what should I do?

[ebtbmom]

I checked out the Jan. getaway rate online and I can get the DL hotel for just over $100 more than what I'm paying for Camelot. I had thought that if it went on special and wouldn't be a lot more then I would get it, but now I'm not sure.

Is DL hotel a closer walk than Camelot? I'm going to miss the free breakfast at Camelot, although on some reviews I have read the breakfast doesn't sound that great. Plus there is a McDonald's next to Camelot and my son lives on chicken tenders (shameful but true ).

I have wanted to stay at DL hotel ever since I booked my trip. The pool looks awesome, although we might not use it in Jan, and the rooms are pretty. Plus I'm used to staying "on property" since that's what we always do at WDW. Is it really more magical to be on Disney propery? The monorail DL entry sounds fun too, or is it not conveinant to use?

Someone help, what should I do????

 

[DangerMouse]

The Camelot is probably closer to the turnstiles.

The main thing that would sway me to stay at the DLH would be the extra Magic Mornings, since on-site guests get MM each morning it is offered. I also like the Monorail as an option when exiting the park and going back to the DLH. It really saves your feet.

Good luck!

 

[Eeee-va]

How long is your trip? If it's more than 2 days, then for just $100 more, I would most likely go with the DL Hotel myself. If it were the Paradise Pier Hotel it might be different, but the DLH just feels more magical to me. Maybe because it's almost historic!

I think it IS more magical to be on property, even if the walk in some cases may actually be a touch longer. (The reason I haven't stayed on property in ages is primarily money--I hate to spend a few hundred dollars more, or as much as double Hojo's rates. I'd rather save my money and/or keep it for the parks. )

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm actually in the same boat! I am currently booked at Camelot for two nights (because of proximity and great reviews), but the Getaway rate for DLH is really cheap for that time, I think it also works out to be $100 more (per night though, not sure if that's what you meant). I was *this close* to making the switch, but I know I'm going to want to do a lot of PS dining at the parks, which could get expensive FAST. The extra $200 are more important to me right now than the DLH experience, although I would love to do it, and am certain I will some day

 

[ebtbmom]

I'm actually in the same boat! I am currently booked at Camelot for two nights (because of proximity and great reviews), but the Getaway rate for DLH is really cheap for that time, I think it also works out to be $100 more (per night though, not sure if that's what you meant). I was *this close* to making the switch, but I know I'm going to want to do a lot of PS dining at the parks, which could get expensive FAST. The extra $200 are more important to me right now than the DLH experience, although I would love to do it, and am certain I will some day

I hope I was looking at it right, because I thought it was only about $30 extra a night, for 5 nights, which would only be about $150 extra. You think it's $100 a night more? Maybe I need to check my calculations because I do not want to pay that much extra.

 

[sonnyjane]

I hope I was looking at it right, because I thought it was only about $30 extra a night, for 5 nights, which would only be about $150 extra. You think it's $100 a night more? Maybe I need to check my calculations because I do not want to pay that much extra.

My trip was for late March, so my rate at Camelot is $121 a night plus tax and PP Getaway rate was $214 a night plus tax, DLH was $242 a night plus tax. I don't know what your rates were for Jan. for either hotel though. That's just how it worked out for us.

ETA: I just did a search for a random January date and it looks like you're right, it's only about $30-$40 more a night at DLH! In that case I'd book DLH!!!!!!

 

[clb79]

Someone help, what should I do????

Here is my story if it helps you feel better about spending the 30.00 extra a night.

I had a room at the Fairfield Inn booked (its a surprise trip for our Anniversary) for 149.00 a night and saw the Getaway rate for PPH was 165 and DLH was 179. I was ready to book until a friend (former Disney CM) told me to think about Park View, Upper Level Park View, then she said why not check Concierge Service at PPH and see what the price difference is if the rates were that good...

Well when all was said and done I was staring at a confirmation email for the GCH in my inbox! I am still in shock when I look at the total, even though I know its a great rate!

At least its for a surprise Anniversary Trip! (and honestly I don't know if the GCH would ever been in our budget for a family trip)

 

[cari12]

I find the walk from DLH, although similar in length to some offsite hotels, much more magical. Walking through DTD, often with music piped in, has such a festive feel rather than walking down ugly city streets. As we have 2 young children, I loved not having to worry about car traffic but you also don't see or hear any traffic either. The convenience of popping over to DTD for dinner was great too (with young kids, we only went to the park one night after dark). The pool at the DLH was great. DD6and DS4 loved the waterslide. For a little extra money, I would definitely choose the DLH.

 

[Mickey1974]

To CLB79....I did the same thing!!! (I have no idea how to use that quote button!) I swear I looked at all of the hotels within a 10 mile radius of DL. And honestly, I don't like to pay over $200 a nt for a hotel room becuz I feel that we only sleep there. But when the rates came out for the getaway promo I booked the GC. I told my husband what I had done and summed it all by saying "hey, we're only there for two nights and we want to be in the middle of all the action?!?!...right?...right?"

I don't think we'll regret it and to the OP...I'd say go for it too. Perhaps you can find a creative way to save that extra $100 to pay for your stay.

 

[KCmike]

I find the walk from DLH, although similar in length to some offsite hotels, much more magical. Walking through DTD, often with music piped in, has such a festive feel rather than walking down ugly city streets. As we have 2 young children, I loved not having to worry about car traffic but you also don't see or hear any traffic either. The convenience of popping over to DTD for dinner was great too (with young kids, we only went to the park one night after dark). The pool at the DLH was great. DD6and DS4 loved the waterslide. For a little extra money, I would definitely choose the DLH.

I feel the exact same way. If money was really tight and it made the difference in making the trip then I would stay on harbor blvd but after staying on site I prefer it.

 

[ebtbmom]

OK, You've convinced me! It does sound very magical walking through DTD to get to the parks, also I've had me eye on DL hotel since I started planning this trip in April so I'll probably regret it if I don't.

Now, how to do it? Should I just call on Mon, is there some way to do it on the website now even if I already have a reservation?

I'm so excited, I've really wanted to stay here, but I'm kind of a cheap skate at heart

 

[azdisneylover]

We just got back from our trip (Nov 1-5). We stayed at Paradise Pier Hotel. We loved it. The kids especially loved the slide! The magic mornings were awesome! The little chocolates left on the bed and the little bottles of shampoo with Mickey Mouse ears made my kids' bathtime special. We bought a few things in the park (hubby bought the pics of us going down splash mountain for instance) and had that sent to the room! That is a great feature! The cut through the GCH into California Adventure is priceless when you get of Grizzly rapids soaking wet. You can get to your room sooner to change! The walk through Downtown Disney is nice! It is a nice distraction to how far you do have to walk to Disneyland entrance.
If you can make it work, I would suggest to do it! Now, we are saving so we can stay again on site! LOL Either way, have a wonderful trip!