OK, convince me!

[klfrech]

Planning a trip to DL next year and have begun the research process. I've always stayed on site at WDW and am seriously considering doing the same at DL. I've read many posts that claim staying onsite at DL is not as necessary as staying on site at DL, but also a couple of posts that have said staying onsite at DL is essential, especially if you are accustomed to staying onsite at WDW. I've read mixed reviews about the DL hotels--not worth the money, not as themed as WDW, etc. I'm willing to spend the money to stay onsite at DL but I do not want to be dissappointed. I love the atmosphere of the WDW resorts and want them in my vacation to DL.

 

[minniecarousel]

Since I have probably added to the confusion, let me add more: Disneyland in located within the city of Anaheim. WDW is a city all to itself. When you go to Disneyland, you will probably be going to other sites in SoCal. Staying on-site is not necessary if you will be doing other things. (there are many great deals on rooms near Disneyland) If you are only going to do Disney, stay on-site, for the convenience. On the other hand, a lot of off-site motels are very close to Disneyland. Keep in mind that the Disneyland Resort (the two parks, 3 hotels and Downtown Disney) is nowhere near as big as WDW, so it doesn't take as long to see everything.
Hopefully, less confusing people will give their opinion!

 

[teri]

Well, I have stayed off-site right across the street in 2 good hotels, and onsite at Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel. Onsite. Definitely. Hands down. No question. It isn't as wonderful as WDW, it has a completely different feel about it. But all 3 of the Disney resorts have wonderful features that compliment the parks - the views, the restaurants, the service (a step below WDW resorts in every respect, but still very good) and the amenities. Just the ability to walk through Downtown Disney on your way to the park gate instead of walking across a busy road and by a bunch of tram stops... your experience begins when you wake up in your room and step outside your door... not when you get in the gate. That is what I like about being onsite. That, and the really cool pool at the Disneyland Hotel, and the waterfalls, and the Fantasy Water Shows, and the little toy boats, and the koi streams...

 

[Kelsie]

LOL Teri!

I have to agree with Teri if money is not the issue. I have stayed on site and at a lot of the Hotels in the area and nothing compares to staying in a Disneyland Resort. The Disneyland Hotel is my all time favorite; maybe just due to the nostalgia I feel when I am there.

So, I vote on-site if you can Although..I am a bit partial to the Candy Cane Inn

 

[LuvTigger]

This probably won't help much either, but when I visit DL, I never compare it to WDW. Although they are both Disney and wonderful in their own ways, in my mind, they are two separate entities. If you go to DL expecting the same kind of feeling and atmosphere as WDW, you will probably be disappointed.

Though it is nice to stay at a DL Hotel (I will be staying at GC in October!), I am one of those who do not feel it is as necessary as in WDW. As minniecarousel said, DL is not a city in itself as WDW is. A block away from DL and it's Hotels are the Best Westerns, McDonalds, and all the other "normalties" of everyday life. It's not like being at the Poly or Boardwalk where you could walk miles before reaching "real life!"

But don't get me wrong, I love DL!!! My BF feels that DL is somehow more magical than MK, and being in DL or one of the Hotels still makes you feel as though you're in another world.

Let's just put it this way...with DL, if I could afford to stay at a DL Hotel all the time, I would. If I can't, I am perfectly happy staying at HoJo, BW Park Place, or Carousel Inn. With WDW, if I can't afford to stay at a WDW hotel, I won't go until I can afford to stay at one!

 

[stubskin]

Maybe I can suggest what my family and I are doing during our August trip to DL. We too are WDW regulars, and this will be the first family vacation to DL. What we are doing is splitting our week in two. The first half of the week we are staying at the Candy Cane Inn. During this time we will be doing many of the "touristy" So. Cal. things. The second half of the week we are transferring to the Grand Californian to immerse ourselves in the Disney feel. We have booked a theme park view and we will be doing all things Disney. Since I have been to DL earlier this year without my family, I have warned them that the feel IS entirely different at DL, but if you go in knowing that DL is a different experience than WDW, you won't be disappointed.

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at many off site hotels and at All Three Disneyland hotels as well as many of the WDW hotels. Staying in an off site motel/hotel next to Disneyland can be rewarding and fun and not anything like staying off site at WDW, HOWEVER I really enjoyed out two times at the Disneyland hotel and LOVED the Grand Californian. The Grand Californian beats any of the WDW hotels for convenience and proximity to theme parks.. hands down and it is a beautiful hotel. The Paradise Pier Hotel was just okay for us. I would recommend one of Disney's hotels.