Have I taken leave of my senses?

[joolz1910]

Your advice would be appreciated. In an idle moment, I decided to find out how much it would be to upgrade from SL to the DLH. I was told it would be an extra £316. Now, here's my dilemma...

I was perfectly happy with the SL before I started daydreaming about the Pink Palace. I had always wanted to stay at the DLH and thought that I would do it in a couple of years BUT by the time we could afford to go again, my youngest would count towards occupancy and we are a family of 5. The family rooms are way above what we could afford and two rooms is also out of the question. Unless our financial situation changes, it's a sort of now-or-never scenario. I know £300 isn't a huge amount but we are on a reasonably tight budget and that would buy a lot of snacks and souvenirs.

I don't know what to do!

 

[ghockley1981]

thats a tough one, I would be split every time with this question. £300 quid would be a couple of very nice meals. OR an awful lot of gifts and toys, however staying in the Pink Palace would be a great memory for you.

Have you thought about tossing a coin?

The SL is a very nice Hotel though, i would think even though it would be a hrad choice i would enjoy the holiday more staying at SL and using the extra money to make it more special.

How long would you be really using the hotel?

 

[britchic4]

I'm probably the wrong person to be answering you since I'll be at the DLH in 2 weeks' time! For me it was something I'd wanted to do for ages and just decided to go for it - given the current economic climate I hope I don't end up regretting it! So I'd say go for it.

 

[PJackson]

We go next weekend and have just booked the DLH but we are lucky in that M&D are helping out. Tbh I looked at the other hotels and for us the location of the DLH just sang out esp as we have a baby and a toddler so for naps/nipping back it just was the best.

If you've always wanted to do it and it's going to be your 'best shot' I'd say go for it.... But then tbh I've never been so you are probably better taking other people's advice who have....

Good luck with your decision - I was sooo indecisive about our trip but glad it's sorted now

 

[Lilohulagirl]

Hi There, if it was me I would probably want the extra money for souveniers ! That way I always see it as you have something to take home and remind you of your trip. But go with your heart. If you really want to stay there go for it.

 

[lilo68]

We had the same dilema as you, we were supposed to be staying at the davy crocket but when we realised it wasn't that much more to upgrade, we decided to go for it, although we are only a family of 4,( 3 adults and 1 child) not 5, January is the cheapest time and realised that if we didn't upgrade this time we probably never would.

 

[tripodjw]

I think if you are doubting the option at all then it is probably not the option to choose.

While the DLH is really nice, ultimately it is just a hotel where you will sleep and wash, as you'll spend most of the rest of the time in the parks. You can eat in the restuarnts and go to the bar/shops of the DLH even if you're not staying there.

You say you're on a tight budget, so imho you really have to stick within your original budget. The way gas and electricity and food prices are going you might need it to feed and clothe your kids in a couple of months.

If you weren't on tight budget or had won £300 on the lottery that would cover it then i'd be all for it.

For our trip next week we chose to stay at the NY, the DLH was around £400 more and we felt that the £400 would pay for a decent meal every day.

If you really want to stay in the SLH and the cost will be prohibitive with the whole family as your kids get oldeer. Why not persuade your other half/parents/best friend to go there with you as an adults only trip for a special occasion (anniversary, birthday). You could fly or eurostar in and out for 1 or 2 nights at the DLH so you can be pampered.

 

[ema74]

When I phoned to ask about upgrade from SL to DLH they told me it would be £750 more than what we paid for SL. So it was a big NO for us.

£300 compared to £750 isn't a lot but still... IMHO £300 would buy you a few nice meals at Cafe Mickey and Auberge de Cendrillon or lots of pins and toys for the little ones...

I want to also stay in DLH but at the moment it's not possible. I say one day maybe (DH has to keep his job )...

 

[ukstitch]

Your advice would be appreciated. In an idle moment, I decided to find out how much it would be to upgrade from SL to the DLH. I was told it would be an extra £316. Now, here's my dilemma...

I was perfectly happy with the SL before I started daydreaming about the Pink Palace. I had always wanted to stay at the DLH and thought that I would do it in a couple of years BUT by the time we could afford to go again, my youngest would count towards occupancy and we are a family of 5. The family rooms are way above what we could afford and two rooms is also out of the question. Unless our financial situation changes, it's a sort of now-or-never scenario. I know £300 isn't a huge amount but we are on a reasonably tight budget and that would buy a lot of snacks and souvenirs.

I don't know what to do!

If money is really tight, then I wouldn't bother with the upgrade personally. The SL is a really nice hotel and is easily walkable from the parks.

Plus, if you're eating in the village in the evenings, then it's not much further to the SL from the village as it is to the DLH.

The DLH does look slightly nicer, but if you're having to downgrade part of your holiday just to stay in the DLH, then personally I wouldn't do it

 

[DLPdaft]

Its all down to whether you can easily afford the upgrade.

£300 is more than I spend on a trip to DLRP, and more than I spend while I'm there. I too would adore to stay at the DLH, but I just honestly can't justify the extra expense. If, as someone has already said, you find an extra £300 down the back of the sofa, or you win it on the lottery, then I'd have no hesitation in saying "go for it".

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks, you are all making perfect sense. I know that the sensible thing to do would be to spend the £300 on treats (or essentials) but then will I regret not staying at the DLH...?

I am the most indecisive person. It's better if I have no choice, as I weigh up the options over and over again! lol.

I know that other people have had similar dilemmas! I'm going to have a good, long look at my finances. £300 wouldn't make us destitute but the trip is already costing us £820, staying at SL. This isn't an amount I could afford annually, so our trips can't be as frequent as I would like.

Perhaps I should post a poll!

 

[poppyolivia]

Its all down to whether you can easily afford the upgrade.

£300 is more than I spend on a trip to DLRP, and more than I spend while I'm there. I too would adore to stay at the DLH, but I just honestly can't justify the extra expense. If, as someone has already said, you find an extra £300 down the back of the sofa, or you win it on the lottery, then I'd have no hesitation in saying "go for it".

I'm with you on that one, if I spent that money I wouldn't want to go out of the hotel...

 

[A Small World]

We have booked DLH for February as a one off rotfl: ) but are already wondering if we'll be content with another hotel again after we've done it.

For our first 2 trips we stayed in Santa Fe as we couldnt see that we needed to spend more on a hotel as it was just to sleep in. Since then we have worked our ay up through DCR, Cheyenne and SL. As we have been so often we now see the hotel as part of the holiday - not just a place to sleep and hence we decided to splash out for DLH.

However you can always use the facilities (apart form pool) there without staying there (and SL has a better pool anyhow)

Not sure if this makes sense or what Im trying to say really but Id go for it as long as it wasnt going to mean I couldnt enjoy other aspects of the hol eg nice meals which we also consider an important part of the holiday

 

[davewasbaloo]

If it is a stretch, I would question doing it. If it means reducing the restaurant meals and choices, then to me it is not worth it. Breakfast with characters, no security issues, and the fastpass is cool, but not if it means eating fastfood instead of table service.

 

[joolz1910]

Not sure if this makes sense or what Im trying to say really but Id go for it as long as it wasnt going to mean I couldnt enjoy other aspects of the hol eg nice meals which we also consider an important part of the holiday[/QUOTE]

I totally agree but this price also includes halfboard plus, so meals would be taken care of. I want to go with DLPDaft - how do you do it soooo cheaply? I'm guessing eurotunnel and AP's? I am torn 50/50 over this. I suppose I could phone and check availability - that might make the decision for me if no rooms are available.

 

[ukstitch]

If it is a stretch, I would question doing it. If it means reducing the restaurant meals and choices, then to me it is not worth it. Breakfast with characters, no security issues, and the fastpass is cool, but not if it means eating fastfood instead of table service.

I don't think you even really get these perks unless you stay castle club.

Standard DLH fastpass is 1 fastpass ticket per person per day - ok, but not great.
Standard DLH breakfast is (I believe) a character greeting - they meet you at the restaurant but it's not really breakfast with the characters.

The security issues I would agree with, although this again depends on your family size and bag load. If you're a small group with next to no bags, then you can breeze through security with next to no issues anyway.

 

[DLPdaft]

And if rooms at the DLH are available ?

My price for trips and your price will be apples and oranges though - theres only me and DD in my party, we both have AP's, but we fly (look out for flights as soon as they come out) and usually stay onsite. Our trips, up to now, have been for 2 nights and 3 days. The trip next month (same duration as usual) has cost me a total of £279, including half board plus and a breakfast at Cafe Mickey.

 

[davewasbaloo]

I have been able to do DLP for a family of four for as little as £30 a night thanks to Tescos, Holiday Inn Points and APs.

Personally I find the prices of the DLH laughable considering I can stay in the 7* Al Arab hotel in Dubai, the Ritz, or the Waldorf Astoria much cheaper. We are still considering it as a Christmas treat, but when they offer Holiday Inn quality for a Al Arab price, frankly there is something wrong somewhere.

 

[FiFi Rose]

Our first two trips we stayed at DCR and did self drive. Last year we stayed at DLH and we're going back to DLH in two weeks. It's spoiled me for going anywhere else. I now expect men in short trousers to follow me with gold luggage carts and kiss my feet laughing: only joking) To be honest it is a lot of money. Depends when ur going but if its high season u probably won't spend much time in the hotel anyway because the parks are open later. The character at breakfast time are great but £300 wound pay for a few character meals in the restaurants. Does sound like ur getting quite a good deal though!

 

[joolz1910]

Next time I'm going to give Davewasbaloo or DLPDaft a cheque so one of you can get me a good deal. I could always leave the kids at home...

Breaking down the cost, it would be an extra £100 per night to stay at the DLH. No, I'm still no closer to a decision.