santa fe?

[mommy2ash]

has anyone stayed here? i know its basic so thats ok i am paying for everyone so i chose the cheapest option. how far is it really from the park? everywhere i read says different. i am hoping to walk rather than take the bus if possible. is it ok if you only want it to sleep in. we are not planning on spending much time here.

thank you

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

The Santa Fe is a lovely hotel, the beds are really comfy. You can walk, i think it takes about 15 mins if you have children. I always got the bus so not 100% sure how long it is exactly.

You can sleep in if you want, just be warned that the later you go for breakfast the busier it will be.

 

[A Small World]

We have stayed at Santa Fe twice (we wouldnt have gone back the 2nd time if it had been awful) and it was fine. The beds were really comfy and the rooms clean and a decent size for what you need.
We would definitely stay there again but have stayed at other hotels since for specific reasons - DCR at Christmas so DGM didnt have to share the same room and to avoid having to book 2 rooms, Cheyenne at Easter as it has bunkbeds so DS didnt have to share a bed with DD and Sequioa Lodge this summer as we wanted somewhere with a pool as we intended having non park time.

It probably took about 15-20 mins to walk to the parks but as there is lots to look at on route it depends how often you stop for photos etc

 

[cookie334]

I haven't stayed there so can't comment on the rooms, but it's the same distance as the Cheyenne + a walk over a tiny bridge. When we stayed at the Cheyenne we walked to the parks every morning with 6, 4 and 9 month old in tow and we did it in about 10 minutes as we were always so excited to get to the parks. The walk back at night took about 15-20 minutes as our feet were tired and sore and we took our time and took in the sites. HTH

 

[mommy2ash]

haha i dont think i have slept in since ive had my daughter. we will be up at the crack of dawn. im hoping to get the 7.30 slot for breakfast. by the time i round up everyone else lol. is it busy at this time or is it ok?

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

7.30 is rather quiet, it starts to get busy about 7.45 onwards from what i saw when i went in January.

 

[poppyolivia]

I love the Santa fe hotel!! The only reason I am going to the cheyenne in Jan 09 is because it only cost £40 odd to upgrade!! But I will always go to Santa Fe (unless I win the lottery) Its clean, beds are way comfy!

The walk to the parks is about 10-15mins but it seems really quick .... Only the hard core ones get on the bus!!lol

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

The walk to the parks is about 10-15mins but it seems really quick .... Only the hard core ones get on the bus!!lol

WAHEY!! I'm hardcore plus lazy

 

[poppyolivia]

WAHEY!! I'm hardcore plus lazy

Nah too pushy, pushy with ignorant people ... I prefer to freeze on the walk home

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Nah too pushy, pushy with ignorant people ... I prefer to freeze on the walk home

Ssshh....but i had many people helping me with the buggy etc. Must of gone at a good time

 

[mommy2ash]

i wouldnt mind that lol i dont even get that at home

 

[ukstitch]

Personally I'd be inclined to get the bus as well. By the end of the holiday my feet were killing me, so it was bad enough walking to the first park car park, let alone all the way back to one of the hotels!

Slightly :

Ssshh....but i had many people helping me with the buggy etc. Must of gone at a good time

You remember the classic phrase about it's not the size that matters? Well, with buggies, size helps a lot

We have a huge buggy for DB because he's 10 so won't fit in a traditional one and it works wonders in some places, especially with the character express where the characters or CMs see it and generally treat it like a wheelchair because of the size, so the characters usually come to us or insist on making a clear path for us through the scrum.

We still wait our turn and all that with everybody else, but it does mean less people push in front of us!

 

[DLPdaft]

"I will always go to Santa Fe (unless I win the lottery) Its clean, beds are way comfy!"

Another Santa Fe fan here - I'm heading back there for my 3rd stay at the Santa Fe in a couple of months.

Its the same standard as the Cheyenne, the only difference is the external theming. The Santa Fe is colourful, jolly and warm in the public areas, and clean and themed in the rooms as well. And those beds! I rave about the comfort of those beds - we sleep like logs in the Santa Fe beds.

Elaine

 

[torsie24]

we sleep like logs in the Santa Fe beds.

Can't comment on SF beds, never stayed there, but I always sleep like a log a disney, have never woken, or felt unrested. Think its the atmosphere!!

Perhaps the 16 hours of hardcore disney-ing everyday helped somewhat...lol.

I got the 7am breakfast slots on my recent SL trip and it was great, really really quiet, but on our way out to the parks (7.45 ish, the quesues were really big!)

I think the fantasyland breakfast is really worth doing too (although wont be allowed on my next trip )

 

[hildasmuriel]

We stayed at the Santa Fe for our first 4 visits. We only used it for sleeping and found it fine and comfy. We used to have GMFL breakfast most of the time so didn't have much experience of the dining room, but the few times we ate there we had 7 o'clock brekkie and had no problem with crowds.
As others told you, the walk takes about 15 mins.

 

[Tiggerbounce24]

Stayed in August 1992 so I bet it has changed since then. Nice hotel. Was glad of ceiling fans as was hot then. We always got the bus.

 

[joolz1910]

We stayed here in January 2005. I really liked it and the only reason we're staying at SL this time is because DH wanted to try a different hotel. The walk back is about 20 mins with a grumpy, tired 5 year old. We took the bus once when it rained and decided that would be the last time. Lots of pushing and jostling - I'd rather walk.

 

[rhysd2]

stayed there in Jan this year and it was lovely. The rooms were nice clean comfy and functional. Never had a problem with brekfast though the lady who greeted you for it was slightly crazy! but thats another story heh

the bar at night was also quite nice. they had a french chap with a guitar singing well known songs and he was very good.

the theming around the buildings the rooms were in could have been a little more polished but inside all the buildings it was great. Would recommend it to anyone

Infact we're considering staying there again this december. Were going to stay at SL but the pools closed so cant see the point in shelling out the extra.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Hmmmm, we have stayed in the Santa Fe about 4 or 5 times over the years. It's ok. I grumble about the price because I think you can get better value at the Holiday Inn or Kyriad across the street. But that is a value issue, not quality.

the rooms are fine, and as long as you get to breakfast first thing, breaky is ok too.

walking is between 15-25 mins dependent on how tired you are. The buses are hard going however. I think you will probably have a great stay.

there are some nice hidden decorations throughout the motel as well.

 

[rhysd2]

oh as for walking. we did it in about 10-15 mins. and we're by no means fast walkers. to be honest however long it takes you see such nice things on the way it doesnt matter