Help me decide! Which hotel for Christmas trip?

[Mcky36]

I have reservations at the Candy Cane Inn and also at the Disneyland Hotel. We are arriving on Christmas day and stying for 4 days. I know it is going to be a complete madhouse, but we are surprising the kids and driving down after they open the tickets under the tree on Christmas morning.

We've never stayed at a Disney resort hotel. We always stay across the street. I'd LOVE to go all out and stay at DLH for this Christmas trip. Plus, I've read before that sometimes they close the parks that week due to capacity unless you are staying at a resort hotel.

But....DLH is $1300 more for 4 nights! It just seems like such a no brainer to save $1300 and stay down the street. On the other hand, I really want this to be a magical trip where we are immersed in the magic.

Ugh. I don't know what to do!

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

$1300 seems like a lot to me. We are staying 2 nights off property for only $180 at the Best Western. Our stay at the Villas at the Grand Californian is covered with DVC points. For $1300 I could almost plan a week at WDW

 

[StyledSugar]

If you can afford it then go for it! We were in the same boat. Had reservations at Del Sol and went back and forth about staying at PPH again. We ended up booking the PPH even though the price difference was about $1,500. It's almost paid for now so by the time we go and walk into the hotel I'm sure we'll forget all about the price.

 

[larina]

If you can swing it, and it won't negatively affect the rest of your trip, go for it and stay onsite. We did Christmas at PPH last year and it was wonderful (and may have spoiled us from offsite forever) and I encourage everyone to have a least one magical holiday in the Happiest/Merriest Place on Earth!

 

[Malcon10t]

Plus, I've read before that sometimes they close the parks that week due to capacity unless you are staying at a resort hotel.

This is not true. When the parks close the turnstiles due to capacity (done by the Anaheim Fire Marshal, not DIsneyland) it is closed to everyone, until attendance drops. It usually only lasts until after the first parade.

 

[sechelt]

And if you're already in the park, they don't kick you out. Just go early and stay until you're ready to leave for the day. Keep in mind that crossing the esplanade from one park to the other puts you at risk for not getting back in.

We've stayed at GH on DVC points but I'd never pay $1300 for that priviledge. Save your money and and enjoy a character meal or whatever else you might want to spend the money on. CCI is a great hotel and has it's own shuttle to the parks.