What can you tell me about the DLP hotels?

[DisneyKidds]

Hi everyone, my first venture into international Disney discussion waters!

We are in the process of planning a trip to France (Paris/Montpellier) next July and would like to spend a few days at DLP. We will probably do 3 days/2 nights at DLP upon arrival in Paris before heading off to the south. We will also be using (or trying to use) our DVC points to stay in either Hotel New York, Newport Bay Club, or the Sequoia Lodge. The Disneyland Paris Hotel would be nice but it is just too many points. I am leaning toward the Newport Bay Club as beachy is our preferred theme, we are from NY so we've seen plenty of that, and we own at VWL in WDW so we've done the Pacific NW theme many times. Any thoughts or recommendations? We will be a family of 5, with the youngest being 10 months. I suppose if the Hotel New York is a "deluxe" resort and gives us a bigger room we may go that way as it doesn't require many more points than the Newport. Is there a big difference between these two resorts? How is the decor of the Hotel New York? Could I possibly have more question?

Also, what can you tell me about park access from these hotels. On the DLP website it mentions that it is a 15 minute walk to the parks. Is that true? How nice/easy is the walk? Is this walk the primary way to get to the parks, or is there other/better transportation? I'm really trying to get a feel for the layout of the resorts and parks.

Anything other advice for someone planning a first (and most likely only) DLP visit.

Thanks all.

 

[richard3330]

Hi ,

Go for Newport Bay Club IMO!

<b>Distance</b>
Hotel New York is around 7-10 minutes walk to the theme parks.
Newport Bay Club is around 12-15 minutes to the theme parks.
Sequoia Lodge is about 10-12 minutes to the theme parks.
The walk from these three hotels is very nice. From Newport Bay Club and Sequoia Lodge you walk around the edge of the beautiful Lake Disney before entering Disney Village (which is like a scaled down version of Universal's Citywalk or Downtown Disney) from here it is a very short walk straight to the gates of the two parks (left for the studios and right for The Disneyland Park). Hotel New York faces the lake also, but is right next to Disney Village.

<b>Theme</b>
Hotel New York seems to lack an interesting theme IMO. To me it looks fairly ugly and business-like, lacking the Disney magic. However, others may have different opinions. Newport Bay Club is similair to Yacht/Beach Club themes of WDW and has a beautifully themed oceanic-type lobby. Sequoia Lodge is similar to The Wilderness Lodge (although NOWHERE near as nice).

<b>Facilities</b>
The best pools are at Sequoia Lodge and Newport Bay Club. Newport Bay's is great if you are planning on going in the summer as it has a large outside section. The inside has a decorative ship and is a fairly decent size.
The Sequoia Lodge's pool is also quite a good size and has a small flume for kids. It does have an outdoor pool, although it is very small.
Hotel New York's swimming pool is very plain and a standard rectangle shape with no specific theming.
All three resorts have a health club with sauna/jacuzzi/massage etc, A games room and a shop. Hotel New York also has the added benefit of tennis courts, an ice rink and hair salon.

<b>Rooms</b>
Rooms at Sequoia Lodge and Newport Bay Club are about the same size, but there have been some recent reports that Sequoia's are starting to feel a bit dated and old. I believe 9it's been a while since I have stayed here!!) that Hotel New York's rooms are slightly larger and they look quite nice. At all three hotels you have the option to overlook Lake Disney for a supplement. A mini bar is available in rooms at Newport Bay and New York, but only in the main building (Montana) rooms of Sequoia Lodge. Unless you are going to get two rooms, Newport Bay Club is the only hotel resort that will offer you a room that can sleep 5 (Family Rooms which are situated on the admirals floor).

<b>Restaurants</b>
Hotel New York offers The Manhattan Restaurant which I tried a while a go and was very nice although overpriced IMO. There is also the cheaper Parkside Diner. Newport Bay Club has the fantastic Cape Cod buffet with some great seafood and also the Yacht Club with some fine steaks! Seqouia Lodge offers Hunters Grill which we enjoyed - they carve the food right at your table, and also Beaver Creek Tavern which I haven't tried.

I think I have gone on enough! For more information regarding Newport Bay Club see the FAQ thread.

HTH

Richard.

 

[DisneyDiver]

The food at Newport Bay (in the cheaper of the two restaurants) was diabolical when we went.

Stodgy, boring and overpriced grub, serivce was terrible, and the place was packed out and noisy.

We subsequently ate in the village restaurants every night, and the food in the western style buffet was equally vile.
I'm not being harsh here - everyone in our party felt the same, and the only places that I can truly recommend are the Rainforest Cafe, and Planet Hollywood, expensive as they are.

As for hotels - we've stayed at the Sequotia Lodge and the Disneyland Hotel.

First trip we were meant to be staying at the Hotel New York - got there to find no record of our booking. It was noted we were DVC members, and whether it had anything to do with that, I don't know, but when the receptionist came back, apparently we had been moved to Disneyland Hotel (A substantial upgrade) without notice.

The more expensive restaurant in the Disneyland Hotel is very flash, and very expensive (more so than any Disney restaurant I've ever seen, with the expception of the more formal offerings at WDW).

That's my experience...

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thanks for the replies. I saw the NBC FAQ thread and it was very imformative. What you described about the layout of the resorts and the walk to the parks was just what I was looking for. I don't mind a 10 to 15 minute walk as long as it is scenic and well lit. Walking around the lake and thru the Disney Village sounds pretty nice. I think we are leaning toward NBC, especially given that the YC/BC at WDW is one of our favorite resorts.

I'm sure as we firm things up I'll have more questions. Untill then.........thanks again.

 

[Connears]

DisneyKidds,

We are WDW veterans of over a dozen trips (due to DVC membership), but we are also planning summer 2004 London trip with a 3 day stay at DLP. It will be me, DH and DS(14, then). We are also planning on Newport Bay. We are starting in London and staying on dvc points at Royal Garden then off to DLP. We aren't sure of plans after that..maybe Greece to see relatives. MS has been great in helping with the planning. They have next years points for London and DLP only until April 2004. I don't know if you are aware that passes for length of stay and breakfast daily are included in dvc points? What a nice surprise! Maybe we will see you there!Connears

 

[DisneyKidds]

They have next years points for London and DLP only until April 2004. I don't know if you are aware that passes for length of stay and breakfast daily are included in dvc points? What a nice surprise! Maybe we will see you there!

Thanks for the info. I assumed that since our guidebook indicated the booking window started at 11 months that DVC would have points per night established that far in advance. Silly assumption I guess. So how far in advance can you actually make reservations? Do they expect you to make reservations based on last years required points and then cough up more points once the actual points are established? Any idea if the points required so far for 2004 have gone up over 2003?

As for passes and breakfast being included, I knew about the passes. Breakfast is a bonus, but it sounds like there can be quite a rush for the buffet!

We're still finalizing plans for next July, and a lot may be dictated by how successful we are in securing airline tickets with my frequent flier miles. If all goes according to plan we will be at DLP from July 10 - 12 or July 15 - 17. We debated taking time out of what may be our first and only European trip to go to Disney. However, we love Disney so much that we can't pass up an opportunity to see what some of the Disney offerings are like in another part of the world.

Good luck planning your trip. Who knows, maybe we will be there at the same time!

 

[Connears]

Wow,
We are looking at similar times. When I called MS she said you can reserve 11 months out. I don't know what will happen if DLP points aren't out next month. London was available for 2004 and they only went up a couple of points. She can also tell you what accomodations include(twin beds;double, etc.). I am starting in London for 5 nights then taking eurostar to DLP(it stops right at the park)and spending 2 nights there. DH will probably return then, but DS and I may stay and spend some time either in austria or off to Greece to see relatives. I'm alittle concerned because the Olympics are in Athens in August and our relatives really want us to stay for them, but I am concered about terrorism..don't know yet.

Connears

 

[Bexx]

Since staying there last December I've become quite an advocate of the Hotel New York. I have also stayed at Sequioa Lodge and Newport Bay and, given the choice and enough points, I think I would pick the NY over those two from now on.

If you're really bothered about good Disney theming then it may not be for you - the main areas are not as attractive as the other two. But the Parkside Diner serves decent food at not extortionate prices, though I can't comment on the main restaurant. And if you want a more spacious room, nicer bathroom and the option of room service then the NY is probably worth those few extra points.