Near Christmas -- On site or Offsite?

[Pesky]

When our family went to DLR several years ago, we rented points to stay at VGC. Loved it and especially loved the early entry for guests. We were up and there at RD each morning and then would take a break mid-day and head back. We've talked about trying to go back but it hasn't worked out timing wise with other vacation plans. Well, DH's sister moved to San Diego and they are hosting Christmas this year. What we thought we could do is go early and hit DLR for a few days beforehand. DH is even thinking of going to DLR starting on the 19th (Wed) or 20th (Thurs) and then heading out on Saturday or Sunday to San Diego. On site is (shocker) pricey, with PPH being the cheapest. We were looking at some nearby hotels like the Park Vue and in other Captain Obvious news, it is much cheaper.

My question is if in your experience, that extra $$$ is worth it to stay onsite to get into the parks early or we'd be just as fine staying offsite and just being there for RD? Other thoughts or suggestions (besides don't go that time of year)? TIA!

 

[tink89]

I am all for staying on site. We went last year during Christmas stayed onsite. It was wonderful. We are going back with a large group in December so we are staying offsite.

Obviously the motels and other hotels will be cheaper. But i say if you can afford it then do it!!!! I am an advocate for staying onsite and going during Christmas choas. Its awesome.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I’m too
Cheap. I always stay offsite

 

[cruisehopeful]

You can stay offsite and still visit the hotels during the day if you want to. We often hang out at the bar at GCH or DLH when we are staying off site. We love the Christmas decorations all over the Disney hotels, but it's not worth paying hundreds more just to sleep there. I do find it worth paying extra if you will be using early entry every day, though.

 

[tarheelalum]

It's great to stay onsite but the rates are grossly overpriced. I would stay at the Park Vue Inn. It's much closer to Disneyland than the Paradise Pier and not a bad place to stay. We have stayed there before and we liked it.

 

[lalasmama]

Its not uncommon for on-site to be $300 more per night from what I've seen, especially if you're talking about the upper levels. ... And still further away from the main gate. So, just for ease of my non-mathy brain, let's say PPH is $120 more than Park Vue. Now, for that $120 more a night, you'll get to walk twice as far. But, you'll get the Disney bubble (personally, that bubble pops for me as I'm walking through a parking lot to get to/from PPH). You'll get into the parks an hour early, and you can have your shopping sent back to your room... This is where it really hits home for me--$120+ for 60 minutes of a partially open park breaks down to $2+ per minute. So every 3 minutes you spend in any line, you could be buying a churro. And just think about those numbers if PPH is $240 above Park Vue or Best Western Park Place Inn.... Now you're paying almost a churro minute for a partially open park.

Clearly, I'm cheap, lol.

 

[Bossy22]

I can't do it. (Staying on site that is). Even when we have the money I would just rather spend it on other things with my kids. If I was loaded, sure, but the cost is way too much. We are in the parks all day so its not like we use the pool or hang out in the room so we would be paying a couple of hundred for the extra hour! Nope, can't do it!