Off property or on property?

[Disneydancer315]

What does everyone prefer? Is staying on property worth the extra cost or are there great hotels off property that are just a good?

 

[Disneyland_emily]

DL there are several good hotels nearby that are off- vs at WDW where on prop is the way to go- Plus DL doesnt have the perks that WDW does for stayin on-

Ive personally never stayed on- I usually bunk at either the HOJO or the Super 8

-em

 

[Firefly777]

I prefer staying on-site at the Grand Californian, but it can get pretty expensive. It is definitely worth it if you can afford it. It has great theming and has it's own private entrance into DCA. It is also very close to Disneyland.

We stay off-site most of the time, as some of those hotels are very close to the DLR also, but stay at a Disney resort once in awhile as a special treat.

 

[exDS vet]

I guess this really depends on your preference. When I go to WDW, I usually prefer to stay off site. It's cheaper and there is more to see in those immediate areas. I prefer staying in Kissimmee during those stays, but I have stayed on WDW property twice.

Disneyland is a whole different story. If you are going to be immersed in the Disney experience, then you should stay at one of the DLR properties. I have stayed at the DH and PP several times. I haven't stayed at GH yet, but that will come in 2005.

I prefer on site because everything is so close and convenient. For me, the best experience is hopping on a monorail at the DH and being dropped in the middle of Tomorrowland. I also like walking through Downtown Disney to get back to my hotel. Though I must admit that it is quite a hike back to Paradise Pier.

The surrounding motels are outdated. Sure they offer a lower price, but where's the value? If you are spending money on a memorable Disneyland vacation, why not spend a few extra bucks to stay at the property. When you stay off property, you are just staying at a strip-style motel from the 60's.

Of course the bigger hotels are nice. I stayed at the Anaheim Marriott last year for a conference and our company rented DCA for a private party. It's a very nice hotel. But in this case, if you are going to spend the money, you might as well stay at DLR.

 

[chocolatelover]

This trip we are staying at the Del Sol Inn (Harbor Blvd) across from entrance to Disney for 50.00 a night, microwave, fridge and continental breakfast, free parking. Last time we stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn and Suites. directly across street from walkway entrance. I love, love staying off site...why? Price, free parking, microwave and fridge. Free donuts in morning. Easy access to Vons (supermarket) right off Harbor. We walk across street, and are at Disney. It is very close.
Sure, staying on site would be nice. We have passes, can get discount on rooms but the price difference even w/discount is a lot. And I have never had any problems with any hotel yet. I have driven from Santa Monica to Disney and enjoyed just as much. The experience is inside Disney. Not inside your hotel.
No matter what hotel you stay at.

 

[Disneydancer315]

Wow...what alot of great points. I have been leaning towards staying on property because this will most likely be my only visit to DL and thought I should get the whole experience. Staying off property has its great points too (low cost, free breakfast..etc) Thanks for all the input it will go to good use.

 

[adznyfan]

if you book your vacation thru aaa and stay onsite you receive unlimited fast passes which during a busy time at the parks would be nice

 

[Grog]

I've done both and liked "on site" better. It was just a bit more of a "magical" feeling I guess. Plus it was nice to be able to send items I purchased back to the hotel instead of lugging them around all day or having to stop what I was doing to take them to a locker. Next time we go, we'll do what we can afford. If we have to get a less expensive hotel, so be it. It won't ruin the experience for us one bit.

 

[Disneydancer315]

Thank you for all the helpful info. We will digest all of it and way the pros and cons.

 

[RLAlden]

If you're like us, once you've stayed onsite, you'll never stay offsite again, especially if the majority of your trip is centered around Disney.

 

[daannzzz]

I am one of those who when traveling to WDW will stay on property only. At Disneyland it isn't quite as important as far as location goes. It is really easy to stay at one of the places just across the street from Disneyland and walk over. Some of them are closer than the Disneyland hotel and the Paradise Pier Hotel. In general I save the money staying off property at Disneyland so I can afford to stay on property at WDW where it makes a bigger difference. I would stay at the DLH or GC every trip if I could though.