Is the DLH worth it???

[jgmklmhem]

We are currently staying at one of the hotels right on Harbor, but I have been debating with myself if moving up to the DLH is really worth the extra cost. I was looking for any opinions on the matter. I could also swing the PPH as well, so any advice would be helpful


Thanks!!!!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I have never stayed onsite and for now I have absolutely no desire to. I would much rather spend that extra money in the park or extend my trip than spend it at a place that all I'm going to do is sleep at. I say that now that my son is only 4 and doesn't know the difference between DLH and a good neighbor hotel etc....Just a matter of preference I guess, and what you want to get out of the trip. Enjoy your stay no matter where you go

 

[Tink208]

I used to think it wasn't worth it, until I finally stayed there. Now I don't want to stay off property, if I can at all avoid it. I like being able to charge meals in the park to my room, and to be able to have purchases sent to the hotel so I don't have to carry them around. I also just enjoy the magic of being on Disney property the whole time.

I also just simply have developed a taste for nicer accommodations as I have gotten older.

(I also have a friend who was killed by a drunk driver crossing Harbor a few years ago and I have had an issue with the idea of staying off site...)

 

[PrincessSitka]

I always stay at Disney Hotel. Love it. I like everything I need there. Also they deliver everything to your rooms. The neverland pool is really close with the kids. Rooms service. Just very nice

 

[jgmklmhem]

I always stay at Disney Hotel. Love it. I like everything I need there. Also they deliver everything to your rooms. The neverland pool is really close with the kids. Rooms service. Just very nice

Is the pool heated??? We are going first of Feb.

 

[godalejunior]

Yes, the pool is heated. We were there at that time last year and it was 69 degrees outside and we were in the pool. It was a little cool once you got out but just fine when you were in it.

Our first trip with DS who was 5 at that time we stayed at DLH. We had a DTD view and watched the fireworks from our room. We loved the hotel and so did DS.

Four months later we tried off site, staying at the Tropicana. Let's just say it was a huge disappointment and there was no comparison. Yes, price was less than half but DS even kept making comments during our stay how he liked the "Goofy and Mickey hotel" better.

We have now opted to get AP's to get the cost of the DLH closer to an off site hotel. We have decided as long as DS is with us we will stay on site as it is more enjoyable for him and that is he is the main reason we are going.

 

[B9erSteve]

The DLH is a very nice treat. The rooms are nice. And the convienence can't be beat! I love the pool and the grounds make a wonderful nighttime walk. Off-site hotels have so far been unable to match that type of experience. That said, you will pay a premium for staying at DLH (unless you can swing one of those sweet AP deals) and for some the difference is staggering. I used to make our DLH stay toward the end of the year between Thanksgiving and Christmas when rates are cheap and AP discounts are plentiful. Besides if it is my third or fourth trip of the year, then my AP's have long since paid for themselves, making my entrance into the parks free! Then I can afford to splurge. (okay, okay, so it's a justification that exists wholly on paper but it works!)

 

[yipee]

I used to think it wasn't worth it, until I finally stayed there. Now I don't want to stay off property, if I can at all avoid it.

Same here!! This past trip was our first time staying on site (PPH and GCH) and we loved it! We loved walking back that direction, instead of past the bus stops, and across the street. We loved the great, polite treatment. We loved the hotels (both of them!) It just seemed quieter, nicer and "Disneyer" there! If you can swing it, I say GO FOR IT! We're glad we did!

 

[Laurabearz]

If you can swing it without having to cut back too much elsewhere, go for it. If it means less Character meals and less Sovvies then no..

 

[blue donkey]

I definitely agree w/ Laurabearz. If you can do it w/o cutting out anything special you normally do, then why not. I've stayed at PP before & found it a bit cumbersome to get to DL but DLH is right next to the monorail. I love that!

Hope you're having fun!

 

[blue donkey]

I definitely agree w/ Laurabearz. If you can do it w/o cutting out anything special you normally do, then why not. I've stayed at PP before & found it a bit cumbersome to get to DL but DLH is right next to the monorail. I love that!

Hope you're having fun!

 

[CoolPool]

I stay at the special AP rates. I totally love staying onsite but we are resort addicts and don't just go for "opening to closing" park touring. We like to swim. We like to eat at sitdown restaurants. We drink at bars (well, not the kids except for lemonade.) We like convenience. If you are a park rambo-commando, then it probably isn't "worth it" for your family. Just leaves more open rooms for the likes of the Coolpool Posse.

And I firmly maintain there is only so much room in my house for Disney tchotchkes. I don't need a houseful of stuff from a theme park.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Why is this posting on the wrong thread? Weird

 

[mindylovesmickey]

I've been having the same internal debate with myself now for a while. I've got a room booked at DLH and rooms booked at the CCI. I see the cost benefits of staying offsite, but the lure of the "magic" to be had onsite is calling since it would be a brand new experience for us. And we will be upgrading to AP's while we are there, so I know we will be back several more times this year. I'm still debating, but leaning back toward staying onsite now.

 

[CoolPool]

Mindylovesmickey, why not one of your party upgrade now to an AP so that you can book the AP5 rate? (Is your vacation during blockout dates?)

 

[mindylovesmickey]

CoolPool, our dates are Feb 20-24, I don't think we would get the AP5 rate, I thought it was only the AP4, which is about 10%, which is what our military discount is. I plan on getting a premium AP, so we shouldn't have any blackouts, I don't know how to find out what the AP discounts are for specific dates without having an AP. If you get what I'm saying.

 

[godalejunior]

Here is the information on AP5 straight from the website. You can purchase an AP at the desk when you check in, from what I have been told. (Someone correct me if I am wrong).

Save Big with Special Annual Passholder Hotel RatesEnjoy the magic all night long with a stay at a spectacular Disneyland® Resort Hotel! But hurry — these special Annual Passholder rates are only available for a limited time!

Disney's Paradise Pier® Hotel as low as
$139** from January 6, 2008 to March 6, 2008

Disneyland® Hotel as low as
$159** from January 6, 2008 to March 6, 2008

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa as low as
$259** from January 6, 2008 to March 6, 2008

For reservations, call (714) 956-MICKEY† and ask for rate plan "AP5."

 

[CoolPool]

Godalejunior's post says it all. I do think at least some of your dates will work for the AP5 discount. But remember don't ask for the "AP rate" - you must ask for the AP5 rate when you call to book.

By the way, the hotel rates system is not linked to park days block out time. For example, I have a SoCal AP but I can still book at AP5 rate for Fri and Sat night even though I'm blocked for Saturdays.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I think it depends on the price difference (and what you're used to paying) and what would make it worth it to you! What is important to one might be no big deal to another. (How's that for a non-answer?!)

We've been twice, and both times stayed at the DLH. Our two boys (ages 7 and 3yo) love the pool and the pool slide. I mean looooove it! I love the hotel's theming, but didn't think the kids would care. But DS3 talks about the Tinkerbell pixiedust on the walls at night, and DS7 goes on and on about the wallpaper in the bathroom, the Mickey-hand lamps, the map of DL burned onto the face of the armoire, even the DL scenes on the bedspreads!

DH really doesn't want to stay offsite, and while I think I could be perfectly happy offsite, I do think onsite is pretty cool!

 

[mindylovesmickey]

Thanks for the AP rates, godalejunior! I suppose it couldn't hurt to get one of the AP's in the next few weeks before our trip and try to have them apply them to our reservation, I wonder what the rate difference would be for the suite we're in compared to the standard room @ $159 and compared to what I'm paying now? Hmmmmmm...

OP, sorry to jack your thread with my own musings.

I totally agree with what Alex2kMommy said, everyone's priorities and what they want for their Disney experience is different. And it all totally depends on what you want. I want some of the magic that she is talking about, how her kids love the experience. The magic of the parks is enough for some.