Onsite or Offsite?

[wishspirit]

Hello everyone!

I am planning my trip to Disneyland for August next year (I know this is early, but I'm a planner!). I have been to Orlando many times before, but I have only been to Disneyland once, and have never planned a trip there myself.

We are doing a road trip of the West Coast, and plan to spend 3 days at Disneyland. Since August is a busy time, would the Extra Magic Hour in the parks be important? I have only really stayed on-property at WDW, and the once I didn't wasn't great. Will this be a problem here? There is a big price point difference between Disney owned and Good Neighbour hotels, is it worth it?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[Imdboss]

You are going to get different opinions on this so here's my family's outlook....we never stay onsite (did once for my 30th splurge). I can't justify the extra $250-$350 per night especially when we stay for 6 nights. There are several great hotels/motels on Harbor Blvd, some are even closer of a walk than the DLH or PPH to DL entrance. Some people say you lose the "disney bubble" effect when you stay offsite, I've never felt that way at all, I'm just so excited to be in So Cal that I'm in my bubble already! We've never taken advantage of MM with our PH so EMH would never be of use to us. Some people swear that's the only way to get a lot of rides done but we've never had any issues. My family would rather get a good sleep and stay until park closing at midnight.

 

[Geemo]

When the budget allows we stay on site and take advantage each day of the Early Entry (EE) perk.

Most of our last few trips have been off-site at one of the place on Harbor right at the cross-walk.
With a multi-day ticket, I believe you get one Magic Morning (MM) for Disneyland.
Having only one day to get in early to Disneyland has been fine for us.
The cost savings of off-site allows me to do more things on each trip.

The key is to start when the parks open.

Geemo

 

[calilou]

We stay onsite and offsite, about half and half. If we could stay onsite each and every trip we totally would! However we go several times a year so this wouldn't be reasonable. If your budget allows, it is worth it to stay at a resort hotel IMO. At least for one trip!

 

[calilou]

I will add that I think it especially makes sense to stay onsite with your trip itinerary of just three days at DLR amidst a larger California trip. I think it will allow for you to maximize your Disney stay and experience.

 

[basketballmom]

When we went to WDW several years ago, we never found any benefit in the EMHs. Or, I guess I should say, we found it very difficult to get to EMHs early enough to make any difference.
Early days at Disneyland are completely different. It's easier to be in line early. You can get SO much accomplished in that first hour.
Personally, I would stay onsite every time if I could afford it.

 

[bcwife76]

Everyone has an opinion on this topic so I think you need to narrow it down to budget, honestly. We never spend more than 3 days at the parks and always stay offsite as we can't justify the extra money for a hotel that we just sleep in. When we are at the parks we are AT the parks. We rarely go back to the hotel room unless it's super hot and need a pool break. So many hotels so close to the main gates that it's really no further to walk to them. But budget is also a concern for us.

 

[jgiants21]

It has been 35 years since I last stayed at the DLH. Will be staying on property at the end of July. Very excited to see how it has change and to be close to everything. Always arrive early to the parks as the earlier you get there the more you can do, and then rest in the afternoon by the pool!

 

[GeneralTso]

Onsite is always better. I've stayed on and off several times and always prefer on.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I've done both. I used to be hard-core onsite only, but we expanded our family and now with a family of 5, it's so costly that we do the offsite hotels unless they have a good AP discount for the days we want. There are plenty of offsite hotels/motels that are actually closer to the parks than the onsite hotels, so I think it really just comes down to budget. If you visit the parks for 3 days, you can get a magic morning attached to your ticket, which is good for early entry to one park on one day you're there. I do like EMH/MM, but you can easily just go to the park that doesn't have early entry for the day and get about the same benefit.

 

[Jerryp49]

EMH for DL is only on Sat , Tues, and Thurs, and the only rides open are Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.. EMH for DCA are Sunday , Mon , Wed., and Friday and most of the major rides are open except for Grizzly River. It s a personal choice if it is worth it or not. You can get Radiator Springs racers, TOT and Toy Story done , and maybe one more before they open to the general public

 

[rentayenta]

Onsite always if it's in the budget or in our case, have the DVC points. Having said that, we stayed off site on our last two trips. We'll have two nights at the GCV in July but the rest of the trip will be offsite as will our August, October, and early December trips.

 

[ADLFAN]

I would go for the Disneyland Hotel, which is awesome! You have plenty of time to budget for the splurge still, and it is really a lot nicer than the closest off site hotels. The off site places we have stayed were just fine, everyone is super friendly, they are clean and comfortable. BUT they tend to be older buildings with outside hallways and tiny pools. The Disneyland Hotel has beautiful landscaping, on site restaurants and the awesome Trader Sams bar, room service! And a very cool pool with 2 sections and watersides!! Plus you get Jungle Book music by the pool, and a mixed drink. Not so much off site... And it is likely to be super hot in August, so the pool will be very refreshing!!

Have fun planning!!

 

[Canuck16]

We have never stayed onsite as we just can't justfiy spending $250 - $350 more per night for a place to sleep.

There are lots of nice Good Neighbor hotels that are so close and are an easy walk to the parks and have Disney views that we prefer to stay off site so we have money to splurge on some special dining experiences.

 

[offwithyourhead]

I'd rather stay offsite. The amount I'd spend on a Disney hotel I could instead save and maybe afford a few more days in the park or other treats to make the trip more special. I'd forgo early mornings if I had a few more days I could leisurely get around to doing everything I wanted to.

 

[Geemo]

FYI
If you're staying at the DLH for the water slide.... It is NOT open the same hours as the pool area!
We found out the hard way on our trip. I booked DLH only for the Monorail Slide. We found out it closes every day at 5pm.
If the slide is important to you call the hotel to check the schedule for your dates.

Geemo

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

This is one of those debates that has been tossed around here before and has unfortunately diverted into unfriendly territory on occasion. Is there additional value in staying onsite? Yes. Enough to justify the cost difference? Only you can decide that.

I've stayed onsite as well as offsite as many posters here have. I tend to stay offsite more often as it's more economical, but that's me.

 

[Diszona]

You are going to get different opinions on this so here's my family's outlook....we never stay onsite (did once for my 30th splurge). I can't justify the extra $250-$350 per night especially when we stay for 6 nights. There are several great hotels/motels on Harbor Blvd, some are even closer of a walk than the DLH or PPH to DL entrance. Some people say you lose the "disney bubble" effect when you stay offsite, I've never felt that way at all, I'm just so excited to be in So Cal that I'm in my bubble already! We've never taken advantage of MM with our PH so EMH would never be of use to us. Some people swear that's the only way to get a lot of rides done but we've never had any issues. My family would rather get a good sleep and stay until park closing at midnight.

If the Disney bubble effect is a big concern, staying offsite directly across the street (at the BWPPI for example) only requires crossing the street to hop back in the bubble.

 

[Minniesgal]

We love onsite and can't wait for our next stay at the Grand Californian such a beautiful place to stay.

 

[22Tink]

We stay offsite, usually at the best western park place inn. It's directly across the street, and has free breakfast! I just can't justify the cost of staying onsite, especially when offsite hotels are so close. It's not like WDW where there are different options for different budgets. They're all pretty pricy at DLR. But...everyone's preferences are different, this is just what works best for us!! Enjoy your trip!!