Upgrade from HNY to DLH??

[DLPDreams]

I can't decide what to do. I have the opportunity to upgrade hotels but it is fairly expensive, so not sure .

My reasons for upgrading would be:
- I would ask (but not guaranteed) for a ground floor room with patio/chairs/table so that if it is reasonably warm (June), DH and I can sit out on an evening when the girls are asleep in the room and play cards/talk etc.

- I am hoping to do a spot of shopping in the evening while DH babysits the girls in bed. I'm sure it would be fine, but I am a bit anxious about walking through the Village at night on my own.

- The whole ambience and location of DLH. In particular I think my DD1 would appreciate this, this trip whereas previously both girls were too small to notice!

- Not having to do baggage check and so opportunity to be in the park as one of the first people

- The breakfasts/character meet n greet in the mornings

Reasons to stay in HNY:
- It's much cheaper!

- We haven't been there and so I would like to try it (we've stayed at DLH twice already)

- I quite like the idea of being near the lake and walking around it etc if it is nice weather (no guarantee!)

- We are visiting again at the end November for Christmas season so the extra money we would spend on DLH would come in handy for that trip (still need to book accom for that trip when an offer comes out!)

So, if you are still with me . Appease me and tell me what you would do please? I think DH is quite happy to stay at the HNY and the girls know no other as they don't know about the trip!

 

[torsie24]

Stay where you are for this one.

I recon you'll get a nice deal for DLH in November, and you definitely appreciate the nice location in the cold weather. So if you save the difference this time while you're there in warmer weather and the walk's not too bad, you can spend it to be warmer in the winter. Also I bet DLH is far more christmassy than HNY.

Also - surely if you want shopping at night then the village is the best place for it? So staying at HNY is easier for you to get out and shop on your own as you're right next door. When we stayed DLH I personally found it a little creepy walking through the gardens in front of DLH getting back from the village to the hotel once the parks were shut and no one else was around.

That being said I'm always swapping and chaning hotel bookings, so I'm not one to judge! Lol. But as you've not tried HNY before, give it a go. You're saving money, and not losing much on quality. And although DLH can't be beat, it is lovely walking through the village early on a sunny morning on your way to the parks.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks Torsie .

I had planned to shop in the Park as it will be open until 10 - 10.30 pm so had hoped the DLH would give the edge on location then... The things (pins mainly) I am looking for will probably more likely be in the park .

I guess because the parks are open late then it won't be too eerie walking through the Village to the Park from HNY if you look at it like that.

I'm not sure of the plan re accom at Christmas but I guess saving the money now gives us more options.

I guess my ultimate worry is that the HNY won't live up to my expectations having stayed at DLH twice but nonetheless I am looking forward to staying there...

The biggest put off factor is sitting in the room at night when the kids are asleep (we have never had this before as my parents came so we have connecting rooms and were able to chill there/go to the Fantasia bar etc). As much as I'd love to say that we'll be out in the park until late each night, I know we won't or we'll just end up with grumpy children. If we see Dreams together as a family for 2 of our nights I'll be happy .

So, the possibility of a patio/ground floor room at DLH was appealing for that - but as I said, there is no guarantee we would get one .

 

[tennisfan]

I've walked from the village to the SL & have always felt safe, there are always people about.

Personally out of the 2 hotels I prefer the HNY, I think its much better value for money, yes the DLH has the location but in the summer that shouldn't really be a problem.

 

[ShimmerTinks]

Ive never stayed in either! Maybe one year

I would say ring up and find out if there is a ground room availble for your dates, and if so......then its meant to be. book it you could end up debating what to do for days and there might not even be a ground room free

I know im not much help, but it does sound lovely having a sit outside in the evening and relaxing! and being so close to the parks for your shopping.

 

[Isila]

I had same doubts not so long ago.
My parents wanted to pay upgrade so we could stay in DLH, I said yes, but finally decided for HNY. Just because I thought it was too expensive and to tell the truth - maybe not worth the money? I thought of how much time we would spent in hotel. Yes, DLH is wonderful and maybe someday... But on the other hand - you can add saved money to your next trip.
HNY is a great hotel. I loved it.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I agree with OP, stay at HNY and go for DLH in winter if you can - you'll appreciate being closer to the parks when it's colder.

June is usually warm/hot and I would not worry about walking through the village in the evening, it's still busy at that time of night in June. I agree with Torsie - the gardens in front of DLH was a bit eerie....

We once had ground floor rooms at HNY, which were about 2 doors along from where the swimming pool entrance is. This was fantastic as it meant we could just wrap towels round us to go back to the room to get changed after swimming. There were also patio doors that led out to the gardens. There are no tables/chairs there but you could easily take the chairs out of the room there in the evening.

Here's some pics:

Also if you're up early enough, you can easily be at bag check for just before 8. Do your EMH and then stroll back to the HNY for breakfast. That's our usual routine. It's also great having an outdoor pool at HNY in warm weather for a wee rest in the afternoons.

As much as we enjoyed our stays at DLH - I still enjoy the HNY and don't feel I'm missing out in anything if I'm not there (with the exception of location). You can always pop in during breakfast hours to see the characters in front of the fireplace, visit the shop, or relax in the lobby during the day if you feel like it.

 

[jothp]

I can't talk really because we decided on DLH but I think if it is a choice between DLH in June or in November then you would probably appreciate it much more on your November trip when it could be very cold. With the park closing so late there will still be lots of people around the village so you will be just as safe there as you would be in the park

 

[Hipster Meg]

Personally I'd save the money and put it towards the November trip. Having visited at the end of November I can tell you'll appreciate the location so much more than in June, the weather was freezing! We stayed at the SL but boy would I have loved the ability to pop back to the DLH to warm up and get more layers. We popped into the DLH to see the afternoon show while we were there and it looked absolutely gorgeous, there was a ginger bread house and a band playing Christmas carols on the second floor landing.

 

[DLPdaft]

as you said you will have no guarantee at all that you'll get a ground floor room at the DLH, and there are similar rooms anyway at the HNY which you could request if you like (again, no guarantees).

for shopping on your own, the Village is vibrant and busy right through until late (ie midnight) so it wouldn't be eerie at all shopping there. Similarly, if you're shopping in the park late while its open, it will be busy enough in the parks, and you'll be walking in the same direction as everyone else when you leave the park. If you decide to shop in the Village while staying at the DLH, you'll be walking in the opposite direction back to your hotel with far less people around, and I'd imagine that could indeed feel a bit strange.

I'd stick with the HNY for a June trip.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks for all the replies

I think what Ms Poppins said has swung it for me, I never thought about taking our room chairs out in the evening if we have a ground floor room . That is a possibility if we ask for one and get it.

Ms Poppins - I don't suppose you can remember your room number can you please? I was thinking of emailing and requesting a ground floor room, centrally located - is this a good idea? I wasn't planning on taking swimming stuff as I thought the pool was closed but is that the indoor one then? Didn't realise HNY had an outdoor one . I'm hoping that the girls might have a nap in the afternoon (probably never happen!) so perhaps a room near the pool might not be a good idea because of noise??

I think I'm 99% we will stay at the HNY for this trip - I really do like the look of the hotel (discounted it for a long time but have kind of worked myself into it!), so I am looking forward to it now.

I think the fact that it won't be too dark too early and there will still be lots of people around due to late closing hours means it's not an issue (and as you say Elaine, I will be in the same traffic as most others if I venture out through the village to the park/and back in the evening) .

Thanks for all your common sense answers!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Just found our check in details from that visit and it was room 125. If you call them about 5 days before you go, they will have your booking on their system and will note your request.

I don't recall the room being noisy at all. Although you can see the pool and tennis courts from the room, you can't access from this area and have to go via the inside swimming pool/fitness area. The corridors were not noisy either.

Although, the pool is closed 4-8 June. I assume this is when you're going? The outdoor pool is connected to the indoor one, so if the brochure says it's closed then it will be the whole pool I'm afraid.

If you need to know anything else, let me know

Edit: NB - the area outside was not as pretty as DLH and there were a few bits of litter about - but I don't think it would spoil your enjoyment.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thank you Julie - I appreciate you looking for me . Sounds like it might be ideal to be around that area of the hotel. Was it far to reception/breakfast/exit to the lakeside etc? I found both times (in particular second time) we stayed in the DLH we were miles away from Inventions/Reception etc - wasn't a problem as it is such a lovely hotel to walk around (even the corridors!) and we were almost on top of the park so not much walking once outside!

I will email them nearer the time, and perhaps follow up with a phonecall... Although in the past when I have emailed requests (connecting rooms), I have not followed it up and we have received them OK...

 

[Ms Poppins]

No problem. Not far at all.

When you enter the hotel from the lake side - which is the way you'll go every day to the Village/parks - turn left and walk to the end of the lobby. Turn left and follow the corridor towards the swimming pool area, which is on a corner. Then turn left again and our rooms were a couple of doors along. Time from front door to hotel room approx 1 minute. (DH and DD are currently arguing about this and DD thinks only 30 seconds, but the kids tended to race us there )

The restaurants were the same from the front door - only turning right. I think this is one advantage HNY has over some of the other hotels. It's not massive and we've never felt very far away from anything.

Remember, we'll be there in May so if you want to know anything specific from when we're there, let me know. (I really hope you like it now that I've hammed it up )

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks so much for the info Julie .

It does sound great, I am looking forward to staying there and trying somewhere different to the DLH . It will be nice to be near the lake and the Village for a change.

PS - Ah now I know who to blame if it doesn't go so well as I recall you recommending it on a post of mine many moons ago when I said I didn't fancy the HNY! Only joking, it's Disney after all so it will be just great!

 

[RoseBug]

What are you like? Hotel New York is in a fab position, you walk out of the back door and you are literally in the Village, perfect for shopping. I have to say, I would never think twice about wandering round on my own late at night from the lake area to the Village etc. Even from the Cheyenne, but then I have quite happily wandered around many places on my own after dark so I wouldn't give Disney a second thought!

I have stayed at the HNY and it is a lovely hotel, I had no complaints at all - but I am more looking forward to staying at NPB (we could have gone for HNY for the same price) but I love the look of the theming at NPB. If we can get a cheap upgrade to DLH closer to the time we will jump at the chance, but I wouldn't upgrade at a much higher cost. We are hoping to go for Christmas 2013 for a weekend, and will have over a year to save (although this will be alongside saving for visiting Uncle D) so hoping to get to DLH for that trip! Save the extra and upgrade in November!

xxx

 

[DLPDreams]

Spoke to DH tonight, we are going to stay where we are in the HNY - thanks again to everyone .

Rosebug, when I priced up hotels the NPB was coming in quite a lot cheaper than the SL (I suppose due to the recent upgrade of the latter) but I didn't really look at the NPB because for me personally, it is too big a hotel. So I'm surprised it was the same price for the HNY as NPB in August?? I agree the NPB theming does look nice though

When the opportunity came up to upgrade to the DLH I was tempted but I'm quite happy now with our choice and really looking forward to staying at the HNY .

 

[RoseBug]

Spoke to DH tonight, we are going to stay where we are in the HNY - thanks again to everyone .

Rosebug, when I priced up hotels the NPB was coming in quite a lot cheaper than the SL (I suppose due to the recent upgrade of the latter) but I didn't really look at the NPB because for me personally, it is too big a hotel. So I'm surprised it was the same price for the HNY as NPB in August?? I agree the NPB theming does look nice though

When the opportunity came up to upgrade to the DLH I was tempted but I'm quite happy now with our choice and really looking forward to staying at the HNY .

The difference in prices for 3 nights/4 days between standard room at HNY and Admiral Floor at NPB was just under £100. We chose NPB over HNY because we have done the HNY , and tbh, whilst it was a lovely hotel, very pristine and calm, it felt to me very business like so even though I know the size may be an issue at NPB, I prefer the "feel" to it. But I may live to regret that! You will love HNY, the location and size are big benefits!

 

[DLPDreams]

I know what you are saying about a change of hotel, having done the DLH twice, I'm ready for a change anyway! We barely ventured around the lake the last 2 visits .

I have heard that said about the HNY in the past (and I think a lot depends on whether there are conferences on when you are there as I've heard they put you in a conference type room for breakfast as opposed to the restaurants!), but at the end of the day I think all the hotels have their pluses & minuses. I just wanted a hot breakfast, nearby location and small (ish) hotel ...

Ah, I realise now about the HNY price, that was excluding DD or something on expedia wasn't it and when you added her didn't it rocket to ridiculous price? So, weren't you going to have to buy APs which would have made the price even more than the offer price or something like that . Just goes to show sometimes APs aren't that great for RO prices!

You wonder how they get their prices don't you .

Still, at least we are all booked and happy with where we are going now . Just got to keep my eye out for November hotels now . I might be brave and try a different hotel again then .

 

[RoseBug]

No, that was through the disney site, £848 for ,@! Admirals floor, or £912 for hny standard room! I was quite surprised tbh, had a moments wobble then stuck with NPB. X