Please help--off site vs on site

[Karebear]

When we go to WDW, we always stay onsite due to the many advantages such as early entry. My husband and I are planning a trip to Disneyland/California Adventure and are not sure where to stay. The "Disney" hotels are much more expensive than the other hotels in the area. I have read that you can get early entry with the park hopper passes. So, my question is, just what are the advantages of staying at a Disney hotel? Any input would be great!

 

[PrincessMack]

I would also love this info as well!! One thing I read in my brochure is that you can get anything you buy delivered to your hotel room if you stay at the DLResort Hotels which would be real convenient. Still pretty expensive though. Anyone else?

 

[pattievers]

We love staying on site, but can't always afford it, especially if it is a long trip.

What we do is stay for a couple of days, then switch to another hotel. Usually it is best to stay offsite first, then move to property.

Two years ago we stayed at the Lowes in Coranado (San Diego) then switched to a chain in Orange County before moving on to Disneyland hotel. A BAD idea. We got the worst room in the hotel, and moved out the next day! It was too much shock.

Hope that helps some.

Remember...the hotels that are off property are REALLY close! If you have ever been to WDW they are closer to Disneyland than any of the on site hotels are there. I think alot of the area hotels in California are closer than the ones actually on site.

Patti

 

[LuvTigger]

I agree with Patti's post. If I could afford to, I would stay at one of the Disney Hotels, but it's not as much of a necessity as it is in WDW. This year we're splurging on the Grand Californian.

Some of the nice offsite hotels near DL are Best Western Park Place Inn, which is right across the street, and Howard Johnsons, which is further down, but still walking distance. I've heard great things about Desert Inn and Suites as well.

As far as benefits of staying at a Disney resort, aside from the given "magic," are package delivery as another post mentioned, and separate access to DCA via GC and PP. Also, fast-pass type access to the monorail. However, even if you stay offsite, you can get packages delivered to the front of the park.