Is EE worth $1000 more?

[mydisneymoney]

So we are going for 5 days the week after Thanksgiving. Currently we have reservations off property but have looked at staying onsite. With the current crowd situation at DCA would having EE be worth the extra $1000 to stay onsite?

 

[Mary09]

That's subjective but for us it never is worth the premium. We could do a whole second vacation for the premium, which would be our preference instead.

Aren't there other ways to get EE? Don't some come with multi-day park hoppers or something?

 

[mydisneymoney]

That's subjective but for us it never is worth the premium. We could do a whole second vacation for the premium, which would be our preference instead.

Aren't there other ways to get EE? Don't some come with multi-day park hoppers or something?

You only get 1 magic morning per 3 or more day PH if you stay off site. If you stay onsite, you get early entry to either DCA or DL every morning so we would be able to get in early each of our 5 days there. So it comes down to 1 magic morning to DL or 5 early entries to DCA and DL.

 

[madigraham]

Well here's the thing, your also paying for the extra Disney magic that offsite hotels don't have. As for the ee, it's only about an hour or two extra. If you are morning Poeople and you know you will be up and ready to go at 7am then go for the ee. I would stay onsite for the experience alone, but that's just my preference

 

[hlbtimes2]

I'm currently having the same debate for our Dec. trip. We have a/p's, so we do not get any EE's unless we stay on site. I keep hoping they offer some great holiday rates...but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

$250 per hour. Save about an hour of time. It's about $250 for a three or four day PH (if you go to Costco). Not worth it in my opinion if you are just looking at it that way.

Now if you have the extra money and staying at a DLR hotel would make you really happy for other reasons, then I think it is worth it.

 

[ValpoCory]

Well here's the thing, your also paying for the extra Disney magic that offsite hotels don't have. As for the ee, it's only about an hour or two extra. If you are morning Poeople and you know you will be up and ready to go at 7am then go for the ee. I would stay onsite for the experience alone, but that's just my preference

Also, keep in mind, during the offseason some times the first park opens at 10am, so you are twiddling your thumbs waiting for that. Getting that 9am entry on those days is key.

 

[mydisneymoney]

I'm currently having the same debate for our Dec. trip. We have a/p's, so we do not get any EE's unless we stay on site. I keep hoping they offer some great holiday rates...but I'm not holding my breath.

I wouldn't hold your breath for too long because I am sure you will pass out before they come out with any great deal. I think they are filling up just fine and don't need to offer any deals. In fact, I called to see what it would cost for PPH and the travel CM said it was filling quickly. At least having a AP you might be able to get 10% a few of the nights you were looking at. I looked at upgrading one of our PH to an annual pass for the 10% discount. The difference between the AP and the 5 day hopper was about what I would save with the 10% discount at PPH. The only other advantage would be saving on food in the park. I am sure I will not be returning in a year so I would not be using the AP other then this trip.

 

[Ozdisneydreamin]

For us travelling from Australia it is worth paying the extra dollars. We originally had booked off site but moved for the access to early entry. If you can swing the extra $$$ I say go for it!!

 

[ValpoCory]

So we are going for 5 days the week after Thanksgiving. Currently we have reservations off property but have looked at staying onsite. With the current crowd situation at DCA would having EE be worth the extra $1000 to stay onsite?

Just by the title of the thread, I can tell you've already made up your mind. For us, we are staying 6 nights at the Villas at the Grand Californian for $178.33 per night (DVC rental made 7+ months out). Compare that to $100-$130 per night for off site, and the difference is pretty small.

But for that price difference, you get the Disney immersion. We are not renting a car, making it similar to WDW. We are doing all the character dining restaurants in the hotel (I know, open to all, but much less likely to attend them if staying offsite), partaking in the Get Up & Go Power Walk through an empty DCA, loving the EMH into DCA for better Radiator Springs Racers wait times, and just enjoying being in a hotel inside a Disney theme park! That is worth $60 per day, in my opinion.

 

[todzwife]

If we could afford it there would be no question, especially with the way crowds have been.

 

[mydisneymoney]

If we could afford it there would be no question, especially with the way crowds have been.

This is the reason I would consider doing it. Even though the historical crowds have been low the week after thanksgiving, Carsland has changed the whole thing. We have stayed at PPH and GCH in the past and really didn't feel immersion factor. We like PPH over GCH. We actually felt that our walk time to get back to our room was less at PPH then GCH because of where our room was at GCH. I have a feeling the immersion factor will be more evident at Christmas time with the decorations etc. But a $1000 is a lot. That is a big chunk towards our next Disney vacation.

 

[mydisneymoney]

So, now an even bigger reason to pay the extra money. Per Disneylands website, they just posted park hours for the week after thanksgiving and instead of opening at 9am like they have in the past, they are opening both parks at 10am. So unless I want to sit around until 10am, I will need to have EE available to me. POOP! I really don't want to spend another $1000!

 

[sheetz]

The week after Thanksgiving probably won't be too crowded so I don't think you'll have problems doing everything you want in 5 days even without early entry.

 

[robinb]

So we are going for 5 days the week after Thanksgiving. Currently we have reservations off property but have looked at staying onsite. With the current crowd situation at DCA would having EE be worth the extra $1000 to stay onsite?

Is this a trick question? No. Staying onsite and spending $1000 to get a couple more Early Entries is not worth it IMO. Our last trip to Disneyland was between Christmas and New Year's 2010 (the busiest time of year!) and we stayed at the Hilton. We had to wait every day for the CMs to deduct days off our WDW ticket media and were fine once we got in. I would make sure that you are queued up in advance for DCA if you want to do Carsland right away.

 

[ttig34]

If they are opening at 10, they must expect light crowds.

 

[momsquad]

Is EE and onsite worth $1000?

I asked myself the same question when making our plans. Yes, the EE for a busy Carsland seems like a true advantage . . .

HOWEVER!!

Spending that money on a bed, for an extra hour, would mean skipping other features for us.
We decided we wanted the other features: CCR dinner, BB lunch, MHP, PhotoPassPlus and coming home with a souvenir! All of that would add up to a better memory, than the one hour. (For us anyway - your mileage my vary! )

Besides, our group can do RSR Single rider.

Total immersion is great at WDW - I know we will enjoy that again. This trip we decided to take advantage of the true "walking" distance hotels on Harbor Blvd (an advantage not available at WDW.)

If $$ was not a concern, we would be onsite. Reality is - $$$ is always a concern.

 

[Rhonna]

That's subjective but for us it never is worth the premium. We could do a whole second vacation for the premium, which would be our preference instead.

Aren't there other ways to get EE? Don't some come with multi-day park hoppers or something?

Currently the ONLY way to get into DCA park an hour early is to stay onsite. The MM (magic morning early entry) that people get with ph tickets is only for DL park on select days.

Disney knew Carsland would be huge and they are capitalizing on that popularity by offering EE to DCA park only to onsite resort guests. I just read today that both disney and surrounding hotels are running 95% capacity this fall and winter. The article I read also showed the statistics for park attendance. Last year was about 19,000 guests a day at DCA - this fall it's 40,000 - twice as many guests for that park. DL park attendance is running the same as they had last year.

 

[Rhonna]

If they are opening at 10, they must expect light crowds.

I hope so since we are going in Nov. However, disney can and has changed hours at the last minute if the crowds warrant it.

 

[scrapshappen]

Just something to consider, it's likely EVERY guest that is staying on site will be at the park for those early entry times given that they are at 9 instead of 8. Plenty of time for people to sleep in and still get that extra hour in. So it's likely to be pretty crowded in those hours anyway. Or more crowded than it would be if they were earlier.

You might be better off getting to the turnstiles early at the park that doesn't have early entry that day and being one of the first in that park.

(All that being said, we're still staying on site and I'm so excited, despite the cost and the crowds).