Explorer's Hotel vs Santa Fe. Advice Please for October Visit

[dollarmite]

I'm looking to book a 4 night stay at DLP in mid October. Are weekdays in October generally considered busy or full?

I've narrowed my hotels down to the Explorer's Hotel or the Santa Fe and am wondering which one other people prefer/recommend? The theming and activities at both look a bit young for DS but the hotels seem fun nonetheless.

The main difference I can see is the early entry to DLP if staying at one of the actual Disney hotels (is early entry every day?) and that characters come to the restaurant during the free breakfast and can be seen in other parts of the hotel?

Is there much Disney theming at Explorers?

It'll be DH, our 13 year old son and myself. Thanks!

 

[cherrymarzipan]

The other main difference/advantage is the proximity to the parks and the fact that you can easily walk to and from the Santa Fe along a pleasant walkway.

EMH is for every day of your hotel stay but characters no longer come to the hotels - they are at queued points in the park during EMH.

 

[Ware Bears]

The Explorers has a Disney shop but that's about as far as it goes with Disney theming. With the age of your DS and being only three of you in your party, I'd say choose the Santa Fe for the closer location and EMH ..... unless you think you'd use the swimming pool.

 

[dollarmite]

Thanks for the replies. I've decided to go with Santa Fe, and have just finished booking it thanks to a good deal I saw on Expedia.au today.