Thinking of switching hotels

[janc]

Right now I have reservations for the Camelot Inn. My folks just gifted us with some fun money and so I was thinking of switching to one of the Disneyland hotels.

I'm just not sure if I should upgrade.

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I would only do it if you want the convenience of ease of walking back to room off and on during the day. It also gives you early entrance to a park each day if you are an early riser. If those things aren't important for you, you may want to use the money for something at the park, such as the dessert party or a nice item.

 

[amyg1975]

It also depends on if you go back to your room a lot, or swim. We are only in our hotel to sleep, so we stick to cheaper hotels, and then the money is used within the park!

 

[BriannaRuth]

I think it's just a matter of what else you could do with the money. What kind of price difference are you looking at and for how many nights? Which hotel are you considering? And do you have kids?

Camelot Inn is close enough that you could still walk back to the hotel for a mid-day break. For me, it would be a matter of taking advantage of EE and being in the Disney bubble. If you're an early riser (or can be for the days you're there), EE does add a lot of value. Especially if it's during the time of year when they have 8 am entry so EE is at 7 because fewer people get up that early. I really prefer to stay onsite when I possibly can -- makes things more "magical" to me. It's like being at Disney 24/7 instead of being there for the day. But if you'd be kicking yourself because you could have spent the money on something else, then no.

 

[GatorChris]

If you have kids that like waterslides, check out the PPH or DLH. They have some fun stuff there. As for walking back and forth, Camelot is closer than PPH is to the main entrances, and probably close to the same as DLH.

If all you do is see the hotel as a place to sleep, take the money and stay an extra day. You can't beat that!

 

[Butterfly123]

If I had extra money I think I would spend it on a dinner package for PtN, and/or a nice dinner at Blue Bayou, unless I was able to get a really good rate. The biggest benefit is that extra hour, but it seems like it's often a lot to pay for a small amount of extra time.

 

[janc]

I think it's just a matter of what else you could do with the money. What kind of price difference are you looking at and for how many nights? Which hotel are you considering? And do you have kids?

Camelot Inn is close enough that you could still walk back to the hotel for a mid-day break. For me, it would be a matter of taking advantage of EE and being in the Disney bubble. If you're an early riser (or can be for the days you're there), EE does add a lot of value. Especially if it's during the time of year when they have 8 am entry so EE is at 7 because fewer people get up that early. I really prefer to stay onsite when I possibly can -- makes things more "magical" to me. It's like being at Disney 24/7 instead of being there for the day. But if you'd be kicking yourself because you could have spent the money on something else, then no.

We are early risers and would for sure use the EE and we also like a mid day break. It will only be me and my 14yo son going. I picked Camelot because of how close it is. I would like a shorter walk back to the hotel.

 

[janc]

If you have kids that like waterslides, check out the PPH or DLH. They have some fun stuff there. As for walking back and forth, Camelot is closer than PPH is to the main entrances, and probably close to the same as DLH.

If all you do is see the hotel as a place to sleep, take the money and stay an extra day. You can't beat that!

We can't stay an extra day at Disney, we'll be there on a Sunday thru Wednesday and then head to Universal Studios for two day. Nice to know that DLH is as close as Camelot. Thank you.

 

[janc]

If I had extra money I think I would spend it on a dinner package for PtN, and/or a nice dinner at Blue Bayou, unless I was able to get a really good rate. The biggest benefit is that extra hour, but it seems like it's often a lot to pay for a small amount of extra time.

We are already planning on doing the PtN, just waiting till I can make a reservation. I am hesitant because there is a nice price difference.

 

[goofyfan13]

my .02 - Agree with everyone else on reasons for the DH and reasons to keep your stay at Camelot. As far as distance, only other items to take into consideration:
Planning on spending a lot of time at downtown Disney? Walk from DH goes through DTD
Monorail into Disneyland and the backdoor through Grand Californian cut the walk to DL and DCA considerably.
Opinion - I think everyone should stay at the DH once, we loved it.

 

[janc]

I've went ahead and emailed my travel agent to see if it will be doable to switch to the DLH. I may as well, staying there is on my bucket list.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I don't think you will regret it at all. The EE makes a huge difference in your experience. Especially at DCA.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I've went ahead and emailed my travel agent to see if it will be doable to switch to the DLH. I may as well, staying there is on my bucket list.

You're going to have a great time there!

 

[kathy040690]

I personally would use the extra money for more things at the parks ! But that could just be me

 

[bumbershoot]

I would put the money towards APs, if you could get back inside a year.

We are early risers

You can do VERY well getting up early and going to the opposite park that's the early park.

I would like a shorter walk back to the hotel.

Then it's the Camelot.

I like to use mapmyrun to approximate the walking routes from places.

Front of Camelot to the center of the esplanade is .32 miles.

From approximately at the sorcerer's hat at the edge of DLH and DTD, it's .43 miles to the center of the esplanade.

I don't go from the room b/c you never know where you'll be assigned. If you're in Frontier Tower at DLH vs the front of the Camelot, it'll be skewed.


Now, if every Disneyland day would start and end at the monorail station, you can cut the walking down by just going to the monorail. Alas, they don't always open at a time that's advantageous for the early entrance on those days, AND we did that once for Magic Morning, only to find that we were really messed up for hitting Fantasyland. Entering from the back of FL, basically, changes things for "Peter Pan first". And I get that PP might not be a focus, but then, my son is 12 and doesn't seem to be losing interest in it. Who knows, though, what the next 2 years will see happen, of course.

And the entrance to DCA from the Grand requires plans that mean Grizzly and further into DCA. That's not how all of my DCA days start. And unless you're there VERY early, I mean over an hour early, there's no benefit for the early days to DCA. Most people say to go to the esplanade entrance for the start of a DCA day.


I'd stick with the Camelot, personally.

 

[Sagginit]

I stayed at the Camelot and it was super close, I think it took us less than 10 minutes. We went to brunch at a Disney hotel (forget the name, its behind DTD) and it took us almost 25 minutes to get there. we took the monorail back and it was easier but not faster as it was running every 10 minutes or so. Our room at the Camelot was spacious with a seating area and fridge/microwave. It was good for a midday break and fairly quiet. The pool wasn't great but it was too cool to really want to swim. Also we could see the park from the walkway on our floor, so even though we didn't do it we could have easily seen the fireworks from the hotel if we wanted to. I did the EMH in DL they offer to people with multi day passes and hotel guests. It was a mess, we got almost nothing done as only Fantasy land and Tomorrowland were open. So many people show up it took over 20 minutes to get in from the time we walked up. I heard EMH in DCA is good as its hotel guests only but if you do RD for RSR you should be fine in getting in all the rides there. If you are going at a busy time the extra hour may be worth it. If you are not going at a peak time then I would use the money on something else.

 

[justgrace]

I think Camelot is closer than the Disneyland hotel. When we were walking back to PPH, we were surprised that the walk was longer than our hotel across the street. The DLH is further away than PPH, so it's definitely a longer walk than Camelot.

We've stayed at Camelot for the past 5-6 trips and have enjoyed our stay there! Nice, clean, short walk. If I were you, I would save your money and do something special inside the park or buy more souvenirs. The DL hotels are, IMO, not worth the extra $$$. Sure you get an extra hour, but I wouldn't spend the $100+ per night difference between the Camelot and Disneyland hotel just for that extra hour.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I stayed at the Camelot and it was super close, I think it took us less than 10 minutes. We went to brunch at a Disney hotel (forget the name, its behind DTD) and it took us almost 25 minutes to get there. we took the monorail back and it was easier but not faster as it was running every 10 minutes or so. Our room at the Camelot was spacious with a seating area and fridge/microwave. It was good for a midday break and fairly quiet. The pool wasn't great but it was too cool to really want to swim. Also we could see the park from the walkway on our floor, so even though we didn't do it we could have easily seen the fireworks from the hotel if we wanted to. I did the EMH in DL they offer to people with multi day passes and hotel guests. It was a mess, we got almost nothing done as only Fantasy land and Tomorrowland were open. So many people show up it took over 20 minutes to get in from the time we walked up. I heard EMH in DCA is good as its hotel guests only but if you do RD for RSR you should be fine in getting in all the rides there. If you are going at a busy time the extra hour may be worth it. If you are not going at a peak time then I would use the money on something else.

I like the pool area compared to other motels. Even if you just want a brief dip the seating is nice & open, sunny. You can watch fireworks from there.

 

[janc]

I went ahead and switched to DLH, I realize I'll have a longer walk but I really want this to be a fun trip with all the little touches you get from a Disney hotel. I've wanted to stay there for awhile. We'll be there 3 nights then drive up to Universal Studios and stay in a Travelodge for 3 nights while we do Universal and check out Hollywood.

 

[mmmears]

Great choice! I have to admit that it's nice to stay inside the Disney bubble. I hope you have fun!