Eek. Did it! Splurged on DLH for 2 nights of our trip

[limace]

I tell you, it hurt to spend the money! I'm rationalizing it by not thinking of it as $400 a night, instead, it's "just" 270 a night more than we were already paying to stay at (either) the Desert Inn and Suites or the BWPPI. I'm not going to tell the family, I'm just going to get everything packed after our 5th night at the other hotel and surprise them with the move.

I think it's worth the splurge due to the early entry, and for the pool, especially since we're at DL for a week in August. I'm planning on cancelling our BWPPI reservation and keeping the Desert Inn one, as I really like having the door between us and the kids that the suite we have at DI&S has. However, the pool at DI&S looks pretty sad, and it's indoor, which won't be great in August.

Plus, I had a 10% off coupon through hotels.com, and get 3% cash back through ebates, so that's $100 less. It's worth it, right? Right?

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I am trying to justify it to myself too!!

If it helps...think about the nearness of Trader Sam's, that is my main tipping point.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

Yes It is worth it. We don't stay at the DL hotel often enough!!!! But when we do I remember why I love it so much. We are staying there next week, I am so excited !!!

 

[limace]

I requested the Adventure Tower....is that my best request if I want to try and see fireworks? Anything else I should request in a standard room?

 

[Started With a Mouse]

I tell you, it hurt to spend the money! I'm rationalizing it by not thinking of it as $400 a night, instead, it's "just" 270 a night more than we were already paying to stay at (either) the Desert Inn and Suites or the BWPPI. I'm not going to tell the family, I'm just going to get everything packed after our 5th night at the other hotel and surprise them with the move.

I think it's worth the splurge due to the early entry, and for the pool, especially since we're at DL for a week in August. I'm planning on cancelling our BWPPI reservation and keeping the Desert Inn one, as I really like having the door between us and the kids that the suite we have at DI&S has. However, the pool at DI&S looks pretty sad, and it's indoor, which won't be great in August.

Plus, I had a 10% off coupon through hotels.com, and get 3% cash back through ebates, so that's $100 less. It's worth it, right? Right?

You're only here once, and can't take it with you. Memories will last a lifetime. Enjoy! And an added bonus, you're just steps away from the DD monorail station - perfect to get back and forth from the DL.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Glad you were able to make it happen! Have a great trip!

 

[MizzFran17]

Enjoy! I loved it when we stayed there. It's funny too, because that is how my hubby and I justify the cost as well. "It's only $x more than..." We even do that when we upgrade to a higher view room. Haha!

 

[Virgoinab]

You will love it. Then again I am a little biased since I got married there last year, and will be there next week

Have a great time

 

[Kristina]

I tell you, it hurt to spend the money! I'm rationalizing it by not thinking of it as $400 a night, instead, it's "just" 270 a night more than we were already paying to stay at (either) the Desert Inn and Suites or the BWPPI.

This is what I would also do and it's true so, more power to you! I think it's great, your making memories, the room is just lovely and the pool oh my looks amazing! I did it too for one night for my birthday, we spent the evening after the park at Trader Sams for food and drinks and it was so much fun. Also the breakfast offerings at the Tangaroa Terrace are really good! Have fun !

 

[SomeDude78]

Congrats, you'll love it! The way you're thinking about it (only considering the extra $270 per night) is the right way to look at it. In reality you'll probably spend a little more due to taxes being based on a higher amount, parking, etc., but seriously, it's well worth it! I've always said to splurge when on vacation, you have the rest of your "normal life" to scrimp and save

I never realized how popular early entry was as a perk until I was on DIS though. I've been to DLR countless times and have never made early morning admission or rope drop even once. Part of the reason I stay onsite is so I can sleep in and then wander out to the park whenever I please. LOL. Have a good time!

 

[BayGirl22]

I'm having the same guilt/excitement right now. I think DH and I decided to stay at GCH in Sept. I have 4 other reservations including a HoJo Kids Suite and points at Sheraton Park. GCH will be ~$1K more than HoJo for the week.

As a bargain hunter I'm having trouble dealing with it, but I'm also so excited to be in someplace nice and to have EE. We both travel for business and really appreciate nice hotels, and with 2 kids the walk will be so much better. We can afford it if we want it so I need to let go and not feel guilty, right!?! But I am hoping for some kind of sale between now and then to know down that price a little bit.

 

[Heymy]

Right

Try not to think about the added cost, just think about how magical it will be. When we're at the DLR, I want everything Disney! So for me, the DLH and GC are our big splurges. We tried PPH and had one good experience and one so-so experience. But what stuck with me was having to cross the street, if we wanted the shortcut. I love taking our time through Downtown Disney...going through the shops, smelling the smells and having a quick cocktail (that's even more fun now with Trader Sam's!).

Enjoy yourself...your family will have a ball!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Good for you!

And count me in as also paying to stay at the DLH for our upcoming trip. I still have my reservation at the Candy Cane Inn but will be cancelling that pretty quick. We love the DLH and have stayed there (or the GCH or PPH) for most of our 17 trips to DL. But the rates are so high right now, its just been hard to justifly it.

But in the end, EMH, Trader Sams, new rooms, new pool and the walk up DTD vs. Harbor won out. It took me awhile but I am now happy with my decision and excited to be going back to our favorite hotel. Which I used to pay between $150-200 a night for.

 

[Beee]

I did the same a couple of weeks ago, except I went completely over the top and booked our entire disney stay there - 5 nights, wow seeing that total made me a little ill considering I am usually all about getting the best deal etc. But it was the early morning entry to both parks that swayed me, we have a max of 4.5 days for Disney so those early starts are going to be awesome to see as much as we can.

 

[ExcitedSam]

I'm seriously considering changing 2 or 3 of our 6 night stay to DLH. Tell me about the EE to both parks? I thought only DL had EE. Which days or is it any day? We are going in Sept.

This will be a once in a lifetime trip for us so it really killing me not being able to stay at a park hotel. Will have to look at the budget. Do specials ever come up? Not seen anything in the past few months.

 

[nunzia]

I'm seriously considering changing 2 or 3 of our 6 night stay to DLH. Tell me about the EE to both parks? I thought only DL had EE. Which days or is it any day? We are going in Sept.

This will be a once in a lifetime trip for us so it really killing me not being able to stay at a park hotel. Will have to look at the budget. Do specials ever come up? Not seen anything in the past few months.

Now that DCA is all redone, resort hotel guests have Early Entry on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at DCA and still at Disneyland on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
There may be specials, but I think this summer is going to be so popular they really won't need to offer them.
Have fun on your trip and now that the money is gone..it's gone! so don't think about it anymore..just relish your upcoming trip. We stayed at the Carousel a couple weks ago for a quick trip and boy, that just reconfirmed how much staying on-site means to me.

 

[limace]

I'm still wincing about the cost-but am excited, especially about the pools.

Anyone have any suggestions about requests I should make re our room?

 

[actnkidz]

We just stayed at DLH last Sunday night,Father's day. EMH was Great! We got on all the rides in Cars land by 9:30am, just don't use the GCH entrance it was backed up to the lobby, it was much faster to use the front gate.

When we got are bill on Monday morning before we checked out there was a letter in it saying they were offering an additional night at only $129, if we wanted to stay 1 or 2 more nights. It just killed us that we couldn't do it, we had to get back to work. I don't think the hotels are booking up like they would like, so you still may seesomespecials this summer. The CM at the front desk said it was slower than they had expected especially on Father's day, we also were upgraded to a firework view in the Fantasy tower for free, so just ask.

 

[bumbershoot]

I requested the Adventure Tower....is that my best request if I want to try and see fireworks?

FWIW, having once seen the fireworks from the Concierge lounge...just be in the parks for the fireworks. Much better.

 

[BayGirl22]

We just stayed at DLH last Sunday night,Father's day. EMH was Great! We got on all the rides in Cars land by 9:30am, just don't use the GCH entrance it was backed up to the lobby, it was much faster to use the front gate.

When we got are bill on Monday morning before we checked out there was a letter in it saying they were offering an additional night at only $129, if we wanted to stay 1 or 2 more nights. It just killed us that we couldn't do it, we had to get back to work. I don't think the hotels are booking up like they would like, so you still may seesomespecials this summer. The CM at the front desk said it was slower than they had expected especially on Father's day, we also were upgraded to a firework view in the Fantasy tower for free, so just ask.

That gets me excited. We are at GCH and planning to drive back on Saturday (week after Labor Day). If we had to, we could stay Sat night and drive back Sunday, and extend our PH by one day. I'm keeping that option in the back of my mind. If given an offer like that it would be hard to say no, assuming we aren't completely burnt out yet.

I still have hopes that they'll give some kind of discount for the slow season - Sept-Oct-Nov. Last year I think it was 25% and announced in late July.