Magic Circus Hotel or Dream Castle Hotel in August ?

[martinacris]

Hello everyone...here I am back again after having thought of going to WDW in June ... but since atkts are so expensive decided on PORTAVENTURa but we have decided that we can't go in June since I am already flying at the end of Jne to Venezuela to visit my parents ( when I found a 399€ per adult, flying LH at the end of June...I did not think it twice and bought the atkt...an hour later it had dissappeared )...SO..since we don't want to go to Spain in August..what is left ?!?!?!?!? DLRP !!!!!!

So I have found a real good deal on ATKTS with Air France ! We wanted to stay at the NPBC - Admiral's FLoor but for 5 nights it was €1900 ( approx) with the extra night offer ...so I thought of the MAGIC CIRCUS or DREAM CASTLE for 7 nights which gives me a great deal ( both of them) ! -We could buy a 5 day pass or if there are good AP deals, maybe look into that...( and then have an excuse to go back !! ) and then one of the days go and visit PAris !

If you were to choose...which one do you like best ? My daughters ages 8 and 10 have asked me if there is a pool and if we can go swimming ( not that I was planning on having them swim at DLRP..but if it's hot, might as well take a break) ! My DH likes good breakfasts so that would be important too !

Any suggestions before I book would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again !

 

[A Small World]

Ive not stayed at Dream castle so cant really compare but Ive stayed at Magic Circus twice and liked it.

There are pools at both hotels and to be honest I think if you are there for a length of time in summer its definitely worth having a pool - it breaks up the day as there are really long park hours in the summer.

If you are going for any longer than 3 days its usually better to get an AP rather than a 5 day pass. There are blackout days with the fantasy pass though so check these dont affect you. If you get a dream AP you will still be able to go in early for EMH as staying offsite will mean you are not eligible for this perk

 

[martinacris]

Thank you for such a quick reply !! Like you said the pool will makes us have a break from the park and be able to go back at night ! The EMH is something I forgot about ! I will look in to the AP, as wellas the balckout dates.
I just can't seem to find a photo of the pool for any of the hotels !! I'll just keep "doing my homework" instead of ironing !!!!

Thanks !

 

[A Small World]

i didnt use the pool at MC but I think it was just a normal pool - no themeing but I know it has been refurbished since it changed from HI to MC - we stayed this time last yr and it was closed then for refurbishing.

Have you looked at Explorers - that has a really good fun pool especially for children

 

[FiFi Rose]

We stayed in the Dreamcastle last year and it was lovely. Very clean with large, comfortable rooms. L'occitaine products in the the bathroom Breakfast was good with a wide selection. We moved to the DLH after staying at the Dreamcastle and actually preferred the Dreamcastle. I would without hesitation recommend this hotel.

We didn't use the pool so can't comment. As for extra magic hours I wouldn't worry too much. The parks are open late in August so you get plenty of time at the other end of the day. You can still get into mainstreet before 10am and it would make for a more relaxing start to the day.

 

[Carpgirl]

I've been looking at these 2 as well & the Dream Castle seems to get slightly better reviews. Also, having a small fridge in the rooms has swayed it for me.

 

[DLPdaft]

Both hotels are now owned by the same company, and to be perfectly honest, both hotels have very similar room layouts now. I haven't stayed at the Dream Castle (yet) - but looking at the rooms etc, they do appear to be very like the ones at the Magic Circus.

We used the MC pool, its actually a lot nicer than the pictures on the official site. The main pool has sunloungers around 2 sides, plus there is a shelf on one side you can sit on, which has jets, there are jets in the pool itself, plus a completely separate very shallow pool for paddling/small children, with its own slide etc.

The Explorers has a fabulous pool for kids, one whole side of it is a pirate water-play ship. Personally I found the rooms in the MC better than the Explorers, just felt much more substantial. Noise can be a problem in the Explorers rooms, as they are all built with interconnecting doors (and noise travels through a door better than a solid wall).

I don't think theres much to choose between the MC and the Dream Castle to be honest - we had L'Occitane toiletries in the MC too. They are a very similar price now that they are the same company I've found, and I think both deserve their 4star rating.

 

[martinacris]

Thank you all for such quick replies !!!! I think we will go for the Dream Castle, basically for the fridge ! It's nice ot have cold drinks or keep anything there !

I tried to book on line but the system was giving me an error...so if not I'll just call directly !

Again..thank you all and it's great to be back on this board and planning a trip !

 

[Ware Bears]

Again..thank you all and it's great to be back on this board and planning a trip !

Nice to see you back here!! Happy planning!!

 

[martinacris]

Thank you Elaine !!!

It's great to be actually planning and not only reading !!!