Is it worth it to stay at a Disney resort in the winter? UPDATED 8/6/07

[disney-super-mom]

So, if you could get a deal to stay at the Paradise Pier Hotel in Jan. or Feb. for $150 per night, would you do it, even if it could be too cold to use the pool or pool slide?

I'm only asking because the only reason we stay at the Disney hotels is for the pools and pool slides. But, during the winter when it may be too cold to use the pools, I'm wondering if it would make better sense to stay across on Harbor somewhere and save a little money? I'm sure we could get a great Entertainment book rate at HOJO, or even just get a great off season rate at any of the motels on Harbor.

Of course I'm sure if we booked at a motel on Harbor, it would end up being 75 or 80 degrees everyday during our vacation! You know how things like that happen, right?!

So, any opinions on this?

 

[DisneyloverinWA]

I always want to stay at the Disney properties, but when I price them out against the Good Neighbor hotels, I can never justify it. Also, the kids always want to spend all the time in the park, especiallky in winter when the parks close earlier. I vote for staying offsite and spending your money on other fun things.

DisneyloverinWA

 

[Fellowship9798]

I would have to vote for staying off site as well. The premium cost for the Disney hotels in DL is just too much for me.

But once they build a DVC there, then I'm done with Harbor Blvd. for sure.

 

[godalejunior]

We stayed at DLH in Jan. and early Feb. this last year and had a great time and it was worth it to us. It was our first time to DL as a family and we loved having Goofy's right there and used the monorail everyday to get to and from the park. DS still takes a nap in the afternoon and this worked out great for us. We also did swim in the pool which proved to be one of his favorite things to do while we were there, swimming by Tick Tock.
We stayed off site in May and did not enjoy the room anywhere near the experience of being on site. We decided as long as we can afford it when we go as a family it will be on site. They also had the AP rates going during some of Jan and Feb last year which makes it a lot more feasible to do on site. I believe DLH was around $169 a night if I remember correctly.

 

[stampinshauna]

We've stayed at the GCH in December and at the DLH in both Jan & Feb. While I didn't swim a whole lot, I did use the hot tub quite a bit. The weather can really vary and the pools are heated, so depending on what you consider warm you may still want to swim.

 

[drag n' fly]

I would have to vote for staying off site as well. The premium cost for the Disney hotels in DL is just too much for me.

But once they build a DVC there, then I'm done with Harbor Blvd. for sure.

Us Too! The minute DVC has a home resort there...sign me up! Dh is THIS close to buying DVC anyways but I would love my home to be at DL! We are staying onsite for the first time this fall after getting spoiled and staying onsite in WDW. Calling the GC home would be divine!

 

[NVDisMom]

We stay at GCH in Dec and swim everyday. If you get to chilly, go hop in the hottub. The kids wouldn't dream of missing out on swim time, no matter the weather. But there is so much more to onsite than just the pools. On site is always our first choice.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm quite sure I would swim, even in January. I grew up in the Bay Area, and we swam even in the winter...So CA is warmer in general, so I'd definitely swim there.

It's going to be warmer than Spokane, that's for sure!

Now, while Im not 100% I would want to swim up on the roof of PP, as a PP guest you can use the DLH pool, and I'd probably use THAT instead.

$150 for PP? I wanna know where you're booking!!!

 

[disney-super-mom]

I know this is weird to say, but we like the PP pool set up better than the DLH pool set up. LOVE LOVE LOVE the theming of the DLH pool and the GCH pool, but for younger kids, the PP pool slide and wading pool area is set up just perfect for kids who aren't strong swimmers yet (as well as for tired parents who don't want to run around after their kids at the pool because their feet are killing them from walking around the parks all day).

The kids can go down the slide and in and out of the wading pool (conveniently located right next to the slide) all on their own. No swimming required. Also, we've found the PP pool to be much warmer than the DLH pool, probably because it's smaller and easier to heat. However, in the summer I hear the PP pool can get almost too warm, more like a bath, so it wouldn't be very refreshing during that time of year.

The $150 rate is really a breakdown of the 4 night Costco travel package quote I got for January.

After I subtracted out our 5 day park hoppers (for the 4 of us)
and the cost of the included Character breakfast (for the 4 of us)
and the included $150 gift card
and the included $20 gift card

the nightly rate ended up being about $150 per night (and that's including tax I believe.)

Anyway, we're struggling with deciding whether to go to DL or WDW in January. On average, Orlando January temps are 5 degrees warmer than Anaheim. Not sure if that would make much of a difference or not?

 

[bumbershoot]

That's good to know about the PP pool being better for younger swimmers.

I was only thinking DLH b/c any wind-chill factor would be less.

Ah, the costco package. We're upgrading to APs on this trip, so the package wouldn't work for us.

$150 gift card? They're giving a $150 giftcard now? Yowza. Is that a Costco gc or a Disney gc (I'm assuming the $20 is Disney and $150 is Costco)?

 

[disney-super-mom]

You would think that it would be a $150 Costco gift card, but it's not.

With the package, you get a $20 Disney gift card, and a $150 Disney gift card. That could pay for our food for a couple of days.

 

[heatherleigh]

We prefer on campus, but not for the ammenities like pool and spa. We have 3 kids under the age of 6, so it is in our best interest to stay within walking distance from the hotel. This will be helpful if we have to leave the park at the spur of the moment for any accidents or meltdowns. The last time we went, I didn't even check out the pool or spa. This time, I plan on it though. I hope Paradise Pier's pool is heated.

 

[ACDSNY]

Once we could afford to stay on-site (around 1999) we never went back to off-site hotels. We like to stay within the Disney magic for the whole trip.

By the way, the rumors are getting more active for GC DVC...two building permits have been found this week. Hope the speculation is correct!!!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Once we could afford to stay on-site (around 1999) we never went back to off-site hotels. We like to stay within the Disney magic for the whole trip.

By the way, the rumors are getting more active for GC DVC...two building permits have been found this week. Hope the speculation is correct!!!

That's the thing with us too. After staying on-site at the PP last October, I just don't know if we could do off-site again, even in January. That last trip was soooooo relaxing and laid back, and our room was large, clean, and cute, and staying in a place with room service was, well what can I say.....it was great! It VERY MUCH SPOILED US!

I felt the same way after staying at the DLH too! Then we stayed off-site again, and I kept asking myself "WHY?"!

We're so ready for them to start building a GC DVC!!! Where do we sign up?! Of course we'd have to sell our 2006 Keystone Outback camper trailer first, but let me tell ya, I'd rather go to DLR rather than camping (and so would my DH and little boys too)! I better start racking up our frequent flyer miles now so we'll be able to fly "home" A LOT!

 

[ACDSNY]

Of course we'd have to sell our 2006 Keystone Outback camper trailer first, but let me tell ya, I'd rather go to DLR rather than camping (and so would my DH and little boys too)

Yes, the trailer must go...you better start getting it ready.

I'd gladly sleep in a tent for our camping trips in order to have DVC. I'll be on if they announce GC DVC!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Well, I just couldn't do it.

I just couldn't plan a trip to DL/DCA in January (instructed to do so by my work obsessed DH)...especially not having park schedules, and because it could be cold and/or rainy. Who wants to go somewhere cold and rainy in the winter??? GIVE ME SUNSHINE!

So, I almost booked a trip to WDW for January...but...geeeeeez, we just really love many of the rides better at DL, and there's some new things for us to experience there (Nemo and Pirate's Lair), and our youngest (Luke, 4) is already 42 inches tall and will be able to ride many more rides at DL/DCA vs. WDW. Plus, DH wanted to wait another year before taking the kids alllllllll the way to WDW. (Oh, for crying out loud!)

He wants me to plan a Disney vacation for January, but he doesn't want to go ALL the way to WDW, where it's, you know....WARM?!!!

I couldn't TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!

I marched into my DH's office possessed by the evil Mickey Mouse spirit, my head spinning around, my eyes rolled back into my head, and I said in my best RedRum-ous voice, "If yooooooooooou want to go to DL instead of alllllllllllll the way to WDW, then weeeeeeeee are NOT going in January! Figure yourrrrrrrrrrrr schedule out for a trip sometime this fallllllllllll!

And guess what? He figured it out, and we are going to DL THIS FALL! (Damn, I'm good!)

I booked our trip, staying at the Paradise Pier October 30th - November 3, in a park view room!

I don't know what came over me, but if the Mickey Mouse spirit is the devil, then I guess I'm going to hell.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

hehe Good for you! If we can afford it and get a good enough of a deal we always will pick staying onsite. So many perks, even beyond the pool. Were doing the GCH in October, and I'm planning a trip for next June as well. Thinking the June trip may be offsite, and it's going to be hard to do after getting so spoiled at the GCH. *sigh* Glad you got it all worked out!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm glad you're going in the fall!

But this was us in Sept '05, it was COLD and rainy for half the day...so you'll have to be prepared anyway.

For our mid/late Sept trip this year, we're bringing that same poncho (and unseen Disney umbrella), b/c we don't want to spend another $30 like we did on that day!

 

[abookworm]

Where is the $150 GC deal? I don't see it anywhere on the Cosco site and it didn't show up when I went thru the process to book the same deal as you seemed to. Just curious-thanks.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Where is the $150 GC deal? I don't see it anywhere on the Cosco site and it didn't show up when I went thru the process to book the same deal as you seemed to. Just curious-thanks.

Hi there,

It was actually for the Paradise Pier Hotel (for a stay in January)

The cost that was quoted included: Room for 4 nights, park hopper tickets for everyone in our party, a character breakfast for everyone, a $150 Disney gift card (I think that's only offered for January & Febuary), and a $20 Disney gift card, and all taxes.

Once I subtracted out the cost of the tickets, character breakfast, and the gift cards, it came to about $150 per night for our room.

The package I 'DID' book for October ended up costing $178 per night (including tax) at the Paradise Pier, but it ended up being a little more because I booked a 'themepark view".

Anyway, I'm sure a Costco package for the GCH would be much more. I remember checking, but I didn't write it down, so I don't know how much I was quoted. For now though, we're happy at the Paradise Pier.

Someday.......somedaaaaaaay.......we'll stay at the GCH (or buy into a DVC there).