Local with a Disneyland Resort Hotel Question

[Vikingbro]

My wife and I are AP holders and we are local to the resort.

The last time that we stayed in a hotel around the resort was more than a decade ago - once was at the Doubletree near the Outlets and once was at a motel near the Main Gate entrance.

My question is this: Have we missed anything by not having stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian or Paradise Pier?

 

[TheChapman6]

Yes, you are missing the Disney magic of staying onsite and using magic mornings, the music, the lobby of each hotel. the places to eat and relax!!

 

[DharmaLou]

and access to early morning hours each day.

 

[DahliaRW]

You might be missing a lower bank account balance.

I will say staying onsite is truly magical, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the DLH, but trips are still very magical without staying onsite. For our next trip our hotel for the entire 5 nights for the 7 of us right across the street from DLR total cost is barely more than 1 night at the DLH would cost us (since we'd need 2 rooms). I can "buy" a lot of magic with those savings!

 

[krispin41]

And if you stay at PPH, a park view room is worth it...so amazing to relax and watch WOC from your room.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

As a local, I think you have more freedom to enjoy your hotel. We stayed at grand Californian and listened to stories by the beautiful fireplace,and watched movies under the stars. Things I think people who don't come as often would not "waste" time on. It was really fun and my daughter really enjoyed.

 

[mrkyyyle]

My wife and I will do a weekend or a night at the GCH or DLH every couple years (generally when AP discounts are running). As mentioned it is definitely fun to be immersed in the magic (even though my wife works at DTD!) and sometimes you are willing to do other non -park related activities as you go to the parks much more often.

 

[hjgaus]

As a local, I think you have more freedom to enjoy your hotel. We stayed at grand Californian and listened to stories by the beautiful fireplace,and watched movies under the stars. Things I think people who don't come as often would not "waste" time on. It was really fun and my daughter really enjoyed.

Exactly how we feel as LOCAL AP Holders & LOCAL DVC Members!!!

 

[MikeRx]

We are non-local AP holders and have done both on and off property and can say that the on site trips are more like vacation and the off sites are more like a great trip to DL/DCA. We have 21 days until the GC, but have a fantastic meeting rate. I Think I've convinced my banker wife to stay at the DLH in March even though it is $1000 more than off site. The immersion and the fun of on-property is starting to win the day as we have more time to enjoy the resort and find no need to run from park to park or ride to ride thanks to the frequent visits and the AP.
The EMHs are a good but not deal making perk.

Mike

 

[Fantaluminishes]

We are new locals who recently moved here from the Bay Area. Living 20 minutes away from the parks, I have no desire to stay at a hotel when I go to DLR. If I want the experience of staying on Disney property, I'll just go to WDW.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

Staying on property is FANTASTIC! It gives you a whole new perspective on the resort, other than just the parks. If you can afford it, definitely go for it. Stay there for a couple nights, visit the parks at your leisure, and enjoy your stay with a relaxing treatment at the spa or rent a cabana at a pool. All three of them are amazing, but I recommend the PPH if you are looking for something cheap and simple but still on property, the DLH if you are a diehard disney fan looking for a way to extend the magic outside of the parks, and the GCH if you are looking for a relaxing adult atmosphere...done by disney!

 

[cherice95403]

Although I have been to the parks many times and stayed off property, we started staying at The Grand four years ago when we took out then 2 and 4 year old kids for the first time. For me personally, that was it. I will never stay off property again. I LOVE being immersed in the atmosphere and it is just a relaxing feeling when I walk in the hotel.

It really is an individual thing though....some people don't care about the atmosphere of the hotel. We also fully take advantage of the magic morning ever day.

Cherice

 

[jlmarr]

Yes, you are missing the Disney magic of staying onsite and using magic mornings, the music, the lobby of each hotel. the places to eat and relax!!

I'll go along with that. A few months ago some out-of-town friends let us take their PP paid-for reservations after one of them couldn't make it at the last minute. So DW and I had that experience of being "on-site" and all that it brings. It was a new experience for us, long time AP holders. Wouldn't mind doing that again except for the expense. (Yes, we did send our friends a nice thank-you gift.)

 

[pepe3penelope]

We are also locals, AP's, & DVC members. This summer we had a "staycation" because I didn't want to fly anywhere. We were able to stay 5 nights at the Villas at the Grand Californian. Once we got on Disney property, we told ourselves, "we are on vacation.". Then in September we stayed the weekend at the DLH for DD's birthday. We absolutely LOVED staying on property. We love being close to the action, immersing ourselves at the pools, shopping, the restaurants, character meals, hotels activities... it was awesome! Whenever we visit the parks & walk through the hotels, both kids express how much they missed staying on property!

 

[McNs]

The other thing to think about is that especially for DLH and GCH, they are great hotel experiences, so much more than just a place to sleep. There are things to do and places to visit. All 3 are a big step above the motels across on Harbour, and DLH/GCH will be a step above everything in the area.

You are all so lucky to be in a position where you can go to the parks almost any time you want! I have no idea when we will get the chance to go back :-(