Extra Morning Hour

[lizzard1035]

We plan on going Sept 27-Oct 3 2015 and Im wondering if I save money by staying in a good neighbor hotel will I be sorry that I don't have that extra hour everyday? Will I be able to secure FP for Radiator springs at least once in a 5 day park hopper? I plan on being at rope drop at least once, is that all I need to do to get a FP for it? Is my dates typically a low crowd time?

 

[figment_jii]

We plan on going Sept 27-Oct 3 2015 and Im wondering if I save money by staying in a good neighbor hotel will I be sorry that I don't have that extra hour everyday? Will I be able to secure FP for Radiator springs at least once in a 5 day park hopper? I plan on being at rope drop at least once, is that all I need to do to get a FP for it? Is my dates typically a low crowd time?

They do not start distributing RSR FPs until the park opens to everyone (so no FPs during EMH). So you should be able to get one on any day you opt to get to DCA at or near opening. Personally, I like to go to DCA on non-EMH mornings, head straight to TSMM and then go back and get a RSR FP. They generally last at least for the first 60-90 minutes of the day, so I think you'll be okay as long as you get there close to opening.

In terms of crowds, I would expect that you'll be okay for the first part of your trip. HalloweenTime is pretty popular, so I would not go expecting walk-on ride crowds at any point during the HalloweenTime season, but I would guess that you'll have manageable crowds. Assuming next year's schedule is similar to this year's schedule, Gay Days will likely happen the first weekend in October (10/3-10/4), so I would expect to see high(ish) crowds from Friday to Sunday due to that. There will probably be one or two Mickey's Halloween Parties during that period, so DL will close early on those nights to non-MHP guests.

 

[whoever]

I think EMH is extremely worth staying onsite for. It makes all the difference in the world in my experience to how your day is going to go.

 

[lizzard1035]

Whoever.......Is EMH worth $1800????

 

[figment_jii]

Whoever.......Is EMH worth $1800????

Yikes! That's a lot of money!

I've only done EMH/MM once and I don't think it was worth that kind of money (you could buy a lot of souvenirs, have several nice meals, etc.). I just plan to go to the park not having EMH/MM and things have worked out pretty well for my family.

 

[whoever]

Whoever.......Is EMH worth $1800????

For JUST EMH, I wouldn't pay it, but for an exceptional location, a beautiful hotel and grounds, balcony, and total Disney experience... it sure is.

 

[lizzard1035]

What's crazy is that Hojo is $1481 total for 5 day parkhopper and bus pass, and DL hotel is $3285 for the same thing! I can buy two trips for that price! I'm not trying to offend anybody by saying this, but I'm not a resort snob, and Hojo looks really nice! The only thing I worried about was needing the EMH's, I'm also very much into the pool experience, so Im very drawn to PP and DL due to the pools! But that's a lot of money!

 

[whoever]

The motel experience and the DLR destination hotel experiences aren't on the same levels. I've stayed offsite on multiple occasions and I'm so glad when I can go back to my DLR home, the Grand. Yeah it can be expensive at times (I'll have put 8 nights there under my belt this year), but its worth it (worth being subjective) for my family stays..

 

[She Taz]

We have stayed both on and off site and enjoyed both experiences. When we stayed on site we made full use2am of EMH. Off site we go to the park that didn't have EMH that morning.

 

[scrapshappen]

How about a split stay? We are doing that the week after next. Spending the first three nights down the street at the Embassy Suites using Hilton Honor points, and then staying 2 nights at the Paradise Pier to get the perks of onsite for three park days.

Even one night on site will give your 2 EMHs (one on the day you check in and one on the day your check out and generally those will be one at each park). Just something to think about.

 

[corinne76]

Following! I've debating staying onsite too, but $1800 more is quite alot! I love seeing opinions on this topic

 

[figment_jii]

For me, it depends a lot on what kind of a trip you are on. When I go to WDW, it's a full scale vacation, so my family splurges and stays onsite (plus I think staying onsite is more important at WDW for convenience and for the perks). When I go to DLR, it's more likely a long-weekend trip, so I stay offsite. For me, the walk to some of the nearby motels is the same (or shorter) than walking to one of the onsite hotels, so they aren't necessarily any more convenient in that way. Having EMH would be nice, but I haven't found it to be a make-or-break experience. Going at rope drop to the non-EMH/MM park still allows me time to get in a number of rides before the mid-morning crowds pick-up. I guess for me, it comes down to the cost. I would love to stay at the GCH or DLH, but I just can't quite justify the cost difference. I'd rather save the lodging money and spend it on souvenirs, nice meals in the parks, going on a tour, etc.

 

[clambert1273]

Comfort Inn on Katella.... we had a great stay there in August and awesome free breakfast every day (nice breakfast).. they also sell Tix and I believe it was 3day park hopper will get you one of the extra hour things on a couple of days.

You can call and ask them - that is how it was when I was there...

ETA... we are from Anaheim lol so we went home to visit as well as DLand... we knew the hotel before hand (used to pass it on my way to work every day lol).. we know what to expect in Anaheim and it is NOT similar to WDW in Orlando lol

 

[Nonsuch]

We plan on going Sept 27-Oct 3 2015 ... Is my dates typically a low crowd time?

The first weekend of October is Gay Days.
I was in the parks last weekend (also the prior 2 years), and the crowds are large -- this year heat was the most significant issue
Gay Days provides some of the lowest onsite hotel rates

2014 rates:

• Grand Californian Hotel $229/night+tax
• Disneyland Hotel $184/night+tax
• Paradise Pier Hotel $174/night+tax

Will I be able to secure FP for Radiator springs at least once in a 5 day park hopper?

You will have no problem getting FP for RSR
Disney has been successfully reducing the line for FP, by encouraging guest to ride during EMH and not posting signs before FP opens. RSR is now like other attractions, FPs are not available when the ride is down.

 

[eileenkeeney]

The first weekend of October is Gay Days.
I was in the parks last weekend (also the prior 2 years), and the crowds are large -- this year heat was the most significant issue
Gay Days provides some of the lowest onsite hotel rates

2014 rates:

• Grand Californian Hotel $229/night+tax
• Disneyland Hotel $184/night+tax
• Paradise Pier Hotel $174/night+tax

You will have no problem getting FP for RSR
Disney has been successfully reducing the line for FP, by encouraging guest to ride during EMH and not posting signs before FP opens. RSR is now like other attractions, FPs are not available when the ride is down.

If the crowds are high, why are the hotel rates the lowest?
Don't these crowds book these hotels?

 

[HydroGuy]

Whoever.......Is EMH worth $1800????

No way. $1800 for a few extra hours in the morning? No way.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

No way is it worth $1800! That's crazy talk!

Just get to the parks at least 30 min before rope drop! You'll be fine!!!!

 

[supergoofy]

I am happy with just 1 day of EMH by staying at a good neighbor hotel as the savings are worth it.

I don't see the need at DL to stay onsite like at WDW.

 

[gottalovepluto]

If the only reason you're staying on site is for EMH you may be disappointed. We always hit snags during EMH hours (long entry lines, few rides open, etc) but just take it in stride because we stay on site for a variety of reasons. If we had done it JUST for EMH I would have been rather mad at spending the additional money.

 

[HydroGuy]

I am happy with just 1 day of EMH by staying at a good neighbor hotel as the savings are worth it.

I don't see the need at DL to stay onsite like at WDW.

To be clear, one does not get EMH by staying at a good neighbor (GN) hotel. One does not get any Disney privilege by staying at a GN.

One does get a single "Magic Morning" which is the equivalent of EMH by getting a 3+ day ticket. With this ticket you do not have to stay at a GN or any hotel for that matter.