Solo visit - Sequoia, Cheyenne or Santa Fe?

[snowybelle]

I'm making my first (and possibly only?) visit to DLP in late August of this year. I will be staying 3 nights. I'm pricing out hotels and I'm considering staying on property to minimize hassle (coming from the States I will definitely be jet lagged and not up for extra complications), and I'm pricing it out... for a solo adult female, would you recommend:

Cheyenne VS. Santa Fe

OR

a bit of a splurge and stay at Sequoia Lodge? (About $200 more total).

Would love your input. I've also considered staying off-property at the Ibis which would be MUCH less expensive, but since this will likely be my only visit to DLP in the forseeable future I'd like to do it right

Thanks!

 

[BadPinkTink]

I have stayed at both Sequoia and Santa Fe. All the onsite hotel packages include breakfast, park tickets and room.

Both hotels have a main building with reception,bar and restaurant/ breakfast area and shop which is separate from the rooms. In Santa Fe all the rooms are in blocks behind the main building, in Sequoia half of the rooms are in the main building, half are blocks beside the main building.

Santa Fe has a longer walk from the park than Sequoia. To get to Santa Fe, you walk to Sequoia and then go down the side of the hotel , along the river. After a long day in the park, I really did not like that walk and took the bus, which can get quiet crowded, especially in the mornings after breakfast and after Dreams.

In Santa Fe, at breakfast, you get your food from the buffet and then find your own table. This can be a bit manic if there are alot of families there. In Sequoia a CM will bring you to a table and then you get your food from the buffet. Both hotels have the same selection of food at the buffet.

In Santa Fe the theming is Disney Pixar Cars, the lobby,bar and restaurant are Mexican / Tex Mex / Arizona / California themed. The hotel buildings are themed like an American Motel.
In Sequoia the theming is the California Redwood National Parks, the hotel is surrounded by pine trees and the lobby,bar and restaurants are themed like a wooden lodge style.

The rooms in both hotels were around the same size, both rooms had 2 double beds.

Staying onsite means you get access to EMH, which is 2 hours and also the shopping service.

 

[sunshine1]

How much is newport bay?

 

[zinderella]

I'm making my first (and possibly only?) visit to DLP in late August of this year. I will be staying 3 nights. I'm pricing out hotels and I'm considering staying on property to minimize hassle (coming from the States I will definitely be jet lagged and not up for extra complications), and I'm pricing it out... for a solo adult female, would you recommend:

Cheyenne VS. Santa Fe

OR

a bit of a splurge and stay at Sequoia Lodge? (About $200 more total).

Would love your input. I've also considered staying off-property at the Ibis which would be MUCH less expensive, but since this will likely be my only visit to DLP in the forseeable future I'd like to do it right

Thanks!

Personally I would go for the more expensive option Sequoia Lodge, not because I'm wealthy(!) but as you say this may well be your one and only visit. As a single female, I know I would be very happy to walk to the park from SL as it is situated around the lake along with the Hotel NewYork and the Newport Bay - there's always a few people strolling around this area. Also I would rather be in a main hotel building, not in a block away from amenities.

Another thing to consider is whether you prefer more or less disney theming. I like SL because it feels more grown up and I love the subtle room theming, but you may love the slightly more upbeat, colourful Cars theming of Santa Fe? SL does have a pool, which can be a nice break if you are planning on late evenings in the park.

Happy planning - what fun!!

 

[DLPDreams]

Agreed - SQL for me. I haven't stayed in Santa Fe or Cheyenne but have at SQL and loved it (all our other visits have been at the DLH so we had that to compare it to and still came out favourably!). Granted we did stay in the Golden Forest Club but it was still a nice hotel with a nice, safe walk around the lake to the parks. I don't think I'd want to walk much further on my own each night. I don't think you'll regret paying a bit extra and staying at SQL.77

Someone mentioned prices for NPB - this hotel is becoming much more expensive to stay at - it has just been awarded 4 stars and so this will be reflected in the price of future stays I'm sure.

 

[cdsmiler81]

With regards to the two cheaper hotels, if you decide not to spend the extra, go with Santa Fe as Cheyenne - although it has a great theme IMO - is about to start renovations. Santa Fe (and SQL) have all finished their renovations!

C x

 

[sunshine1]

I stayed at the Cheyenne in jan. One month after staying at the newly refurbed Newport.
Cheyenne depressed the hell out of me. Apart from it in desperate need of a refurb, which is taken place now, the place was just barren. The 'street' where the rooms are on either side was so depressing. I never saw a soul about.

 

[snowybelle]

Thanks everyone who has replied, this is very helpful to read.
Is Newport Bay a very large step above Sequoia Lodge? I am now debating between booking Sequoia Lodge, or Newport Bay through the UK site with 30% off and Free Half Board. Thoughts? The Newport Bay thing is quite a bit more expensive still, is it worth splurging on a four star hotel and some meals included do you think??