Good neighbor or Disney resort? which more convenient?

[stitch34]

Can't decide..... options are:
1. 4 nights BWPPI or BWAI.

or

2. 3 nights PPH and 1 at DLH.

Question comes down to which is more convenient location to parks and taking a little break during the day if needed?

Also... for those of you used to staying on disney property - such as in WDW - and then did a Good Neighbor - did you feel you were missing any Disney magic?

We say it's our one-time only trip out to DLR. Are so used to staying in disney resorts when at WDW.... and are excited to experience PPH and DLH and figure if doing it, then oh, just do it right and stay where we want to stay.

Of course... comes the money issue and the Good Neighbor resorts make a LOT of sense.... and only a 4-night trip, won't be spending THAT much time at resort - and even if not staying at a Disney resort, we certainly anyway will take the time go check them out and visit/dine there.

Which is really more convenient to the parks... BWPPI or PPH? I know we'd spend a good part of our time at DCA, and dining at the 3 resorts and DTD, so wonder if location-wise PPH is better for us.
Or if taking a little park break... what's more convenient to stay at?

Also.... if stay at Good Neighbor hotel - do you feel you are missing some of the Disney magic?
We go to WDW, turn on tv in our room and there is Must Do Disney with Stacy - anything like that in the resorts - and do they do that at the Good Neighbors, too? I ask, because of my autistic son who just loves watching park stuff like that when in our room.

Sorry so long.... just can't decide! Part of me says oh, do BWPPI and save money... then other part is if doing it this one-time only, then go for it and do PPH. Have also considered doing 3 nights at BWPPI - and then last night splurge and do PPH or DLH.

 

[Misskitty3]

I have stayed at all 3 Disney resorts and our last trip we stayed at HoJos. Never felt like I missed anything.....plus had way more $$$ to spend on extra stuff!

 

[HydroGuy]

There are many dual WDW/DLR vets who will only stay onsite at WDW and are fine with being at a good neighbor at DLR. BWPPI is closer to the park gates than is PPH. See "How Far Is It?" (shows actual distances in feet from hotels to DLR entrance plaza) www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

Disney Magic. It is different at DLR. DLR does not have the immersive feel of WDW, but it is extremely cool to be staying so close to the parks as with BWPPI or PPH/DLH. I think the walking distance hotels let you have a different kind of magical visit. You will be fine.

If you feel like you can comfortably afford PPH/DLH then that may be a good bet. If not, then BWPPI will be totally fine. Plus BWPPI is closer. And you will feel some magic being right there 5 minutes from the gates. Staying at BWPPI puts you closer to the park gates than the bus drops are at Epcot or AK.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

We stayed at BWPPI. I would say it's more convenient than the PPH, at least if you're in DL. PPH is probably equal distance to DCA, if you cut through the GCH. If you think you are going to spend a lot of time in Downtown Disney, PPH is closer to that then BWPPI.

We have a toddler daughter and needed to go back to the hotel every day for nap time. We were back in our room in under 7 minutes from the main gate, I'd say. And that included waiting for the light and walking very slowly with my husband who had a bum ankle. So, yes, the BWPPI is very close.

While it was totally fine for us, the BWPPI is pretty no-frills. I think they have the Disney Channel, but no resort channel with princess storytelling or soundtracks to fireworks/WOC. There isn't Disney-themed decor or anything. It was just a clean, basic motel with a small, basic pool that happens to be VERY convenient to DLR.

We've never stayed onsite, so we don't know what we're missing. ;-P For us, our main criteria are close, clean and cheap. BWPPI was a great fit for us.

But if this is truly going to be your only DLR trip, and you're used to deluxe resorts at WDW, you'd probably be happier at one of the resort hotels.

 

[Hound 109]

I think the PPH is way more convenient for taking mid day breaks than the Harbor hotels. (& I've stayed at both several times). I also think that for a once in a lifetime trip, getting one (or two) extra MMs will come in handy.

Also, I love walking thru the GCH coming or going to the parks (4 times a day) & i like walking thru DTD to & from the parks (& for meals). I'll continue to stay on Harbor twice as often as i stay on site (to save $$......but for a once a decade visit, then I'd stay on site.

Agree with the others that staying on Harbor is a good option (similar to staying at a value at WDW).....but if you want immersion, more MMs, & easy mid day breaks (less than 5 min. from Griz Rapids to the PPH), then I'd stay on site.

 

[Eeee-va]

I don't know what price difference you're looking at, but if you choose off-site, maybe you could splurge with buying Fantasmic! dessert seating and/or a character meal.

I've never stayed at BWPPI or BWAI. Hojo's is nicer than them, but definitely less convenient to the parks than even the Paradise Pier Hotel. I think timewise, if you are leaving from DL (not DCA), the ones closer to the main gates are probably the best as far as convenience/distance.

For your on-site option, I don't think I would switch hotels mid-stay. It's not horrible but it's just not very convenient and it takes away from park time. We switched from the Red Lion to the Paradise Pier and it ate up more time than I wanted, plus we had no room from about 11 AM - 3 PM or so. I'm glad we got to try the Paradise Pier but I'm not so sure I'd do it again--unless we had a park view. I think that would've made the hotel. If you can get 4 nights Park View for a similar price to 3 standard at PP and 1 at Disneyland Hotel, that would be my vote for the on-site.

 

[Babybears]

I'm a huge fan of PPH and agree with the previous post that switching on-site hotels during your trip might eat up some time. I actually think the PPH is more convenient in many ways to off-site hotels (for DCA) because really all you do is walk across the street and through the GCH and you are in DCA. Having access to the hotel guest entrance is AWESOME!! As for DL, it is a bit longer, but it's not a big deal and I love cutting through GCH and then walking the last half of DTD on our way to the parks. I like the morning music they have piped in throughout DTD........just puts me in a good mood.

Basically we feel like we never leave the park when we stay there. My girls really look forward to the Princess Bedtime Stories and older Disney cartoons as well as watching the theme park channel that shows all the rides and shows (and plan what they want to ride the next day). Also, the PPH castmembers in the hotel are so friendly! I just love the feel of the place.

 

[Mackysmycat]

My vote is for PP if it's a one time DL trip. As long as you can afford it, I'd say go for it.

 

[stitch34]

Thanks for the opinions - much appreciated.
Am thinking now best would be 3 nights at BWPPI or BWAI - BWAI seems a bit cheaper but really not much farther away, right?.... and then last at DLH.

Wondered how a split stay would work - in WDW we are always doing them... seriously, multiple resorts each trip. We really enjoy experiencing the resorts, the rooms, the pools, etc. Pretty much we are value resort people... but a night here or there at deluxes/mods with a good deal or AP rate.

Am assuming if we leave BWPPI, would get a cab in the a.m.... take us and luggage to DLH - check in and go have breakfast - if room ready, fine... if not, go to park and come back later for a swim. But we do plan on heading out that way anyway in the a.m.... planning on breakfast at DLH and PPH anyway.

Looking more at PPH - rooms look very nice, I like the location - but still not sure if it is wowing me enough to justify the extra money over BWPPI.... which, I think that would be neat to be like wow, we are right across the street.... such a novel thing to us compared to what we are used to!

My girls originally were preferring PPH - but then yeah, that monorail pool is calling out to them. Went once to DLR when I was a kid... geez, like '79 I guess it was! We stayed at DLH and have fond memories... would be nice to do the one night at least there I think! Dad had a convention, spent a lot of time in room hanging with mom - borrring!... but I was glued to the window, staring out to the pool and the view of the resort. So I think how can you go to DLR and NOT stay a night at DLH!?

I think if have to pick one night at PPH or DLH - I guess DLH would win out.

With a great deal, though, PPH 3 nights and 1 at DLH would be doable - but yeah, money is a big issue here and guess I gotta be rational and do BWPPI for the first nights!

Does it affect our shuttle/bus service we decide on if pay for round trip - yet being dropped off and then picked up at different resorts?