay in Anaheim, Safetymom!

I agree with many of your points. Believe me, we SO much wanted to enjoy our stay at the PP! Unfortunately, we decided that we won't be giving our business to them anymore after our last visit. While our suite was very nice, the customer service and overall Disney (superficial, at best) ambiance of the hotel left much to be desired. It's now a bit of a hike to the monorail, the DL main entrance and both entrances to DCA since they've closed the entrance to DCA that used to be exclusive to PP guests. If only they offered tram service, LOL!

It's understood that one pays the bigger bucks to immerse themselves in the whole Disney experience and IMO, for what we paid at the PP, it wasn't worth it. I would, however, stay at the DLH and the GC again!

I've never stayed at a Value/Moderate Hotel at WDW, but I've seen pictures of them. They look really great! I'm in total agreement with Amy&Dan in wishing that the DLR offered these types of rooms, but I don't think that'll happen anytime soon.

One can hope, though...

 

[safetymom]

If I could get a great rate I would try DLH or GC. But we can't get over the customer service and friendly people here at the Hilton.

We always stayed at moderates at WDW and had wonderful experiences.

We fly back to Orlando tomorrow. It is nice to see DL but I will enjoy WDW when we get back.

It was great seeing the Electrical Light Parade tonight.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I totally agree that staying onsite at Disneyland is not the same as staying onsite at WDW. The hotels are situated within a busy city and don't have the space to landscape and theme the grounds like they do at WDW. I guess I just feel that both the DLH and PP offer rooms comparable to what I have had at Hiltons, Hyatts and Marrotts with some really nice Disney touches added as well as Disney's customer service. I know there have been people who have had less than stellar stays at PP, all you have to do is read tripadivsor reviews to know that safetymom's elevator experience is not that unique. All I can say is that when we stayed at PP the customer service was fabulous and we have had that experience at every single Disney resort (including the values at WDW) we have stayed at. It was all of our experiences at Disney hotels in both DL and WDW that led us to buy into DVC. It seemed like a safe bet. I have to also add that it seems the norm for people accustomed to WDW to not be as pleased with DLR hotels unless they stay at GC. Maybe since we started out at Disneyland and then began making trips to WDW that makes us still feel the DLH and PP are special.

I wanted to post my opinion because I know there are people booked there right now probably wishing they hadn't, maybe my experience will make them feel better. I have also seen several reviews lately of people having good stays at PP, maybe they have shaped up! I simply voiced my opinion that based on my stay at PP I think its worth it if you can get a good rate and want to stay onsite. I think the Disneyland Hotel is much better themed and has a much better pool and lobby area but for our stay in September it was going to cost almost $700 more to stay there so we opted for PP. Now if my great experience there last September was rare, I may wish I would have spent that $700!

To Munchinsmom, the moderates and values at WDW are wonderful. Over the top theming and pure Disney magic. I have only stayed at 3 of them but the joy of staying onsite for under a $100 night was great! You gotta try it sometime! They also offer incredible deals and rate codes that allow you to somtimes upgrade for less than you would think.

 

[munchkinsmom]

I think the Disneyland Hotel is much better themed and has a much better pool and lobby area but for our stay in September it was going to cost almost $700 more to stay there so we opted for PP. Now if my great experience there last September was rare, I may wish I would have spent that $700!

To Munchinsmom, the moderates and values at WDW are wonderful. Over the top theming and pure Disney magic. I have only stayed at 3 of them but the joy of staying onsite for under a $100 night was great! You gotta try it sometime! They also offer incredible deals and rate codes that allow you to somtimes upgrade for less than you would think.

Amy&Dan, I hope your trip in September is wonderful! We'll be there in September too and staying at the Howard Johnson's this time around. It would be great to stay on-site, but like you said, it would cost a whole lot more! Since we're AP holders and we go to the DLR a lot, we don't necessarily need to be surrounded by Disney 24/7, but it's great for those who don't go often or who are there for the first time.

Under $100 at a Disney resort? WOW! What a deal. We will definitely stay on-site when we take our family for the first time to WDW, but since there's so many places to choose from (unlike DLR), the big decision there will be where to stay...

Money is not growing on trees around here, so definately something in my mind when planning any trip. So, I think we may try to stay off site. With that said, we are looking at the HoJo & Embassy-South. The HoJo is a bit cheaper but the Embassy includes a warm breakfast. The Embassy is a bit further away, but has the ART. Does anyone have any advice looking at the 2 of these?

Princess Tink: I'm glad you're considering the Embassy Suites South instead of the one on Frontera Road (ES North). We like ES and stayed on the one Frontera Road once before the ES South was built. They claim that they're NEAR the DLR, but they're really not. We spent 15-20 precious minutes on their bus just to get to the DLR's tram/bus drop off station.

Thoughts about HOJO vs. ES: For the price of the HOJO vs. the ES, you'll have options on where you want to eat breakfast if you go w/ the HOJO, IMO. The HOJO is right across the street from the resort and only takes a few minutes walking time to get to the DLR entrance, but the ART also goes by the HOJO is you prefer to ride. While the HOJO doesn't serve breakfast, you'll be walking past a "Mimi's Cafe" (right next door), "Mc Donald's" and "Millie's Restaurant, on the way to the DLR if you want to eat. There's also a Denny's and and few other eateries on the same street too. When we stayed at the ES, we opted to skip breakfast a couple of times because we wanted to get to Disneyland early. We bought a couple of muffins and coffee at the resort instead. Just something to keep in mind.

Let us know where you end up and hope you have a great time!