What are the benefits of staying at a resort hotel?

[Disneyland1084]

You're in a full-service hotel with beautiful amenities and you're actually in the resort. Is that important to you?

Yes, it definitely is, but only if the price is right. I noticed there's a really good sale going on at the resort hotels for summer of 2025. If I wasn't 80% sure I'm going to cancel my August 2025 trip at a Good Neighbor hotel due to going in October instead for Oogie Boogie Bash (hopefully), I would absolutely be upgrading to at least a standard room at Pixar Pier.

 

[joseph821]

Yes, it definitely is, but only if the price is right. I noticed there's a really good sale going on at the resort hotels for summer of 2025. If I wasn't 80% sure I'm going to cancel my August 2025 trip at a Good Neighbor hotel due to going in October instead for Oogie Boogie Bash (hopefully), I would absolutely be upgrading to at least a standard room at Pixar Pier.

Value and price are subjective but I wish you a nice trip whenever you go!

 

[NVDISFamily]

From a pure dollars and cents analysis there is much better value to be had at other locations.

From an experience perspective it’s awesome and addictive. Once you get used to it you kind of want to always stay onsite. The feeling when I see this and I’m headed towards the Grand Cal or DLH is way different vs when I’m staying on Harbor….



My cure for this problem, owning and buying more DVC points. It’s an expensive hobby…..

As I’ve only given silly/fluff answers, I’ll try to give a more practical answer. Having the ability to easily sneak back to the room (easier at the GC but not too bad at DLH if you monorail) if you or the kids need some rest is just so much easier than most other options (yes there are a few rivals across the street at harbor).

 

[ClaraOswald]

One thing I noticed about our mid-day breaks in June.....the walk to the Grand Californian didn't seem as hot. I think there must have just been more shade. (Plus, a fair amount of the walk to our room was actually indoors.) Whereas the walk over to Harbor, there isn't much shade so the sun is just beating down on all the concrete. I definitely sweat my butt off way more when we stayed on Harbor.

 

[LKing]

One thing I noticed about our mid-day breaks in June.....the walk to the Grand Californian didn't seem as hot. I think there must have just been more shade. (Plus, a fair amount of the walk to our room was actually indoors.) Whereas the walk over to Harbor, there isn't much shade so the sun is just beating down on all the concrete. I definitely sweat my butt off way more when we stayed on Harbor.

Was it hot in June?

 

[ClaraOswald]

Was it hot in June?

I mean, I suppose it's all relative. It's nothing like WDW in June...thank goodness! But it still can get pretty hot in the afternoon. Not too bad in the mornings and evenings though. But during the day, I often brought a little fan or an umbrella because I overheat fairly easily. This was late June. Of the months my son is on summer break, it's probably the best choice though. And actually, September and even October seem like they can be hotter than June.

 

[LKing]

And actually, September and even October seem like they can be hotter than June.

Yes, that is what I was thinking. June is usually relatively cool.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Here's the weather data from this June - https://www.wunderground.com/history/monthly/KSNA/date/2024-6

 

[juxtapose]

Are they consistent in which park gets EE which day year around? DL- Tue, Thur, Sat. Are there few enough on-site guests that its worth going to? Last time we went they had it at both parks every day and most rides were walk on.

 

[LKing]

Are they consistent in which park gets EE which day year around? DL- Tue, Thur, Sat.

Always subject to change, but it hasn't changed since the rotation started in January.

 

[caimakale]

You have access to park days that are otherwise sold out. I called today because I couldn't reserve DCA during my stay. It was full due to the 1/2 marathon in DL and everyone wanting to start their day at DCA instead. Customer service made the change and got me in on an otherwise sold out day.

 

[Minnie1222]

With LLMP, we can't book the first ride until we're in the park, so that extra 30 minutes from early entry could potentially gain us several extra rides.

 

[LKoslosky1109]

We used to stay on-site mainly for the hour EE. Now that it is 30 minutes it wasn't worth it to us. We stayed elsewhere, had a full kitchen, breakfast buffet and separate bedroom with two queen beds that was 1500 steps away. We just booked opposite parks from EE and rope dropped.

where did you stay?

 

[tink89]

we like the EE even if its 30 min. We like walking to the hotel and if i wanted to check out something at a shop or DD16 wants to go get churro we just go because if feels like we are just right there. We are not ones to buy a bunch of disney merch. We will buy a nice spirit jersey or DD will buy some new ears or sweater but we only buy merch we actually like and will continue to use not just because its new or popular so we don't spend much money on merch. We are not huge breakfast ppl as we only do coffee and a pastry and rather have a nice lunch and dinner. So we don't care for a free crappy breakfast buffet at an offsite hotel. We prefer to spend that money on staying onsite and having one or two nice dinner reservations.

 

[momto2]

The main benefit is 30 minutes early entry every morning. Three mornings a week is DL and four mornings a week is DCA.

Which days for which parks? Still only 30 minutes? Any extra time at night for DL hotel guests? Thanks!

 

[LKing]

Which days for which parks? Still only 30 minutes? Any extra time at night for DL hotel guests? Thanks!

• Disneyland Park: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Disney California Adventure Park: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

Yes, thirty minutes - usually 7:30 am - 8 am. The parks in California open earlier than the parks in Florida.

No special evening hours for hotel guests.

For more information: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-admission-options/

 

[momto2]

• Disneyland Park: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Disney California Adventure Park: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

Yes, thirty minutes - usually 7:30 am - 8 am. The parks in California open earlier than the parks in Florida.

No special evening hours for hotel guests.

For more information: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-admission-options/

Thank you! It's been a few years since we been at DL. Do we need Park reservations? Do we need dining reservations? We will be there April 1-3.

 

[LKing]

Thank you! It's been a few years since we been at DL. Do we need Park reservations? Do we need dining reservations? We will be there April 1-3.

Yes you need park reservations. Did you already purchase your tickets? If so, you should have received reservation information at that time. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/experience-updates/park-reservations/

You do not need dining reservations for most restaurants. If you want to eat at a table service restaurant, you should check the Disneyland app for dining availability on they days that you are there. Click on the plus at the bottom of the home page. Choose "check dining availability" and follow directions from there.