For $580, is it worth it?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I am trying to decide where to stay on our vacation. So far I am booking my tickets separate, and staying at the anaheim plaza hotel (chosen for walking distance and their big pool)

Just got off the phone with reservations and we could stay at the DLH for $580 more.

So for $580, we could get 2 magic mornings instead of 1, tickets to toontown madness, preferred seating for Aladin, muppets, ITTBAB, Animation Academy, lanyard, discount card for DTD


How is the walk to the parks compared to the Anaheim Plaza Hotel?
How is the pool comparison? Is the pool at DLH big enough for adults to swim in (not just kiddy pools?)

Any other Perks (official, not listed, or just good feeling)

Silly question... at PPH you can get those Mickey shampoo bottles, does DLH do that too?


Edited to add: We are on a budget, but could swing this, and we probably are doing a once in a lifetime trip to DLR with the kids. they are getting older and so many other things we want to go visit, that I don't think we'll be out this way again. I never thought in fact that we would go, so I am so excited that we are getting to go! We are celebrating DD's birthday and that is why we are going. We celebrated my and DS's birthday last year in WDW so we wanted to do something different for DD.

 

[Feistygirl916]

When are you going? That might make a difference in other things (crowd levels, etc)

 

[specialks]

I personally think it is worth it. But I like to splurge sometimes. You are going for a special celebration and DLH does have some cute "decor" in the rooms. See this thread for all the DLH pics:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1745747

I think the DLH has the "Never Land Pool" with the Peter Pan theme and a waterslide.

If this is going to be possibly your last trip to DLR with your kids it will be special to spend it on site.

One other consideration, did you have free breakfast at your other hotel? And does the DLH charge a daily resort fee that is not included in your cost? You might want to check your rate with getawaytoday.com or arestravel.com to make sure you have the best deal. Also, if you are members of AAA or Costco you might call and check their prices for their package at the DLH.

No matter what you decide I bet you will really enjoy your trip!

 

[mechurchlady]

What do you get that matters? A cute show for 10 minutes, early entry one day to Toontown, one day early entry to parks. a bunch of Priental Trading frou frous like lanyards, use the GCH access to DCA, discounts at DTD you will probably not use, and cute toiletries.

The question for you is what can you do with $580 instead of staying at DLH? Would this be extra special as is with just the staying on property? What to you emotionally get out of staying on site?

I would spend $120 at Ariel's Grotto, buy $100 in bling bling girly stuff, $100 in gifts, $90 for Minnie Breakfast, $50 for a special birthday cake and other goodies on her birthday in parks, and still I have $120 to spend on new clothes, gifts, and other special stuff. You are on a budget so why not spend $500 on her and your family on an all out in park birthday celebration.

 

[pixiewings71]

If you're never coming back to DL then it would probably be worth it. We usually stay offsite so for us it wouldn't be worth it but in your situation it very well might be......

 

[lulubelle]

I say YES! It is so worth it. Staying on site really makes it magical. I have done both on and off many, many times. I always opt for onsite when the budget allows. I think the walk might be about the same actual distance, but the "experience" of that walk is what makes the difference. You can also send purchases to the bell desk and pick them up later. Nice perk if you do any shopping. Especially if this is a one time only trip, the memories will last a lifetime. I hope you get a view room and enjoy your trip.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

When are you going? That might make a difference in other things (crowd levels, etc)

We are going August 16th - August 21

I personally think it is worth it. But I like to splurge sometimes. You are going for a special celebration and DLH does have some cute "decor" in the rooms. See this thread for all the DLH pics:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1745747


One other consideration, did you have free breakfast at your other hotel? And does the DLH charge a daily resort fee that is not included in your cost? You might want to check your rate with getawaytoday.com or arestravel.com to make sure you have the best deal. Also, if you are members of AAA or Costco you might call and check their prices for their package at the DLH.

No matter what you decide I bet you will really enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the link, and I will check the other places for rates

The question for you is what can you do with $580 instead of staying at DLH? Would this be extra special as is with just the staying on property? What to you emotionally get out of staying on site?

I would spend $120 at Ariel's Grotto, buy $100 in bling bling girly stuff, $100 in gifts, $90 for Minnie Breakfast, $50 for a special birthday cake and other goodies on her birthday in parks, and still I have $120 to spend on new clothes, gifts, and other special stuff. You are on a budget so why not spend $500 on her and your family on an all out in park birthday celebration.

We are already planning to do Ariel's Grotto (her choice for her birthday), either a birthday cake or the bucket, and possibly BBB. YOu have a great point, and I will have to tally things up to decide which way to go.

If you're never coming back to DL then it would probably be worth it. We usually stay offsite so for us it wouldn't be worth it but in your situation it very well might be......

Originally I wanted to stay at GCH, without exception! I know I can't swing that, hmmmm, so much to think about.

I say YES! It is so worth it. Staying on site really makes it magical. I have done both on and off many, many times. I always opt for onsite when the budget allows. I think the walk might be about the same actual distance, but the "experience" of that walk is what makes the difference. You can also send purchases to the bell desk and pick them up later. Nice perk if you do any shopping. Especially if this is a one time only trip, the memories will last a lifetime. I hope you get a view room and enjoy your trip.

Thanks, it is something I want to do, REALLY want to do it. Love the magic, we always stay on site at WDW at the values, have never splurged, this seems like it could be a nice way to go. Not sure if it is a "should" do though.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We are going August 16th - August 21



Thanks for the link, and I will check the other places for rates



We are already planning to do Ariel's Grotto (her choice for her birthday), either a birthday cake or the bucket, and possibly BBB. YOu have a great point, and I will have to tally things up to decide which way to go.



Originally I wanted to stay at GCH, without exception! I know I can't swing that, hmmmm, so much to think about.



Thanks, it is something I want to do, REALLY want to do it. Love the magic, we always stay on site at WDW at the values, have never splurged, this seems like it could be a nice way to go. Not sure if it is a "should" do though.

If the $$$ is there, DO IT.

Jack

 

[godalejunior]

I agree with Jack. Our first trip to DL with DS was at DLH and I have no regrets. Seeing Goofy in the lobby and Tic Tock by the pool was awesome.

 

[BraMax]

We are finally after 6 trips staying at the DLH! I am so excited. We are going to be in California for 7 days and friends of our have offered us their house in Escondido for our San Diego portion of the trip. So we took the money that we would of spent on that hotel and decided to surprise the kids and stay at the DLH. I don't know when we will get the chance to do it again so we thought what the heck why not go for it.

So if this is your last trip for awhile and you can swing the money then I say go for it. We will be there June 29-July 3rd. I can't wait.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

If it's a once in a lifetime trip and you have the time to enjoy the hotel, I'd do it. Sure you could save the money and spend it on other things, but there's something about staying at the original Disneyland Hotel at least once.

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

If you think that you will never be back again, then go for it.
The experience is going to be awesome im sure.
I travel to DL frequently, so I stay off site for $ reasons.

I am sure that your experience will be great no matter what you decide.

 

[Gisele]

If you have not stayed at the Dl Hotel, and this may be your last trip to DL. for some time, and you can truly afford the difference, I too say GO FOR IT!
Laurie has a very good point to ponder as well. In the end though, after all that is said and what can be done, if this plan does agree with you very well, then again, book it!
I think that would be very nice indeed for you and your family to have the complete Disney experience. Even if you might decide to not stay there again, for whatever reason(s) you can say yes, I have stayed at the Dl hotel, and this is how I found it to be............

Have a wonderful time with your family, wherever you may decide to lodge. My vote is for Dl. Hotel...

 

[keptwoman]

For $580 I wouldn't do it. That's just too much. But I'm a tightwad.

 

[mechurchlady]

I am thinking a limo, red carpet treatment, fancy beauty salon, spa, and gifts over a hotel and I agree Keptwoman that I too am a tightwad who is very careful on spending money.

 

[The Orchid]

Magic is all nice and everything, but I like to shop. So for me, there would be far more magic in spending that 580 in the parks than for a place I will sleep, shower and p. I like going home with tons of stuff! I rarely remember my experiences at hotels, but I still enjoy the stuff I bought at Disneyland 10 years ago!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

You guys are making this hard! I think I am going to sit down this weekend and really crunch the numbers.

I'll add to the debate...

I was thinking of doing the fantasmic dessert seating... Doing a special "splurge". would that money be better suited toward going toward a hotel room?

Can anyone answer the pool question, is there a "regular area" meaning that it is deep enough to get wet up to the shoulders for adults?

 

[karylrocks]

The Neverland Pool is not a kiddie pool, it is a 5000sf regular depth (I think 5 feet) pool with a water slide but has a shallow section with a small slide for little kids. For a once-in-a-lifetime trip I would definitely say it is worth it if you can manage it - it will add so much to your vacation experience, especially for your kids.

Personally I would not spend my money on the Fantasmic dessert. That is not worth it.

 

[vbecky]

I must say I kind of agree, if money is no object then I would definately!! If you are watching money a little bit then stay offsite cause you wont regret it and you will have the extra money you saved on hotel to spend elsewhere. I know it is tough I have always stayed at the GC when we have gone and it is kind of tough thinking of being off site this time but I can't justify spending the almost 1000 dollars more staying there and we are usually never there to enjoy the hotel anyway.Do what you think will make your family happy either way you won't go wrong!!

 

[victorandbellasmom]

I was thinking of doing the fantasmic dessert seating... Doing a special "splurge". would that money be better suited toward going toward a hotel room?

Can anyone answer the pool question, is there a "regular area" meaning that it is deep enough to get wet up to the shoulders for adults?

We did fantasmic dessert seating once when ds turned 6 and dd was 2, so we only paid for 2 adults and 1 child. Now that the prices have steadily increased I don't think we'd do it again, unless my parents come. I must say that we saw fantasmic and WDW last year for the 1st time and thought it paled in comparison to the DL version.

The Neverland pool is not a kiddie pool. It's a regular pool, deep in the middle and not as deep at the edges. There is a another pool on property by the volleyball nets and the laundry room if you want a more quiet experience. I did not notice how young your kids are, but know that they must be able to swim in order to go down the slide. They are not allowed to wear a life jacket and you are not allowed to wait for them at the bottom for the big slide.

Good luck making your decision. You'll have a great trip regardless of which hotel you chose.