Does anyone hotel-hop during your trip? Trying to find a way to use PIN.

[JillyBean77]

I'm planning our first DL visit, and I've been analyzing hotels with a fine-tooth comb (to the point my DH claimed I was giving him a headache: please make your best decision and stop giving me so many details ). His only request was the MOST CONVENIENT location, which meant I had it narrowed down to those few hotels closest to the main entrance crosswalk.

Then Disney throws me a curve ball and sends us a PIN code in the mail today. The PIN code prices are still more than we would like to pay, but it's tempting to take advantage of what seems to be a rare deal.

I'm trying to justify the extra splurge, but I need DIS expert input : would staying at one of the DLR properties go against my DH's "most convenient" request? Would it be *silly* to not take advantage of a PIN offer? And, as a compromise, would it perhaps be a good idea to just stay one or two nights at a DLR hotel and then switch to a more modestly priced hotel across the street? Or does hotel-hopping add too much hassle to an already hectic trip (and take away precious time)?

Thanks for your insights!

 

[skiingfast]

If DH already has a headache I'm not sure I'd want to comlicate a visit with switching hotels.

If price is a concern I would simply stay across the street. If the trip has many park days it might be nice to finsh with some relax time onsite.

 

[miss.potatohead]

You could stay off site if that's closer to your budget and needs, but then maybe 'splurge' for your one or two last nights (if that fits into the pin code dates) at an onsite resort

 

[jacs1234]

We're hotel hopping between two hotels but we will be there for 12 nights so we're spending 6 nights in each hotel.

 

[kailuagirl]

I think it depends on how long you are going for. If it's just for a short trip, I'd stay at one place, but if it's longer, than hopping might work.

Before you stress about it any more, I'd call and see what kind of rate offers you get and go from there. Might be totally a great deal, might be way out of the ballpark, you'll never know until you call

 

[blackjackdelta]

I guess a lot depends on how much you or hubby like packing and unpacking in a short period of time. We tried the split stay once and never again. I try to stay as close as I can get and a place that meets the families needs.

Jack

 

[DizMe]

We did it once. I had points that I cashed in for free nights at Fairfield Inn, then we moved for our last 2 nights over to GCH. It turned out to be very easy and came with some perks! First, the cost was so much less. Second, we were booked in concierge at GCH so we just checked out of FFI, paid $5 for a taxi ride over to GCH, checked in there where they stored our bags and we were able to go right into the lounge and have breakfast! We also got waters etc to take to the parks. When we came back, our room was ready so there wasn't any hassle to it at all and it saved us having to buy breakfast and lunch that day because they gave us lounge access immediately

 

[Liat]

When I was little we always hotel hopped. We would stay stay at a budget hotel for the majority of the trip and finish of at the Disneyland hotel. I can honestly say that I only remember the Disney property portion of all our trips.

 

[AquaDame]

I convinced my (now) husband to stay at the DLH our last night so we could enjoy the refurbs and pool. It ended up being a great time and very special; we had a blast, the room was nicer than I was expecting (falling asleep with the curtains open on the floor to ceiling window overlooking the lit monorail slide was dreamy) and we were able to take advantage of the MM hour both the day we checked in and the day we checked out. Now if only we could have taken advantage of the $125 to add an extra night over that was slipped under our door... but I'm pretty sure the pilot of our plane wouldn't have been willing to wait!

We walked from the Alpine Inn pretty early to do it, but we packed almost everything the night before, showered and got ready for the parks then walked over and checked in. We lucked out that our room was ready (and we got a free upgrade which is the first and probably last time that will ever happen) but would have been fine leaving our luggage with them until later. It was really easy!

 

[Eeee-va]

In November we'll be staying off-site for 2 days and then on-site for the final 2 days. May not be a great idea but I got a PIN and it just sounded nice, but I cannot spend the money to stay on-site all 4 nights.

It sounds to me like if you say "This is what I want to do, and here's a reason why that's a good idea" your husband might be OK with it. As long as you don't pester him too much.

Have a great trip!

 

[Simba001]

In general,I am not a big fan of unpacking and then packing, moving and unpacking again. But have done it a few times.

Most recently was this last August. We stayed at the Hilton Towers and Suites for 4 nites for D23 Expo and following Expo packed up earlier in the morning and then spent the next 3 nites at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.
I called PPH while we were at Expo our last day and let them know we were down the street and would be showing up early in the morning and requested , if possible, a room when we arrived. We took a cab (too much stuff from the Expo what were we to do...) over to PPH. Though it only was a request and the hotel was pretty much full, when we arrived registration did some Disney magic and we had a room shortly. We dropped out luggage and headed to the Parks.

Our son's flight came in a few hours later and we texted him to say what room we were in and to just check in with the desk, show ID, get his key, drop off his luggage and head to DLR. He texted us when he left the hotel room and we met him at the Flagpole in the Park. Since he had an early flight (after a late night before) he only stayed a few hours and then headed back to the room to nap - nice and close and convenient since we were already checked in to our room. DH and I kept going and later met him in the room and we all headed out for dinner later and more time in the Parks.

Our preference is to start off site and then finish the trip by staying at DLR.

If you can swing it financially, go for it.

 

[JillyBean77]

Thank you, DIS-ers, for coming through again & again -- I've posted a few different questions in preparation for our upcoming trip, and all responses are highly valued. This is our family's first Disney trip (you probably get that a lot!) and it has really helped to hear different experienced view points in order to make the best decision for our family.
I called Disney reservations today, and the standard rooms at the lowest advertised PIN rate are all taken, so we'd have to bump up to Deluxe (still at 35% off). However, since even a standard room was stretching the budget, even for a couple of nights, I don't think I can justify Deluxe.
I was only really considering GCH (trying to keep within DH's "most convenient" request.) The rates for DLH were within reach, but I'm not convinced that it's a "most convenient" location for the money in comparison with BWPPI/Park Vue/Carousel. Ditto PPH. Any fans of DLH or PPH out there who could suggest otherwise?

 

[Simba001]

.... The rates for DLH were within reach, but I'm not convinced that it's a "most convenient" location for the money in comparison with BWPPI/Park Vue/Carousel. Ditto PPH. Any fans of DLH or PPH out there who could suggest otherwise?

I have not stayed at the off site locations you listed, but wanted to let you know that PPH is our hotel of choice among the 3 DLR hotels. The rooms are larger than the Grand and all you do is walk out the front door of the PPH cross the street, walk up the walkway into the Grand's front doors, walk through the lobby, out the door to DTD and you are almost to the entrance of the Parks! This is closer than some of the rooms in the DLH.

If budget is an issue, you may want to stay off site this time and visit the 3 DLR hotels to get an idea for a later visit.