Off site hotel for a winter trip

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I am planning a trip for February. With winter weather being a factor which off site hotel would be best? Is it better to stay in Val D 'Europe with easy train access - like at the Ibis? Or in the Magic Circus/Dream Castle/Explorers/Kyriad area? Or somewhere else all together?

 

[Happy Tappy]

Does it have to be off site? Expedia have rates of around £60 a night (excluding park tickets) for the Cheyenne in feb.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Does it have to be off site? Expedia have rates of around £60 a night (excluding park tickets) for the Cheyenne in feb.

I have been investigating the on site prices as well and it would be really affordable to book the Santa Fe or even Cheyenne. So I am considering it. Problem is - I like the breakfast at Magic Circus/Dream Castle-lol! Anyway - I know what to expect with on site hotels but am fairly clueless about the Val D' Europe area or even what is would be like in the winter.

Is it more convenient in winter weather to take the train to Val D Europe as opposed to waiting for the shuttle to Magic Circus or Santa Fe? Or does it make much difference? Of course I'd really love to stay at DLH in February but don't want to part with that much money for this trip even though the deals are fabulous right now!

 

[DLPdaft]

It doesn't make much difference between the offsite/onsite shuttles and taking the train from val d'europe - but in winter you'll be cold waiting on that drafty train platform (or at the Santa Fe hotel shuttle stop if you choose to bus it), whereas in the Magic Circus you can wait in the lobby in the warm until the shuttle bus arrives .

If the prices are similar for the Magic Circus and Santa Fe, I'd pick Magic Circus with a Dream AP.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

It doesn't make much difference between the offsite/onsite shuttles and taking the train from val d'europe - but in winter you'll be cold waiting on that drafty train platform (or at the Santa Fe hotel shuttle stop if you choose to bus it), whereas in the Magic Circus you can wait in the lobby in the warm until the shuttle bus arrives .

If the prices are similar for the Magic Circus and Santa Fe, I'd pick Magic Circus with a Dream AP.

That is good to know because I much prefer to stay at the Magic Circus or Dream Castle. I was wondering if I should go ahead and book the Santa Fe with the low price but I think I'll wait for the Dream Castle and Magic Circus rooms to come down a bit which they usually do a couple of months out. I even think I'd rather stay 3 nights Magic Circus before 4 Nights Santa Fe if it comes down to that- I like my hot breakfast that much.

 

[Happy Tappy]

I like Val D Europe, I much prefer getting a train to Disney then having to queue for a shuttle bus. 9 times out of 10 there's a train waiting at MLV station so it's great at the end of the night to not have to queue and squeeze onto a bus.

That said, the Ibis and etap don't really change their rates, it's about £50 a night all year round. So whilst it's a bargain in the summer, it's not the best value in the winter when you can stay on site (Disney or partner) for similar money.

As a general rule of thumb I like to stay in Val D Europe for summer trips and on site in the winter.

For me personally, I'd rather stay at the Cheyenne over the Magic Circus/Dream Castle. Whilst technically it's an inferior hotel, it's probably my favourite hotel at Disney. The theming is excellent and it's handy to have EMH. It's well worth the couple of £'s over the Santa Fe.

We're planning a quick trip in Feb/March and it will almost certainly be at the Cheyenne.

 

[loladelorean]

Sorry to butt in on the thread but I have a general geography question about the offsite hotels. I always thought they were all in the same place (never been to any of them) but it sounds here as though they are in two locations.
Could anyone outline for me where the offsite hotels are? Or point me in the direction of a map which shows them all?
I've pretty much decided to buy an AP for our trip next June and stay offsite, but no idea where yet.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I like Val D Europe, I much prefer getting a train to Disney then having to queue for a shuttle bus. 9 times out of 10 there's a train waiting at MLV station so it's great at the end of the night to not have to queue and squeeze onto a bus.

That said, the Ibis and etap don't really change their rates, it's about £50 a night all year round. So whilst it's a bargain in the summer, it's not the best value in the winter when you can stay on site (Disney or partner) for similar money.

As a general rule of thumb I like to stay in Val D Europe for summer trips and on site in the winter.

For me personally, I'd rather stay at the Cheyenne over the Magic Circus/Dream Castle. Whilst technically it's an inferior hotel, it's probably my favourite hotel at Disney. The theming is excellent and it's handy to have EMH. It's well worth the couple of £'s over the Santa Fe.

We're planning a quick trip in Feb/March and it will almost certainly be at the Cheyenne.

Well this is what I was wondering. I have never stayed at Val D' Europe and was wondering if it was a good choice in the winter because of the train service. I think I may need to stay at Val D' Europe some - just to give it a go. I do like the idea of shopping nearby. I have never stayed at an Ibis and am always wondering if I'd like it. Just not sure yet if I would be willing to give up my Magic Circus breakfast.

I can understand your preference for the Cheyenne- may have to try it sometime. In the past I chose the SF merely for price. I only walked by the Cheyenne but I love the theme! Now my family actually live in a town that looks very much like the Cheyenne - lol - my cousins are actual cowboys- they do rodeo and wear hats- so I haven't chosen it though I can definitely see why it would be a popular choice!

Have a great trip in Feb/March!!

 

[disney_princess_85]

Sorry to butt in on the thread but I have a general geography question about the offsite hotels. I always thought they were all in the same place (never been to any of them) but it sounds here as though they are in two locations.
Could anyone outline for me where the offsite hotels are? Or point me in the direction of a map which shows them all?
I've pretty much decided to buy an AP for our trip next June and stay offsite, but no idea where yet.

Magic Circus/Dream Castle/Explorers/Kyriad are all in the same place (they're in a line). Hôtel l'Elysée Val d'Europe is next to the big shopping centre and is a train ride away (although I believe a shuttle bus is in operation too).

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Sorry to butt in on the thread but I have a general geography question about the offsite hotels. I always thought they were all in the same place (never been to any of them) but it sounds here as though they are in two locations.
Could anyone outline for me where the offsite hotels are? Or point me in the direction of a map which shows them all?
I've pretty much decided to buy an AP for our trip next June and stay offsite, but no idea where yet.

You are right there are different areas of off site hotels. I don't know all that much but what I can share what I have discovered. I really like having an annual pass and being able to stay off site. For one thing I think staying off site can be good value and I like the discounts that come with an annual pass.

There are four hotels located out past the Santa Fe - shuttle bus 54 (pink) connects these hotels to the Disney Bus Stop - about 10 minutes. These are Kyriad, Magic Circus, Dream Castle and Explorers.

Other hotels like Radisson Blu and Marriot are in this general area.

There is one hotel in Val D Europe that offers EMH - and other hotels in that area that do not but are very conveniently located near the train station. There is a hypermarket and outlet shopping mall here with some good restaurants.

There are hotels in Bussy St. George - but I am unfamiliar with these.

Sorry I don't have any links to maps.

 

[Happy Tappy]

Sorry to butt in on the thread but I have a general geography question about the offsite hotels. I always thought they were all in the same place (never been to any of them) but it sounds here as though they are in two locations.
Could anyone outline for me where the offsite hotels are? Or point me in the direction of a map which shows them all?
I've pretty much decided to buy an AP for our trip next June and stay offsite, but no idea where yet.

It depends on what you consider off site. The Explorers, Dream Castle, Magic Circus, Kyriad etc... are all actually on site. They're behind the Santa Fe but are all within the resort.

The only partner hotel off site is the L'Elysee in Val D Europe. There are other hotels in Val D Europe (Ibis, etap, Aparthotel etc...). You can get to the parks by train or bus.

There are also hotels in the nearby towns of Bussy St George and Torcy. Both are on the RER line so you can get to the parks fairly easily if your hotel is near the station.

Finally, there are a couple of hotels located near the Disneyland golf centre. This includes the highly recommended Marriott where you get your own little town house. To get to the parks from here you'd have to take a bus or drive.

Well this is what I was wondering. I have never stayed at Val D' Europe and was wondering if it was a good choice in the winter because of the train service. I think I may need to stay at Val D' Europe some - just to give it a go. I do like the idea of shopping nearby. I have never stayed at an Ibis and am always wondering if I'd like it. Just not sure yet if I would be willing to give up my Magic Circus breakfast.

I can understand your preference for the Cheyenne- may have to try it sometime. In the past I chose the SF merely for price. I only walked by the Cheyenne but I love the theme! Now my family actually live in a town that looks very much like the Cheyenne - lol - my cousins are actual cowboys- they do rodeo and wear hats- so I haven't chosen it though I can definitely see why it would be a popular choice!

Have a great trip in Feb/March!!

Thanks!

The Ibis is not on the same level as the Magic Circus. It's a 2* budget hotel. It's pretty new so it's nice and clean but the facilities don't match (e.g. no pool, breakfast is extra). It's great for summer trips when it's only £50 a night (compared to £150+ at other hotels) but I'd chose the Magic Circus over it if the prices were similar.

 

[loladelorean]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I always just assumed all of these non-Disney hotels were in Val D'Europe, doh.
I'm glad I now know where everything is! I really like the look of the Dream Castle if we can get a good price for that, failing that the Kyriad also seems nice and a bargain.
Might hop on the little bus and check them out during our next trip.
We are also planning to visit Val D'Europe on this trip so I'll have a nosey around there too.
Thanks again!

 

[disney_princess_85]

Might hop on the little bus and check them out during our next trip.
We are also planning to visit Val D'Europe on this trip so I'll have a nosey around there too.

That's a good idea!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I always just assumed all of these non-Disney hotels were in Val D'Europe, doh.
I'm glad I now know where everything is! I really like the look of the Dream Castle if we can get a good price for that, failing that the Kyriad also seems nice and a bargain.
Might hop on the little bus and check them out during our next trip.
We are also planning to visit Val D'Europe on this trip so I'll have a nosey around there too.
Thanks again!

That's a good idea!

Yeah that does sound like a good idea. I think I need to do that - nosey around a bit next trip and see what is appealing.