Stay onsite (PP) for 4 nights or offsite (Courtyard Marriott) for 5?

[bayareadisneyland]

Please help me decide!

Will be going mid-Sept during the week w/ a 4 and 1 year old. We have always stayed onsite (basically just for the extra hour in DCA- we think the EE to DL is swamped in the off season), but I'm very intrigued by the new hotel. We can get a corner king suite (we have 4 adults and 2 kids) for 5 nights for cheaper at the Marriott than 2 rooms at PP for 4 nights!

We are going to have to go really slow w/ the little ones- go back for naps, take breaks, etc. So not sure if it better to have the convenience of the location of PP/ EMH or a longer trip??

Will we burn out w/ a 5 day parkhopper? We will be able to sleep in longer w/ out the EMH so they would be shorter days. Walking distance looks similar but I do like the location of PP more (DTD). But, the pool/ waterpark at the Courtyard Marriott looks great too.

I can't decide!

 

[Eswift]

I would personally go the extra day. I've stayed at PP twice and I really don't find it great. The coolest thing about is being able to watch the fireworks from the 3rd floor "rooftop" pool, and the walk back to it is through DTD. It's not particularly close to DL at all though compared to many offsite hotels.

 

[5forMickey]

I haven't stayed at PP so I can't comment on that as we stay at the DLH mostly. We did recently stay at the new Marriott the first night of our trip and it is very nice. Prior to this, I would not have stayed at any of the hotels on Harbor (yes I'm spoiled) so it is very nice to have that Hotel option there.

Obviously the rooms are new so everything was nice and there is a good amount of space. It didn't really work for our family as our kids are older so the room was odd but I can see how it would be nice with young ones. I actually didn't like the location. For everyone that complains about the on site hotels and check in -- we arrived at the Marriott at 2:15. Our room was not ready until 8:45 and that was after we had waited in the lobby for over 2 hours and finally pitched a fit.

We are just so used to the DLH and there is something special for us to be on site that I'm not sure if anything else will ever work. I don't know that I would have walked from the Marriott (we drove over and parked in DTD for the night) as it seemed long. If you want the convenience of "going slow" I would stay on site, again, it just felt closer.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

My choice is always more time. I have stayed at the PPH only once years ago on a screaming good deal. It was fine but not all that special. More park time...that's special.

 

[crystal1313]

I would choose the extra day, and PPH is my favorite of the onsite hotels. Is this the brand new Courtyard Marriott with the huge water park? If so, I think the walk would be shorter than to PPH. Extra days with little ones is always so nice, and I always opted for that so we could really enjoy our time instead of feeling rushed. And from what I have seen of the rooms at the Marriott is that they are super nice. Plus there is a Panera, Mimi's and McDonalds all right there and you could save a bit of money on food. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[geergirl]

We just got home from a stay at the Courtyard and really enjoyed it. Our 4 year olds love the waterpark and we found the walk to be quite short. It was a nice bonus to have Panera so close we don't have Panera here and were able to get our fix on the way home from the park a few nights. Our preference is for more time but it kind of depends on your kids' schedules.

Both times we have visited we had 5 day hoppers (kids were 2 and 4) and thought it was good. Our legs were tired from all the walking by the end but it made it easier to take afternoon naps, etc if we didn't feel like we were losing out on already short park time.

 

[sherilaine]

I am normally the one to say that of course staying off site is better. However, two rooms vs. one is always something I'd vote for. That means it comes with 2 bathrooms, 2 tvs and 2 closets for all your stuff and the bonus of EMH. I think 6 people in the double queen/bunk beds at the Marriott is still tight - but if you are only there to sleep then I am sure it would work fine. We just like that extra room but having an extra day is a lot to consider.

The rooms at the Marriott must not be too cheap either though if 5 nights there = 8 nights at the PPH, considering you'd have to get 2 rooms for 4 nights each.

Tough decision but one of the good ones to have to make!!

 

[bayareadisneyland]

I am normally the one to say that of course staying off site is better. However, two rooms vs. one is always something I'd vote for. That means it comes with 2 bathrooms, 2 tvs and 2 closets for all your stuff and the bonus of EMH. I think 6 people in the double queen/bunk beds at the Marriott is still tight - but if you are only there to sleep then I am sure it would work fine. We just like that extra room but having an extra day is a lot to consider.

The rooms at the Marriott must not be too cheap either though if 5 nights there = 8 nights at the PPH, considering you'd have to get 2 rooms for 4 nights each.

Tough decision but one of the good ones to have to make!!

Thanks so much everyone!!! The corner king suite at the courtyard has 2 bd, living room, 2 showers- it is almost 1000 sq feet! I think we can fit!

 

[sherilaine]

Thanks so much everyone!!! The corner king suite at the courtyard has 2 bd, living room, 2 showers- it is almost 1000 sq feet! I think we can fit!

That sounds nice and large then - enjoy!