Santa Fe - Opinions Please

[Iain Chapman]

Hi All,

For my December trip, I'm looking at Santa Fe.

Looking for opinions of this Hotel please - especially anyone that's been there recently.

How easy is it to get to Santa Fe from the Village / Park? - Walking distance?.

My previous experience has been New Port Bay and the Holiday Inn. I'm not expecting it to be to those standards - but just a tad nervous for some reason...looking for reassurance!.

Thanks

Iain

 

[mrshindig]

Going for our second visiit to sante fe in 4 weeks!!!

Its easy to walk from, abt 10 - 15 mins. Nice and relaxing!! Hotel is a little less themed (Well alot) but for what it lacks in theme, atmosphere makes it up! Would highly recommend the hotel, so relax, you'll have an awesome time

 

[Disneyfoo]

We stayed in Santa Fe last year just before Christmas, we thought it was really good. The rooms are basic, but adequate, and not too tackily themed!!

The blocks are nice as well, reminded me a bit of a Hilton-type hotel though. Oh, and trying to find a working vending machine at 3am is a bit of a task!!

We only walked to the park once, but it was quite a nice walk, only about 10-15 minutes, and we went the long-way round!!

Would definitely recommend it, we had a really really good time last year!

Was also quite Christmassy in the lobby area, had a few decorations, but not too many to stop it being all Tex-Mex-y. Staff were all really nice, food was alright, and was really easy to get to and from our room to the main entrance...

Just one word of warning - watch out for black ice!!!

 

[chrismoo]

If the rooms fit your configuration (2 are bunk beds) go for the Cheyenne.

I'm biased as it was the first Disney hotel I stayed at but walking through the Santa Fe makes me feel like its a council estate.

The Cheyenne is the best themed of all the hotels.

But any disney hotel is good as it saves a bus ride.

 

[Cyrano]

Never stayed at Santa Fe but similarly preferred the theming of Hotel Cheyenne which has a similar star rating

 

[NIK]

I stayed at the Santa Fe my first visit. It was clean, tidy and the staff were helpful and friendly. Food was ok. I suppose it depends what you require from your hotels. I now use the Sequoia - not because I didn't like the Santa Fe, I just prefer the pine forest type of theming personally. You won't go that far wrong with the Santa Fe for a good budget option

 

[isma]

I stayed at the Santa Fe on 3 trips because of my budget and really think it is ok. The theming is nothing special but then again: who wants to spend their time in the room while being at Disney? I always enjoy the walk along the small river where you can have a look at all other hotels and I agree with the others that it doesn`t take much longer than 15 minutes. Oh and if you walk over the hill left to the main entrance you get to the gas station, which I think is very practical for buying snacks...
Only thing that disturbed me a little in July was that some of the tiles on the bathroom floor were loose and they sticked to my feet everytime I came out of the shower...
So all in all I`m sure you won`t regret your choice

 

[Iain Chapman]

Thanks All.

Personally I'd have like to have given Seq. Lodge a go - the times I've stay at NPC I'm always like the idea of being seconds away from the village / park entrance.

Santa Fe is the current option purely due to price.

For my two room requirement for our trip, current pricing works out at (4 nights):

Santa Fe : £404.84
Hotel Cheyenne : £538.84
Seq. Lodge : £757.68

The above pricing is the TOTAL price (ie 2 rooms) at Room-Only rates, including the AP Dream 10% discount.

Now, if DLRP would put it's cards on the table as to what other discounts for AP Dream holders may be available in December, then a hotel upgrade could be on the cards!.


Thanks All.

Regards

Iain

 

[Lizzybear]

Never stayed at Santa Fe but similarly preferred the theming of Hotel Cheyenne which has a similar star rating

Same here. The Cheyenne was a little bit more but we felt it was worth it. Santa Fe looked quite 'boxy' to me.

 

[chrismoo]

Ian,

Can you post the dates for which you found these prices for so I can check to see If Expedia matches these prices (ignoring the 10% discount) as I think it does then it would be a usefull tip to find room only rates easily.

 

[Iain Chapman]

OK

Dates are check-in 19th December, check-out 23rd December.

Santa Fe:
Disney Quote: £404.84
Expedia : £509.32

Hotel Cheyenne:
Disney Quote: £538.84
Expedia : £613.80

Seq. Lodge:
Disney Quote: £757.68
Expedia : £1010.02

So, am unclear - as to how much can be read into the Expedia pricing. For Santa Fe and Seq. Lodge - Expedia's pricing doesn't reflect the non 10%. For Cheyenne however it does work (just about).

Regards

Iain

 

[chrismoo]

Thanks for the info,

The Sequoia can possibly be explained by the fact Expedia has Montana rooms which are more expensive.

But Expedia must be adding a bit to the prices then, gives a rough idea but at least Disney makes it cheaper.

 

[pigby]

Iain - you check out as we check in! We too have this (slight) dilemma - the difference between Santa Fe and Sequioa for the one room for 3 nights is £130 and I am wondering whether to upgrade. We went in the Cheyenne in May and want a change - loved the Cheyenne theming but weren't keen on the bunk beds.

With the Santa Fe (and we had a brief visit there in May), I liked the bar area (it was pretty lively at the time) and the food court sells food that appeals to us and I don't mind the bright rooms and the room size. The walk to the parks is the same as the distance from the Cheyenne to the parks - around 15 minutes or so and walking along the riverbank is pleasant.

However still in two minds whether or not to upgrade, as I would think that the theming of the Sequioa Lodge would be good around Christmas - in WDW, Wilderness Lodge (which I love!!!) is rated as the best for Christmas decor and I wondered if it's DLP counterpart is similar. Also I don't know if DLP would charge an admin fee for a change (even though it is an upgrade).

 

[jillrobinson]

If you're using the Santa Fe as a base for sleeping in and not planning to spend a lot of time there it'll be adequate. We used it for a budget break and the room was clean, beds were comfy, quite a trek from the room to Reception/breakfast etc. but if it's a once a day journey not too bad, didn't try the walk to the park, but there was just something about the hotel I didn't like.
To be perfectly honest it's not going to come anywhere near what you're used to at the NPB, from personal experience I'd go for the Cheyenne too.

 

[Cyrano]

That's a great price for Santa Fe

 

[luvtinkerbell]

if you stay at sequoia lodge it is easy to walk if you stay at santa fe you need the bus

 

[paulanddebbie]

Santa Fe was the first DLRP hotel we stayed in. Since then we have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and Newport Bay so I think we have experienced the different hotels on offer in terms of quality.
Santa Fe was perfect for our first visit, it was cheap and had everything we needed. I particularly liked the themed bar inside which was nice and relaxing. I wasn't so keen on the theming, I think this was the Santa Fe's main letdown. It just seemed a little dull and dowdy but hey! You're in Disney! Its impossible for your spirits to lower!! In terms of service/breakfast/bar etc it near enough matched the Newport. The rooms were ok and the beds were perfect for the end of a veeeeeery long day! For our first visit it offered everything we wanted.
Since then and after staying at DLH and NPBC we now prefer to pay that little bit extra I think mainly to feel the Disney magic a little more in the hotel. Our frame of mind is, we're only here for a few days so why not pay that bit exta and get the extra? But you can also look on the flip side and think why pay extra when you're only sleeping and eating your breakfast there? Its down to personal choice, I can't really see you being disapointed with the hotel.
One of the great things is, its next to a garage that sells low cost drinks/snacks etc that you can take with you to the parks or your room.
Disney Village quite a walk along a long road, we never walked and always used the frequent free shuttle bus that took you to Disney Village. Otherwise it is quite a walk.
I'm, sure you will enjoy every minute.

Paul