HNY or Sequoia Lodge?

[PJackson]

Having read the posts about HNY recently, I'm tempted to stay there if we ever get this June trip booked .

We can't afford to stay in the DLH this time sadly so I priced up the NPB (the more I read, the more I think it's not for us - just too big), and Sequoia Lodge. But then HNY also, although I said I initially didn't fancy, is now looking possible - more for the location and hot breakfast (and it sounds like more civilised breakfast perhaps - no slots or anything?).

However, we could stay at the Sequoia Lodge for the full 6 nights or do HNY but only for 4 nights and it's £500 more.

What would you do .

I've read some terrible trip reports on Trip Advisor about Sequoia Lodge esp if you end up in an unrefurbed room so it's putting me off slightly..... Let's face it anything else, having stayed at the DLH twice, isn't going to be as great but needs must!

ETA - there will be 4 of us - Me, DH, DD1 (7) and DD2 (4 - just).

Thanks for any help

 

[DLPdaft]

there is no contest for me in your scenario - 6 nights onsite instead of 4 and its still cheaper to do 6? Sequoia Lodge all the way then .

ask for a nice clean quiet room by phone a few days before you arrive, and if its not clean/if things aren't working etc when you arrive, don't accept the room and talk to the hotel manager immediately.
I don't really mind worn furniture etc and don't consider that a reason to refuse a room. The sheer amount of guests going through each hotel every week means they can't keep everything new and pristine. However, rooms which haven't been cleaned, lights which don't work, window/door catches which don't work etc, I would refuse a room (especially if I was staying more than a couple of nights) for those things, and insist on another room.

 

[tinks_1989]

for me i would want more nights no doubt or money towards meals and souvenirs £500 we didnt even pay that for SL for 3 nights

 

[Isila]

no doubt 6 nights
if this would be to choose 6 nights in HNY or SL.... I'd go for HNY, but SL is getting very good reviews.
But I'd rather stay in cheaper hotel, but longer.

 

[PJackson]

Thanks for your reply Elaine .

I guess my concern is what you have spelled out - lights/catches/mouldy baths etc etc which are quite often reported in reviews of the SL hotel Also, people saying breakfast is like a bunfight at times, not the best choice etc. But hopefully staying in June it should be OK.

I'm still a little unclear about the differences between the Montana & main building rooms too but have posted about that on the new SL update thread.

Also the location bothers me - as some people list SL as up to 20 mins walk away! We do enough walking at DLRP as it is but I really don't fancy hanging around waiting for, and pushing, to get on shuttle buses either.

What I really want is my Fairy Godmother to come along and magic up a stay at DLH (like most people!) but I know that is not going to happen at the prices they are quoting - 2 years ago it was doable for us - not now as the prices have rocketed!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Do you really need a hot breakfast in June

I'd go for SL as I'd rather have extra days on my holidays than anything else

I've not stayed at either for obvious reasons though not through lack of trying (to convince OH ) but after visiting them both I'd finally prefer the SL as it looks more unique that the HNY

The HNY has conference rooms and wouldn't look out of place in any city (after all it's supposed to represent NY) I lived for more than 25 years in a city and travelled to a lot of other citys for my job and stayed in 4* chain hotels - that's what the HNY reminds me of

The SL could be totally finished it's refurb by the time you visit anyway and don't forget that for all the bad reviews there are as many if not more people who love the same place

As long as it's clean, quiet and safe I wouldn't hesitate

 

[PJackson]

Thanks for all the replies

I would prefer a hot breakfast even if it's just scrambled egg on toast But I don't suppose the girls will mind - the thing I don't fancy most is being pinned down to a time (half hour slot) to take it really. At DLH you just stroll up when you like - oh how the other half live .

I do think 6 nights in cheaper hotel is better than 4 in more expensive - I think! I guess I'll have to see what DH thinks .

PS - the reason SL is much less for longer is because it has 30% discount, HNY has no discount at that time (neither does DLH).

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I would prefer a hot breakfast even if it's just scrambled egg on toast

Gives you an occasion to go to EoS for one of their breakfast sarnies

I think you can go when you like for breakfast even if they give you a time from what I've read on various peoples reports and it's not the scrum that you get at the Santa Fe or Cheyenne

 

[Jessie19]

SL is a mere 5 to 10 min walk!! 20 mins me **** lols!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Well, of course I'll put a spanner in the works and go for the HNY

It's the favourite for all of us, having stayed in DLH twice. The kids have been going to HNY since they were young and now as teenagers still enjoy it.

HNY annoyingly introduced breakfast slots last year but we didn't adhere to this at all and were never questioned - neither did anyone else. The Manhattan restaurant is lovely for breakfast.

I think you need to pay for towels at the swimming pool in SL? Someone will know. You don't pay at HNY.

It is a bit closer to the Village - very easy to do EMH and then back again.

However, I have seen some lovely pics of SL and we are kind of considering it this time too. But you may have a room in the lodges at SL - which personally I don't fancy. I like to be in a 'hotel' without having to go outside for reception, restaurant etc.

And honestly, with the exception of the location, DLH wasn't actually that much better than HNY. The breakfast is similar and the room sizes too - in fact I felt that HNY room was slightly bigger. Double sinks in the bathroom, same in both hotels. Room service available in both. I can't think of anything we used at DLH that differed in HNY - maybe turndown service, but who actually needs that

Maybe if you're only used to DLH the SL might be a step too far?

Good luck deciding

 

[Ms Poppins]

Just a thought re the discounts - when are you going? We're going in May but I'm not booking on the current offer yet. It finishes at the end of January and normally a new offer will come out. I can't imagine there being no other discounts after January, given that it's the 20th celebrations.

Hopefully it will follow the same as it has in previous years. Otherwise we may end up off site

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

I have never stayed at Sequoia Lodge so my input is probably not worth much (nothing new there).
Had a quick look around inside and it didn't do much for me to be honest.

However, we have stayed at Hotel New York and really liked it there, though by deluxe standards the room didn't quite have the 'wow factor' everything else about it including the lobby and reception area, fantastic City Bar, restaurants and level of service was excellent.

Personally I would choose HNY, for me I would rather have 4 nights in a better quality hotel.

Though I don't really have a favourite I guess it's hard to compare, staying at Disneyland Hotel in March so may be better placed to then.

Spanner in the works x2 ?

 

[jothp]

We really enjoyed staying at the Sequoia lodge. Once you have got to the hotel new york you only really have to walk around the lake to get there so it is not that much further. In terms of breakfast at the Sequoia we were told by CM's several times that you don't need to stick to the time slot you are given. You do get to choose the time slots you want when you check in. You may also be given the option of having breakfast in the park on some mornings. In terms of breakfast you queue (if necessary) and are shown to a table before you go to the buffet so there is no wandering around with trays of food looking for somewhere to sit like at the Cheyenne or Santa Fe.

For me I would choose the longer stay but the hotel isn't really important to us, we sleep there and eat breakfast and that is about it. If you spend more time there and you think it would really make your holiday less pleasant then you should choose the HNY.

Maybe you could have a look at the Irish site because they sell their packages in Euros and the exchange rate now is better than when the prices were converted to Pounds for the summer brochure. That might save you a few pounds.

 

[DLPdaft]

Patsy what did you love most about your stay in the Disneyland Hotel, and what of those favourite things are you prepared to compromise on to stay onsite at DLP again?

Maybe that would help you make up your mind, as I can see where Mrs Poppins and JohnnySharp2 are coming from in comparing the 2 hotels.

 

[wideeyes]

I have stayed at the HNY and DLH, not stayed at SQ though.

I have always found the CM at the HNY friendlier than the DLH. They are more relaxed and chatty. Last time I stayed at HNY they did have breakfast slots but it wasn't a problem as you are still seated by a CM.


I find it difficult to pay DLH prices now as it has got so much more expensive than the other hotels, the difference wasn't so big when I booked it.

I have also stayed at the Cheyenne and defenitly prefer a cheaper hotel and longer stay if it came down to a choice. I think I will be picking the Cheyenne for our next trip. It is the same for WDW for me, I have stayed at deluxe and value and would still be happy staying at a value.

 

[disneyamy4]

i would have to go for the longer stay! it shouldn't be a question!

since you are thinking of going in june, you will have long opening hours, which means less time in the rooms. when it comes down to it, the rooms are pretty similar, albeit slightly smaller at the SL.

we are staying at the HNY in two weeks after upgrading from cheyenne, but to be fair SL was only £30 cheaper.

SL is definitely not a 20 minute walk, i'd say about 10mins. it took me and Dbf 15 mins to walk from Santa Fe, and we passed SL about halfway between the hotel and disney village.

longer stay, means more magic, and as others say, there will be no problems if you are put in a grotty room, just ask for the manager and request another room! or phone a few days before you leave and asked for a refurbished room to be requested on your booking and they will do what they can

 

[PJackson]

Thanks for all the replies guys

Actually, even bigger spanner in the works now as the HNY has today just put on 30% off discount but only going over the weekend (we all know what weekends are like at DLRP so I always try and fly Sunday (get there tea time) then have midweek in the parks as it's slightly less busy). The discount ends on the Wed so we would have to travel stay Sat - Wed (with the new discount the 5 nights at HNY is now more doable although still more expensive but I can't recall by how much - will have a look in a mo). We had planned to travel/stay Sun - Sat at SL.

Elaine - it's a difficult one re the DLH. I think the main things are being in the parks so early for EMH (while others still queue at baggage check), fab breakfast (leisurely, stroll up, fab views etc), lovely rooms (yes, we don't stay in it that much but they are so pretty and my DD1 in particular feels like a Princess there ), lovely main areas - Fantasia Bar, main reception, the smell! - I won't go on Also, DD2 is still quite little so we may end up going backwards and forwards to room etc - much better location for that. There is no way we will be out for the longer days all day with her I wouldn't think.

Still no further forward with DH getting time off anyway so this may all be in vain (might help someone else though )

 

[PJackson]

Scrap my post above

I've just rechecked and on my system it is saying 15% off only at HNY. It was in a travel agents today that it was showing 30% off. Not sure why though as the TA told me they get the same offers . Thought I would check in case they got a different price?

I'll call them tomorrow and ask them to recheck the price - the lady did show me the screen though and it was all exactly the same as the normal Disneyland Paris website - very odd.

 

[megarasweet]

I'm going to be controversial aswell.

If it were the choice between four nights at SL or two nights at HNY, I'd say SL, however I personally think that four nights is a perfectly reasonably amount of time in the parks and would go for four nights at HNY over six nights at SL (I hope that made sense!).

Until last month, in living memory I'd only ever stayed at DLH. I found the idea of staying in a lesser hotel somewhat intimidating at first as I wasn't sure if it would feel as magical, however in the end DFi and I ended up booking at HNY.

HNY ended up being perfect for us. The room was very similar to those in DLH but with different decor, and whilst breakfast wasn't quite the spectacle it is at DLH the spread was pretty much the same kind of thing. The overall atmosphere was really lovely, the staff were all very attentive and friendly, and I actually prefer the bar to that at DLH. And don't get me started on the vanilla smell, I wish I could have bottled it!

At the end of the day it's up to you, but my opinion would be that four nights is a very reasonable stay at DLP especially in such a nice setting as HNY.

Good luck with everything, I hope it all works out well

 

[RoseBug]

I haven't stayed in the DLH, but we stayed in HNY in June 2009, when Little Rose was 4 months old. It was a nice hotel, perfect location (never had to queue to get in for EMH) and nice breakfast etc. But it was nothing special - just like any other hotel. Breakfast was in a conference room etc.

This time we are staying in Cheyenne because it's all we can afford and tbh I am more excited about staying in this hotel, as although it is cheaper and probably not as nice rooms etc. it has more character and the breakfast room, although it might be a scrum (we'll be going in as it opens, regardless of time slots and as hubby is diabetic, there will be no arguments on that!) the breakfast room looks more fun...!

I would most definitely stay at SL for longer rather than at HNY or even DLH for less nights, especially if it is cheaper for the longer stay too!

I would like to stay at DLH though - but at the prices that it is quoting now, it will never happen!