On site or save the $$? Another which hotel...

[KalamityJane]

I saw Capt Jack's thread but this didn't really answer my question. I have DLH and PPH booked right now for our stay with the amazing Gay Days rates - Oct 5-12. Flights are booked already though I have until tomorrow morning to change or cancel without penalty so I can change to anywhere within Oct 3-16 because I did book the 6 day parkhoppers through GD as well.

We stayed at Best Western Stovall's last year and loved it - it was a great value for what we paid and clean and nice plus a decent breakfast. The only thing that was a little long was the walk there and back, but it was beautiful and peaceful.

I can book Stovall's again - it would cost about 560 for the week (80/nt after taxes). Or I can go with DLH for 1460 (209/nt after taxes) or PPH for 1385 (197/nt after taxes).

I was all gungho for staying on property until I realized we would be spending 825-900 bucks more! That is a lot of nice meals and souvenirs... Is it really REALLY worth that much extra to go on site and get the EMH? To be honest, I don't know how feasible getting to the parks that early will be for the kids - we usually nap them in the afternoon and go to closing so we may not even go to EMH.

The only thing is that the swimming pool at Stovall's is just normal - so I was looking at Hojo's. Their res site seems to be down right now but I remember it being around 115/nt? Harbor kind of skeeves me out a little, though we only walked from the bus entrance down. I know my kids would be psyched about the kid's water area, and it tends to be more their style since at 4 and will be 17mo, they can't swim. It also seems to be closer to food?

BWPPI is booked except for the minisuites which are 179, Park Vue is out - thought about FFI because I can get it for about 109/nt after taxes.

We will be spending a decent amount of time in the hotel in the afternoon and the pool area would be nice since we are from Oregon and don't get to swim often and the kids love it.

Am I missing anything? I tend to overcommunicate!

 

[FlameGirl]

Hi.

Well, it's all really subjective, but if you enjoyed the Stovall's Inn, you would most likely not appreciate the value of staying on site. We stayed at Stovall's last year for 10 nights and were really unhappy there, so this year we felt like it was the right move to stay on property. We have stayed at BWPPI, also for 10 nights, and were pretty happy there. Unfortunately, it was not available for the dates we were looking for.

For us, there is something to be said for not having to re-enter the "real world" of Harbor...it's kind of fun to suspend reality and not leave the DLR property.

Of coure I don't know you or your traveling priorities, but if the pricetag is an issue and you loved Stovall's, maybe stick with a good thing.

 

[KalamityJane]

Yikes! What did you not like about Stovall's? The things we liked were that the room was clean (dark but that was a plus for napping kids!), it was quiet and the breakfast, though not particularly healthy, was decent and DD liked the hot chocolate. It was close to Denny's and the walk back was really pretty and quiet. Maybe we got lucky? We were there for 7 nights.

 

[FlameGirl]

For us it was *incredibly* noisy. Beginning at 6 AM each morning, we had screaming, wailing children running up and down the breezeway outside of our room, as well as a noisy family with at least 74 crying babies in the room right next door. And while the walk was pleasant, it was too far when we considered how long the stoplights there at the main intersection of Katella / Harbor were, we got got frustrated.

The room was fine - I think we had just had such good luck at BWPPI the year before, and the walk back and forth was 1/3 of the time/distance - we all agreed Stovall's just wasn't for us. But like I said, it's all so subjective so I wouldn't say, leave a bad review on Trip Advisor. It just wasn't our cup of tea.

 

[interstate70s]

Like previous poster said, it 's really subjective, but I don 't think just because you were happy with Stovall 's will mean you won 't enjoy the Disney hotels. In fact you could be totally ruined and never want to stay offsite again! I definately think the Disney hotels are worth more than the $179 bwpp but only you can decide if $900 difference is worth it.

 

[Eeee-va]

I think you'll be fine to stay at Stovalls...one of the biggest advantages by far of staying on-site is the Early Entry. The PPH's rooms were nice, but they did not really meet my expectations given the price.

So how I see it, you'd be more than doubling your room costs to get a much nicer pool, a nicer walk, and a nicer room. (Plus resort grounds you're free to explore even if you don't stay there.) For the price difference, I imagine you could take a taxi to your room twice daily (though that might be a problem with car seats?) and have quite a bit left over. Or get 2 rooms at Stovall's for the whole trip!

That said, those rates are very, very good. Even if it's not normally in your budget, if you look at it as a one-time splurge, I can definitely see the appeal.

Is there any chance of booking a split stay? (i.e. 4 nights at Stovalls; 3 at DLH?) Would you be able to get the Gay Days rates if you did that? (Maybe you'd have to nudge your days up a bit?)

If you could do the split stay (4 and 3), and if those really are straight per-night rates, I think that'd bring you to under $1,000. That isn't awful for 7 days off-site. In fact, Disney has been emailing me offers of $325/night, PRE-TAX, for the DLH...so if you look at it that way, you'd be staying at Stovall's for free.

I don't know that I would do a split stay if that means you'd have to do DLH FIRST, though, just because it's not fun to "downgrade." (For the price difference and given your interest in pools I would definitely choose DLH over PPH.)

It is a bit of a pain to switch hotels, but not too bad, and 3 days is a decent-length stay at a hotel. When we switched we did 2/2 and I still don't regret it.

Anyway, if it's in your budget, I'd either do a split-stay or buy something really neat at the parks (tour, Fantasmic! seating, character meal, art from Off the Page, etc.) with some of your "savings." But if you can splurge and treat yourself to 7 days on-site, there's nothing wrong with that either. I just think it's a lot of money, particularly given the Early Entry doesn't mean much to you.

Have a great trip!

 

[nwlovely]

Hello fellow Pacific Northwesterner! We took two DL trips this year. The first one was in March for our daughter's 3rd birthday and we brought and paid for the grandparents, so we stayed at the FFI. We had a princess themed room which our daughter loved! Because we were paying for two rooms rather than one, I couldn't justify the prices on site, and knew we were just right across the street! The second trip was a surprise for my birthday in May. We stayed at the DLH... now we don't think we can ever stay off site again!! It was amazing! We really loved the immersive experience. Of course, I'd rather stay off site than not go at all, but if it's in the budget we'll be on site all the way.

 

[viaggiamo]

I hear you with this one.

We booked GCH with the gay days rates, but have had Park Vue Inn booked for 8 months prior to that.

If we do a split stay, due to the rates going crazy after our GCH stay, we will have two nights at PVI after GCH.

I wish it was the other way around.

We have tossed up going somewhere else, like down to San Diego or to Santa Monica, but think we will stay at DL.

I have heard about the DL hotels offering extra nights for cheaper rates if you extend, so I may ask when we check in if this is possible or not.

It depends how you value your holiday time and money I suppose.

We are coming from Australia so staying on site will be a cool thing for us to do as we don't know when we will get back again. (especially with those rates!)

Good luck OP, it's tricky as $900 is a lot of yummy meals.

C

 

[KateDrake]

FWIW, I was just able to book FFI for $91/night through Last Minute Travel. So that could be an option for you. I had to call to get the lowest rate, but I think even online it is like $95 a night, so a great deal!

I do love the Disney hotels, but when I'm paying, I have a hard time justifying the cost. I looked into staying at DLH for our Oct. 9-14 trip, and it is almost $1000 more. Since I'm looking at an anniversary trip to Costa Rica that is about that price for one person, it was no contest. I could also book an entire DLR trip for my family next year at a cheapo hotel for the amount I'd save. So while I love being able to splurge, I'd also rather go on more vacations! So we usually stay off property so we can come back more often.

Now at WDW, there is no contest. I will NEVER stay off property! But that's a rant for another time

 

[sechelt]

The Grand Cali is my DVC home resort, and I love it, but I would never, never pay to stay here if the villas were full. Same with the other two hotels. I could justify it if this were a one time trip, like viaggiamo, or a super special occasion but otherwise, I just don't see the value. That's just my opinion but wow, $900 is a lot to just hand over to Disney.

Kalamityjane, book whatever you can find on Harbor and perhaps also one of the on-site hotels. You have until the week before your visit to decide and cancel what you don't want. Make sure you know the dates because Disney requires more than a few days notice to cancel.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[KalamityJane]

Ok cancelled the DLH and PPH - looked up and down Harbor but the ones I wanted were booked or were not ones I wanted, so I booked with Stovall's again. I got 2 character meals, a regular and a premium and am looking forward to spending the money in the parks and on souvenirs - just not on a place to lay our heads I thought about a split stay but didn't feel like carting 2 kids and a double stroller and our luggage up Disneyland Way to pay twice as much for pretty much the same thing. My kids just aren't old enough to appreciate staying on site, honestly.

Thanks SO much for all your help!!!

 

[sechelt]

Ok cancelled the DLH and PPH - looked up and down Harbor but the ones I wanted were booked or were not ones I wanted, so I booked with Stovall's again. I got 2 character meals, a regular and a premium and am looking forward to spending the money in the parks and on souvenirs - just not on a place to lay our heads I thought about a split stay but didn't feel like carting 2 kids and a double stroller and our luggage up Disneyland Way to pay twice as much for pretty much the same thing. My kids just aren't old enough to appreciate staying on site, honestly.

Thanks SO much for all your help!!!

Congratulations. You'll have so much fun. Wouldn't hurt to keep checking the others because someone might cancel. Also, I think they hold blocks of rooms for travel companies and if those don't sell, they'll be available closer to your travel date.

 

[KAYELIZ]

We have the same dilema. We booked the DLH for 3 nights at $179.00 and then we were able to book the Fairfield Inn for $84.60, less than half the rate at DLH!! The difference would almost pay for our two 2 day hoppers. We've stayed at Fairfield a few times and were very happy with the room and really like the staff. We also like that it's close enough to go back in the afternoon for a rest. However, we were planning on using the EMH to get a jump on entrance to the attractions in Cars Land. Now I don't know what to do

 

[KalamityJane]

Ok - I think I am set set - I crunched the numbers and Eeeee-va is right, doing 4 nights at Stovalls and 3 nights at DLH put us at 952/stay after taxes - so 136/nt overall. That is much more doable and we are able to book the DLH for the last 3 nights of our stay, which will be nice when we are tired of walking and the kids can play in the pool area. I ended up saving 600 between the awesome Gay Days rates for tickets plus using miles for our plane tickets - so I am comfortable spending a little more on the hotel and think this is a good compromise.

We will be at Stovalls Oct 5-9 and DLH the 9-12. We get in earlier on the 5th and I think we are going to go to the parks that afternoon (because DD will never be able to wait now that she knows what Disneyland is!).

The 9th, the plan is to check out of Stovalls and then store baggage at DLH until our room is ready (if they have early checkin, bonus!). Will they let us use the pool until the room is ready? If not, we can walk around DTD. Check in, then go to MHP (we can get in at 4pm I think). Sound good?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Ok - I think I am set set - I crunched the numbers and Eeeee-va is right, doing 4 nights at Stovalls and 3 nights at DLH put us at 952/stay after taxes - so 136/nt overall. That is much more doable and we are able to book the DLH for the last 3 nights of our stay, which will be nice when we are tired of walking and the kids can play in the pool area. I ended up saving 600 between the awesome Gay Days rates for tickets plus using miles for our plane tickets - so I am comfortable spending a little more on the hotel and think this is a good compromise.

We will be at Stovalls Oct 5-9 and DLH the 9-12. We get in earlier on the 5th and I think we are going to go to the parks that afternoon (because DD will never be able to wait now that she knows what Disneyland is!).

The 9th, the plan is to check out of Stovalls and then store baggage at DLH until our room is ready (if they have early checkin, bonus!). Will they let us use the pool until the room is ready? If not, we can walk around DTD. Check in, then go to MHP (we can get in at 4pm I think). Sound good?

Sounds great *we enjoyed Stovall's last Thanksgiving, I thought the walk was lovely. We enjoy split stays, not a big deal at all. Have fun!

 

[KalamityJane]

Man, I hate the agonizing I do over hotels!! I will be 19 weeks pregnant at that point and not sure how much walking I will want to do by the end of the trip (which is also my 30th birthday trip) and now I am wondering if we should stay in the Grand, DLH or PPH!

DLH pros - 179/nt
great pool
big rooms
Only 10 bucks more per night than PPH

Cons -
longer walk
view could be really bad
Staff can be hit and miss

PPH - 169/nt
Pros -
Like the whimsical decor (from FL orig, I like light and bright)
Views seem awesome
Might be easier to get a good view
Cheapest
Service sounds better
Walk is shorter through the GCH
Pool may be easier to watch the kids in

Cons-
Elevator could be a risky bet (have a double stroller)
Pool is not as nice as DLH or GCH
Not as "Disney" according to reviews

GCH - 225/nt
Pros -
Could be close walk
Views could be nice
Pool is good for smaller kids
Easier to watch the kids in the pool

Cons -
Most expensive (46-56 bucks more/nt)
Could have crappy view and long walk
Cramped rooms

I am prioritizing the staffing (Disney magic!), pool for small kids, the view, the walk (since we will be walking to Stovalls for the first part, I want to make sure the walk isn't almost as far!) and the price, to some extent. The rooms being less cramped is also a big one. Based on those priorities, I am leaning towards PPH, but the elevators and the fact that it may not feel as Disney are big cons for me - I may as well stay at FFI the entire time, instead, kwim?

 

[starshine514]

I'd go with the Disneyland Hotel. Like you said, you don't want to pay extra to stay onsite and then have it not feel as Disney as you imagined. Plus, that's an excellent rate for the DLH! As far as the walk, there may be times you decide to take the monorail at night, right?

 

[interstate70s]

It sounds like you really want to stay onsite. I don 't think you 'll regret it. I have had ressies at the DLH to years in a row and have switched them to the GC both times. So I know that agonizing feeling. Just go with your gut. I love the turn down service at the GC, it seems like a small thing but its nice perk. I don t know how old your kids are but there is a kiddy pool at the GC. My kids actually don 't care about the slides they want to swim. I didn't feel cramped in the rooms there and I think it feels very Disney, true its not covered in the characters but its in a Disney style, as if there was a lodge in a Disney version of a forest if that makes any sense.

 

[KalamityJane]

We are from Oregon - so the GC style of decor is fairly common up here. It sounds like some of the GCH rooms could be even further away or have worse views than PPH and DLH while paying 50 bucks more a night - so would it be worth it to shave 2 minutes off the walk?

We will more than likely be back before May 2014 (DS turns 3 end of April, and we have our 10 year anni in March 2014 - so trying to get him in before we have to pay for a ticket for him and also celebrate our anni). We will probably rent at the VGC for that trip and go in March or April. So I don't mind not staying at the GCH this time, but I totally will if it is that much better!

 

[interstate70s]

We live in the northwest too. I guess I never get sick of that style! Everybodys got there favorite there is no right or wrong. None of the rooms at the GC are going to be as far as PP or DLH. If it shaves 2 min, or 5 or 10 its hard to put a price on that. Its also possible you could get one of the closest rooms. Last year are room was so close to dca entrance my DH could could just pop over to GRR while my dd and I hung out at the pool. It was sort of surreal how quickly we could leave the room and be riding Little mermaid in a matter of minutes. Almost like dca was part of the hotel, but your right there is no guarantee on room location. We had a very peaceful courtyard view. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle. It was pretty sweet sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine watching the monorail zoom by.