So what's the REAL difference between the Disney Hotels and the "Partner" hotels?

[CALIFLADY]

By the time I got my hotel booked, there was no room in any of the official Disney hotels, so I ended up booking at the Kyriad Hotel for three nights. What's the difference?

Is it like staying offsite at WDW? Are there any perks, other than the decor? Is the transportation satisfactory?

I'm arriving by Eurostar. Will I have to go to the Kyriad Hotel to check in first, or can I leave my bags at the train station and have them transferred, while I go to the parks? If I can go directly to the parks, where do I get my park tickets?

Once again, sorry if these questions have been asked a million times already...

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Having stayed at both on-site and off-site hotles, I dont see much difference if all you want is a comfortable, clean place to lay your head after a day at the parks.

You will be missing the Disney themeing and the morning character visits but you will get your fix of those in the park. For the comparitive money you would have spent on sat the Santa Fe will be getting a newer, better star rated hotel, also leaving you with more spending money.

Your park entry tickets are not included in your hotel price so these are usually purchased at the park gates (I believe there is a ticket booth in the station but am not 100% sure).

The park hoppers run constantly throughout the day but check with reception what time they start and finish.

I have never travelled on Eurostar so am unable to comment on the luggage transfere but someone will be along to help you out on that one.

 

[Cyrano]

We've stayed in both. Main difference with partner is you don't get Disney theming, visiting characters and Hotel id for charging purchases and delivery to yourt hotel. All partner hotels are served by shuttle so you don't feel too much away from the magic

 

[CALIFLADY]

Cool. Thanks for the quick responses!

Since I'm not going with kiddos, the theming and character interaction isn't as critical for me, so it sounds like things should work out well for me.

 

[SandraVB79]

I don't know if they still do this, but last time I went, you could have your purchases sent to your Disney hotel (if bought by 3 pm) or you could have them sent to one of the stores in the Village, and pick them up there after 6 pm or so. That way, you don't have to carry them around all the time.

 

[Bexx]

Is it like staying offsite at WDW?......Is the transportation satisfactory?

As far as the transport is concerned, then it's better than staying offsite, and not dissimilar to using the Disney shuttles onsite, at WDW. The buses run at least every 25 minutes during the day.

 

[Ware Bears]

I'm arriving by Eurostar. Will I have to go to the Kyriad Hotel to check in first, or can I leave my bags at the train station and have them transferred, while I go to the parks? If I can go directly to the parks, where do I get my park tickets?

We arrive by Eurostar and stay offsite too. Personally we prefer to go and check in our hotel first but if you prefer to hit the parks straight away there are large lockers for hire at the station. You will have to transport your bags yourself, just take a #54 pink bus ~ the stop is right outside the station.

On your last day you could either use left luggage facilities at the Kyriad, the lockers at the station or Guest Storage to the right of the ticket booths at the Disneyland Park. The charge for the latter is 2.50 euros per item.