On or Off Site?

[landheim]

We are a family of 5 with kids (5, 9 & 10) and have been to DL many times and have always stayed off-site, mostly for budget purposes. This year, staying onsite may finally be in the budget. We have always wanted to have at suite as it was necessary when our kids needed naps and went to bed earlier. It is also nice to have the extra space. Basically, we could either get a standard room at the GC or DLH hotel for the same price as a 2 room suite off-site. Any have experience staying onsite with 5 in a room? It is too cramped? Is is worth the tight quarters to experience staying onsite. We stayed onsite and WDW and loved the experience, but it is kinda hard to give up the relaxation that can come with having more room to spread out. We are an early morning family so I also like the option having access to MM when staying onsite. I'd love to hear your input!

 

[rentayenta]

We are also a family of five and love staying onsite. It's totally worth having one room onsite vs a suite type room offsite. I would suggest the Disneyland Hotel for the make up of your family. We are two adults with kids aged 18, 16, and 13 and never feel cramped there.

 

[cmpeter]

Can you stay 5 to a room in a standard room at GC or DLH? We only have four in our family, but a friend with 5 often laments that she has to book two rooms when traveling.

For me personally, it's not been worth the cost of staying on site. I love to stay at the BWPPI or the Tropicana...both closer to the front gate than anything other than GC. We have done GC in the past and it was nice, but we never end up using the hotel amenities, it's just a place to sleep for us when at DLR. My kids are teens and like to have their own space/beds...so off site is a better option.

 

[rentayenta]

You can stay 5 at the DLH for sure. Not sure about the GCH but I think so. We stay DVC when we stay at the GCH.

 

[Geemo]

The GCH sleeping for 5 is limited.
The two types of room that will sleep 5 are - 2Q with 1 daybed and 1Q with a set of bunk beds.

The only other way to sleep 5 is 2Q and a sleeping bag.

Geemo

 

[gottalovepluto]

We're a family of five too! We stayed offsite for many years due to our budget, we always looked for space & breakfast included when picking a hotel. Residence Inn was where we had our last couple off-site stays and it was great. Years later and we're able to stay at GCH. We love the convenience and enjoy the extra magic hour (which can be hit and miss, some mornings are great and some mornings the rides just aren't up and running yet).

The key for us, however, is the club level. I'm going to throw a different suggestion your way from a room at DLH or GCH- have you looked into club level at PPH? I haven't stayed there personally, but as you're already tight on your budget CL at GCH or DLH will be too much but PPH CL should be manageable. Giving up the extra space off-site suites provide is rough when there are 5 of you, but the club gives you a place where anyone in the family can go and relax and grab a bite to eat. They do continental breakfast, so we grab that and head right into the parks, no muss no fuss about breakfast and wonderfully easy on Mom. There are sodas and juices available throughout the day and appetizers at night along with beer & wine for the adults, it can actually be relaxing before heading back into the parks! (It's debatable whether or not the appetizers can substitute for dinner. For my crew we do appetizers and then need a light dinner later on.) I mention PPH club level because with my family of 5 I would not stay onsite in a single room for a Disneyland trip, we would go crazy without the extra space and the food amenities brighten everyone's day for some reason. With the extra space to relax with the club lounge and the food offerings through the day we love it. Also as a family of 5 we definitely take advantage of all the food throughout the day (we return for pool breaks in the afternoon, so we're in and out of the club 3-4 times a day). Sorry I can't be more specific on PPH CL offerings or info on the hotel.

 

[Indiana Scott]

We can afford to stay anyplace we wish but still stay off-site. The reason is we truly enjoy the accommodations at PVI and the breakfast there and would rather keep the extra couple of hundred dollars we save. Then I don't feel quite so bad about dropping $100+ each night on a good dinner.
Just because we can afford something doesn't mean we're willing to blow money on it. It has to be worth it to us and staying on site isn't worth it.

 

[landheim]

Thank you all for your input! We are a little restrained as we have access to some convention rates that put on-property within our budget so I'm not sure I could swing concierge, although that does sound wonderful! Since this is a shorter trip (3 days/4 nights) we won't be in the room a lot, but still want to be comfortable. With the shorter trip the idea of being close to everything at GC is nice and this may be our last trip for a few years so going "all out" (at least for us) would be nice. I still have awhile to make a decision and I appreciate all these ideas to consider.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

We've gone as a family of 5 (4 adults and 1 child at one point and more recently 2 adults and 3 children). The onsite hotels gave us enough space even with 4 adults, though I can't speak for GCH since that's the only one we haven't done (can't justify the cost). I've heard GCH can be cramped though from others I know who have done it.

I honestly just started staying offsite this year after many years of onsite trips. Even though the onsite hotels are magical, to me, it's not worth the money anymore unless you can get something like the Dapper Day discount. If you won't be in the room a lot, onsite is almost a waste of money. It's extremely enjoyable, of course, and the theming and Disney bubble are great, but in all honesty, unless you're going to take the time to use the pools, enjoy the views, eat a character breakfast, or soak up the beauty of the design, you probably won't miss out on much if you don't do it.

 

[DisneyJewel]

We are also a family of five and love staying onsite. It's totally worth having one room onsite vs a suite type room offsite. I would suggest the Disneyland Hotel for the make up of your family. We are two adults with kids aged 18, 16, and 13 and never feel cramped there.

I agree -- the DLH is better for 5 (we are a family of 4 but have stayed with 5 when we bring Grandma). I'm not a huge fan of the Grand TBPH (we've only stayed there once, but it was for 5 nights), and would pick the DLH over it any time. Also, with the age of your kids they will love the theming of the DLH.

IMO, onsite is totally worth it -- at least for our family, but every family is different. We've stayed offsite at the convention center hotels when we have a convention rate, or with friends/family up in LA, but otherwise we only stay onsite (I like onsite so much that I'd rather skip a trip than not stay onsite) . I like the convenience, the amenities of a real hotel vs. a motel, and the EMH is wonderful -- we are always able to do so much during that hour with very low crowds, and then spend some back at the pool later when the crowds are heavy.

Good luck deciding and have fun!

 

[bellazachmom]

Something to keep in mind is the bathroom set up - I know for the Grand you have the sink in one area and then the shower and toilet in a seperate area so more then one person can be using it at a time. At Paradise Pier, all the pieces are in one room. We haven't stayed at the DLH, yet, so I'm not sure of the bathroom layout.

We are a family of 6 and usually stay in our DVC villas at the Grand but have recently purchased annual passes and are making a few "extra" trips down this year. We have also enjoyed the bunk bed rooms at the Grand before adding our "little souvenier" from our 2012 trip.

The "big" kids and I (11,9 and 7) just returned from a quick weekend trip and really enjoyed the themeing of the Paradise Pier but the bathroom layout did cause a delay in the mornings and evenings since the brothers and sister couldn't possibly be in there at the same time!!
As the oldest summed it up to me, "Ewwwwwww Mom! Gross!"

 

[GatorChris]

We just stayed at DLH as a family of 5. The rooms there are pretty big, so no running over each other. If it's in the budget, I'd say do it. But if you're like me and frugal to the core, you can get at least a one bedroom suite nearby for $150/night less. It just depends on what you want. A concentrated very-Disney trip, or a longer and somewhat-less-Disney trip.

 

[llump41]

We stayed at a standard room at GCH last Dec. 2Q and another smaller bed for the 5y/o. It was a little cramped but very manageable. These are my recommendation and you can take it or leave it.
1. If you plan on swimming then I would recommend the DLH. The pools there are better.
2. If you can afford the GCH the upgrade to concierge DLH-If you can afford DFLH then upgrade concierge PPH. The rooms at PPH are bigger than the DLH.
With 3 kids just the snacks and bottled water from concierge would be worth the upgrade.