What Disneyland Hotel!?

[Mama-to-Elle]

Hello all!

We are brand spankin to to the forum, we've done lots of reading on here, and are ready to jump in and ask my first question

We are planning a Disney trip this April or May, for 5ish days, we haven't decided on DL or DW, but are LEANING DL, because we live in Oregon, and well, its much closer...

The trip will be myself, my boyfriend and our DD (4). It will be a trip for her 4th birthday.

We have NO Disney experience, he has never been and I haven't been since I was 4..

What would be the BEST hotel at DL to stay at?! Are there pros' and cons'?

Any advice will be much appreciated!

Thank you SOOO much!

 

[sonnyjane]

The on-site hotels (Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel, and Grand Californian) are quite expensive, especially if you're not an annual passholder. Many people elect to stay off-site on Harbor, as those hotels are about half the cost (or less!) of the on-sites and some are even closer to the parks! That said, there is one notable perk if you book an on-site property, which is that you will be able to use a Magic Morning entry on any day that they are offered (normally Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday). The only other way to get a MM entry is by buying a three-day (or more) park-hopper ticket, and then you only get ONE MM, whereas you could get more if you stay on-site. That said, I'm not sure that an MM entry is worth the extra $100 or even $200 more per night (it is one extra hour in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland before it opens to the general public). If your budget allows for it, then stay on-site, but if you'd rather save the money for a nice dinner or more souvenirs, I'd recommend staying off-site.

Paradise Pier is the least expensive for a standard room, followed by DLH, then GC is the most expensive, but also the closest to the parks.

 

[Sherry E]

If money is not a concern, all of the Disney hotels have their pros and cons. The MM's are a perk, but also the ability to send your packages back to the hotel for free is a good perk. Having all the Disney 'extras' such as room keys with your name on them and Mickey bath products (in the DLH and PPH) is nice, too. I personally like the rooms better at the PPH or the DLH than the rooms at the GCH because they are brigher and more spacious. The GCH, however, is a gorgeous hotel and is so close to the parks. The GCH and DLH feel more like resort hotels, while the PPH feels more like a regular hotel. However, I really like the PPH's cute ocean/sun/beach theme. I just stayed 3 nights at the PPH (not my first time) a couple of weeks ago and had a wonderful time. I can't complain at all.

Also, you said you may go in April or May - more than likely, Disney will be running its 'get 5 nights for the price of 3 nights' promo again by then (not guaranteed that they will, but it seems to have been successful for the last 2 years). That could be a great advantage in staying the 5 nights you were considering!

 

[skiingfast]

I agree with what PP said. It's good to look into the offsite hotels. They offer good distance to the parks, and most offer a breakfast and are as stayed about half as much or a quarter as much.

Onsite, the GCH is a superb disney hotel, most agree better than what is at WDW too. It's the closest to the gates in Anahiem, but some of the offsite Harbor st hotels are closer than the DLH, and many are closer than the PPH.

If you want to stay onsite GCH is going to run about $300 per night. DLH about $200, the PPH is usually about $10 less than DLH. You might find these for 25% less because of when you plan to go, during the offseason. But is this sounds expensive just look to Harbor.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I am a firm believer in staying on property if you can. For us, 50 % of the experience IS the hotel, so it makes sense to pay for that. The problem is we don't always want to pay for it! We go to Disneyland 2-3 times a year, and the majority of the time we stay at Disneyland Hotel. We have also stayed at the Grand Californian. We have never stayed at Paradise Pier, but it sounds great too! If we just can't afford to stay on resort property then either we don't go or we find some place else to stay within walking distance. The walking distance part of the Disneyland experience is key--because it is so walkable--like right across the street.

The problem I have with staying off property (on Harbor) is that Anaheim just isn't that nice. Nothing takes you away from the magic faster than a lungful of bus exhaust mixed with a few panhandlers. Anaheim would NEVER be a vacation destination without disneyland--and it shows. But if you stay on property, you don't see the back side of Oz--you just see the spruced up version of Oz with the happy sights and smells (!) of downtown disney.

Only you can decide if this is more of what you want or not. I imagine coming from Oregon you may indeed want to go to Disneyland, not Disneyworld. The flights are cheaper (or the drive doable) and there is no jet lag to deal with. I am a Bay Area type, and I have been to both, but love the ease of getting to and accumating to DL.

Go to www.disney.com and plug in your potential dates of travel and see just how much you would have to pay. That should help you make your decision.

Happy Trails,
Lisa

 

[Mama-to-Elle]

I am a firm believer in staying on property if you can. For us, 50 % of the experience IS the hotel, so it makes sense to pay for that.

Happy Trails,
Lisa

This is what I am thinking, price really is NOT the ultimate deciding factor, unfortunately these trips will come few and far between for us, it just isn't financially feesable more often then that at this point, so I want the trip to be ALL that it can be..

This ONE reason is the main reason I am considering DW over DL is that the resorts there seem to be much more theme'd, according to my research (correct me if I am wrong )

I appreciate the input.. and am SO SO SO Excited to get planning..

 

[Sherry E]

Count me in among the "hotel is 50% part of the experience" people! For me, I want to be immersed in all things Disney from the moment I get out of the car to the moment I leave. For me, the hotel is very much a part of that. I know that many people on this board can happily go to DLR and stay off-property every time and they are fine with it, but when I can afford a hotel, I always go with the onsite hotels at DLR.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

This is what I am thinking, price really is NOT the ultimate deciding factor, unfortunately these trips will come few and far between for us, it just isn't financially feesable more often then that at this point, so I want the trip to be ALL that it can be..

This ONE reason is the main reason I am considering DW over DL is that the resorts there seem to be much more theme'd, according to my research (correct me if I am wrong )

I appreciate the input.. and am SO SO SO Excited to get planning..

Jessica,
You will get that same theme if you do stay on property. It just depends what you want:

1. Disneyland Hotel: Lots of true Disney theme. When you check into the hotel, you get the music, the cast members, and often Goofy walking through the lobby. The newly renovated rooms have dark wood with a "goodnight kiss" built into the headboard. This is a button you push to listen to "A dream is a wish your heart makes..." while looking at fireworks and lights going off on the headboard. Here is what the rooms look like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGBbO5in_-k

2. Grand Californian: This hotel is built in a craftsman style--sort of like the Wilderness Lodge in Disneyworld, but more like the Ahwanee Hotel in Yosemite:http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_TheAhwahnee.aspx
The lobby is beautiful in a very rustic way--huge fireplace, lots of big, comfortable chairs. The rooms are smaller and darker than the ones at the Disneyland Hotel, but they are meant to be in that style. There is a back entrance to California Adventure from the hotel.

3. Paradise Pier: This hotel is like a California surfer-beach themed hotel. I haven't stayed there, but friends that have say the rooms are very nice and bright. The rooms are slightly bigger than Disneyland Hotel rooms, I think.

Have fun!
Lisa

 

[Princess Row]

We always stay onsite and feel it is worth the money.
Grand Californian is the most expensive we have stayed there many times but prefer DL Hotel. GCH has a wilderness type of theme which you can enter through Dowtown Disney from the hotel or strait into Disney California Adventure park.

Disneyland hotel- our personal favorite which I would highly reccomend short walk to the Monrail which takes you into Tomorrow Land and directly into the park. We feel the quality of this hotel is the best. The price is well worth it.

PPH is a bit of a walk to DL and you still have to go through Downtown Disney. But it is however the cheapest.

Hope you have a great time! Your little one will surely enjoy it! Its a great experience for young and old.

 

[rosiep]

Hi Neighbor!

I live in Portland and most of my Disney trips are to WDW. Staying onsite there has many more advantages than staying onsite in DL. One being Magical Express which transports you and your luggage from airport to hotel and back again "free". The hotels in WDW are well themed (though only the Value resorts feel "Disney", and there's a price range for every budget. Be aware it's a long plane ride and there are no direct flights.
I think it's worth it because I love the whole immersion that WDW creates. I can go for 10 days and never step foot off site or see the "real" world.

Having said that, I've been to DL several times with my next trip planned for May. I have stayed onsite and off and quite frankly I don't think it's worth the money to stay onsite but am glad I did it for my first visit. Obviously the plane ride is much easier and the availability of less expensive eats more readily available.

Either way it's Disney, and both parks are amazing. You'll have a great time no matter which park you choose.

Please feel free to PM me to ask questions.

 

[Nonsuch]

We are planning a Disney trip this April or May, for 5ish days, we haven't decided on DL or DW, but are LEANING DL, because we live in Oregon, and well, its much closer...

The trip will be myself, my boyfriend and our DD (4). It will be a trip for her 4th birthday.

You might consider planning for late May or June. The new Little Mermaid attraction is will open in Spring 2011, although there is no firm date set. I have already booked a visit for early June, and hope Little Mermaid will be open. Your DD4 should love the Little Mermaid ride

I always stay in one of the 3 Disney resort hotels. My favorite is the Grand Californian.

 

[bumbershoot]

This ONE reason is the main reason I am considering DW over DL is that the resorts there seem to be much more theme'd, according to my research

Well, what does this mean to you? Why is it a positive? I think eveyone has a different idea of what "theming" means

I recently stayed at WDW for the first time, and yes they are amazing, but that's what you can do when you have property the size of a medium sized city to deal with! But either way, I don't think I'd put the theming of a resort as one of my bigger reasons to choose WDW over DLR...

Choosing from the DLR resorts, I like Paradise Pier Hotel the best. Biggest rooms, bright and cheery all through the hotel. My son loves posing with the Goofy statue that's in the lobby when the xmas tree is not there.


However, I despise malls, and that's what DownTown Disney is. I dislike walking through the mecca of shopping, b/c my husband and son are really really bad about having "the wants" when they see stores. It's a little bit of torture for me. So I actually don't mind staying offsite just so I don't have to go through DTD all the time! And if I stay at HoJo and walk on the Disney side of Harbor blvd, I can actually hear the music from Disneyland, and it makes me happy.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I don't see downtown disney as "just a mall" anymore than I think Disneyland is just a theme park. There is a great deal of thought that goes into the look of it--and it is more of promenade than a mall. There are no cars allowed, and lots of plants and little waterfalls and music to listen too. We always like to walk through there at night on way back to our hotel and listen to the bands and people watch. It is just a lovely place to be.

I think downtown disney adds a lot to the experience, and is a good transition from the park to the hotels. It is nothing like Harbor Blvd.

 

[hugscot]

The paradise sucks!!! I wouldn't stay there again. It needs a remodel bad.

 

[hsmamato2]

just a question...Op plans to stay for 5 days at DL,for a one time only visit (like ours would be) is 5 too much? what is a good minimum,maximum to stay at DL without feeling like you've been there too long? If we go,it's like once only......

 

[rosiep]

just a question...Op plans to stay for 5 days at DL,for a one time only visit (like ours would be) is 5 too much? what is a good minimum,maximum to stay at DL without feeling like you've been there too long? If we go,it's like once only......

I was going to say that if the OP goes to WDW, especially from the West Coast then 5 days isn't really enough..or else it'd have to be very fast paced.

5 days in Disneyland would make for a nice relaxing vacation, with some time at the parks and some time enjoying your resort (especially if you stay at one of the Disney Hotels)

 

[GrandBob]

just a question...Op plans to stay for 5 days at DL,for a one time only visit (like ours would be) is 5 too much? what is a good minimum,maximum to stay at DL without feeling like you've been there too long? If we go,it's like once only......

I've always felt that DLR requires a minimum of 3 days to fully experience. We usually take DGD7 for 5 days -- any more, and you're at the "been there, done that" stage.

So, personally, I think 5 is just right, especially for a first-time trip.

-Bob

 

[nana50]

I am a firm believer in staying on property if you can. For us, 50 % of the experience IS the hotel, so it makes sense to pay for that. The problem is we don't always want to pay for it! We go to Disneyland 2-3 times a year, and the majority of the time we stay at Disneyland Hotel. We have also stayed at the Grand Californian. We have never stayed at Paradise Pier, but it sounds great too! If we just can't afford to stay on resort property then either we don't go or we find some place else to stay within walking distance. The walking distance part of the Disneyland experience is key--because it is so walkable--like right across the street.

The problem I have with staying off property (on Harbor) is that Anaheim just isn't that nice. Nothing takes you away from the magic faster than a lungful of bus exhaust mixed with a few panhandlers. Anaheim would NEVER be a vacation destination without disneyland--and it shows. But if you stay on property, you don't see the back side of Oz--you just see the spruced up version of Oz with the happy sights and smells (!) of downtown disney.

Only you can decide if this is more of what you want or not. I imagine coming from Oregon you may indeed want to go to Disneyland, not Disneyworld. The flights are cheaper (or the drive doable) and there is no jet lag to deal with. I am a Bay Area type, and I have been to both, but love the ease of getting to and accumating to DL.

Go to www.disney.com and plug in your potential dates of travel and see just how much you would have to pay. That should help you make your decision.

Happy Trails,
Lisa

For a minute I thought I wrote this post. My thoughts exactly. Love staying in the nice hotels.

 

[wannagoback]

I took DD#1 when she was 3.5, then we went again when DD#1 turned 5 and DD#2 was 3.5. I am now planning another trip for this fall when DD#2 turns 5 and DD#1 will be almost 7.

These are some things I learned:

On the first trip, we took an early (7am) flight out of Seattle. We stayed at an airport hotel the night before, but our travel agent advised us to be at the airport at 4am. I have no idea why. I felt like DD never really recovered from the energy loss of this early morning. The hope was that she would sleep on the plane, and she might have for about 30 minutes. From now on, I will always make sure that young children can get a full night's sleep before departure.

Our first trip, we stayed at a Harbor Blvd hotel what was about 10 minutes from the park entrance. It was cheap and fit the budget at the time. No real complaints. But the long, non-magical walk made me hesitate to go back to the hotel for any mid-day breaks. On our second trip, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. It was a splurge, as it was our first real "family" vacation. Nothing beats the magic of the DLH at Christmas Time. Your 4-year-old would LOVE it, even with the construction that is going on now. The walk through Downtown Disney is much more pleasant, and the monorail is a nice option. I probably wouldn't pay to stay at the Grand Californian with a 4-year-old.

First trip, stayed 4 nights. As I mentioned earlier, it started with an early flight so we were in the park by noon that same day. We also visited the park a bit on the last day before we flew home. 5-day park hoppers. On our second trip, we stayed 5 nights. We arrived around 5pm the first day. Didn't leave until noon on the last day, but by that time the girls were pretty wiped out, so we didn't even go to the park. We had 6-day hoppers but only used 5 days worth.

Honestly, the though of taking small children to Disneyworld overwhelms me. I know there are people that do it. But as a PP mentioned, you need a longer vacation to really enjoy what Disneyworld has to offer. I just think my kids would be exhausted by the time we had a chance to see what we wanted, let alone to revisit favorites.

So, in my experience, 5 nights seems like a good amount of time. It gives 4 full days and perhaps some additional park time on the first or last day. If the Disneyland Hotel is in your budget, I would totally go for it. If not, I know a lot of people here like HoJo, but I just can't do the walk again with a young child. (I didn't stay at HoJo, but at a hotel an equal distance in the other direction.) For our next trip, I will go with either Disneyland Hotel or with one of the cheaper motels directly across the entrance on Harbor Blvd.

Have fun planning, that is almost as much fun as the actual trip!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Honestly, the though of taking small children to Disneyworld overwhelms me.

I feel the same way. I have been to both, and I just love the smaller scale and easier planning involved with Disneyland. I know where everything is, and love being able to hop back and forth between DL and California Adventure.