DLH Help please!

[tinksdreamwishes]

I have been debating to stay on-site or off site for our Aug trip. I know that Aug is very hot and busy, so that is one reason why I am tempted to stay on-site. Please help me understand these details alittle better!

Staying at DLH- does this mean I get to get in DL every morning for MM? Or is it limited ? I guess this confuses me the most. If the park opens at 8 am, MM would be 7am... this helps alot with the crowds and heat!

If we arrive at the hotel say Wed at 6 am.... how do we get to use MM? Check in and then run over to the gates? I assume that since we will have printed vouchers we can not use the monorail for the first day.... I was going to use our GAD vouchers to upgrade to a 3 day- but now I am thinking that the 5 day is a cheaper way to go- and just use the vouchers for FP's.

So if i book at DLH now- will it charge me now? or just hold a reservation?

Can I change that reservation if I get a magic pin code in a few weeks?

Ty!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

I guess mostly I am trying to justify spending an extra $400 or so on site then off site.
If I stay off site- we can only use one MM.... and well its off site- have to deal with parking or art- or try to find something close. I have stayed at Park Vue and didnt like it. I stayed at Desert Inn and Suites- it was ok... but the indoor pool isnt going to work for my family on a hot Aug afternoon... LOL.
Someone mentioned the Ramada Maingate. The Hojo is always booked solid for my dates.
blah so many choices its so confusing! Originally I was quoted $884 at DLH for 4 nights. but today I read about the promotion... stay 3 nights get 2 nights free. Trying to stay in a budget too. I figured- $1000 hotel, $1000 food, and $1000 for tix.... me, DH, Ds15, Dd10, and Ds8. Does this sound right?

 

[wendypooh22]

Yes, if you stay onsite you have access to MM every morning that it is offered during your stay (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) MM starts one hour prior to the park opening. To answer your question, if the park opens at 8 am, then the MM gates open at 7am

Yes, you can use MM on your arrival day.. Just check into the hotel and they will give you your "Key to the Magic" that you will need to show to go thru the gates.

Not sure on using your GAD vouchers... Tickets are pretty cheap online and the discounts on packages are also good now for the buy 3 get 2 free summer promotion.

If you reserve a room only, you will be charged for your first night and pay the remaining balance upon checkout. If you book a package, you will need to pay a deposit and the balance must be paid before arrival (not sure how many days prior) or you could pay the entire balance when making the reservation.

Can I change that reservation if I get a magic pin code in a few weeks? Not sure on this one.... But the summer promotion gives you buy 3 nights get 2 nights free..

 

[annacali]

Can't answer all your questions but Magic Mornings are (I think) only on Sat, Sun, Tues, Thurs---so if you arrive on a Weds, it doesn't affect youthat morning.

You can exchange your vouchers/pick up your tickets when you check in if you stay on site, so you should be able to use the monorail if the park is open when you go.

 

[sierranevada]

As a DLR hotel guest, you do get MM each day that it is offered - currently Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun.

If you get to the hotel at 6 am, you can exchange your voucher for your parkhopper tickets at the registration desk. Even if your room is not ready (highly likely that early in the morning), they will give you the keys and these are what you show at the gates to enter for MM.

If you book hotel only, they charge one night as a deposit and you have up until 5 days to cancel without penalty. If you book a package, you pay a deposit of $200 with the balance due 30 days prior to your stay. You can change the package with no penalty up to 31 days prior or cancel with a $100 cancel fee. 30 days of less prior to arrival, changes are $50 and cancellation is $200.

The 5 nights for 3 offer on both the hotel and parkhoppers is a great deal. You could use your GADGADD vouchers for fastpassses or a mickey hat with collectible pins.

Hotel only reservations usually have PIN codes and yes, if you make hotel only reservation and get a PIN code, you can call and they will change it for you (if it makes it cheaper.)

The pool at the DLH is great and a fun place to relax and recharge in the summer!

Hope this helps.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

You guys are great and sooo knowledgeable! TY!

Its good to know I can get in early on every MM day.... and not to just pick one day!
I played around with quotes- i see they have the promo for the 5 nights deal...the quote with the tix came out to $2083. I get a wake up call plus a lanyard and pin and MMTT.

If I buy just the hotel by itself it comes out too $1097, and the 5 for 3 day tix comes out to $887... so all together it would be $1979. So I would only save a $104 my way...

does this quote include taxes and parking fees?

I think I am crazy!

 

[NewbieMouse]

Re: the tax, it depends where these numbers came from. For the room only reservations, if they came from the "Review Quote" screen, the tax should be added and itemized for you, and it should also show the required deposit. You will also be on the hook for a $12 per night + tax "resort fee", which you will pay with the rest of your bill less your initial deposit at the end of your stay. The resort fee covers self parking, if you want valet that would be extra. I believe that cancellation fees on the room only reservations are allowed up to 5 days before your visit.

For the packages, the review quote screen will give you the final total, including everything - including taxes resort fees. Deposit is $200 (+ insurance, if you added it). Up to 30 days prior, you can make as many changes as you want, but canceling will cost you $100. Within 30 days, it will cost you $200 to cancel. There is also a change fee within thirty days of $50, but if the total of the package increases, that will generally be waived.

 

[tholczer]

I don't think the quote includes the resort fee. Looks like you checked the 5 for 3 deals. Five nights in August right now is pricing at $1,040 at the DLH and the parkhoppers are $184. As a test I plugged in two people and it came out to $1,548 for the 5 for 3. $140 more than booking the room and the tickets separately. This really irks me, actually. Smacks of false advertising.

Anyway! Looks like you got the rest of your questions answered.

Tracy

 

[NewbieMouse]

The package quotes definitely include the resort fee. I booked this way and confirmed it multiple times. The 'room only' quotes don't - it specifies that in the fine print. So to room only reservation you need to add about $13.40 per day to compare apples to apples.

I think sometimes room only works better and sometimes packages work out better - I guess it depends (in our case the packages were cheaper). I guess you also have to factor in if the "extras" are meaningful to you - this would differ for everyone - and how the cancellation policy differences may impact you.

 

[Hound 109]

Definitely read the first page (or all 27 pages ) of DLR 29's MM superthread.

Lots of info & he always keeps it updated.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

 

[Dobie]

I booked four nights at DLH for 3 adults for August and the room only + tickets came out about $500 less than five for three package.