Does staying in a Disney Hotel really make a big difference?

[DaMalfishentQuen]

In Disney World I wouldn't do anything else!
But what about in DLP?
I've only ever stayed offsite or in an associated hotel and it's far cheaper! And you're not going to be spending time in your hotel anyway are you so what's the fuss?

 

[DLPdaft]

onsite is better if you have children, as you don't need any form of transport between your hotel and the parks, you can walk.

I stay onsite now if the price is right (ie from January to March you can get great deals for onsite hotels). Expedia etc also sell the onsite hotel rooms for winter dates (November on) for a very good price, way better than Disney can do themselves.

But I'm also, as my child is older now, quite happy to stay offsite.

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

I haven't visited and stayed off site so can't really compare, but I love being in a Disney hotel, I feel like from the second I arrive I'm in a little Disney bubble, I love getting EMH as well ....it works well because our children are so young too.

We may try off site when they are older but for now, onsite works for us

 

[Jonjo]

I have only ever stayed at on-site Disney hotels. We enjoy being able to walk from our room through the Village to EMH in the parks each day and enjoy the other benefits you get with a Disney hotel. Like being able to charge restaurant bills and shopping purchases to the room and being able to get any shopping sent to the hotel shop for collection later.

Seeing characters in the hotel lobby in the morning also gets you in the Disney mood straight away.

I also like the theming of the Disney hotels. The Santa Fe's Cars theming is just great, they have done a very good job with the refurbishment there. The Sequoia Lodge is a fun hotel to stay in during Christmas and the winter with its huge fire place. The Cheyenne is DW's favourite, the little cowboy town takes you straight back in time to the wild west.

The Newport Bay gives you nautical feeling as soon as you enter the doors and Hotel New York feels like a city centre hotel. Finally the Disneyland Hotel is home to my favourite restaurant in the whole resort, The California Grill and who can resist a cocktail in the surroundings of Café Fantasia.

The walk back to your hotel past the lake in the evenings is also nice way to relax and wind down after a busy day in the parks.

 

[JustJonathan]

We've only ever stayed on-site as we actually couldn't imagine staying off-site... we generally stay off-site for the first night (usually a saturday) so that we can arrive first thing sunday (our first day with park tickets) and make the most of our money's worth.

Having stayed off-site for most of our 1st nights, we have all agreed that we really feel it'd ruin that magical feeling having to visit the "outside world" and use buses/metro's etc.

That, and there's something nice about waking up in the disney hotels and seeing all that theming!

 

[kizzabel]

We've stayed both on and offsite and I do prefer onsite but saying that theres a couple of offsites Id like to try still.
The reasons I love onsite are similar to some of the reason above - being in the Disney bubble, convenience with kids and I do really love HNY (even the smell!)

 

[Ms Poppins]

I agree with all of the above

We always stay on site too and I agree when we're there we feel like we're in a Disney bubble

I love waking up with everything Disney around me. I love the characters in the morning and the help available from the hotel staff/concierge for all things around the resort. I love walking to the parks through the Village and enjoying a stroll round the lake to the hotel in the evening. Charging items to our room account also makes everything easier.

EMH is something I just couldn't give up and for that alone I think the on-site hotels are worth it. Everything is just so close together and no need to step on a bus at all. So easy to nip back to the room for an hour to refresh or pick up something you've forgotten.

Although we've only had 1 night off-site (at the end of our last trip) I really did feel that time was wasted waiting on the shuttle buses, elbowing everyone trying to get on and waiting until other hotels were dropped off. No big deal I suppose, but when you're not used to it, it really does take some of the magic away.

For me it's not just a bed to sleep in at the end of a long day. It's all part of the experience of being at Disney and I love it

 

[MissSkellington]

I like this question!

We've stayed off site twice at Disneyland/Ca and though we loved it, it doesn't have quiet the same dose of Disney goodness as staying on site.

Being able to wake up in ( and fall asleep in) a hotel specifically Disney isn't something I can do at home, but I can always stay in a normal hotel anywhere I go. So if I'm doing Disney, I'm doing it all the way!

I know I could save a bundle and maybe eve visit more if I bought an AP and stayed off site...but it's worth the extra money for a little extra magic. At least for us.

 

[bonhoga]

We've never stayed off site, so I'm really not qualified to answer this!
But the reason I love DLRP is because I can shut the outside world out for those short fun filled days, and leave all my cares and worries behind

I just feel if I wasn't staying in the magic that wouldn't be quite so effective , love The Cheyenne and the Disneyland Hotel, was fond of DCR and thought Sequoia was OK.......but really not bothered which hotel as long as it's Disney Especially like the walk along the Rio Grande, seeing Panaromagique and knowing the turnstiles aren't far away And actually, as long as you wait for a deal you can't beat the Cheyenne for theming, value and service

K

 

[tennisfan]

Like others have mentioned, I like to stay on site as then you can walk to and from parks to hotel. I like the hotels on site especially around the lake which is pleasant. I also like being able to have a drink whilst on holiday as I don't get the pleasure much back home as I usually end up driving and can walk back to hotel without having to wait for bus etc

 

[jillrobinson]

I've only stayed offsite for our first night and its ok, but the holiday doesn't really start until we're in our Disney hotel. Strange thing is I have booked offsite hotels and then circumstances have changed and we've ended up back at the Cheyenne, next visit for instance I had planned 4 nights onsite and 3 off and thats what i booked but when it came to paying the family expressed a preference to spend the whole trip at cheyenne.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Have always stayed onsite (whereas in Florida we always stayed offsite).

I think, especially if you are able to stay at the Disneyland Hotel it makes a massive difference.
Staying in that hotel and being so close to the parks is just great.
And you can get good offers at certain times of the year, we are staying there again next week at a discounted price.

I just wished the parks fully opened at 9am , Joshua is such an early riser and there isn't enough to keep us at the Disneyland Park for the 2 hours EMH.

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Ok I have only ever stayed onsite so no idea really about off site! But I love that feeling of being in the Disney bubble for the entire holiday.....it can be a bit shocking when you have to reenter reality though!!! Lol

 

[Turbanator]

we always stay on site as its a lot more convenient