Is the DL Hotel worth it?

[vettegirl]

My DH and I will be spending 3 nights and 2 days at DL at the beginning of December. I can get a pretty good rate for the DL hotel, my questions is it worth it? Some of the reviews for the hotel have not been good. I have always wanted to stay here. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gatorfreud]

I don't know how you define "worth it" - but we stayed there over Thanksgiving last year and we really liked it. We are planning a September stay as well.

It is usually multi-hundreds more over the course of a trip vs. staying off-site, so I guess only you can decide if it worth the extra money to you.

I think if you are only planning to crash out at night there, maybe not. But if you want to take some time to relax at the pool, or drive the little boats, or watch the fish, then yes to me it is worth it. It seemed a nicer "overall" vacation experience to me than staying off-site. Plus for a longer trip you can make more use of the MM.

We are also going down a weekend (fri night-sun night) in August and October. For those we have chosen Hojo because we will not be spending much time at the hotel (a little in August to use the cool kids pool!) but mostly we are going park commando those trips.

I say if you have a good rate, you can afford it, and you've always wanted to stay there, then go for it! If the rate was crazy or it puts you into debt, then I say go cheaper.

Kim


ETA - too funny! Our last WDW was at the Poly, and DH just returned from a quick trip to DLRP and he stayed at Val D Europe too!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

. . .I say if you have a good rate, you can afford it, and you've always wanted to stay there, then go for it! If the rate was crazy or it puts you into debt, then I say go cheaper.

I agree. Also, in Dec there are additional decorations, characters, carolers, and Santa in the Resort hotels, so I think it is one of the best times of the year to stay onsite! -- Suzanne

 

[Sherry E]

I would say it depends on what the "pretty good rate" is. That is the gauge that I use to decide if it is worth it. I have always stayed onsite since about 1987 or so, and I thought I would continue to do so forever because staying onsite for me greatly enhances my overall DLR experience. However, the current "lowest available" AP rates for this October are way too high (so far), and unless they lower to a typical good AP rate, I will not be spending that much money to stay in the PPH and I will begin to look into offsite options for both Halloweentime and Christmastime seasons. Over $200 (pre-tax and Resort Fee) is too much $$$ for the PPH. I would say that anything over $225 pre-tax and Resort Fee is probably too much for me to spend on the DLH. Conversely, however, when the GCH drops down to $209, $219 or even $229 - those are GREAT rates for that hotel.

 

[funatdisney]

I just love the GCH, but have stayed at both DH and PPH. I still think GCH is the best, Now for the DH experience, I did notice that there are more of the characters to greet the guests. For, instance, Cinderella was in the lobby greeting the little of visitors and it was so sweet. I have never saw that in the other two hotels. Of course, they may have been there, but I just never have seen them.

Just a suggestion, I am not promoting anything here! Now what about renting a studio from a DVC member for the VGC? I have rented before for a trip to WDW, and that may be worth looking into the next time you go. I saved a lot of money over what I would have paid for through Disney.

Note: I became member because it works out for me. I like to travel to a Disney destination quite often and so a DVC purchase was right for me. I am not encouraging anyone to buy!!!

 

[abouley]

I think you have to really look at the difference in price between onsite and offsite and see how much money overall that is and what you'd do with that extra money if you had it (go more days, eat better food, do a character meal, etc). Also, look at how much you plan to be in the room. Will you do parks from opening to close and just sleep there?

Staying on-site definitely enhances the experience. I love strolling through DT disney to and from the parks and being able to grab a coffee or drink and sit and people watch in the evening (especially if the parks close early like during off season). Is the hotel itself nicer? Not in my opinion (unless you stay at GCH). I think the hotel itself is about the same as HoJo's where we stay off-site at. Although you can get room service at DLH if you like that. As for the walking...it's not really much closer than off-site but you can take the monorail...but I do like strolling in through the gates in the morning so don't often do that in the morning.

Lots of pros and cons for both so really to me it comes down to money and if it's maybe $50/night more I'll do it but once it is much more than that I just stay off-site.

 

[pixiewings71]

Check the park hours, if it's closing early then staying on site is a plus because you have the extra theming, if the park is open until midnight it might not matter. We've stayed at the PPH and the GCH, we have yet to stay at the DLH but we are AP holders and have been for the past 2 years. We can only afford to stay onsite occasionally and if they have released really great rates. I'm HOPING they release some really great rates for Oct. I'd love to stay at the DLH for that trip, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[DizMe]

Yes, unequivocally! Especially in December. You'll LOVE the holiday stuff and the chance to use MM whenever available. The resort hotels are beautiful and the theming during the holidays makes it even more fun to stay onsite.

I have stayed offsite a few times and it has been a good experience, mainly because the cost was so reasonable ($59/night). However, I MISSED being onsite SO MUCH. If I hadn't been on a really strict budget, I'd have stayed at DLH. If you can get a good rate it usually isn't that much more to stay there. For 3 nights, I'd definitely stay onsite with a good DLH rate. I usually pay $149/night at DLH, which to me is totally reasonable for such a great hotel. We just paid $135 for a basic motel in Kettleman City (NOT a fun place to be).

 

[SunBunny23]

I love the DLH! I will only stay there (or PPH if I'm broke) when I go to Disneyland. It's older but still really nice and can't beat the location!

 

[l’amore bella]

I normally stay at Paradise Pier Hotel since I prefer the decor there, but I still think that Disneyland Hotel is worth it. For me, staying on-site really adds to the whole experience.

 

[vettegirl]

Thanks for the postive feedback! I am super excited to stay at the DLH. We will be arriving that afternoon after a day of touring the Queen Mary. We will not be going to the parks that day, but really want to hang out at the hotel and our room. We are also going to have dinner at Goofy's that first night as well. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun and a great location to DL!